Nation
THE STATE
Bauchi
Former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Mu’azu has gone to court to challenge the 10-year ban on him from holding public office.
In a suit filed by his lawyer Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) at Bauchi High Court, Mu azu is claiming that the state executive has no power to set up a judicial commission of inquiry without the approval of the House of Assembly in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution.
According to Mu azu, the move which contravened Section 128 and 129 of the Constitution, was inconsistent with the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, Criminal procedure of the Northern Nigeria as applicable in Bauchi State and the Public Act 2004.
Mu azu said the defendants lacked constitutional power to investigate matters bordering on criminal allegations levelled against him.
He said the commission did not avail him fair hearing when it ordered that he should be served through publications in newspapers despite that he had been out of the country since July 2007.
Mu azu asked the court to set aside the findings and recommendations of the commission, restrain the government and its agents from implementing the report.
The defendants are the governor Isa Yuguda,
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice”, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Vitrus Sanga and the five members.
Besides being banned, Mu azu was also ordered to refund N1. billion which he allegedly misappropriated to the state coffer.
Lagos
In reaction to a report credited to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) that no more than four newspaper companies pay their employees regularly, while others owe arrears, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has told journalists they should stop working when being owed.
In a statement yesterday made available to newsmen, NPAN accused NUJ of being consistently cowardly in mentioning those companies that are actually owing journalists, saying that it is ready to wade into the matter only if NUJ can “name the newspaper companies that are not living up to the employment contracts obligation, primary of which is the payment of their workers including journalists”.
“The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, (NPAN) whose members own and publish newspapers and magazines which employ journalists, naturally feel concerned about these allegations even in their un-substantial form. As such it is quite prepared to investigate the allegations and act accordingly, depending on its findings, in the interest of both the employee journalists and the newspaper companies”, NPAN posited.
Oyo
The Oyo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEN) has seized some substance suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp) with a street valve put at over N8 million.
The drug was allegedly discovered in a bungalow at Adewolu village in Egbeda local government area of the state.
The state commander of the agency, Mr Sulaiman Jadi stated this recently while addressing reporters on the activities of his command in his office at Onireke area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He said the hard drug, which was parked in 421 bags, was discovered following a tip-off to the command on the activities of some yet to be arrested drug dealers in the area.
On how the command got the information that led to the discovery, Jadi explained that his men received a tip-off and mounted a three-day surveillance on the bungalow until the arrival of the Indian hemp dealer who is said to be on the run.
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-West governors net in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Wednesday, ahead of a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on the state of the nation.
The president’s health is believed to have topped the agenda of the meeting held at Obasanjo’s hilltop residence.
Sources said they may have also discussed the Ijebu-Ife mayhem in which a senior police officer and scores of others were killed.
A source said they may have adopted a position to be canvassed at the NEC meeting billed for Abuja.
Obasanjo is chairman, PDP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and the governors are members of NEC.
Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Segun Oni (Ekiti) were in attendance.
Oyrilola told reporters that the meeting lasted for two hours because Obasanjo was preparing pounded yam for them.
Daniel said the governors were on a “yuletide visit” to Obasanjo.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wawakko has called on religious leaders, traditional rulers and citizens of the state to pray for the ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua and the peace and stability of the country.
He said there was no cause for alarm as available credible information in the state of health of the president indicates that he is improving fast.
The governor advised those wishing the president bad to be weary of the wrath of their creator.
“They are playing with God by arrogating to themselves the powers of life and death”.
Wamakko, in a statement by Special Assistant on Press Abuybaka Mohammed Dan Gusau, said it was disheartening that rather than praying for the quick recovery of the president,.
“Some Nigerians are nursing uncharitable thoughts of this resignation and succession”.
He appealed to Muslims to offer special prayers during this week’s Juma, at prayers and Christians during church service on Sunday.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar has also called for prayer for the president’s speedy recovery.
He said this while receiving a delegation of the Muslim Ummah of the South-West of Nigeria (MUSWEN) in his palace.
Oyo
Coalition of non-governmental organisations, the Medical Support Group (MSG), has urged Inspector-General of Police Ogbonna Onovo to order the immediate release of the chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Council, Ogun State, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye.
Oladunjoye, who was on Tuesday invited along with the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba A.A. Oguntayo, and one Chief Duduymi, has been held by the police.
He arrived in Abuja on Tuesday about 8:10 am aboard a Virgin Nigeria airplane to honour a police invitation over last Saturday’s violence which rocked Ijebu-Ife. Scores of people were killed during the crisis, including the Area Commander of Ijebu Division.
The others had gone the previous day aboard an Arit airplane, while the two others were allowed to go, Oladunjoye was detained after giving his statement at the force C.D Head- quarters, Area 10, Abuja.
In a statement by the group’s Director of Organisation, Nathaniel Igbimo, he wondered why Oladunjoye was being held.
He said the police’s action may further exacerbate the tensed situation.
Ondo
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has approved the payment 50 per cent of the monthly basic salary to workers for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The government in a statement by the commissioner for information, Mr Ranxi Akerele, said the gesture is part of government’s welfare package for the workers to appreciate their contributions to the successes recorded in the outgoing year and to motivate them for the challenges ahead.
The Commissioner said: “Mr Governor’s gesture, the first of its kind in the history of Ondo State, is another way of demonstrating that the present administration realises the prominent position occupied by the workers in the task of building a new Ondo State.
He expressed the hope that the gestures of the government would motivate and elicit commitment, loyalty and hardwork in the workers.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr Ajose Kudehindu, has, in a circular yesterday urged heads of ministries departments and agencies to urgently implement the governor’s directive.
Ekiti
Ekiti State Government has pleaded with the leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to resolve the internal crisis rocking the state chapter of the union.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Gboyega Oyewole, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that the government remained committed to the conclusion of negotiation with the union and improve the welfare of the judicial workers.
Oyewole, who said the government has restrained itself from interfering in the internal crisis of JUSUN added, it has never been the attitude of the government to interfere in the internal affairs of any trade union even when there is palpable division within such union”.
He urged politicians to desist from misinforming the public.
Oyewole said “for the avoidance of doubt, the state government has shown enough commitment to the resolution of the judiciary workers’ industrial action by being one of the first states to committee to look into JUSUN demands.
“The committee, which is already looking into the financial implication of the new salary structure for the judiciary staff, is headed by the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole.
Ogun
Commercial banks at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, have suspended their operations because of incessant robbery attacks.
The banks have not been attending to customers since December 7, due to worsening security situation.
The latest suspension of banking operations is the second in one month.
Some of the bank officials who pleaded anonymity said that they were living in tear because of the likelihood of attack by armed robbers
They said they felt their lives were no longer safe, adding that in the circumstance they had no option but to suspend operation indefinitely.
Newsmen report that customers, who trooped to the banks for withdrawal, were turned back by security men.
It was learnt that the decision by the banks not to open for business until further notice was reached at a meeting held by officials of the banks last week.
The officials had resolved that the closure would continue until insecurity was addressed by the relevant authorities.
Sources told journalists that the bank officials were also planning to march to the governor’s office in Abeokuta to stage a protest.
Efforts to get police comments were unsuccessful as the officers approached said they were still mourning the death of their area commander.
FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) needs wider power and financial independence to win the battle against corruption. Its Chairman Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd) said Wednesday.
Speaking at a public hearing on a bill for an Act to amend the ICPC (Establishment) Act 2000 organised by the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values in Abuja, Ayoola said the National Assembly should give more powers to ICPC to stem corruption in the private sector
Create new criminal offences and allow the agency to seek, receive, publish and disseminate information on corruption.
According to him, this will only be subject to review of certain restrictions regarding respect of rights and the reputations of others and for protection of national security, public order or public health or morals in the amended ICPC Act.
He said the existing acts have greatly limited the committee on drugs, Narcotics and Anti Corruption which faulted ICPC on its proposal of N300 million in the 2010 budget to build an academy.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Sola Akinyede, queried why the amount was inserted in the N2.235 billion 2010 budget for the commission, when N270 million was appropriated and released for the project in the 2009 financial year.
Plateau
The Pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Daughep Lar, has warned politicians against heating up the polity by debating over the health condition of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Speaking to journalists in Jos Wednesday, Chief Lar said it was baseless for anyone to argue over the outcome of Mr President’s illness, stressing that it amounts to playing God. “None of us is God. So, why are we debating over what we as humans, do not have power to do?. We should be praying for Mr President to recover quick enough to return to the country and continue his national assignment”, he said.
The elder statesman expressed concern over comments by politicians especially political office holders who have chosen to fly to Saudi Arabia to see Mr President rather than remaining on their duty posts.
He told them to desist from their unwarranted visits.
According to him, such visits are not helping matters.
He said: let everybody remain on his or her duty post, be you governor, minister, senator or council chairman”.
The first civilians governor of Plateau State noted that Yar Adua is not the only president who has fallen ill in office and wondered why Nigerians are trying to make politics out of his health problem.
Lar recalled that Fidel Castro of Cuba and Sharon of Israel fell ill in office but their countries remained intact until their presidents recovered. He added that Yar’Adua should not be different since he is not a super human.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
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