Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary Olise Ifeajirika, has strongly denied rumors that he secretly refunded over five hundred billion naira to the state government or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to avoid prosecution. Rumors of the massive refund spread after Okowa and his political mentee, current Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwor, alongside other top state officials, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. While Ifeajirika clarified that Okowa honored an invitation from the anti-graft agency to review documents and respond appropriately, he maintained that the investigation is still ongoing and no such money has been returned. Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori recently held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following the historic political realignment in the state.

The Nigerian Presidency has introduced new conditions for quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens Engagement Meetings, stressing the Federal Government's commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation in governance. The guidelines, issued through the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, mandate stricter requirements for ministries to ensure these meetings serve as genuine platforms for public engagement. The engagement meetings aim to bridge the gap between the government and citizens, promote inclusivity, and ensure active citizen participation. Each ministry must hold at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement meeting every quarter, with the minister personally leading the session alongside the Permanent Secretary and other top officials. The engagement must be a high-level interaction, involving civil society organizations, professional groups, the media, and ordinary citizens. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is also required to play a key role in coordinating media participation.