NEWS
Benue Deputy Speaker Drums Support for New Speaker
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Ado State Constituency, Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, has described the emergence of Alfred Emberga as new speaker of the house as a welcome development and a right choice made by members.
She maintained that the new speaker has always been a very sincere and principled personality who usually reasoned with his colleagues before taking any decision.
The deputy speaker stated this while interacting with newsmen at her office in Makurdi.
She however assured the people of the state that, with the new leadership of the House under Emberga, would, through its legislative responsibilities, enact laws that would benefit the state, particularly youths and women.
“I expect all the members of the assembly to support the honourable speaker, Alfred Emberga. Already he is doing well and I think the more support they give him, he will do better. So I urged the honourable members to support him and with more support he will do beyond our expectations.
“The new speaker is a sincere and very principled person at the same time; I can assure the Benue people that with him, we will make some laws that will help the youth and women of Benue State. Today, other members are happy and I’m happy”, Danladi stated.
On her relationship with other women political appointees, the Deputy Speaker, said, “I have a very good relationship with other political appointees. In the assembly – we are only two women, me and Hon. Mrs Becky Orpin – we have a mother and daughter relationship working together. I always meet her for advice and she always gives me the necessary support.
Speaking on the ongoing INEC continuous voters’ registration exercise, the Ado representatives called on Benue residents, particularly her constituents to come out en masse to register during the exercise.
She insisted that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is their weapon to ensure Governor Hyacinth Alia secures a second term in office in 2027.
In her capacity, the Deputy Speaker said she had mobilised people in her Ado constituency to participate in the registration exercise.
She said, “As a woman, I am a mobiliser, and immediately the exercise began, I set up a committee across the 10 council wards of Ado LGA. I have asked them to call on all our supporters to go to the INEC office to register so that they can obtain their PVCs.
“The PVC is their weapon because that is what they are going to use to vote for our governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for a second term in 2027.”
“The people also raised the issue of mobility, and we have made arrangements for motorcycles to convey them. We are talking about taking 10 motorcycles to each ward because we have a lot of followers.
“Instead of providing 10 motorcycles for each ward, we can also make arrangements for a 20-seater bus to transport people. In addition to that, we can still purchase about 10 motorcycles.
“These arrangements have already been made to buy 10 motorcycles to be distributed to our campaign coordinators, as we are still maintaining our 2023 election structure, and those are the people we are working with.”
NEWS
Anyanwu Faction Calls for Implementation of Peace Committee Report
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
Three members of the Samuel Anyanwu Faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who filed suit to stop the PDP conversation have called for the implementation of the recommendations of the party’s reconciliation Committee to bring lasting peace to the party.
They are Barr.
George Turna (PDP South-South Zonal Secretary), Hon. Amah Abraham (PDP Chairman Abia) and Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo Chairman).Addressing a news conference on Friday, the trio stressed that state congresses ought to have been concluded in almost all states — or at least a substantial number — to form the bulk of delegates to the national convention due to hold on Saturday and Sunday in Ibadan.
“Principal among our concerns was the conduct of state congresses. We believed that, by our procedures, state congresses ought to have been concluded in almost all states — or at least a substantial number — to form the bulk of delegates to the national convention.
“We looked forward to guidelines; none were issued. We expected a timetable; we couldn’t find any. We sought information on procedures, including purchase of forms; nothing was made available.
“Out of these frustrations, we approached the court to seek answers. It is now public knowledge that we obtained judgment in our favour, delivered by Honourable Justice James of the Federal High Court on 31st October 2025,” they said.
They denied acting as proxies to stop the PDP convention or tonundermine the party’s progress.
“We urge the leadership to quickly implement the recommendations, which will address our concerns and restore order. Many members are frustrated because the party is in disarray.
“We deserve commendation for having the courage to challenge illegality. We are guided strictly by the rule of law.
“If we truly love the PDP. We are ready to sit with anyone who respects the law. Political situations involve give-and-take. When we reach that bridge, we will cross it,” they added.
The trio made made available recommendations of the committee set up by the PDP BoT to reconcile the factions:
“Going ahead with the convention at this time must be subject to favourable legal status and disposition of INEC.
“However, considering the multiple court orders and judgements INEC is not likely going to monitor the Convention.
“Accordingly, an all inclusive Care Takers Committee (CTC) is recommended because a failed convention will incapacitate tenability of the party to field candidates at all levels nationally.
“For this to be effected, all the NWC should reverse to status quo ante immediately.
“Suspension orders should be lified and all parties brought together for genuine reconciliation.
“BOT must be given its prime position to be able to mediate and guide processes within the Party. On her part, the BoT must be seen to be neutral always.
“The constitution of the Party must be amended to accommodate some key issues.
“The intention to grant the Governors Forum status of an ORGAN of the party by constitutional amendment should not be done at this time.
“Above all, the Party constitution must be upheld always. Parly supremacy and discipline is core.
“There is therefore the need for the BoT , NWC, Governors Forum, and all critical stakeholders to come fogether and resolve all these issues to allow for a successful hitch free convention going forward.”
NEWS
Reps Move to Suspend 2026 WAEC’ Computers-base Exam Policy
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to suspend the planned computer-based examination policy billed to commence in 2026.
The call was sequel to adoption of a motion by Rep. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) at plenary on Thursday.
Nwogu, while moving that motion explained that WAEC is a body saddled with the conduct of higher education entry qualifying examinations for students of Senior Secondary Schools.
He said that higher education institutions made it mandatory for any candidate seeking admission to have at least five credits including English and Mathematics in WAEC or its equivalent.
The lawmaker observed that the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result portal was shut down due to technical glitches, with the candidates suffering the consequences.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education planned to conduct the 2026 WASSCE in March, using the Computer-Based Examination (CBE).
“We are disturbed that in spite of the outcry by the National Union of Teachers and heads of schools, both public and private, especially those in rural areas hosting more than 70 per cent of the students, the Federal Ministry of Education has declared that there is no going back.
“Cognisant that computer-based examination requires a fully furnished hall with functional computers, internet facility, constant electricity supply, be it from the national grid or standby generators.
“Aware that about 25,500 schools across the country have candidates to write the 2026 examination, expected to be conducted simultaneously for four months starting from March to July.
“Also aware that most schools in the urban areas and talk less of schools in the rural areas do not have functional computers, nor computer teachers and as a result they have not used computers before,” he said.
Nwogu said that unlike JAMB, no candidate is expected to write less than nine subjects including practical, objectives, and theory questions.
He said that it was wrong to start the policy now without adequate preparation, suggesting that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Examination body should have at least three years’ projection to commence the policy by 2029/2030 academic year.
The rep said that the 2026 WAEC result of students, considered to be leaders of tomorrow will be devastating if the CBE policy is allowed to commence as it will lead to massive failure, frustration, drug abuse among other social vices.
The house urged the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with its state counterparts to include the recruitment of computer teachers and all necessary infrastructure in the 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 budgets.
The Green Chamber also resolved that proper monitoring of adequate provision in private schools must be done before commencement of the policy in 2030.
The house mandated the Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services among other relevant committees to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
NEWS
Bayelsa Female Automobile Service Provider Appeals to NCDMB for Retainership
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Secretary of Women in Energy, Oil and Gas (WEOG) and Managing Director of Fudons Automobile Nig Ltd, Yenagoa, Nursere Doris Ndoboke has appealed to the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to consider her company for Retainership in Automobile repair.
Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Nursere Doris Ndoboke expressed concerns over delayed Retainership agreement with NCDMB after rendering Automobile Services to the board for about ten years only to be pushed aside from the system for no reasons.
Hence, she is calling on the Executive Secretary to intervene and consider her company for Retainership.“I am already in the industry and can’t be pushed outside like that.
Kindly intervene to restore my only source of livelihood for we have served NCDMB for 10 years as an automotive engineering company certified by COREN.
“We have created several employment opportunities for Bayelsans with over 10 staff on our company payroll. In addition, we regularly engage students on IT attachment/training, Association of Professional Women of Nigeria (APWEN), Niger Delta University (NDU), Federal University Otuoke (FUO), Federal Polytechnic EKOWE, other tertiary institutions and even train apprentices without any state government’s support.
“I ventured into a male dominated business for survival because I have 15 years of working experience in the automotive industry in Port Harcourt. Please, my only source of livelihood can’t be taken away from me in my own state. Please, justice should be done speedily to do the needful. I am a local content that NCDMB should build my capacity.
“Fudons Automobile has all the certifications to operate in the Oil and Gas industry, e g. NCDMB NOGIC JQS Certifications as Automobile Services provider, NUPRC LICENSE to operate in the Industry of which NCDMB is propagating for Women inclusivity in the OIL and Gas industry.
It is a sad commentary that Nursere Doris Ndoboke, a female entrepreneur and Managing Director, her own automobile services firm, could be facing such challenges in securing a retainership agreement with NCDMB despite providing quality services for 10 years.
Fudons Automobile has been a trusted service provider to NCDMB, offering automobile repair services.
Nursere Doris Ndoboke is also the Bayelsa State Secretary of Women in Energy, Oil and Gas (WEOG), promoting women’s participation in the oil and gas industry.
Our findings indicate that despite much appeals, NCDMB has not responded to Fudons Automobile’s application for a retainership agreement despite meeting the required certifications and qualifications.
Nurse-ere believes she is being pushed out of the system due to her gender, as she operates in a male-dominated industry.
Nursere Doris Ndoboke is worried about the silence from NCDMB officials on her request for Retainership after 10 years of business engagement with the organisation. The other issue is about her outstanding payments, amounting to over N15 million which is affecting her company’s operations while she has created jobs for over 10 Bayelsans in addition to carrying out manpower training and development programmes.
The company provides training and IT attachments to students from various institutions.
Fudons Automobile holds the necessary certifications, including NCDMB NOGIC JQS Certifications and NUPRC LICENSE.
We hope that the Executive Secretary will listen to her appeals and consider Fudons Automobile for retainership, as her company is making meaningful contributions to the local community and the oil and gas industry.
This situation further highlights the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in male-dominated industries and the need for support and inclusivity in the oil and gas sector.

