Nation
THE STATES
FCT The National Youth Council of Nigeria recently held an emergency meeting of it executive council at the Youth House, Abuja where its condemned the call on the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to resign from office due to ill health. It would rather call on all Nigerians especially the youths to pray for his speedy recovery. The meeting where the lingering issues from supremacy and membership tussle of the council’s presidency were discussed, was presided over by the Acting National President Deolu Sotade George. Recently there was a purported meeting and election conducted by non-members led by Mr Akoli Dickson who declared himself President of the Youth Council. In a chat with The Tide, the Ag. President Sotade Goerge said it was the prompt intervention of the law enforcement Agencies that led to the arrest of some hoodlums led by Dickson who invaded the National Youth Council of Nigeria’s secretariat (Youth House) in Abuja, on 4th December, 2009 and stole some valuables including the NYCN Toyota Coaster bus, with registration Number NYCN 04. He called on all Nigerian youth to be calm while the security agencies ensure that the perpetrators are brought justice. At the end of the meeting which lasted several hours, the NYCN executive jointly signed a resolution which includes; that the NEC set up a 6 man congress planning committee with a representative of the ministry to plan the next congress scheduled to hold between 26th and 27th February, 2010, with the responsibility of conducting the bye-election into all vacant positions within the council. Oyo An Oyo-based group, G3, has advised the political elite in Oyo State against fanning embers of negative sentiments, recrimination and destructive tendencies in assessing governance. Rather, it said they should be guided by values such as objectivity thoroughness, and sincerity of purpose, which are the hallmarks of decent, articulate and thoroughly bred elite. At a news conference last week jointly addressed by the President and General Secretary of the group respectively Comrades Isiaka Eweka, and ‘Prince Oluwakayode Afonja, the group commended Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, for impacting positively on the socio-economic lives of the people of the state, especially Oyo town and its environs. The group applauded the leadership role of the council chairman for the distribution of motor cycles and grinding machines to over 1,000 people. However, the group advised critics of the state government not to be visionless and feeble-minded in their thought, but be guided by values such as equal chances for the representation of interest, open debate among alternative view points and platforms, tolerance, fairness, justice, fair play. Ondo The former Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Prince Raphael Nomiye at the weekend urged repentant militants to sustain the current peace in the Niger Delta region. He assured that President Umaru Yar’Adua would meet all the demands agreed upon with the Niger Delta militants and the Federal Government in its bid to develop the region. Speaking with reporters in Akure shortly after the swearing in ceremony of new executive committee of Ilaye Regional Development Committee (IRDC) Nomiye said Nigerians should continue to pray for President Yar’Adua to facilitate his early recover, stressing that he meant well for the Niger Delta region and the entire country. Nomiye, who is presently the chairman of IRDC, said the past executive members of the group were not ready to leave office after spending the mandatory four years which terminated on Dec. 15, describing their protest against the dissolution and moves to extend their tenure as an aberration. His words: “The position of state government is clear on IRDC, government cannot allow them to go for tenure extension, those protesting against the dissolution were sponsored by the people who wanted to perpetuate themselves in office, they were planning to cause Chaos in the area.” Lagos A former officer with the Nigerian army, Major Ene has accused the Nigerian Secret Service of threatening her teenage daughter. In a chat with our correspondent on Saturday, Major Ene who is currently challenging the Nigerian military for the alleged inhuman treatment he got after fighting in Liberia and Sierra Leone as a member of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, said her daughter, Sarah Ofon-Mbuk Ene, is constantly being threatened in her school by the Secret Service. Ofon-Mbuk is a second year student of Banking and Finance at Redeemer’s University and has been receiving threat messages from people he said were agents of the Nigerian military. Ene said: “On several occasions, my daughter receives threat massages and hate calls from people that are suspected state agents. They even threaten to kill her. They usually call her in the dead of the night. When she picks the phone the caller would warn her to tell her father to “back off”. Ene who is currently challenging the Federal Government for ill treatment and for failing to provide him with adequate medical care after bullets were lodged on his body during a bloody encounter with armed rebels in Sierra Leone, said the secret agents are waging what he calls “psychological war’ on his family. Kano Nigerians have been called upon to take active part in the strive to advance the democratisation process and sustain the culture of political pluralism in the country. Making the call in Kano, the Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRICED), Mallam Ibrahim Zikini Ilahi called for popular participation by the citizens in governance and politics. Speaking during the workshop sponsored by German group Miserere tagged. Enhancing Participation and Accountability in Local Governance, Zikinillai said the project is unique and innovative because it addresses the political and structural aspects of democratisation and also attends to the political character of operators of governance just as it seeks to improve the democratic foundation. According to him, for change to be enhanced in Nigeria, there is the need for appropriate institutional mechanism for realizing popular governance and a nursery for its nurturing and development. He said ‘The threats posed by the features and tendencies of unaccountable governance can best be addressed and neutralised by the mass of citizens entering into and becoming a determining force in governance and the political process generally and by their developing and internalising a popular culture of democracy. He observed that for very practical reasons, such popular participation is only of very limited possibility at the national or state level. Only at the level of the local government and through its instrumentality is this type and level of popular political participation possible. Bauchi A non governmental organisation (NGO), the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) in Bauchi has asked Bauchi State government to hasten action in fishing out perpetrators of the recent crisis that engulfed parts of Bauchi metropolis. It also challenged the state government to ensure the perpetrators face appropriate penalty, and appropriate sanctions that should serve as a deterrents to others are put in place without further delay, which it said might be dangerous. The demands were contained in a statement issued and signed by the CLO chairman, Bauchi State chapter, Comrade Musa Mohammed Gani. The CLO also urged the state government to reward ward heads who contained the spread of the crises in their wards, while those known to have partnered with and allowed the miscreants to wreck havoc on innocent and law abiding citizens be severely punished for their roles. Ghani noted with regrets that despite the resources being expended in creating jobs for thousands of youths, the fundamentalists do not seem to appreciate government’s effort in trying to better the peoples live. Niger As encomiums continued on the late former first lady, Maryam Babangida, Senator Isa Mohammed has called on the federal government to name Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna after her. Speaking with Journalists after the seventhday Fidau prayer held for the repose of her soul, Senator Mohammed who was the deputy chairman Senate Committee on Local Government Administration said the only way the country can immortalize her legacies and memories is to name the Federal University of Technology in Mnna after her. Eulogising the virtues of the late First Lady, the lawmaker said that the contributions of Maryam transcende the borders of this country, stressing that lip service should not be paid towards calls for the immortalisation of her name. The prime minister of the Republic of Niger, Alhaji Aliyu Mohommed was in Minna, as he joined millions of sympathisers to condole the former military president General Ibrahim Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam. The Nigerian leader was accompanied to the seventh day Fidau prayer by the past military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Kaduna The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncorvered no fewer than 57 properties in the country allegedly owned by the sacked Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs Cecilia Ibru. According to a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna, the properties are located in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. The statement specifically said that one of the properties is housing the visa section of the British Embassy in Abuja, while another include 15,000 square meters of land at Okunade water front Victoria Island in Lagos. Some of the properties are a 12 storey tower in one hectare of land at Ozumba Mbadiwe water front Victoria Island Lagos, three residential towers in Port Harcourt GRA, Metro Plaza Abuja where the British visa section is located a residential block of 19 apartments in 34 Bourdillon Road, Ikogi, 35B Isule Eko Avenue, Dolphin Ikoyi, and 103 hectares of land in Lagos. Others are mansions in 3 Okotie-Eboh, Ikoyi, I0A Sobo Arubrodu Street Ikeja; a storey building at 50 Marina, Lagos; seven properties in 5A George Street Ikoyi; other properties in 5B, 4B George, Street and 15, square metres of land at Okunade water front, Victoria Island Lagos. Benue National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Dr Jerry Agada has said that Nigerians would start to enjoy the benefits of over two years of planning by the Yar’Adua administration in 2010. Addressing pressmen in Makurdi he said that most of the plans initiated by the Yar’Adua administration since its inception in 2007 are matured and are ripe for manifestation. Agada who was Minister of State for Education said that he was privy to general concrete plans that are on the verge of fruition. He said that President Yar’Adua is not an administrator that believes in playing to the gallery, noting that the president believes in careful planning before commencement of execution. The ANA boss advised Nigerians not to take seriously those politicians of the health of the president through calls for his resignation, saying what the president needs is prayers to recover and handle his duties. Plateau The church in Nigeria has not contributed significantly to the overall development of the nation. This was the view expressed by the chairman, planning committee of the Annual Nigeria Christian Fair 2010, Prof John Brown. According to Brown, “we cannot say very satisfactory. But to a certain extent, the church in Nigeria is trying to move this country forward. But we are not yet there. We are just on the way. The journey has stared and we are hoping to be there,” he added. Speaking on the Fair coming up in Abuja next year, he said, “where the church has failed the nation is that the church has condoned a number of corrupt politicians. “The church invites these politicians when they are having launchings in their churches and then these politicians may donate million of naira. But nobody will ask them where do you get these millions from.”
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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