The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday November 13, 2024 distributed relief materials to flood victims in Bayelsa State.

NEMA announced this in a statement the agency posted on its official X account on Thursday morning.

“On November 13, 2024, the National Emergency Management Agency, led by the South-South Zonal Coordinator Adebiyi Babatunde Razaq, distributed relief materials to flood-affected individuals in Biseni Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State,” the statement read.

“Representing NEMA’s Director-General, Dr. Zubaida Umar, Razaq, alongside Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) officials, extended sympathies and urged beneficiaries to use the relief items wisely to alleviate the impacts of the disaster.”

The event was attended by local leaders, including Yenagoa Mayor Hon. Bulodisiye Nduwari, Governor’s Special Representative Hon. Zuwa Konugah, Rural Development Area Chairman Hon. Mrs. Angela Akpana Richard, and traditional chiefs.

They praised NEMA’s rapid response, which provided essential items such as food, mosquito nets, foam mattresses, and sanitary products to six Biseni camps.

Chief Freeman Ovuru and other officials expressed gratitude for the agency’s timely assistance.

Beneficiaries also voiced appreciation, with one noting that the aid brought much-needed relief, allowing them to sustain themselves in the camp.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has approved the payment of N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in Plateau State .

Mutfwang made the approval following the agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

The State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Stephen Pam Gadong, disclosed this on Thursday in a press statement.

According to Gadong, the implementation is a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to prioritising the well-being of the workforce in acknowledgment of their invaluable role in driving the state’s developmental goals.

He stated that as the new wage policy is administered, civil servants are encouraged to embrace the gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the state.

In response, civil servants reacted to the development with jubilation and prayers for the governor, noting that the implementation has exempted the state from the planned nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The NLC directed that workers in any state that had not implemented the minimum wage by the end of November should proceed on an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024.

Curiously, some restless youths in the state were reportedly unhappy about the implementation, marking shops they intended to loot to make their Christmas and New Year celebrations lively, now feeling frustrated.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expanded its train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

The acting Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos through a statement.

This has thus increased the number of services on the Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six during weekdays, specifically from Monday to Friday.

The declaration was endorsed by Yakub Mohmood who serves as the Deputy Director of Public Relations at the corporation.

“A trend analysis over a five-month period revealed a significant increase of 22 per cent in the number of new passengers registering on the ticket platform to use the Abuja-Kaduna service,” Mohmood said.

“This signifies a surge in the number of Nigerians turning to the use of train services as a comfortable, reliable and safe option of commuting.

“NRC has observed similar trends on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe and Port Harcourt-Aba routes and efforts are already ongoing to beef-up services along these routes as well.

“Our valued customers are encouraged to use NRC ticket platforms online to take advantage of the increased services and shun patronage of ticket racketeers.”

The Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded three suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy and vandalism.

Parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Lokoja, the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC, Esther Akinlade, said the crime was committed on the 7th and 20th of October in Ankpa and Isanlu in Yagba East Local Government Area of the state, respectively.

According to her, the arrest was made possible by the joint effort of security guards and officers of the Corps.

Akinlade maintained that one of the suspects, Agbo Christian, a 33-year-old from Enugu State, and others currently at large, vandalised armoured cables within the premises of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ankpa.

Explaining what transpired that led to the arrest of the suspects, Commandant Akinlade said, “Agbo was later arrested by the security guard guarding the premises during the second operation, which was carried out on the 18th of October 2024, while others who are currently at large ran away. Exhibits such as a saw, chisel, spanner, etc., which were to be used to vandalise, were recovered from Agbo, and he confessed to the crime.

“On the 20th of October 2024, at about 0900hrs, two suspects, James Nifemi (M), 29 years, and Ibrahim Jafaru (M), 37 years, were arrested by officers of NSCDC in conjunction with the community members of Ofin in Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, Kogi State, in possession of armoured cable vandalised from the community transformer.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, while the third member of their group is currently at large.”

The Commandant noted that the three suspects would soon be charged to court.

She, however, called on the people of the state to continue their partnership with the Command to rid the state of criminals and criminality.

Speaking with journalists during an interview, the suspects, who admitted their culpability in the act, pleaded for leniency.

Troops from the Nigerian Military have killed bandits and recovered arms in Plateau after intensifying their crackdown on criminal elements in the state.

Security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama disclosed this on Wednesday morning in a statement on his official X account.

“The Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, in collaboration with Operation SAFE HAVEN, has achieved significant breakthroughs in countering criminal activities in  an ongoing security operation aimed at restoring safety in Plateau State,” Makama said.

“The intensified operations, conducted over several weeks, have led to arrests, the recovery of firearms, and the neutralization of several notorious criminal figures.

“On October 23, security forces arrested two suspects believed to be masterminds of a foiled attack in Kazok Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State. 

“Authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle, 96 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 46 cartridges from the suspects. 

“The next day, on October 24, security agencies thwarted an armed robbery on Bot-Foreiyinte Road in Bokkos LGA, rescuing two victims and confiscating a fabricated rifle and ammunition.”

Makama revealed that in a further operation on October 26 in Garkawa, Mikang LGA, security forces dismantled a criminal syndicate, arrested four suspects and seized a Beretta pistol, an AK-47 magazine, and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. 

Additionally, on October 31, security operatives acting on intelligence apprehended a female suspect in Bassa LGA who had been impersonating a soldier to intimidate residents. 

Authorities confiscated an automatic rifle, military uniforms, and other equipment from her.

On November 2, troops launched an intelligence-based raid in Luwaran Village, Jos North LGA, where the wife of a known bandit led them to an AK-47 rifle buried on the village outskirts. 

The bandit narrowly escaped capture, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend him. In a dawn raid on November 3 in Kwatas District, Bokkos LGA, security forces arrested two suspected bandits linked to local security breaches, recovering a fabricated rifle capable of firing 7.62mm ammunition and additional rounds.

A major success was recorded on November 4 in Wase LGA, where security forces neutralized Kachalla Saleh, a notorious bandit kingpin known as “Mai Rasha,” during an operation in Kinishi Forest. 

Officials recovered 500,000 Naira believed to be part of a ransom collected by Saleh. On November 5, security forces foiled an armed robbery in Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, apprehending two suspects and recovering 130,000 Naira taken from victims.

In Zangon Kataf LGA on November 6, security agencies disrupted a kidnapping attempt, forcing the criminals to flee and abandoning a Magnum pump-action gun, an AK-47 magazine, and other fabricated weapons. 

Makama added that most recently, on November 11, security forces responded to kidnappers’ activity in Anguwan Kwata, Bokkos LGA, neutralizing one armed suspect after a confrontation.

The Delta State Executive Council (EXCO) on Monday, November 11, 2024 approved a proposed budget of N936 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.

The announcement was made following an EXCO meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen provided an in-depth breakdown of the proposed budget, which earmarks N587.4 billion (62.75%) for capital expenditure and N348.7 billion (37.25%) for recurrent expenditure.

Breakdown of the 2025 Budget

Ekedayen, alongside the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, and other commissioners, clarified the structure and guiding principles behind the budget. He outlined: Total Budget: N936,078,818,719 billion.

Capital Expenditure: N587,361,060,084 billion (62.75%) and Recurrent Expenditure: N348,717,758,635 billion (37.25%).

This budget reflects a 29.12% increase from the previous year, underscoring Delta State’s commitment to economic and infrastructural growth.

The proposed budget focuses on key sectors like agriculture, MSME support, youth empowerment, tourism, entertainment, social safety nets, healthcare, education, and physical infrastructure development.

Ekedayen also highlighted that the 2025 budget will be funded entirely organically, without borrowing.

The state will rely primarily on allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), supplemented by its internally generated revenue (IGR), projected to reach N140 billion.

This approach aligns with the Oborevwori administration’s transparency and accountability objectives.

Key Areas of Focus in the 2025 Budget

1. Economic Development: Supporting agriculture, small businesses, youth empowerment, tourism, and entertainment industries.
2. Social Safety Nets: Emphasis on poverty alleviation programs and initiatives to improve citizens’ quality of life.
3. Infrastructure and Urban Development: Significant allocations are set aside for physical infrastructure, healthcare, and education enhancements.

Approved Infrastructure Projects: EXCO approved multiple infrastructure projects across Delta State, aimed at fostering community development and improving accessibility.

Road Rehabilitation and Construction: Rehabilitation of Ugwhru-Ghelli/Ehidi road and construction of Chief Lyn Ivie Akporiche Street, Ughelli North LGA, and Amechi Aguisi Street in Asaba.

Oil Road/Old Okpe Road construction in Jeddo, Okpe LGA.

Ejeba Road Extension, Jelink Road, and Olomoro Road Extension in Isoko South LGA.

Reconstruction of Uzere-Asaba-Ase Bridge and adjoining roads in Ndokwa East and Isoko South LGAs.

Six internal roads in Isoko South and the Alisimie-Owa-Nta Road in Ika North East LGA.

Internal roads and drainage at NYSC Orientation Camp, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North LGA.

Access road to the Air Force base at Osubi Airport, and Opete Road by Plantation City to Opete Waterside in Udu LGA.

The Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, Charles Aniagwu, added that EXCO has issued a directive to terminate contracts with companies that have failed to mobilize for over a year. This move aims to ensure efficiency and timely completion of projects.

Education and Community Development: Construction of a Model Secondary School in Oporoza, and an access road to Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Warri South-West LGA.

According to the Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure, Ebikeme Clark, the governor has prioritized road access to the Nigerian Maritime University, a federal institution, connecting its temporary and permanent sites, a development welcomed by riverine communities.