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Sudan war: FG desperate to rescue 5,500 Nigerians by road, seek Egypt’s support

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The Federal Government is making preparations to evacuate about 5,500 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan through the Egyptian town of Luxor, The PUNCH gathered on Sunday.

It was gathered that the Federal Government was seeking Egypt’s support so that the stranded Nigerians could be moved to Luxor.

The Director of Special Duties of the National Emergency Management Agency, who doubles as Chairman of NEMA’s Committee for the Evacuation of the Stranded Nigerians from Sudan, Dr Onimode Bandele, said the Federal Government was meeting with government officials in Egypt on how to move Nigerians out of Sudan through Egypt.

Bandele said this as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, said the government had concluded arrangements to evacuate 5,500 Nigerians in Sudan by road.

According to him, Nigeria, for security reasons, will get authorisation from the Sudanese government before the evacuation.

The conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Force, has claimed over 400 lives with thousands of others injured and millions displaced.

The clashes broke out between erstwhile allies, General Abdel al-Burhan who heads the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF paramilitary group, led by General Mohamed Dagalo.

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Several ceasefires that had seemingly been agreed upon by both sides were ignored, including a three-day pause to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which started on Friday.

The Federal Government had on Friday explained that the tense situation in Sudan was making it difficult for stranded Nigerian citizens to be evacuated from the country.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said though the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the NEMA had put in place arrangements to evacuate the citizens, it was impossible for any flight during this period of war as all airports and land borders in Sudan were closed.

However, giving an update on the rescue plan on Sunday, Bandele stated, “Let us make it clear that the situation in Sudan is an internal conflict. It is not Sudan versus another country. It is two factions against themselves. However, we are in touch with our ambassador in Sudan, and in fact, I spoke to him about two hours ago.

“The situation does not allow anybody to go in and pick any of their citizens. It may interest you to know that the governments of Qatar and France tried to move some of their citizens yesterday (Saturday) and they were attacked, so they have to beat a retreat.

“However, as I speak to you, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, is already in Cairo, and some 30 minutes ago he had a meeting with Ambassador Nura Rimi, the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt.”

On measures being explored by the Federal Government, Bandele said though there was a window of moving Nigerians through Addis Ababa, the current option on the ground was to see how Egypt could help bring out some Nigerians in Sudan first.

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He noted, “The Nigerian government is exploring a diplomatic pact with Egypt, to see if Egypt can help us make arrangements to get into Sudan and move our people to safety at a town called Luxor in Egypt.

“There is another window too in Addis Ababa, however, that will be explored between Ambassador Rimi and the ambassador in Ethiopia. But the point I want to make here is that nobody who is thinking straight will just go into Sudan to move anybody.

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“Mind you, some of those countries that we say had moved their citizens, some of them have fewer than 50 citizens in Sudan, but for Nigeria, if we do an evacuation today, it will be up to thousands.”

Asked to state the estimated number of Nigerians in Sudan, Bandele replied, “In fact, from the figures we’ve got from our ambassador, 2,000 Nigerians are ready for evacuation, and he said the population of students that we need to move is about 3,000. So we are working with a figure of about 5,000 Nigerians.

“And if we are going to move these 5,000 Nigerians out of Sudan with a 50-seater bus, you’ll be needing 100 buses, and that is too large a convoy for anybody to guarantee. So these are the technicalities that are involved and you need to be careful.

“Also, when you are doing this kind of planning, you don’t just go to social media, because it is a security issue. You don’t know who is reading it, you don’t know who is happy with us.”

This, he said, was why NEMA had decided to leave the evacuation process at the level of high-ranking officers, “because if we say we are going to take Nigerians in segments of a maximum of 10 buses, which will be about 500 persons, this is still very large.”

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Bandele added, “So let the modalities be worked out there and once we finalise and we are sure there is going to be security cover for us to move out of Sudan to the safe place in Egypt, we will release another statement and we can now activate the evacuation proper.”

On his part, the minister stated that the evacuation plan by road became imperative following the attack on the flight of the French rescue team in Sudan.

He said, “We have been given the cost estimate and all the details. They gave us a figure of 5,500 who are ready for evacuation. Obviously, what you need in a situation like this is a place where everybody can congregate before you start moving them out. Because the airports, as you pointed out in your report, are out of commission. The only viable way out is by road. Of course, it’s totally safe. So we want to require the government to provide some security and a safe corridor out.

“Our situation is particularly challenging because the numbers are so great. Some countries like the US and European countries have started evacuating. But what they’ve been evacuating were actually their diplomatic staff. They haven’t been able to start evacuating their citizens there. We can’t evacuate all our diplomatic staff at the moment because they need to also coordinate the evacuation of all those students that we’re talking about.”

Continuing, Onyeama said the ministry was taking a careful step not to endanger the lives of stranded Nigerians by soliciting security protection from the Sudanese authorities.

“So essentially, where we are at the moment is trying to get the authorisation from the Sudanese government to undertake this long journey and for them to provide some security. Now we don’t want to take any risk or risk the lives of any Nigerian. Yesterday, for instance, how the French in trying to evacuate their citizens came under fire. We don’t want to expose our brothers and sisters to that danger as well.

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“We are doing everything we can to get the requisite approval for the Sudanese government at the very highest level. I was in touch today with somebody in the Office of the President and made a formal request to have a safe corridor to evacuate our people. And they confirmed that they had received it and they would be giving us attention.”

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Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, warned trapped Nigerians to desist from evacuating themselves towards the borders of Sudan without securing clearance from Sudanese authorities.

The warning came against the backdrop of a notice circulated by the National Association of Nigerian Students in Sudan asking students to converge on the African International University, NANS office and El-Razi University for evacuation or to bring $100 or $200 for evacuation.

A student union executive of the Noble College in Sudan, Idris Wakama, had also told The PUNCH that Nigerian students Madani and Umdurman would converge on Khartoum before travelling to Ethiopia by road.

He said the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan had assured them that they would be evacuated but was waiting for the approval of the Federal Government to allow trapped Nigerians to go by road to Al Qadarif.

He added, “Other students who do not stay in Khartoum have been asked to come to Khartoum. Our fellow students only study in Khartoum, Madani and Omdurman.

“The Embassy of Nigeria, Khartoum said the Federal Government will pick us up from Ethiopia. We will travel from Khartoum to a state called Al Qadarif. But we are facing some difficulties because the transportation expenses from Khartoum to Ethiopia are on the students and some students are out of money. From Khartoum to Al Qadarif is six hours by road and we have told students to hold 60,000-70,000 Sudanese pounds.’’

But the embassy in a statement by the Charge d’affaires, H.Y. Garko urged the students to be calm, while it said the evacuation would commence soon.

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It read, “The Embassy of Federal Republic Nigeria, Khartoum, wishes to inform all students in Sudan that they should disregard the notice circulated by the NANS in Sudan, calling students to converge on the three locations namely: African International University, NANS office and El-Razi University, for evacuation or to bring $100 or $200 for evacuation.

“As the embassy had earlier informed students, you are therefore requested to stay calm and remain indoors, while the embassy is working on final approval to commence evacuation.

“It is still dangerous to embark on a journey toward the borders of Sudan without securing clearance and guarantee from Sudanese authorities. The embassy wishes to reassure the Nigerian students that their safety and well-being are of priority concern.”

The Yoruba Students’ Union in Sudan, in a statement on Saturday night, appealed to the South-West governors to collaborate with the Federal Government for the evacuation of the students.

But on Sunday, the President of the union in Sudan, Mubarak Ahmed, in an interview with The PUNCH, expressed hope of evacuation from Khartoum on Tuesday or Wednesday.

According to Ahmed, an evacuation was scheduled for Sunday, but it was cancelled for security reasons.

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He added that there were no alternative means to leave as the Khartoum airport had been destroyed on the first day of the war, leaving a land evacuation to Ethiopia as the only option.

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While the conflict was getting deadlier, Ahmed said the embassy had assured them that they would make the evacuation possible by Tuesday or Wednesday.

He said, ”It is serious. Here in Khartoum, we have different universities and heads of universities and people from the North here are more than the people from the South. So, people from Oyo, Lagos and Osun states all together formed the Yoruba union.

“Today (Sunday), there was supposed to be an evacuation but the embassy didn’t allow it because of security reasons so we hope by Tuesday/ Wednesday, they will evacuate us from Khartoum.’’

Speaking on an alternate route out of the war-torn country, the union leader said, “No, there are no alternative means to leave Sudan because since the first day of the war, the airport was destroyed in Khartoum and that is the only main airport people use, but another alternative is land evacuation which is by foot from Khartoum to Ethiopia.’’

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state would be willing to assist in the evacuation of the students.

He said, “If we need to do something, we are going to. But at the moment, the Federal Government is doing a lot.’’

Narrating his ordeal in a video shared by Reuters, a student who did not identify himself revealed how scared he was when a bomb went off close to his shelter.

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He said this was besides his lack of access to food and water.

Commenting on the delay in the evacuation of Nigerians, the frightened student said, “Is it that we are cursed or something? You see other countries evacuating their nationals, they are eager, and they are showing that they care and that they value their lives.

‘’But for us, our own country is just full of excuses, ‘there is no money, it’s going to cost a lot’. Is it that the money is more valuable than 4,000 lives of Nigerian citizens living in Sudan, for God’s sake? Though we can say that we are from poor backgrounds, all of us are here, but that is not a reason for us to be ignored. We are really pained, we cried to the extent that, you know, tears cannot come out anymore.’’

Meanwhile, several countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan’s capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum.

The United States and the United Kingdom announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country.

France, Germany and Italy are among other countries also organising evacuations, starting on Sunday.

US authorities said they had airlifted fewer than 100 people with three Chinook helicopters on Sunday morning in a “fast and clean” operation.

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The US embassy in Khartoum is now closed, and a tweet on its official feed says it is not safe enough for the government to evacuate private US citizens.

The UK government managed to airlift British diplomats and their families out of the country in what was described as a “complex and rapid” operation.

 

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Just In: Kashim Shettima Hands Over, Details Emerge

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Kashim Shettima Mustapha GCON, the esteemed position of the 15th Vice President of Nigeria.

Shettima is widely recognized for his exceptional intelligence and strategic acumen, qualities that have earned him high regard not just within political circles but also among the citizens of Nigeria, a nation characterized by its rich diversity and resilience.

His ability to navigate complex political landscapes reflects the same intelligence that is emblematic of the vast and vibrant population of Nigeria.

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The Vice President temporarily handed over his office to 14-year-old Joy Ogah, a passionate advocate for girl-child education, for a symbolic one-day tenure on Monday.

This move highlights the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing education and empowerment, especially for girls.

As the ceremonial Vice President, Ogah delivered a compelling address, calling for inclusive education, protection of girls’ rights, and improved school amenities like sanitation and nutrition.

“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she declared, captivating her audience. She added, “I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets.”

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Before passing the torch, Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to girl-child education, citing initiatives like the school feeding program.

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He also lauded First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a champion of female empowerment, noting her impactful contributions to girl-child education debates during her time in the Nigerian Senate.

The event occurred during a meeting with a PLAN International delegation, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, focused on advancing girl-child education in Nigeria.

The organization has supported over 11 million Nigerian children through interventions in education and entrepreneurship.

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Ogah’s brief tenure as Vice President sent a resounding message, urging leaders and citizens to prioritize sustained investment in girl-child education for a brighter, more equitable future.

 

 

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(VIDEO): Sowore In Fresh Trouble As Igbos Told What To Do If Anything Happens To Kanu

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(VIDEO): Sowore In Fresh Trouble As Igbos Told What To Do If Anything Happens To Kanu

Recent developments regarding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have raised concerns following the arrest of his brother and lawyer.

Both individuals are currently in custody after being arraigned in court.

On Monday, human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s immediate release. Kanu has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021.

Political and public affairs analyst Barrister Darlington Agomuo has commented on the situation, suggesting that the Igbo community should hold Sowore accountable for any repercussions Kanu may face. He emphasized that it is unlikely that any government would respond to such protests to secure the release of an individual.

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He said, “If anything should happen to Nnamdi Kanu now, we should blame Sowore. He’s the one who already told us that the government had already taken a position to convict Nnamdi Kanu. He said it himself. So, when you know about this, why are you doing what you are doing? I have never seen any government in the world that was forced to do certain things.

You don’t force the government to do things, you don’t. The courts are there if you are fighting for your rights, but to wake up and say I want this person to be released, or the country will nobody will listen to you. It has never happened, and it will not happen under Tinubu. I was telling Sowore to stop this prank he was playing.

He knows very well that this protest will not yield any fruit. The efforts Igbos have been making would have been more possible if it were allowed to sail through, but Sowore has carried his rascality to spoil our show. In fact, if anything should happen to Kanu now, we should blame Sowore,” he concluded.

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FRESH ALERT: Tension As DSS Mentions 2 States That Terrorists Plot To Invade

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Terrorists strike in Sokoto, abduct unspecified number of Tsangaya students

The Department of State Service (DSS) has raised a fresh tension as it revealed an imminent terrorist attack in some communities in Kogi and Ondo states, which was planned by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), according to Legit.

The secret police police the plan of the terrorist group in a secret memo, which was dated October 20, 2025, and addressed to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Owena Cantonment, Akure.

Vanguard reported that the DSS explained that credible intelligence has confirmed the plan of the terrorist group, which was to launch coordinated assaults in several communities in the two states.

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Ondo communities ISWAP plans to attack

The memo was signed by the director of security of the DSS Ondo State Command and listed Oyin Akoko and Eriti Akoko in the Akoko North local government area of Ondo and Owo town in the Owo local government area, saying those are the potential targets of ISWAP.

According to the secret police, the terrorist group has started surveillance on soft targets in the mentioned areas and called on the military to heighten its security operations to stop any impending attack. The secret police urged the military to scale up the level of security in the areas to protect lives and property.

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This security alert came three years after the killing of over 40 worshippers in June 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state, by some suspected ISWAP members. The killings happened during a morning service.

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The Owo attack was one of the significant killings of the terrorist group, as it happened outside the region where ISWAP and other groups have dominated, the northeast. It shook the country and has continued to raise tension in the southwest.

When terrorists gained prominence in Nigeria

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Since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the activities of the terrorists have spread across northern Nigeria, beyond the wall of the north-east, where it started with banditry and kidnapping in the north-west and north-central.

The menace continued in the eight years of Buhari’s administration, and the current president, Bola Tinubu, has also inherited the challenges. One major problem caused by the insurgency was food security, as most of the foods in the country are produced in the north, and farmers have been unable to access their farms for over a decade.

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(FULL LIST): 10 Most Expensive Schools Where Pupil Pays ₦7.5 Million Per Term

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Top private secondary schools now charge fees as high as private universities.

But behind each modern campus, fancy facilities, and international programs is a story of hard work, vision, and money.

From pioneering educators to embassy-backed schools, find out who is turning expensive schooling into big business in Nigeria’s largest city.

  1. Greensprings School
    Visionary Founder: Mrs. Lai Koiki

Starting as a small nursery in 1985, Koiki transformed Greensprings into a tri-campus British-style institution serving over 2,000 students. Today, day pupils pay about ₦3.8 million per term, while boarding spots go for around ₦7.1 million testimony to her decades-long commitment to high-quality, holistic education.

  1. Grange School
    Nonprofit Legacy: Grange Education Limited

Launched in 1958 by British expatriates to educate children of West African Airways staff, Grange is run by a parent-and-stakeholder board. With term fees near ₦4.5 million for day students and ₦6.5 million for boarders, its nonprofit status means every naira is reinvested into campus expansion and teacher development.

  1. Lekki British International School
    Family-Led Enterprise: The Idehen Siblings
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Founded by the late Dr. Abiodun Laja in 2000, LBIS now thrives under the stewardship of her children, Francis and Christian Idehen. They uphold a rigorous UK National Curriculum for roughly 350 pupils, charging about ₦4.6 million per year for day schooling and ₦6.8 million to board.

  1. British International School, Lagos
    Global Backing: British Schools Foundation

Part of an international network, BIS Lagos blends Cambridge and British curricula on its Lekki Peninsula campus. With termly fees climbing above ₦5 million for day scholars and ₦7.5 million for boarders, it attracts a truly cosmopolitan student body and overseas-trained faculty.

  1. Meadow Hall School
    Educational Innovators: The Hansotia Family

Since its 2002 inception, Meadow Hall has championed inquiry-based learning across two campuses. Their upscale campus in Lekki features science labs, art studios, and green play spaces. Day students pay around ₦4 million per term; boarders hover near ₦7 million.

  1. Atlantic Hall
    Alumni-Driven Council: Former Students & Parents
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Atlantic Hall established in 1989 operates under a vibrant alumni and parent board committed to continuous improvement. Known for its A-Level program and expansive sports facilities, it charges close to ₦3.9 million per term for day pupils and ₦6.3 million for boarders.

  1. Corona Day Secondary School, Lekki
    Heritage Brand: Corona Schools

With roots stretching back to the 1950s, Corona remains a household name. The Lekki branch offers the Nigerian curriculum alongside international enrichment programs. Fees are roughly ₦3.7 million per term for day students; boarding isn’t offered here, keeping costs slightly lower.

  1. Lycée Français Louis Pasteur
    Diplomatic Mission: French Embassy
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Operated by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this school delivers the French national curriculum from primary through lycée. Its bilingual immersion and international accreditation command term fees of about ₦5 million reflecting its elite pedigree and embassy support.

  1. Charterhouse Lagos
    Tech-Minded Founders: The Petkauskas Family

Charterhouse, birthed in 2000, has built a reputation for coding and robotics labs alongside classical academics. Day scholars invest roughly ₦4.2 million per term; boarding which includes weekend hackathons runs nearly ₦6.7 million.

  1. American International School of Lagos
    Consortium Ownership: American and Local Partners

AISL, part of a global network, follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement options. Situated in Victoria Island, it caters to expatriate and Nigerian families, charging around ₦5.2 million per term for day schooling and ₦7.8 million for its residential program.

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FlashBack: Did Regina Daniel Use Kayamata Product For Ned Nwoko? Fact emerges

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It is no longer news that things have fallen apart between the distinguished 64-year-old Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ned Nwoko, and his heartthrob, Regina Daniels, due to allegations of domestic violence and drug abuse.

Regina had accused her husband, Senator Nwoko, of domestic violence in a video making the rounds, an allegation he already countered.

In 2021, there were allegations that Regina Daniels was using Jaruma’s product, ‘Kayamata’, on her husband, Ned Nwoko, and his former wife, Laila Charani. Rumors circulated online suggesting that Regina expressed her affection solely for Ned and not for his co-wives. Some claims even suggested that Regina had enchanted Laila, who had recently divorced Ned.

Following the recent marital scandal involving the couple, Regina has faced a wave of criticism regarding her association with the Kayamata product, which has brought attention back to this incident.

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Meanwhile, on November 3, 2021, as reported by Daily Post, an online publication, the popular Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels has denied allegations that she used Jaruma’s Kayamata product to secure her marriage to billionaire, Ned Nwoko.

Regina in a post on her Instagram page said she has never used Kayamata and was only told by Jaruma to influence the product.

In a statement on her Instagram, the mother of one called out Jaruma for trying to mislead the public.

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Sharing a post where someone said she used Kayamata to secure her husband, Ned Nwoko, Regina said she was only contracted to raise awareness for the Jaruma Brand and she has and will never use Kayanmata products.

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Her post reads, “This is for clarity sake here, I have and will never use any kayamata product. Jaruma paid me to help make random posts for her. I personally gave my terms concerning the kind of posts to be made, I was very mindful with my choice of words so as not to mislead the public, I was simply creating awareness for her brand and along the line, we became friends.

“I was warned severally to keep her at arms length and mind my association with her but it is not in my nature to judge a person from another’s perspective but in her case I should have known better. She constantly uses every opportunity to create contents to profit off my person and my brand even after our payment deal expired.

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“I tolerated this because I believed I understood her person and felt I should give her the benefit of doubt and maintain a cordial friendship. But this time, I will not tolerate Jaruma using this issue that practically portrays me as a bad person for her selfish desires knowing fully well, that I have NEVER AND WILL NEVER USE whatever she sells as I have no reason to.

“And this is a notice to my fans and the general public, I and my brand As Regina Daniels has no business/association with Jaruma and her products, Thank you.”

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Oborevwori To Visit Germany For Strategic Talks With Julius Berger – Aniagwu

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will on Tuesday depart for Germany on an official working visit aimed at strengthening the state’s partnership with construction giant Julius Berger, according to the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu.

Aniagwu, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba, said the Governor would be accompanied by himself and the Technical Assistant to the Governor.

Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary ( CPS) to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Projects and Policies, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Aniagwu explained that the visit was strictly a working mission designed to deepen technical collaboration and secure more favourable project terms for Delta State.

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“The purpose of this visit is to strengthen our ongoing partnership with Julius Berger. His Excellency is known for his negotiation skills, and this trip will help us secure better deals and concessions that will benefit the state,” Aniagwu added.

He emphasized that the visit was not for leisure, but rather part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance project delivery and cost efficiency.

Recalling the state’s previous engagement with China, Aniagwu noted that it led to the award of major contracts, including the ₦59 billion Agbor flyover and the ₦39 billion Otovwodo Junction, Ughelli flyover on the Warri–Patani Expressway.

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The Commissioner also announced that the forthcoming 2026 budget, estimated at ₦1.5 trillion, would prioritize capital projects, social welfare, and infrastructure expansion.

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He said: “Following the approval of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, ministries are fine-tuning their submissions before presentation to the State Executive Council”.

Aniagwu added that the Governor had directed that all upcoming empowerment programmes, scheduled to begin next month, must be transparent and inclusive across all 25 local government areas.

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He said key ministries and agencies would coordinate the initiative to create sustainable livelihoods and boost productivity.

According to him, the state would, in the coming weeks, perform several groundbreaking ceremonies for new projects worth billions of naira, including the Otovwodo Junction Flyover, underscoring the government’s determination to sustain momentum in infrastructure development.

He assured that Governor Oborevwori’s administration would not allow political timelines to slow governance, insisting that contractors had been instructed to maintain steady progress on all ongoing projects.

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