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NDDC fast-tracks key Bayelsa, Rivers link road for commissioning

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The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, says that the Commission is fast-tracking the construction work on the Oruma rigid pavement Road, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to ensure its commissioning next month.

Speaking during an inspection of the road, in the company of NDDC Directors and engineers, Ogbuku, said that it would serve as a major by-pass for commuters in many communities in both Bayelsa and Rivers states.

He explained that the Oruma Road, which links another NDDC road, the 23.5-kilometre Otuasega-Obedum-Emelego Road and bridges, connecting Bayelsa and Rivers communities, would enhance the impact of the regional road.

According to Ogbuku, the completion of the road project was part of efforts by the NDDC management to complete all on-going projects in the Niger Delta region.

He observed: “The road is very important, because it would help people of the area, mostly farmers to evacuate their agricultural produce to the cities and towns for sale.

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Ogbuku urged community leaders and youths in the area to corporate with contractor handling the project to enable him complete the road on schedule, stating: “The contractor has been given a marching order to complete this road by the end of October”.

Reacting to the deadline, the contractor, Mr. Ken Ejibas, assured the NDDC team that he would complete the project on schedule. He gave kudos to the NDDC for initiating the project and commended the Oruma Community for their cooperation and support.

He described members of the community as worthy partners in the construction process, noting: “The people have been cooperative and receptive since the commencement of this project. We thank them for their support.”

In his remarks, the Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Charles Yibaepirima, thanked the NDDC for executing the road project and acknowledged the Commission’s contributions to the growth of the community.

He said: “I am here liaising between the community and the contractor. The people of Oruma are hospitable, we have yearned for this project and we are happy to see that it is nearing completion. We pray to see more projects in our area.”

After the inspection, the NDDC Managing Director and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Ruler of Oruma Community, King David Amakiri, who applauded the Commission for executing many projects in his domain. He described Ogbuku’s leadership in NDDC as impactful and worthy of commendation.

King Amakiri, praised the Commission for constructing the Oruma Road and other internal roads in his community, stating that his people had faced many challenges in the area of infrastruture before the Commission’s intervention.

He said: “The road linking Ogbia Local Government Area with Odual in Abua/Odual Local Government of Rivers State is still under construction. The fact that the road is yet to be completed, gives us concerns but we are optimistic that it will be completed in no distant time”

He also thanked the NDDC for bringing light to the community through solar-powered street lights, as well as providing portable water for the people.

The traditional ruler thanked the NDDC for the various interventions, which he said had improved the lives and livelihood of his people.

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Tinubu Booed At Abuja Mosque As Worshippers Chant ‘Tinubu Must Go’ After Friday Prayers

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Friday reportedly booed by some worshippers and other Nigerians shortly after observing Juma’at prayers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja.

Several video clips circulating on social media showed groups of youths chanting slogans against the President as his convoy departed the mosque.

A witness who attended the prayers told PREMIUM TIMES that the protest may have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers ahead of the President’s visit.

The witness, who requested anonymity, said Tinubu arrived at the mosque at about 1:49 p.m., by which time access to the premises had reportedly been restricted.

According to the source, security operatives prevented people from entering the mosque after the President’s arrival. Roads leading to the facility were also blocked, while some security personnel reportedly mounted the perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements.

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The restrictions allegedly continued after the prayers, with some worshippers prevented from leaving until the President’s departure.

The witness said the situation angered some of those affected, prompting them to express their frustration through chants directed at the President.

Some were heard chanting, “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We do not support you,” while others shouted, “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid.

Another source at the mosque also attributed the incident partly to the security arrangements, which were described as excessive and inconvenient to worshippers.

“People were stopped from entering the mosque after the President had entered. Several people were stuck outside,” the source said.

The source added that some worshippers were also prevented from leaving until Tinubu departed, alleging that the booing started from the area where people had been barricaded.

The incident comes amid growing political activities and opposition mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Presidency were unsuccessful, as Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls seeking his reaction as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, during the Friday service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon focusing on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran.

The Imam urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness in their faith.

He also prayed for peace, the President’s good health and greater wisdom, asking Allah to guide Tinubu in leading Nigeria towards prosperity.

Suleiman further acknowledged the President’s contributions to the renovation of the mosque.

Tinubu was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 2027, with Tinubu expected to face significant opposition from prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

It would be recalled that on the eve of the 2023 general elections, Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), observed Friday prayers at several mosques, including Berger Mosque, the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, and the National Mosque in Abuja.

However, no similar incident of public booing was reported during those visits.

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Archbishop Ibezim Withdraws Lawsuit Against Primate Ndukuba, Dean Enyindah, Signals Move Towards Reconciliation

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The Archbishop of Awka Diocese discontinues legal action against two top Anglican leaders, raising hopes of an amicable settlement and restoration of unity within the Church of Nigeria.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, in a development that could pave the way for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

The withdrawal is seen as a significant step towards resolving the disagreement through dialogue and reconciliation rather than prolonged legal confrontation.

The development was conveyed in a Notice of Discontinuance/Withdrawal of Suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, in Suit No. A/371/2026.

In the notice dated Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Chief B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, Archbishop Ibezim formally notified the court of his decision to discontinue and withdraw the suit to allow room for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

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The suit was instituted against Ndukuba, who is the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, and Enyindah, who serves as the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and chairman of the visitation team to the Diocese of Awka.

The legal dispute arose from the constitution of a visitation team by the Primate, which Archbishop Ibezim had challenged on grounds of its legality.

Specifically, the Awka diocesan bishop questioned the constitution of the team by the first defendant in a letter dated June 17, 2026.

However, his decision to withdraw the case signals a possible shift towards dialogue and mutual understanding among the senior Church leaders.

The development is expected to create an opportunity for the parties to address their differences through the established structures of the Church and work towards restoring cordial relationships.

It could also help ease tensions within the Anglican Communion, particularly at a time when unity, institutional stability and confidence in the Church’s leadership remain important considerations.

Disagreements involving senior clerics can have wider implications for the Church, its clergy and congregation. Consequently, an amicable resolution would be significant in preserving the unity and spiritual integrity of the institution.

Nevertheless, the Notice of Discontinuance does not disclose the specific terms of any proposed settlement or indicate whether the parties have already reached an agreement.

It also remains unclear whether a formal reconciliation process has commenced or what arrangements may be adopted to resolve the substantive issues that led to the litigation.

The withdrawal, however, marks an important development in the dispute, with attention now shifting to whether the parties can translate the decision into a lasting and mutually acceptable settlement.

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UNN Party Horror: ‘I Woke Up At 9pm To Find My Friends Lying Lifeless’ – Survivor

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The survivor at the hospital
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•  ‘I Thought I Was Going To Die’ – 24-Year-Old Student Narrates How He Survived Mysterious Party Incident That Claimed Four Lives In Nsukka

A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has recounted his terrifying experience at an off-campus party where four students reportedly died after participants suddenly became unconscious.

The survivor, an Art Education student, said he lost consciousness during the gathering and only regained awareness several hours later, when he discovered his friends lying motionless on the floor.

Recounting the incident in an interview with Vanguard, the student disclosed that the gathering was organised by his friend, identified as David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

According to him, the host purchased two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, where approximately 10 people gathered for the celebration.

He said the party commenced at about 11:30am, with participants sharing the drinks and engaging in a game of Truth or Dare.

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Narrating how the incident unfolded, the survivor said one of the participants suddenly started vomiting, prompting him to assist the individual to the toilet.

He explained that after helping his friend, he returned to clean the vomit on the floor before suddenly losing consciousness.

“During the party, one of the participants started vomiting. I took him to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up. I then came out to clean the vomit on the floor.

“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk,” he narrated.

The student said he regained consciousness at approximately 9pm, several hours after the incident began.

He recalled hearing someone making a strange remark before managing to look into the parlour, where he saw the host and other participants lying motionless.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9pm, I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he said.

The survivor disclosed that he immediately contacted a friend, who arrived at the residence, observed the situation and subsequently left.

He expressed disappointment that another individual who reportedly came to the scene allegedly chose to record the victims instead of making efforts to secure emergency assistance.

He said another friend later arrived and helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka for treatment.

Generator Was Operating Outside Room

Providing further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident, the survivor said the participants were inside the parlour with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was operating outside in the corridor.

He added that the room’s fan was switched on during the gathering.

The student also dismissed suggestions that the participants might have consumed illicit drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken at the party.

“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol. We had just two bottles for about 10 people, so the quantity each person drank was very little, not even up to a quarter of a party cup,” he said.

Police Question Poisoning Allegations

The survivor disclosed that police officers had visited him and questioned him about the possibility of poisoning or deliberate interference with the drinks.

He said investigators asked whether the participants had disagreements with anyone or suspected that somebody might have tampered with the alcoholic beverages.

However, he maintained that he had no reason to suspect the host, whom he described as someone who did not harbour grudges against others.

He added that he also saw the host lying on the floor when he regained consciousness, while the host’s brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.

The student further disclosed that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him to assess his condition.

He said representatives of the local government, friends and police officers had also visited him.

Survivor Still Experiencing Leg Stiffness

Despite surviving the incident, the 24-year-old said he was still experiencing stiffness in his legs, although his condition was gradually improving.

Reflecting on the frightening experience, he said the incident had completely changed his attitude towards alcohol consumption.

“This was the first time I took alcohol and experienced such a condition. I think this will be the last time I will ever take alcohol,” he said.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain a subject of investigation, with questions about the possible role of the generator, the conditions inside the room and the possibility of drink contamination yet to be conclusively established.

Authorities are expected to determine what led to the sudden loss of consciousness among the participants and establish the precise cause of the deaths.

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