•Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has declared his resignation today from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ngobere, along with 18 PDP lawmakers, also tendered their resignation from the opposition party.

Announcing the decision at an expanded State Executive Meeting in Yenagoa, Diri said that he would be leaving the party with members of his cabinet and majority of lawmakers of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly including its Speaker Abraham Ngobere.

The atmosphere at the Executive Chambers, venue of the weekly Bayelsa State Executive Council Meeting was thick with anticipation ending the speculation of Governor Douye Diri’s intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

The rare presence of State lawmakers including its Speaker only heightened expectations.

They did not have to wait for too long as Governor Douye Diri shortly after kick-starting the meeting formally announced resignation of his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere praised Governor Douye Diri for making what he described as a bold decision in the interest of the State.

While, Governor Diri is yet to announce the party he would join, the People Democratic Party had in the past 29 years, enjoyed wide majority in Bayelsa state House of Assembly and it is not clear how many of them will defect to the APC or the ADC .

• CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and others during the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four annual meeting. Photo: CBN

Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four.

The federal government has pledged to amplify the voices of developing nations and drive inclusive global economic reforms when it formally takes office on November 1, 2025.

This was disclosed in a post by the Central Bank of Nigeria on its official X handle on Wednesday.

The G-24 which was formed in 1971, brings together developing nations to forge common positions on global monetary policy and development financing, ensuring their collective voice is heard in international economic decision-making.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the voice of the G-24 as a catalyst for inclusive dialogue and reform.

Cardoso stated, “Our focus will be on sustaining momentum in areas that matter most to our members. We look forward to working with members to advance our shared mission of inclusive growth, equity, and global stability.

“We are determined to ensure that the G-24 continues to be a formidable platform for representing the common interests of emerging and developing economies,”said Cardoso.

The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) 2025 has unveiled the regional finalists from a staggering 106 entries, showcasing the best of Nigeria’s emerging literary talent.

Among the standout authors is Ejiro Umukoro, whose thought-provoking novel, “The Distortion of Hardassah,” has been selected as the South South regional finalist.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to Umukoro’s exceptional storytelling skills and solidifies her position as a rising star in African literature.

“The Distortion of Hardassah” is a gripping narrative that follows the journey of eleven young adults across Nigeria as they navigate the complexities of identity, acceptance, and opportunity.

Umukoro’s debut novel, “Distortion,” was a groundbreaking fiction mental health true crime novel that garnered widespread critical acclaim.

The book’s impact extends beyond the literary world, having been approved by the Ministry of Education, Delta State, as a literature textbook for secondary schools.

It was also selected as the Book of Discussion on World Press Freedom Day by the United States Agency for Global Media in 2024.

The novel’s influence is evident in its selection for the Lagos Arts and Book Festival’s CORA Book Trek, which aims to promote literacy and a love of reading among secondary school students.

“Distortion” has received glowing reviews from prominent media outlets, including BusinessDay, News Central, Arise News, TVC, Trust TV, and The Guardian, with mention by the Pulitzer Centre.

Jerry Adesewo, representing TYBLI, congratulated the regional finalists, saying, “We are delighted to announce the regional finalists of the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025.

We received an overwhelming response from talented writers across the country, and the quality of submissions was exceptional.”

Umukoro expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This literary honour is indeed an exciting news to wrap the year. It gives me great joy to be selected on the longlist of Young Adult Literature Price (YALP) 2025.”

The regional winners will receive a cash prize of N500,000 each, with the overall winner taking home a whopping N1,500,000 and a publishing deal.

The YALP 2025 competition aims to encourage young adult writers to keep writing, learning, and dreaming, providing a platform for emerging writers to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the literary world.

The other regional finalists include:

• Ikemefuna Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu – Garden of Garget (South East)
• Sarah Yousuph – When the Road Curves (South West)
• Adoo Gyuur – Daughters of Ashes (North Central)
• Daniel Yohanna – A Boy From Far North (North East)
• Yusrah Bashir Gaga – My Darkest Nightmares (North West)

The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) is an annual literary competition that recognizes and celebrates outstanding young adult writers in Nigeria, promoting creative writing, encouraging literary excellence, and providing a platform for emerging writers to gain recognition.