By Our Correspondent

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has successfully flagged off its nationwide Membership Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration (MRMR) exercise and inaugurated the State MRMR Committees.

The landmark event took place on Thursday at Barcelona Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja. It was attended by NEC Members, party leaders, key stakeholders, and dedicated party faithful from across the country.

In his inaugural address,National Chairman of the party and former senate President, Senator David Mark the party described the MRMR exercise as a strategic and transformative step toward strengthening the internal structures of the ADC, deepening grassroots engagement, and repositioning the party for greater national impact.

Members were urged to actively participate in the process to ensure the development of a credible, updated, and inclusive membership database.

Mark further announced that the newly issued membership card under the MRMR exercise officially supersedes and renders all previously issued ADC membership cards invalid.

Consequently, all members are required to complete the revalidation and registration process in order to retain their active membership status and full privileges within the party.

The inauguration of the State MRMR Committees underscores the party’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective coordination at the state level. The committees have been mandated to ensure a smooth, transparent, and successful implementation of the exercise nationwide.

According to him,ADC remains resolute in its mission to deepen democratic values, expand its membership base, and build a stronger, people-centered political movement across Nigeria.

BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The Niger Electric Distribution Company Limited (NEDC) has announced plans to partner with journalists to improve development communication and increase public awareness of its activities and services.

The Managing Director of the company, Engineer Sam Odekina, made this known during a two-hour interactive session with journalists at his office.

He described the media as a key partner in progress, saying the company decided to work closely with journalists to better inform and educate the public about its operations, policies, and ongoing projects.

According to him, many electricity consumers want more information about the company’s activities. He explained that the media can serve as a reliable bridge between NEDC and its customers by providing accurate and timely information.

Engineer Odekina also described the media as the “fourth estate of the realm,” stressing its vital role in promoting transparency, accountability, and public understanding. He expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen communication and build trust between the company and its customers.

In his remarks, the Head of Consumer Experience, Mr. Kene Ofili, appreciated the media for its contributions, noting that journalists have helped the company to properly inform and guide the public on important issues.

He appealed to journalists to always verify information with the company before broadcasting or publishing reports, to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Also speaking, the Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communication Mr. Omede Odekina assured journalists that the company would continue to share information about its challenges and activities so that the public can have a clearer understanding of its operations.

The interactive session highlighted the long-standing relationship between NEDC and the media and reaffirmed their commitment to working together in the interest of the public.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Thirty-two students on the scholarship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme made first class in different competitive courses in 2025 at various universities in Nigeria.

No fewer than 134 of the scholarship beneficiaries also graduated with second-class upper division in various courses of study in the same year .

The courses are law, pharmacy, aeronautical engineering, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, software engineering, nursing science, mechanical engineering, architecture, accounting and criminology.

Others include computer science, anatomy, international relations and diplomacy, geography and regional planning, microbiology, public health, information technology, medical laboratory science, estate management and mass communication.

The PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has commended the sponsored students under his leadership for graduating with first-class and second-class upper division grades in various disciplines.

He expressed joy over their outstanding academic performances, noting that his administration is greatly encouraged by their exemplary conduct and seriousness as shown by the quality of their academic grades.

Dr Otuaro said the scholarship beneficiaries’ excellent academic feats have formed part of the success stories of the programme in the promotion of human capital development and peace in the Niger Delta.

He stated that their sterling academic performances were a proof of the well-thought-out educational objectives of the scholarship scheme and the mandate of the PAP, stressing that it conforms with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Dr Otuaro said that they had justified the investment in their education and also made the Federal Government, the PAP Office, their communities and the Niger Delta proud.

The PAP Administrator attributed the admirable academic achievements of the scholarship students to President Tinubu’s strong support for the programme and the effective supervisory role of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

He called on current PAP scholarship beneficiaries in different universities to emulate their predecessors and study hard to maintain the impressive academic record.

Dr Otuaro said, “We are indeed happy with the excellent academic performances of our scholarship students in 2025. The number of beneficiaries, all from the Niger Delta, that made first-class and second-class upper division is very encouraging. We commend all of them for the great feats.

“But these commendable academic achievements indicate that we are focused on the implementation of the PAP mandate for the transformation of the Niger Delta through educational and vocational schemes.

“We express our deep appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Without his strong support, these impressive academic feats of our scholarship students and all the success stories recorded would not have been achieved.

“We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser for effectively supervising the programme in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the people of the Niger Delta.

“We have a listening father in Mr President who has shown it clearly in his actions that the Niger Delta is on his priority list of development. He has given priority to agencies in the region aside from the ongoing efforts in the construction of the trans-Niger Delta Highway from Lagos to Calabar.

“The people of the Niger Delta are happy with Mr President and what his administration is doing for the region, and will react in due course with the right expression of gratitude.”