Nation
THE STATES
Damaturu
Team leader of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Fred Onyeoziri, has identified two ingredients critical to the successful implementation of the new nine – years basic education curriculum of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) as designed by the council.
According to him, to ensure fun the scheme is beneficial to the pupils as envisioned, the nation must phase out grade II teachers from the nine-year basic education programme and separate junior secondary schools from the senior ones. Onyeoziri spoke recently in Damaturu at the North – East advocacy forum at the NERDC.
He said that the new curriculum for the primary six and junior secondary schools was designed by the council to ensure equal access to ‘functional and qualitative” education, with a view to developing the pupils’ educational, entrepreneurial and moral potentials for a better society. The new scheme kicked off nationwide last month.
“The new curriculum cannot be instilled in the pupils without qualified and trained teachers.
The minimum teaching requirement at the primary and junior secondary schools is the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and not Grade II Teachers certificate as obtainable in some states in the North,” Onyeoziri said.
Abuja
The Action Congress (AC) yesterday condemned the plan by federal legislators to surreptitiously grant themselves and their state counterparts the kind of immunity from arrest and prosecution now being enjoyed by the President, Vice President and the governors of the 36 states.
In a statement issued in Abuja last Monday by its National Publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the bill which, according to media reports, has scaled second reading in the House, could create a new set of untouchables if passed into law.
The party, therefore, asked all Nigerians to “rise against this selfish move by a few elected officials, who are now lording themselves over those who elected them into office, and who believe they should be above the laws of the land”.
It said if the ill-advised move is aimed at curbing the excesses of the security agencies, as claimed by some of its supporters, it shows that the lawmakers are nothing but a bunch of selfish people, since all they are seeking to do is to protect themselves alone, not those who elected them into office.
AC said innocent Nigerians are being illegally arrested or knocked down daily by trigger-happy security agents, but those who were supposed to be the representatives of the same people are taking to a flight of fantasy by seeking to create a new law to protect themselves only, instead of protecting those who elected them.
Kano
The Kano State Chapter of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has given Governor Ibrahim Shetarau the privilege to pick his successor in the 2011 election.
The Party’s Secretary, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, Monday told reporters in Kano that the decision was taken at the stakeholders meeting held at the government House. He said as a stakeholder in the party and an incumbent, it was natural that Shekarau should be given the privilege to name his successor.
Bako added that the meeting directed all members of the party interested in the governorship ticket to suspend their campaigns forthwith.
The stakeholder’s forum, the secretary said, urged Shekarau to vie for the presidential ticket in 2011.
He said the party would soon begin to campaign for Shekarahu’s candidacy for the presidency.
The Secretary said the meeting had directed the state executive council members, headed by Alhaji Sani Itotoro, to remain in office beyond 2010 in recognition of their achievements, especially in ensuring the party’s successes in past elections.
Ogbomosho
The election by the Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) of an executive to pilot its affairs for the next one year has turned into a farce.
At the end of polling, an ex-student was declared president.
The election held at the Ogulola Township hall Oja Igbo Ogbomoso.
Olafemi Taiwo Okunlola, an ex-student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, was declared president, another student, Saamon Aborisade, who has been justicated from Ladokc Akintola University Ogbomoso was also elected into the executive.
Prior to the election day, intense screening and ratifications were carried out. At the end, sensitive positions like those of President and Secretary-general had only one candidate standing. Many students who spoke to The Tide accused the state government of interfering in their affairs and imposing candidates on them.
Others who were so ‘selected” included Shuaib Alojialapa (Vice President), Ezekiel Ayansiji (Assistant Secretary-General), Idowu Okedara (Auditor), Ahmed Muili (Welfare Director), Opeyemi Amuda Opeyemi (Social Director II) and Mose bolatan Adeyemo ( Social Director I). Samson Aborisade Samson emerged the Senate President.
Prior to the election, violence had ensued between Olafeni’s supporters and those of Tunde Saka, another presidential aspirant and student of Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife.
In the free-for-all, some students were injured. Mobile Policemen were present throughtout. Equally present was the out-going President of the body, Bashir Alade.
Meanwhile, many students have called for the cancellation of the election on the basis of the many irregularties that characterised it.
The Federation of Ogbomosho students’ Union (FOGSU), one of the five zones that makeup FOSSU, in a letter signed by Tope Olawuyi, Sarafedeen Abdulazzez and Adekunle Oluseyi, urged its member to dissociate themselves from the election which is described as “a selection and imposition of rusticated, ex-and ghost students of the state students unionism.
The letter accused Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of imposing his likes on students through his special Adviser on Youth, Mr. Ismail Akindele.
Students also asked that all those who purchased forms to run and were disqualified on “flimsy” excuses should be refunded their money. They accused the electoral committee of exploiting their mates by selling the forms for between N5,000 and N7,500.
The students, who accused Akindele of “excessive interference in student unionism in the state since 2007”, also called for the man’s removal as special Adviser on youth, so that he would not “impose leaders on us anymore.
They further rejected the imposition and called for a fresh, free and fair election.
Akure
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mr. David Adulugha, has identified lack of competitive products in the international market the bane of the non-oil export sector.
Besides, he noted that inadequate infrastructure has contributed to the cost of doing business in the country.
Speaking at a one-day workshop on Administration of Export Finance and Incentives in Nigeria, Adulugba said the preference of Nigeria’s financial instructions for funding import activities to the detriment of export further compounded the problem of an average Nigerian exporter.
The workshop organised by Akure Zonal office of NEPC was held in Ado-Ekiti where the NEPC boss disclosed that the federal government had introduced a package of incentives to encourage Nigerian exporters.
This is to increase the volume of their exports, broaden export product and market coverage as well as diversify the production base of the economy.
He said incentive schemes were also aimed at increasing foreign exchange earning capacity of non-oil export sector and address the major problems of supply; demand and price competitiveness of Nigerian products in the world market.
In his opening remark, Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni said the workshop came at a time when the present administration is exerting effort to transform the economy of the state in the area of enterprise.
According to him, 97 select graduates are under-going a three – month intensive course in entrepreneurship to nurture future entrepreneurs who would transform the economic landscape of the state.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop, participants urged the federal government to reduce the number of security check points along the ECOWAS regional trading routes.
They also pleaded with exporters to keep record of transactions to reduce delay in processing their Export Expansion Grant (EEG) claims, while appealing to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen its monitoring mechanism to reduce incidence of non-declaration and repatriation of Actual Export Proceeds (AEP).
The Akure Zonal manager of NEPC, Mr. A.L. Ako said the programme was packaged as part of efforts to create export awareness and capacity building of exporters and members of the state committees on export promotion in Zonal office covering Ondo, Edo, Delta, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi and Osun States.
Lokoja
The Kogi State government has partnered Salem University, a private university to train 300 youths in the state.
Flagging off the entrepreneurial training at one of the lecture theatres of Salem, the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said apart from shouldering their tuition fees, the government would also provide credit facilities to each participant to cushion their business at the end of the training.
He said youth empowerment is one of the state’s politicies aimed at reducing unemployment.
He assured the youths that his administration would continue to accord importance to their well being.
The 300 youths were selected from the 21 local government areas of the state for the three month training.
He therefore directed all the local government chairmen to accommodate participants from their respective local government area for the duration of their training in Lokoja.
Also speaking on the occasion, the special Assistant to the Governor on Youth empowerment, Mr. Friday Abdul Sanni said the state government has spent over N50 million monthly on youths in the state.
The vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Paul Omojo Omaji, said the participants would get certificates at the end of the training.
Omaji, who pointed out that no amount of money spent by any government on youths is too much, said empowering youths in any society would reduce social vices such as thuggery, robbery, kidnapping, among other crimes.
He assured the state government that the university would train the youths and make them global leaders.
Jos
Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has said that the government would establish a cancer-screening centre in each of the three senatorial districts.
He said this became necessary to check the disease, especially in women.
Jang spoke at the Government House, Jos, while hosting a medical team from the African Centre for Cancer Care, a non-government organisation (NGO) based in Houston, United States.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, James Monnok, said Jang promised that the government would begin retraining of surgeons to deal with cancer cases.
The statement added that the government had accepted to pay the medical bills of parents with the disease and send serious cases for advanced treatments aboard.
The team leader, Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, said the organisation was set up in 2005 to provide basic health education and other statutory responsibilities to cancer patients.
He, however, noted that when the organisation discovered that cancer related cases, especially cervical cancer in women were rampant, the organisation decided to proffer solution through awareness, screening and treatment.
About 700 patients had been screened in the state and those with the disease would soon be treated.
IIorin
Traditional and religious leaders in Kaima local government Area of Kwara State have been urged to support government’s effort to eradicate polio.
Governor Bukola Saraki spoke on Tuesday at Kaima General Hospital.
He stressed that the vaccine being administered against polio did not have any negative effect on children.
The governor noted that Kaima Local Government Area is prone to wild polio virus (WPV) invasion from neighbouring states.
He said; “This facility provides routine immunization services to children from 0 to 5 years of age.
“All nursing mothers are urged to avail themselves of this opportunity to ensure that all children under 5 are immunised.
“This is in addition to the adhoc immunisation; that is periodically conducted by the state government with the assistance of the federal ministry of health, national and international partners.
“Therefore, the importance attached to health care services is portrayed in many strategies adopted to improve the health care indices of the state.
“Such stategiees include primary healthcare, disease control, immunisation, provision of essential drugs, HIV/AIDS control, capacity building, upgrading of infrastructure in many primary, secondary and tertiary health centres.
These hospitals are supplied with modern medical and accessibility to health care service by the rural dwellers is being strengthened by the scale up of community health insurance scheme which is now fully functional in Kwara North and Kwara Central, respectively.
The governor said it costs government a huge amount of money to upgrade the Kaima General Hospital.
He stated that the government spent N78 million to procure medical equipement, furniture, ambulance, fencing and civil works of the hospital.
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.
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
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