The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State has summoned the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).
The committee directed Ibas to appear before it for a “comprehensive interactive session” on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to a statement by Reps spokesman, Akin Rotimi, the session would provide a platform for members of the committee to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the sole administrator assumed office.
The Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said, “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”
A file photo of members of the House of Reps. Photo: X@HouseNGR
The committee said a formal letter of invitation had been sent and acknowledged by the retired naval chief.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu imposed an emergency rule on oil-rich Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
READ ALSO: Again, Women Protest Against Emergency Rule In Rivers
The president immediately nominated Ibas as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.
The president relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the proclamation. The section interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster, or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
In about 48 hours, the National Assembly ratified the president’s emergency rule decision despite stiff opposition to the move.
The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives was expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Others are the founder of Stanbic IBTC bank, Atedo Peterside; a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; a senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; the LP, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.
According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, at least 15 million Nigerians are in danger of floods in 2025.
He made this known on Wednesday at the start of an one-day workshop in Abuja on the Anticipatory Action Framework for Nigeria.
Shettima emphasized the need for cooperation between government departments, both at state and federal levels, to prevent flooding and other natural disasters in the nation, in contrast to the reactive approach used in the past.
Shettima argued that a military solution to the Plateau, North-East, crisis cannot ever be found, citing the need for a non-kinetic strategy to address security issues in these areas.
The Vice President expressed sympathy for the affected families as well as condemning recent attacks in Plateau state.
Nigeria loses 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of floods, which has a significant economic impact.
However, President Bola Tinubu has approved N15 billion for emergency measures to lessen the flooding’s effects.
Persecondnews recalls that tens of thousands of people were forced to flee into the streets by devastating floods in Northeastern Nigeria in November 2024, causing them to submerge completely into residential areas.
In Borno State, 200 000 people were displaced, and at least 30 people died. One million of those were affected.
Experts noted that Maiduguri is experiencing its worst flood in 30 years, which only adds to the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Nigerian chess champion and social entrepreneur, Tunde Onakoya, is set to challenge a new Guinness World Record with a 70-hour chess marathon in New York’s Times Square — and this time, he is not alone.
In a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, the 30-year-old founder of Chess in Slums Africa, announced his ambitious goal, alongside five children from disadvantaged communities in Nigeria.
“I’m back here in this very moment that started last year in Times Square,” he said. “We played chess for 60 hours. We pushed the limits of the human mind and gave the world something new to believe in.”
The 30-year-old, who gained global recognition in April 2024 for completing a 60-hour chess marathon with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, revealed that his upcoming attempt is not just about records.
READ ALSO: ‘We Have Done It’: Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Breaks World Record, Hits 60 Hours
“Your support helped us build an innovation hub in Lagos, Nigeria, and support the education of thousands of children across Africa. Now I’m back—but this time, I’m not alone. I’m here with five incredible children from Nigeria, who have come from the slums—against all odds—to become champions here.”
“From winning tournaments in Athens, Georgia, to speaking at the United Nations, and winning the gold medal at the United Nations Chess Championship, they (five slum children) have truly shown us that talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.”
Photo: X @Tunde Onakoya on X
The new attempt is scheduled to run from April 17 to 20, 2025. Onakoya and Martinez aim to surpass the current chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players in June 2024.
“So now we’re in the endgame. There’s a new world record set by two Norwegian players. And on the 17th of April, 2025, I, along with U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez will be breaking that record—and setting a new one for 70 hours.”
The five children, he said, will also participate in the event for a few hours each day. He extended an open invitation to local players in New York.
“This is an open call to every chess player in New York City: if you think you’re good enough to challenge them, we invite you to come play them.”
For Million Dreams
More than a personal feat, Onakoya explained the deeper mission behind the challenge.
“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.
“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.”
In a tweet posted earlier on Saturday via social platform X (formerly Twitter), Onakoya reinforced his commitment.
Photo: X @Tunde Onakoya on X
“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he wrote.
The non-profit chess organisation The Gift of Chess, a partner in this initiative, also confirmed the challenge.
“Starting April 17th, Tunde_OD & CoachShawnMar will attempt 70 hours of non-stop chess in the heart of Times Square, NYC,” the organisation said in a post. “They are aiming to break their previous record of 60 hours and surpass the current GWR record set by two Norwegians.”
Previous Attempt
In April 2024, Onakoya and Martinez had broken the previous Guinness World Record of 56 hours — held since 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad — after completing a 60-hour game marathon. However, their triumph was short-lived, with the new 61-hour benchmark being established just two months later.
During his record-setting performance in 2024, New York’s Nigerian community turned out in force, offering traditional meals like jollof rice and energetic music to sustain him. Nigerian superstar Davido also publicly supported him and presented him with a 30BG chain.
Top political figures have praised his efforts. Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, lauded him, stating that his feat was a symbol of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally.” Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also highlighted that the attempt was “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere.”
That initial effort, which doubled as a $1 million fundraising campaign, helped elevate Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative — a movement he says has provided education and lifelong scholarships to over 200 children across Nigeria. The funds raised were also used to distribute one million chess sets to impoverished communities, in partnership with The Gift of Chess.
In a January 2024 interview with Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Onakoya said growing up in poverty taught him empathy because the real pain wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from things like education and justice. He said this experience drives his passion to help others, adding that he wants to be the kind of person he needed when he was younger.
Onakoya, a self-taught chess master, learnt the game in a barber’s shop. Raised in modest circumstances by a mother who worked as a cleaner to support his education, he went on to study computer science at Yaba College of Technology.
Throughout his journey, the Lagos-born chess champion has received national and international acclaim. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun appointed him in April 2024 as the state’s sports ambassador and likened his cause to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a high-level committee on the forthcoming national population and housing census.
Disclosing this in a statement, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the committee will submit an interim report within three weeks.
The President said the census is crucial for national development, accurate planning, and effective decision-making in healthcare, education, security, and economic planning.
Nigeria’s last census was in 2006, nearly two decades ago. It recorded a population of 140, 431, 790, with 71, 345, 488 males and 69, 086, 302 females.
READ ALSO: Again, Women Protest Against Emergency Rule In Rivers
“President Tinubu stressed the pivotal role of a technology-driven process in ensuring credible and verifiable results and the need for collaboration among all relevant agencies and stakeholders”, the statement read.
He underscored the critical financing factor in the exercise, urging the members to look at domestic and even international resources.
“Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.
” We expect you will touch on the technology area because the census must be technology-driven. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise. The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation, “he said.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila represented the President at the event held at the State House in Abuja,
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who chairs the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, assured the President that the committee will deliver its report within the three-week deadline.
The minister recalled President Tinubu’s advice to ministers during their retreat in 2003, urging them to think creatively and work with the resources available, even under harsh economic conditions.
Bagudu noted that despite global economic challenges, Nigeria is making steady progress under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing improved foreign exchange stability and a positive growth trajectory.
He said the committee will recommend practical solutions, including strategies for mobilising domestic and international resources to fund the census.
The Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, also a committee member, emphasised that accurate data is critical for planning across all sectors and that a credible census is the foundation for such data.
The National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will also serve as the committee Secretary, said the commission has already begun preparations for the national population and housing census in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the focus has been on identifying key requirements and laying the groundwork necessary for the President to make an informed decision on the actual conduct of the census.
Kwarra assured Nigerians that the National Population Commission remains committed to ensuring a credible, technology-driven enumeration that will support effective national planning and development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a high-level committee on the forthcoming national population and housing census.
Disclosing this in a statement, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the committee will submit an interim report within three weeks.
The President said the census is crucial for national development, accurate planning, and effective decision-making in healthcare, education, security, and economic planning.
Nigeria’s last census was in 2006, nearly two decades ago. It recorded a population of 140,431,790, with 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.
READ ALSO: Again, Women Protest Against Emergency Rule In Rivers
“President Tinubu stressed the pivotal role of a technology-driven process in ensuring credible and verifiable results and the need for collaboration among all relevant agencies and stakeholders,” the statement read.
He underscored the critical financing factor in the exercise, urging the members to look at domestic and even international resources.
“Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.
“We expect you will touch on the technology area because the census must be technology-driven. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise. The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation,” he said.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila represented the President at the event held at the State House in Abuja,
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who chairs the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, assured the President that the committee will deliver its report within the three-week deadline.
The minister recalled President Tinubu’s advice to ministers during their retreat in 2003, urging them to think creatively and work with the resources available, even under harsh economic conditions.
Bagudu noted that despite global economic challenges, Nigeria is making steady progress under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing improved foreign exchange stability and a positive growth trajectory.
He said the committee will recommend practical solutions, including strategies for mobilising domestic and international resources to fund the census.
The Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, also a committee member, emphasised that accurate data is critical for planning across all sectors and that a credible census is the foundation for such data.
The National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will also serve as the committee Secretary, said the commission has already begun preparations for the national population and housing census in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the focus has been on identifying key requirements and laying the groundwork necessary for the President to make an informed decision on the actual conduct of the census.
Kwarra assured Nigerians that the National Population Commission remains committed to ensuring a credible, technology-driven enumeration that will support effective national planning and development.
The Nigerian Navy says it has intercepted over 1300 bags of foreign parboiled rice at Majidun Community in Ikorodu West Local Government Area of Lagos State.
This was contained in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim.
The seized bags of foreign rice were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Commander Nigerian Navy ship BEECROFT and Maritime Component Commander of Operation AWATSE, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, reportedly disclosed this to journalists.
READ ALSO: Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 16th April 2025
He said the seizure was made on Saturday, April 12 by Operation Awatse Team while conducting routine security and anti-smuggling operations within their Area of Operations.
The seized bags of foreign rice were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Some vehicles suspected to be involved in smuggling activities attempted to evade security at its check point, which necessitated a swift pursuit by the Operation AWATSE Quick Response Team (QRT) in accordance with the Joint Task Force’s Standard Operating Procedures”, the statement read.
” The operation by the Maritime Component of the Operation AWATSE was conducted with commendable professionalism and restraint as no casualties were recorded. The timely response of the QRT and successful interception of the consignment have demonstrated the continued commitment of Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE to assist statutory agencies in curbing smuggling activities within its Area of Operations.
” The arrested 1, 306 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Apapa, today Wednesday 16 April 2025, in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution. “
The Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE under the leadership of the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, who doubles as the Maritime Component Commander, South-West Operation AWATSE, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel intercepted 1, 306 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Majidun Community in Ikorodu West Local Government Area of Lagos state.
Commodore Paul Nimmyel while briefing the newsmen disclosed that the seizure was made on Saturday 12 April 2025, by Operation AWATSE Team while conducting routine security and anti-smuggling operations within their Area of Operations. He stated that some vehicles suspected to be involved in smuggling activities attempted to evade security at its check point, which necessitated a swift pursuit by the Operation AWATSE Quick Response Team (QRT) in accordance with the Joint Task Force’s Standard Operating Procedures.
The operation by the Maritime Component of the Operation AWATSE was conducted with commendable professionalism and restraint as no casualties were recorded. The timely response of the QRT and successful interception of the consignment have demonstrated the continued commitment of Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE to assist statutory agencies in curbing smuggling activities within its Area of Operations.
The arrested 1, 306 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Apapa, today Wednesday 16 April 2025, in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution.
