Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers during a pirate attack on a commercial boat along the Calabar–Oron waterways in Cross River State. The victims were reportedly travelling from Calabar, the Cross River capital, to Oron in Akwa Ibom State when the incident occurred on April 16, 2026. The spokesman of the Police Zone 6 Command, Jefferson Osupe, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the attack prompted an immediate security response. According to him, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed, has ordered a sustained joint security operation to secure the release of the victims…
Author: Newsdesk
The Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) has emphasized the need for sustained interventions in zero hunger, good health, and quality education in Nigeria. The Founder and Chairman of AAF, Mr. Akinjide Adeosun, made the statement on Tuesday in Lagos while marking the foundation’s decade of leadership building and unveiling its 2026 initiatives. Adeosun, a pharmacist, said Nigeria’s development requires deliberate efforts to address hunger, healthcare access, and education gaps. “Nigeria needs interventions focused on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and quality education. The AAF has aligned its programs with these priorities over the past decade,” he said. Established in 2015,…
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified measures to mitigate flooding as the rainy season approaches. The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said in an interview on Tuesday that the agency had stepped up pre-rainy season waste evacuation, particularly in flood-prone and densely populated areas, to prevent blocked drainage channels. He noted ongoing enforcement against indiscriminate dumping in drains, canals, and road medians to ensure the free flow of stormwater. Gbadegesin explained that resurfacing of internal roads at Olusosun landfill had been approved to improve access and maintain seamless waste evacuation during heavy rains. Personnel and equipment…
Former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has called for significant investment in agriculture to ensure food security in Nigeria. Amaechi made the call during a visit to Maraba Gaate Settlement Farm in Nasarawa on Tuesday. He urged a shift from traditional, low-yield farming to modern, mechanized methods to boost food production, reduce dependence on imports, and create jobs. “The best way to fight insecurity in the country is to invest in agriculture,” he said. Amaechi emphasized transitioning from subsistence farming to modern agricultural practices to enhance economic growth and tackle food insecurity. He expressed satisfaction…
Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has urged young people to harness their creative potential and embrace innovation as a tool for societal progress. Soludo made the call on Tuesday in a message commemorating World Innovation and Creativity Day, highlighting the importance of ideas and originality in driving development. World Creativity and Innovation Day is marked annually on April 21 to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in problem-solving and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme is “Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress.” She said the day celebrates the power of…
Members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have commended the rapid transformation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) under the leadership of its Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa. The Chief Public Relations Officer of NRC, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. The commendation was made aboard an Abuja–Kaduna train transporting members to NIPR’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kaduna. Members from various state chapters used the rail service as a safer and more convenient alternative. Unyimadu noted that the train, filled largely with members, offered an opportunity for networking, reunion, and professional…
Mrs. Rasheedat Olatunji, founder of Faizat Hope Foundation for Autism and Special Needs, says autism awareness must move beyond words and translate into action. Olatunji made this statement in an interview with reporters in Lagos on Tuesday. She stressed that families with children on the autism spectrum need support systems, not just sympathy, adding that autistic individuals deserve understanding and inclusion, not judgment. “Autism is a developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, behavior, and sensory processing. Every autistic individual is different, which is why support must be individualized,” she said. “Caring for autistic individuals often requires patience, structured routines,…
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in recognition of his service to the state and the nation. Speaking at the investiture ceremony at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, NIPR National President Dr. Ike Neliaku said the institute applies strict criteria in selecting individuals worthy of bearing its brand. “We are very careful about those who wear the NIPR brand,” he said, adding that honourees must demonstrate value to citizens, the nation, and their communities. “From our record, Your Excellency, you have met those requirements. That is…
The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kaduna State, Kabiru Salihu, says the association has registered about 2,700 farmers. He added that the association is positioning its members to benefit from a new agricultural empowerment programme. Salihu made this known in an interview with reporters in Kaduna on Tuesday. He explained that the ongoing registration drive is part of efforts to strengthen data for planning and ensure transparent access to interventions. He said the figure includes no fewer than 700 women, reflecting the association’s push for greater female participation in agriculture and leadership. READ ALSO: Katsina…
Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has reiterated his call for increased military efforts to restore law and order and enable communities to return to their farms. Lawal made the call while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Gusau on Monday. He said security remained the foundation for meaningful development, noting that Zamfara’s largely agrarian population only needed a safe environment to farm and sustain their livelihoods. “It is a pertinent call for intensified military support and stronger collaboration to address the insecurity that has continued to bedevil…