News
Group Endorses Fubara For Second Term
The Engenni Simplified Leadership, a socio-political organisation in Engenni Kingdom of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, has endorsed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for second term in office.
This was part of resolutions made available to newsmen at the end of its meeting at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
According to the group, the endorsement was in view of Governor Fubara’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of the State.
“Recognising his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of the State, the movement proudly endorses the Governor for a second term in office,” it said.
The group also expressed its unflinching backing and support to the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari for his resilience, integrity and steadfast commitment in upholding democratic principles which, according to it, thwarted the attempt by former 27 lawmakers of the House to impeach Governor Fubara.
“The movement also expressed appreciation to the Majority Leader of the Rivers state House of Assembly and member representing Ahoada West in the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari for his resilience, integrity and steadfast commitment in upholding democratic principles, a situation that was instrumental in thwarting the ill-conceived impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara by the former 27 Assembly members on October 30,2023.”
Jointly signed by Hon Ezekiel Agiri, Leader of Ward 4; Jerry Egwu, Ward 1; Chief Dennis Warman,Ward 2; and Sunny Dressman, Ward 3, it also pledged to undertake a solidarity visit to the distinguished legislator to commend him for his exemplary service to the people of Rivers State.
The movement also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Ahoada-West Local Government Council led by its Chairman, Hon. Iyekor Ikporo and his vice, Hon. Onisojikume Ayonoadu for their notable achievements within their first 100 days in office.
“According to the movement, “the strides made in executing impactful projects across the Local Government Area reflect their dedication to grassroots development. In appreciation, the movement resolves to pay a courtesy visit to these leaders to extend its congratulations and support,” it said.
It pledged to seek an audience with Governor Fubara, to formally convey the collective support of the Engenni people to his administration.
“This engagement will also serve as an opportunity to articulate the developmental needs and aspirations of the Engenni community, ensuring that the region receives its fair share of government attention and resources,”it said.
The movement further reaffirmed its profound respect and confidence in the traditional institution of the Engenni people under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, King Moore MacLean Ubuo, Okilomu-Ibe III of Engenni as a way of acknowledging the critical role of traditional leadership in fostering peace, unity, and development.
The Movement pledged to collaborate closely with the royal institution in pursuit of sustainable progress for the Engenni nation.
It further said that it remains committed to unity, progress, and effective collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to enhance the socio-political and economic wellbeing of the Engenni people.
According to the Engenni Simplified Leadership, the meeting was conveyed to deliberate on some critical issues affecting Engenni Kingdom and the broader Rivers State political landscape.
John Bibor
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had lauded the courage and commitment of troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Abubakar gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, in Abuja.
The CAS said their sacrifices were etched in the history of the nation, and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who sleep safer because of the troops’ vigilance.
He emphasised that their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity have not gone unnoticed, saying his visit underscored the vital role airpower plays in neutralising threats and protecting communities.
Abubakar pledged continued investment in cutting-edge technology to empower frontline units.
According to him, the NAF remains steadfast in its mission, guided by leadership, strengthened by unity, and driven by the selfless service of its personnel.
The visit comes at a critical moment, reinforcing the importance of public support for military operations and spotlighting the human element at the heart of national defence.
Nigeria’s soft drinks and beverage market continues to show strong growth potential, making it the leading consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
A statement by the VDMA disclosed during a press conference held in Lagos ahead of drinktec 2025, that Nigeria consumed over 53 billion litres of soft drinks in 2024, placing it well ahead of other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Despite challenges such as inflation and a weakening naira, Nigeria’s growing population, rising urbanisation, and expanding middle class are key factors driving demand in the beverage sector.
Bottled water led the segment with 48.7 billion litres sold in 2024, a figure projected to rise by 27% to 62 billion litres by 2028.
Carbonated soft drinks followed with 3.4 billion litres, expected to reach 4.4 billion litres by 2028, while energy drinks are forecasted to grow by 30% over the same period. Juices, though relatively small, are also on an upward trajectory.
“The Nigerian beverage market is expanding quickly due to increasing accessibility and affordability,” VDMA stated, citing data from Euromonitor International.
Set to take place in Munich from 15 to 19 September 2025, drinktec is the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry.
VDMA, a key exhibitor and technical partner for the event, revealed that Nigerian participation is expected to be strong, especially as the country anticipates economic recovery.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, describing the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.
Abdulkareem had waxed a song titled “Tell Your Papa” which criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Soyinka criticised the action and its wider implications, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.
He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that the ban creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
Soyinka’s statement also touched on broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, lamenting the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticised the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”
He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”
Soyinka concluded by urging the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers “has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”