NEWS
Nasarawa to Benefit from $200m Lithium Project, Sule Assures
From Abel Zwànke, Lafia
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has assured that state will benefit significantly from the $200 million lithium processing plant being established by Jiuling Lithium Mining Company in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government Area.Speaking during an inspection of the construction site yesterday, the governor said the project would create employment opportunities for the people of the state, particularly those with technical skills relevant to the mining industry.
”I asked them how this industry would benefit Nasarawa State and its people. They assured me that they would employ our citizens, especially those with technical qualifications, and pay them a minimum of N500,000. That is what I also confirmed today,” Governor Sule stated.He encouraged young people in the state to study technical courses to qualify for positions in the company, emphasizing that without the right skills, employment opportunities would go to candidates from other states.”If we have sufficient qualified technicians and engineers from Nasarawa, they will be employed first. But if we don’t, the company will have no choice but to hire from elsewhere,” he said.Sule also expressed satisfaction with the company’s adherence to environmental protection measures, stating that their excavation methods minimize pollution and align with industry standards.”As an engineer, I am satisfied. The excavation is done in layers to ensure minimal environmental impact. They have conducted their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and are complying with it,” he explained.In response to the company’s request for security, Governor Sule assured that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, had already taken steps to secure the area.”Five years ago, this place was unsafe, but with the help of the Federal Government, we established a military super camp nearby and built the road from Mararaba, which forced out criminals. I have also invited the Commissioner of Police and other security heads to ensure security concerns are addressed,” he stated.The Managing Director of Jiuling Lithium Mining Company, Xiong Jin, confirmed the company’s commitment to completing the project, which will be one of the largest lithium processing factories in the country.”We are investing $200 million in this project and will ensure it benefits the people of Nasarawa. Graduates employed at the mining site will earn a minimum of N500,000. However, we need the state government’s support in providing security and infrastructure,” Jin said.NEWS
APC Isoko South Passes Vote of Confidence on Tinubu, Oborevwori

From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isoko South Local Government Area has passed a resounding vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, citing their exemplary and visionary leadership.
The decision came over the weekend during the party’s maiden meeting following a wave of mass defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in Isoko South. The event, held at the country home of Senator Joel-Onowakpo, witnessed an unprecedented gathering of political heavyweights and stakeholders from the eleven wards within the local government area.Prominent figures at the meeting included Chief Lucky Esigie, APC Isoko Nation Leader; Rt. Hon. Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor; Odio Askia Ogeh, former DESOPADEC Managing Director; APC LGA Chairman, Comrade Egbogbo Vincent; Rt. Hon. Onwo Ferguson, Hon. Bino Obowomano, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, and several others.In his keynote address, Senator Joel-Onowakpo emphasized party unity and clarified the leadership structure of the APC in Delta State.He stated that the APC recognizes Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as its leader in the state, aligning with the directives of the Presidency and the national leadership of the party.“The Delta State Governorship is not vacant,” Senator Joel-Onowakpo declared. “We have an administration that is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy, and we must give it the necessary support to complete its mandate.”The Senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Content, further called for a unified front within the party, discouraging any form of division or discrimination between new and old members. He also tasked party organs, particularly ward chairmen, with ensuring a smooth registration process for new entrants.The highlight of the meeting was the formal motion of a vote of confidence, moved by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, Member representing Isoko South Constituency II, and seconded by Dr. Sylvester Onoyona, APC’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate. The motion received unanimous approval through a thunderous voice vote, signaling widespread support for the trio.Attendees described President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and Senator Joel-Onowakpo as “leaders who have distinguished themselves at their various levels of assignment.”The meeting also served as a platform to strategize for the 2027 general elections, with calls for cohesion, grassroots mobilization, and internal discipline within the party.Other notable leaders present included Hon. Barr. Lucky Okperi, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Hon. Austine Igbine, Hon. Benjamin Ogbalor, High Chief Lawrence Eduje, Queen Betty Efekodha, Barr. Powell Ojogho, and Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (Rtd), among many others.The gathering reaffirmed the APC’s growing strength in Delta State and its preparedness to challenge for dominance in future elections.NEWS
Enugu Reiterates Commitment to Host NBA Annual General Conference

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to hosting a seamless and memorable Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) scheduled for August.The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr.
Kingsley Udeh made this known during the first plenary session with the various sub committees tasked with organizing the high-profile legal gathering in Enugu. Udeh charged the committee members to work diligently and introduce innovative ideas that will ensure the 2025 AGC is not only well-organized but also sets a new benchmark for future conferences.He emphasized Enugu’s longstanding reputation as a pace-setter among Nigerian states in hosting major national events.Reflecting on past achievements, the Attorney-General recalled that the widely-adopted breakout session format was first introduced during Enugu’s hosting of the NBA AGC in 2003—a practice that has since become a standard feature of the conference.He also conveyed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s enthusiasm about welcoming legal practitioners and judicial officers from across the country, describing the upcoming event as an opportunity to etch Enugu’s name in history once again. Udeh, who is the chairman of the planning committee and sub committees, confirmed that he will personally oversee the planning process to ensure the success of the event.With the right level of dedication and teamwork, we are confident that this event will set a new standard for professional gatherings in our state, he concluded.On his part, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Legal Matters, Osinachi Nnajieze reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the conference turns out to be a huge success.The Special Adviser and also Secretary of the Planning Committee, Nnajieze emphasized the importance of collaboration and dedication among members of the committee.He assured that all hands would be on deck to meet the expectations of the Attorney-General, who inaugurated the committee, said that we cannot afford to fail.“This conference has the potential to unlock significant investment opportunities for Enugu State and position us as a hub for legal and economic discourse,” Nnajieze declaredHe revealed that the committee would be strategically divided into two key sub-committees: the Secretariat and the Finance & Budget, and would work together to ensure seamless planning and execution.Nnajieze also stressed the need for every committee member to demonstrate commitment and accountability in fulfilling their assigned duties.NEWS
Adequate Assets Management is a Joint Effort, Says Adeleke

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
Citizens of Osun State have been enjoined to ensure proper management of government assets in ensuring long-term benefits for both the present and future generations.According to the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Osun State Assets Management Agency (O’SAMA), Alhaja Fausat Sarumi-Adebanjo while featuring as guest on the Imole Ayo programme which promotes the activities of the present administration in the state, explained that, the agency is tasked with disposing of unserviceable government assets, eliminating resource-draining property and overseeing the procurement of government assets.
The Special Adviser noted that proper asset management is a collective responsibility of all citizens as the government cannot do it alone, emphasizing that all government assets require effective management and regular maintenance to ensure their longevity.Alhaja Sarumi-Adebanjo explained that the government has regularized the documents of house owners whose property are built on government land across the state in such a way that, certain amount of money will be paid to the government coffers annually.The Ijesha born politician said, the agency resorted to regularization in order to create pain for those who had encroached government lands while warning the affected group of people to desist from the ugly act.The O’SAMA boss while urging the entire people of Osun not to relent on their efforts to ensure complete support to Governor Adeleke’s led administration said, the efforts of Asiwaju Adeleke in transforming the whole state cannot be over emphasised as betterment and welfare of the people of the state is very paramount to him.The weekly Yoruba simulcast programme is put in place by the office of the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, to showcase the outstanding achievements of the incumbent Governor Adeleke’s led administration in Osun.