Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
Ekiti State government has declared its intention to inject about N196 million into the resuscitation of the Ire clay products company limited, Ire Ekiti.
The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who disclosed this while addressing journalists, said the moribund Ire Burnt Bricks Company was being resuscitated by the state government in collaboration with the Odua Investment Company and a foreign technical partner, Messrs CERATEC from Belgium.
Olatunbosun said the project, estimated to cost about N350 million, has reached an advanced stage, adding that it would soon join the league of dead companies that were resurrected by the state government for the benefit of the people.
The Information Commissioner said the state government has also approved the appointment of Tajudeen Bamidele Jimoh as the new Olosan of Osan-Ekiti in Moba Local Council of the state.
According to him, the selection of Jimoh was done with strict adherence to all relevant provisions of the law to fill the stool of Olasan, which became vacant in July 2006.
Ogun
The Ogun government has denied making illegal deductions from the local councils’ statutory allocations.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, who spoke at the weekend in Abeokuta, described those spreading such rumoUr as “mischievous people.”
He said thAt at present, all the councils in the country couldn’t sustain themselves due to insufficient funds, urging the federal government to increase funds meant for the councils.
Alabi, who spoke after the state joint Allocation Committee’s meeting, said he invited traditional rulers as well as representatives from the retirees, local government and teachers union, among others, to the meeting so as to lay the card before them to know that the government has nothing to hide.
According to the commissioner, there had been insinuations concerning the local councils allocations and to prove that the government has nothing to hide, “we invited all stakeholders to convince them that no dime is being deducted from the allocation.”
Lagos
A Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from conducting a re-run election in Osun state East senatorial District.
It also restrained the electoral body from conducting polls to fill the Osogbo local council seat in the state House of Assembly slated for December 12, 2009.
The order was sequel to a motion ex parte brought before the court by the Action Congress party (AC) through its Counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to produce a current voter’s register.
Justice Liman also ordered INEC to stay all actions and avoid doing anything that is preparatory to the bye-election, pending the hearing of the motion on notice, which must be heard and determined before December 20.
The court further granted AC leave to apply for an order of mandamus in terms of the reliefs contained in the statement of reliefs and ground of the application. The Judge then fixed December 15 for the hearing of the substantive motion.
Benue
Leaders of Benue South Senatorial Districts of Benue State have resolved their difference over the agitation for the creation of Apa State out of the present Benue State.
Rising from a meeting at the weekend, the movement for the creation of Apa State resolved that paramount ruler of Idomaland Ochidoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, would lead the delegation for the creation of Apa to the National Assembly.
The weekend meeting also approved the appointment of Gen. Ebije Ikwue as chairman of the committee to reconcile all documents aimed at fast tracking the process. Several leaders of the movement called for unity of purpose in the attainment of the objective of the group, as they said there was no reason why leaders of the area should work at cross purposes.
The meeting was seen as an effort to reconcile differing opionions among the leaders of Benue South Senatorial District over the procedures being adopted in the agitation for the creation of Apa State.
The meting became necessary after certain leaders of opposition parties started sponsoring parties and media statements claiming that the agitation was being politicised and they have been left out in the scheme of things.
The resolution of the meeting presided over by the Och’Idoma is believed to have put the agitation back on track.
Agitation for creation of Apa State which dates back to the early 1980’s has always been a victim of internal squabbles between leaders of the zone.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) rose from its National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday with threats of closing down newspaper houses that default in payment of salaries of journalists on their payroll.
The union also decried poor practising journalists and called on operation of the industry to raise the standard of the wages of practitioners to be commensurate “with the enormous task and risk they face in the course of their duty”.
NUJ National president, Mallam Garba Mohammed, who made the comment after the meeting with journalists across the country in attendance, expressed concern that many journalists are being owed many months of salary arrears.
According to him, the matter is more digusting because the proprietors of these media houses are making enough profits to pay regular salaries to workers.
He said: “we have it on good authorities that not more than four newspaper houses for instance, are actually paying salaries of their workers regularly while many had not paid their workers for months.
Osun
Barring last minute hitches Osun Sate Election Petition Tribunal may resume sitting this week to continue hearing of the suit by Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the People Democratic Party (PDP).
The tribunal had been forced to adjourn sitting indefinitely due to the strike embarked upon on November 2, 2009, by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
But reprieve came Monday in a statement by the stinking onion, which indicated its readiness to waive its position and give access to members of the tribunal to the venue, located within the Osun state judiciary premises so that the panel could continue its duty.
The AC had in a statement recently accused the state government of deliberately refusing to meet the demands of the striking union in order to shut out the tribunal from continuing to hear the petition.
The party also wrote a petition to the national head quarters of JUSUN, urging the union to allow members of the tribunal to continue their assignment despite the ongoing strike to enable the panel complete its assignment in good time.
The statement by Osun State Branch Secretary of JUSUN, Mr. Iyanda Sikiru Bola and public Secretary. Oladumi Akinyemi said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union had directed that the tribunal be allowed to continue its job unhindered. “Osun State branch of JUSUN hereby directs the secretary of the election tribunal sitting in Obogbo, Osun State to re-open for continuation of the ongoing election petition on retrial,” the statement said.
Stressing that the action was taken to facilitate the rule of law, good governance and democratic principles the union noted that “the tribunal should not be disturbed by our members while the ongoing strike of JUSUN persists.
Katsina
The family of president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua said yesterday that it would not hesitate to institute legal action against any media house that continues to report the president’s health maliciously. A statement signed by the President’s. Sister,” Hajia Maro Musa Yar’Adua in Katsine on hehalf of the family said its attention has been drawn to the false, malicious and obviously sponsored media reports that suggested that the president’s mother, Hajia Dada Habib Yar’Adua asked Mr. President to resign from office on account of ill health.
The reports, according to Hajia Mairo insinuated that Hajia Yar’Adua is disagreeing with the president’s wife. Turai, who the newspapers claimed was urging the president to sit tight, saying there was no time that the president’s mother suggested so.
To put the records straight the president’s mother has never spoken to the media.
She engjoys a cordial relationshion with her daughter-inlaw, Turai The president’s mother contrary to media reports, is supportive of Mr. President’s foray into politics and had always encouraged him to render selfless services to the good people of Nigeria, the family said. The family also said that instead of the media turning itself into malleable tools of a blackmail by disgruntled politicians” it should rather “cross check facts before going to press” most especially at this critical stage of the nation’s development.
Sequel to this, Hajia Mario Yar’Adua has instructed all the media houses “responsible for these falsehoods to retract the misleading report and apologise to the family or face legal action.”
FCT
The Natioknal Working Committee (NWC) of the People Democratioc Party (PDP) has summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to discuss the health of president Umaru Yar’Adua, who is currently in hospital in Saudi Arabia. Also on the agenda of the NEC meeting expected to hold Thursday, December 10 at the National Secretariat of the Party, Abuja include deberative on the expected mid term convention by the first quarter of next year.
The party also called on the Inspector General of police to investigate the out come of the bye-election in Ondo State, where it accused the Labour Party of rigging the out come of the Akoko South-East/Akoko South West federal constituency polls.
According to a top source at the PDP National Secretariat,”the aim of the meeting is for the party to inform members of the NEC of the health of the president and urge members of the party to pray for the quick recovery of the president.” This NEC meeting is a follow up to the Session for the President. When some ones is sick, the best hyou can offer to that person in to show empathy and prayers,” the source said.
Since the admission of the president is a Saudi hospital there has been strident calls for his resignation, but both the party and the federal Executive council have opposed such calls, stating that there is no vacancy in the presidential Villa as there is nothing to suggest that the president cannot perform his official duties. But some politicians and civil society groups have called on the president to resign, claiming that the absence of the president has caused dislocations in the Nigerian economy.
Adamawa
Former Vic President, Atiku Abubakar, United Nations under-Secretary General, Prof. Ibrahaim Gambari and President, Nigerian Bar Assocation (NBA), Rotimie Akerodolu, have submitted that Nigeria must conduct credible elections in 2011 as a cardinal milestone in the country’s march towards nation hood.
Abubakar and Gambari spoke in Yola, Adamawa State, during the weekend at the founders’ Day of the American University of Nigeria, while Akeredelu delivered a paper in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at “Sanyaolu Memorial lecture” organised by the state chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in honour of their late chairman, Adefemi Sanyaolu.
In his keynote address entitled: “The persuit of excellence in the task of nation-building,” Gambari maintained that “free and fair elections are what we want to see in Nigeria next year. Anything short of that will not take us anywhere and will draw the hands of our development backward.
“Except you (the electorat) give leaders their mandate, there is no way you can tell them to be transparent.”
Kaduna
Amid persistent demand for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s exit from office on health grounds, his younger sister, Hajia Binta Kuraya, says the Nigerian leader, if given the opportunity can still rule the country for another 16 years.
Although the 1999 constitution allows a four year tenure of two terms, Mrs Kuraya told journalists in Kaduna that the health of the President was not as poor as his opponents had portrayed it to most Nigerians.
But the Minority leader of the House of Respresentatives, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has appealed to the president to make a “very sincere assessment” on his state of health before deciding whether to quit or remain in office.
To the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin, Rev. Father Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, the President’s situation requires a spiritual approach an not constitutional means while (Yar’Adua’s classmates) under the aegis of Kefi Old Boys’ Assication (KOBA) decribed calls for his exist as callous and mischievous.
Hajia Kuraya said those calling for his brother’sw resignation to have the fea of god at heart in the interest of the nation’s democracy.
Kuraya, who incidentally was a one-time woman leader for the Atiku Abubakar campaign Organisation said she was embittered with the rumoured death of the President, saying that Yar’Adua would soon bounce back and resume work.
She said no matter the pressure, Yar’Adua “cannot be removed from office by anyone,” asserting that if Yar’Adua was given the chance, “the President has the ability and capacity to lead the country for another 16 years.”
Zamfara
A slight cabinet reshuffle has been effected by the Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shikafi.
The exercise affected about six commissioners and four speciall advisers, accordint to a statement made available to journatlists and signed by the Director of Press to the governor, Adamu Sani Katuru said those affected by the development include Dr. Na’Allah Isah Mayana who was moved from Ministry of Lands and Survey to Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Isiyaka Zurmi awas moved from the finance Ministry to that of Local Government and Ehieftaincy Affairs while Engr. Kabim Marfa was moved from Water Resources Ministry to the of Education.
The statement equally indicate tht Bashir Madaro, who hold forth at the Education Ministry before the reshuffle, will now be in charge at the Ministry of lands and survey and Tukur Dangaladima has been moved from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to that of Water Resources.
It said Allassaw Shinkafi, who was recently cleared by the state house of assembly, will assume duty as the new Commissioner of Finance.
Similary, Aliyu Admau Tsafe, who was in charge at the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, will be given a new schedule of duty in due course.
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