Breaking: President Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers, Suspends Governor Fubara, Assembly

Published

2 years ago

March 19, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly for six months, citing a total collapse of governance. “As it is, there is no government in Rivers State,” Tinubu stated, quoting the Supreme Court’s verdict on the political crisis. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the administrator, blaming Fubara for disregarding constitutional order, enabling militancy, and failing to restore the legislative arm.

The decision follows months of political turmoil, judicial indictments against the governor, and militant activities threatening national assets.

See the President Official Full Text Below

Text of the Broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, declaring State of Emergency in Rivers state on Tuesday 18 March 2025

Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.

With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.

Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.

On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:

“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”

The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected

“are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”

The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.

Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.

Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.

Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.

The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.

With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.

In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.

By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.

This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.

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“Nurturing Minds and Shaping the Future Remains Our Priority” – Comrade Boluwaji Isola, Moba Student Union President

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2026

GistNaijaHub

“Nurturing Minds and Shaping the Future Remains Our Priority” – Comrade Boluwaji Isola, Moba Student Union President

The President of the Federation of Moba Local Government Students’ Union (FEMLGSU), Comrade Boluwaji Ebenezer Isola, has reaffirmed his commitment to educational development and student capacity building with the hosting of NURVISTA ’26, an initiative designed to promote academic excellence and nurture young talent across Moba Local Government.

The programme, held at Olowojorubu Hall, Moba Local Government Secretariat, Otun-Ekiti, featured spelling bee, quiz and essay-writing competitions, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking, spelling proficiency and writing skills.

The initiative, themed “Nurturing Minds, Cultivating Vision, and Shaping the Future,” reflects Isola’s manifesto commitment to creating opportunities for students to develop their intellectual abilities and achieve their academic potential.

NURVISTA ’26 advances student development agenda

Through the programme, FEMLGSU brought students together to compete, showcase their abilities and earn recognition for their academic performance.

The event also provided a platform for encouraging intellectual engagement and healthy competition among students from participating schools, with cash prizes awarded to the top three positions in each category.

A total of ₦240,000 was awarded across the spelling bee, quiz and essay-writing competitions.

In the spelling bee, Adeleye Adesewa of Seventh Day Adventist, Ikun-Ekiti, emerged first and received ₦25,000. Oyeyemi Eniola of SUBEB Model, Otun-Ekiti, came second with ₦15,000, while Okenua Chinedu of Seventh Day Adventist, Eleti, Otun-Ekiti, placed third and received ₦10,000.

The quiz competition was won by Oluwadare Gift and Ajayi Samuel Iyanuola of Saliu Adeoti Memorial Comprehensive High School, Otun-Ekiti, who received ₦35,000.

Omotayo Oluwapelumi and Abegunde Timileyin of Moba Grammar School, Otun-Ekiti, placed second with ₦25,000, while Adeleke Abiola Josiah and Olabode Testimony of Aaye-Oja Community Grammar School, Aaye-Oja-Ekiti, finished third with ₦15,000.

In the essay-writing category, Owolabi Oluwanifemi Patience emerged first and received ₦50,000. Fadare Joshua Alaba placed second with ₦35,000, while Fadare Helen Opeyemi came third and received ₦20,000.

Manifesto commitment puts education in focus

NURVISTA ’26 represents a practical expression of FEMLGSU’s stated commitment to educational advancement and capacity building among students in Moba Local Government.

By organising competitions that assess different academic skills, the union has created an avenue for students to demonstrate their strengths while encouraging learning, confidence and intellectual development.

The initiative also highlights the role student organisations can play in supporting educational opportunities beyond the classroom. Sustaining such programmes, however, will require continued collaboration with schools, parents, educators, community leaders and other stakeholders.

FEMLGSU recognises contributions of partners

The union congratulated the winners and commended all participating students and schools for their preparation, courage and determination.

It also acknowledged the Academic Committee for its planning and coordination of the event, alongside the participating schools, students, distinguished guests, speakers, sponsors and other contributors whose support helped deliver the programme.

FEMLGSU called on parents, educators, government representatives, community leaders, organisations and well-meaning individuals to partner with the union in sustaining educational initiatives and youth-development programmes.

Building a stronger future for Moba students

For Isola and FEMLGSU, the broader objective of NURVISTA ’26 is to encourage students to recognise their abilities, pursue academic excellence and develop skills that can support their future ambitions.

The initiative aligns with the president’s stated manifesto focus on capacity building and educational development, placing student advancement at the centre of the union’s activities.

As FEMLGSU seeks broader stakeholder support, sustaining initiatives such as NURVISTA will be important in expanding educational opportunities and encouraging more young people across Moba Local Government to reach their potential.

FEMLGSU Holds NURVISTA ’26 to Promote Academic Excellence in Moba

Published

4 weeks ago

October 11, 2026

GistNaijaHub

FEMLGSU Uses NURVISTA ’26 to Promote Academic Excellence in Moba

The Federation of Moba Local Government Students’ Union (FEMLGSU), led by her president, Comrade Boluwaji Ebenezer Isola, has held her NURVISTA ’26 educational initiative, bringing students together for spelling bee, quiz and essay-writing competitions aimed at promoting academic excellence and nurturing young talent across Moba Local Government.

Held at Olowojorubu Hall, Moba Local Government Secretariat, Otun-Ekiti, the programme featured the theme “Nurturing Minds, Cultivating Vision, and Shaping the Future”.

The initiative provided a platform for students to demonstrate their spelling proficiency, subject knowledge, critical thinking and writing abilities while competing for cash prizes.

Students win ₦240,000 in prizes

The competitions recognised nine winning positions across the three categories, with a combined prize pool of ₦240,000.

The quiz competition was won by Oluwadare Gift and Ajayi Samuel Iyanuola of Saliu Adeoti Memorial Comprehensive High School, Otun-Ekiti. The team received ₦35,000.

Omotayo Oluwapelumi and Abegunde Timileyin of Moba Grammar School, Otun-Ekiti, finished second with ₦25,000, while Adeleke Abiola Josiah and Olabode Testimony of Aaye-Oja Community Grammar School, Aaye-Oja-Ekiti, placed third and received ₦15,000.

In the essay-writing category, Owolabi Oluwanifemi Patience won first place and received ₦50,000. Fadare Joshua Alaba came second with ₦35,000, while Fadare Helen Opeyemi placed third and won ₦20,000.

FEMLGSU reaffirms commitment to education

FEMLGSU congratulated the winners and commended all participating students and schools for their preparation, courage and determination.

The union said NURVISTA ’26 reflected its commitment to creating opportunities for students to develop their abilities and pursue academic excellence. Under Isola’s leadership, the initiative also provides a platform for the union to engage students and encourage greater participation in educational activities.

The union acknowledged the dedication of its Academic Committee in planning and coordinating the event. It also thanked participating schools, students, guests, speakers, sponsors and other contributors for their support.

Union seeks wider support for youth development

FEMLGSU called on parents, educators, community leaders, government representatives, organisations and other stakeholders to partner with the union in sustaining initiatives that promote education and youth development in Moba Local Government.

Continued collaboration would help create more opportunities for young people to develop their intellectual abilities and prepare for future responsibilities, said by the union stakeholders

The Union reiterated its commitment to nurturing talent and supporting students, emphasising the importance of investing in young people as part of efforts to build a stronger future for Moba Local Government.

NURVISTA ’26 concluded with the recognition of outstanding participants and appreciation for those who contributed to the programme, reinforcing the union’s stated commitment to academic development and student empowerment.

Oyebanji Rewards Ekiti Teachers With Disabilities With ₦6.5m

Published

1 month ago

October 6, 2026

GistNaijaHub

Oyebanji Rewards Ekiti Teachers With Disabilities With ₦6.5m

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has rewarded teachers and school administrators with disabilities with ₦6.5 million at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Ado-Ekiti.

The award, presented at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion along New Iyin Road, recognised five educators and administrators from the state’s special schools for their performance and service.

Mrs Olaniyi Bamidele Ruth of the Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, won the top prize of ₦2 million in the special education teaching category.

Mrs Adebayo Adenike Comfort of the Government Special School, Ido-Ekiti, came second and received ₦1 million, while Mrs Christianah Ojo of the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti, placed third with ₦500,000.

In the administrative category, Mrs Adu Olaide Temitope, principal of the Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, received ₦2 million after emerging first.

Mr Salami Oduntan Rasak, principal of the Government Special School for Children with Intellectual Disability and Physical Challenges, Ido-Ekiti, placed second and received ₦1 million.

The combined awards brought the total cash distributed to the five awardees to ₦6.5 million.

The celebration, held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Futures,” also provided the Oyebanji administration an opportunity to outline its investments in public education.

Mr Oyebanji thanked teachers across the state for what he described as their support and commitment to his administration.

«“Their commitment and dedication to duty have enhanced and improved teaching and learning outcomes,” the governor said.»

He also acknowledged education stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Association of Principals of Public Schools, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers and private school owners.

Mr Oyebanji said his administration was modernising public schools to prepare students for a technology-driven economy.

According to him, all 203 public secondary schools in the state now have ICT laboratories, interactive boards and 5kVA inverters. He added that internet facilities had been installed in 125 schools.

The governor also said old school buildings had been renovated across the state, while perimeter fencing had been provided for 54 public secondary schools.

CCTV cameras, he said, had been installed in 48 schools, with another 85 scheduled for installation.

The Commissioner for Education, Olabimpe Aderiye, said the state government had invested more than ₦18 billion in education over the past four years.

Mrs Aderiye said the expenditure included ₦11.9 billion in counterpart funding, ₦2.289 billion in running grants and ₦546.9 million for feeding pupils in the state’s three special schools.

She also listed ₦2.1 billion for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, ₦955 million for school placement fees and ₦125 million for National Business and Technical Examinations Board examinations.

The government did not provide an independent breakdown in the statement showing how the various figures combine to reach the stated ₦18 billion total.

Princess Adetoun Agboola, the governor’s Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, described the recognition of teachers with disabilities as significant.

She said the awards showed that teachers with disabilities remained valued members of the education workforce.

“By honouring PWDs, we are saying that disability is not inability, and that every teacher, regardless of ability, is valued and seen,” she said.

Mrs Agboola said this was the third occasion on which persons with disabilities had received specific recognition for their service under the administration.

She also stressed the role of non-teaching staff in running schools, saying administrators, clerks, secretaries, bursars and typists contribute to the effective operation of educational institutions.

The recognition of educators with disabilities placed inclusion at the centre of Ekiti’s 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, while the government used the occasion to highlight its broader education policies and infrastructure programme.