Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubisi Mbah, lauded today the official launch of the Diaspora BRIDGE Platform, a visionary step toward reconnecting global expertise with local purpose in Nigeria’s education system.

Mbah on his official X , said: ” I commend the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for having convened this timely and strategic initiative.

For years, we have measured the value of the Nigerian diaspora primarily through remittances.

But today, we embrace a more enduring and transformative view; one that taps into their expertise, their innovation, and their collective capacity to help shape a stronger, knowledge-driven nation.

In Enugu State, we are fully aligned with this vision. Education is the single most important sector upon which our socio-economic future depends, and we are investing boldly in it.

Beyond expanding our existing seven public tertiary institutions, we are establishing two new universities: Enugu State University of Education and Technology (ESUET), and Enugu State University of Agriculture and Technology (ESUAT).

Because innovation is the language of the 21st century, we are also building eight Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, one in each federal constituency, to equip our youth with practical, job-ready skills.

Through the Center for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), we are transforming how we teach and learn, focusing on foundational, digital, life, and job-specific skills.

We are embracing AI, simulation, virtual and augmented reality to drive applied learning that prepares our students to lead in technology, science, medicine, and beyond.

Our Smart Green Schools, 260 of them currently under construction, are designed to commence operation in September.

They are a symbol of our belief that human capital is the true measure of the wealth of a nation.

Enugu is ready to host and lead diaspora collaboration. When you think of STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine – think Enugu State. Come to Enugu State, give Enugu State a chance.”

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Announcing his expulsion from the party, SDP also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai.

SDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, said the action was in line with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and practices, as well as in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership.

A statement by the party’s spokesman, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, warned members against associating with El-Rufai and those who don’t represent its interest.

Parts of the statement read: “El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”

It would be recalled that El-Rufai joined the SDP after quiting the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, El-Rufai is also a key member of the opposition coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as its platform ahead of the 2027 election.

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos on Monday staged a protest at the House of Assembly complex, demanding the immediate removal of the party’s state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

The demonstrators, reportedly drawn from the 57 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, across the state, converged at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, holding placards with messages like ‘Ojelabi Must Go’ and ‘We Demand New Leadership’.

The protesters voiced dissatisfaction with the current leadership, calling for a shake-up in the state party structure ahead of upcoming political activities.

A heavy presence of police personnel was observed at the Assembly to ensure the protest remained peaceful and to prevent any escalation into violence or disruption of public order.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the leadership of the state Assembly nor the APC state executive had officially responded to the protest.