NEWS
AFA Decries Non-domestication of Maputo Protocol in Nigeria
From Precious Chidi, Umuahia
Women led International Africa Non-governmental Human Right; Alliance for Africa (AFA) has decried the delay by Nigeria Government to fully incorporate the Maputo Protocol progressive provisions into national law twenty years after it was adopted by the Country.
Maputo Protocol also known as the Protocol to the Africa Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted by 53 member countries of Africa Union on 11th July 2003 at the 2nd Session of the Assembly in Mozambique and ratified by the country on December 16, 2004 and articles of ratification were deposited on February 18, 2005 in line with its obligation as member of the African Union. The Focal person of the non-governmental organization in South East, Obinwa Ifeoma who made disclosure in her remarks when she led other members to an advocacy visit to the Abia State Council Chairman, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Chidi Asonye, at the temporal secretariat in Umuahia said the organization’s visit was part of the plans and programs to enlighten critical Stakeholders on the importance to domesticate the Maputo Protocol by the Federal and State governments.According to her, AFA which is committed in the promotion of Human Rights Peace and Sustainable development is in collaboration with Equality Now to implement a Regional Project under the Solidarity for African Women’s Right (SOAWR) network aimed at the domestication of Moputo Protocol in Nigeria.She maintained that under the collaboration which would seek to mobilize support, amplify women’s voices, and push for the full domestication of the Moputo Protocol to advance gender equality and the rights of women and girls in the country.The South East focal person noted that as a result of the role of Journalists in shaping public opinion, creating awareness and driving societal change that the AFA sought for partnership, “It is pertinent that NUJ champions this Course, this engagement is expected to generate media support, build public awareness and foster collaboration towards domesticating the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria “.In response, the State NUJ Council Chairman, Chidi Asonye thanked the group for considering partnering with the council, a partnership which he believes would achieve the desired result especially as it concerns the rights of women and girl child.Asonye advised to leverage in the existing media space in the State to continue in the awareness and sensitization campaign as the State Council would through members assist in the advocacy, “as for partnership, we will be partnering with you on creating awareness, if there is anything or means you want us to partner, we will be willing as we have been assisting human right groups and other civil society groups”.NEWS
Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda gaining traction, Amgbare Lauds RTIFN
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, just as he commended the Founder-in-Chief of the pro-administration advocacy group, Relax! Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN), Mr.
Seyi Tinubu.During a visit by the Bayelsa State Coordinator of RTIFN, Hon.
Erepamowei Ogbomo, at the headquarters of NDBDA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday, Prince Amgbare informed that: “Nigerians are now realizing that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda means well for them.The Managing Director reaffirmed his backing for RTIFN’s efforts, emphasizing that collaboration between government agencies and civic organizations is key to driving national development and promoting President Tinubu’s agenda.
He described the visit as very strategic and timely, aimed at strengthening partnerships to drive human capital development, sustainable resource management, and socio-economic growth in Bayelsa State and beyond.
Prince Amgbare maintained that President Tinubu’s efforts are gaining traction, and people have started seeing the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda, reiterating that as an early supporter of President Tinubu from the days of the Action Congress (AC) to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he is pleased that Nigerians are now aligning with what him and other Tinubu’s supporters have been preaching about Tinubu’s leadership potential.
“It gladdens my heart that President Tinubu’s vision is now gaining momentum. The Renewed Hope Agenda gaining traction, even as the grassroots support base for the president, is growing daily, and we are seeing the impact of our earlier advocacy as foundational members of the Tinubu’s family. The momentum has continued to build up for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of 2027.
Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Erepamowei Ogbomo noted that RTIFN remains committed to supporting policies and programmes that align with the transformation agenda of the federal government.
He emphasized that collaboration with key federal institutions such as the Niger Delta Basin Authority would help drive impactful initiatives capable of improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive development.
According to him, the visit marked the beginning of what he described as a productive and mutually beneficial relationship designed to advance national progress and support the Renewed Hope vision.
RTIFN, a youth-driven movement, seeks to bridge the communication gap between government and citizens by promoting accurate information on the administration’s policies, countering misinformation, and encouraging Nigerians to remain patient, amid ongoing economic reforms.
NEWS
NGF Backs Tinubu on Direct Federation Account Remittance
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), under the chairmanship of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed strong support for reforms requiring oil and gas revenue entitlements to be remitted directly into the Federation Account, describing the move as critical to strengthening fiscal transparency, predictability, and constitutional alignment across all tiers of government.
The NGF said in a statement by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi
Director, Media and Strategic Communications on Monday that the Executive Order 9, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 13 February 2026, which directs the realignment of oil and gas revenue flows with constitutional provisions and clarifies regulatory responsibilities within the petroleum sector.
“The Forum’s interest lies in the extent to which reforms enhance the transparency, predictability, and constitutional alignment of Federation Account inflows across all tiers of government.
“In this regard, the Forum recognises that the Executive Order requires government entitlements under production-sharing and related contracts, including royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, and profit gas, to flow directly into the Federation Account, while strengthening the delineation of regulatory mandates across the sector.
“As a non-partisan body representing the 36 State Governors of the Federation, the NGF underscores that the integrity and predictability of Federation Account inflows are foundational to Nigeria’s fiscal federalism. Oil and gas revenues remain a central component of the distributable national income.
“The clarity, transparency, and predictability of those inflows directly affect capital planning, debt sustainability, infrastructure delivery, and public service provision at the federal, state, and local government levels.
Recent Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) communiqués have consistently demonstrated a gap between gross revenue collections and final distributable sums. For subnational governments, it is the latter that determines fiscal capacity.
“When remittance pathways are layered, complex, or difficult to reconcile, fiscal predictability weakens, and that directly affects capital planning cycles across the Federation at federal, state, and local government levels.
Nigeria’s population now exceeds 220 million and continues to grow rapidly. States sit at the frontline of delivering education, primary healthcare, infrastructure, security architecture, and economic opportunity to this expanding population. Predictable revenue flows strengthen the ability of states to meet these obligations responsibly.
Commenting on the development, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stated.
“The Federation Account is the backbone of Nigeria’s intergovernmental fiscal system. Structural clarity in the remittance of nationally owned resources strengthens fiscal stability across all tiers of government. Predictability improves planning. Planning improves delivery. The Governors’ Forum supports reforms that enhance transparency, reinforce constitutional alignment, and strengthen the collective capacity of governments to meet the needs of our growing population.”
The Forum reiterates that reforms which strengthen fiscal coherence and reinforce the constitutional framework underpinning resource ownership ultimately benefit the entire Federation. Sustainable economic growth requires strong institutions, disciplined revenue management, and alignment between policy intent and operational execution.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum remains committed to collaborative engagement with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that fiscal reforms translate into improved development outcomes for Nigerians”, the statement added.
NEWS
Rescued Kidnap Victim Gives Birth to Twin at IDP Camp
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has confirmed that a rescued kidnap victim has safely delivered twin girls at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in the state.
The disclosure was made by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who stated that the identity of the mother is being withheld for security reasons.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Usman Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser and the Commissioner for Health to immediately transfer the mother and her newborn babies to the State Specialist Hospital for comprehensive medical attention and postnatal care.
He assured that both the mother and the twin girls are in good condition.It would be recalled that the State Government established the IDP Camp as a temporary rehabilitation centre where rescued victims of kidnapping receive care and support before being reintegrated with their families. Owing to the remarkable success of ongoing security operations across the state, the number of rescued victims at the Camp has continued to rise.
The State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and rehabilitation of all rescued victims, while commending security operatives for their dedication and the sustained successes recorded in the fight against criminality in Kogi State.


