Katsina: APC Chieftain Confident Of Tinubu, Governor Radda’s Re-Election In 2027

APC chieftain confident of Tinubu, Gov Radda’s re-election in 2027. He stated that while APC’s victory was not a “do-or-die” matter, he sincerely prayed for it due to the party’s positive impact.

Abdulaziz Maituraka, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Katsina, has declared that the party will form governments at the state and national levels in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking while hosting Katsina’s newly elected council chairman, Isah Miqdad, and his councillors on Monday, Mr Maituraka,  the special adviser to the deputy Senate president, expressed confidence in the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

He also expressed similar optimism for the re-election of Governor Dikko Radda in the upcoming elections.
He stated that while APC’s victory was not a “do-or-die” matter, it was something he sincerely prayed for due to the party’s positive impact, particularly the recent reduction in food prices under Mr Tinubu’s leadership.

Mr Maituraka dismissed concerns over the defections of some politicians to rival parties, calling it a sign that they were heading into uncertain political terrain.

APC

He urged the council chairman and councillors to focus on serving the people and promoting the party in a peaceful and convincing manner to ensure victory in 2027.

Mr Miqdad, in response, thanked Mr Maituraka for hosting them during the Sallah festivities and assured them that he and his councillors would prioritise the interests of the electorate and the ruling party.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko To Inaugurate Sports Festival As Commission Endorses Initiative: Niger Delta

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko to inaugurate sports festival as commission endorses initiative. The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged full support for the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing it as a crucial platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent in the region.

Dikko who is set to officially declare the festival open, reaffirms the Commission’s dedication to grassroots sports development across Nigeria. The event, scheduled from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, will bring together athletes from across the Niger Delta to compete in various sporting disciplines.

Speaking ahead of the festival, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade commended the initiative and encouraged other states to adopt similar programs to enhance Nigeria’s talent pipeline.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated. “We encourage more states to implement similar initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.”

In a significant boost for the festival, organizers announced PremiumTrust Bank as the official financial partner of the event.

The NDSF aims to showcase young athletes, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports, solidifying its role as a key contributor to Nigeria’s sports development landscape.

Ogoni: HYPREP Restores Different Species Of Mangroves

HYPREP restores different species of mangroves. Mr Zabbey also discussed the project’s ongoing support for education and public health in Ogoni.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully restored three species of mangroves in Ogoni, according to Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Mr Zabbey highlighted that for the first time, HYPREP was restoring not only the red mangrove but also the white and black species.

He emphasised that the mangrove restoration project was ecologically sound and part of a broader environmental effort that included shoreline cleanup, soil and groundwater remediation, and mangrove restoration.

Mr Zabbey also discussed the project’s ongoing support for education and public health in Ogoni.

In 2024, HYPREP provided educational grants to 250 Ogoni undergraduates, some from the University of Port Harcourt.

Additionally, in 2025, 300 Ogoni postgraduate students received scholarships, including 100 postgraduate and 200 masters students.

The project is also constructing a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and strengthening public health infrastructure, with plans to enhance four hospitals, including the Corner Cottage and Ogoni Specialist Hospitals.

Mr Zabbey noted that due to hydrocarbon pollution, Ogoni residents faced risks of cancer and related diseases, making health monitoring essential.

Ogoni: HYPREP

He also mentioned that 30 Ogoni communities had access to potable water, with plans to extend this to 60 more communities in 2025.

Senator Moa Ohuanbunwa, chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Governing Council, lauded the project, noting the potential of the centre to become an international research hub benefiting Ogoni, the Niger Delta, and the country.

Georgewill Owunari, vice chancellor of the university, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continued collaboration with HYPREP for the development of the region.