Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Benue

Gunmen have killed a cleric Rev. Gideon Adoor at his residence in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The late Adoor who was an uncle to former chief of Army Staff Gen. Victor Malu (rtd), was allegedly shot around 2.am by the suspected killers.

The murder of the cleric who is an Assistant Pastor with NKST Church Gboka road Markurdi, and an employee in the ministry of land and survey, was received with shock by his congregation.

The Late Adoor’s son Kenneth who narrated the incident in an interview with newsmen said that three gunmen stormed their residence around 2a.m and went to his room and forced the door opened.

“They forced me to take them to my father’s room, on getting there, they asked me to tell my father to open the door, when my father opened the door, the gunmen shot him twice in the chest.”

Kenneth who wept profusely said the killers did not take anything when they were learning.

He however regretted that his father was taken to the federal medical centre for treatment, where doctors requested for police report before he could be treated.

“We have to run to the police headquarters to get a policeman but before he arrived, my father gave up the ghost” he said.

Benue state police commissioner Ibrahim Mohammed confirmed the incident.

 

Ogun

A Head of the 2011 elections, an Action Congress (AC) chieftain in Ogun State, Prince Kayode Tejuoso, has declared his intention to run for the governorship.

He described the AC as the party that can restore the lost glory of the Gateway State and make it realise its potentials.

Tejuoso, son of the Osile of the Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, told reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, that he would return the state to its  glorious era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bisi Onabanjo and Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

“What we need in Ogun State are free education, free health care centre, full employment, affordable housing, rural development and women empowerment”, he said.

 

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government has earmarked N12 million for the sponsorship of 13 indigenes for post-graduate diploma in Geo-Informatics and Environmental Management respectively at the prestigious Reginal Centre for Training in Aerospace Survey (RECTAS),  Ile-Ife in Osun State.

The amount also covers the cost of training six others who earlier completed 18-month Technician Diploma in Geo-information Management and production programme at the cetnre. Four other indigenes from the state are currently at the meteorological and Research Training Centre, Oshodi Lagos on the sponsorship of the state government to study meteorological Assistant course.

Special Adviser to Governor Wamakko on scholarship and students’ matters, Dr. Muhammed Ali Iwiama said in a press  release signed by the Department’s PRO, Mallam Isah Abubakar Shuni that the training is aimed at meeting the manpower demands of the state particularly in related areas.

He said those for the post graduate training in Geo-Informatics and Environmental Management included members of staff drawn from the state ministry of Lands and Survey and Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

He explained that government is doing this to improve the standard of education in the state and ensure adequate representation of the state in specialised tertiary institutions.

Iwaiame said further that his department was committed to discouraging the notion that the state is educationally disadvantaged.

“We will ensure that our students are every where to study relevant and critical courses which the state is lacking and needs.”

 

Ekiti

Suspected armed robbers yesterday stormed  Isaki-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State where they reportedly killed two persons during a raid on a first generation bank.

The victims included a mobile policeman and a priest. Source in the community said two members of the gang died in an accident as they made to escape. They were pursued by policemen after leaving the scene. The bandits, who were said to be seven, stormed the bank very close to the town’s roundabout at about 10.00 a.m. one of them, who was suspected to be the leader of the gang, drove into the banks premises in a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

An eyewitness said the robbers dispossessed a traditional ruler of his vehicle which they rode into the bank.

When the hoodlums opened fire, bank workers, customers and bystanders reportedly scampered for safety to avoid being hit by stray bullet.

The gang leader reportedly shot in the air to signal their arrival.

The robbers escaped after operating unhindered for several minutes.

It could not be ascertained whether they went away with any cash from the banks vault.

The robbers were said to have fled the scene on learning that the operatives of the special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were on their trail. They escaped  through Isaki-oye-Ikole  Road. In their escape bid, they were also said to have snatched a kia mini-bus owned by a former chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government Area.

The Mini-bus somer-saulted on the cutskirts of Ikole, with two of the robbers killed on the spot. One member of the gang was injured.

Police spokesman Mohammed Jimch said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

 

Kwara

An Action Congress (AC) Chieftain in Kwara State, Alhaji Bolaji Edun, has opposed capital punishment being recommended by the Governors’ Forum for kidnappers.

Edun, a former commissioner for Special Duties also decried the invitation of Ghanaian electoral chief by the National Assembly to educate the lawmakers on what helped Ghana to conduct a free and fair election.

He said that Nigeria should embrace the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee report on electoral reform.

Edun, who was the former  AC secretary, was the guest on a radio Kwara programme. “The platform”, in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.

The party chieftain said instead of inviting Ghanaian electoral chief, voters should be encouraged to monitor collation of election results.

On the injection of N300 billion by the National Economic Council (NEC) to nation’s economy, Edun doubted the sincerity of the council, stressing that such move would not brighten the economy.

The development, according to him, would also increase capital flight since the money was not anchored on any specific project.

 

Bauchi

A Bauchi High Court has adjourned for hearing the 10-count charge levelled against the former Alkaleri Local Government Area chairman, Mr. Bello Arabi, for allegedly defrauding the council of over N10 million.

He was the council chairman between 2003 and 2007.

Arabi was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of misappropriating and transferring the council’s funds to private bank account in 2006.

According to the EFCC counsel, Mr. Faruk Abdallah, various sums ranging from N1.5 million to N4.8 million which amounted to over N10 million were transferred to the defunct Bank of the North account number 000500112 said to belong to one Bello Gidado.

The charges were brought under section 309 of the penal code.

When the case came up yesterday for hearing, Arabi’s lawyer, victor Dalbata told the court that he was not ready for the case because the prosecution had not provided statements of witnesses scheduled to testify as prescribed by law to enable him prepare  his defence.

But Abdullah insisted that the accused was duly served.

Justice Rabi Mustapha urged the EFCC counsel to provide prove of service to the accused person.

He adjourned the case till November 10

 

 Osun

The Action Congress (AC) has accused  the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of persecuting one of its chieftains, Senator Felix Ogunwale.

He is being held by the police over his alleged involvement in the killing of hunchback for ritual purposes in Iragbiji. In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Ogunwale’s real offence is that he dared to defect from the PDP to the AC in July, 2009.

The fact that the killing of the hunchback, Mrs Taibat Oseni, was allegedly carried out in a building which Ogunwale abandoned over five years ago does not make him liable for the murder. It is like finding a dead body in a car which someone has taken to the mechanic for repair and then blaming the owner,” AC said.

The party said while it supports police investigation into the murder of the hunchback. It calls on the inspector-General of police to direct that the case be transferred to the force CID, instead of leaving it in the hand of “the clearly partisan Osun police, who are only doing the bidding of Governor Olagunsaye Oyinlola”. “This is nothing short of political persecution of senator Ogunwale for daring to abandon the sinking PDP ship in Osun”, the party said.

 

Kano

Despite the unfavourable economic climate that characterised the global financial meltdown and other variables affecting business operations, the Nationakl Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) has returned a turnover of N9,8 billion for the 2008 financial  year.

The company also made a profit after tax of N1.298 billion, while its profit before tax stood at N1.89 billion, representing a growth of 26 per cent NASCON chairman, Alhaji Alike Dangote, however lamented that the wonderful result achieved was below its expectation for the year. He said: “The economy performed below expectation in 2008.”

The world economic crises witnessed towards the end of the year, coupled with increased crises in the Niger Delta, saw to the continued decline in crude oil exploration and production by the country”.

Dangote who was represented by one of the directors, Mr. Olakunle Alaki, said: “This meant that National finances deteriorated in the year. In addition, the poor state of the country’s infrastructure and the devaluation of the Naira in the last quarter of 2008, further worsened the economic environment –this devaluation, led to higher cost of production, which impacted negatively on businesses in general within the country” he stated.

Dangote, who equally revealed that NASCON financial target was also affected because it  imports its major raw materials from Brazil, nevertheless announced that, “the challenges of the business of the year under review notwithstanding, our company posted a  turnover of N9.8 billion reflecting a percentage growth of 26 over the previous year.

He stated: “Operating profit before tax was N1.896 billion, while our after tax profit was N1.298 billion, showing a modest growth over the past year”. He said the performance reflected the impact of the operating environment and the company’s response by way of measures and policies put in place to ensure that it remained profitable.

Speaking on the 2009 prospect, Dangote, told shareholders that NASCON is committed to maintaining its leadership position in the salt industry, adding that two sachet of salt production lines with  a rate capacity of 180,000 tonnes per annum have been installed.

He said plans are underway to establish tomotoe packing operations outfit in Nigeria following the two years of importation of the petti brand into the country.

“We believe that our plans should come to fruition in 2010 when we introduce the locally  packed Dangote brand into the Nigerian market,” he added.

 

Plateau

As the legal battle between Prof. Dakum Shown-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, and the national headquarters of the party is pending in the court, former factional leaders in the state have alleged that Prof. Dakum Shown, State Chairman, seized the existing party membership registers.

Prof. Shown had gone to court to stop the inauguration of Chief Abu King Shuluwa-headed state caretaker committee, set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The committee was expected to oversee the affairs of the party in the state, pending the conduct of the state congresses.

Besides, the Chief Emmanuel Mangni-led group further alleged that Shown was secretly registering only those loyal to governor Jonah Jang, formerly All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) members. Jonah Jang, himself had in 2003 contested the governorship on ANPP platform.

In a petition to the party’s national chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, titled “Re­dissolution of State, Local Government and ward executives of PDP in Plateau State “, the petitioners lamented that Prof. Shown was still parading himself as the State Chairman.

The group lamented that Prof. Shown was registering former ANPP members at the detriment of former Action Congress (AC) members, who according to them were willing to be registered PDP members.

The ex-factional leaders noted that while the two factions subsisted, the party witnessed a massive return of its members, who had earlier been deregistered in the 2006 controversial registration exercise.

Stressing the need for a level playing ground for all the members, the Chief Mangni-Ied group, called for fresh and genuine registration exercise in order to have authentic membership registers. It commended the Chief Ogbulafor-led National PDP for its courage in dissolving the state, local and ward executive councils. Besides, it gave the PDP leadership a pat on the back for the “inauguration” of Chief Shaluwa-headed caretaker committee.

According to the group, the emergence of the committee has brought peace and confidence within the party in the state. Consequently, it advised that everything should be done to ensure that the achieved peace did not suffer a set back

 

Lagos

The  Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Chairman, Monsurudeen Asamu Ola, has narrowly escaped death following an attempt on his life by unidentified gunmen.

Our Sources revealed that the incident was the third on his life and that two supervisory Councilors (names withheld), have been accused of being the masterminds of the attack.

The Source further revealed that, the chairman, after Consulting with the security committee of the LCDA, which include royal fathers and community leaders, reported the case to the police.

The Tide learnt that the case was reported to the lkotun Police Station on Saturday, after the Supervisor for Environment, Hon Salako Adams was attacked in Similar Circumstance and injured two weeks earlier.

A Senior police Officer at the lkotun Police Station who does not want his name in print confirmed that the case is still under investigation while another source close to the Council Chairman also confirmed the assassination plot on the chairman, stressing that the official vehicle assigned to the suspected supervisory councilors had been withdrawn by the LCDA.

In recent times the rate of assassins and robbery incident in Lagos state has given the police authority a sleepless night as lagosians slept with one eye’s open.

Continue Reading

Nation

FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

Published

on

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.

Continue Reading

Nation

Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

Published

on

Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.

 

Donatus Ebi

Continue Reading

Nation

TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

Published

on

The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.

Akujobi Amadi

Continue Reading

Trending