By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extended warm felicitations to the people of Rivers State, enjoining them to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, reconciliation and unity as Christians celebrate the feast of Easter.

In a goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi as Christians commemorate the feast, Gov Fubara urged residents of the state to emulate Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, brought forgiveness and reconciliation to mankind.

He described Easter as a sacred season in which Christians are expected to promote peace, unity, and love. Fubara also prayed that the Easter season may bring joy, hope, and renewal to Rivers State and Nigeria.

“As we celebrate Easter, I extend warm wishes to all Christians in Rivers State. The resurrection of Jesus Christ symbolizes hope, renewal, and triumph over adversity. May this season bring peace, joy, and spiritual growth to our lives.

“May the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness guide us in our journey towards a more united and prosperous Rivers State,” he said.

The Governor hailed the resilience of the Christian community and reiterated his unwavering commitment to delivering good governance to the entire people of Rivers State.

He also encouraged the people to continue to support his administration as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that progress can only be achieved through collective efforts and unity of purpose.

The Acting National Secretary of the Okun Development Association (ODA), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, felicitates an illustrious Okun compatriot and multiple award-wining investigative journalist, the Director of News, TVC, Prince Babajide Kolade-Otitoju (BKO), on his attainment of the diamond age.

BKO, as fondly called in Nigeria’s media space, is a renowned investigative journalist who epitomises ethics, professionalism, and courage of conviction.

As the darling of millions of viewers of Journalists’ Hangout, TVC’s flagship current affairs programme, he has earned an uncommon reputation as a bastion of truth and the tomentor-in-chief of purveyors of falsehood.

As a thorough-bred journalist, he has over the years, gone through the crucible of fire in the course of his career, which accounts for the shining gem which he has become.

As a mentor and inspirational figure to millions of young people, BKO has remarkably impacted the career growth of many of his subordinates and young generation media practitioners.

BKO has done so much for the media industry and nation-building in general, by always speaking truth to power; by holding leaders accountable; by engendering the culture of citizen activism; by being a standard-bearer for the media profession, and by promoting high-octane patriotism, and by his high commitment to building good Nigerian society.

As a community development enthusiast and success-enabler, BKO has indelibly impacted Ekinrin-Adde, his homeland, and the people, particularly the youths, many of whom look up to him as role model.

As a public-spirited giver and value-creator, he has succeeded in writing his name on the sands of time as one of the most influential figures of this era in his community.

BKO’s role in bringing to reality, the Ekinrin-Adde Community Radio (Akogba 88.3 FM), will be told to generations. As Chairman of the Technical Committee that established the radio station (whom I served as Committee Secretary), he mobilized resources and deployed his massive social capital to ensure that the radio came on air. He currently serves as the pioneer Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The unprecedented and amazing success-story of the 2025 edition of Ekinrin-Adde Day Celebrations, which he also served as the Chairman of its planning committee, will continue to be reference and remembered for a long time to come in the community.

As a pride of Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu and the Okun nation in general, he is greatly valued and celebrated as a good Ambassador of his roots, an exemplar of the cherished Omuluabi ethos of the Okun people.

The BKO essence, which was forged in the furnace of hard work and moral discipline, is an enriching inspiration and a booster for career growth and development of young people. It is an enduring legacy of good name, of character nobility, and a refreshing hope for the great future that we desire for our beloved country.

As we celebrate his stepping up to the sixth ladder of life, it is also a celebration of sixty years of diligence; perseverance; courage; sacrifices, brilliance, and of humanity elevation.

On the occasion of this special milestone, it is fit and proper to declare that his life is a blessing to everyone who knows him; that the world has been better because of him, and that the culture of truth is being significantly entrenched in Nigeria’s media space, and public communications, because of the BKO essence.

I pray that God will bless him with many more decades in good health, peace and joy, and all-round fulfilment.

Hearty congratulations and diamond cheers to Omoba Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, a greatly esteemed public intellectual.

By Araba Rufus Aiyenigba

Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Peace,unity, security and harmoniously co-existence could best be described as panacea to socio,political and economic development of every society.

The executive Chairman of Bosso Local Government Council in Niger State Comrade Abdullahi Usman Laka made the assertion in his Sallah message to the people of Bosso.

He noted that no meaningful development could be achieved in an enviroment riddle with rancour assuring that his administration in the council will continue to promote peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the diverge community regardless of ethnics and religious status.

According to the council Chairman,the completion of the Ramadan and the subquent two Raka’at Eid-kabir observed should be reflected towards the promotion of peace and unity that will improve the well beings of the people of Bosso,revealing that his administration is committed to creat an
enabling enviroment that will bring about speedy development to the area.

This he pointed out will be recorded with the unflishing support and cooperation from the people of the area stressing that “ all hands should be on deck for us to collectively achieve the succes of building a solid foundation that will be o pride of all sons and daugther of our local government”

“ I need your support. I need your cooperation. Bosso Local Government should be seen as our collective project. Let’s put our political and religious differences behind us to ensure the speedy development of our local government.

“ We cannot succeed in achieving this goal without your support and cooperation. I’m requesting for your support and understanding for me to achieve this utmost objective of ensuring the development of the local government” Abdullahi Laka asserted .

The council Chairman further requested the support of youths in the area to avoid any act that will be dragg their future in a bad mud urging them to engage themselves in meaningful ventures that will take them from any social vices that will ruin their future.

“ As future leaders of the country try as much as possible to shun any vices that will dragg your future in a bad mud. Engage your talents and your wisdom in a meaningful ventures that will make you self reliance” he added.

Speaking further, Abdullahi Laka assured that his administration will continue to pursue with vigour the developmental projects that will have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the local government.

He called on community,religious and youths leaders in the area to continue to monitor the activities of strange movements in their midsts and report such movement to the appropriate security agencies for prompt action.

According to Abdullahi Usman this will enable the security forces to nip in the bud any break down of law and order in the area assuring that as the Chief security officer of the area, he will extend the needed support to the security agencies to ensure the protection of the lives and property of the people.