News

Boro Day: IYC Wants May 16 Declared Public Holiday, Other Honours

Published

8 months ago

May 16, 2025

Editor

...sends powerful message to Ijaw nation, N’Delta Govs

…speaks on Rivers politics, Warri delineation

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has called on the Federal Government to declare May 16 of every year public holiday as a way of honouring Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, who, according to the apex body of Ijaw youth, “fought and died for the indivisibility of Nigeria as a nation.”

The IYC also suggested that the Port Harcourt International Airport and other Federal Government institutions either in Abuja or any other city outside the Niger Delta be named after Boro as a way of “immortalising him for his struggles not to go in vain.”

During a press conference in Warri to mark the 57th celebration of the late the hero with the theme, ‘Maj Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, Celebrating the Legacy, Rekindling the Struggle,‘ IYC spokesman, Amb. Princewill Yerin Binebai, lamented that despite Boro’s sacrifices during the civil war, he remains the unsung champions of the Nigerian civil war.

Binebai said: “In 1966, Boro established the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, an armed group primarily composed of members of the Ijaw ethnic group, and proclaimed the Niger Delta Republic on the 23rd of February 1966. This declaration led to a conflict with federal forces, lasting twelve days before Boro and his associates were apprehended and charged with treason. They were later granted amnesty by the federal government under General Yakubu Gowon in May 1967, shortly before the Nigerian Civil War.

“However, Boro, after being released from prison by the Federal Government of Nigeria, was one of the unsung champions of the Nigerian civil war; he fought and died for the indivisibility of Nigeria as a nation. He died while fighting and defending our dear nation from disintegration.

“Considering the sacrifices of Boro, it is our call on the Federal Government of Nigeria that it is now time for the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour Boro as a young man who laid down his life for the nation at the age of 29 years. The Federal Government should do well by declaring May 16th every year as a public holiday to honour the late Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro.

“The IYC is suggesting that the Port Harcourt International Airport be named after Boro, Federal Government Institutions either in Abuja be named after him, it could be major roads within and outside the Niger Delta or other critical facilities in order to immortalise him for his struggles not to go in vain.”

The IYC spokesman, while commending the Bayelsa State Government for the efforts put in place to immortalise Boro, urged Rivers State Government to follow suit, stressing that “Rivers State was also created to compensate the late Ijaw hero, late Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro.”

– Message to the Ijaw Nation –

Binebai, who appealed to Ijaw people to be united regardless of the state they fall under, urged them to support political office holders from the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

He appealed: “Dear sons and daughters of Ijaw nation, as we deeply reflect on what Boro fought and died for, let us always protect ourselves as Ijaw people in the Nigerian State; till date, we are still struggling to have a sense of belonging in the Nigerian State as major stakeholders that we should be.

“We are one united big family. What binds us together is greater than what can divide us. Our strength lies in our unity.”

He continued: “Let us give support to our leaders holding positions in the Government; we must learn from others. Hardly have we seen youths from other ethnic groups attacking their leaders holding positions in the Government publicly despite their inefficiencies.

“We must not paint a picture that our people occupying political offices are not doing well when, in the real sense, they are the best in the current Tinubu-led government.”

On Warri Federal Constituency delineation controversy, the IYC spokesman called on INEC to “quickly work with the stakeholders in Warri Federal Constituency with a view to quickly implementing their draft report on the wards’ delineation.

“INEC must know that we are no longer going back to the previous fraudulent and illegal arrangement in Warri Federal Constituency.

“The DSS and the federal government must bring to justice the criminal elements who try to smuggle arms into Delta State to cause trouble.

“The federal government and its security agencies must not continue to remain silent on this life-threatening matter.”

Speaking on Rivers and its politics, the IYC spokesman appealed to Tinubu to “reconsider and review the suspension of the Rivers State Governor with a view to lifting the suspension before the six months for Fubara to return back to the Government House.”

He commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the Nigeria Maritime University, (NMU) Okerenkoko, Delta State, Bill into law, and other good works he has done in the Niger Delta and to Ijaw sons and Delta.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

24 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.