A major economic collaboration has been sealed between Ogun State and the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM), as both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, education, housing, and port development.

The agreement was formalized on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, with Governor Dapo Abiodun representing Ogun State and Mr. Ali Zerouali signing on behalf of Morocco.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Abiodun emphasized that the partnership would allow Ogun State to benefit from Morocco’s expertise in hydro, solar, and gas energy, with the goal of reducing electricity costs and enhancing power generation and distribution.

“We want to learn from you how you perfected hydro, solar, and gas energy, which, of course, brings down the cost of energy,” the governor said.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Energy and Infrastructure

Governor Abiodun disclosed that Ogun State requires between 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts to power its industries under the “Light Up Ogun Project.” He expressed optimism that Morocco’s experience in renewable energy solutions would help address the state’s power generation, distribution, and transmission challenges.

Automobile and Manufacturing

The governor also outlined plans to establish an automobile industry in Ogun State in partnership with Moroccan companies. He said the goal is to position the state as a regional hub for vehicle exports to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additionally, Ogun’s Special Economic Zone at Gateway International Airport will serve as a Free Trade Zone, attracting manufacturing and technology transfer from Morocco.

“How do we collaborate with companies in Morocco to bring the automobile industry to Ogun State, where we know that from here, you can easily ship vehicles to all other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?” Abiodun asked.

Agriculture and Agribusiness

The agreement also covers agriculture and agribusiness, with a focus on leveraging Morocco’s leadership in fertilizer production. Governor Abiodun expressed hope that a large-scale fertilizer plant planned for Nigeria could be sited in Ogun State.

“Morocco today is the largest producer of fertilizer on the continent and one of the biggest exporters. We hope that we can bring that plant to Ogun State,” he stated.

Port Development and Housing

Abiodun revealed that Ogun State is working on the development of the Olokola Deep Seaport, which is expected to be Nigeria’s deepest seaport. He stressed the importance of securing investment to accelerate the project’s completion.

Additionally, he highlighted the state’s ongoing housing projects, noting that despite the 5,000 homes already built, there is still a significant need for more housing solutions.

Education and Vocational Training

The partnership will also extend to technical and vocational education, as Ogun seeks to collaborate with Morocco to strengthen its technical colleges and provide industry-relevant training for Nigerian graduates.

Morocco Reaffirms Commitment

Speaking on behalf of CGEM, Mr. Ali Zerouali reaffirmed Morocco’s readiness to partner with Ogun State across various sectors, particularly in the automobile, agro-food, and education industries. He noted that the collaboration would help deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Morocco.

The agreement marks a significant step in Ogun State’s industrialization drive, promising increased foreign investments and accelerated infrastructure development.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has recently garnered significant attention due to her philanthropic initiatives and public engagements. Her substantial contributions to healthcare and interactions during state visits have sparked diverse reactions across the nation.

₦1 Billion Donation to Combat Tuberculosis

In a landmark move to address Nigeria’s tuberculosis (TB) crisis, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu pledged ₦1 billion to support efforts aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030. This announcement was made during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership. Nigeria ranks sixth globally and first in Africa for TB burden, making this intervention both timely and critical.

Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the collective responsibility in combating TB, stating that ending the epidemic by 2030 is achievable with active support from all stakeholders. She also urged various sectors, including government bodies, private partners, and individuals, to intensify efforts to ensure universal access to quality TB diagnosis and treatment services.

Advocacy for Local Vaccine Manufacturing

Beyond financial contributions, the First Lady has been a vocal advocate for local vaccine production. During the High-Level Event: Political Leadership to End Tuberculosis, she highlighted the importance of local manufacturing in addressing health challenges and ensuring sustainable healthcare solutions for Nigerians. Her advocacy aligns with broader governmental efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and reduce dependency on imported medical products.

Delta State Visit: Mixed Reactions

During a visit to Delta State, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu encountered a spectrum of reactions:

• Nursing Students’ Response: At the Delta State School of Nursing, an incident occurred where the event’s Master of Ceremonies referred to Mrs. Tinubu as “everyone’s mother.” This elicited murmurs and laughter from the students, indicating a rejection of the sentiment. The episode, captured in a viral video, has sparked discussions about the public’s perception of political figures and their roles.
• Traditional Rulers’ Support: Conversely, the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, expressed unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration. He assured Mrs. Tinubu that Delta State would back the President in the 2027 elections, highlighting a segment of the populace that remains aligned with the current leadership.

Public Reactions

The First Lady’s initiatives have ignited varied opinions among Nigerians. While many commend her proactive approach to healthcare challenges, others question the depth and reach of her engagements, debating whether they genuinely address grassroots concerns or are predominantly symbolic. These discussions underscore the complex landscape of public perception surrounding political figures in Nigeria.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s recent activities underscore her influential role in Nigeria’s socio-political arena. Her philanthropic efforts, particularly in healthcare, demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing national issues. However, the mixed reactions to her public engagements reflect the nuanced and multifaceted perceptions of her influence and initiatives. As she continues her endeavors, the Nigerian populace remains attentive, shaping a dynamic discourse around her contributions and the broader implications for the nation’s development.

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State Assembly. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to oversee the state’s administration.

This decision comes after months of escalating political unrest and violence in the oil-rich region, primarily fueled by a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The President’s action has faced widespread criticism from prominent political figures, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and many residents of Rivers State.

Rivers Head of Service resigns from office

One week following the President’s announcement, Rivers State’s Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, resigned from his position. His resignation was made public in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

The statement expressed gratitude for Nwaeke’s contributions to the administration during his brief tenure and wished him well in his future endeavors. It also reaffirmed the Sole Administrator’s commitment to maintaining neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State’s governance.

Ibok-Ete Ibas Appoints

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appointed Dr. Iyingi Brown as the acting Head of Service following the resignation of Dr. George Nwaeke.

Dr. Brown, who was previously the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, will serve in the role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.

In addition to Brown’s appointment, Ibas named Professor Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government. Worika, a professor from Okrika Local Government Area, was chosen after a thorough evaluation of his qualifications and experience.

“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the Administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr. President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect,” a statement from the Rivers State Government House read.

Court Asked To Sack Ibok-Ete Ibas

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been requested to remove the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retired).

President Bola Tinubu is named as the 1st defendant, while Vice Admiral Ibas, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Attorneys-General of the 36 states are listed as defendants from the 2nd to the 39th positions in the suit.

The legal document, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, also asks the court to declare as void “all actions and decisions made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.”

Additionally, the plaintiff seeks a perpetual order of injunction, restraining Tinubu, either personally or through his officers, “from either removing, suspending or otherwise tampering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State or any other State in Nigeria.”

As of now, no hearing date has been set for the case.

Boko Haram insurgents reportedly attacked a military base in Sabon Gari, located in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on Monday, leaving an unconfirmed number of soldiers feared dead.

The attack occurred in the evening when insurgents launched a surprise assault on the military formation, firing sporadically, resulting in multiple casualties, including fatalities and critical injuries.

While full details of the attack remain limited, a local resident, Abba Usman, shared additional insight, mentioning that military reinforcements en route to the scene inadvertently triggered a landmine explosion, which caused injuries and potentially more deaths.

“I don’t have much information, but I can confirm that soldiers were killed in the attack. We also heard that soldiers rushing to the base for reinforcement stepped on something like a bomb, and it exploded,” Usman said.

A military source also corroborated the attack but declined to provide a specific death toll, stating, “There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but the figure is currently unknown.”

When reached for comment, Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, responded via text, saying, “Please, I am out of station, and Sabon Gari is under Sector 2.”

However, Usman Tar, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, confirmed the incident, clarifying that it involved an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) rather than an attack. He stated, “I can confirm there was an IED incident in Wajiroko (under Damboa). What happened was our soldiers stepped on an IED. We lost one soldier, and another was injured. It wasn’t an attack, it was an IED.”

In response to growing security concerns, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called on military commanders and leaders across the country to collaborate more closely with local stakeholders to better address Nigeria’s security challenges. He made this statement during the opening of the First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday.

Oluyede emphasized the need for collaboration with other security agencies, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to combat terrorism and criminal activities effectively. He stressed the importance of fostering teamwork and mutual respect to ensure long-term stability and success in counterterrorism efforts.

Represented by the Chief of Training, Army, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Sadiq Ndalolo, Oluyede urged the commanders to adjust their strategies in response to evolving threats and engage in meaningful exchanges during the seminar.

“These stakeholders are vital in addressing the security issues in your areas. It is crucial to apply situational awareness and communication strategies when engaging with these groups to foster mutual respect and build strong teams,” he said.

The seminar aims to equip the Army’s top commanders with the skills necessary to navigate Nigeria’s increasingly complex security environment.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, commended the Nigerian Army for organizing the seminar, highlighting its significance in enhancing leadership and operational skills.

Maj. Gen. Hilary Nzan, Commander of the 4 Special Forces Command, also acknowledged the importance of the seminar, underscoring the need for innovation and strategic thinking to transform the Nigerian Army’s operations.