By Abraham Jacob, Asaba

The Delta State Government has announced that 800 indigenes of the state have been shortlisted for the forthcoming Nigerian Army 92 Regular Recruit Intake (92 RRI) State Screening Recruitment Exercise for Trades and Non-Trades Men and Women, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 17, and end on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at the Cenotaph Pavilion along High Court Road, Asaba, the state capital.

The Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., disclosed this, attributing the encouraging number of applicants and the increased interest among Delta youths in the Nigerian Army recruitment exercise to the enhanced public awareness, sustained sensitisation and extensive mass media publicity efforts of the state government through the Bureau for Orientation and Communications.

Dr Oghenesivbe said the development was a clear indication that the state government’s deliberate investment in public enlightenment and strategic communication was yielding positive results, particularly in mobilising young people to take advantage of legitimate employment opportunities offered by the Federal Government and other relevant institutions.

He noted that the Bureau had continued to deploy conventional and new media platforms, community engagement and other communication channels to ensure that eligible youths were adequately informed about available recruitment opportunities and the requirements for participation.

The Director-General commended the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his unwavering commitment to creating employment opportunities and improving the socioeconomic well-being of Delta youths through all available legitimate channels, including recruitment into the Nigerian Army and other Military and Paramilitary Services in the country.

Dr Oghenesivbe said the Governor’s MORE Agenda places a premium on human capital development, youth empowerment and the creation of pathways for young people to become productive, self-reliant and responsible citizens.

According to him, joining the Nigerian Army offers young Nigerians more than an opportunity for gainful employment, as it provides a structured career path, professional training, discipline, leadership development and opportunities for personal advancement.

The Bureau Chief, who is also the head of media for the State Awareness Creation Committee on Youth Enlistment into Military and Paramilitary Services, said the combination of regular remuneration, applicable allowances, healthcare services, educational opportunities, professional development and career progression makes service in the Nigerian Army a worthwhile option for patriotic and physically fit young Nigerians.

He explained that serving personnel also enjoy opportunities to further their academic and professional education, with the Nigerian Army providing financial support and covering approved educational expenses in line with its applicable policies, while their salaries and other entitlements continue to be paid as and when due.

Dr Oghenesivbe further noted that the improved welfare framework for military personnel, including recent increases in salaries and allowances across the Armed Forces, has made military service an increasingly attractive career option for eligible young Nigerians.

He said the enhanced remuneration and other service-related benefits demonstrate the importance attached to the welfare, motivation and operational effectiveness of military personnel, while encouraging prospective recruits to consider a career in the Army as an opportunity to build a secure and meaningful future.

The Director-General therefore urged all shortlisted applicants to take the forthcoming state screening exercise seriously, remain focused and comply strictly with the official recruitment guidelines and instructions issued by the Nigerian Army. He advised them to ensure that all relevant documents and credentials are properly arranged, present themselves at the designated screening venue as officially communicated, and conduct themselves with discipline, honesty and decorum throughout the exercise.

The state government equally cautioned applicants against paying money to individuals or groups promising to influence the recruitment process, stressing that the Nigerian Army recruitment exercise is merit-based and that no individual can guarantee anyone automatic enlistment.

Dr Oghenesivbe reaffirmed the Delta State Government’s commitment to sustained public enlightenment and strategic communication in support of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, assuring that the Bureau for Orientation and Communications would continue to disseminate timely, credible and useful information to ensure that Delta youths are not left behind in accessing employment, empowerment and career development opportunities available within and outside the state.

He congratulated the 800 shortlisted applicants and wished them success in the screening exercise, urging those who eventually make the final list to embrace the noble responsibilities of military service with patriotism, courage, discipline and unwavering commitment to the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security.

By Mohammed Mohammed, Gombe

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 17 postgraduate programmes for North-Eastern University, Gombe, paving the way for the institution to commence postgraduate studies across 12 academic disciplines from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The approval, conveyed in a letter dated October 22, 2026, followed a resource verification exercise conducted by the commission to assess the university’s academic manpower, infrastructure and other facilities required for the effective delivery of the programmes.

The newly approved programmes comprise 11 Master of Science (M.Sc.) degrees, three Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), one Master of Business Administration (MBA), one Master of Public Administration (MPA) and one Master of Laws (LL.M.).

The M.Sc. programmes cover Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Architecture, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Environmental Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, International Relations and Economics.

Others are PGD programmes in Business Administration, Public Administration and Mass Communication, alongside MBA, MPA and LL.M. in Common Law.

In a statement, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mukhtar Sani Saulawa, said all the programmes would be offered at the institution’s main campus in Gombe.

He described the NUC approval as a major milestone in the university’s growth, noting that the introduction of postgraduate programmes would strengthen advanced learning, research and human capital development.

According to him, the development underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence and its determination to expand access to higher education.

Saulawa also announced that admission into the newly approved programmes would commence on December 7, 2026, urging interested applicants to visit the university’s official website for details of admission requirements and application procedures.

The introduction of the programmes is expected to provide more opportunities for graduates in Gombe State and the wider North-East to pursue postgraduate qualifications without necessarily travelling outside the region.

It is also expected to enhance the university’s contribution to research, professional development and the production of skilled manpower needed for the region’s socio-economic development.

‎
‎By Tony Okafor
‎
‎in bid to avoid building callapse in the state Ebonyi State Government has issued a 30-day ultimatum to occupants of a structurally defective building located at No.10 Aguluezechukwu Street, Abakaliki, directing them to vacate the premises over concerns about its safety.
‎
‎The directive was issued by the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Planning following an on-site inspection led by the Commissioner, Richard Ugo Idike, alongside the Head of the Town Planning Department, Esther Nwite, other town planning officials and members of the ministry’s enforcement taskforce.
‎
‎During the inspection, Idike expressed concern over visible structural defects and substandard construction, describing the building as a potential threat to human lives and property.
‎
‎He said the state government would not compromise on public safety, stressing that all buildings across the state must comply with approved building codes and regulatory standards.
‎
‎According to him, the 30-day notice is intended to give the property owner an opportunity to undertake necessary structural remediation while allowing occupants sufficient time to secure alternative accommodation.
‎
‎Idike warned that the notice was necessary to prevent a possible building collapse and urged occupants to vacate the premises before the expiration of the deadline.
‎
‎He further disclosed that the ministry would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across Abakaliki to identify unsafe structures and ensure compliance with building regulations.
‎
‎The commissioner said the exercise was part of the state government’s urban renewal and public safety initiatives under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration.
‎
‎The ministry’s taskforce also urged property owners, developers and builders to obtain necessary approvals, engage qualified professionals and use standard construction materials to prevent structural failures.
‎
‎Occupants of the affected building are expected to comply with the directive within the stipulated 30-day period.