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The Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, has congratulated Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo KSC, on his 57th birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary and purposeful leader committed to the growth and development of the council area.

Ahon, in a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, commended Egbo for his leadership qualities, particularly his efforts towards restoring peace, security and stability across Ughelli North.

He said the council chairman had demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people and the development of the area since assuming office, adding that his leadership had continued to inspire confidence among residents and stakeholders.

According to him, Egbo’s approach to governance reflected a clear understanding of the reposed in him by the people, particularly his emphasis on peace, security, grassroots development and inclusive leadership.

Ahon said: “On behalf of my family, friends and political associates, I warmly felicitate my brother, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, on the occasion of his 57th birthday.

“Your two years of service to the people of Ughelli North have been marked by courage, vision and an unwavering commitment to the development of our communities.

“I particularly commend your efforts at restoring peace and security in the council area, as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity and instability.”

The governor’s spokesman expressed optimism that the Ughelli North chairman would continue to deploy his experience and political goodwill to advance the interests of the people.

Ahon prayed God to grant Egbo long life, good health, wisdom and renewed strength to continue serving the people, while wishing him many more years of impactful leadership and accomplishments.

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Popular Nigerian gospel singer Asu Ekiye has finally opened up on how his estranged wife, Kunemofa Asu, initiated the divorce proceedings that led to the dissolution of their 28-year marriage.

Ekiye, popularly known as the “Prince of the Niger Delta”, made the clarification in a statement shared on social media.

The clarification followed reactions to his earlier announcement on Thursday that his marriage to Kunemofa, which began in 1998, had ended.

The announcement sparked widespread reactions from fans of the award-winning singer, especially netizens, with many expressing shock at why a marriage of that length could have been salvaged.

However, following public curiosity, the singer, in a new post, clarified that his wife initiated the split and filed for divorce without a prior quarrel, and that reconciliation efforts failed.

Ekiye said his wife had expressed her desire to end the marriage, moved out of their home, and subsequently instituted divorce proceedings.

“The decision regarding the dissolution of my marriage was not one I initiated.

“Having done all I could to seek reconciliation, I eventually came to the difficult decision to accept the reality of the situation,” he said.

The singer said he spent about a year making efforts to reconcile with his wife and preserve the marriage, but she remained firm in her decision.

Ekiye said he decided to clarify the circumstances surrounding the divorce after receiving numerous calls and messages following his announcement about the end of the marriage.

He said he bore no bitterness or ill will towards his former wife and had chosen to approach the new phase of his life with dignity and respect for all concerned.
“I bear no bitterness or ill will toward anyone,” he said.

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The Nigerian Navy (NN) has handed over nine suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after rescuing them from a merchant vessel in Lagos.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft effected the handover on Friday following the discovery of the suspects concealed in the propeller compartment of MT *Evgenia* two days earlier.

According to a statement by the Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the suspects were found on Wednesday, August 19, and evacuated to the naval base for preliminary investigation and profiling.

He said investigations revealed that the suspects boarded the vessel while it was berthed at the Flour Mills Jetty in Apapa, allegedly intending to travel illegally to Europe.

The suspects were identified as Thompson Vincent, 23; Emmanuel Philip, 24; Tobi Olalekan, 32; Omotayo Adebowale, 43; Abdullahi Idowu, 21; Tunde Mustapha, 19; Jamiu Ismaila, 25; Ibrahim Alabi, 30; and Christian Kadiri, 22.

Adams-Aliu said the handover was part of ongoing collaboration among security agencies to curb illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.

He urged parents, guardians and other authority figures to discourage young people from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally, noting that the dangers associated with the practice extended beyond Nigeria to other West African coastal states.

He added that NNS Beecroft would continue to support the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in deploying a professional naval force to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests and support national security operations.