Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has acknowledged that his ability to continue in office after a six-month emergency rule was due to the “special favour” of President Bola Tinubu.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fully funding Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, and supporting both staff and students.

Governor Fubara made the remarks during the combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony of RSU on Saturday, emphasizing the government’s dedication to strengthening the state’s education sector.

Reflecting on past challenges, Fubara noted that many issues could have been avoided had democracy not been temporarily interrupted in the state.

He stated, “It is only by the special grace of God and the special favour from Mr President that we are still here, presiding over the affairs of Rivers State.”

He assured stakeholders that his administration would fully resume its responsibilities, pledging to address concerns raised during the convocation.

Key priorities include closing infrastructural gaps, improving security, enhancing student and staff welfare, and accelerating the development of satellite campuses outside Port Harcourt in 2026.

“Education remains the most vital investment for national development. We will continue to meet our financial obligations to RSU, improving infrastructure and ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff,” Fubara said.

The governor commended RSU for its growth, quality education, and commitment to leadership development and intellectual advancement.

He urged the university to intensify research and innovation to tackle socio-economic challenges in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

Fubara also congratulated the 13,242 graduates of the combined convocation, which included first degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

He thanked parents, guardians, staff, and the Governing Council for supporting students’ success, and encouraged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship, integrity, and creative problem-solving.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, presided over his first convocation since his appointment on March 6, 2025.

He highlighted progress under his leadership, including accommodation for 40,000 students and full accreditation for all programs.

Among the graduates, 10,648 received first degrees, 2,594 completed postgraduate programs, 157 earned First Class honours, 2,587 received Second Class Upper, and 6,275 were awarded Second Class Lower degrees.

Chancellor HRH Dr Sidi Mohammad lauded Fubara for making RSU one of Nigeria’s best-funded public universities, while urging the institution to adopt emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance learning without compromising academic integrity.

Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, praised Fubara’s financial support, which has strengthened RSU’s operations.

Wali also unveiled a five-year Strategic Development Plan (2026–2030) aimed at transforming RSU into a globally recognised institution, including translating research into marketable products, creating a third Deputy Vice-Chancellor role, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion, and sexual harassment.

The Labour Party in Sokoto State on Saturday conducted its state congress, producing a new executive council and renewing calls for unity as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

Mr Yemi Adeyemi, a member of the party’s National Planning Committee who supervised the congress, urged members to remain focused and united in order to strengthen the party’s chances in the state.

“I call on all members to stay united ahead of the forthcoming general election. A united party is the foundation for electoral victory,” he said.

Sokoto State Labour Party leader, Mr Ifeanyi Ezeagu, described the congress as an important milestone in repositioning the party for political success.

“This congress is to elect those who will lead the party to victory in Sokoto. The people of the state know the situation. We won elections, but they didn’t give us the opportunity. Nigerians know what happened; we all witnessed it…,” he stated.

Ezeagu encouraged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation, stressing that rebuilding trust and expanding the party’s reach would be key ahead of the next elections.

“We all know the situation of the country today. I urge you to go back to your wards and mobilise for the party.”

“The leaders we have today are running a government that enriches friends and family members. Don’t be disturbed about defections into the ruling party; many go there for selfish reasons,” he added.

He noted that the Labour Party in Sokoto was now “back on track” and determined to help steer the country away from hardship and misgovernance.

Outgoing state secretary, Alhaji Umar, commended delegates from all 23 local government areas for their peaceful conduct and strong turnout.

The newly elected chairman, Abubakar Yawale, promised inclusive and transparent leadership moving forward.

“I will ensure leadership without sentiment or bias. We are working toward taking over the Sokoto State Government House in the 2027 general elections. I call on all members to support our team in achieving this objective,” Yawale said.

If the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly is passed and signed into law, Nigerian women stand to gain 156 additional seats across federal and state legislatures.

The bill, which proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution, aims to create special parliamentary seats for women and is being championed by gender advocates as a temporary, corrective measure to address decades of underrepresentation in governance.

Under the proposal, each state would have one reserved seat for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as three seats in state Houses of Assembly.

However, sources say the Senate is considering allocating one reserved women’s seat per geopolitical zone in the upper chamber.

Speaking during a training session for the House of Representatives Press Corps, Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Legislative Matters, Chidozie Aja, clarified that the reserved seats would expand representation rather than replace existing positions.

Political parties would nominate only female candidates for these seats.

Aja added that the measure is intended to last four election cycles, or 16 years, although adjustments are being considered that could extend its duration or remove the sunset clause entirely.

The bill proposes changes to Sections 48, 49, 71, 77, 91, and 117 of the Constitution, with a recent recommendation to amend Section 42 as well.

“The approach may be new to Nigeria, but countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Senegal have successfully implemented similar gender quotas,” he noted.

Rwanda now leads globally with 61% female representation in parliament.

Even with the additional 74 federal seats, the Senate and House of Representatives would reach a total of 543 seats, giving women approximately 13.6% representation nationally, modest progress, but a meaningful step forward.

Aja emphasized that structural gender quotas strengthen democracy by ensuring all voices are heard.

“Currently, Nigerian democracy operates at only half its potential. Women’s inclusion makes it deeper, more legitimate, and more stable,” he said.

Studies consistently show that women’s participation leads to better governance outcomes, including stronger health policies, improved education laws, robust social protection frameworks, and more community-driven development initiatives.

Women also play a critical role in grassroots peacebuilding, reducing conflict, and enhancing community resilience.

Economic analyses support the political case: a McKinsey Global Institute study estimates that full inclusion of women in economic and political life could boost Nigeria’s GDP by US$22.9 billion and increase overall growth by 23% by 2025.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the United States government over alleged calls by Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, urging Washington to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to abolish Shari’ah law and the Hisbah corps in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Saturday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the reported recommendation, describing it as an unacceptable intrusion into Nigeria’s internal affairs and a direct attack on the identity and rights of Muslim citizens.

Akintola said Obadare’s comments amounted to “crossing the red line,” warning that any attempt, foreign or local, to dismantle Islamic legal institutions could alienate millions of Nigerian Muslims and undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

“Obadare’s call is mischievous, reactionary and outlandish. It is undemocratic, neocolonial, and imperialistic,” he said.

“Shari’ah is the Muslims’ way of life. It cannot be separated from Islam. The moment anyone attempts to touch our Shari’ah, we begin to see him seeking to eliminate Islam in its totality. Our advice is this: Don’t go there. It is the red line,” the statement added.

According to MURIC, Obadare’s remarks were made during a joint House briefing in the United States following President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The organisation questioned Washington’s motives, asking whether the US is genuinely committed to fighting terrorism or merely targeting Islamic systems.

MURIC stressed that both Shari’ah and Hisbah are constitutionally recognised and reflect the democratic choices of Nigerians in states where they operate.

Any attempt to outlaw them, the group warned, would amount to violating the rights of citizens and undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately withdraw the ambassadorial nomination list submitted to the Senate, alleging that the distribution of nominees breaches the Federal Character provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

President Tinubu’s list of career and non-career ambassadors was forwarded to the Senate on Thursday and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening.

But in a statement issued on Saturday, Ndume, who represents Borno South, described the list as “lopsided,” insisting that it failed to reflect Nigeria’s diversity as mandated under Section 14(3) of the Constitution.

According to him, some states were allocated three to four nominees, while others, including Gombe State, received none.

He noted that Yobe State’s only nominee, Senator Adamu Garba Talba, had died in July, leaving the state without representation.

Ndume further argued that the North East, in particular, was short-changed, securing only seven slots, an imbalance he said violates constitutional guidelines requiring equitable representation across geopolitical zones.

The former Senate Leader warned that such disparities could heighten ethnic tensions and undermine national unity.

“At this critical time in the life of his administration, President Tinubu must avoid decisions that could fuel ethnic tension or breed distrust,” he said.

“I appeal to him to withdraw the list and present a fresh set of nominees that align with the spirit of the Constitution.”

Ndume expressed confidence that the President, whom he referred to as a “cosmopolitan leader,” would act to ensure every state and geopolitical zone is fairly represented, thereby strengthening national cohesion and public trust in his administration.