Nation
THE STATES
Osun
Osun State government has set N4.5 billion aside, to ensure adequate development of technical and vocational education in the state.
The Osun State Commission for education, Science and Technology Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, said this at a speech presentation organized for schools and colleges in the state.
Adesiyan said already, about nine technical colleges in the state would be used as Attest case for various vocational educational advancement for total emancipation of the youths, adding that the state government is committed to the advancement, development of vocational and technical education in the state, in order to put the unemployed youths on a sound
footing.
Zamfara
Zamfara state special Adviser, Directorate for Rural Electrification, Alhaji Sani Rawayya, Wednesday said government has so far spent about N500 million on the purchase of transformers to boost power supply in the state.
Rawayya said the amount was used to acquire 100 units of transformers, saying the directorate has already received 50 units from the contractors and were distributed to various communities in the state.
He said already, the directorate has installed the transformers at Tsafe, Samaru, Filindem, Munehi, Tudun Wada, Unguwar Yarima, Gadabiyu while others areas will receive similar treatment adding that about 44 other electrification projects were in progress and have reached advanced level of completion.
Kaduna
Judicial workers in Kaduna State had their deplorable plight brought to the fare by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which declared them as the least paid in the country.
The association said the poor conditions of service of magistrates in the Kaduna State judiciary was unacceptable and urged Governor Namadi Sambo to redress their plight by increasing their salaries and other benefits.
NBA president, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), stated this recently as the Association national officers converged in Kaduna to consider vexed issues such as the professional fees charged by lawyers in the country.
At the opening of the third yearly conference of the legal practice section of the NBA tagged “legal practice changing times, changing strategies, “Akeredolu said it was not an enviable position for Kaduna state to be the least in the federation in terms of remunerations for its judicial workers, particularly magistrates.
To Samdo, Akeredolu said. “Our magistrates here are happy with you, but they want to be happier, I tried to collect data when I am coming to a particular state, and I found out that your magistrates are not well paid whether you like it or not, Kaduna is the capital of the North this is where the north started, so don’t lag behind.
“Do well for your magistrates and let other states copy you; you must show the light and let others now follow illuminate the path and let others follow you. I can assure them (the magistrates) that they will smile after his NBA conference.”
Taraba
At least one person have been reportedly killed and several others hospitalised following the protests that erupted in Ibi Local Council Area of Taraba over the non-payment of workers’ salaries.
The local council employees were said to have also accused the council chairman, Yakubu Agbaizo, of staying away from the council in Jalingo, the state capital or Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.
Apart from the death and injuries, property worth millions of naira, including a church was said to have been razed by the protesting workers.
The anger of the workers, it was leant, was ignited when the chairman, instead of payng the entire salaries owned them decided to pay only half of the salaries for the month of August.
On sensing danger, the chairman was said to have taken to his heels but was cornered by the workers, prompting sporadic shooting by policemen attached to the council headquarters.
The chairman, who at the time of filing this report was taking refuge at the nearby local council or Wukari police station, was said to have had a narrow escape.
Protests and complaint have recently emanated from many local councils in the state about the refusal of the council chairmen to pay workers’ salaries for over there months.
Ekiti
Following the ultimatum given by the Ekiti State of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the state government to pay September and October salaries of its workers or face industrial action, the state government has said that all allowances of the workers have been paid including their October salary.
The state government in a statement said all local government workers and primary school teachers were paid October salary last week.
The state commissioner for local government, Mr Femi Ige, who issued the statement, said the salaries of the council workers and primary school teachers paid gulped a total sum of N1.024 billion.
The commissioner described as self-serving the 14-day ultimatum issued to the government by the NLC for the payment of September and October salary of public servants in the state, saying; issuing an ultimatum salary already paid is not only ridiculous but self-serving.”
Ige said all local government workers and primary school teachers in the state have been paid up to October adding that, “the government will continue to take welfare of the workers and the entire people of the state as priority.”
The commissioner urged leaders of the NLC in the state to emulate the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) by assisting the government in realising its developmental goals instead of issuing ultimatum to the government on the payment of just one month salary arrear.
Abuja
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested five suspected drug traffickers for allegedly swallowing 410 wraps of powering narcotic substances at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Interational Aiport (NAIA) Abuja.
According to a statement by the Head Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, yesterday in Lagos, four the suspects ingested 385 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine with a weight of 5.750kg, while one suspect ingested 75 wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin with a weight of 1.3kg. All the suspects were caught attempting to extort the illicit drugs out of the country at the airport.
Benue
The Benue state university, Makurdi, has cancelled the aptitude test it conducted for the faculty of social sciences last weekend.
Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Paul Sorkaa, stated that the university management resolved to cancel the test for all prospective students of the faculty of social sciences, because the tests were marred by irregularities.
Sorkana has reiterated the determination of the university to, at all times, maintain high standards, stressing that it would not condone any attempt at fraud.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the cancellation at an interview recently.
Ogun
The Nigerian Union of Teachers, Ogun State wing, has suspended its seven week-old strike for two weeks, pending the outcome of the negotiation between the State Government and the Union.
The teachers had embarked on the action because of the inability of the state government to implement the 27.5 per cent new Teachers Salary Scale.
Also, government promised not to penalize any teacher(s) in the state for the role (s) played while the strike lasted. In a statement signed by Modupe Idowu, Information Officer, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology made available on Saturday said, “consequent upon meeting held between the state government led by the Head of Service, Chief Dipo Odulate and NUT representatives, it was unanimously agreed to suspend the strike action for two weeks with effect from Monday, 9th November, to allow for the conclusion of the negotiation.
“That government will not penalize any teachers for their roles in the cause of the strike.”
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Sam Idowu, had since directed that teachers in both primary and secondary schools in the state to return to classrooms with immediate effect.
Ibadan
What could have been a bloody weekend for the people of of Molete in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was divinely averted on Friday when a trailer carrying full load of sand rammed into a storey building, however, killing nobody.
The trailer, with registration number EDO XC 123 AUC, working for a construction firm handling the construction work on Queen Cinema — Molete Road avoided running over vehicles, traders and scores of passersby at Bode Market, in Molete, and instead, diverted to a building serving as vocational centre for the Nigeria Prison Services.
Mr. Okuwobi Oyekanmi Oluwafolajimi, a Senior Prison Assistant, who was on duty at the time of the accident, said it happened at 10.45 a.m. The vehicle, which had a brake failure, was coming from Challenge Area and when it was descending the Molete flyover, the driver, Mr. Gbolahan Timilehin, who was conscious of not running over the people and vehicles at the end of the flyover, swerved left and entered into the hall of the building used as tailoring workshop .
The building, serving as vocational centre, is used by the prisons for reformation of inmates that have served or serving their jail terms. The sewing machines in the hall were damaged and a staff the trailer met in the hall escaped unhurt. The driver, who afterwards became unconscious due to shock, was taken to Prospect Medical Centre and Maternity Clinic at Eyin Grammar in Molete.
Speaking on the hospital bed, the driver said it was God who helped him because the fear that he would run over the people gripped him and he had to divert the vehicle to the house which he saw was empty.
Taraba
The recent suspension of three government House workers for failing to attend the mandatory daily prayers for a period of time instituted by Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba sate has continued to raise dust in the state.
The workers, who included two female journalists from the state-owned media and an aide to the governor’s special adviser on security, were last week suspended for refusing to be part of the mandatory daily prayers initiated by the governor for both Christians and Moslems workers working in the Government House.
Suntai was said to have ordered their immediate suspension after going through attendant register for the Christians at the Government House Unity Chapel during one of the prayer sessions. Immediately after his assumption of office on May 2007, the governor enacted compulsory prayers for workers attached to the Government House to be observe by 8.00a.m, 12.00 noon and 4.00p.m. daily.
The mandatory daily exercise stressed that both faiths must strictly adhere to the policy by patronizing the Unity Chapel or the mosque both of which are situated in the Government House from Mondays to Fridays.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken prompt steps to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station recently commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is even as the Project has restated its determination and commitment to supplying quality potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
HYPREP said while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt that it has commenced an investigation into the collapse of the overhead tank at the Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The high-level committee set up by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as an interim measure, is mandated to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gowon Ichibor while addressing newsmen said the committee has already swung into action, as it has visited the site of the incident to take stock and assess the situation.
Barrister Ichibor noted that the committee is firmly on top of the situation, as it is poised to carry out a painstaking investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.
He further indicated that it is hasty and premature at this point, to pinpoint what might have caused the incident but promised to furnish the public with all necessary information in connection with the overhead tank collapse as soon as possible.
While assuring affected communities of HYPREP’s determination to restore the water facility as quickly as possible, he said the committee would tidy up its work in less than no time and promptly brief the press on its findings.
The committee did not, however, foreclose the possibility of recommending appropriate punitive measures and sanctions to be meted out to culprits at the end of its assignment, to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, who also lent his voice, described the incident as a temporary setback, as the Project would take appropriate and prompt actions to restore potable water supply to the affected Ogoni communities.
He also reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to upholding global best practices, standards and quality in the execution of projects, and sympathised with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident, saying, 16 water facilities have already been commissioned, which are effectively and satisfactorily serving over 40 Ogoni communities.
With the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, he revealed that 40 Ogoni communities are currently enjoying potable water.
The head of communications further disclosed plans by HYPREP to provide potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
While regretting the unfortunate incident, Dr Mba-Nwigoh urged Ogoni people and residents of Gwara community to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and eschew all forms of speculations and rumour-mongering, as the Project is on top of its game to remedy the situation.
He reeled out the achievements and milestones so far recorded by HYPREP, saying, the Ogoni cleanup programme is very much on course.
It would be recalled that HYPREP had earlier in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at Gwara Water Station, stressing that the
Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, had set up a high-level committee to determine the immediate and remote
causes of the incident.
It further noted that the committee had already visited the site and begun a detailed investigation to establish whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or possible third-party interference.
HYPREP, in a statement signed by its management, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Gwara community, urging residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to affected areas.
The Project assured that it remains committed to delivering quality projects that meet international standards, adding that internal and external quality control measures have been introduced, including the engagement of EcoProject as Project Consultant, supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and oversight by water supervisors.
It noted that aside from this isolated case, 16 water stations have been commissioned across Ogoniland, providing water to over 40 communities, with some facilities operating successfully for more than two years.
The Project added that sustainability plans have been put in place to ensure continuous water supply to communities. These include the formation of Water Consumers Associations (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power, and training of laboratory staff.
It also stated that one of the key features of the HYPREP water projects is the establishment of laboratories to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
HYPREP reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.
The Project has also set up a technical sub-committee over the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, to foster and promote accountability in the implementation of projects.
As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
”The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
”We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Nwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of Mene Anua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.
Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.
Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by Mr Igo Weli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; Igo Weli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.
In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as Project Coordinator.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.