House of Reps Member from Bayelsa State, Hon. Oforji, Builds a Bridge in Yenagoa
House of Representatives member for Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency, Hon. Oboku Oforji has recently completed the construction of a bridge across the Yenagoa River at the Opolo-Epie axis.
The new bridge connects surrounding communities and will help ease movement of goods and services
Rest in Peace, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu
I am deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a brilliant young anchor with Arise News, who was killed in the most painful circumstances during a robbery attack in Abuja.
At only 29, Somtochukwu had already distinguished herself as a gifted broadcaster and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many. Her loss is not only a personal tragedy to her family and colleagues but also a huge blow to journalism and to our nation, which continues to lose its brightest to insecurity and violence.
This heartbreaking incident once again highlights the urgent need for us as a country to prioritise the safety and security of every citizen. No Nigerian should go to bed fearful of what the night may bring, or lose their life in such senseless ways.
My thoughts and prayers are with her grieving family, the Arise News family, and all who mourn her. May her soul rest in peace, and may we, as a nation, work harder to build a country where lives are valued and protected. -PO
NELFUND ENDS 2024/25 APPLICATIONS, ANNOUNCES DEADLINE FOR 2025/26 LOAN REGISTRATION
ASUU PLANS FRESH STRIKE ACTIONS, ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT
Today, at the Federal High Court, the case involving Illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun on bogus cybercrime charges was stalled due to the absence of Justice MS Liman, marking his fourth absence from the case.
Study while others are sleeping
Decide while others are delaying
Prepare while others are daydreaming
Begin while others are procrastinating
Work while others are wishing
Save while others are wasting
Listen while others are talking
Smile while others are frowning
Persist while others are quitting
Have a blessed week ahead#
It is with profound sorrow that I learnt of the devastating collapse of a gold mining pit at Kadauri in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in which scores of lives are feared lost and scores of miners remain trapped.
First and foremost, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by this tragic event. Your pain is our pain. We mourn with you, and we pray for strength and solace in this dark hour.
I also commend the valiant rescue teams, local volunteers, and medical personnel who are working tirelessly under difficult and dangerous conditions to recover survivors and provide care to the injured. May God grant them safety and success in their efforts.
This disaster underscores, yet again, the urgent need for Nigeria to confront the underlying failures in enforcement, regulation, and oversight in the mining sector especially in artisanal and small-scale mining, where workers are often exposed to life-threatening hazards without adequate safety measures.
There’s an urgent need for stricter monitoring and regulation of mining activities, particularly in areas dominated by artisanal operations. Nigeria must strengthen health, safety, and environmental standards while also ensuring that miners receive proper training, equipment, and support to reduce risks. In addition, there should be well-coordinated emergency response mechanisms with faster reaction times and adequate resources to save lives when disasters occur.
I call on the federal government, the Zamfara State Government, agencies such as the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and other stakeholders to collaborate urgently. The task at hand is to rescue those still trapped, provide immediate relief to victims and their families, and ensure that lessons are learnt to avert such tragedies. -AA
FG URGES PENGASSAN TO SHELVE STRIKE OVER FEUD WITH DANGOTE
The Federal Government has urged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENSASSAN) to reconsider its proposed strike starting tomorrow, Monday, September 29, 2025, over its dispute with Dangote Refinery.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who made this plea on Sunday, said his Ministry has taken steps to bring both parties to a roundtable to stop their dispute from escalating further.
Dingyadi disclosed that invitations have been extended to both the leadership of PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery management to attend an emergency meeting in his office on Monday for the conciliation of their dispute.
The Minister called on the leadership of PENGASSAN to withdraw the strike declaration to allow his Ministry to conciliate the dispute in a peaceful atmosphere.
Speaking further, Dingyadi said: “The Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations has extended invitations to the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend a conciliation meeting in my office on Monday.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country, being the core of her economy. A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses by the country but also cause more hardship and difficulties for Nigerians. Consequentially, it will have adverse impacts, both on economic stability and national security.”
The Minister urged the feuding parties to give peace a chance, assuring them that the Federal Government would resolve the dispute amicably to the satisfaction of all the parties involved and in the national interest.
Patience Onuobia
Head, Information and Public Relations
28 September 2025
