RWGBLOG NEWS - Keeping You Informed

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.854 trillion to the Rivers State House of Assembly for consideration and approval. The budget, titled "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development," represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the 2025 budget.  Governor Fubara attributed the increase to improved allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and sustained economic growth. The proposed budget projects internally generated revenue of ₦487.6 billion, FAAC allocation of about ₦936 billion, and capital receipts of about ₦382.4 billion.  On the expenditure side, the governor proposed ₦413.1 billion for recurrent spending. This includes ₦154.7 billion for salaries, ₦15.2 billion for new recruitment, ₦36.7 billion for overhead costs of ministries, departments and agencies, ₦20 billion each for gratuities and monthly pensions, and ₦5 billion for insurance.  Governor Fubara also announced a 50 per c...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former staff member of Access Bank, Chinonso Akujobi, over the alleged th£ft of N294.5 million from customers’ accounts in Lagos. Akujobi was brought before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on a five-count charge bordering on st£aling. According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly diverted a total of N294,595,992 while employed by the bank. One of the charges alleged that between January and December 2025, Akujobi “with a dishonest intent, and while under the employment of Access Bank Plc, st@le and converted for your own use, by unauthorized payments from the general ledger of the bank to your Access Bank account, the sum of N109,325,566.86.” The EFCC further alleged that the funds were transferred into accounts bearing the names Chinonso A., Uchechi A., and Florence A. Akujobi pleaded not guilty to all five ...

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, says the Federal Government has increased the monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 as part of efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel.  Speaking during an interview with News Central, Musa said the pay raise demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces.  “When they started, a soldier was collecting ₦49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting ₦100,000.”  Despite the increase, the minister admitted that the current defence budget remains inadequate to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges “It’s not enough.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has appealed to leaders, parents and guardians across the South East to encourage more young people to join the Nigerian Army, lamenting that the region has consistently failed to fill its recruitment quota.  Speaking during the passing-out parade of 2,989 regular recruits at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, Shaibu said the newly established depot was created to boost enlistment from the South East and urged communities to embrace the opportunity.  “The recruitment quota from this zone has not been fully utilised. This should not continue,” he said, adding that military service is an honourable path of patriotism, leadership and national service. He called on community leaders, parents, guardians and elders to encourage young men and women to enlist.  The Army Chief told the new soldiers that Nigeria’s security challenges—including t+rrorism, ins¥rgency, b+nditry, separatist violenc...

In a significant political realignment in Rivers State, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Hon. Darlington Orji, alongside former Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Collins Onunwo, have reportedly parted ways with the governor’s camp and realigned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.  The development, which has sent ripples through the state’s political circles, underscores the ongoing power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who remains a dominant figure in Rivers politics. Hon. Darlington Orji served as a key ally to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, particularly in the capacity of Senior Special Assistant on Political Affairs. He was among loyalists who stood by Fubara during the intense political crisis that rocked the state in 2023–2024, involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and disputes over control of the party structure. Similarly, Hon. Collins Onunwo, a former...

Special adviser to the president on media and policy communications, Daniel Bwala has said that many Nigerians who moved abroad in search of greener pastures are facing harsh economic realities despite holding advanced degrees.  Speaking on The Morayo Show, Bwala said some Nigerians in the United Kingdom are working jobs that do not match their educational qualifications.  “Some of you in Nigeria who think you are suffering, you’re better off than your colleagues that japa five years ago,” Bwala said.  He described the situation as a form of modern-day exploitation, noting that many degree holders end up working in care homes and warehouses.  “As far as I am concerned, it is modern-day slavery,” he stated.  According to him, although workers may earn about £2,600 to £2,800 monthly, most of the income is spent on rent, utilities, internet, transportation, and feeding, leaving little savings.  “At the end of the day, what you are left with is not ...

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has ordered security personnel to immediately engage and neutralise bandits and t+rrorists once deployed, warning that any operative who delays action while waiting for approval would be regarded as a t+rrorist. Musa issued the directive on Wednesday in Sokoto State during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and other security equipment worth N27.1 billion, procured by the Sokoto State Government to boost security operations across the state. Addressing the troops, the Defence Minister declared, “Once you’re are deployed do not wait for any order from anybody to to sh++t any bandit or any t+rrorist. I want to make that very loud and clear;  anybody who refuses to sh++t or k+ll any bandit or t+rrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit.” He also urged security personnel to ensure proper maintenance of the newly acquired equipment, noting the huge investment made by the state gov...

United States President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is over, stating that he no longer wants to continue dealing with Iranian officials.  Speaking at the Ankara summit, Trump accused Iran’s leadership of dishonesty and described further engagement with them as a waste of time.  “The ceasefire between us and Iran is over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they are sc¥m,” Trump said.  The US president stated that previous agreements reached during negotiations were later denied by Iranian officials, claiming that commitments made privately were contradicted in public statements.  Trump said his negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, remained capable of handling discussions if Iran was willing to return to serious negotiations.  His comments come amid renewed tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation between both countries.

NDC presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has alleged that he is being deliberately targeted by the current administration, claiming that the government’s actions have made it increasingly difficult for him to carry out his daily activities and political engagements.  Speaking during an interview with Chude, Obi said he sometimes fears he may not even be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election if the current situation continues.  “With the way this government is going, I may not even be alive to contest the 2027 election. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is deliberately frustrating. I face frustration every day.”  He alleged that the intimidation extends to public spaces, recounting an incident at an airport where he said officials locked his vehicle despite other cars being allowed to park in the same area.  “They recently locked my car at the airport. I looked around and saw other cars parked there, yet mine was singled out...

Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has described Nigeria’s current economic and security situation as the worst he has experienced, saying the level of hardship facing citizens has become deeply troubling.  Speaking during an interview on Nevon Media, Momodu said the country’s economic realities have become so severe that he now feels anxious whenever he opens messages on his phone because many are from people asking for financial help.  “The economy of Nigeria these days, even for me to open some messages on my phone, I’m scared, because everyone is begging. The suffering of the people, then of course, insecurity has never been this bad.”  Reflecting on his age and experience, Momodu said he has lived through several difficult periods in Nigeria’s history but believes the current crisis stands out.  “I’m 66, approaching 67. So I’m old enough to know and understand the challenges we’ve encountered in Nigeria before now. Nothing can equal this....

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated David Amapakaye Okumgba as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election. The announcement was made in a statement by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, who described Okumgba as an experienced administrator and political leader with extensive experience in party administration. According to the ADC, Okumgba's experience and understanding of Rivers State's political landscape make him a strong running mate to the party's governorship candidate, Gabriel Pidomson.  The party said the ticket represents competence, accountability and a shared vision for good governance and economic development, while urging members and supporters to rally behind the candidates ahead of the election.

Thousands of residents of Port Harcourt have expressed frustration after allegedly losing millions of naira to investment platforms known as NRC and M-TAG, which many now describe as a Ponzi scheme. Several victims who spoke to RwGBlog News narrated how they invested substantial amounts of money in the platforms after being promised high returns and attractive promotional bonuses. One of the victims told RwGBlog News that he invested over ₦7 million after being assured that his capital would be returned while the company traded with its own bonus funds. He disclosed that the money belonged to a contribution group under his care and had not yet been distributed to its rightful owners. Another resident, who said he did not invest in the scheme, criticized the growing trend of Nigerians investing in unrealistic ventures. «"Nigerians never seem to learn. If another platform like this appears today, many people will still invest. How can someone promise to pay you ₦10,000 e...

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law sweeping constitutional amendments that will extend his time in office by two years until 2030 and abolish direct presidential elections. The changes, announced on Tuesday, have sparked outrage among opposition figures, who describe the move as a “constitutional coup” aimed at cementing the ruling Zanu-PF party’s grip on power. Confirming the development, senior Information Ministry official Nick Mangwana wrote on X: “SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED — IT’S NOW LAW,” alongside a copy of the newly enacted legislation. Among the most significant changes is a provision extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. Another amendment transfers the power to choose the president from voters to parliament, effectively ending direct presidential elections that have been in place since 1987. The constitutional amendments were approved by both chambers of parliament before being finalised by the Nationa...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the activities of a fictitious organisation called the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and the individuals behind it. The directive, issued on Tuesday, requires the ICPC to conclude its probe and submit a comprehensive report to the President within 30 days. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the so-called PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government, nor does it have any legal backing through law, executive order, or presidential approval. Impersonation and Forgery Alleged One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to be a presidential appointee. The ICPC has been tasked with investigating forged appointment letters and other off...

Official documents obtained by our newsroom have raised questions over proposed contract variations totaling more than ₦62.55 billion for two major projects under the Ogoni Cleanup Programme. A HYPREP Weekly Report covering the week ending 22 June 2026 indicates that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) had reached an overall completion level of 96.64 percent . According to the report, construction works stood at 96.78 percent , electrical installations at 96.46 percent , fittings and installations at 96.66 percent , landscaping and tree planting at 98.76 percent , and finishing works at 96.58 percent . The report also lists only a few outstanding activities, including the installation of lightning protection and earthing systems, perimeter CCTV works, external landscaping, concrete pavement, solar street lights, painting of the main auditorium, and tiling of the main entrance wall. It further notes delayed payment of fluctuation costs as one ...

As political conversations ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue to gather momentum, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims that Labour Party’s Peter Obi poses any political thr+at to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak Show on Tuesday, July 7, Umahi insisted that neither President Tinubu nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has any reason to fear Obi’s growing political influence. “Even I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi. He is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president,” the minister said. Umahi also criticised Obi’s eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the former governor lacks the moral authority to call on Presid...

Fresh diplomatic tensions have emerged between Ghana and South Africa after the Ghanaian government declined to host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a planned state visit, citing concerns over the reported k+lling of a Ghanaian citizen and alleged xenophobic att@cks against its nationals. Ramaphosa had been expected to visit Ghana in the first week of August to strengthen the longstanding relationship between both countries. However, Ghanaian authorities said the visit could not go ahead until concerns over the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa are adequately addressed. The decision follows the d+ath of 40-year-old Ghanaian fashion designer Bashiru Isak, who Ghana says was sh+t d£ad during demonstrations linked to renewed anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa’s Khayelitsha township on June 30. Ghana has formally protested to South African authorities, describing the incident as a senseless act of xenophobic v+olence and insisting that those responsible...

Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Matters, has defended the country’s economic situation, arguing that the rising cost of food and rent is also benefiting many Nigerians.  Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Fasua said those profiting from higher prices are largely Nigerians, including farmers, traders, importers and landlords.  “You are complaining about rising food prices. When the price of food goes up, who makes the money? Farmers make the money; traders make the money; importers make the money. They are Nigerians,” he said.  Addressing concerns over the surge in rental costs, Fasua added that Nigerian landlords are also benefiting from the increase.  “People complain about high rental prices. Who is making the money? Nigerian landlords! They are making money right now as we speak. So call it a 50-50. Things are not as bad as you claim,” he stated.  His remarks come amid continued publ...

A court in eastern China has sentenced former Nanjing city official Yang Youlin, 69, to d+ath after convicting him of accepting more than 2.2 billion yuan ($325 million/£243 million) in bribes over a 30-year period.  Yang, who held various government positions in Nanjing between 1993 and 2023, was also found guilty of embezzlement, abuse of power, and money laundering. Authorities said his illegal earnings rank among the largest recorded in recent years.  According to Chinese state media, Yang used his official positions to help individuals obtain engineering contracts, land transfers, and financing in exchange for cash and other valuables.  His prosecution came as part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted senior officials across sectors including the military and banking.  The Changzhou Intermediate People’s Court ruled that Yang’s crimes were “extremely serious” and caused “exceptionally heavy losses to the inte...

A video of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the centre of the alleged ₦1.3bn “ghost agency” scandal, has resurfaced online on Monday as the controversy surrounding the purported government agency continues to intensify. The video, recorded during a press conference held in late June 2026, showed Adeyemi defending his claim to the leadership of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council while challenging the position of the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, FemiGbajabiamila. During the briefing, Adeyemi questioned how an agency described by the Presidency as non-existent could appear in official budget documents. According to him, “the national budget does not emerge in isolation. It passes through multiple layers of technical drafting, executive coordination, ministerial inputs, Budget Office review, and finally legislative scrutiny by both chambers of the National Assembly.”

Mrs. Lateef Rukayat, a roadside roasted corn seller in Ibadan, has narrated how she abandoned her hairdressing profession for the roasted corn business to support her family, saying the trade has enabled her to train two of her six children in higher institutions.  Speaking with Tribune On The Street, Rukayat said the popular belief that roasted corn requires little capital is no longer true due to inflation. Although a bag of corn, which previously sold for between ₦30,000 and ₦35,000, now costs about ₦15,000, she said traders still spend heavily on transportation, charcoal and packaging materials, making the business difficult to start.  “Hairdresser is my hard-earned work; it’s my early dream work, and I did freedom after completion,” she said. “I started roasting corn when my hairdressing business was not moving. All my children are in school, with two of them in higher institutions.”  Rukayat disclosed that she ventured into the business in January 2021 w...

Medical experts have linked the rise in new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Nigeria to declining donor funding, worsening poverty, and reduced awareness campaigns, warning that the trend could reverse years of progress in controlling the disease. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, Nigeria recorded 102,025 new HIV infections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025. The physicians said funding cuts have weakened HIV prevention programmes, testing services, counselling, education, and community support, while worsening economic hardship has increased the risk of HIV transmission. Tuberculosis and HIV specialist Dr. Dan Onwujekwe said worsening poverty has pushed many Nigerians to seek care at unregistered health facilities where unsafe practices, such as reusing syringes and needles, increase the risk of HIV and other infections. He added that sharing sharp inst...

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the administration of President Donald Trump will closely monitor how Nigeria conducts its 2027 general elections. Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV published on Sunday while responding to questions about Nigeria’s next general election. Speaking on whether the US could do more to support credible elections in Nigeria, Moore said Washington would pay close attention to how the elections are conducted and their outcome. “What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. And that’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to.” The lawmaker also disclosed that the US House of Representatives is considering an appropriations bill containing provisions relating to Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and US s...

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the growing thre@t of internet fra¥d, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, recounting how fra¥dsters emptied ₦7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in the middle of the night. Olukoyede shared the incident while speaking at the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye. According to him, he was awakened around 1 a.m. by a distress call from a serving judge in one of the South-South states, who had just fallen victim to cybercr+minals. He explained that the judge said she had been saving the money for six years to pay her child’s school fees. She was alerted by multiple debit notifications that came in around midnight, and before she could stop the transactions, about ₦7.2 million had been withdrawn from her account. Olukoyede revealed that the incident occurred in the same state where a court ha...

The BOT Chairman of Ken Saro Security Surveillance Limited, Mr. Bright Nwinyodee, has recently made several allegations against the King of Yeghe, His Royal Majesty Solomon Ndigbara, and the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Thomas Bariere. In a recent video that is trending online, Bright alleges that the king has been involved in many of the criminal and kidnapping activities taking place in Ogoniland. He further alleges that after participating in the Federal Government's amnesty programme introduced by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, King Solomon Ndigbara continued his alleged criminal activities in Ogoniland, including the killing of some prominent sons of Ogoni. He also alleges that Solomon Ndigbara killed a high-profile lecturer in his community. Bright further alleges that Solomon Ndigbara was responsible for the deaths of some prominent sons of Kaani. "Solomon Ndigbara killed two prominent sons of Kaani, Barilee Jack and P.O.," he a...

Wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, has urged men to treat and care for their wives while they are financially comfortable, saying such kindness is often repaid during difficult times. Speaking in a message directed at men, Uzodimma said every woman desires the best for her husband and is more likely to stand by him when challenges arise if she has been well cared for. “To all the men out there, once you start making money, take good care of your wife because every woman wants the best for her husband. If you take care of your wife while you have money, when the chips are down, she will also take care of you,” she said. She, however, stressed that wealth should not be the foundation of a relationship, adding, “Even though, money is not everything.”

Veteran Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has said love and marriage are not sc@ms, insisting that the real problem lies with people who enter relationships purely for financial gain. Speaking during an interview with BBC News Pidgin, the actor said relationships become fra¥dulent when one partner secretly uses the other as a “meal.” “Love and marriage no be scam, but e get people wey dey hungry wey dey use relationship as meal ticket. Dat na where e become scam,” he said. Emeka described genuine love as “beautiful” and stressed that relationships should be built on sincerity rather than hidden motives or financial expectations. He criticised the growing trend of some women entering relationships mainly to benefit from wealthy men, saying, “Relationship suppose to dey sacred. Love na di foundation and pillar of every good relationship.” The actor urged Nigerians to stop pretending to be in love while pursuing selfish interests, adding that mature relationships require understanding...

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has shared a powerful testimony of how God can transform humble beginnings into global impact. Reflecting on his journey, the senior pastor recounted growing up in Agbole Oloya, a modest community in Yorubaland, before being sent to the United Kingdom, where he went on to plant what he described as the largest church established in Britain since the arrival of Christianity. According to him, the remarkable growth of the ministry attracted the attention of leading academic institutions, with both Oxford University and Cambridge University studying the church and its impact. Using his own story to inspire others, Ashimolowo encouraged believers never to despise small beginnings, declaring that God is able to raise greatness from the most unlikely places. Praying over the congregation, he declared that their children and grandchildren would not fail, but would become carriers of testimony, greatness, and divine purpose.

Former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has accused Peter Obi of betraying him by instituting what he described as a frivolous defamation lawsuit, while contrasting Obi’s actions with those of Atiku Abubakar. Speaking during an interview, Okonkwo said he ended his relationship with Obi in July 2024 after publicly declaring that he was no longer speaking on his behalf because he believed the former Anambra governor was “not decisive” and lacked the qualities required to lead Nigeria. “As a public affairs analyst that I have been since 2009, I simply continued with my job. I made it public that I was no longer speaking for him because he’s not decisive. I’ve seen certain qualities in him that would make him unfit to be President,” he said. Okonkwo recalled that although he had criticised Atiku more than Obi, the former vice president never took offence. Instead, he said Atiku recognised his passion for national development and his abilit...

Former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s socio-economic decline, blaming poor leadership, corr¥ption, weak infrastructure and unemployment for the country’s inability to reach its full potential. Adesina made the remarks while delivering a paper titled “Nigeria’s Kinetics: How Long?” at the first annual public lecture organised by the Foursquare Gospel Church, Aba Ibeji, held at Mauve 21 in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to him, Nigeria has everything needed for growth and development, including a large youthful population, abundant natural resources, fertile land and a favourable geographical location. However, he said these advantages have not translated into prosperity. “Nigeria is endowed with both human and natural resources but unfortunately it has not translated to wealth,” Adesina said. He noted that corr¥ption, poor governance, weak infrastruct...

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of running a fake agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has vowed to clear his name, saying he is ready to face the law.  Recall that on Wednesday, July 1, the Presidency denied knowledge of the said agency. A statement released by presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that Adeyemi is being investigated by security agents and will be charged to court on July 27. The statement added that Adeyemi claimed he was given an appointment letter by President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, but that the claim has since been denied by Gbajabiamila. In a chat with Channels TV this evening, Adeyemi said he was ready to defend himself, insisting that he was lawfully appointed to head the organisation. When asked if he was ready to face the law, he said  “Definitely, sir. If I’m wrong, let the court of law do that, and if I’m right, let the court of law do that; do the right thing.” He de...

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will not relent in its efforts to develop the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the country. Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Old Keffi Road from Kado Fish Market to Deidei, Tinubu said the project would boost economic activities by reducing travel time, lowering transportation costs, and improving the movement of people and goods. “We have cut travel time, we have cut the cost for residents, goods would now move faster, markets would breathe, and workers would get to their destinations and their jobs with less stress. And I dare say that prosperity will increase for the people of this environment,” he said. Tinubu also praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for the “Light Up Abuja” initiative, describing it as a clear example of the dividends of democracy. “Through your L...