Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Bauchi

 

Former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu has been barred from holding political office for 10 years by the state government. He is also to refund N2.6bn which he allegedly misappropriated while in office.

The ban on Muazu and others who saved in his cabinet followed the Isa Yuguda administration’s acceptance of the white paper of Justice Bitrus Sauya commission of inquiry while probed the activities of industries, parastatals and agencies during his tenure.

Muazu’s deputy, Abdulmalik Mahmud however escaped the ban but he will refund N74 million to the state government. Also banned from holding public offices were former 20 local council chairmen who are to refund N740 million to the state purse.

Also affected is former commissioner for Finance Haruna Alfa Ahmed who was banned for 10 years and ordered to refund N2 billion.

 

Taraba

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to as a matter of urgency declare vacant the seat of the only All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) member in the Taraba State House of Assembly Hamman Adanu Abdullahi who has decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party.

In a statement made available to journalists in the state capital, the chairman of the party Hamilla Suleiman decried the attitude of the lawmaker and called on INEC to urgently declare the seat vacant.

Abdullahi who is the only ANPP member in the House, last Saturday decamped from the party that brought him to lime-light to joint he ruling PDP.

Citing relevant portions of the constitution, Suleiman faulted Abdullahi’s defection, saying it was not a result of division in his former party or merger of two or more political parties or faction Suleiman said the decampment can only be possible in a situation where there is chaos in the ANPP.

 

Ekiti

 

The Ikole Descendants Association Ibadan branch, has described Ikole Local Government Area as the most appropriate location for the new university proposed by the Governor Segun Oni’s administration.

The group in a communiqué issued at Ibadan and signed by Chief S. A. Olominu stated that siting the university in Ikole LGA would promote distributive justice and equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy.

The group stated that it considers the rumoured intention of government to site the university in Elfaki as unjustifiable because of  its closeness to Iworoko that hosts the university of Ado Ekiti as well as the federal medical centre in Ido Ekiti.

It promised that a high powered delegation be sent to the governor and the Ekiti State House of Assembly on the above issue.

It observed that the association was not oblivious of the on- going contention on the location of the university of Education, saying it does not intend to benefit from any community’s misfortune.

The union said it is highly concerned about the continued marginalisation of the towns and cities in the defunct Ekiti North Local Government of which has been the headquarters.

 

Kwara

 

The Kwara State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Tunji Bamigbola has asked judicial officers in the state to accord priority attention to bail applications with a view to accelerating the country’s prison decongestion drive.

He also asked the officers to expedite action on speedy completion of criminal cases in their respective courts in the interest of justice.

The Chief Judge dropped the hint over the weekend during the visit of the State Criminal Justice Committee to the Ilorin Federal prison on jail delivery exercise.

“We have to warn all of us judicial officers, magistrates; area court judges especially that in communal cases as in all other cases, there should not be delay at all. Criminal cases should not be adjourned for more than two weeks.”

“Also, we should give priority to bail applications, infact, recently, the CJN, issued a circular that once you have a bail application before you, it should be given utmost attention because it should not be a pre-trial punishment” he said.

Justice Bamigbola however, commended the prison officials for “taking good care of the inmates” and making them “good citizen” after completing their jail terms.

The committee, however, released eight awaiting trial inmates for offences ranging from house breaking, theft, assault and trespass.

Bamigbola, who advised the released inmates to learn one trade or the other, admonished them to desist from crime in their own interest. He also promised to make the committee’s visit to the prison as regular as possible.

 

Damaturu

 

To meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDU) on housing for all by 2015, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, has indicated his intention to construct 406 additional housing units with the recapitalisation of Yobe savings and loans scheme so that the people could have access to funds build their houses and complement governments an achieving affordable and decent shelter.

All the completed housing units are, however, to be sold on an owner occupier housing scheme (OHS) at 50 per cent subsidy. The governor made the declarations yesterday in Damaturu, while laying the foundation stone for 256 housing units on the Maiduguri-Gashua road.

He said apart from meeting the UN-MDG on housing for all, the provision of decent shelter gives psychological satisfaction and improves the efficiency and productivity of workers.

He disclosed that as the state government continues to accord priority to the housing sector, the construction of 406 houses, including the 256 units being awarded to 128 indigenous construction firms, is to promote healthy living and sense of fulfillment for enhanced performance and productivity.

He said that over 1,485 housing units have been completed by the state government and the Yobe State Housing and Property Development Corporation.

He therefore urged the committee for the 256 housing units to work as a team with the contractors handling the N1.024 billion projects.

 

Kaduna

 

To meet the 6,000 megawatts target by December the federal government has committed N43.28 billion to the rehabilitation of the nation’s power plants, minister of state for Power Nuhu Wya, has disclosed.

Wya  spoke last Thursday at the Joint annual General Meeting of the Kaduna branches of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In the paper titled, “Federal Government’s target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2009, A mirage or reality, the minister assured that government would meet the target.

According to him, following the result of the technical appraisal carried out on the nation’s power plants, the government expended N43.27bn on the rehabilitation of existing power facilities.

This he said was expected to generate about 1,500 megawatts. The minister also disclosed that N10.21bn and N11.50bn were injected into the rehabilitation of the nation’s transmission and distribution infrastructure in that order.

Wya noted that the current poor state of electricity supply has had a debilitating effect on the socio-economic development of the country, saying unavailable and inadequate power supply had been identified as the biggest problem to the conduct of business in Nigeria.

 

Kano

 

The only panacea for national development is a total transformation of the education sector, with good packages that would promote qualitative education for the Nigerian youth.

The wife of the first National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Mary Lar made assertion in Kano during the closing ceremony of Teachers’ Professionals Development Programme (TPDP) held in the ancient city powered by her pet project, aunty Mary literacy project.

Ambassador Lar urged individuals, agencies and the government to invest hugely on education to save Nigeria from running shot needed hands to steer the ship of the nation in the nearest future.

She further stated that Nigeria is in dire need of quality leaders and called for stringent efforts at giving quality education to our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

The envoy who was one time Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland urged Nigerians to reflect candidly on the quality of leaders they would vote in 2011 election.

She charged the youths of the country to shun vices capable of truncating their education and life endeavour, adding that there was need for parents to pay more attention to the upbringing of their children.

 

Niger

 

The kidnapped Niger State permanent secretary, Alhaji Adamu Umar  returned to his family after been in captive for one week in far away Warri in Delta State.

Looking so frail in a white Kaftan and a black slippers, Umar was abducted at Dikko junction  on his way from Zaria, was driven to the Government House at about 5.30p.m by the State Commissioner for Police Zuokumor after his released by security operatives in Warri.

Recounting his ordeal in the hands of his captors, Umar who was so grateful for the divine intervention over his freedom said that he was abducted at about 7.45p.m after buying palm oil at Dikko junction before he was abducted and taken to Warri.

Umar who was to be received by the state governor Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at about 11.00a.m  had the reception delayed due to his inability to catch a flight from Benin to Abuja.

“If you see me cry, it simply means I am over joyed  I did not cry in the hands of my captors. For one week we have been under control of these men of the underworld. Today, I thank Almighty Allah that I am back in one piece with my family. I am grateful to all those who saw to my release. I thank you all” Umar said.

Speaking during the brief reception, the SSG condemned kidnapping, describing it as an act against humanity, adding that the dastardly act should not be encouraged.

 

Ogun

 

Ogun State House of Assembly has described an oil magnate, hotelier and philanthropist, Alhaji Esho Jinadu, as a responsible and law abiding citizen.

The lawmakers said the allegations of criminal conducts leveled against him were not only baseless but flowed from an unwarranted organised campaign of calumny being weighed against him by faceless group in Ogun and urged him to sue anybody that accused him of any criminal charges.

Esho, an emerging political kingmaker in Ogun and whose rising profile is causing not a small jitters in the top echelon of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, had petitioned the House, notifying it of the attempt by some people within the state PDP to malign his character with a  view to rubbishing his philanthropist gestures to the mass of the people in rural areas.

The House committee on ethics, justice and public petition, led by the deputy speaker, pastor Remmy Hassan, while presenting  the committee’s report said the politician had been cleared of alleged stealing of children by the law enforcement agency.

While explaining that all the parties were invited including the petitioner during the meeting by the committee, it found out that the people accusing the politician of wrong doings were faceless people.

The speaker, Mr Tunji Egbetokun who allowed members of the House to adopt the report asked for comment where all members unanimously adopted the report.

 

 

Lagos

 

It was a drama of sorts Saturday at the blue roof of the Lagos State Television (LTV) Ikeja, venue for the celebration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN), 900 days in office as the governor and artisans brainstormed on issues that would further reposition the sector to be more efficient.

The event which was well attended by top government officials, party chieftains, also drew representatives of the various operators in the sectors including market women, carpenters, hair dressers, among others.

Addressing some of the issues raised by participants at the forum, Governor Fashola said the contribution of the sector had been one of the major backbones that have sustained the nation’s economy.

He said, “very often, people have made the mistake to think that you are poor. But I will never fall into that error because I know or at least you have fair sense of your contribution to the state and national economy.” He added that their little savings in the bank that they have no control over provide cash with which various banks satisfy the cash needs of the economy.

Continue Reading

Nation

Accolades, Fanfare As Ogbakor Ikwerre President General Celebrates 80th Birthday

Published

on

The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.

 

The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.

 

Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.

 

 

The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.

 

The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.

 

However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.

 

The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.

 

Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.

 

Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.

 

The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.

 

Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.

 

In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.

 

Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.

 

He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.

 

His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.

 

He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.

 

Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.

Continue Reading

Nation

Ensure That Ogoni Is Heard In The Right Way, HYPREP Urges Creative Arts Trainees

Published

on

As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.

Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.

”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.

While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.

He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.

The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.

Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.

With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.

Continue Reading

Nation

NYCOP Urges Stakeholders To Develop, Empower Ogoni Youths

Published

on

The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.

NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.

In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.

It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.

The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.

NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.

 

In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.

“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:

” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.

“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.

NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.

NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.

According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.

“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.

” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.

NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.

 

Kiadum Edookor

Continue Reading

Trending