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Rivers administrator, Ibas addresses residents

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas, has outlined key measures to restore stability and governance in the state.
In a state broadcast on Thursday, he assured residents that he is not in Rivers State as a partisan actor but as a stabilizing force.
He pledged to restore law and order, ensuring that governance functions smoothly and citizens feel safe.
He declared his commitment to protecting civil liberties and upholding the rights of all residents.
To revive economic activities, he promised to create an enabling environment that fosters growth and stability.
Ibas strongly warned against violence and crude oil sabotage, urging residents to resist any temptation to return to past hostilities.
He reminded the people of the devastating environmental and economic consequences of attacking oil infrastructure.
He called for unity, stating that his mission requires the collective support of all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law, he made it clear that lawlessness would not be tolerated, and decisive action would be taken against those who threaten the peace of Rivers State.
He also revealed that he had concluded a State Security Council meeting where strategic measures were outlined to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict.
Ibas expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with this responsibility and acknowledged the National Assembly for approving the emergency declaration.
He assured the people of Rivers State that he would work closely with national leadership to ensure stability and a better future for the state.
News
BREAKING: Senate passes Rivers 2025 budget for second reading

The Nigerian Senate, Wednesday passed the Rivers State 2025 budget for second reading.
The budget which stood at N1,480,662592,442 trillion was passed for second reading after it was read by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi.
Opeyemi said the Senate has since assumed the powers of legislating for Rivers State having been under the State of Emergency.
In his contribution, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan said, there was a need for the budget to be legislated immediately so that the people of Rivers could feel the presence of government.
He said, “Mr President, I don’t know under what topic this document is christened but I could see it is about a budget of the state of emergency.
I hereby support that the budget be passed for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government.
In absence of opposition to the bill, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio passed the budget through voice vote and referred it to the Ad-hoc Committee on overseeing Rivers State of Emergency.
News
ECOWAS @50: Leaders Promises “Peace and Prosperity to All” by the year 2050
Held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” the celebration reflects the bloc’s renewed commitment to deepening regional integration and development.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced its 50th anniversary celebration with a series of high-level commemorative events in Lagos, Nigeria.
Held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” the celebration reflects the bloc’s renewed commitment to deepening regional integration and development.
As part of the milestone, the ECOWAS Commission unveiled its long-term vision to transform the organisation from an “ECOWAS of States” into an “ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity to All” by the year 2050.
The plan aims to empower the region’s estimated 300 million citizens to take ownership of the vision and play active roles in shaping the community’s future.ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975.
The founding treaty was signed by 15 Heads of State and Government at the National Institute of International Affairs on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Treaty of Lagos was signed by the 15 Heads of State and government of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal and Togo, with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region.
News
FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, pays ₦28bn debts — Tunji-Ojo

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he assumed office.
Tunji-Ojo also revealed that ₦28 billion in old debts have been paid off, all without extra funding from the government.
He made these announcements during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday. He spoke on the topic, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” and called for bold leadership, system reform, and the smart use of technology.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.
He explained how his ministry used innovation, technology, and planning to clear passport backlogs and debts. New systems like e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking have been launched.
Speaking about Nigeria’s prisons, Tunji-Ojo said the correctional system is in bad shape.
He pointed out that more than 4,000 inmates are behind bars simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.
He added that the ministry is working with private donors to help release many of these non-violent prisoners, noting that it’s also pushing for reforms that focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment.
These include digital case tracking, vocational training in prisons, and partnerships to improve prison conditions.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he said.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Tunji-Ojo’s leadership.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, adding that the Minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and experts from across the country.
It was part of Access Bank’s effort to spark national change through conversations about leadership and service.
In his final words, Tunji-Ojo urged everyone to live with purpose and pursue excellence.
“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance.
It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.
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