RWGBLOG NEWS - Keeping You Informed

Former Student Union President and social media activist, Akanto Asogho, has cried out to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Thomas Bariere DSSRS CNA, over his continued detention masterminded by Ledornubari Barry Teeligi an appointee of the council chairman, Speaking with Wazobia FM during a Facebook broadcast, Asogho revealed that he is currently being detained at the Port Harcourt Maximum Prison over allegations which, according to him, have not been clearly stated. He appealed to the Khana LGA Chairman and members of the public to intervene and come to his aid, expressing concern over his continued detention. Asogho urged relevant authorities and concerned individuals to look into his situation and ensure that justice is served.

Two Nigerian men have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment each by a Ghanaian court after they were convicted of tr@ffickingfellow Nigerians into Ghana with fake job promises and forcing them into cybercrime.  The convicts, Kingsley Ndifon (29) and Emmanuel Akong (25), were found guilty of human tr@fficking and causing harm by Circuit Court ‘B’ in Tema following a full trial.  According to the Ghana Police Service, the pair lured Nigerians to Ghana under the pretext of securing employment. However, upon arrival, the victims were held captive, stripped of their phones and identity cards, and forced to carry out internet fr@ud using laptops supplied by the suspects.  The suspects were arrested on August 20, 2023, at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema, after the Afienya District Police Command received a distress call reporting that several people were being held against their will. A police team, with the support of local residents, raided the location, rescued 11 N...

US President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign to restrict birthright citizenship, signing a new order targeting foreigners who he says travel to the United States under the guise of tourism but actually intend to give birth there. The move is part of Trump’s wider effort to tighten US immigration rules and could affect Nigerians and other foreign nationals who travel to the country to have their children. “They’ve taken birthright citizenship and they’ve made a joke out of it,” Trump told journalists in the Oval Office. Trump had previously signed an executive order seeking to deny automatic US citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas. However, lower courts blocked the measure, citing the 14th Amendment, which states that people born or naturalised in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. The US Supreme Court later ruled against Trump’s previous effort in a late-June decision, which Trump d...

Dr. Damilola Odukoya has shared an inspiring account of how she returned to education at 37, nearly two decades after her first JAMB attempt, to pursue her dream of becoming a medical doctor. At the time, Odukoya was already married, a mother of three and working full-time as a laboratory technician in a hospital. Despite having an established career and family responsibilities, she decided to sit for JAMB again and eventually gained admission to study Medicine at the University of Lagos. Her journey through medical school came with significant challenges as she had to combine her studies with raising three children, including an infant. She also took a study leave from work so she could focus fully on her medical education. Being much older than most of her classmates, Odukoya was affectionately called “Mummy” by some of her younger colleagues. However, she refused to allow her age or circumstances to discourage her. Her journey also came with personal challenges, includin...

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has threatened to involve United States President Donald Trump if anything goes wrong with the forthcoming Osun State governorship election. Davido made the statement during a livestream hosted by Carter Efe, while speaking about his plans to venture into politics and his concerns about Nigeria’s electoral system. The singer said he would only go into politics when there is transparency in the electoral process, insisting that he is confident of winning any election conducted freely and fairly. “Until there’s transparency, then I can go ahead with politics because nobody can beat me in any election. If there’s a free and fair election, let everybody come out to vote, I will win. But because of the system, there’s no transparency; they write the results.” Speaking specifically about the Osun election, Davido said he was watching to see how the process would unfold. “I want to see what they are going to do in Osun....

Popular Rivers State music artist, Tamunotonye G. Olowosuko, popularly known as Gbenga Olowo,  (the Lanmaya King) has been appointed Director of Creative Affairs of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Gbenga Olowo, the crooner of the hit song Lanmaya, is also a former PMAN Governor and the Chief Executive Officer of Olowo Recordz. His appointment follows the successful hosting of the Rivers State NDC Campaign Song Challenge, an event that attracted prominent personalities, including the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs. During the programme, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs rewarded finalists of the competition with cash prizes worth millions of naira, reaffirming his commitment to support and encourage the creative industry in Rivers State.  Rivers people, his fans, friends and stakeholders are sending congratulatory messages to Gbenga Olowo on his new appointment, describing it as a well-deserved recognition ...

Popular Anambra-based cleric, Chukwuemeka ‘Odumeje’ Ohanaemere, has alleged that Nigerians publicly supporting President Bola Tinubu and his administration have been “bribed.”  In a video circulating on social media, Odumeje criticised the President’s recent comments on hunger, accusing political leaders of prioritising personal and family interests over the welfare of citizens. “ Anyone you see singing praises for the current government is doing so because that person has been bribed. You are there to manage our resources, not your personal business or your family’s business. These resources belong to every Nigerian citizen,” he said.  Reacting to Tinubu’s statement that “there’s hunger before I was born,” the cleric accused governors and senators defending the President of doing so for personal gain.  He said, “In 2027, we shall decide if it’s you, governor or senator, whose family owns Nigeria, or whether all of us own Nigeria. We are no longer boys; we are...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court to vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government and to discontinue related actions. He stated that he felt “deeply embarrassed” not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate under a court order, but by the timing of the action. “Every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action,” the statement read. President Tinubu reaffirmed his longstanding position that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must operate independently, professionally, and without political interference. He noted that he has deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative agency. However, he said the timing was “inauspicious” because Osun State is ...

The Ogoni Youth Embassy, Babbe District in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has rejected calls by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) for the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Environment over the ongoing Ogoni Clean-up Programme. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the group described the demand for the minister's resignation as "misplaced" and said it does not represent the views of many Ogoni youths and community members who have witnessed progress in the implementation of the clean-up exercise. According to the group, the Ogoni people have waited for environmental restoration for decades, and despite existing challenges, there are visible improvements through environmental remediation projects, water schemes, livelihood programmes, and institutional reforms. The Ogoni Youth Embassy argued that these achievements should be strengthened rather than undermined by what it described as campaigns capable of distracting those responsibl...

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has responded to Afrobeats star Davido after the singer urged an unnamed politician from Imo State to allow a free and fair governorship election in Osun. Davido, who is leading the youth campaign mobilisation for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, had alleged that an Imo politician planned to interfere in the election and urged the individual to allow Osun residents decide their leader peacefully. Reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, Uzodimma said: “It is rather pedestrian for Davido to direct such an appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum simply because his wife is from Imo State. Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the election’s outcome through their votes.” He added that he remains committed to “a peaceful, free, and credible election” and said the APC would continue to canvass support for its g...

The  (OLI) has called for the immediate resignation of Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Environment over what it described as the alleged gross mismanagement of the Ogoni Clean-up project. In a press statement signed by the organization's president, Dr. Fabeke Douglas, OLI disclosed that it had submitted an official letter to the Minister's office in Abuja before his departure for an international engagement, demanding his immediate resignation. According to the group, the demand follows fresh findings from its ongoing investigation into the implementation of the Ogoni Clean-up programme. OLI alleged that a ₦22 billion contract for the assessment and characterization of contaminated soil in Ogoniland was awarded to a company that allegedly lacked the required qualifications and technical capacity to execute the project. The organization also claimed that about ₦28 billion was spent on water projects across Ogoniland that remain non-functional despite being commi...

The Governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Rivers State, High Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs has once again, encouraged youths in the creative industry in the state to always dream big and aim higher in the pursuit of their life's goals and ambitions. Lulu gave the charge during the finals of the NDC Song challenge held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, July 1st 2026, jointly organised by the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress & Olowo Recordz, aimed at unearthing creative potentials in aspiring/upcoming artists in the state to showcase their artistry skills. The gubernatorial candidate, who is a renowned philanthropist and has carved a niche for himself in the oil & gas industry, personally monitored the week-long talent haunt and graced the grand finale to the delight of participants. While organisers of the competition had originally pegged the grand prize for the winner of the talent haunt at One Million Naira, ...

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, the pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, on multiple charges. According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the investigation began after Instagram submitted a cyber tip reporting suspected inappropriate communication between an adult and a child. During an interview with investigators, the alleged victim said he met Chaneyfield on a dating app before the two continued communicating through Instagram. Investigators allege that Chaneyfield picked the child up from his neighborhood on three separate occasions, took him to his home, and s+xually ab¥sed him. Authorities also said that during a phone conversation, Chaneyfield allegedly told the child he wanted to continue having s+xual relations with him. He also reportedly mentioned that he was traveling to Baltimore for work. Investigators also discovered that Chaneyfield served as a chaplain with Compassionate Care Hosp...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days before the state’s governorship election. The account, which is reportedly used to pay workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status, preventing withdrawals and other debit transactions. The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke claimed the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials. In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the move as an attempt to disrupt government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke also argued that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government. A source close to the governor confirmed that the account had been frozen and said Adeleke would address the public on the matter. As of the time of filing the report...

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced 55-year-old John Nwawuto Anoruo for impersonating a legal practitioner and using a forged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal. Justice A.M. Lawal convicted Anoruo after he pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonation and using a counterfeit NBA seal. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Anoruo, who operated a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, was arrested after investigations revealed that a petition and a subsequent withdrawal letter he submitted on behalf of clients bore a forged NBA seal. Investigators said Anoruo claimed he obtained a law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2018 through evening classes but admitted he never attended the Nigerian Law School and was therefore not qualified to practise law in Nigeria. The EFCC further discovered that the Supreme Court enrolment number on the NBA seal he used belonged to another lawyer. Anoruo also admitted ...

The spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, has seemingly thrown her support behind singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, amid the ongoing family dispute involving his twin brother, Paul Okoye, and elder brother, Jude Okoye. Josephine shared a throwback photo of herself with Peter on Facebook on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, recalling that they met ten years ago at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. Captioning the photo, she wrote: “How time flies. Ten years ago (2016), I met my all-time fav Mr Psquare at the NPF Force Headquarters Abuja #IbelievePeter.” Her post comes as Peter remains embroiled in a public fallout with his brothers over the management and ownership of assets linked to the former music duo, Psquare.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has urged Nigerian youths to reject political thuggery ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that politicians often send other people’s children into d@nger while protecting their own.  Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 15th Anglican Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers Conference (ACRLOC) in Abuja, Ndukuba said, “Never serve as a thug for any politician because what they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do. They give them money for drugs. We want our young people to shun every thuggery and every act of vi%lence.”  He also encouraged Christians to actively participate in politics by registering with political parties, obtaining their membership cards and taking part in choosing party candidates, stressing that politics influences every aspect of national life.  According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve credible ele...

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the administration deserves commendation rather than condemnation for its efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy. Shettima made the remarks on Monday at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where he said the reforms were beginning to produce positive results, particularly in attracting investment and strengthening the country’s foreign reserves. The vice-president noted that the administration inherited significant economic challenges but said Nigeria had recorded notable improvements under Tinubu. Addressing Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the event, Shettima said, “Professor Soludo, you have done a lot of things for the federal government, especially in informing Nigerians where we were coming from, from reserves of $3 billion. “When we were experiencing capital plight and scarcity, now we are experiencing capital inflows. “Our foreign reserves have ...

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening unemployment crisis, saying many young graduates can no longer think about marriage or building a future because they cannot find jobs.  Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja reflected on Nigeria’s economic situation following the recent meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu.  Onaiyekan said the true measure of any government’s success should be the well-being of its citizens rather than economic indicators such as GDP or reports from international institutions.  He said: “If we admit that the role of government is the welfare of citizens, then it means we are not going to judge the success of our government on the basis of the statistics from GDP, from the World Bank, or whatever. The important thing is, what, how is the life of the N...

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, Comr. Nwisabari Bani Samuel, has called on Mr. Chijioke Ihunwo to immediately dissolve all allegedly sponsored parallel NYCN factions in the state if his recent alignment with the political leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , is a genuine commitment to peace. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Bani said the Council welcomed every Rivers indigene who chooses to embrace the rule of law and peaceful coexistence, noting that the NYCN had long aligned with Wike's leadership because of its belief in constitutional governance and the sustainable development of Rivers State. He recalled that when the Council adopted that position, its members were heavily criticized, mocked, and politically attacked by opponents, including Chijioke Ihunwo and his supporters. According to the NYCN Chairman, those who once ridiculed supporters of the Rainbow Coalition through politi...

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of HYPREP and Political Leader of Khana and Ogoni, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, has commended the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Dr. Thomas Bariere, DSSRS, CNA, for his steadfast leadership and commitment to promoting peace and security in Khana. During a condolence visit to the Council over the tragic killing of Mr. Letam Kine (Langa), Rt. Hon. Deeyah declared his full support for the resolutions of the Khana Stakeholders' Meeting held on 19th July, 2026. He assured the Executive Chairman of his unwavering support and urged him not to be intimidated by blackmail or distracted by unfounded criticism, but to remain focused and continue the good work of restoring lasting peace, security, and development in Khana. In his response, Chief Dr. Thomas Bariere appreciated the HYPREP BOT Chairman for the visit, encouragement, and endorsement, reaffirming his administration's commitment to working with s...

Health experts have warned mothers against denying their babies breast milk because of the misconception that br£astfeeding causes br£asts to sag, stressing that br£ast sagging occurs naturally with age.  The warning was given on Monday during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi.  Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said some women avoid br£astfeeding because they believe it makes them look older.  “Br£astfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your br£asts naturally fall with age whether you give it to your children or not,” Mohammed said.  He warned that denying babies exclusive br£astfeeding increases their risk of malnutrition and other preventable childhood illnesses.  Also speaking, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Chief, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described br£astfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice and said this year’s theme,...

A new report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that the apex bank spent ₦464 billion on printing, distributing, processing and destroying worn-out naira notes in 2025.  The amount represents a 94% increase from the ₦238.6 billion spent in 2024, making currency issuance one of the CBN’s biggest operational expenses during the year.  The report also showed that the CBN and its subsidiaries spent ₦416 billion on personnel costs, including ₦56.2 billion on salaries, ₦28.2 billion on defined benefit plans, ₦226 billion on staff allowances and ₦87.1 billion on other staff expenses.  In addition, the report revealed that losses from digital payment fraud dropped significantly to ₦25.85 billion in 2025 from ₦52.26 billion in 2024.  Despite the improvement, the CBN warned that cyber threats, systemic risks, the dominance of a few major payment service providers and the activities of unlicensed operators continue to pose risks to Nigeria’s financial...

In a landmark achievement for the Ogoni people, Rivers State, and Nigeria at large, Dr. (Amb.) Nnordee Bariagara King David, an illustrious son of Kaani Community and one of the youngest holders of three doctoral degrees, has been appointed as the Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Social Impact of Appleton Private University, Spain. The prestigious appointment is a testament to Dr. King David's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, visionary leadership, sustainable development, humanitarian service, and global educational advancement. Over the years, he has distinguished himself through exceptional contributions to leadership development, institutional growth, corporate governance, and community transformation, earning widespread recognition across Africa and beyond. As Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Social Impact, Dr. King David will provide strategic leadership in advancing the University's commitment to sustainability, social innovation, global partn...

Chijioke Ihunwo has announced his decision to join the Rainbows Coalition, pledging full support for OK Chinda and the President. Ihunwo made the statement today during an appearance on a programme on Nigerian Info 92.3FM in Port Harcourt. According to Ihunwo, the move is in line with directives from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He said members of the group are obeying the governor’s instructions as they align with the coalition. Ihunwo emphasized that the decision reflects loyalty to the governor’s leadership and a commitment to work under the Rainbows Coalition in support of OK Chinda and the President.

Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has criticised Afrobeats, arguing that many songs in the genre lack meaningful content and are negatively influencing young people.  Speaking during the church’s Mid-year Worship Concert, Enenche announced a Youth Fire Night scheduled for September 25 and encouraged gospel artistes, including Prinx Emmanuel, to make themselves available as part of efforts to inspire youths through faith-based music.  “It is better to have music that is saying something that youth is hearing than the garbage that worldly musicians sing,” he said.  Enenche went on to criticise the content and lifestyle he believes many Afrobeats artistes promote, saying, “Most of those Afrobeats are just saying rubbish. Smoking Indian h+mp while they are singing and influencing the youths in negative ways.”  According to him, providing young people with better alternatives through gospel music can help steer them away fr...

Brian Barile, a social commentator and professional painter from Sogho Community in Ogoniland, has raised concerns over the alleged abandonment of a water project initiated by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in his community. In a video shared on his Facebook page, Barile expressed disappointment over the project's current state, stating that its announcement initially brought hope and excitement to residents, many of whom had experienced unfulfilled promises of similar projects from government officials and politicians in the past. According to him, the project has remained abandoned, and he further alleged that individuals have been stationed at the site to prevent residents and visitors from taking photographs or recording videos that could attract media attention. «"What is even more surprising is that instead of HYPREP or the contractors returning to complete this important water project, someone has been stationed there to monitor the s...