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Breaking: Prof. Julius Ihonvbere emerges Chairman, Reps committee on legislative functions for River State
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has Tuesday inaugurated a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee tasked with overseeing the administration of Rivers State during the ongoing State of Emergency.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, Speaker Abbas reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to constitutional governance, transparency, and national unity.
The committee is chaired by House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, with Rep. Ali Isa J.C. as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, Rep. Sada Soli, Rep. James Abiodun Faleke, Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Rep. Wole Oke, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Rep. Patrick Umoh, Rep. James Barka, Rep. Alex Egbona, Rep. Isa Anka, Rep. Amos Daniel, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing, Rep. Fatima Talba, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, and Rep. Ebibake Marie Enenimiete.
Speaking during the inauguration at the National Assembly, Speaker Abbas described the formation of the committee as a crucial step toward maintaining governance and public order in Rivers State following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month State of Emergency on March 18.
“This marks a critical milestone in our constitutional mandate and is a reflection of our dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law,” Abbas said.
The Speaker explained that President Tinubu’s declaration was made under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in response to what he described as a “grave crisis threatening public order.” He emphasized that the move was driven by patriotism and concern for the safety and well-being of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Abbas drew parallels to previous states of emergency in Plateau (2004), Ekiti (2006), and the North-East (2013), stating that the National Assembly had always played a vital role in such interventions by upholding constitutional order.
He also clarified that the caretaker administration led by Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) is a temporary measure aimed at restoring peace and basic governance functions in Rivers State.
“The Administrator’s role is limited to maintaining law and order until democratic governance is fully restored,” Abbas stated. “He is required to report directly to the National Assembly.”
He urged members of the committee to conduct their oversight responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and impartiality.
Two Nigerian-born scientists—Adesola Adegoke, a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU), and Seunnla Adelusi, a PhD candidate at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada—have been named among the 20 global winners of the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025.
These two Nigerians were announced among the winners during a virtual ceremony held on 25 November. In a statement following the virtual announcement ceremony, the organisers said the 20 awardees for this year joined from different time zones, including “very early morning in Canada and evening hours in the Philippines.”
The digital Green Talent Award is an annual initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that recognises outstanding young researchers whose work advances sustainability through digital innovation.
Each year, 20 scientists are selected from a competitive global pool for their cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digitalisation and environmental sustainability.
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
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