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Rivers: Tinubu ‘ll Lift Emergency Rule as Stability Returns – Presidency

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By Joel Oladele, Abuja

In a defense of President Bola Tinubu’s recent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key political figures in Rivers State, the Presidency has tagged allegations of a power grab as unfounded.The government argued that the decisive action taken was imperative to avert a deeper crisis that threatened to plunge the state and potentially the nation into turmoil.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement yesterday, an urgent intervention became necessary as the political standoff between Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly escalated into a governance crisis, raising alarms about potential violence and sabotage.
Despite facing criticism from various quarters who label the suspension as an infringement on democracy, the Presidency maintains that this intervention is a “surgical reset” aimed at restoring governance, insisting, “This is no power grab.”Onanuga noted that the crisis in Rivers State, stemming from a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had crippled governance.Despite Supreme Court rulings affirming constitutional governance, the feuding factions refused to back down. According to the Presidency, intelligence reports confirmed that militants in the creeks were primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure, posing a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic security.“Imagine a Rivers State where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hesitated to declare a state of emergency. The political standoff between the State Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have continued and degenerated into violence. Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the Governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks—primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure—could have plunged Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 lows. “Sensational reporting of the crisis by journalists and opportunistic litigation would have inflamed tensions further, paralysing governance and risking lives. Schools and hospitals would shutter; investors would flee. We can only imagine the human and economic toll,” OnanugaHe added that by March 18, the situation had deteriorated beyond political resolution, making Presidential intervention unavoidable.“Thanks to the President’s intervention, Rivers State can breathe again today. Political tensions have eased, banal headlines have quietened, and stakeholders—encouraged by the newly appointed administrator—are charting a path to lasting peace.“Critics who argue the crisis “did not yet warrant” an emergency rule ignore a stark truth: waiting for the breakdown of law and order to escalate into anarchy before acting is like withholding firefighters until a house burns to ashes.“A responsible leader like President Tinubu, who swore an oath to protect the constitution and corporate existence of the country, cannot fail to act when a constituent part of the Federation is careering towards the precipice.“The political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly who owe allegiance to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that blew open barely six months into the administration of the Governor has degenerated by 18 March.“A chain of events since the war of attrition started 14 months ago among the combatants had indeed paralysed the government of Rivers State to the point where Fubara, copying from the bad book of former Governor Obaseki in Edo, emasculated an arm of government entirely.“This reality informed the Supreme Court’s damning verdict about the absence of government in the State as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended. The court also excoriated Fubara for acting like a despot,” the statement added.Tinubu to Lift Emergency Rule Once Stability ReturnsCritics have argued that the suspension of Governor Fubara and other political actors is an assault on democracy, but the Presidency insists that the move was a temporary reset, not a takeover.“This is no power grab,” the statement emphasized. “The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring—not replacing—democratic institutions. The six-month suspension is designed to disarm warring factions and stabilize governance.”It also pointed out the hypocrisy of some critics who remained silent on Fubara’s refusal to cooperate with the legislature, yet condemned the President’s move.“Democracy cannot thrive amid lawlessness—anarchy is its antithesis,” Onanuga stated.The Nigerian Constitution (Section 305) empowers the President to act when the nation faces a breakdown of law, order, and economic security—precisely the case in Rivers.The Presidency referenced historical precedents, including past states of emergency in Plateau and Borno, as well as the doctrine of necessity, to justify Tinubu’s decisive action.“The President’s oath demands that he must safeguard national stability, not watch idly as partisan strife strangles our democracy. Rivers is a vital economic artery, and any politically motivated disruption in its oil industry has nationwide consequences,” the statement asserted.With the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator of Rivers State, efforts are already underway to restore peace and resume democratic governance.One of his first moves was meeting with traditional leaders to forge lasting solutions. The Presidency reassured Nigerians that the state of emergency would be lifted once stability is achieved, allowing elected officials to resume their duties.President Deserves Commendation, Not Condemnation – OnanugaDefending the President’s decision further, the statement quoted 18th-century philosopher Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”It concluded with a strong message to critics: “President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritized Nigeria’s interests over political expediency, averting a deeper crisis. To those calling him a ‘tyrant,’ ask yourselves—what democracy prospers in chaos? The calm in Rivers today vindicates the President’s decision. He deserves commendation, not condemnation.”

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FG Approves Mandatory Drug Integrity Test for Tertiary Students

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By Attah Ede, Makurdi

In a bold move to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse among young people, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has approved the implementation of mandatory drug integrity testing for students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.This initiative, announced after a strategic meeting with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.

Gen.
Buba Marwa (retd), will apply to both new and returning students through compulsory and random testing.The development is part of a comprehensive three-pronged strategy proposed by the NDLEA, which includes curriculum reform to introduce up-to-date drug education in schools, stand-alone drug abuse prevention programs at the secondary level, and a national student drug testing policy.
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, over 40,000 drug offenders have been arrested and more than 5,500 metric tonnes of narcotics seized in the last two years alone.Marwa emphasized the urgent need for this initiative, stating that drug use fuels criminal activities including terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.“We are fighting for the souls of our children. Without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible,” Marwa declared.Dr. Alausa acknowledged the devastating effects of drug abuse on academic performance and employability, describing it as a major threat to national development.“When youths get into drugs, they lose interest in education. Even if they attend school, they’re not functional. Their ability to make informed life decisions is diminished, making them unemployable,” Alausa warned.To institutionalize the reforms, the minister announced the establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit in the ministry and the formation of an inter-ministerial working group with the NDLEA. He also committed to collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to support the NDLEA Academy in Jos.Meanwhile, in Makurdi, Benue State, a different kind of crisis is unfolding. No fewer than 76 nursing students at the Benue State University (BSU) were forcefully evicted from their hostels on Thursday, following a dispute over increased accommodation fees.The students, who were relocated from the main campus to the dilapidated facilities of the former School of Nursing and Midwifery, said they were asked to pay N30,000 per bed space, double the N15,000 charged at the main hostels.According to them, the eviction came without prior notice, even as the students were in the middle of their first semester exams and preparing for their clinical postings slated for August 11.Many of them, coming from distant states such as Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja, were left stranded on the streets with their luggage and no alternative accommodation.Acting President of the Benue Schools of Nursing and Midwifery Alumni Association and media aide to the State NANNM Chairman, Mhange Moses, condemned the action as harsh and insensitive.“This is a shameful treatment. These students live in appalling conditions — no water, no electricity, broken toilets. Now they are being thrown out with no place to go. The nursing college is at risk of losing accreditation, and the students’ futures are in jeopardy,” Moses lamented.He appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to intervene urgently and provide a safe and conducive learning environment.“Nurses are the custodians of public health. They deserve better. We appreciate the governor’s efforts in upgrading the institution, but he must act now to prevent further damage,” Moses urged.As the federal government ramps up its fight against drug abuse in tertiary institutions, the plight of these nursing students highlights another pressing issue in the education sector—access to basic, dignified living conditions while pursuing academic and professional training.

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FCMB Group Records N529.2bn in Half Year Gross Earnings

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

FCMB Group Plc has announced its financial results for the half-year period ended June 30, 2025, recording gross earnings of N529.2bn, representing a 41.3 percent increase compared to N374.5bn posted in the corresponding period of 2024.In its unaudited financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2025, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday, the growth was primarily driven by a 70.

3 percent surge in interest and discount income, which rose to N458.
4bn from N269.2bn in H1 2024. This strong performance reflects improved yields on earning assets and expansion in the Group’s loan book, which reached N2.38tn as of 30 June 2025.Net interest income climbed to N207.
4bn, up 95.3 percent from N106.2bn in the same period last year. Despite this, interest expense rose by 54.1 percent to N251.0bn, compared to N163.0bn in 2024.Net fee and commission income also rose significantly by 51.3 percent to N37.9bn from N25.1bn. This growth was aided by a 30.9 per cent rise in fee and commission income to N47.4bn, even as fee and commission expenses fell by 14.9 per cent to N9.5bn.However, net trading income declined by 29.3 per cent to N22.2bn from N31.4bn, while other gains fell sharply to N696.3m from N37.1bn, reflecting lower revaluation and disposal gains on financial instruments.Operating expenses increased across the board. Personnel expenses rose 34.4 percent to N48.3bn, and depreciation and amortisation grew 24.8 per cent to N8.1bn, while general and administrative expenses jumped 59.4 per cent to N57.2bn. Other operating expenses rose 49.4 per cent to N39.6bn.Despite these cost increases, the Group delivered a profit before tax of N79.1bn, a 23.2 per cent rise from N64.2bn in H1 2024. After tax, profit stood at N73.4bn, reflecting a 23.4 per cent year-on-year growth from N59.5bn.Other comprehensive income for the period was N6.9bn, up from N24.8bn in the previous year. This brings total comprehensive income for the Group to N80.3bn for H1 2025, slightly below the N84.3bn reported in H1 2024, due largely to lower unrealised gains from foreign currency translation differences.Total assets as of June 30, 2025, stood at N7.54tn. Customer deposits rose 39.9 per cent to N4.54tn, while loans and advances to customers increased modestly to N2.38tn.

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‎NNPCL Backstraps, Rules Out Port Harcourt Refinery Sale

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By David Torough, Abuja

‎‎The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has officially ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to completing high-grade rehabilitation and retention of the plant.‎Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, made the announcement during a company-wide town hall meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, ending weeks of speculation over the future of the country’s most prominent state-owned refining asset.

‎A statement by the company management yesterday said, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has officially ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to completing high-grade rehabilitation and retention of the plant.
”He described selling the Port Harcourt Refining Company as “ill-advised and sub-commercial.”‎Ojulari’s remarks come amid rising public concern sparked by his earlier comments at the 2025 OPEC Seminar in Vienna, where he said “all options are on the table” regarding the future of Nigeria’s refineries.The statement triggered a wave of speculation that a sale might be imminent.‎He stated that the new position of the firm was not a shift. Rather, it is informed by ongoing detailed technical and financial reviews of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri refineries.The statement added, “The ongoing review indicates that the earlier decision to operate the Port Harcourt refinery, before full completion of its rehabilitation, was ill-informed and sub-commercial.‎”Although progress is being made on all three, the emerging outlook calls for more advanced technical partnerships to complete and high-grade the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.‎”Thus, selling is highly unlikely as it would lead to further value erosion.”At the town hall, the Executive Vice Presidents presented progress reports from the Upstream, Downstream, Finance, Business Services, Gas, Power, and New Energy businesses, highlighting operational achievements, ongoing reforms, and areas requiring attention.According to the statement, the announcement reinforces NNPC’s mandate as a strategic custodian of national energy infrastructure and reflects a firm resolve to deliver on the complete rehabilitation and long-term viability of Nigeria’s refineries.It also signals continuity in the Federal Government’s broader energy security objectives and a commitment to retaining critical assets under national control.Feedback during and after the session revealed a workforce energised and aligned with the leadership’s vision. Described as “reassuring,” “transformational,” and “sustainable”, the atmosphere reflected an optimistic outlook among employees and hopefulness about the company’s evolving strategic direction.“NNPC Ltd will continue to reposition itself as a commercially driven, professionally managed national energy company, grounded in transparency, focused on performance, and unwavering in its responsibility to its number one stakeholder group, Nigerians,” Ojulari concluded.The statement added that the declaration was received with applause from hundreds of staff attendees, who described the position as a renewed sense of business-focused direction across the organisation.NNPCL Drills Four Oil Wells in Kolmani, BauchiA Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Yusuf Usman, said the company has drilled four oil wells in the Kolmani area of Bauchi State.He also restated the commitment of the company to the exploration and development of oil and gas resources in the northern region of the country.Usman said this on Wednesday in Kaduna at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s two-day interactive Session on Government-Citizens Engagement.Usman stated, “So far, the NNPCL has drilled four wells in the Kolmani area of Bauchi State, and is currently evaluating the appropriate technology to be deployed for the next phase of drilling operations.“In support of President Tinubu’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, five CNG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants are under construction in Kogi.“These plants are expected to enhance gas supply and accessibility across the northern region.”Usman highlighted some of the achievements of the company under the Tinubu-led administration that benefited the north and other parts of the country.

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