Lady Valerie Fubara, the wife of Rivers State Governor, has expressed her unwavering faith that God will answer the prayers of women and bring shame to the state’s adversaries.

Speaking at the 2024 Rivers Women Converge in Port Harcourt, she emphasized that God would address the various challenges faced by the state and its residents.

“I am filled with joy and excitement to be here. Whenever I enter the presence of the Lord, I cannot help but dance and praise Him,” Lady Fubara stated, reflecting her enthusiasm for the gathering.

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She praised the event’s organizer for uniting women from all 23 local government areas of Rivers State for worship and encouraged them to persist in their prayers for the state’s prosperity.

“Prayer is powerful; it makes things better and faster,” she asserted.

Addressing the upcoming Local Government elections scheduled for October 5, Lady Fubara expressed confidence that God is already at work behind the scenes.

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“I am not concerned about the elections; I know God is in control. For me, it’s about faith, and I believe wholeheartedly that God never fails,” she added.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has announced the implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 for the state’s workforce, set to take effect in October 2024.

In addition, he declared that education in public schools, covering primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels, will be entirely free.

Governor Soludo made the announcements during a meeting with head teachers and principals at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center in Awka on Thursday.

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Earlier in the meeting, he had already introduced the free education initiative for public primary and junior secondary schools.

“Starting next week, the free education policy will be extended to senior students in all public schools across Anambra State,” Soludo stated.

He emphasized his administration’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate, despite the existing resource constraints.

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“From next month, we also aim to commence payments of the new minimum wage of N70,000,” the governor concluded.

President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will observe a subdued celebration for its 64th Independence Day, a decision reflecting the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.

The announcement was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

“In consideration of the current sentiment in the country, the President has approved a low-key commemoration for this year’s Independence Day,” Akume stated.

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He emphasized that the toned-down celebrations aim to highlight the nation’s strength in unity, the progress made despite obstacles, the richness of Nigeria’s diversity, and the significant strides taken by the administration in its short time in office under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The program for the day includes a World Press Conference, Special Juma’at Prayer, Inter-denominational Church Service, a Presidential Broadcast, and a 64th Independence Anniversary Parade at the Presidential Villa.

Notably absent from the festivities are the grand events typically associated with this national holiday.

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Akume acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians are currently facing, particularly in light of recent government policy decisions.

“This government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware of and empathetic towards the economic hardships experienced by all Nigerians.

These challenges stem from unavoidable policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies that the administration had to implement.”

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To address these issues, Akume outlined several government initiatives aimed at alleviating hardships.

He highlighted the Presidential CNG Initiative, designed to lower transportation costs, which includes the recent launch of “thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).”

Additionally, he mentioned the provision of “CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians” and ongoing efforts to bolster support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Touching on national security concerns, Akume reported progress in combating insecurity, stating that “insurgents and bandits are being neutralized in significant numbers, while many others are surrendering to authorities for deradicalization.”

He also addressed the government’s response to recent flooding and its efforts to enhance food security.

As Nigeria celebrates 64 years of independence amidst these challenges, Akume called for unity and resilience among citizens. “Let us remain united, resilient, and hopeful,” he urged.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is set to swear in 87 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The ceremony, which marks the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year, will take place at the Supreme Court’s main courtroom in Abuja.

In a press statement released on Thursday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, the event will be the first of its kind presided over by Justice Kekere-Ekun since her confirmation as CJN by the Nigerian Senate on September 25, 2024.

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The Supreme Court resumed from its annual vacation on September 23, 2024, following a break that began on July 22.

The legal year ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, with stakeholders from across the legal sector expected to attend.

As part of the tradition, Justice Kekere-Ekun will deliver a “state-of-the-judiciary” address, offering insights into the performance of the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, during the 2023/2024 legal year.

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Additionally, key legal personalities, including the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, will also present their perspectives on the current state of justice in Nigeria.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had announced on July 2 the list of 98 lawyers shortlisted for the prestigious SAN rank.

At its 164th plenary session on July 30, led by the immediate past CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the LPPC approved the elevation of 87 of these candidates to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

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The SAN title is awarded to legal practitioners with at least ten years of standing who have demonstrated exceptional merit in the legal profession, either as courtroom advocates or through contributions to legal academia.

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday led a delegation of APC governors to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The purpose of the visit was to present the Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, to the President.

Among the governors in attendance were Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Usman Ododo of Kogi, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. Also part of the delegation were Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, and Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner of the Edo governorship election held on September 21.

However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome, alleging that the election process was tainted by irregularities.

Despite the PDP’s protests, Okpebholo was ushered into the Villa alongside the APC leaders to meet with President Tinubu.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State for withdrawing from the upcoming local government elections slated for October 5, 2024, claiming that the move shows the PDP is afraid of losing.

The APP, confident in its chances, vowed to sweep all chairmanship positions in the 23 local government areas and the councillorship positions across the 319 wards in the state.

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The PDP, through its spokesperson Aaron Chukwuemeka, announced the party’s decision to boycott the elections during a stakeholders’ meeting held at its secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Chukwuemeka cited the ongoing case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Tony Okocha, challenging the conduct of the elections as the reason for their withdrawal.

He also accused the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) of excluding the PDP from a stakeholders’ meeting where the election date and other logistics were discussed.

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In response, APP Chairman in Rivers State, Sunny Wokekoro, dismissed the PDP’s explanation, accusing the party of making weak excuses and showing fear of defeat.

Speaking at a senatorial campaign in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Wednesday, Wokekoro said the PDP’s reliance on the APC-led court case was a poor justification for boycotting the polls.

He added that the PDP was well aware they would lose to the APP if they participated in the elections.

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Wokekoro stated, “On October 5th, the Action Peoples Party is poised to win all councillorship elections in the 319 wards and all chairmanship seats across the 23 local government areas. The people are with us, and so is God. Victory will be ours.”

He went on to criticize the PDP for hesitating based on a court case that it had no involvement in, saying, “There’s no law in Nigeria that prevents RSIEC from conducting elections. The PDP’s supposed popularity would have been exposed had they entered the race, and they would have been humiliated by the results.”

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Wokekoro reaffirmed APP’s readiness, stating, “Whether the PDP participates or not, even though they’ve cowardly backed out, we are prepared, and we will win.”

Meanwhile, Chief Tony Okocha, the dismissed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, has also raised concerns about the election.

He filed a suit against RSIEC, arguing that the election should not be held until the court rules on the matter. However, RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, maintained that the October 5th date is final.

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Speaking during a staff training session, Enebeli asserted that there is no legal obstacle preventing the election from going forward as planned.

The situation remains tense as the APP readies itself for what it predicts will be a major electoral victory, while the PDP continues to stay on the sidelines.