The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sacked all its Nigerian employees, a move that comes less than 24 hours after 90 percent of them reportedly joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
In a memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company explained that the decision formed part of a “total re-organisation” of the refinery, citing reported cases of sabotage in different units of the plant.
The directive ordered all affected staff to surrender company property in their possession to line managers and secure exit clearance. It also mandated the finance department to compute benefits and entitlements for payment “in line with terms of employment.”
Management, while thanking the disengaged workers for their service, maintained that the restructuring was necessary to safeguard refinery operations.
The development comes against the backdrop of an increasingly bitter industrial dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN over workers’ rights to unionize. Union officials have accused the refinery of frustrating efforts to organize its workforce, alleging that management viewed union membership as a threat to its control. The refinery, however, has consistently resisted the move, claiming that union activities could undermine productivity and security within the multibillion-dollar project.
Some members of Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State have staged a peaceful protest against the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union, Nigeria, Mr Ebuka Onuorah, accusing him of kidnapping, illegal land sales, harassment and intimidation of community members, as well as total disregarding for the constitution of the community.
Converged on Eke market square, Enugwu-Agidi, the protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as; “Ebuka Onuorah must go, Ebuka Onuorah uses police to intimidate us, Governor Chukwuma Soludo save us from Ebuka Onuorah”.
However, another small group supporting the PG and standing opposite displayed placards with inscriptions such as; “Ebuka Onuorah is our saviour, The government of the day must continue, Igwe Okekeuche must Go.”
One of the anti-PG protesters, Mr Vin Onyekwelu, said the peaceful exercise was against harassment and polarization of community members, illegal sale of lands by the PG, whom he also accused of using Agunechemba and Operation Udo Ga-achi security operatives to harass community members, calling for the intervention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the federal government.
“Our PG is not following the constitution of the town union. I have sent some video evidences to the government officials on how he used thugs to disrupt burial and other communal gatherings in Enugwu-Agidi. He is in charge of land grabbing. Most of our lands have been sold. Our women no longer go to farms. We want the government to remove him,” he stated.
Also speaking, Mr Benedict Okoye, accused the PG of leading with impunity, while another, Mrs Grace Aghauche, who is the Woman Leader in Etiti Village, alleged that the PG had threatened her with guns, and formed parallel leadership in the women group of the village.
“Our election usually hold by December, but the PG organised the election by June. This is against our constitution. Again, women election are not organised by men. We have submitted reports of this and others to Anambra State Commissioner of Women Affairs,” Aghauche added.
Stating that the community is in bondage, Chief Nathan Okoye, on his part, accused the PG of holding the entire community to ransom, intimidating people, illegally selling lands, also calling for the intervention of Governor Soludo, as according to him, it seems the PG in influencing government appointees with money.
For Mr Sunday Nwankwo, the PG is guilty of disrespecting the Igwe and his Onowu, intimidating mourning family members and forming parallel leadership in the community.
Calling for peace in Enugwu-Agidi, Mrs Chikodili Ikebudu, who spoke on behalf of a group of umu ada, also accused the PG of fomenting troubles in the community.
Lending his voice, the Chairman of Etiti Village, Home Branch, Ozor John Aguiyi, said he had been “kidnapped” by the PG’s people at 1am one morning, and that the PG uses connection with Police, DSS and Operation Udo Ga-achi security operatives and the name of Governor Soludo in intimidate community members.
The Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Agidi, Igwe Michael Okekeuche, in a press conference addressed at his Palace by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Ifeanyi Ndulue, said the day’s protest is rooted in pain and injustice, but called on his people to show restraint even in the face of provocation, and the state government, a well as security agencies to investigate the unrest and ensure that justice is served, and that people’s lives are protected.
He said, “We are witnessing what no community should ever endure: allegations of rampant land grabbing, abuse of power by those entrusted with leadership, disruption of sacred burial and funeral rites in Etiti Village, rites that bind us to our ancestors and the imposition of parallel leadership structures allegedly fueled by the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU) Nigeria, threatening the unity of our people.
“These actions have sown confusion, provoked unrest, and pushed our peaceful community to the brink. We hereby call upon the Anambra State Government and all relevant security agencies to rise to their constitutional duty: to protect the lives and property of Enugwu-Agidi people, investigate the root causes of this unrest, and ensure that justice is served without fear or favour, and to support the Igwe-in-Council in restoring peace and unity.
“We are not asking for favours. We are demanding intervention, protection, and fairness, for the sake of our land, our future, and our unborn generations. In line with the powers vested in him by Article 40, Sections 1 and 6 of the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Constitution, and in accordance with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007, Section 15, Subsection (I), His Royal Highness calls on all ouru people to show restraint, even in the face of provocation. Let us not allow chaos to consume what generations before us labored to build.”
The protest by the two groups later foiled the proposed Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union.
Troubled started when some members of the CEC, especially the village Chairmen and Chairmen of township branches were allegedly beaten and denied entrance to Enugwu-Agidi Civic Centre, venue of the meeting, on command of the President General, Onuorah.
This angered the monarch, Okekeuche to walk out of the meeting after pleading with the President General to let all those qualified for the event in; otherwise he would not declare it open as constitutionally mandated.
As the monarch and cabinet chiefs boycotted the meeting without declaring it open, some branch Chairmen of the town addressed a press conference, claiming that a team of security officers, comprising Agunaechemba and police operatives, stationed at the gate looked on as some youth allegedly working for the President General descended on them.
When contacted, the President General, Onuorah, described the protests as a ploy to stop the proposed meeting, and denied allegations levelled against him.
The Lagos State House of Assembly often hailed as the most powerful and independent state legislature in Nigeria — is once again in the headlines, but not for groundbreaking lawmaking or bold oversight. Instead, it is for a line item in the 2025 budget that has left citizens and policy analysts questioning the state’s spending priorities: N4.5 billion for the purchase and installation of forty 50KVA generators a sum that, at N90.7 million per unit, represents one of the most expensive power procurement exercises by any state legislature in Nigeria’s history.
This revelation, first reported by SaharaReporters following a review of the state’s approved budget, has triggered a wave of online debates, civil society commentaries, and calls for legislative accountability. Many Lagosians are wondering why, in a state that prides itself on being the economic powerhouse of Nigeria and Africa’s fifth-largest economy, lawmakers still need to budget billions for personal power supply — particularly when Lagos’ budget runs into trillions and should, in theory, be capable of addressing infrastructure needs like uninterrupted electricity.
But the N4.5 billion generators procurement is just one piece of a bigger picture. This legislature has, in the past three years, drawn criticism for budget lines that include billions for cars, houses, landscaping projects, and even “thanksgiving events.” The cumulative picture raises questions about legislative excesses, weak public financial oversight, and the widening disconnect between elected officials and the citizens they represent.
Before diving into the specifics of the generator procurement, it’s important to understand why the Lagos State House of Assembly is such a unique institution. Lagos is not just Nigeria’s most populous state; it is also its commercial hub, contributing roughly 30% of Nigeria’s GDP. This economic clout translates into one of the country’s largest state budgets, with revenues surpassing many African nations.
The House of Assembly, composed of forty members, wields significant budgetary and oversight powers. Its Speaker and principal officers have historically acted as powerbrokers, influencing gubernatorial decisions, party primaries, and even federal appointments. This concentration of power has made the Lagos Assembly both admired and feared — but also susceptible to allegations of self-enrichment and fiscal recklessness.
According to the 2025 budget document, the project description reads: “Purchase and installation of forty 50KVA Generators.” The number forty is not coincidental — there are forty elected lawmakers in the Lagos House of Assembly. While the budget does not explicitly state that each lawmaker is to receive one generator, the one-to-one ratio strongly suggests that the purchase may be intended as individual allocations rather than collective infrastructure for the Assembly complex.
At N90.7 million per generator, the cost has sparked outrage. By comparison, a brand-new 50KVA diesel generator in Nigeria typically retails between N15 million and N20 million, depending on the manufacturer and features. Even after factoring in installation costs and possible “public procurement mark-ups,” analysts argue that the price remains highly inflated.
This latest procurement controversy comes on the heels of several others:
Vehicle Procurement: Between 2023 and 2024, the Lagos Assembly spent N45 billion on vehicles for lawmakers — including backup cars, utility vehicles, and official cars. For 2025, an additional N20.6 billion is budgeted for a new round of vehicle procurement. If fully disbursed, Lagos would have spent N65 billion on vehicles for 40 lawmakers in just three years — an average of over N1.6 billion per lawmaker.
Property Purchases: The Assembly is also spending N6.2 billion to acquire forty properties in Lagos and Abuja. The official purpose of these properties remains undisclosed. A billion naira has already been disbursed in the first half of 2025.
Capital Projects: N30.3 billion is earmarked for “new fence/access road/landscaping and beautification.” Rehabilitation of the Assembly complex — including gatehouses, prayer complexes, car parks, and leisure facilities — will cost N11.041 billion.
Thanksgiving Event: In 2024, critics accused the Speaker of authorizing N200 million for a thanksgiving event that civil society groups argued “should not have cost more than N2 million.”
When these expenditures are added together, the pattern suggests a legislature that is spending heavily on its own comfort, security, and perks, rather than on public-facing projects that directly benefit Lagosians.
Perhaps the most striking irony is that Lagos, which hosts some of Nigeria’s most significant power infrastructure — from the Egbin Power Plant to independent power projects (IPPs) — still budgets billions to buy private generators for its lawmakers. This is a reflection of the national energy crisis, where even public institutions cannot rely on grid power.
However, analysts point out that instead of spending billions on private power solutions, the Assembly could have invested in renewable energy or small-scale solar grids for its members’ constituencies, which would have a multiplier effect on productivity and economic growth.
The generator procurement story has sparked sharp reactions:
Civil Society Groups such as the BudgIT Foundation and SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) have called for a public explanation and urged Lagosians to demand accountability through the Freedom of Information Act.
Social Media Commentary: On X (formerly Twitter), Lagos residents have described the budget item as “obscene,” “tone-deaf,” and “proof that lawmakers see public funds as personal entitlements.”
Opposition Politicians have seized on the controversy, accusing the ruling party of wasteful spending and using the Assembly as a vehicle for patronage.
Beyond social criticism, there are formal allegations of corruption. The Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged mismanagement of N17 billion meant for the construction of a gate at the Assembly complex.
The petition alleges that contracts were awarded to front companies at inflated costs, with kickbacks allegedly traced to political officeholders. Although no charges have yet been filed, the controversy underscores growing concerns about opacity in Lagos’ legislative procurement processes.
Nigeria’s democracy is still consolidating, and legislatures are supposed to be the guardian of public funds. When lawmakers themselves become symbols of excess, it erodes public trust. The Lagos case illustrates how public perception of government waste fuels citizen disengagement, lowers tax compliance, and heightens calls for radical reform — sometimes even extra-constitutional solutions.
For a state that prides itself on innovation and good governance, this generators saga risks undermining the credibility of the entire state apparatus.
To prevent recurring controversies, several reforms are urgently needed:
Budget Transparency: Publish granular, line-by-line budgets in citizen-friendly formats and allow real-time public commentary.
Open Procurement: Conduct generator and vehicle procurements through competitive open bidding with third-party observers.
Independent Oversight: Establish an independent Lagos Assembly Budget Monitoring Committee composed of civil society groups.
Renewable Alternatives: Shift away from diesel generators to hybrid solar-diesel systems, cutting long-term costs and emissions.
Performance Audits: Mandate annual performance audits of Assembly spending, made public.
The Lagos Assembly’s N4.5 billion generator budget is more than just a financial decision — it is a test case for whether Nigeria’s democracy can deliver transparency and fiscal responsibility at the subnational level.
If unchecked, it risks reinforcing the narrative that governance in Nigeria is about serving political elites rather than the people. If properly interrogated — by the press, civil society, and anti-corruption agencies — it could become a turning point, forcing state legislatures across Nigeria to justify their spending and rethink their priorities.
For Lagosians struggling with rising transport fares, food inflation, and inadequate public services, this is not just about generators — it is about whether the state’s resources are being used to power lives or power privileges.
A former Kaduna state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai at the weekend accused President Bola Tinubu of planning to stay in office for life, maintaining that there are already pointers to that effect from recent actions by the current All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.
He also further took a dig at the President, describing him as a fake democrat, especially over the recent alleged attacks on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in parts of the country.
Speaking when former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja over the recent altercation that ensued during a meeting of the opposition party in Kaduna, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that Tinubu intended to take after some sit-tight African leaders who have failed to vacate their seats after spending decades in power.
In the beginning, El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC threw his weight behind Tinubu in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election, mobilising support for him, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria.
However, after the victory, el-Rufai’s hopes of serving in Tinubu’s cabinet were dashed as his ministerial nomination was blocked, a development perceived by the former Kaduna governor and his supporters as betrayal.
Since then, el-Rufai’s public commentary against the President has begun to harden, as he has ramped up his criticism of Tinubu’s style of governance and the short-term results of his economic reforms.
But at the meeting with Atiku, el-Rufai likened Tinubu to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has been the country’s leader for almost 43 years, maintaining that aside from planning to sit-tight, Tinubu was also centralising governance instead of devolving power. The video of the event was shared by the former Vice President, Atiku, on his social media handles.
“Honestly, to me, it’s a disgrace, I mean, for people to behave the way they are doing. So it means that all the years of saying we are pro-democracy, NADECO, it was all pretence, it was all fake. And all the claims that we are fighting for true federalism and so on, it’s all fake.
“Because this government is trying to centralise everything instead of devolving power to the lower levels. So the sum total of this is that we are facing an evil of such a large proportion in the history of this country that if we don’t all come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya.
“He will stay, he will be president for life. All the signs are there. This is how Paul Biya started. All the signs are there. So we don’t have a choice,” el-Rufai maintained.
He urged Atiku to deploy his experience to ensure that there’s serious mobilisation to make sure that Tinubu does not return to power in 2027.
“You are our leader, you have done this fight, you have fought the military, you have experience in democratic governance, and when you and Olusegun Obasanjo were in charge of this country, no one was imprisoned because he had a different political view.
“Even President Muhammadu Buhari with his military background never did that. And here we are, we are facing full-fledged civilians. But they are worse than any military regime we have ever had. Your call that we must unite is a timely one,” the former minister emphasised.
According to him, Nigerians are looking up to the ADC to provide leadership that will see the removal of the government led by the APC at the centre.
“I think the people of Nigeria have made up their minds that this government must go, APC must be voted out. What the people of Nigeria are looking forward to is us. We must provide the leadership and the unity of purpose that you talked about.
“I’m sure with your leadership, with your forbearance, and your diplomatic skills of bringing people together, I’m sure we will reach the promised land. That’s it for me,” el-Rufai said.
Also speaking, Atiku lauded el-Rufai for being fearless, agreeing with him on the need for unity among the ranks of the opposition.
“Anyway, I know you are not the kind of person who is scared that we will not confront this situation.The more reason why we should come together to confront this situation headlong and make sure that, one, it doesn’t happen anymore during the remaining part of this administration. And secondly, like you said, we will send them out by 2027. And not through anything else but through the ballot box,” he stated.
Separately, on his social media handles, Atiku described the persons who allegedly attacked el-Rufai in Kaduna at the recent inauguration of the ADC in the state as ‘APC-sponsored thugs’.
He reiterated that the activities of the Tinubu-led APC administration pose the greatest risk to Nigeria’s democracy since the return of democratic governance, positing that it is concerning that the administration has turned into a full-blown dictatorship.
He noted that the party resolved to harmonise its strengths and stand united in its resolve to ‘rescue Nigeria’.
“The battle to save our democracy and provide a viable alternative platform that will enthrone purposeful governance is a response to the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians who are fed up with the incompetent and clueless Tinubu government,” Atiku stated.
Meanwhile, author and staunch supporter of the current administration, Reno Omokri, has stated that although he loves and respects ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, he will campaign for President Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Omokri stated that although he wasn’t willing to delve into such issues, he has decided to work for Tinubu in the run-up to the presidential polls.
“I have unconditional love for former President Jonathan, and I have unconditional access to him. I can stop this interview, and I can call him, he will pick up. So if I have unconditional love for him, and if I have unrestricted access to him, why should I come on national television to talk about his ambition?” he said
Buttressing his closeness to Jonathan, he stated that the ex-President picks his calls anytime he puts a call through to him, explaining that he (Omokri) even named a child after Jonathan.
“I can only say this. In 2027, I will campaign vigorously for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to return as president of Nigeria, and I believe he’s going to be re-elected. Listen, just to remove any equivocation, I’m going to say this.
“I’m not going to speak about former President Jonathan publicly. I have access to him, and let me tell you something here. I love former President Jonathan more than any other person other than my wife, my children, and my parents.
“I’m telling you. I named my daughter after him. I mean, how many people can you do that for? I named my daughter after him. However, I’m not going to talk about him here. What I will say is that in 2027, I will be campaigning for, and I will project Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and I am confident that he is going to be re-elected as president of Nigeria for a second time in 2027,” he maintained.
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has described the call by First Lady Remi Tinubu for donations to complete the National Library as a tragic indictment of the government.
He declared that the country is finished relying on birthday donations to complete a national monument as the national library.
The first lady had asked friends and associates to channel gifts for her birthday towards completing the National Library in Abuja instead of placing newspaper adverts or giving personal presents.
In a post on X, Obi wished her well but said the gesture exposed Nigeria’s misplaced priorities.
He said the development paints Nigeria as a nation that easily finds money for luxury and frivolities adding that it should not rely on birthday donations to build such a critical national institution.
“On the surface, it is noble and selfless. But beneath it lies an indictment of our nation. We are finished,” Obi said.
He recalled that during his time as governor, he encouraged well-wishers to divert advert funds to social causes like schools and classroom projects.
He however stressed that such gestures were to complement the government rather than replace its responsibilities.
Obi said it was shocking that a country that spends billions on jets, yachts, mansions and endless foreign trips cannot complete its National Library.
“What kind of country must beg for charity to build the very temple of knowledge? What kind of leaders waste trillions on luxury and vanity while our intellectual furnace remains abandoned in the capital?” he asked.
While commending the first lady for recognising the importance of education, Obi said the reality shows Nigeria still prioritises vanity over knowledge.
“If Nigeria will rise, it will not be on the wings of jets or the splendour of mansions, but on the strength of minds formed in classrooms and nourished in libraries. Until then, the lament remains true, we are finished,” he said.
Enugu State Government, on Monday, launched a major transformation of its education system with the official rollout of Smart Green Schools, marking a shift from traditional rote learning to technology-driven, experiential education.
In a statewide broadcast, Governor Peter Mbah described the initiative as a “covenant with the future,” designed to equip Enugu children with the knowledge and skills to compete in the global economy.
“We are no longer a state waiting to be saved – we are a state shaping the future on our own terms,” Mbah said, stressing that Africa’s destiny rests on the minds and hearts of its youth.
Each of the 260 Smart Green Schools, he explained, is designed as a complete learning ecosystem, featuring 25 digitally connected classrooms, ICT centres, robotics and AI labs, e-libraries, and spaces for hands-on learning.
The schools are powered by renewable energy and include smart farms where pupils learn agriculture through practice.
They also provide free uniforms, books, meals, and tablets for every child, as well as on-site clinics, water systems, and housing for teachers to ensure continuity and quality of education.
Mbah acknowledged that while some schools opened on Monday, others will follow over the next two weeks due to construction delays.
“We do not claim perfection. What we do claim is resolve. Every school shall be open this term. No school’s academic calendar will be interrupted,” he assured.
He urged communities to protect the schools and support teachers, noting that equipment alone cannot transform education without committed educators.
“Smart Green Schools are not just an investment in classrooms, but in the soul of our people. A generation raised in schools of innovation will build an economy of innovation,” Mbah said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s allocation of 33 percent of the state budget to education, calling it an investment in “the truest capital of our society – human potential.”
Former Obafemi Awolowo University Vice-Chancellor Wande Abimbola has criticized the federal government over the poor state of Nigerian universities, warning that the system risks collapse without immediate intervention.
Abimbola, 92, a renowned scholar now based in the United States, said professors in Nigeria take home scandalously low salaries compared with global peers. Speaking on the monthly interview series Boiling Point Arena, he described how a professor’s monthly pay is equivalent to what his gardener in America earns for three hours of work.
The former vice-chancellor said the pay gap illustrates the depth of neglect that has driven universities into decay. He noted that when he left OAU in 1989, institutions were still vibrant. Within a decade, however, he said standards had deteriorated so badly that visiting his old campus brought him to tears.
Abimbola said many professors earn about ₦500,000 monthly, which roughly converts to $300, an amount professionals in the U.S. would easily spend on garden services in a single afternoon. He argued that such conditions impoverish academics, making it difficult for them to conduct research, attend international conferences, or publish in reputable journals.
He accused both federal and state governments of indifference. “Why are they looking on as if they are not concerned?” he asked. He added that instead of properly funding existing universities, authorities continue to establish new ones with little regard for quality or sustainability.
Urgent calls for government bailout
According to Vanguard, Abimbola urged the federal government to create a commission of inquiry to recommend practical steps for salvaging the sector. Without significant changes, he warned, Nigeria’s universities will continue their slide in global rankings. Once ranked among Africa’s top 11, Nigerian universities now struggle to appear within the first 1,000 worldwide.
The scholar, who also served as Senate Majority Leader, lamented that the neglect has stripped institutions of international respect. He recalled how Nigeria once produced graduates who went on to excel in science, technology, and the arts globally. That legacy, he said, is at risk of being lost.
He added that the consequence of the current system is not only impoverished professors but also students whose education is undermined by the absence of research funding, journal contributions, and academic exchange.
“Nigerian universities are slowly dying before our eyes,” Abimbola said. “It is a shame, and it must not be allowed to continue.”
In a bold move to reposition Enugu State as a hub of agro-industrial excellence, the state government has signed a landmark N100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited for the rehabilitation and transformation of the moribund Heneke Integrated Farm into a world-class agro-industrial hub.
The deal, signed on Tuesday at Government House, Enugu, formally establishes Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the revitalization, expansion, and management of the project spanning 10,000 hectares of land in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the agreement as a milestone in Enugu’s industrialization agenda.
Today, we formalize a partnership that will breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative, transform abandoned assets into thriving agro-industrial hubs, and advance food security, regenerative development, and inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu,” he said.
The governor explained that the farm, originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, would now be transformed into a multi-sectoral agro-industrial ecosystem comprising crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities.
He disclosed that the project would rehabilitate 10,000 hectares with secured land titles, establish a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture, processing, and export value chains, and promote modern, sustainable farming practices.
Mbah further stressed that the partnership was anchored on a strong governance framework to ensure transparency, compliance with laws, and protection of state interests.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru, described the project as sustainable and transformative.
We have the land, water, good soil, and the right people. This initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost food production, and change the mindset of our people towards agriculture.
It is going to be an integrated system — crop, livestock, aquaculture, processing, export, and eco-tourism — driven by the community, private sector, and government,” he said.
Ubru added that the project reflected Governor Mbah’s broader mission to position Enugu as Nigeria’s food production powerhouse while attracting foreign investments.
With an expected injection of N100 billion in capital and expertise, the project positions Enugu State at the forefront of modern agribusiness, ensuring both food security and economic diversification,” he added.
On his part, Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, pledged technical expertise and capacity to deliver on the ambitious project.
“We are committed to producing more and better with less. This is about integrated farming that combines crops, livestock, aquatics, renewable energy, and human capital development. All of us must stay committed to succeed,” he said, urging young people to seize the opportunity to embrace agriculture.
Project financier and CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, said the project would also serve as a model resort for eco- and agro-tourism.
We are going to build one of the best Songhai resorts in Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria still imports what it eats. This project is proof that we can change that narrative,” he declared.
Tinubu says Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will resume work in their offices from 18 September, 2025.
Tinubu, who announced this in a statement he signed on Wednesday, explained that from the intelligence available to him, there was a new spirit of understanding, “a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance”.
This, he said, was undoubtedly a welcome development for him and a remarkable achievement for the country.
I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025,” said Tinubu.
He recalled that the state of emergency in Rivers became inevitable following what he described as a “total paralysis of governance” in Rivers that left the governor and the House of Assembly unable to work together.
The President said the crisis also affected critical economic assets of the state, including oil pipelines, which were being vandalised.
He stated that his intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck to their guns to the detriment of peace and development of Rivers State.
“The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the governor, while 27 members opposed the governor.
“The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs.
“That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the executive and the legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State” Tinubu said.
“It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency.
“The offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17, 2025,” he added.
The President commended the National Assembly for taking steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation.
He also thanked traditional rulers and the people of Rivers for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until it ended.
Tinubu further stated that he was aware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which he said led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to invalidate the declaration.
But he added that it would have been a colossal failure on his part as President not to have made the proclamation.
“That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the state to peace, order and security.
“Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation,” Tinubu said in his statement.
“As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy.
“However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders,” he added.
1. Two days ago, I posted a terse remark in response to the barrage of fabricated inanities from Uche Ekwunife in her incoherent response to my husband’s legitimate questions about her questionable PhD and inadequate GCE result, noting that I would not condescend to her low level. I remarked that one should not exchange words with a madman because passersby may not know the difference. However, when the “madman” is determined to kill/destroy—as she boasted in her viral audio that she would fabricate outlandish lies to destroy my family, we are constrained to respond. Initially we shrugged off and laughed at her hilarious tantrums at my husband and I as the “usual Uche’s madness”, but now that her madness has crossed the red line by even dragging my innocent children into the arena and setting to destroy them, Ekwunife has left us with no choice.
2. This is a woman for whom I have cooked and fed, together with her children on several occasions they visited my house. For her to sit down and fabricate/spew all manner of invectives and criminal allegations against me and my children without any provocation from us shows someone who can even kill. Many people called and asked me to ignore Ekwunife because, according to them, she is like a mad dog which has no shame or character and can therefore say or do anything anywhere. I understand that it has been her rehearsed strategy with every man she had a political fight. I understand that her standard template is to maliciously go after their families—especially their wives. Everyone talks about how she tried to destroy the reputation of an innocent wife of a senator when she had a contest with him. Well, let me assure you Uche Ekwunife that you are in for a different season with a different woman. My weapons are decency, character, and grace. I am a long-distance runner, and I welcome you to the marathon.
3. In all my life, I have lived an incredibly quiet family life, shunning publicity. One of the reasons I hate politics is precisely the kind of shameless obscenities from Uche Ekwunife in the name of “politics.” My phone has been inundated with hundreds of calls and texts with “evidence” of what I could use against her. For now, I will still restrain from getting into the gutters with her and focus on the issues and facts. Before the gloves are off, I will still as a Christian give Uche a chance to repent and ensure restitution by recanting her wilful and malicious allegations within 72 hours and tendering an unreserved apology. Take note Uche that if you fail to do so, I will take every step necessary to ensure justice and restitution. My lawyers have also been put on notice.
4. For starters, let me repeat three verifiable facts. One, I have never worked for anyone in my life. I have been a professional and entrepreneur all my adult life—running my own companies in Nigeria and abroad. Even when my husband was governor of the central bank and now as the first lady of Anambra, I have never depended upon public funds. As first lady of Anambra, I do not have any budget from the government. Two, I never met Dr. Mbadinuju of blessed memory in my life. Three, in my 55 years on planet earth, I have known ONLY ONE MAN, Chukwuma Soludo. I married him as a virgin and my fidelity to him in 33 years of marriage and for life is ironclad. This may be difficult for an Uche Ekwunife to comprehend.
5. With the clarifications above, I make the following challenges to Uche Ekwunife:
(a) Oath of fidelity and chastity
Since Uche Ekwunife claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her for both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any Cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament. You mentioned screenshotting someone’s name and putting in your Bible. So, you must know the efficacy of the Holy Book. We should also add the Bible with the Sacrament. I will swear (with my children) that in my 55 years on earth, I have known only one man—Chukwuma Soludo. On your part, you should also swear (with your children or your political ambitions) that since you got married, you have never cheated on your husband. Let us do this between now and mid October 2025.
(b) Paternity Tests
6. I challenge you, Uche Ekwunife, for us to subject our children to paternity tests. Science has made life easy and there are things you cannot lie about nowadays. To avoid any stories in Nigerian hospitals, let us do it in three reputable hospitals in London. You and your family are often in London. But I will pay the expenses. As a businesswoman, I will pay for you and your family’s travels as well as for the tests. If after the tests it is confirmed that your husband is the father of ALL your children, I will congratulate you with a cash award. I can confirm that my family is ready for this test any moment of your choice, preferably between now and end of October/November 2025. As a woman of conservative Catholic upbringing, I pride myself in my chastity. What about you? In the name of God, you must accept the above harmless challenges about your fidelity/chastity as a “distinguished” Senator.
7. I watched part of your hilarious emotional outburst and infantile invectives on my husband. Laughable indeed! You know and we know the source of your frustrations. But let me assure you that the globally celebrated professor is too clean, too decent, and too sophisticated to waste his time on low lives. Nwoke bu nwoke! Enough said for now.
