By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara ( KSC) has
extended warm greetings to all Muslim faithful in Rivers State and beyond on the occasion of the Eid – Fitri celebrations.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the feast, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onwuka Nzeshi,Governor Fubara prayed that
the occasion may bring joy, peace and harmony to all Nigerians irrespective of creed, tribe or tongue.

“On behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, I wish all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid el Fitri. May this occasion strengthen our bonds of peace, unity, and mutual respect among all faiths. Let’s continue to cherish our diversity and promote harmony, tolerance, and understanding. May our shared values of compassion, forgiveness, and unity guide us in our daily life. Happy Eid el Fitri,” the governor said.

In the Islamic calendar, the feast of Eid el Fitri marks the end of the month of Ramadan, a period dedicated to fasting, prayers and almsgiving by the Muslim faithful.

The Federal Government had earlier declared Thursday, March 19, 2026 and Friday, March 20, 2026 as public holidays to mark the celebration.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Gender Rights Advocacy group, Do Foundation, others celebrate the International Women’s Day 2026, women living with disabilities in Bayelsa State, calling on the State and Federal lawmakers to quickly pass and sign the Bayelsa State Persons with Disabilities Bill into law.

The organisers of the event, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration the DO Foundation, Okpoitari Diongoli Foundation, Chief Collins Cocodia Foundation, JUOTA Global Nigeria Ltd, Comfort Kitchen and Heart Healers foundation and other partners, also declared support growing calls for greater inclusion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The various participant, including human rights advocates and community leaders, reminded the women that their abilities, experiences, and contributions remain valuable to society.

Among those who addressed the participants were Chief Barr Benjamin Ogbara who was the key note speaker , HRM Queen Timinepre Dakolo, Mr Teddy Bai, Predise Jennifer Esenwa
Principal Lawyer at PJ Esenwa Law
Member of the Law Society of Alberta, Canada and the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Collins Cocodia, who encouraged the women to remain hopeful and confident despite life’s challenges.

Other stakeholders including Fida Bayelsa, NANM, NAWOJ, BANGOF, AWAGBV, the Gender desk civil defence and scid also called for stronger support systems and policies that will enable women living with disabilities to fully participate and contribute meaningfully to society.

The atmosphere became even more uplifting as the women received gifts and take-home packages, alongside assurances of wheelchairs and other support gestures to assist them in their daily lives.

Zeb O. Ijewa

Habitat Group in Beijing held collaborative meeting with China Architectural Design Group (CADG) towards actualizing the World Bank\United Nations specified Project 774 Green Social Housing.

In pursuit of the global initiative for Project 774 Green Social Housing Solution, a pioneer green social housing enthusiast company, HABITAT for Africa Initiative (HAI) was in Beijing, China penultimate week on a cooperative framework mission aimed at fashioning modus for collaboration in achieving specific standards for the project 774 green social housing solution, with the world’s acclaimed and foremost building technology maestro syndicate, the China Architectural Design Group (CADG)

The project 774 housing program is a United Nations and World Bank vision for a human and environmental housing scheme which should be carbon free, healthy, and human friendly.

It is projected to achieve zero carbon content in materials, facilities and equipment after construction has been completed. The project is billed to take off from Abuja, Nigeria, as a spring board to spreading to other African countries.

It could be recalled that an eleven-man HABITAT team led by its President and CEO, Ambassador Dr. James Ugah fcia, left Nigeria few weeks back for the Beijing visit where they were in a lavish reception celebration by the China Architectural Design Group (CADG) officials.

They were, thereafter, further received by the Nigerian High Commission in China who were, equally, thrilled by such high caliber delegation and the swell idea of teaming up with the world’s reputed building technology experts.

The HABITAT team which is already back in the country is currently putting things in place in preparation to hosting their Chinese counterpart, the CADG, who are visiting Nigeria by March, 2026 in furtherance of their collaborative discussions.

When contacted, the Vice President of HABITAT for Africa Initiative, Mr Akinyemi Adesina, reiterated the aspiration and determination of HABITAT to do all and involve all it would take to ensure that the global expectations towards achieving the project 774 are met with the pilot building program soon to take off in Abuja.

He explained that the President and CEO of the HABITAT, Ambassador Dr. James Ugah, Fcia “has laboured so hard to arrive at the stage which HABITAT is now by the numerous engagements with the World Bank and the United Nations through holding various meetings, seminars, and lectures on the importance of affordable green social housing solutions for mankind”.

According to him, “HABITAT is already in Benue, Makurdi particularly, where we have secured enough land space to start a building estate in line with the specifications of the World Bank for affordable carbon free housing project which will soon be commissioned to take off.

That project is a counterpart funding enterprise with the Federal Mortgage Bank”. He went further to say that, “Right now, we have secured about 30 hectares of land in Abuja, along the airport road to, as well, commence the federal capital city version of the pilot project.

Zeb O Ijewa Writes From Abuja