It was a night of recognition and celebration as Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, emerged as one of the biggest winners at the Independent Newspaper Silver Jubilee Awards, clinching two major honours for his leadership and governance strides.

The high-profile event, organised by the Independent Newspaper Group to commemorate its 25th anniversary in Lagos at the weekend, drew prominent figures from Nigeria’s political, business, and socio-economic spheres, all gathered to celebrate excellence in public service and national development.

In a keenly contested field of 36 state governors, Mbah stood out, earning accolades in two key categories. He clinched the prestigious Outstanding Governor of the Year award and the Financial Architect Governor of the Year.

Organisers disclosed that the selection process combined public voting with rigorous editorial assessment and jury reviews, ensuring that recipients demonstrated verifiable impact and outstanding performance in office.

“The selection process combined public voting, assessment by a team of jurists, and the organisation’s internal evaluation.

“The awards were designed to celebrate game changers,” the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, disclosed.

Mbah’s emergence, they noted, was both “compelling and unmistakable,” citing his administration’s bold reforms, accelerated infrastructural development, and results-driven governance approach as deciding factors.

Mbah, the organisers also noted, had invested heavily in economic enablers posting superb performance across virtually every sector, while also growing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from N26.8bn in 2022 ending to N406.77bn in 2025.

Of the said N406.77 billion raked in in 2025, only about 12 per cent came from tax, while the rest came from the optimisation and monetization of hitherto dormant assets, reforms and introduction of technology to plug loopholes and curb sharp practices,

Reacting to the honours, the governor expressed profound gratitude to Nigerians and stakeholders who participated in the transparent selection process, dedicating the awards to his team and the people of Enugu State for their unwavering support.

Represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Mbah described the recognition as more than symbolic, noting that it affirms a governance philosophy rooted in transparency, innovation, and measurable progress.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to raising the standard of public service delivery and ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach every corner of the state.

Beyond the glamour of the ceremony, the governor stressed that the awards carry deeper significance, underscoring a growing national acknowledgment of his administration’s impact, for which he was most grateful.

According to him, the recognition also raises the bar for greater performance and sustained excellence.

“We are increasingly challenged by this wave of recognitions across the country and beyond; not only to sustain the tempo of our leadership but to do more, stay ahead, and position Enugu as a benchmark for others,” he said.

Mbah further assured that his administration would continue to roll out legacy projects aimed at driving economic growth and creating opportunities, particularly for the youth.

• Sanwo-Olu charges Nigerians on homegrown solutions

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), with its joint venture (JV) partners and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Friday commissioned a world-class geoscience center at the University of Lagos.

The facility was approved by NCDMB and executed by SNEPCo andits JV partners as part of the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme which had focused lately on institutional strengthening, equipping universities and revamping select technical and vocational schools across the country, in a bid to develop competent technical manpower and craftsmen needed in the oil and gas industry and the linkage sectors.

In his address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe remarked that human capital development sits at the core of the Nigerian content mandate, and the new centre t reflects a clear commitment to building local capacity andstrengthening Nigeria’s position in the global energy industry.

He highlighted that geosciences is the pathway to the discovery of new oil and gas deposits and the centre will contribute to NCDMB’s drive to enable new oil and gas projects, in accordance with the policy directives of President Bola Tinubu.

Represented by the Director, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Engr.Abayomi Bamidele, he pointed out geosciences was included in the top ten skills in NCDMB’s Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training, where the agency will train 10,000 young Nigerians in critical industry skills that will position them for opportunities in new oil and gas projects. The UNILAG’s geoscience center will participate in that programme he assured, adding that NCDMB prioritizes patronage of locally made goods and capacities.

In his words, “There are three things we work on. First, any good produced in-country, as long as it can be applied in the oil and gas industry, the law requires that we patronise you. Secondly, if you own any asset that is very useful in the oil and gas industry and you have our requisite certificates, the law requires that you get patronage. Lastly and most important, the human side of things which involve building human capacities.”

On why UNILAG was chosen for the project, the NCDMB boss said projects are chosen depending on the skill sets identified in a particular institution. He noted that data shows that the institution has competencies in geosciences and other related fields.

He disclosed that the Board will continue to promote similar centers across institutions in the country, to assist in developing local capabilities. He encouraged the staff and students tooptimal use of the facility to improve their knowledge.

In his remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu charged players in the various sectors of the Nigerianeconomy to develop homegrown solutions for sustainable development.

Represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, the Governor noted that the knowledge and skills developed locally would have wider relevance in environmental management, infrastructure development and other critical areas.

According to him, Lagos depends on the strength of its people, while its growth, resilience and continued success come down to how well its young people are prepared for the future.

“This centre adds to that preparation. It helps us build a workforce that is skilled, confident and ready to contribute meaningfully from day one. It also strengthens Lagos as a hub for knowledge, innovation and enterprise, where ideas are not just discussed but developed into solutions.

“When you look at it from a national perspective, the importance becomes even clearer. Nigeria cannot continue to rely heavily on external expertise in critical sectors. We must build our own capacity. We must train our own professionals. We must develop our own solutions. This is exactly what this centre is designed to support,” he stated.

The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Ronald Adams, in his speech, encouraged UNILAG to explore advanced research, embrace industry collaboration and cultivate a new generation of geoscientists who can excel across academia, corporate leadership, field operations and policymaking.

“To colleagues in the broader energy community, we extend an open invitation. This is not a Shell facility; it is a national asset,” he said. “We encourage you to partner with UNILAG, fund research, support student projects, create internships and mentor emerging talent. The dividends will be measured in innovation, capability and national progress.”

He appreciated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for its unwavering leadership and partnership, as well as co-venture partners for their consistent support in delivering interventions that positively impact Nigerians.

“We extend our gratitude to the NCDMB, the Executive Secretary and his team who played a critical role in the successof this project, exemplifying the strength of purposeful collaboration,” he added.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, said the centre would offer the school the opportunity to develop capacity, unlock new avenues of enquiry, and empower its scholars to push the boundaries of knowledge.

“It will equip our students with the critical skills and forward-thinking mindset necessary to thrive through hands-on learning with advanced teaching technology, simulation laboratories and library facilities for research and knowledge-sharing, as well as serve as a hub for studying fields such as reservoir modelling, seismic interpretation and core analysis to prepare students for the industry.

“In addition, the university, in liaison with the donor, has articulated a clear sustainability framework for the centre, incorporating long-term institutional funding commitment, strategic industry partnerships, periodic technological upgrades and structured maintenance provisions to ensure the facility remains operationally efficient, academically relevant and globally competitive over the long term,” she said.

The father of two victims abducted Wednesday from a Benue Links bus en route to Otukpo has cried out over ransom demands by their captors, who he said are insisting on N9 million for each of his kidnapped children.

The victims were among those seized when armed men intercepted the bus and forced passengers into nearby bush paths.

Recall that on Wednesday, passengers of an 18-seater Benue Links bus from Makurdi were abducted a few kilometres to Otukpo town, by assailants suspected to be armed herdsmen.

Days after the incident, the father of two victims said the family is in distress over the matter and had already commenced negotiations with the kidnappers.

The worried father, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the abductors had repeatedly shifted their ransom demands, worsening the family’s anguish.

He said, “I have two children that were kidnapped in the bus and they have not released any of them. The kidnappers have opened discussions with us.

“They initially demanded N10 million for each of my children. Later, they reduced it to N500,000 but shortly after, they called back and insisted it would be N9 million each. Up till now, we are still begging them.”

He said his family is financially incapable of meeting the demand, adding that they are now relying on prayers and government intervention.

“We are pleading with the government to comb the bushes and bring back the children because we do not have any hope of getting them back. Even if you sell me, I cannot be worth that N9 million being demanded for each of them,” he said.

The father disclosed that his children were students travelling from Nasarawa State when they were abducted.

“My children were coming from school in Nasarawa State. They boarded a vehicle from Nasarawa State and on getting to Makurdi they joined another bus to Otukpo, and that was when they ran into wrong hands,” he explained.

He further appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations, warning that the situation has left the family devastated.

“The government should intensify their search so that our children will come back alive to meet us. Since this incident happened, my wife has not eaten. We are appealing to the government to help us,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, claimed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Part of the statement read, “The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident that occurred on April 15, 2026, in Otukpo.

“In a coordinated joint security operation involving the Police and other sister security agencies, operatives are conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.”