Energy and Maritime Reporters, Moves to Strengthen Partnerships to Grow oil, Gas and Blue Economy Sectors

The Energy and Maritime Reporters, has resolved to strengthen partnerships to grow the oil, gas and blue economy sectors in the Niger Delta.
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At its congress on Tuesday, August 18th at the NUJ Complex in Port Harcourt, EMR Chairman *Comrade Martins Giadom* said the association will develop better proposals to attract sponsors for its Live Roundtable programme across more Media platforms in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

The meeting also resolved that EMR will participate in observing International Days and partner with the Rivers State Government to promote the rich and untapped blue economy.

NUJ Vice Chairman, *Kelvin Nengia*, who described Rivers as the main hurb of Nigeria Blue Economy promised NUJ support towards the upcoming Rivers EMR Conference and Awards Ceremony and sized the opportunity to ocommend EMR for Partnering Dr. Membere-Otagi Foundation in sponsoring the Annual Best Niger Delta Maritime Awards and urged EMR to engage key government agencies for support.

Energy and Maritime Reporters

The association agreed to pursue sponsorships, professional training, and Foster stronger collaboration across the eleven EMR chapters across the Country.

EMR Rivers chapter further emphasized it’s readiness to drive visibility for the energy and maritime sector in the Niger Delta, to grow Nigeria’s economy.
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EFCC Boss Orders Withdrawal of Charges Against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has compassionately ordered the withdrawal of charges preferred against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were, on Thursday August 20, 2026 arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged cybercrime and peddling malicious information against the Commission.
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While the Commission considered the arraignment of the two defendants for cyber stalking to be contrary to Section 24(2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended) 2024 and punishable under Section 24 (2) (c) (ii) of the same Act, the Executive Chairman, nonetheless, considered the passionate pleas and apologies of Shehu’s father and appeals of well-meaning Nigerians for leniency.

To this end, he has directed that charges filed against the two young Nigerians be dropped and warned that the EFCC would no longer tolerate any wilful attack on its image in any form, medium or platform.

Ola Olukoyede

The EFCC’s boss assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to function in line with its assigned mandate and in the best interests of the nation.
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FG’s TETFund Investment in Tertiary Institutions will Unlock Economic Potential in North Central, Says Information Minister

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Federal Government’s investment in tertiary education through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will help unlock the North Central region’s vast agricultural, mineral, energy and economic potential.
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Idris stated this on Thursday in Lokoja, Kogi State, at the 2026 TETFund North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting.

The Minister said the region’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must be closely connected to its development needs and produce graduates with skills relevant to agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology and other sectors.

“Our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must therefore be closely connected to these opportunities, producing the scientists, engineers, agricultural experts, technicians and entrepreneurs required to unlock the vast potential of the North Central,” he said.

He said the Federal Government’s commitment was reflected in the 2026 TETFund intervention, with approximately ₦2.53 billion allocated to each public university, ₦1.87 billion to each polytechnic and ₦2.06 billion to each college of education.

“These are not simply budgetary figures. They represent laboratories that can be equipped, lecture halls that can be built, libraries that can be modernised, research that can be supported and students who can learn in better environments,” Idris said.

The Minister stressed the need for stronger links between tertiary institutions and industry, saying institutions must focus not only on producing graduates but also on research, innovation and job creation.

He also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), technical and vocational education, digital skills and entrepreneurship programmes in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Education is therefore not only an economic investment; it is an investment in national security and social stability,” he said.

He urged TETFund to maintain transparency, monitoring and accountability in the use of intervention funds and called on stakeholders to ensure that recommendations from the town hall lead to measurable action.

The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, said tertiary institutions must move beyond producing graduates to becoming centres for research and practical solutions to the country’s challenges. “We need research that solves problems in agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and security. Our research must move beyond theory to solutions that improve the lives of our people,” the Governor said.

He added that tertiary institutions should help turn the region’s natural resources and human capital into food security, industrial growth, employment and sustainable development.

Information Minister

In attendance was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) ably represented by Prof Babatunde Bernard; the former Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Captain Idris Wada; the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, among other dignitaries.

Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

Thursday, 20 August, 2026
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