News
Rivers crisis: N’Delta groups threaten violence as budget ultimatum expires today
Tensions in Rivers State have escalated as Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youths Council, issued a strong warning against the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The groups declared their readiness to defend Fubara’s mandate, cautioning that any move to remove him could destabilise the Niger Delta and disrupt oil production in the region.
The warning follows the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget for approval.
The Assembly’s stance comes after a Supreme Court judgment on Friday, February 28, 2025, reaffirmed its legitimacy, intensifying the ongoing political battle between the governor and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The apex court judgment also ordered the seizure of allocations to the state and nullified the October 5, 2024, local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
Exercising its authority, the Assembly, at its first sitting after the judgment on Monday, March 3, 2025, asked Fubara to present the budget within 48 hours as it would, on Friday, March 7, 2025, commence its 12-week recess.
The ultimatum expires Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
The Assembly also faulted the governor’s directive to the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the affairs of the 23 council headquarters in the state.
In anticipation of the pronouncement by the Assembly in its plenary today, the INC, IYC and other groups in the state warned that removing Fubara would cause a crisis.
In a statement, the INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment threats, warning that the Ijaw people would not stand by while their first riverine governor in decades was undermined.
He further criticised the apex court ruling on the Rivers political crisis, pointing out that it failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State.
He warned that any attempt to undermine Fubara would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability, especially in the crude oil and gas-rich region.
“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Prof Okaba said.
Recalling the contributions of the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State, he said, “In 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshal Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for Dr Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse.
“Harry further ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party.“
In 2003, the INC recalled that when Marshal Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people.
“By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.”
He further recalled that “In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead.”
He lamented that despite these sacrifices by the Ijaw people, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group sought to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades.
He vowed that the Ijaw nation would defend Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins.”
Okaba regretted that while the INC worked tirelessly to preserve peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production and revenue for the nation, the same resources were being used to marginalise the people.
News
NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.
The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”
The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.
The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.
“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”
The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.
“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.
News
Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work
Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.
The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan
Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.
Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.
“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.
The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.
The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.
Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.
The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.
The distributable revenue included:
- N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
- N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
- N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
- N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference
Out of the total distributed funds:
- The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
- State Governments received N660.349 billion
- Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
- N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue
Revenue Breakdown:
Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):
- FG: N613.805 billion
- States: N311.330 billion
- LGs: N240.023 billion
- 13% Derivation: N117.714 billion
VAT (N640.610 billion):
- FG: N96.092 billion
- States: N320.305 billion
- LGs: N224.214 billion
EMTL (N37.601 billion):
- FG: N5.640 billion
- States: N18.801 billion
- LGs: N13.160 billion
Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):
- FG: N19.544 billion
- States: N9.913 billion
- LGs: N7.643 billion
- 13% Derivation: N2.643 billion
The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.
FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.
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Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work
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