Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Isah Jibrin (Echocho), on Monday commenced distribution of food items to constituents across communities in the East of the State for Ramadan.

In a statement by his Media Assistant, Mikail Ibrahim which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, The distribution which is ongoing cut across party lines, includes zonal executives, widow groups, farmers association, various political groups, divisional party chairmen.

Others were executive chairmen (past & present), divisional youth leaders, women groups, market women leaders, youth groups, elders Advisory council, Small governors, stakeholders, Councillors etc.

The Senator who was represented by his Personal Assistant (PA), Hon Okpanachi Abubakar, assured that the Senator will keep providing succour to his people at all times.

Commending the Senator’s gesture, the leader of market women in Kogi East, Hajia Rabi Ankpa, applauded Echocho for his continuous effort to uplift his senatorial district and constituents. Assuring that market women will keep supporting him at all times.

A group under the auspices of the Concerned Rivers People (CRP) has taken a swipe at the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, over comments he made in his state broadcast following the Supreme Court judgments.

In a statement by Alex Nwogu, CRP’s Public Relations Officer, the group alleged that Governor Fubara’s comments on implementing the court verdict—claiming that he is not afraid because he has nothing to lose as long as his life remains intact—are a deliberate attempt to draw sympathy from the public.

“Our attention has been drawn to the many comments made by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, immediately after the Supreme Court verdict, and it did not come as a surprise to us.

“The comments are designed to whip up sentiments and generate sympathy where there ought to be none, because we all know the saying that a child who decides to cry all night will not sleep, so the mother will not blink an eyelid, they said”.

According to CRP, Gov. Fubara’s comments that he remains unfazed and unscared of anything are because he has nothing to lose at the end of the day.

The statement reads further, “Little wonder, Fubara has taken all Rivers people on a journey to nowhere, as he has nothing to lose; come what may, his life remains intact. He has nothing to lose because he has looted more than enough and spent more than two and a half years’ worth of Wike’s expenditure in 2024. He has also proposed three years’ worth of expenditure in 2025—all with nothing to show for it.

“He has also categorically stated in his state-wide broadcast that he has directed his self-appointed local government chairmen to hand over to heads of local government administration in the 23 councils of the State.

“If we may ask, where is Fubara drawing his legal powers from? Is it the same 1999 Constitution as amended? His directive directly contravenes all known norms of local administration in Nigeria.
“We do not need to educate him on what to do, since he has equally promised to obey court verdicts, though in his half-wisdom, he is in disagreement with the apex court. A man who swims in self-delusion should be allowed to continue in his errors. Fubara, continue your progression.”

Alluding to Fubara’s perceived frustration, CRP stated, “We want to quickly remind Rivers people that a self-inflicted wound is very difficult to heal, particularly when one deliberately refuses to hear the whistle of a hunter, like a stray dog in the forest.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly has spoken and given clear-cut directives on Fubara’s next line of action. We are fervently believing in your new penance to obey and do the needful, so that Rivers people do not wallow in hunger due to your deliberate errors in turning the principle of governance upside down in our beloved Rivers State.

“Also, as a quick reminder, we have heard your dirge, Fubara, but we cannot mourn with you.”

Renowned academic and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola Monday disclosed that Nigeria has emerged one of the frontrunners in Africa for the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

According to a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Monday Okebukola who is the Director of Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU)
disclosed this while speaking during the a high-level symposium held in Abeokuta Ogun State

He emphasised Nigeria’s significant role in championing cultural diversity across the continent.

According to him, “Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a testament to the strength and resilience of our people. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2005 UNESCO Culture Convention, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions in Nigeria and beyond.”

Okebukola further said that “the 20th anniversary of the 2005 UNESCO Culture Convention is a momentous occasion for Nigeria and the entire African continent.

“We call on all stakeholders to join hands in our collective efforts to safeguard and promote cultural diversity for the benefit of present and future generations”, he added

The statement explained that the first in the series of quarterly high-level symposia was successfully implemented on Monday by the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU), a UNESCO category 2 institute at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta. Ogun State

According to it, the chairman of the high-level symposium, Dr. Idowu Olagunju, Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, highlighted the important role the 2005 convention has played over the past 20 years in bolstering the diversity of cultural expressions especially within the framework of the SDGs.

It added that the special guest of honour, Ambassador (Dr). Mary Khimulu who was Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO applauded IACIU for its leadership role in implementing the provisions of the 2005 convention in Nigeria.

Speakers at the high-level symposium included Professor Yemisi Lydia Olaleye (University of Ibadan), Mrs Loveline Nwachuku (IACIU); Dr. Thankgod Nwuke James (Rivers State University) Professor Oluwatosin Emmanuel Akinsuroju (Federal University Oye-Ekiti) Ambassador Adebola Labiran (IACIU); Dr. Oluwaseyi Mattew Abioye (Landmark University) and Professor Edem Peters (University of Port Harcourt).

The communique of the symposium emphasised the need to begin cultural protection and promotion from home, highlighting the role of parents and for better public awareness of the provision of the convention especially among the youth and in the rural areas.

According to it, ” It will be recalled that on February 14, 2025, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Nigeria unveiled the first of the books marking the 20th anniversary of the convention, authored by 48 Nigerian scholars and edited by Peter A. Okebukola.

“The book titled Cultural Odyssey: 20 Years of Implementation of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention in Nigeria, offers a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s progress in implementing the convention, its impact on the cultural landscape, and a reflection on the lessons learned throughout the two decades.

It added that the Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Her Excellency Dr. Hajo Sani was applauded by her colleague ambassadors for the trailblazing effort of Nigeria.

According to it, Over the past two decades, Nigeria has been at the forefront of implementing the Convention’s principles, leveraging its vibrant cultural industries, including music, film, literature, and arts, to showcase the nation’s creative prowess on the global stage.

” Other events lined up for the year-long celebration in Nigeria include vibrant carnivals showcasing Nigeria’s cultural wealth; national exhibitions highlighting the creative industries and art exhibitions featuring works that celebrate cultural diversity.

” There will also be panel discussions with cultural experts, policymakers, and community leaders on the importance of cultural diversity in sustainable development.

“Also lined up for the year are capacity-building workshops and seminars for artists, cultural practitioners, and educators on best practices for preserving and promoting cultural expressions.

” There will also be special programmes aimed at involving young people in cultural preservation and promotion initiatives, fostering a new generation of cultural ambassadors.