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NBA Lauds Fubara’s Records On Governance, Infrastructure
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has lauded the giant strides the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has recorded in the areas of good governance, restoration and maintenance of peace and unity, provision of massive infrastructure projects as well as promotion of economic prosperity in Rivers State.
The NBA made the commendation when a delegation of Chairmen and Secretaries of the various branches of the Association in the State had audience with the Governor at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday night.
The delegation, which was received in a closed door session, was led by Chairman of Port Harcourt Branch of the association, Mr Viktor Ibim Benibo.
Speaking with newsmen after a fruitful interaction with the Governor, Mr Benibo explained that the leaderships of NBA branches across the State were inspired to pay the visit by the level of peace and economic prosperity experienced within the short time that Governor Fubara has been on the saddle.
This, he attributed to the manner Governor Fubara has handled the affairs of the State with peaceful demeanour, maturity and wisdom, which have ensured that unity of purpose and progress permeated the entire State.
Mr Benibo said, as a result, key players in the economy and other service providers now enjoy some level of confidence because Governor Fubara has contained the monster of political crisis that erupted seven months ago, adding that the people were benefitting from the gains of peace and economic rejuvenation.
It is for these reasons that he said, “We are encouraged by the peaceful disposition of the Governor, and we have decided to say thank you to him for the peace he has given to this State.
“You know, the way he has handled the affairs of this State with maturity, the economic prosperity experienced within this short time, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Trans-Kalabari Road, and other projects that impact the people positively are good signs for our people.”
Mr Benibo further said: “These are very massive projects which so many administrations had deliberately skipped from reaching the masses.
“But from the way he (Governor Fubara) is going, you understand, it seems we are in to see so many other good things in very short time. These are things the people have been expecting for years.
“So, we are here to say to the Governor, even though notwithstanding your age as a young man, you are doing what older ones could not do. So, we are saying thank you to him for what he has done, and to encourage him and his administration to remain focused in doing those good things lined up for the people of the State.”
Commenting on whether they were in Government House to felicitate with Governor Fubara on the celebration of his one year in office, Mr Benibo restated the apolitical nature of NBA, explaining that the visit had no political colouration but designed to appreciate the good works of the administration.
Mr Benibo, however, noted that the NBA observed at the State Banquet to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State, that a number of Rivers leaders with integrity who had hitherto been alienated from governance, voluntarily dedicated their time to associate with the government.
He stated that such display of friendship and brotherliness has erased the politics of bitterness that had characterised the State in recent past, adding that with such sense of purpose and direction, the State will emerge stronger politically, economically and otherwise.
He said, “Honestly, we didn’t have that at the back of our minds because we are not politicians, but inasmuch as we are here, we have come to show support and appreciation for the way he (Governor Fubara) has run the affairs of the State in a peaceful, inclusive and purpose-driven manner.
“This is because yesterday (May 27) was our 57th anniversary as a State, and we are also happy, particularly at the calibre of leaders across all spectrum of endeavours we saw during the State Banquet. It shows that the people of the State are more united now in support of the Governor and his Administration. That support is what we need to move the State forward.
“So, we saw many people that were before alienated politically, and I was happy to see them, and it tells you that just because we are enjoying peace, everybody has come around. That is governance. And we will continue to encourage them to come around because their coming together will help the State grow faster.”
Mr Benibo emphasised: “I am not a politician. I’m not APC, I’m not PDP. And I’m sure most of us here are also not politicians. But as lawyers, we are trained to talk the truth at all material times.
“So, we are here to encourage our dear performing Governor, to say: please, go ahead and provide leadership and good governance to the people of Rivers State,” he added.
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.”