The Nigerian Observer

14/05/2026

Rotary targets 2029 for global polio eradication – Gen Secretary

BENIN CITY — The General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, John Hewko, has disclosed that the global body is targeting 2029 to completely eradicate polio worldwide, even as it intensifies vaccination campaigns and awareness drives across Nigeria and other high-risk countries. Hewko, who spoke during a press conference in Benin City ahead of the forthcoming Rotary International Conference hosted by District 9141 said Rotary and its partners would remain committed to the anti-polio fight until the disease is eliminated globally....

BENIN CITY — The General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, John Hewko, has disclosed that the global body is targeting 2029 to completely erad…

14/05/2026

Nigeria losing devt funds to illicit financial flows- FG, CSOs

ABUJA - The Federal Government, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations have raised fresh concerns over the growing threat of illicit financial flows to Nigeria’s economy, warning that the country risks losing critical resources needed for development unless stronger collaboration and enforcement measures are adopted. The warning came on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation and validation of a research report assessing Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for combating illicit financial flows (IFFs)....

ABUJA – The Federal Government, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations have raised fresh concerns over the growing threat of illicit financial flows to Nigeria’s economy, wa…

14/05/2026

NHIA, Edo govt graduate health fellows, deploy new cohort

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have intensified efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery following the graduation of Cohort One and onboarding of Cohort Two of the National Health Fellows Programme in Benin City. The programme, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Health, attracted government officials, healthcare stakeholders, development partners, traditional and religious leaders....

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have intensified efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery following the graduation of Cohort One an…

14/05/2026

EDOGIS partners Business Ministry to drive investment, ease-of-doing business

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has pledged support for the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment in advancing the investment and ease-of-doing-business goals of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda. Managing Director of EDOGIS, Dr. Innocent Bello, made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, and members of his management team....

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has pledged support for the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment in advancing the investment and ease-of-doing-business goal…

14/05/2026

Edo launches public service knowledge series to deepen reforms

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has unveiled the maiden edition of the Edo State Public Service Knowledge Series, a new initiative aimed at promoting continuous learning, strengthening policy conversations and deepening ongoing reforms within the state civil and public service. The initiative was announced by the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, during a press briefing in Benin City....

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has unveiled the maiden edition of the Edo State Public Service Knowledge Series, a new initiative aimed at promoting continuous learning, strengthening policy…

14/05/2026

2026 Hajj: Okpebholo to bid Edo pilgrims farewell May 16

BENIN CITY — Governor Monday Okpebholo will on Saturday officially bid farewell to Edo State intending pilgrims ahead of their departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The farewell ceremony, organised by the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (EMPWB), is scheduled to hold by 10:00 a.m. at the Board’s premises located at 2/3 Ugomosun Street, off Dumez Road, Sapele Road, Benin City....

BENIN CITY — Governor Monday Okpebholo will on Saturday officially bid farewell to Edo State intending pilgrims ahead of their departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise. T…

14/05/2026

CSO raises alarm over surveillance of Journalists ahead of 2027 polls

ABUJA – A Civil Society Organisation, Spaces for Change (S4C), has raised concerns over increasing digital surveillance targeting journalists and civic actors ahead of the 2027 general elections. The concerns were highlighted in a report titled “Victims Speak: Techniques, Patterns and Impacts of Targeted Surveillance in Nigeria,” unveiled by the Executive Director of S4C, Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri. According to her, fear of surveillance is creating anxiety among journalists, activists and ordinary citizens ahead of the elections....

14/05/2026

Oborevwori charges new Per Secretaries on accountability

ASABA – Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, the governor said the appointments were made to fill existing vacancies and were based strictly on merit, seniority, professionalism and service records....

ASABA – Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability in the dis…

14/05/2026

Fubara denies defection, reaffirms loyalty to APC

PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed speculations that he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Fubara clarified his political stance during an inspection tour of the newly constructed General Hospital and the remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of the state....

PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed speculations that he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of …

14/05/2026

BNC seeks strategic partnerships, reassures on improved service delivery

BENIN CITY - The management team of Bendel Newspapers Corporation (BNC), publishers of The Observer titles, has paid courtesy visits to the Edo State Specialist Hospital and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), with both institutions expressing readiness to partner the organisation. During the visits, the General Manager of BNC, Hon. Peter Odiboh, who led the delegation, said the engagements were aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with the two state establishments....

BENIN CITY – The management team of Bendel Newspapers Corporation (BNC), publishers of The Observer titles, has paid courtesy visits to the Edo State Specialist Hospital and the Edo State Ind…

13/05/2026

Nigeria targets 50% reduction in road crashes by 2030 – FRSC

ABUJA — The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has said that Nigeria is positioning itself to lead Africa in road safety advancement, collaboration and integration. Mohammed stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists, noting that the country aims to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities by 50 percent before 2030. He commended Nigeria’s progress in road safety management, while stressing that more work still needs to be done....

ABUJA — The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has said that Nigeria is positioning itself to lead Africa in road safety advancement, collaboration and integratio…