₦airaland Forum

RGM National Leader, Egberipapa lauds Return of Democracy to Rivers State ,Welcomes Fubara , Rivers Assembly Members

Distinguished members of the press, fellow Rivers people, stakeholders, and friends,.

After months of stalled democratic governance, Rivers people felt the pains of fading promises and hopes. It is not just refreshing but also reassuring to once again return to democratic governance.

On behalf of the Rivers Grassroots Movement, it is our honour to officially welcome His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, and the Rivers State House of Assembly as they resume the solemn duty of democratic governance in our state.

The turn of constitutional democracy in our state demanded that leadership would immediately respond to the yearnings of the people and restore confidence to the system.

We therefore commend the Governor for his swift response to the call of duty and for taking bold, people-centered steps that have begun to reactivate the economic life of Rivers State.

Under his swift direction, many previously stalled projects have been reactivated and contractors mobilised back to site — a development that signals renewed progress across critical infrastructure projects in the state and restores hope to communities that endured months of uncertainty.

We especially appreciate and applaud the Governor’s decisive action to revoke the ₦134 billion Secretariat Renovation contract awarded during the emergency administration — a contract that, in the judgment of Rivers people, did not reflect prudent fiscal management or the developmental priorities of the state.

By annulling this contract and ordering refunds of ₦20 billion in hastily-awarded payments, His Excellency has demonstrated the fiscal discipline and public-interest stewardship our people rightly expect.

We also applaud Governor Fubara’s approval for the payment of eight months’ salary arrears to newly recruited health workers under the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board.

The payment, confirmed to be disbursed alongside October salaries and covering approximately 1,000 health personnel deployed across the state’s 23 local government areas, addresses an urgent welfare concern and reaffirms the administration’s commitment to strengthening our health sector and supporting the professionals who serve our people.

Taken together, these actions — the reactivation of projects, the reversal of imprudent expenditures, and the prioritisation of workers’ welfare and health system improvements — illustrate a clear and welcome shift toward transparent, people-oriented governance that places the interests of Rivers people first.

The restoration of democratic governance has created the enabling environment for these positive changes.
As an organisation rooted in the grassroots and committed to promoting good governance and accountability, the Rivers Grassroots Movement hereby reaffirms its support for the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS.

Our endorsement is not merely personal. It is an endorsement of the future of Rivers State — a future grounded in prudent stewardship, social investment, and tangible development for the people.


We congratulate the Rivers State House of Assembly for resuming its constitutional role and for partnering in restoring democratic governance. The swift return to legislative responsibility is a welcome signal that the checks, balances, and oversight necessary for accountable governance are being restored in the state.

In the same spirit of protecting the welfare of ordinary Rivers people, the Rivers Grassroots Movement is deeply concerned about the rapid escalation of rents and the proliferation of excessive agent fees and sundry charges in Port Harcourt, which are making housing increasingly unaffordable for many families.

The current economic realities — rising prices and dwindling household incomes — demand proactive legislative action.

We therefore call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to urgently review and carry out necessary amendments to the Rivers State Landlord & Tenants Law (Revised Edition Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, Edict 1991) to contain exploitative practices by some real estate practitioners, regulate unreasonable agent fees and sundry charges, and create mechanisms that protect tenants from arbitrary and predatory increases — while also ensuring that legitimate property owners continue to receive fair value for their assets.

Such amendments should be guided by the dual aims of housing affordability and equitable protection — to shield vulnerable families from exploitative practices, to promote transparent rental processes and fee structures, and to set enforceable standards that provide certainty to both tenants and property owners.

We urge legislators to engage stakeholders, including tenants’ associations, landlords, estate agents, consumer advocates, and community leaders, in crafting amendments that are fair, enforceable, and responsive to the prevailing economic challenges faced by Rivers people.

Taken together, the reactivation of projects, the reversal of imprudent expenditures, the prioritisation of workers’ welfare, and the urgent call to make housing affordable represent the kind of people-oriented governance that Rivers people sorely need.

As an organisation rooted in the grassroots and committed to good governance and accountability, the Rivers Grassroots Movement hereby reaffirms its support for the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS — not merely for the man but for the future of Rivers State that his leadership promises.

We call on all arms of government, civil society, traditional institutions, and every well-meaning Rivers person to join hands in rebuilding trust, accelerating inclusive development, and defending the common good.

May this renewed season of governance heal divisions, restore confidence, and deliver tangible improvements to the daily lives of Rivers people.

Signed:
High Chief Hon. Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa)
National Leader, Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM)

A quiet digital drain is underway in Africa’s largest economy. A new generation of foreign “AI–fintech” vendors is monetising Nigerian consumers at vast scale, offering airtime advances, nano-loans, and algorithmic credit scoring through the country’s mobile networks. Optasia, formerly Channel VAS, exemplifies this model. It provides airtime and data credit services for telecom giants such as MTN and reportedly serves over 121 million monthly active users worldwide, processing tens of millions of micro-loans each day. Now, as the company seeks to raise roughly ZAR 6.3 billion, or about $375 million, through a public offering, much of its valuation rests on African—and especially Nigerian—transaction volumes. Yet the intellectual property, cloud infrastructure, and retained earnings all sit offshore. Nigeria provides the demand, the data, and the distribution rails; others reap the equity value.

Without deliberate policy intervention, the country is exporting value and importing dependency.
The mechanics of this extraction are straightforward but deeply consequential. These firms integrate directly with mobile network operators, mining subscriber data such as call logs, recharge patterns, data consumption, and repayment history to price nano-loans dynamically. They take a revenue share from every disbursed loan or airtime advance, yet the algorithms and data models that enable this system reside abroad while Nigerian users supply the behavioural fuel. Meanwhile, many of these companies operate through foreign parent entities, routing fees offshore under the guise of “technology services” or “licensing” payments.

This reduces local taxable income and deprives the Nigerian state of much-needed revenue. The rules that might address this—such as those governing Significant Economic Presence and transfer pricing—exist, but enforcement is inconsistent and often too slow to keep pace with the speed of digital innovation.

Even where these firms establish Nigerian subsidiaries, the local presence is minimal. Most employ only small teams handling sales, compliance, and customer operations. The high-value activities—research, data science, platform engineering—remain anchored abroad. The result is a digital ecosystem that extracts more than it contributes, providing few skilled jobs and almost no technology transfer or capital-market participation. Nigerians bear the credit risk and pay the fees, while foreign platforms capture the profits and, more importantly, the compounding equity value that global investors reward.

What Nigeria currently captures from this digital economy is a fraction of its potential. Taxation frameworks theoretically allow the country to tax non-resident firms and enforce transfer-pricing compliance, but profit shifting through intra-group service fees continues to erode the base. Consumer-protection regulations, such as the FCCPC’s digital-lending rules, focus narrowly on abusive lending practices without addressing broader questions of value capture, data localisation, or intellectual property retention.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023 and the NITDA content guidelines provide a foundation for data governance, yet compliance remains uneven, particularly among telco-adjacent fintechs. Nigerians generate the data and pay the fees; others own the servers and the equity.

Other emerging markets have faced—and fixed—this imbalance. India’s central bank requires loans to be originated by regulated domestic entities and insists that financial data be processed within its borders. Indonesia’s financial regulator caps foreign ownership in peer-to-peer lending platforms and mandates local incorporation.

These policies are not protectionist but pragmatic: they invite foreign participation on terms that ensure domestic value creation. Market access, in other words, must come with national benefit.

Nigeria can achieve a similar balance. Policymakers should create a joint NCC–CBN licence category for telco-embedded credit and airtime advance services, ensuring that any firm offering such products operates through a locally incorporated and regulated entity. Data processing for Nigerian subscribers should occur within the country’s borders, using cloud environments that comply with national data-protection laws. Foreign firms seeking to profit from Nigerian users should hold a meaningful level of domestic equity, while intellectual property relevant to local operations should be escrowed within Nigerian jurisdiction for continuity and oversight. Companies should be required to disclose their Nigerian revenues, the share of data processed locally, and the scale of their investment in domestic R&.

Telecom contracts should be transparent and non-exclusive, ensuring that consumers, not just corporate intermediaries, share in the benefits. Enforcement of tax obligations should be strengthened through coordinated audits by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Central Bank, and the Nigerian Communications Commission. And when these firms list abroad, they should be required to offer Nigerian investors participation through depositary receipts or equivalent vehicles, ensuring that the country’s capital markets capture some of the upside generated by its consumers.

Optasia’s planned public offering crystallises a wider problem: Nigeria’s digital demand is enriching global shareholders rather than Nigerian citizens. The country already has the legal and regulatory architecture to prevent this outcome—the NDPA, the NITDA content rules, the Significant Economic Presence framework—but it lacks coordinated enforcement. The solution lies not in rejecting foreign technology but in insisting that those who profit from Nigerian scale also invest in Nigerian capability. Market openness must be matched by value reciprocity.

The next six months are critical. Regulators should issue a joint NCC–CBN notice of intent to formalise licensing for telco-embedded credit services, direct mobile operators to disclose and revise exclusivity arrangements, and clarify how inter-company platform fees are treated under existing tax rules. NITDA should enforce compliance on data residency and model training, while the Ministry of Finance and the Securities and Exchange Commission work together to enable Nigerian depositary participation in offshore listings linked to local operations.

Nigeria need not close its digital borders to reclaim value. What it must do is renegotiate the terms of participation. If foreign firms wish to monetise Nigeria’s data and demand, the price of admission must be measured in jobs, taxes, skills, intellectual property, and shared capital-market inclusion.

To remain open without being exploited, Nigeria must ensure that the digital wealth created within its borders stays, at least in part, within them. Market access should no longer be a one-way street. If others seek Nigeria’s scale, they must also help build Nigeria’s wealth.

By all objective measures, Nigeria’s digital economy should be entering its golden decade. The country has talent, infrastructure, entrepreneurial depth, and international credibility.

What it lacks—fatally—is the kind of leadership willing to defend its domestic digital ecosystem from foreign capture.

Despite unprecedented trust and latitude from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current custodians of Nigeria’s digital portfolio, Dr Bosun Tijani, (Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy), Dr Aminu Maida (Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission), and Kashifu Inuwa (Director General of NITDA)—have so far failed to articulate or enforce a Nigeria-First digital industrial policy.

The result is a creeping dependency that threatens to turn Africa’s largest digital market into a client economy—profitable, yes, but not sovereign.

Nigeria’s digital policy
Under this administration, Nigeria’s digital policy has lost coherence and strategic intent. There is no unified vision for nurturing domestic innovators, no guardrails to prevent market concentration, and no framework for managing the growing dominance of multinational platforms in payments, cloud services, and connectivity.

Where the previous administration—through the Central Bank of Nigeria—once took principled risks to empower local fintechs, today’s regulators have adopted a posture of quiet surrender.

It bears repeating that Moniepoint, Kuda, FairMoney, and PalmPay were not accidents of innovation. They were the product of deliberate policy decisions that restrained commercial banks and created space for new entrants. That boldness catalysed jobs, investment, and investor confidence.

Today, that spirit is gone. The new orthodoxy seems to be appeasement—an open-door policy for MTN, Airtel, and other multinational giants expanding unchecked into fintech, identity, and digital services.


These firms now occupy multiple layers of the digital stack—telecoms, finance, and infrastructure—while homegrown startups are left to compete in asymmetrical markets, often without regulatory protection.

Nigerian regulators as cheerleaders
Rather than acting as referees, Nigeria’s digital regulators have become cheerleaders, celebrating every new “partnership” with a global brand as a sign of progress.

These deals, often marketed as “innovation enablers,” too frequently result in the displacement of Nigerian companies, the offshoring of local data, and the quiet erosion of indigenous capacity.

The consequences are visible. Nigerian startups are scaling down or relocating abroad. International venture capital and domestic investors are drying up as confidence wanes. Government ministries increasingly procure foreign cloud and software services, marginalising local providers, while Telcos are consolidating dominance over payments, identity management, and data—core layers once led by innovators.

The silence from the ministry, the NCC, and NITDA is not neutrality, it is neglect. For those who believe regulatory passivity is harmless, Ghana offers a sobering case study. There, MTN Mobile Money became a gravitational monopoly that swallowed the country’s fintech ecosystem whole.

Innovation withered. Startups died. Market concentration deepened to the point where competition became theoretical.

Nigeria is drifting down the same path—only with a larger population and higher stakes. When policy timidity becomes the default, market monopolies become destiny.

Reclaiming Nigeria’s digital sovereignty
Nigeria must urgently reclaim control of its digital destiny through a Digital Sovereignty and Domestic Participation Policy.

The sector desperately needs a comprehensive framework that defines clear boundaries between telecoms, fintechs, and digital platforms, prioritises Nigerian ownership and equity in strategic technology sectors, mandates data localisation and value retention, and creates competitive safeguards to prevent vertical monopolies.

No economy achieves self-sufficiency by outsourcing its digital infrastructure. Every great digital nation—from India to South Korea—has used industrial policy to protect nascent industries before exposing them to global competition.

Nigeria must do the same, not out of isolationism, but out of realism. Without red lines, telcos will dominate infrastructure and innovation, without a national digital charter, Nigeria will become a user base, not a producer.

The harsh truth is that the digital economy is not about visibility. It is about vision, vigilance, and the willingness to make unpopular choices.

Dr Bosun Tijani and Idris Alubankudi Saliu have yet to articulate a coherent framework for digital sovereignty or startup protection. Same as Dr Aminu Maida’s NCC which remains reactive, allowing mobile network operators to expand into fintech without meaningful competition safeguards. It’s worth remembering that they (being a regulator) championed the tariff increase for telcos and word on the street is that they are likely to approve another in the coming months.

Kashifu Inuwa’s NITDA appears more focused on pilot projects and publicity than on confronting systemic vulnerabilities in the local innovation base.

Of course, these are failures of conviction, and they risk reducing Nigeria’s digital economy from a source of pride to a cautionary tale.

Nigeria still has the ingredients for greatness, world-class engineers, a thriving developer community, a global diaspora of innovators, and a resilient private sector. What it lacks is a state willing to defend its own future.

If we continue on the current trajectory, the next wave of African innovation will not emerge from Yaba or Abuja, but from Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Dubai. Nigeria will still have user, but zero ownership.

The digital economy is the new oil. But unlike crude, it cannot be exported raw. It must be refined, protected, and governed with foresight.

Until then, policymakers must understand that Nigeria’s so-called digital revolution will remain a story of potential squandered and sovereignty sold.


Ayodele Adio is the Managing Director of Adio Strategy and Communications

In the spirit of compassion and community development, leading mobile technology and smartlife brand itel Nigeria marked World Food Day 2025 with a heartwarming Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative themed “Nourish to Flourish.” The outreach took place on October 17, 2025, across two communities, Kpite and Bunu, in Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, touching the lives of hundreds of children and their families.

In partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI), itel brought smiles and hope to pupils of Divine Academy, St. James Academy, Primary School 1–3 in Kpite Community, and Divine Grace Schools and Model Primary School 1–3 in Bunu Community. The team distributed freshly cooked meals, along with branded school bags, mathematical sets, and water bottles to promote nourishment, learning, and well-being among young learners.
The initiative, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 4 (Quality Education), underscores itel’s long-standing commitment to improving lives through meaningful social impact.

Speaking during the event, Olorun-nimbe Dolapo, ATL Marketing Manager at itel Nigeria, emphasized the brand’s dedication to fostering community growth beyond technology.

“At itel, we believe that true progress begins with people, especially the young ones. Our ‘Nourish to Flourish’ initiative is more than just a CSR; it’s a promise to ensure that children in underserved communities have both the nutrition and the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive. By combining healthy meals with educational support, we are investing in the future of these communities,” he said.



Also speaking, Maume Agbaosi, Donor Relations and Partner Agency Officer at Lagos Food Bank Initiative, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and highlighted the importance of multi-sector partnerships in addressing hunger and child welfare in Nigeria.

“Our partnership with itel over the years and today shows what is possible when organizations unite for a common cause. Together, we’ve not only provided meals but also restored hope and happiness to children who deserve every opportunity to succeed. Combating hunger is a collective effort, and we are proud to work with a brand that shares our vision for a nourished and empowered Nigeria,” Agbaosi noted.


The children and teachers across both communities welcomed the initiative with excitement, with many expressing appreciations for the gesture that combined both care and empowerment. For many of the young pupils, it was not just a day of receiving food and school supplies; it was a day of joy, inclusion, and renewed motivation to pursue their dreams.

Through CSR initiatives like “Nourish to Flourish”, itel continues to live up to its brand philosophy of “Enjoy Better Life”, demonstrating that the company’s impact extends far beyond smartphones and gadgets, reaching the very heart of the community.

As the day ended, smiles filled the classrooms and playgrounds of Tai LGA, a testament to the power of kindness, partnership, and the enduring belief that when children are nourished, both in body and in mind, they truly flourish.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, has hailed Comrade Isaac Balami for his initiative in establishing a private university, describing it as a development that will attract more people to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Keyamo said the “transfer season” was still open for anyone willing to join the APC, urging Balami to take charge of political mobilization in Borno State.

Commending Balami’s energy and vision, the minister recalled how the young entrepreneur first presented his dream of an aviation university to him shortly after his appointment.

“The moment I was sworn in as Minister of Aviation, one of the first people who came to my office was Isaac Balami. He shared his plans for the aviation sector. I remember it was around his 39th birthday. He told me he had just established an MRO in Lagos and that the Isaac Balami University was on the way,” Keyamo said.

He expressed surprise and admiration for Balami’s initiative at such a young age, adding that he was inspired to support him until the university received approval.

“This is another feather to my cap as Minister of Aviation. I can proudly say I’ve delivered my own polling unit in this sector. This aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to support the private sector and promote human capital development — two key pillars in our five-point agenda,” Keyamo added.

He described IBUAM as a “revolutionary achievement,” noting that it is the first of its kind in Africa by combining a flying school, aviation professional training, and an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility under one umbrella.

Also speaking, the member representing Askira Uba Federal Constituency, Hon. Midala Balami, praised the university’s founder, describing him as a symbol of resilience and determination. He said with the unveiling of IBUAM, political opposition in Borno had been weakened, and the stage set for President Tinubu’s victory in 2027.

“Congratulations to Isaac Balami for completing 40 to 50 percent of the campaign for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

In his remarks, Comrade Isaac Balami expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Keyamo, Seyi Tinubu, Captain Chris Najomo, and others who contributed to the success of the project. He said his decision to remain in Nigeria and invest locally, despite the ongoing brain drain, was driven by his passion to contribute to nation-building.

Balami recounted his humble beginnings, noting how his parents sold their properties to support his education.

“The university is not just another tertiary institution; it is tied to an aircraft maintenance and overhaul facility in Lagos. Our goal is to produce 21-year-old graduates who can work anywhere in the world without supervision,” he said.

He called on state governments, ministries, agencies, and political leaders to sponsor students on scholarships, emphasizing that profits from the university would be reinvested into society through his foundation.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced scholarships for 100 female students willing to enroll in the university, noting that empowering young women in critical sectors aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for gender inclusion and national growth.

The event was attended by dignitaries including the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, as well as senators, permanent secretaries, and captains of industry.

The convener further assured all candidates who scored cut off points of 200 and above to quickly go to https://www.ibuam.edu.ng/ to register.

It assured candidates that most of its scholarships will come from development agencies, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and North East Development Commission, NEDC.

Tompolo's 10 Billion Commitment: A Defining Investment in Peace and Progress for the Niger Delta — High Chief Horn. Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, Paramount Head of Da Ike Group of Houses and Communities

"Tompolo's N10 billion donation is more than money: it is a symbol of faith in the idea that peace can be built from within by those who understand the terrain. and the people. Every kobo invested in peace creates ripples of progress, every strengthened community becomes a fortress for national stability. Delta is a vital part of the Niger Delta puzzle; its security and peace have a direct and positive Impact on neighbouring states such as Bayelsa, Edo, and Rivers. This is why Tompolo's action transcends state lines and strengthens the security architecture of the entire region and fortifies the economic lifeline of the nation."

A new generation of young philanthropists is quietly transforming Edo State through grassroots projects that restore hope and rebuild communities. These emerging change-makers are breathing new life into institutions like Auchi College and funding initiatives that are touching lives across Edo and beyond.

Driven by compassion, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose, they represent a growing movement of socially conscious youths committed to making lasting impact — one community at a time.

The Coalition of Independent Online Media Platforms has raised alarm over what it described as a growing trend of blackmail, propaganda, and abuse of oversight powers by certain members of the National Assembly, warning that such conduct threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Speaking at a press conference, Chairman of the Coalition, Olubade Jimoh, alleged that some lawmakers have abandoned their constitutional duties and now operate as public relations agents for government officials facing corruption charges, while simultaneously targeting appointees who refuse to yield to their demands.

“It has come to our attention that certain members of the National Assembly are engaging in unprofessional conduct, including blackmail and propaganda, against government appointees who refuse to succumb to their demands,” the coalition stated.

The group cited the case of Honourable Philip Agbese, who recently made public comments exonerating former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of wrongdoing, despite the matter being before a competent court. “It was Honourable to have waited for the court’s decision,” the coalition said.

Among those allegedly targeted for refusing to cooperate with the lawmakers’ demands are Dr. Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State; Senator Alkali, Minister of Transportation; and Dr. Senator Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs. The coalition claimed that online platforms have been used to spread falsehoods against these individuals.

“They go to online mediums propagating all kinds of lies against them,” the statement read.

The coalition singled out Sahara Reporters for criticism, accusing the platform of publishing misleading reports, including a recent article about Minister Nyesom Wike and the Council of State meeting.

“Sahara Reporters should know better that Wike is not a member of the Council of State and as such cannot be in the meeting, talk more of the report of being absent because the President refused the appointment of his protégé,” the group said.

Calling for responsible journalism, the coalition urged media platforms to uphold ethical standards and verify information before publication. It also encouraged whistleblowers with credible evidence of corruption to come forward.

“We will support them in their efforts to promote transparency and accountability,” the group assured.

In a strong appeal to the presidency, the coalition demanded decisive action against individuals, including those close to the President, who are allegedly involved in these activities.

“It is essential to promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity in our governance,” the statement emphasized.

The group further called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to clamp down on media outlets that publish fake and unverified reports, and announced plans to lead a protest and submit a petition to the EFCC and Police Headquarters in the coming days.

“We will ensure prosecution of the NASS members fingered in the $150 million Binance bribe saga and many other corrupt practices,” it said.

The coalition praised Premium Times and other platforms for their commitment to ethical journalism.

“Their efforts are a testament to the power of responsible journalism,” the statement added.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has launched a multi-million naira, 14-day free medical outreach in Plateau state to provide accessible healthcare services to thousands of residents across the state.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Sharing Hope International Medical Mission, USA, and Sharing Hope Care and Foundation Nigeria, supported by the APC National Chairman as part of his commitment to improving healthcare delivery and promoting humanitarian development.

Prof. Nentawe, accompanied by former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Wase, former Senator representing Plateau North Istifanus Dung Gyang, and the Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Dr. Pokop Wushipba Bupwatda, among others, received members of the 31-man U.S.-based medical team at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.

He officially inaugurated the outreach on Monday, October 6, 2025, at JUTH.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Nentawe said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the health and social well-being of Nigerians.

“This medical mission reflects our collective resolve to make quality healthcare accessible, especially to the less privileged. We must thank the Sharing Hope International Medical Mission for supporting this initiative. Already, we’ve attended to over 400 people, and now we are receiving essential medical equipment and experts from the U.S., France, and Canada to deepen the impact,” he said.

The APC National Chairman explained that the outreach will deliver a wide range of medical services, including consultations, surgeries, dental and eye care, gynecological and pediatric treatment, and the distribution of essential medicines, all at no cost to beneficiaries.

He further noted that beyond treatment, the outreach would focus on capacity building for local health professionals.

“Our goal is not just to perform surgeries and leave, but to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian doctors, nurses, and health workers through hands-on training that will have a lasting impact,” he added.


Nentawe Yilwatda, also empowered displaced women traders in Plateau State with ₦50 million in business grants under the Renewed Hope for GenerationNext Empowerment Program.

The empowerment event, held at the Millennial International Event Centre, Jos, saw ₦20 million disbursed as direct cash grants to individual women traders, while ₦30 million was allocated to cooperative groups to enhance collective growth, business stability, and long-term resilience.

[/b]Beneficiaries expressed excitement and gratitude to Prof. Nentawe for his continued commitment to uplifting the less privileged and supporting women’s economic independence.

[b]In his remarks, Prof. Nentawe reaffirmed his dedication to restoring livelihoods, reducing poverty, and empowering women and youth across Plateau State, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Loveworld Medicaid, a member agency of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International says no fewer than 18,000 individuals having eye challenges have received full free treatment and improved vision.

The Assistant Director, Loveworld Medicaid, Dr. Olajumoke Ola-Akisanya, made this known during a news briefing to commemorate the World Sight Day, and to mark one year of Loveworld Medicaid Vision 10,000 Free Eye Surgeries Initiative.

Dr. Ola-Akisanya said that the initiative, which commenced in May 2024, was targeted at indigent and underserved communities, to deliver free eye care services, including screenings, medical check-ups, surgeries, and provision of free eyeglasses to beneficiaries across the country and beyond.

She said that the programme had restored sight and contributed significantly to improved vision for individuals across Africa and Asia, illuminating lives and communities.

Ola-Akisanya said that 725 free corrective eye surgeries were carried out successfully, while 8,507 prescription glasses were dispensed.

She said that 8,069 individuals were provided with essential eye medications, to manage their conditions effectively.

``Thousands of diagnostic screenings and consultations were carried out across various communities such as Olusosun, Ibeju-Lekki, Isolo, Abule-Egba, Waru, Isheri, Tombia Kingdom, Oko, Erediauwa, Warri and even in Mumbai in India.

``Some of the beneficiaries have been known to travel inter-state just to attend these interventions because of the burden of their ill health and their great desire for relief and treatment,'' the Assistant Director said.

She described the Vision 10,000 Free Eye Surgeries Initiative as a bold step toward eliminating avoidable blindness and ensuring that no one was left in the dark because they could not afford care.

According to her, the crisis of visual impairment remains a significant global health challenge, as 1.1 billion people worldwide live with vision loss.

She said that in Nigeria alone, more than 24 million people suffer from varying degrees of visual impairment, with 1.3 million completely blind.

Ola-Akisanya expressed deep significance of the intervention, noting that ''Every restored sight is a story of hope rekindled''.

``We have seen the joy of children who once struggled in school finally able to read clearly. These stories reflect the initiative’s ripple effect: improved health outcomes and increased accessibility to life-changing care,'' she said.

Ola-Akisanya expressed gratitude to Chris Oyakhilome Foundation and other partners for their investment and support for the project.

In his remarks, the Clinical Director, Loveworld Medical Centre, Mr Emeka Eze, described the initiative as touching and transforming.

Eze said that there was the need for urgent intervention on the part of well-to-do Nigerians to support those who could not access medical care, noting that many cases only required little intervention.

``The point is some people cannot afford even simple interventions. Loveworld Medicaid’s intervention goes beyond surgeries; it is about access to care. Many people cannot access care, even when it is available.

``Blindness is not always caused by cataracts; sometimes it is due to infections, such as by worms in riverine areas of Nigeria. It could also be trauma, but many causes are treatable,'' he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Solomon, who had been blind for a decade, recovered her sight after undergoing surgery.

``I can now engage with my children and live without fear. I am grateful to Loveworld Medicaid and the sponsors,'' Solomon said

The Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has directed the immediate withdrawal of the radio and television tax on residential houses within the council.

This decision follows widespread concerns and outcry from residents who expressed dissatisfaction with the new levy.

The directive was announced at the AMAC headquarters, in a statement released by Kingsley Madaki
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Executive Chairman AMAC, Hon Christopher Zakka where the Chairman emphasized his administration’s commitment to listening to the voices of the people and ensuring that policies reflect the needs and welfare of the residents.

Hon. Maikalangu clarified that the initial rollout of the Radio-TV Taxes was intended to generate revenue for the council’s developmental projects, including provision of basic amenities, infrastructures and improvement of community facilities.

However, he acknowledged that the timing and implementation of the tax required broader stakeholder engagement and adequate publicity.

In response to the feedback, the Chairman instructed the council’s Revenue department to suspend all collection of the Radio - TV taxes from residential houses immediately and withdraw any demand notices already served to them.

He also ordered a review of the tax policy to ensure transparency and fairness.

Going forward, the AMAC administration will focus the Radio - Television Taxes solely on commercial establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, business premises and other offices, where the levy can be justified as a contribution to the council’s service delivery without burdening individual households.

The Executive Chairman reiterated his administration’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for both residents and businesses, urging the public to continue partnering with the council in its development initiatives.

He also called on residents to remain vigilant and proactive in sharing their views on policies that affect their daily lives.

The Council will be disseminating detailed guidelines on the revised tax policy through official channels, including the council’s website, social media platforms, and community town‑hall meetings, to ensure clarity and avoid any misunderstandings.

Hon. Maikalangu thanked the residents for their constructive engagement and assured them that the council remains committed to delivering quality services while upholding the principles of fairness, accountability, and sustainable development.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, has stated that the suit filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja to prevent ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in 2027 is “an abuse of court process.”

The senior lawyer made this known on Tuesday, while being interviewed on Arise TV's Morning Show.

“An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.

He added that Jonathan’s qualification or disqualification has already been adjudicated in Yenegoa, and since “nobody has taken that issue on appeal … until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is.”

Maduabuchi said any party who takes that settled issue to a court of coordinate jurisdiction is simply “abusing the process of the court” and branded such action as one by “a busy body.”

He[b] observed that what controls any situation is the law in force “when the act in issue was done,” asking whether Section 1373 existed in 2010 when Jonathan took the oath of office.

He said the law only came into effect in 2018 and “when Goodluck Jonathan was taking the oath of office … there was no statutory limitation … which could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.”[/b]

He questioned whether Jonathan swore any oath after the amendment of 1373 and likened attempts to apply a later law earlier to punishing someone under a law that did not exist when the act occurred.

He recalled that judges’ retirement age was formerly 65, then changed to 70, and asked if a judge who had retired just before that change would sue to be reinstated under the new law.

He emphasised that law demands certainty, and noted that “in 2011 and 2010, when Goodluck Jonathan swore the oath … Prohibition of 1372 was not in existence. It was not binding on him.”

He said no “pyrotechnic” argument can breathe existence into a law that did not exist.

He further referenced a case in the Federal Court of Appeal which affirmed that Jonathan had the right to run and one cannot apply retrospective laws to him.