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We’ll engage FG to revitalise Delta ports – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, said his administration would engage relevant Federal Government authorities for the revitalisation of all seaports in the state.
Governor Oborevwori stated this when he received the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM Atuwatse III, CFR, and his retinue of chiefs at Government House, Asaba.
He commended the leadership quality of the Olu of Warri, describing him as a blessing to our generation.
Oborevwori said; “I appreciate you for the love you have shown this administration. You have been very supportive and I appreciate you for coming here today to congratulate me. As a royal father, you prayed for all of us (Governorship candidates) and your prayer then was that God should give the state somebody that will move the state higher.
“You blessed all of us but I was chosen and that’s the reason you are here today with all your people. Your Majesty, your leadership quality is something that we appreciate. You are a blessing to our generation.
“This administration places a high premium on the role of traditional rulers in governance. This is because the royal fathers are the bridge between the people at the grassroot and the government.
“Without the royal fathers, we can’t achieve peace in all our kingdoms. So, they are in charge of their kingdoms; that’s why we always go to them to seek their prayers and support.
“Please, anything that we are doing as a government that you are not pleased with, don’t fail to correct us. My government is open to constructive criticism.
“And if we are also doing very well, don’t fail to commend us. Constructive criticism is allowed everywhere in the world and Delta State would not be an exception. What we don’t like is blackmail.
“Your Majesty, I have listened to your request. I promised during my inauguration that Warri will have a positive new face. I have gone round Warri and looked at some places with urgent attention; we are already working on that.
“We are already working on a befitting stadium for Warri. As we speak, they are doing the design of the stadium because I don’t want a situation where we construct and after a few years, it will start having problems.
“We also have challenge with the drains in that area; as we speak, phase 1 of the storm drainage has been completed by Levant, phase 2 is about 90 per cent completed and the last, which is the phase three, will soon be completed.
“Without the storm drainage, if you construct any road in Warri, it will be washed away. I want to assure you that Warri will have a positive new face in Jesus name.” he said.
On the controversy surrounding attempted renaming of parts of Warri, Governor Oborevwori cautioned proponents to maintain the existing peace in the oil city.
“People talk about Warri; Warri today has expanded beyond the main town. Even today, people call Osubi, Warri. I don’t know why people want to make trouble.
“Warri today is a general name. I am from Osubi but when you ask me where I am from, I will tell you Warri. So, Warri is Warri and nobody can change it.”
On the ports, Governor Oborevwori said he was committed to engaging the Federal Government on the revitalisation of the ports in the state.
“The Port is something that is key to the development of Delta state. Even without coming here to make a request, I will start engaging with the people at the national to see how all the Ports in Delta state will be rehabilitated.
“If the Ports are rehabilitated, it will bring a lot of developments in the state. The issue of refinery, I know that as soon as they finish the maintenance of the refinery, it will come back to operation.”
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Covenant, ABU Emerge Top In Nigeria as 2025 world university ranking released
Covenant University (CU) has again been listed as Nigeria’s overall best university in Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings.
In the 2025 rankings, the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria came second, displacing the University of Ibadan which occupied the position for the 2024 ccrankings.
The Times Higher Education World Rankings is a comprehensive global ranking of universities published annually.
The 2025 rankings THE said it ranked more than 2,000 institutions from 115 countries and territories.
Globally, Oxford holds on to the top spot for the ninth consecutive year, bolstered by significant improvements in industry engagement and teaching. MIT rises to second place, overtaking Stanford, which drops to sixth.
The ratings were done based on 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
University of Oxford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Princeton University
University of Cambridge
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
University of California, Berkeley
Imperial College London
Yale University
Top ranked Nigerian universities
1. Covenant University
2. Ahmadu Bello University
3. Landmark University
4. University of Ibadan
5. University of Lagos
6. Bayero University
7. Federal University of Technology Akure
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin
10. University of Ilorin
11. University of Nigeria Nsukka
12. Ekiti State University
13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
15. Federal University Oye-Ekiti
16. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
17. Lagos State University
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
19. Obafemi Awolowo University
20. University of Port Harcourt
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
22. Abia State University
23. Akwa Ibom State University
24. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
25. Ambrose Alli University
26. Baze University
27. Bells University of Technology
28. Benson Idahosa University
29. Bowen University
30. Delta State University, Abraka
31. Evangel University, Akaeze
32. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
33. Godfrey Okoye University
34. Lagos State University of Education
35. Lagos State University of Science and Technology
36. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
37. Niger Delta University
38. Nile University of Nigeria
39. Osun State University
40. Rivers State University
41. Thomas Adewumi University
42. University of Cross River State
43. University of Maiduguri
44. Veritas University, Abuja
News
Court dismisses SERAP’s suit against NASS budget
By Francesca Hangeior
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the Incorporated Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, challenging the powers of the National Assembly to amend its budget in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Justice Omotosho ruled, among others, that SERAP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.
The judge upheld the argument of Dr. Sheriff Adesanya, who represented the 1st Respondent (the Senate President), that the interest of SERAP and that of the 20 concerned citizens it represented, was no greater than that of the general public.
Furthermore, Justice Omotosho agreed with Dr. Adesanya (of Abiodun Adesanya & Co) that the plaintiff’s claims were without merit.
He dismissed the case in its entirety.
SERAP, through Andrew Nwankwo of Eko Akete Chambers, had contended that the National Assembly’s unilateral increase of its budget allocation from ?197 billion to ?344 billion contravened Section 81 of the Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and democratic principles, particularly the separation of powers.
The organization sought a declaration that the budgetary increase was unconstitutional and requested orders compelling the National Assembly to adhere to constitutional procedures by re-presenting any amended appropriation bills to the President for approval before enactment.
Apart from arguing that the Plaintiffs had no standing to initiate the suit, Dr. Adesanya also defended the procedural validity of the National Assembly’s budgetary actions, Saying SERAP failed to show that the lawmakers’ action was procedurally irregular.
The lawyer had told the court that “It is respectfully submitted that the presumption of regularity enjoyed by the National Assembly’s Act must be rebutted by the Plaintiffs.
“Apart from speculative claims by the Plaintiffs that the altered appropriation bill was not forwarded to the President after amendment by the National Assembly, there is no evidence (assuming such alteration necessitated representation to the President) to support this assertion.”
News
Nigeria prosecutes 100 terror financiers in 2 years —Tinubu
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, announced that Nigeria has successfully prosecuted over 100 terrorist financiers in the past two years as part of its ongoing fight against financial crimes and terrorism financing.
This effort aims to disrupt the financial networks supporting terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, ultimately safeguarding communities and fostering a secure environment for development.
The announcement was made by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. George Akume, who represented Tinubu at the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing and Counter Proliferation Financing Compliance Summit held in Abuja.
He said: “By taking away the funds, resources and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, we are denying them the ability to inflict terror on our communities and citizens.
“We have made progress to tackle the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant action of our frontline troops and our security agencies.
“Through the efforts of the office of the national security adviser and the attorney-general of the federation, we have prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers in the last two years.
“It is an approach that we are utilising as a fundamental component of our national strategies to combat serious criminal offences.”
Hafsat Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, who also spoke at the summit, highlighted the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including political leaders, financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and international partners.
“The fight against financial crimes is not one that any single entity can win alone. It requires the collective strength and commitment of our political leaders, regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement and security agencies, and international partners,” Bakari stressed.
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