Breaking
Prof. Agbalagba Appointed as New Vice Chancellor of FUPRE
Divine Perezide
The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, has named Prof. Ezekiel Oghenenyerhovwo Agbalagba as its new Vice Chancellor. The announcement was made by Engr. Bello Gachi Issa, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, during a press briefing at the university’s Conference Hall.
According to Issa, a total of 39 applicants contested for the prestigious role, but Prof. Agbalagba emerged as the best candidate following a thorough selection process. He emphasized that the appointment adhered strictly to due process and commended the professor’s academic expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim Rukeh, expressed confidence in the transition process, describing it as transparent and smooth. He also highlighted Prof. Agbalagba’s qualifications and vision, stating that the university would benefit significantly from his leadership. The new Vice Chancellor is expected to serve a single five-year term.
About Prof. Ezekiel Oghenenyerhovwo Agbalagba
Prof. Agbalagba, a distinguished scholar in Environment and Radiation Physics, hails from Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Pure and Applied Physics from Delta State University, Abraka, in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in Environmental Radiation Physics in 2007, and a Ph.D. in Nuclear and Radiation Physics from the University of Port Harcourt in 2012.
With an international reputation in nuclear and radiation health physics, he has had a long and distinguished academic career. He began lecturing at Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science, Yenagoa, from 2003 to 2010, while also serving as a Research Assistant at the University of Port Harcourt. Before his recent appointment, he held the position of Dean of the College of Science at FUPRE and was also a former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) FUPRE Chapter.
Research and Contributions
Prof. Agbalagba’s research spans various critical areas, including:
* Radiation and radionuclide assessment in the Niger Delta’s oil and gas sector
* Background ionizing radiation levels in Nigerian urban centers
* Modeling of radioactivity pollutant transportation
* Noise pollution in industrial and urban environments
* Impact of non-ionizing radiation from GSM masts and mobile phones
* Environmental impact assessments
A prolific researcher and author, he has published four books, co-authored over 60 scientific papers in reputable local and international journals, and presented more than 40 conference papers. He was also the keynote speaker for FUPRE’s 6th Inaugural Lecture on September 5, 2024, and currently serves as the Managing Editor of the FUPRE Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Additionally, Prof. Agbalagba is a certified Nuclear Security Specialist with expertise in radionuclide waste security management, accredited by the World Institute of Nuclear Security, Australia.
With his extensive experience in academia and research, his leadership is anticipated to propel FUPRE to greater heights in innovation and academic excellence over the next five years.
Breaking
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR AMUPITAN AS INEC CHAIRMAN
The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.
President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.
Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
October 9, 2025
By: Divine Perezide
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed media reports suggesting that it has suspended the Delineation of Electoral Wards in Warri Federal Constituency, covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.
The rebuttal followed a report by the Punch Newspaper claiming that an INEC official had hinted at a suspension in connection with the Supreme Court judgement of December 2, 2022. INEC clarified such reports were misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday, INEC emphasized “the commission has not taken any decision regarding the delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency. Reports alleging suspension are inaccurate and do not reflect the position of INEC.
The Commission noted that it remains committed to upholding the Supreme Court judgment but insisted that due process and broad consultation must guide every step of the delineation process.
A senior Electoral Officer, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, stressed that INEC’s mandate cannot be subjected to misrepresentation. “We must be clear: no suspension has been declared. What we have is an ongoing consultation process to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional provisions,” he stated.
The Supreme Court ruling of December 2022 had directed INEC to ensure fair representation of all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency by reviewing and delineation wards accordingly.
INEC assured stakeholders, particularly in Delta State, that it would communicate its position at the appropriate time, adding that it remains committed to transparent and credible Electoral Reforms.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the withdrawal of services at Dangote Refinery and all Oil Installations following what it described as the unlawful dismissal of more than 80 of its members.
In a statement released by the union, the PENGASSAN condemned whT it termed “Dangote Refinery unilateral action to sack ova 800 members of our association for joining our union,” BBC Pidgin reported.
The association further described the move as “an affront to all workers for Nigeria and deliberate violation of Nigeria labour laws, di Constitution, and ILO convention.”
The mass sack has drawn significant concerns across labour circles, with PENGASSAN warning that such practices could set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of workers in the country’s oil and gas sector.
Reacting to the development, Dangote Refinery said it had taken necessary steps within the boundaries of law and industrial practice. While the company the company did not provide a detailed explanation for the dismissal, it insisted its actions were guided by operational realities.
Labour watchers say the dispute could escalate into a major confrontation unless urgent mediation is initiated by the federal government via the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The refinery, commissioned to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s energy sector, now faces its first major labour crisis since operations began.