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WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.

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WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, under the leadership of its Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, H.E. Senator Bala Mohammed, CON, is moved to respond to the vicious, speculative media reports alleging that our Chairman, H.E Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, was leading the opposition into oblivion by his recent courtesies to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on his interventions in the recent Rivers State crisis and non-interference in the proceedings of the Tribunals and the Judiciary as a whole in its rulings.

For the avoidance of doubts and to clarify the sequence of events, it was in fact the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), HE. Governor Malam Abdul-Rahwan Abdul-Razaq of Kwara State, an APC Governor, that took leadership in intimating Mr. President of the situation in Rivers State.

All the Governors of 36 States supported the move. In particular, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, H.E Bala Mohammed, lent his weight and support to the move. It should be noted that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is a member of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Vice-Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. The President, H.E Bola Tinubu, GCON, agreed to intervene as requested.

It is most disingenuous for certain persons to lampoon the courtesies extended to Mr. President for his intervention. It should be noted that the events that played out in Rivers State had national security implications; it had the potential to lead to a breakdown of law and order. Indeed, the Rivers State Police Command acknowledged as much in its statement issued on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Mr. President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and effectively the Chief Security Officer of the nation, had to intervene to nip the crises in the bud. Indeed, Nigeria’s history is replete with instances where a development in one state could snowball and affect the whole country. Rivers State is one of the major oil producing States in Nigeria. A breach of peace in Rivers State, considering its strategic value and importance, no doubt, could affect other States of the federation.

Indeed, it is a sign of good leadership and a high sense of duty that Gov. Bala Mohammed summoned and held an emergency meeting of the Forum immediately the Rivers State matter came up. We think that he deserves credit for this. In a communiqué issued by the PDP-GF at the end of its meeting on 31st October, 2023, the PDP Governors said “The PDP Governors were alarmed at the recent developments in Rivers State and welcomes the intervention of Mr. President to bring the crises to an end. The meeting urged all parties to the Rivers State crises to sheath their sword and resort to peaceful means of resolution. The Forum further offers its platform for a quick and just containment of the issues involved.”

There is no way Governor Bala Mohammed, being a lover of peace in all parts of the country could fold his hands and fail to act or appreciate the good efforts of the President in finding solution to the crisis. This further explains the shuttle diplomacy employed by the PDP Governors’ Forum led by Gov. Bala Mohammed in visiting and counseling the dramatis personae in the crises.

Those castigating the Chairman and other members of the PDP Governors’ Forum seem to have forgotten that the unity, peace and tranquility of the country transcend politics and political leanings.

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum has not in any way done anything wrong by thanking the efforts of the President to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.

Senator Bala Mohammed is not trying and will not do anything to hand over the PDP, a leading and formidable opposition party to the President, who was elected on the platform of another party.

The situation in Rivers State on 30th October, 2023 was not just a PDP affair. No.

Hon. C.I. D. Maduabum, LL.M
Director-General
PDP Governors’ Forum

WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.

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One Killed, Two Injured in Suspected Terror Attack in Zamfara

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One Killed, Two Injured in Suspected Terror Attack in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

One person has been killed while two others sustained gunshot injuries following a suspected terrorist attack in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on May 17, 2026, when troops of the Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bingi received a distress call regarding an attack at Dan Jugku village.

According to the sources, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 1 mobilised immediately to the scene where they discovered that three civilians had been shot during the assault.

One of the victims was confirmed dead on the spot, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The injured victims were evacuated to the Bingi clinic for medical attention.

Security authorities said efforts were ongoing to stabilise the area and track down the attackers, while patrols had been intensified in surrounding communities.

One Killed, Two Injured in Suspected Terror Attack in Zamfara

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NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

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NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia, as the agency intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.

The seizures were made by NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos on Friday during the examination of export shipments. According to the agency, 170 grammes of cocaine carefully sealed in cellophane parcels were discovered hidden within the walls of a carton containing clothes bound for Australia.

In another shipment heading to the United Kingdom, the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said officers uncovered a cache of opioids, including 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection concealed in a carton.

The anti-narcotics agency also recorded major breakthroughs in Delta State, where operatives raided forests and cannabis farms in separate operations supported by military personnel.

At Ejeonu village in Ukwuani Local Government Area, NDLEA officers destroyed 27,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on 11 hectares of farmland and recovered an additional 22.9 kilogrammes of the substance. A suspect, 52-year-old Ifeanyichukwu Peter, was later arrested during a follow-up operation in Obiaruku.

Similarly, operatives raided Orogun village in Ughelli North Local Government Area, destroying another 37,500 kilogrammes of skunk grown on 15 hectares of farmland while recovering 55.4 kilogramsmes of the illicit drug. Thirty-year-old Godwin Vincent Osadera was arrested in connection with the operation.

The agency said the two operations resulted in the destruction of a total of 65,000 kilogrammes of skunk.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested 42-year-old Husaini Suleiman after recovering 361 kilogrammes of skunk during a raid at Dan Magaji area of Zaria town.

In a separate operation along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, officers intercepted 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside sacks of fresh cassava granules, popularly known as garri. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Abdullahi Hassan, was apprehended while transporting the ammunition. NDLEA said both the suspect and the recovered ammunition had been transferred to another security agency for further investigation.

In the Federal Capital Territory, operatives arrested a 29-year-old businessman, Ogadi Peter, alleged to specialize in producing drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social gatherings.

The suspect was arrested at his residence in the Life Camp area of Abuja following intelligence reports. Officers recovered 800 grammes of skunk and 2.7 kilogrammes of drug-infused cookies from the premises.

Elsewhere, NDLEA operatives in Ogun State recovered 181 kilogrammes of skunk from a suspect, Aliyu Sani, during a raid in the Ogere area.

In Taraba State, 27-year-old Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa was arrested along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari Local Government Area with 105,850 pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

Two suspects, Adeleke Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25, were also arrested in Saki town, Oyo State, in connection with the seizure of 99 litres of skuchies, a cocktail of illicit substances.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers destroyed 1,388.4175 kilogrammes of skunk on two farms during a raid on Ago forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

In Kano State, operatives recovered 1.2 kilogrammes of tramaking 225mg pills concealed in a 25-litre jerry can of palm oil at Kofar Ruwa motor park. Another suspect, Aminu Isa, was arrested with 30.5 kilogrammes of skunk at Sabuwar Sharada area of the state.

Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign continued across the country with awareness lectures delivered in schools in Oyo, Niger, Lagos, Katsina, Ekiti, and Kano states.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers of the agency’s commands in Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Taraba, Kano, the FCT, and Edo states for the successful operations.

He assured that the agency remained committed to sustaining a balance between reducing drug supply and intensifying drug demand reduction campaigns nationwide.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls Bound for UK, Australia

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PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

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PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

By: Michael Mike

The Presdent of the General Assembly of the Premiere Academy International Model United Nations (PAIMUN) 2026, H.E. Timilehin Adewuyi, has called on governments, international organisations and private institutions to intensify efforts toward bridging the digital divide and expanding access to technology-driven education across the world.p

Speaking during the second session of the PAIMUN General Assembly held at the United Nations House in Abuja, Adewuyi described digital transformation in education as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development and preparing future generations for global leadership.

Addressing delegates, diplomats and education stakeholders, the PAIMUN President said the world has entered an era where education can no longer remain dependent on traditional methods, stressing that technology has become central to building inclusive, innovative and sustainable societies.

“It is my profound privilege, as President of the General Assembly, to address this august gathering on the topic: ‘Digital Transformation of the Educational Sector as a Driver of Sustainable Development,’” he stated.

According to him, digital innovation has fundamentally changed the way knowledge is accessed, shared and applied globally, opening new opportunities for students to learn beyond geographical and economic limitations.

He noted that digital classrooms, virtual libraries, artificial intelligence and online learning platforms are equipping young people with critical 21st-century skills such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and digital literacy.

Adewuyi stressed that these skills are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and positioning young people to compete effectively in the global economy.

Despite the growing opportunities presented by technology, the PAIMUN President warned that millions of students, particularly in developing countries, still face severe barriers due to poor internet connectivity, lack of electricity and inadequate access to digital devices.

He said sustainable development would remain unattainable if educational opportunities continue to be unequal across regions and social groups.

“Governments, international organizations, and private institutions must work collectively to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no learner is left behind in this technological revolution,” he said.

Adewuyi further described digital education as more than an innovation, calling it a strategic investment in humanity’s future.

He urged delegates at the conference to remain committed to policies that promote responsible and inclusive technology adoption in education systems worldwide.

“By embracing technology responsibly and inclusively, we empower the next generation to drive economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability,” he added.

The PAIMUN conference, hosted by Premiere Academy, brought together student delegates simulating the United Nations General Assembly to debate global issues and propose solutions through diplomacy, dialogue and policy engagement.

The event focused extensively on how digital transformation can strengthen education systems, reduce inequalities and accelerate sustainable development across nations.

PAIMUN President Calls for Urgent Action to Bridge Digital Divide in Education

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