By David Owei,Bayelsa

As Muslim faithful globally conclude their Ramadan fast, Bayelsa State government has implored leaders and adherents of the faith to use the occasion to promote love, unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

The event, referred to as Holy Month of Ramadan, began February 18, 2026, and is practiced annually by the Muslim faithful for spiritual growth.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri stated this on Thursday when he hosted the Muslim community in the state to a state dinner to mark the Eid-el-Fitri Celebrations symbolising the end of the fast in Government House, Yenagoa.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, he urged Muslims to demonstrate love to both God and man, forgiveness, exhibit peaceful conduct and compassion, which he noted were the cardinal teachings of Islam.

He said as the Muslim faithful gather for prayers and other activities, they should reflect and appraise their conduct particularly in the area of peace-building, because in the absence of peace there would be no meaningful development.

Governor Diri congratulated the Muslims on their successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and urged them to uphold the virtues of love, peace and sacrifice for the common good as espoused by Prophet Mohammed.

His words: “On behalf of the governor, His Excellency Governor Douye Diri, l want to thank you for all you have been doing in terms of promoting peaceful coexistence in the state. But we want you to have the conviction and acknowledge that it is time to demonstrate actionable peace.

“Bayelsa State has been adjudged the most peaceful state in the country and so we want our Muslim community in the state to do more in exuding love and peaceful conduct in order for Bayelsa to consolidate that position through your contributions.

“We want you to reflect on the importance of peace because without peace, there can be no development; people will live in fear and your purpose cannot be achieved. Endeavour to make peace within and outside your religion in all you do. This government does not segregate. ”

Responding to their requests, including a state secretariat and an 18-seater bus to the Muslim family in the state, Senator Diri assured that government would address them within limits of available resources.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, explained that the Ramadan fast was one of the significant events in the calendar of the Muslim faith for spiritual revival.

He remarked that the state government had been supportive of the Muslim community in the state, noting that at the commencement of the Ramadan fast, the Prosperity Government provided food items and financial support.

In his address, Acting Vice President General, Bayelsa State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Yahaya Okee, expressed appreciation to God for giving the Muslim community in the state the privilege to witness and participate in this year’s Ramadan fast.

Alhaji Okee noted that the celebration of the Eid-El-Fitri marked the end of Ramadan fast which symbolised spiritual growth, a time for reconciliation, show of gratitude to God as well as the Governor Douye Diri-led administration for its support and leadership.

He equally praised the Prosperity Government, stating that the Muslim family in the state were appreciative of the massive support given them particularly the provision of food items and cash gifts during their festive periods.

The Muslim cleric appealed to the state government to rehabilitate their office secretariat in the state.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (KSC), has declared that the 33.5kilometre Elele- Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini- Ikiri–Omoku Road has reached ninety percent (90%) completion and will be ready for inauguration in May 2026.

Governor Fubara who made the announcement on Wednesday after inspecting the dual carriageway, traversing Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, said the project will bring to an end years of travel hardship and insecurity along that road corridor.

He described the project as critical to unlocking the economic potentials of Omoku, popularly known as the “Gas City,” of Rivers State. The road, Governor Fubara said, is not just a landmark achievement, but one of the signature projects of his administration, designed to expand the road network and enhance economic activities across the state..

“From my assessment, about 90 per cent of the job is already done, and what is remaining will be delivered before the end of April.
“I feel very happy because this is not just a road but a signature project of our administration. It is a road corridor that connects Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas,”he said.

The governor also highlighted the security implications of the project, recalling the history of criminal activities, including kidnappings and other vices along that route.

“For those who live and do business in Port Harcourt and Rivers State, you know this road used to be a death trap. Kidnappings and other crimes were common along this corridor.

“I think that with what we have done here today, those issues will be old stories. It won’t occur anymore because security agencies can now easily access the place for any eventuality,” he said.

The governor commended the contractor for the pace and quality of work done, particularly on the bridge across the river, and expressed optimism that the remaining jobs would be completed before the end of April, ahead of the formal inauguration.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A faith-based civil society organisation, CSO advocating workable policies within the Hajj industry, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has advised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON to establish a special Hajj calendar harmonisation committee and commence early registration for the 2027 holy pilgrimage.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, and released on Tuesday, he stated that the
recurring operational challenges in Nigeria’s Hajj preparations are largely due to late pilgrim registration and delays in implementing pre-Hajj timelines.

“The fundamental operational challenges encountered yearly are largely due to late registration and the behind-schedule pre-Hajj timeline operated in Nigeria. This has affected our ability to comply with the Hajj calendar set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, thereby creating serious setbacks in the level of our preparations every year,” Muhammad stressed.

IHR said there was an urgent need for the apex Hajj regulatory body to establish a Hajj calendar harmonisation committee that would develop a comprehensive annual pre-Hajj timetable and ensure strict compliance across all stakeholders.

According to the group, such a committee would harmonise the registration timelines of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, SMPWBs and private Hajj operators to ensure alignment with the domesticated version of the Saudi Hajj calendar, particularly in the areas of pilgrim registration, medical screening and orientation.

It noted that the absence of a unified registration guideline had led to some states continuing pilgrim registration even after official deadlines had elapsed, creating difficulties for intending pilgrims who might eventually miss the opportunity to perform Hajj.

“The State’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’s asymmetric hajj registration timeline resulted in the remaining registered pilgrims whose data was not uploaded on the Saudi Hajj portal this year. Nigeria as a single Hajj body, ought to implement a system in which all states start registering on a given date and finish at a predetermined time.

“There should be strict and uniform timelines to ensure smoother and more efficient Hajj coordination. Saudi Arabia has already shifted to a ‘first-come, first-served’ model in addition to strict contractual deadlines for Hajj services,” the statement said.

IHR also urged NAHCON to authorise states to commence registration for the 2027 Hajj without delay, noting that the Saudi authorities have significantly shortened registration timelines in the past two years.

“Early commencement of registration for the 2027 Hajj will make funds available to meet the Service providers contractual obligations, which have posed serious challenges to NAHCON recently.

“Although we acknowledge that this call might be considered an operation within an operation, we should point out that other nations, such as Indonesia, have a three-year Hajj rolling plan that allows pilgrims to register while ongoing operations are in progress.

“States may establish committees to supervise registration while the Hajj exercise is underway,” IHR added.

The organisation said starting early registration would not disrupt preparations for the 2026 Hajj airlift, as states could set up four-member committees to handle the exercise with support from NAHCON’s zonal offices.

It further suggested that the 2026 Hajj fare could serve as a benchmark for the 2027 registration process, while calling on financial institutions to intensify grassroots publicity for the Hajj savings scheme to help intending pilgrims plan ahead.