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HURIWA Decries Southeast’s Exclusion From Infrastructure Projects
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned in strong terms the persistent marginalisation of the South East geopolitical zone in the allocation of national infrastructure projects, key appointments, and federal development initiatives.
The Association described the pattern of systemic exclusion as both unacceptable and unconstitutional, calling on senators and political leaders from the region to maintain relentless pressure on federal authorities to reverse the injustice and uphold equitable governance in Nigeria.
This renewed outcry follows the alarming revelation that the South East was once again excluded from a N3.2 trillion irrigation projects of the Federal Government, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. The multi-trillion-naira initiative, set to benefit other regions of the country through comprehensive irrigation infrastructure, has no provision whatsoever for any part of the South East.
In a statement on June 1, 2025, by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the HURIWA expressed dismay that this fresh slight comes barely a month after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) came under scrutiny for serious irregularities in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of students from the region.
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It noted that to date, JAMB has failed to transparently disclose the actors behind what was tagged a “human error,” sparking suspicion of a deliberate ploy to sabotage the educational aspirations of Igbo youths.
“The continuous exclusion of the South East from key national projects is becoming intolerable and clearly indicative of systemic discrimination,” said Comrade Onwubiko. “How can a region that is part and parcel of the Nigerian federation be repeatedly sidelined in project planning, appointments, and budgetary allocations with no consequences or official remorse?”
The rights group hailed the intervention of South East senators — Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi State), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia State), and Osita Ngwu (Enugu State) — who raised the issue of the irrigation project’s regional exclusion on the floor of the Senate. Senator Eze particularly faulted the non-inclusion of the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority in the 2025 irrigation scheme and emphasized that viable projects such as the Ivo Dam in Ebonyi State, Uzuakoli, Igbere, and Abba dams in Abia State qualified for consideration under the N38 billion phase of the programme.
The motion was stepped down to allow Senate leadership interface with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, with Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, describing the exclusion as a possible “administrative oversight.” However, HURIWA disagreed with the characterization.
“When an act of marginalisation repeats itself so frequently and across different sectors, it becomes implausible to dismiss it as a mere oversight,” Onwubiko asserted. “This is the latest in a long string of evidence that the South East is being deliberately reduced to a footnote in national development planning. It is time our senators, governors, ministers, and leaders spoke with one voice and maintained sustained advocacy. Nothing will be given unless we persistently demand what is ours.”
The rights group cited several other examples of exclusion to back its claim. Among them is the consistently lopsided distribution of key federal appointments under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Of the 49 ministers in his cabinet, only five are from the South East. Worse still, only two of them hold substantive portfolios—far less than other regions. In a batch of 21 new federal agency appointments announced on May 23, 2025, the South East secured only two slots—despite comprising one of the six zones in the federation.
“In the critical area of national security and defense, the pattern is no different. In a document released by the Presidency in November 2024 detailing 20 major military and paramilitary appointments, the South East was allocated just one position, with the North West and South West dominating the list,” HURIWA frowned.
The HURIWA also recalled that during the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, the South East was not considered in the construction of the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, part of Nigeria’s flagship National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP). The rail modernization plan that was expected to transform national logistics and commerce similarly treated the South East as an afterthought, allocating only narrow-gauge rail lines to the region, while other zones received standard-gauge networks.
“Even the painful echoes of Buhari’s infamous ‘dot in a circle’ remark still reverberate in the actions of government today,” HURIWA lamented. “It is time to put a stop to this institutional exclusion and begin to treat all Nigerians as equal stakeholders in the national project.”
The HURIWA urged the Tinubu-led administration to walk the talk of “Renewed Hope” by ensuring inclusive governance. “The National Assembly must ensure oversight functions are exercised to prevent any section of the country from becoming a sacrificial lamb of national neglect,” the group warned.
The association concluded by calling on South East senators to keep the issue of regional exclusion on the front burner of national discourse until equity is achieved. “The South East must not retreat. We must not let this go unnoticed. From budget allocations to key projects, and top appointments, the South East deserves its fair share’”
The HURIWA emphasized. “There is no unity without justice.”
Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.
She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.
Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”
In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”
Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.
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In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
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With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.
“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.
He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.
“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed its support for healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State through the donation and subsequent handover of an Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) to the state government.
The development was contained in the company’s September 2026 Monthly Operations and Financial Report, which also highlighted its financial performance, oil and gas production, pipeline infrastructure and other operational activities.
According to the report, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health visited the NNPC Foundation and NNPC Limited on September 1, 2026, to present a letter of appreciation to the Foundation for donating the Infectious Diseases Hospital and handing it over to the Sokoto State Government.
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The engagement provided an opportunity for the state government to formally acknowledge the Foundation’s intervention and support towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State.
The report identified the engagement as part of the NNPC Foundation’s public impact initiatives.
NNPC Records ₦509bn September Profit
On its financial performance, NNPC recorded a profit after tax of ₦509 billion in September 2026, representing an 18.1 per cent increase compared with the previous month.
The company’s revenue also rose to ₦4.608 trillion from ₦3.74 trillion recorded in August, representing an increase of approximately 23.2 per cent.
Cumulative statutory payments to the Federation increased by 17.4 per cent, rising from ₦9.49 trillion between January and August to ₦11.14 trillion between January and September 2026.
Crude Oil and Gas Production
The report showed that average crude oil and condensate production stood at 1.70 million barrels per day during the period.
Natural gas production increased to 7,789 million standard cubic feet per day, while total hydrocarbon production reached 3.04 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The monthly operational summary also presented production and sales trends for crude oil, condensate and natural gas.
Pipeline Infrastructure Records Progress
On infrastructure development, NNPC reported 100 per cent availability of its upstream pipelines.
The company also disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline stood at 95 per cent completion.
According to the report, the OB3 River Niger Crossing pipeline had been commissioned and operationalised.
For the AKK pipeline, NNPC said sustained collaboration with stakeholders was helping to accelerate construction and pre-commissioning activities towards achieving early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.
NNPC Reports 54% Retail Station Availability
The report also highlighted the availability of petrol at NNPC retail stations across the country, putting the nationwide Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability level at 54 per cent.
A geographical map showing retail station availability across different parts of Nigeria was included in the monthly operational summary.
NNPC Outlines Strategic Production Efforts
On efforts to sustain production growth, NNPC listed accelerated restoration of shut-in wells and facilities, production optimisation and well interventions among its priorities.
The company also highlighted efforts to strengthen facility reliability and preventive maintenance, address infrastructure and operational constraints, improve community engagement and resolve storage, tank-top and export infrastructure challenges.
These measures, according to the report, are aimed at sustaining production growth and improving operational efficiency across its oil and gas assets.
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