NEWS
NCPC Screens 368 Intending Pilgrims From Delta

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has commenced the screening of 368 intending pilgrims from Delta ahead of the trip to Israel and Jordan.
A statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, said that the screening commenced on Friday in Asaba.
The 368 intending pilgrims are being sponsored by the Delta Government.
The NCPC screening team was led by Deputy Director and Head of Special Duties Department, Pastor Raphael Oyinloye.
It is expected that those who scaled through the two-day screening would be travelling for the pilgrimage by the middle of January, 2023.
Mr Johnbull Edema, the state Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, thanked Gov.
Ifeanyi Okowa for sponsoring Christians to perform the pilgrimage twice in 2022.He urged the intending pilgrims to provide correct information about themselves to avoid being disqualified by the NCPC.
“The previous pilgrimage was adjudged wonderful, therefore you should do better than the former one,” he added.
Edema further admonished them not to entertain any thought of abscondment, as they would be fished out and prosecuted.
In his exortation, Chairman, Delta Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria in the Holy land.
He added,”as ambassadors of our country it will be so disgraceful if you bring shame to this state.”
The chairman said it would be an aberration for any intending pilgrim to go to the Holy land without interceding for Nigeria and the state.
“Nigeria needs prayers now, we need to pray to God in Israel to give us good leaders for this nation in the next dispensation,” Odutemu added.
He commended the state governor for sponsoring the pilgrims, in spite of the current economic situation in the country.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Snr. Apostle Sylvanus Okorote advised the intending pilgrims to regard the exercise as a spiritual retreat.
He urged them to pray for the state and the success of the governor who facilitated the trip.
Also, Executive Secretary of the board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, advised the intending pilgrims to cooperate with the NCPC screening team by providing vital documents that would facilitate the screening process. (NAN)
NEWS
Reps Demand Improved Services by NIMET for National Safety

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday said it was making legislative efforts to ensure improved services by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), to ensure national safety.Chairman of the House committee on Aviation technology, Rep. Tajudeen Abisodun, disclosed this during a public hearing on a Bill to Amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act No.
29, 2022 in Abuja. He said that the amendment was imperative in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s Meteorological Agency.”This Bill is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our Meteorological Agency,”Which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in the aviation sector,” he said.The lawmaker said that the proposed amendments were focused on key sections that require urgent attention specifically to amend section 13 sub-section 2.According to him, these amendments are designed to strengthen the agency’s capacity to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings and advisories.Abisodun who reiterated the imperative of NIMET’s quality service delivery, said that the bill would enable Pilots and air traffic controllers to access reliable and accurate weather information for informed decisions.The Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen described the public hearing as a reaffirmation of the House of Representatives commitment to efficiency, accountability and transparency.Abbas, represented by Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, Deputy Chief Whip, said that prioritization of the Citizens’ needs was imperative.He said that the House of Representatives would continue to provide legislative support in enhancing Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.Abbas therefore urged the relevant stakeholders and participants to make crucial contributions aimed at improving the services of NIMET.On his part, the sponsor of the Bill, Rep. Abisodun Akinlade said that the aim of the Bill was to reposition NiMET for citizenry safety and economic growth.Akinlade said that NiMET was the only agency mandated by law to give Meteorological data for national safety.Also, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Charles Anosike said that the purpose of the presentation was to justify the proposed amendments.Anosike particularly supported the proposal for a cost recovery framework to ensure sustainable delivery of critical Meteorological services to sectors such as marine, construction and telecommunications.The NIMET DG expressed the need for users of specialized Meteorological services to pay costs associated with the provision of such services.He said that there were inherent gaps in the current Act that limits NIMET’s optimal service delivery especially in cost recovery.”While in the current Act, (sections 7(1)(i) and 7(2) empowers NiMET to issue Meteorological information and to impose cost and sustainability recovery charges.”There is currently no equivalent mechanism for non-aeronautical sectors, resulting in unrecovered operational costs, increased pressure on funding, poor Infrastructural development and limited service coverage.”Anosike said that it is imperative to improve the services of NIMET in line with global best services, particularly cost recovery from specialized services.NEWS
Senate Honours Buhari, Denies Reports Recommending 12 New States Creation

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate has concluded plans to hold a special session during plenary today in honour of late President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed on at a London clinic on July 13, 2025 aged 82.The Upper Chamber yesterday said that the session, dedicated to tributes, would reflect on his legacy and contributions to nation-building, having served as Nigeria’s number one citizen twice.
The late Buhari, from Daura in Katsina State led Nigeria twice at the highest level — first as a military Head of State from December 31, 1983, to August 27, 1985 before returning on May 29, 2015 as a democratically elected President and was re-elected for a second term from May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2023. Meanwhile, in its reaction to reports suggesting it recommended the creation of 12 new states as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, the senate distanced itself from the reports saying that no new states had been recommended or created and urged Nigerians to disregard such reports.The position of the senate which was sequel to the clarification of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio yesterday during plenary on the subject matter followed after Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) raised concerns over widespread social media reports alleging the Senate had approved the creation of 12 new states.Believing the reports to be true, some Nigerians have reportedly begun holding meetings to strategise on the development of their purported new states, Akpabio in his reaction however said, “I have seen over 42 proposals, but not one has gone through full deliberation. The process of creating a state is very rigorous and has not been completed in any instance.”He further explained that amending the constitution itself is a similarly demanding process, requiring proposals in the form of bills, public hearings, recommendations to the floor, and approval from the 36 State Houses of Assembly, followed by Presidential assent.He added that, as of today, the process remains incomplete and advised Nigerians to ignore all social media speculation regarding state creation.NEWS
Agency Commends Otu over Solar Water Project across 10 Federal Constituency

From Christopher Tom, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Eno Otu has been commended over his significance steps towards the actualization of the Arise Agenda Deeping Strategy of giving 11 Solar Water Project across 10 Federal Constituency in the stateThe acting General Manager of Akwa Ibom State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Saviour Udo made the commendation when he spoke with Journalists shortly after the maiden water, sanitation, hygienic training workshop for the 31 Local Government in Uyo.
He explained the significance of the water project executed by the Government to the communities for them to protect the facilities against Vandalisation and especially vandalisation of solar pump projects should not be left out to be secured for their own benefits.He therefore emphasized that through the magnificent efforts of the Head of service Elder. Effiong Essien made him build his passion for water Service which after 14 years in service has made him the Acting General Manager of Akwa Ibom State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. In the same vain, the Agency is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources through the Arise Agenda to Provide hygienic water project to the entire state which he promise goes into Rural communities after development to establish standard water for the rural people benefit, he emphasized on the water law which has been established in the state to regulate water policy as soon as the state complete development project.He advised the General Public to make sure they provide clean and hygienic toilet systems, kick against open defecation to avoid Government Sanctions while he said Government will not relent despite the uphill task Government will continue to provide for her citizens especially good water.The Acting General Manager said Eno Administration is working around the clock without relenting despite the challenges to make sure the citizens witness and experience good hygienic water across the state meeting up the General Accepted standard across the globe.