IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

BY GOC Nwadike, Owerri

The Torch Lighting Ceremony for the Niger Delta Sports Festival Took place Thursday in Owerri, the Imo State Capital following the arrival of the Torch Light to the state capital of Owerri, Imo state.

Leading the Torch Lighting Ceremony in the State's Government House at Owerri, the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma thanked the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for making efforts through the festival to curb youths' unemployment in the region as well as harnessing developmental opportunities through Sports.

Speaking through his Deputy, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, Ph.D, the governor assured the commission of his continued supports, while urging the Imo contingents to the festival to come home with many laurels.

The festival Torch Light which commenced its tours the past one week of the Nine mandate states of the NDDC, left Asaba, the Delta State Capital Wednesday, for Imo, and was received Thursday by the Imo's Brand Ambassador to the festival, Mr. Emmanuel Amunike, mfr, who was represented by "Mr. Universe".

The Torch left the stadium with a Procession to the Imo Government House, where it was handed over to the Honourable Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Evaristus Onyeocha. Onyeocha and Hon. Willie Okolieogwo serve as the chairman and Secretary respectively, of the State Liaison Committee of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Imo State.

The Commissioner proceeded to handing over the Torch Light to the Executive Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodinma as ably represented.

The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Chief of Staff to the Imo Governor, Chief Sir Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Barr. Emeka Agbor, the Principal Secretary To The Governor, Dr. Irene Chima, the Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Henry Okafor, the SA to the Governor on Youths Development, Mr. Eric Uwakwe, SA Monitoring And Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, SA Public Enlightenment, Nze Eze Ugochukwu among other top government functionaries. 

The Torch Light has since departed Imo for Abia state after it was handed back to the MOC by the Deputy Governor.

From Abia on Friday, the Torch shall leave for Cross Rivers State next week Monday.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state between the 1st and 8th of April, 2025 is a flagship program of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, aimed at harnessing talents from the sporting sector and developing the region beyond oil. It is strictly for athletes Under 25 years of age, and Imo is attending with a total of 400 athletes drawn from a total of 17 Sports recommended by the Commission.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified efforts to ensure locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, meet quality standards for both local and international markets.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, SON’s Director of Region (South East), Aharanwa Chuks, emphasized the agency’s commitment to product standardization through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

Chuks explained that MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products comply with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS). This process includes factory inspections, product sampling, and rigorous testing. Products that meet the required benchmarks receive MANCAP certification, signifying quality assurance.

"In Aba, we have been proactive in educating manufacturers on standardization," Chuks said, adding that SON regularly holds stakeholder engagements to guide businesses on producing goods that meet both local and global standards.

He noted that leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on best practices to enhance their products' competitiveness in the international market.

SON encourages manufacturers to collaborate with the agency to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only accepted in Nigeria but also competitive globally.

“This initiative is designed to boost consumer confidence and enhance the global acceptance of Made-in-Aba products,” Chuks stated. 

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025. Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, made this known in a statement, noting that the legislations reflect Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.

“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence. “Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and South-West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions,” he said.

Lado said the commissions would serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. He added that Nigeria’s Anti-Doping Bill, 2025, solidified Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.

“By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity,” the presidential aide said. 

House of Reps Advances Constitutional Amendments, Proposes Removal of Immunity for VP, Governors, and Creation of Six New States

The House of Representatives has passed the second reading of 42 constitutional amendment bills, including a proposal to strip the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies of immunity, aiming to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in public office.

Among the key amendments is the creation of six new states: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti. The House also deliberated on recognizing the advisory roles of traditional rulers in governance, granting citizenship rights to spouses of Nigerian women, and introducing citizenship by investment.

Additionally, the proposals seek to separate the offices of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister or Commissioner for Justice, as well as enforce stricter financial accountability through enhanced audit and budget reporting requirements.

The amendments are part of broader efforts to improve governance, representation, and economic reforms across the country. 

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) across the state's 23 local government areas to submit reports detailing their councils' activities.  

According to a directive issued in a letter dated March 24, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Itong Awani, the reports are to be submitted to the ministry for onward transmission to the Sole Administrator.  

The required submissions include details on council functions, staff strength by cadre, sources of revenue, ongoing and completed projects over the past two years, achievements, challenges, and recommendations. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 26, 2025.  

This directive follows the Supreme Court’s annulment of the 2024 local government elections, leading to the appointment of HLGAs to oversee council affairs. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025, following consultations with political parties and stakeholders. 

The Senate on Wednesday mandated the Senate Committee on Communications to investigate the recent increase in the cost of data and recommend solutions for a more sustainable and business-friendly telecommunications sector. 

This was part of resolutions after a debate on a bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), which highlights the financial strain the price hike has placed on millions of Nigerians, particularly young people who rely on affordable internet access for their livelihoods. The bill noted that the over 200% increase in costs had “placed significant financial strain on millions of Nigerians, especially young people who rely on the internet for their livelihood.

“Among resolutions passed, the Senate asked the Federal Minister Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to engage with telecommunications providers to review the data costs and “ensure that pricing remains fair and affordable for all Nigerians.” 

The bill identified multiple factors contributing to the high cost of telecommunications in Nigeria, including:

* Poor infrastructure and unreliable power supply

* High import duties on ICT equipment

* Multiple taxation and excessive regulatory charges

* Security concerns increasing operational risks and insurance costs

* Bureaucratic bottlenecks slowing business operations and innovation

* High diesel and alternative energy costs due to unreliable national grid supply

To resolve the challenges, the lawmakers also resolved to ask the Federal Government to engage with telecom providers to review recent data price increases and ensure fair and affordable pricing. The upper chamber also passed a bill mandating the compulsory registration of citizens, aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system through the repeal and reenactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.

The passage followed the submission and consideration of a report by the Committee on National Identity Card and Population, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra central. Umeh explained that the legislation seeks to establish a harmonised, cost-effective identity system that aligns with global best practices, enhances data accuracy, promote inclusion and closes existing gaps in Nigeria’s identity database.