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Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara Opens Up

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that he chose not to yield to pressure from his supporters to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in the state, stressing that his decision was driven by the need to safeguard peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

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US President, Donald Trump To Add $100k Fee To H-1B Visa Application In Latest Crackdown On Foreign Workers

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday, September 19, imposing a $100,000 fee on all H1-B visa applications, according to a White House official.

The move marks the latest crackdown by the administration on migrants coming into the US for job opportunities, and is likely intended to limit visa applicants to those from higher financial brackets.

The new order restricts entry under the H-1B visa program unless the application fee is paid, the official said.

The administration views the current H1-B visa program — which admits hundreds of thousands of workers into the US each year — as a way for companies to exploit lower-wage employees, ultimately impacting US salaries.

The new application fee potentially deals a big blow to the technology sector that relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.

Adding new fees “creates disincentive to attract the world’s smartest talent to the U.S.,” said Deedy Das, partner at venture capital firm Menlo Ventures, on X. “If the U.S. ceases to attract the best talent, it drastically reduces its ability to innovate and grow the economy.” 

The $100,000 fee could significantly push up costs for companies. While the new fees may not deter Big Tech, which routinely spends heavily to secure top talent, it could squeeze smaller tech firms and start-ups.

Roughly two-thirds of jobs secured through the program are computer-related, government figures show, but employers also use the visa to bring in engineers, educators and healthcare workers.

India was the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries, while China was a distant second at 11.7%, according to government data.

In the first half of 2025, Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab had more than 10,000 H-1B visas approved, while Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab had over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals each.

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Early Morning Inferno Razes Tailoring Factory In Ibadan

A four-bedroom apartment serving as a tailoring workshop in Ibadan has been destroyed by fire.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Benjamin Alabama junction in the Eleyele area of Ibadan.

It was learnt that equipment and properties worth millions of naira were affected.

No casualty was recorded in the incident, Daily Post reports.

Chairman, Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that incident on Saturday.

In a statement made available to Daily Post, Akinwande noted that the officers of the agency were immediately mobilised to the scene when they were contacted.

He advised residents to report fire incident to the agency on time, while also urging them to provide the correct address in cases of emergency.

“The fire emergency was received through telephoning at exactly 04:15 on Saturday 20th September, 2025. Immediately the address was taken, the fire personnel led by ACFS Bamidele Samsudeen promptly mobilized and responded to the distressed call.

“On getting to the scene of incident, it was the ground floor of a storey residential building of four bedroom flat use as tailoring factory on fire. Our officers swiftly swung into action, the fire was completely curtailed and restricted from affecting the building”.

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Naira Appreciates To N1,530/$ In Parallel Market

The Naira strengthened in the parallel market yesterday, rising to N1,530 per dollar from Wednesday’s rate of N1,537 per dollar.

Likewise the Naira appreciated to N1,490 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the exchange rate for the naira fell to N1,490 per dollar from N1,498 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N8 appreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate widened to N40 per dollar from N39 per dollar on Wednesday.

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I Am President Tinubu’s Agent – Wike Declares

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has declared that he is a proud agent of President Bola Tinubu.
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‎Wike described himself as one of the agents Tinubu is using to fix the problems Nigerians are facing due to bad governance in the past.
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‎He spoke during the official flag-off of the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, Abuja.
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The minister also urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu.

‎”Give support to who needs to do well, Tinubu is doing well and committed to improving the welfare of this country, is committed to see that this country gets to the level where it’s supposed to be.
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‎”Yes, when you are coming from a bad period, you have been patient and patient and then now you require a miracle, that’s what we’re facing.

“You didn’t know that things were terribly bad.You knew that those were terribly bad but someone else has come to fix it. I know that you are impatient.
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‎”I want to appeal to you to continue to be patient, you see how things will turn around. Mr President is working towards it through his agents like us.
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‎”We are agents of Mr President and we are very proud agents, very proud indeed,” Wike said.

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I May Not Be FCT Minister In Two Years Time – Wike

A former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has stated that he may not be the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in two years time.
He stated this on Friday during the official flag-off of the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, Abuja.
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‎He spoke while addressing the timeline of 30 months given to him by a contractor handling a road project in Abuja.
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Wike said: “Thirty months is about two years and I would have left, so let it be something that I would start and we will participate in the inauguration of this particular project. like I said yesterday, Mr. President had said it clearly that under the Renewed Hope agenda, Abuja ought to look like other cities of the world.
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‎”When you travel out, you see the road infrastructure, of course, the road infrastructure brings out the development of the city and when you are flying the night you see the beauty of the city because the roadsides are there and lightning.”
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‎The minister also disclosed efforts to ensure that Abuja is transformed into a world class city under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎”When everywhere is lit up, you said it’s a beautiful city and without road infrastructure to be difficult for you to really compare or say that the city is a world class city.
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‎”I think under the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, we are changing the directive to make sure that Abuja competes with other cities of the world,” he added.
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Tambuwal Is A Consistent Betrayer, Atiku Is Corrupt – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has labeled former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as serial betrayers.
He also accused Atiku of being corrupt.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Wike dismissed Tambuwal’s earlier remarks about choosing Atiku over him in matters of leadership.
“What do you mean by leadership and friendship? You cannot talk about leadership and ignore the person,” Wike said.
“These are people who have been consistently inconsistent. When you are a consistent betrayer, what do you expect?”
Wike further alleged that Tambuwal had positioned himself for a Senate role if Atiku had won the 2023 presidential election, adding that both men were known for switching parties for personal advantage.
On Atiku, Wike said: “Seun, what do you mean by leadership and friendship? You cannot talk about leadership and you do not talk about the person. I was privileged to have these clips with me and luckily for me, I have never come out on National Television to talk about Aminu Tambuwal but this is an opportunity to talk about him and I will tell you. He said he trusts Atiku in terms of leadership. Seun, why not? These are people that have been consistently inconsistent. You know when you are a consistent betrayer, what do you expect? Now birds of the same feather flock together. There is no way Aminu will not go along with Atiku knowing fully well they are dissidents. When you hear Tambuwal talking, we from the Niger Delta, sometimes when you go to pick snail, you see an empty shell. When you are speaking to Tambuwal, you think you are talking to a human being. Tambuwal cannot talk about leadership, I made him Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. Atiku cannot stand for truth, I did not say it, Obasanjo in his book “My Watch” said it, that’s their principal. What is his leadership trait? Obasanjo also claimed that when he was seeking for a Vice Presidential Candidate, he made a mistake with Atiku though an honest mistake but he is happy that God has forgiven him. His penchant for corruption. Former President Obasanjo gave a testimonial of his subordinate but I have shown leadership.”
Recall that on September 6, Tambuwal, who appeared on the same programme earlier in September, pledged loyalty to Atiku, stressing that his choices were guided by governance values rather than friendship.
According to him, his disagreements with politicians had always been ideological, as he continued to enjoy cordial relations with leaders across party lines.
“When it comes to leadership of this country and leadership of the people, tomorrow, not even today, I would rather support Atiku than Nyesom Wike. It is a collaboration. It is not something difficult.
 
“Once it is about being altruistic and nothing personal. You have never seen me going against President Bola Tinubu personally, you have never heard of me going against Nyesom Wike personally,” he said.
He insisted that his past disagreements with leaders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, were based on principles and ideology.
He explained, “We disagreed on principle, the way, and the direction things are going. I had no problem personally with Goodluck Jonathan, but we disagreed, and I left PDP for APC.”
The rift between Wike and key PDP leaders dates back to 2023, when Wike openly criticised Atiku, Tambuwal, and Bukola Saraki for abandoning zoning arrangements that could have favoured the South.
He also reminded viewers that he once supported Tambuwal’s bid for Speaker of the House of Representatives against the party’s preference.
Tambuwal, however, stressed that political disagreements should not be mistaken for personal hostility.
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FBI Arrests Nigerian Man Accused of $100k Tickets Scam (Photo)

An Irish-Nigerian man accused of engaging in Tickets fraud has been arrested by the FBI.
It was gathered that the ticket resale fraud cost the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts around $100,000 in lost revenue.
Ajibola Oduntan, 47, who is based in Northern Ireland, was arrested when he arrived in the US last month.
Odutan was charged with wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy on September 3, 2025, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
In the complaint, prosecutors allege that during the run of “Wicked” performances in 2023, Oduntan used stolen credit card information to purchase 61 tickets.
The credit card charges resulted in notices of chargebacks for fraud to the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.
The FBI connected those transactions to email addresses associated with StubHub accounts, where the tickets were resold.
The proceeds were then deposited into PayPal accounts belonging to Oduntan, prosecutors alleged. Between January 2023 and July 2024, PayPal records indicate Oduntan deposited around $350,000 into PayPal from StubHub.
Some of those funds were then transferred to bank accounts. Investigators also found a co-conspirator who used the name “Stacy Marthins” to purchase 77 tickets worth a total of $1,198.08.
Oduntan is currently being held at the Grayson County Detention Center. He entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled for a jury trial Nov. 10.
Officials with both the FBI and the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
“The best way for patrons to ensure they are buying legitimate tickets is to only purchase through the venue’s official website or box office,” said Christian Adelberg, vice president of marketing and communication with the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.
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Petroleum Tanker Somersaults in Ogbomoso, Spills Content (Photo)

A petroleum tanker has somersaulted in Oyo State.
The tanker was conveying forty five thousand litres of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petroleum before the incident which happened at Isale General in Roundabout Area in Ogbomoso, Wednesday afternoon.
The incident, according to sources close to the scene, happened when the tanker somersaulted on an open road and started discharging its contents.
However, no life was lost in the incident.
The Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande confirmed the incident in a statement and advised drivers to always drive with care.
He also enjoined them to observe all safety rules on the road.
“The fire personnel led by CFM Oladejo Kolawole swiftly responded and deployed to the scene of the fire incident. Upon arrival, it was a trailer tanker loaded with 45, 000 liters capacity of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) somersaulted on an open road.
 
“Our men quickly engaged all necessary equipment by blanketing the area with foam chemical compound to neutralize the flammability of the content and prevent it from catching fire from surrounding.
 
“I therefore urge drivers to always drive with care and observe road safety tips”.
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How A Nigerian Cleric Was Arrested With Human Flesh In Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended an Islamic cleric, identified as Alfa Bashiru, for allegedly possessing suspected human flesh.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement released via the Command’s official X handle on Wednesday.

According to him, officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol intercepted a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway around 11:30 a.m., during which the cleric was found with the item.

When questioned, Bashiru allegedly confessed that he purchased the suspected human flesh in Lagos.

Osifeso noted that the case has been handed over to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Iyaganku, for a thorough probe.

“The recovered substance has been sent for forensic analysis to ascertain its authenticity and origin,” the police spokesperson stated.

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