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Labour Party will hold congresses, convention in March- Gov Otti reveals
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the Labour Party (LP) has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plans to conduct its congresses and a national convention as part of efforts to reposition the party and strengthen internal cohesion.
Governor Otti disclosed this during a press briefing on at the weekend, while addressing issues arising from recent engagements and resolutions of party stakeholders, noting that preparatory activities are already underway ahead of the congresses scheduled to take place in March.
According to him, the party has also commenced arrangements for the revalidation of existing members and the registration of new ones, describing the exercise as a necessary step before the congresses and National convention.
“INEC has been notified that very soon the congresses will happen. The national convention will also take place. A committee has been set up for the revalidation of members and the registration of new members, and very soon that will be in effect,” the governor said.
Governor Otti also expressed regret over the exit of the party’s former leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while wishing him well in his future endeavours.
He acknowledged that the party has lost a number of members to defections, including some members of the National Assembly, but stressed that the Labour Party remains committed to rebuilding and emerging stronger.
“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party, the former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. While we regret it, I wish him well.”
”We have also lost a few members to defection, including some in the National Assembly. However, we have resolved that the party should come together and become a stronger force,” Otti said.
As part of efforts to resolve lingering internal disputes, the governor revealed that the party is calling on its former National Chairman, Julius Abure, to join hands with other stakeholders in strengthening the party rather than pursuing prolonged court cases.
He also disclosed that the Labour Party would not be participating in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February, citing the tight timeline as the reason for the decision.
“The party regrets that it will not be able to participate in the upcoming FCT local council elections due to the tight schedule,” Otti stated.
Governor Otti further clarified that the Labour Party has no plans to enter into any political coalition, insisting that the focus remains on internal consolidation and institutional rebuilding.
Aside from Otti, other key party figures who attended the meeting included the LP’s Caretaker Committee chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, as well as representatives of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The Labour Party gained national prominence during the 2023 general elections following its strong showing at the polls, particularly in the presidential race.
However, the party has since been grappling with leadership disputes, court cases, and defections that have affected its internal stability.
Midnight fire on Saturday destroyed more than 10 shops at the Terminus Market in Jos, Plateau State.
Witnesses said that the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m., after traders had closed for the day.
The latest incident comes three months after a section of the market was gutted by a similar night fire.
Our correspondent, who visited the market on Sunday morning, reports that more than 10 shops were affected, with clothes and shoes burnt to ashes.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately confirmed by market authorities, though some victims suggested it might have been caused by an electrical fault.
Firefighters and emergency responders were said to have acted swiftly to contain the blaze, preventing what many feared could have escalated into a major disaster.
A witness, Mr. Silas Lawrenzo, said that firefighters, including a team from the National Emergency Management Agency, worked alongside the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, and the Plateau State Fire Service to bring the fire under control.
He said the coordinated and rapid response helped contain the flames, limiting damage and preventing the fire from spreading across the busy commercial hub.
The media reports that the market has experienced three separate fire incidents in the past year, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The Inspector General of Police,Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has hailed the professionalism of Nigerian journalists and corrected a misconception about their roles in society cautioning that they should not be treated like beggars, instead accorded the full compliments of professionals deserving of respect
The IGP who commended Federal capital Territory journalists and sought stronger police- media partnership when he spoke as a special guest at the FCT NUJ council congress Saturday, said he has always had a mutually beneficial relationship with the media, recognising their professionalism that is deserving of respect and therefore they should never be treated as beggars
The calm and ever- smiling police chief said, “I have always had a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with journalists. They are professionals who deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars,”
Disu commended them for their role in informing the public and contributing to national development, describing his relationship with the media as one built on mutual respect and professionalism.
He emphasised that journalists should be regarded as respected professionals rather than beggars, noting that the media plays a critical role in society, while calling for stronger collaboration between the police and the media, stressing that a healthy partnership would enhance public trust and improve security communication.
The police chief further urged both police officers and journalists to conduct themselves responsibly at all times, noting that good conduct leaves lasting impressions in society.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, congratulated the new IGP on his appointment and described him as a longstanding friend of the press.
She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of the council’s readiness to collaborate with the police in reporting security matters objectively
Ike also revealed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest to the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to promoting responsible journalism and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening security and governance in the territory.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was today honoured with the *Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025* by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, *Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara*, described the award as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the *Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa*.
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the Authority’s Spokesman, highlighted the invaluable support of the *Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola*, which has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes. Key highlights include:
– Sustained port efficiencies contributing to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
– Successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
– Completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project.
– Technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
– Pioneering election of a Nigerian agency as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) since 1972, with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission to IMO Category C.
These successes position NPA to deliver major 2025 projects, including the $1 billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex, rehabilitation of key ports, new deep seaport developments, and eco-friendly operations.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
Midnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
Journalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu
NPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
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