A U.S.-based Nigerian and visionary in geoscience and data innovation, Mathew Ogieva, has continued to leave an indelible mark on global Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics advancement.

Ogieva, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, said he served as Grand Award Judge at the 75th Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 75th ISEF was held from May 10 to May 17 in Columbus, Ohio, the world’s largest annual STEM competition for pre-college students

It is an annual science fair in the United States, owned and sponsored by the Society for Science, a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC.

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Ogieva, therefore, described the event as “the world’s largest and most prestigious science competition featuring nearly 1,700 participants from over 60 countries.

“In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, I helped to evaluate over 70 groundbreaking projects, bringing my expertise and passion to the forefront of global youth innovation.

“My influence spans coast to coast and beyond, having judged at California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF 2025) – California Lutheran University, Earth and Environmental Science category.”

He said that his judging legacy was not just on projects, but in igniting purpose and mentorship across continents.

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“I am currently serving on the 2026 CSEF Judging Advisory Committee.

“State Science Day & STEP Fair (Ohio, April 2025) – Under the Ohio Academy of Science, Terra NYC STEM Fair (March 2025) – Held at New York University – Tandon School of Engineering
“Technovation Girls Global Competition (2025) – Evaluating tech solutions by girls in over 60 countries and Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS, May 2025) – Championing science excellence among youth in Virginia,” he said.

NAN reports that Ogieva’s extraordinary ability lies not only in scientific expertise but in uplifting the next generation of global problem-solvers, and he is proud to strengthen ties in Nigeria to advance scientific innovation.

NAN

Gbaramatu Traditional Council (GTC), has called on security agencies including the Delta State government to provide security to the people in Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) and Ikantu (Kantu) communities in the kingdom.

The GTC said the call became necessary and timely over an alleged threat on the leadership of these communities by suspected Itsekiri elements after they (Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) and Ikantu) reaffirmed their position as Ijaw and Gbaramatu people.

Speaking at a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, the Fiyewei (spokesman) of the kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said the leadership of Gbaramatu Kingdom has been inundated with calls over threat to evacuate and kill members of Kantu and Ijaghala communities.

According to him, the threats were coming due to the fact that the aforementioned communities had decided to reaffirm their position as Ijaw and Gbaramatu people.

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The Fiyewei, flanked by other chiefs of the kingdom, insisted that the law provides freedom of association, adding that Ijaghala and Ikantu people should be allowed to associate with their Ijaw progenitors.

He warned against any attempts to attack Ijaw Ijaghala and kantu people, adding that they will vehemently resist such threats, and will not cede any parcel of land to Itsekiris migrants.

He lamented over the suspected murder of the Gbaramatu Ijaw illustrious son in Tebijor community in the recent time, warning that such should not repeat itself again.

The Fiyewei warned that Itsekiris who are issuing threat to Ijaw should desist, stressing that “in case they are ignorant about the ownership of such lands, they should ask their fathers about their origin and their migration history.”

He added: “In case their fathers had died, they should find any means to exhume their bodies, so they could provide a guide to modern Itsekiri youth who do not know where they came from.”

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He said the Kantu and Ijaghala ( Zou-ala uba) people had decided to trace their true origin, stating that they should be allowed to enjoy their freedom of life and association.

Gbenekama, maintained that lie had an expiry date, noting that Itsekiris were glorifying themselves with lies, and that such lies have expired.

The Ijaw leaders insisted that Ijaghala, Kantu, Omadinor and Obodo were ancestry lands of Ijaw people, adding that the elders of the Itsekiri were conversant with these facts.

He, on behalf of the traditional council, called on the federal government to investigate the Warri traditional ruler who was accused of gun running and brought him and others to book, stating that the gun running was an attempt to attack and kill the Ijaw and Gbaramatu people of Warri federal constituency.

The Gbaramatu leaders, therefore, urged INEC to complete the delineation exercise, adding that there was outright peace in Warri and its environs, stressing that the delay in completing the Warri delineation exercise wasn’t for the interest of peace.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the return of schools to missionary organizations in the state.

According to a statement by Fred Itua,
the Chief Press Secretary to governor, the decision to return the schools to missionary followed a meeting between the governor and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Gabriel G. Dunia, in Government House, Benin City.

The governor clarified that any of the affected schools currently undergoing renovation by the state government would remain under its supervision until their completion.

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The governor named the schools expected to be affected by this policy as Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; St. Angela’s Grammar School, Uzairue; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze; St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary Grammar School, Eme-Ora; and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo.

In his response, Bishop Dunia revealed that despite persistent appeals to previous administrations, the state government did not positively respond to the Church’s requests for the return of their institutions until now.

Bishop Dunia underscored the strategic importance of these educational institutions to the Catholic mission, emphasizing their role not only in the intellectual formation of children but also in fostering “ideal moral character, which constitute the bedrock of good society.”