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Wike, Adeleke, Soludo named In Revised APC Presidential Campaign Council …APGA Hails Soludo’s Inclusion

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a revised list of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, featuring serving governors, opposition figures and prominent political leaders in a move aimed at strengthening its re-election campaign for President Bola Tinubu.

Among the notable appointments is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has been designated campaign coordinator for Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has also been named campaign coordinator for his state, while former Gombe State Governor and serving Peoples Democratic Party senator, Ibrahim Dankwambo, has been appointed an adviser to the council.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been appointed Deputy Director-General for Administration, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, will serve as Deputy Director-General for the South II.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has been named South-South Deputy Coordinator for State Assemblies Mobilisation.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, will serve as Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Sensitisation.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has been appointed Director of Finance, while Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, will jointly coordinate fundraising activities.

Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been named Director of Stakeholder Mobilisation, while former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, will coordinate stakeholder mobilisation in the South-West zone.

Representative James Faleke has been appointed Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

The appointments reflect the party’s efforts to consolidate its political structure, mobilise support across the country and build a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

However, the inclusion of opposition figures and serving politicians from other parties in the revised list is likely to draw attention to the political alignments emerging ahead of the polls.

In a statement, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, said the campaign council would be nominated on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has hailed the appointment of governor Soludo into the APC campaign council. In a statement signed by APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, the party said Soludo’s inclusion is a testament to his exemplary leadership, uncommon commitment to progressive ideals, and his consistent advocacy for a strategic partnership between APGA and the Federal Government for the collective good of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo at large.

Ejimofor said Soludo’s mantra that ‘Progressives are Working Together’ is not just a slogan, but a statement of historical truth, adding that APGA, as the first truly progressive party in Nigeria, shares ideological DNA with the progressive movement at the centre.

According to him, this synergy has already yielded tangible dividends for Anambra State, including federal collaboration on critical infrastructural interventions and economic development enablers.

He explained that while APGA remains firmly in control of Anambra State, the party’s position remains that in Anambra, it is Tinubu for President, APGA for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly

NYSC DG Charges Corps Members To Build Leadership Skills, Shun Electoral Bias

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members deployed to Rivers State to embrace the challenges of the orientation course and equip themselves with the skills required for effective leadership.

Nafiu gave the charge on Monday while addressing members of the 2026 Batch C Stream I at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He urged the corps members to participate actively in camp activities, stressing the need for them to become leaders capable of making meaningful contributions to national development.

He also advised them to take the in-camp and post-camp Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme seriously, noting that the initiative would help them create sustainable wealth and develop multiple sources of income.

The NYSC director-general further cautioned the corps members against activities that could expose them to danger, urging them to remain security-conscious, avoid night travel and refrain from the irresponsible use of social media and other negative practices.

Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, told the visiting director-general that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had approved an immediate increase in the state allowance paid to corps members serving in the state.

According to Oleghe, corps members posted to urban areas would receive ₦20,000, while those deployed to rural communities would receive ₦35,000.

He said the improved allowance, alongside other achievements recorded under his administration, had distinguished the state’s NYSC programme.

Nafiu was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Carol William Embu; Director of Special Duties, Mr George Mfongang; and Acting Director of the NYSC South-South Area Office II, Port Harcourt, Mrs Olayinka Diana Nasamu.

UNICEF, Health Ministry Train 60 Community Facilitators To Reach 90,000 Households In Six LGAs

….Charge Them to Lead Campaign Against FGM

Sixty newly trained Community Facilitators have been charged to lead the movement to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their various communities in Rivers State.

The 60 trained community facilitators are expected to cascade the training to 15 Adolescent Gender Champions (AGCs) each across 30 communities, bringing the total number of AGCs to 450.

Each AGCs will mobilise 10 of their peers( friends), reaching 4,500 peers who, alongside the AGCs, will conduct step-down training to reach 90,000 female family members across the six LGAs.

The Child Protection Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Field Office, Victor Atuchukwu, gave the charge at the just-concluded three-day training on FGM in Port Harcourt.

Cross session of the participants during the training session.

The training, organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Health with support from the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM, had participants drawn from female youth-led and women-led Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) across Okrika, Ikwerre, Eleme, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Omuma and Oyigbo Local Government Areas.

Speaking shortly after the training, Atuchukwu said the time has come for survivors, women and even one-time perpetrators to take ownership of the fight against FGM.

“Lead the movement, no person is coming to end female genital mutilation for you in your community, only you can.

“But as a survivor, as a woman, or a one-time perpetrator, this is the time for all hands to come on deck to end FGM in our communities,” he charged.

He said the ultimate goal is to ensure every child, girl and woman in Rivers State is protected from violence and harmful practices.

He disclosed that although implementation commenced only last year in four other communities in the state, UNICEF is already recording positive changes in attitudes, behaviours and practices.

He added that the impact on prevalence will be measured by the next national surveys such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

“We are beginning to record change in attitudes, change in behaviours, change in practices and abandoning the negative components of the practices that affect women and girls,” he said.

According to him, a strong follow-up mechanism has been put in place to ensure the training translates to action. This includes creation of WhatsApp groups for facilitators and joint supervision by the Ministries of Health, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, and Justice, as well as direct feedback from communities through pictures and reports.

He added that UNICEF and the UNFPA Joint Programme will also conduct in-person visits to the communities to monitor progress.

The UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist noted that ignorance remains a major driver of FGM, adding that many participants were unaware that certain practices, including massaging, constitute FGM.

Earlier, the Health Promotion Officer of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mary Obisike, urged participants to remain open to learning new things and unlearning negative beliefs and practices that affect the health of children and communities.

She encouraged the facilitators to apply the knowledge acquired and share it with their respective communities.

Participants described the sessions as “interactive, practical and enlightening.

They commended the facilitators, Victor Atuchukwu, Dr. Mary Obisike, Executive Director of Tomorrow is a Girl, Lucy Uzodimma-Ogodo, her counterpart from Virgin Foundation, Peace Dike, the Rivers State Child Protection Network Coordinator, Inyingi Irimagha, and the Assistant Registrar, Rivers State Family Court, Ugwochi Agala, Esq., for their presentations and participatory teaching methods.

The facilitators pledged to cascade the knowledge gained to their communities, establish and strengthen adolescent circles, and work with Adolescent Gender Champions (AGCs), parents, traditional rulers and religious leaders to promote the abandonment of FGM.

The three-day training featured practical sessions, group work and demonstrations on topics including types and consequences of FGM, adolescent reproductive health, gender concepts, facilitation skills, community dialogue techniques and child protection laws.

CJN Warns Judges, Lawyers Against Bias In 2027 Election Disputes

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges and lawyers against conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the judiciary as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

She urged judicial officers to handle political and electoral disputes with impartiality, restraint and strict adherence to the law, warning that their conduct and decisions would come under intense public scrutiny.

Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday at a special session of the Supreme Court in Abuja to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.

She said electoral contests often generated heightened political activity and strong emotions, resulting in disputes with far-reaching consequences for individuals, political parties and the country.

She urged judges to avoid political associations and conduct capable of creating an impression of bias, noting that even the appearance of partiality could damage public trust in the judicial system.

Kekere-Ekun also expressed concern over the practice of forum shopping, whereby litigants deliberately institute cases in courts or divisions perceived to be favourable to their interests or file multiple suits seeking substantially similar reliefs.

According to her, such practices could generate conflicting court orders, disrupt the orderly administration of justice and expose the judiciary to avoidable embarrassment.

She warned that forum shopping could create the impression that litigants were seeking favourable outcomes from particular courts rather than pursuing justice in accordance with the law.

The Supreme Court chief further warned against allowing the growing volume of political litigation to undermine the timely determination of other cases.

She said the judiciary must remain accessible to all litigants, adding that the urgency or public prominence of electoral disputes should not result in other legitimate claims being neglected or delayed.

Kekere-Ekun maintained that the administration of justice required a balance between addressing politically sensitive disputes and ensuring that all other cases received the attention they deserved.

Her warning comes as political parties and their aspirants prepare for the 2027 general elections, a period expected to generate legal disputes over party primaries, candidate selection and other electoral processes.

She stressed the need for judges and lawyers to uphold professional standards and constitutional principles to preserve the credibility of the judiciary and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.

Nigeria, Germany Move To Deepen Economic Ties, Expand Investment Cooperation

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic relations with Germany, with emphasis on investment promotion, energy cooperation and the implementation of existing bilateral agreements.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, stated this in Abuja on Monday when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel, paid a courtesy visit to the ministry.

Bagudu welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly during its early stages.

He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was implementing major economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between both countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation. According to him, discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany helped advance negotiations on key energy agreements.

Bagudu noted that Nigeria and Germany had established a strong foundation for bilateral relations, with considerable opportunities to expand cooperation in areas capable of stimulating economic growth and development.

He identified discussions involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees as important areas of engagement, noting that Nigeria was seeking to expand investment opportunities and improve its capacity to deploy available resources effectively.

The minister said ongoing reforms had created opportunities for Nigeria to attract more investment, strengthen productive capacity and translate international partnerships into measurable economic benefits.

He, however, expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between the two countries would provide a solid basis for addressing emerging challenges and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation.

Rössel also welcomed the ministry’s willingness to sustain engagement with Germany, emphasising the need to preserve established partnerships while adapting to changing circumstances.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and welcomed him to Nigeria.

She expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and relevant German agencies, stressing that the success of bilateral cooperation would depend largely on translating agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes.

Uzoka-Anite assured the delegation that the ministry would continue to facilitate cooperation and support efforts to ensure that joint initiatives were implemented effectively and delivered tangible benefits.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh, described Germany as a reliable development partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.

She expressed optimism that the ambassador’s tenure would create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and advance the longstanding relationship between both countries.

The visit reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria and Germany to sustained diplomatic engagement, expanded economic cooperation and stronger investment partnerships aimed at promoting development in both countries.

Sterling Oil Wins NAEC Excellence Award For Second Consecutive Year

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Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has won the Government–Private Partner of the Year Award at the 2026 Nigerian Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) Annual Energy Conference and Awards, marking its second consecutive year of recognition by the association.

The award, presented on October 9, 2026, recognises the company’s collaboration with government institutions to strengthen marine security, enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Navy and protect Nigeria’s critical oil and gas assets.

The recognition underscores SEEPCO’s contribution to promoting security, stability and operational continuity in the country’s upstream petroleum sector, where effective partnerships between government and private operators remain essential to sustainable industry growth.

The company’s partnership with the Nigerian Navy, particularly through the KALI Series Security Support Vessels designed and built in Delta State, reflects its commitment to strengthening maritime security and developing indigenous capabilities.

The initiative also supports local content development by demonstrating the capacity of Nigerian expertise to contribute to the protection of critical national energy infrastructure.

At the conference, SEEPCO’s goodwill message, delivered by its General Manager, Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Dr Jite Orimiono, commended NAEC for providing a platform for discussions on the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.

With the theme, “Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth,” the conference examined the importance of access to energy assets in attracting investment, expanding indigenous participation, creating opportunities across the value chain and promoting sustainable economic growth.

SEEPCO’s message emphasised that the development of Nigeria’s energy sector should extend beyond production to encompass strategic partnerships, local capacity development, asset security and a shared commitment to creating lasting value for communities and the nation.

It also highlighted the role of the media in promoting accountability, facilitating informed discussions and reporting developments that shape the industry.

The latest honour follows the company’s receipt of the Sustainability Company of the Year Award at the 2025 NAEC Awards in recognition of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

SEEPCO said it remained committed to sustainability through environmental protection, community development programmes, improved resource efficiency and responsible business operations.

As part of these efforts, the company launched the SEEPCO SMILE Campaign in 2025 in partnership with NAEC. The initiative seeks to deepen community engagement and deliver social benefits under the campaign’s message of bringing smiles with each barrel to the last mile.

The consecutive recognitions highlight the company’s focus on collaboration, sustainability and community engagement as part of its contribution to Nigeria’s energy sector.

SEEPCO said it would continue to strengthen partnerships with government institutions, industry stakeholders, host communities and the media to support the protection of energy assets and the sustainable development of the sector.

Fubara Extends Health Insurance To to 50,000 More Rivers Residents

…Targets flood victims, vulnerable households, primary school pupils

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed the extension of health insurance coverage to an additional 50,000 residents, including flood victims, vulnerable persons and pupils in public primary schools across the state.

The initiative, funded through the state government’s equity contributions to the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), is aimed at expanding access to healthcare and reducing the financial burden of medical treatment on vulnerable households.

The Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, disclosed this on Friday during an interaction with journalists after the agency’s third-quarter management review meeting in Port Harcourt.

Agala said the governor’s intervention was designed to strengthen the implementation of the contributory health insurance programme and ensure that more residents, particularly those facing financial difficulties, could access essential healthcare services.

She explained that extending coverage to flood victims formed part of the state government’s response to the impact of flooding on affected communities.

According to her, the initiative recognises that the consequences of flooding extend beyond immediate humanitarian needs to include the healthcare challenges confronting displaced households and residents whose livelihoods have been disrupted.

Agala added that the inclusion of pupils in public primary schools would improve children’s access to healthcare, safeguard their well-being and promote a healthier school-age population across Rivers State.

She said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare access and protecting vulnerable residents from the financial hardship associated with medical treatment.

The intervention aligns with Fubara’s Health4AllRivers vision, which seeks to advance universal health coverage by expanding access to affordable healthcare and ensuring that more residents benefit from health insurance.

The additional coverage is expected to extend the programme’s reach to vulnerable groups, particularly flood-affected households and schoolchildren, who may otherwise face barriers to accessing essential medical services.

NYSC Remains Vital To Nigeria’s Unity, National Integration – GOC

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General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army And Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro (right) presenting a souvenir to the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, during the visit.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as a vital national asset for promoting unity, cultural integration and nation-building in Nigeria.

Okoro said the scheme remained crucial to strengthening the bonds among Nigerians of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, stressing that its role in fostering national cohesion could not be overemphasised.

He stated this in Port Harcourt when he received the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, and members of his management team during a courtesy visit to his office at Bori Camp Barracks.

The GOC commended the NYSC management and corps members for their contributions to nation-building, particularly through the promotion of national unity and cultural integration among Nigerians, irrespective of differences in tribe and language.

He noted that by bringing young graduates from different parts of the country together to serve in states other than their places of origin, the scheme provided an important platform for mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and national solidarity.

Okoro also assured the Rivers State NYSC management of the Division’s commitment to strengthening security arrangements to protect corps members, particularly during their arrival in the state for orientation programmes.

He said the Division would continue to deploy appropriate security measures to mitigate threats to corps members and ensure their safety.

The GOC further commended Oleghe for what he described as his integrity, dedication and commitment to duty, noting that he had maintained a cordial and productive relationship between the NYSC and the Nigerian Army.

Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator thanked the GOC for his support for the scheme, observing that his commitment had been evident despite having only recently settled into his assignment.

Oleghe said his visit was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, while seeking stronger collaboration in the discharge of their respective responsibilities.

He urged the GOC to sustain the cordial relationship and remain accessible to the scheme whenever the need arose.

The NYSC, established in 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, was designed to promote national reconciliation, reconstruction and integration by encouraging young graduates to serve outside their states of origin.

More than five decades after its establishment, the scheme remains one of Nigeria’s major institutional platforms for fostering inter-ethnic understanding and building a shared sense of national identity among young people.

NDDC Pledges Improved Service Delivery, Urges Staff To Prioritise Stakeholders

NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, presents the integrity award to the NDDC Manager, MD’s Office, Mr. Benjamin Amafgha, during 2026 Customer Service Week at the NDDC Headquarters. With them are the NDDC Deputy Director, SERVICOM, Dr Irene Okezie (left) and the programme’s consultant, Pastor Benson Eghaire (right).

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, innovation and improved service delivery, urging staff to prioritise the needs of stakeholders and communities across the Niger Delta.

The Executive Director, Corporate Services, NDDC, Ifedayo Abegunde, stated this in Port Harcourt during a programme organised to commemorate Customer Service Week.

Abegunde said excellent customer service remained central to the commission’s mandate and its commitment to responsive, people-oriented development in the oil-rich region.

He assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to deliver development projects and improve the welfare of communities across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the commission’s commitment to service delivery is reflected in projects executed over the past three years under the leadership of its Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, and the management team.

Abegunde also commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda provided a foundation for economic growth, national unity and inclusive development.

The NDDC Deputy Director, SERVICOM, Irene Okezie, described Customer Service Week as an opportunity to celebrate customer service professionals and recognise their contributions to building trust, strengthening relationships and improving institutional performance.

She commended customer service personnel and frontline workers for their diligence, patience and dedication to assisting stakeholders, particularly under challenging circumstances.

Okezie said the commission was using the occasion to appreciate staff and stakeholders who had demonstrated exceptional commitment to the development of the region.

She disclosed that it was the first time the NDDC was observing Customer Service Week, expressing optimism that the initiative would provide a platform for continuous improvement in service delivery.

The Deputy Director, SERVICOM, NDDC Abuja Liaison Office, Kikelomo Aina, urged staff to demonstrate empathy towards vulnerable customers and extend assistance to people experiencing difficulties.

Aina said effective service delivery required staff to be accessible and willing to assist customers beyond routine expectations, adding that going the extra mile to help others could make a significant difference.

She, however, described such additional efforts as a personal choice that reflected a commitment to serving others.

The programme’s consultant, Pastor Benson Eghaire, emphasised the importance of teamwork, perseverance and determination in achieving organisational goals.

He urged staff to work collectively, remain resilient and demonstrate greater commitment to their responsibilities to improve efficiency and service delivery.

RIFF 2026 Unveils 33 Award Categories as 3,021 Films Compete

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The Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) 2026 has unveiled its award categories, with 3,021 film submissions received from filmmakers across Africa and other parts of the world, underscoring the festival’s growing international reach.

The festival, scheduled to hold from October 29 to November 1 on Bonny Island, Rivers State, will recognise excellence in filmmaking, storytelling, acting, animation, technical production, documentary filmmaking and film tourism.

According to a statement signed by the Festival Director, Osunwa Kenneth Chigozie, the 2026 edition received 3,021 submissions, from which 356 films were selected and 136 nominated for awards, with 182 countries represented.

The festival announced that the awards would span various aspects of filmmaking, including technical craftsmanship, creative direction, performances and the use of cinema to promote tourism destinations.

Among the general and technical categories are Best Props, Best African Film, Best Make-up/Special Effects, Best Film for Tourism Promotion, Best Film Location and Best Costume.

The documentary categories include Best Documentary Title, Best Documentary Story, Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Director and Overall Best Documentary.

For feature-length productions, the awards include Best Story, Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Director, Best Short Film and Overall Best Film.

The acting categories comprise Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor and Best Actress, while the animation section features awards for Best Animation Director, Best Animated Short Film, Best Animated Feature-Length Film, Best Animated Story/Screenplay, Best Voice Performance in Animation, Best Character Design and Overall Best Animation.
Other categories include Best International Film and Best Narrative Film.

The festival said the awards were designed to recognise filmmakers for their creative vision, technical expertise, cultural expression and ability to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences.

With the theme, “Film Tourism: A Pathway to Economic Development,” RIFF 2026 seeks to highlight the role of cinema in promoting destinations, showcasing cultural heritage and creating economic opportunities through tourism.

The statement said the festival’s vision extended beyond celebrating cinematic achievements to connecting cultures and encouraging the discovery of destinations through film.

“From Africa to the world. From stories to destinations. From film to economic opportunity,” the festival said in its announcement.
RIFF congratulated the selected filmmakers and nominees and commended its jury for their work in the selection and nomination process.

The festival directed members of the public to its Facebook page, RIFF Festivals, and TikTok handle, @riffestivals, for details of nominated films and their respective categories.

The four-day festival will hold on Bonny Island, an oil-producing community in Rivers State, from October 29 to November 1, 2026.