Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Sick persons in Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa now patronise private clinics due to the strike by medical and health workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike following disagreement with the state government over wages and improved working conditions.
A check by our correspondent at General Hospital, Mubi, showed that Out Patients Department (OPD), Emergency Unit and medical wards were shut, while some of the patients on admission had left.
The situation had forced residents to rely on the available private clinics for medical services.
One of the affected patients who gave his name as Doctor Makul, told newsmen that he had moved to a private clinic for treatment following the collapse of services at the General Hospital.
Bauchi
Participants at the end of a two-day workshop decried the failure by various levels of government to implement recommendations of various judicial commissions of inquiry on crises in the country.
The workshop organised by the Bauchi State Government had the theme “Fostering Peace in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Setting”.
The participants expressed the concern in a communiqué made available to newsmen in Bauchi last Friday.
They said that the non-implementation of such reports was partly responsible for the recurrence of such crises.
“Judicial Commissions of Inquiry should be balanced and fair to all sides and their reports should be fully implemented to serve as deterrence and to forestall future recurrence.
“States without such ongoing societal re-orientation programme should emulate the initiative of Bauchi State and establish a similar programme.
Benue
Participants at a two-day sensitisation workshop on sanitation and hygiene have expressed concern over the weak implementation of public health laws due to low political will and inadequate manpower.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop on Friday in Markurdi, the participants also expressed concern over the poor coordination of sanitation and hygiene issues in the country.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, National Coordinator of Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, an NGO, and Peter Cookey on behalf of other participant.
They noted that the challenge had undermined Nigeria’s efforts at achieving the MDGs target in the sector.
More than 100 women were screened for breast and cervical cancer on Saturday in Abuja.
The screening exercise was organised by “Stand up to Cancer Naija”, an Abuja-based NGO, as part of activities marking the 2010 Sister’s Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mega Parish, Abuja.
Some of the women told newmen that they were initially scared of the test because of the outcome of the result.
Mrs Zainab Mamman said she was initially scared of the screening but was, however, glad that she did the test.
Mrs Isimhanze Margaret said that she was not surprised to find that people were afraid to come for the test, explaining that lack of money to pay hospital bill prevented her from taking the test before now.
“The test is quite cheap here. I paid N1,000 to get the two tests done.
Kano
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is to begin an Intra-city Train Service in Kano the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman has said.
Sulaiman disclosed this in Kano when he inspected facilities along the Kano-Challawa-Kano route of the proposed train service, recently.
He said the project was informed by government’s decision to ease transportation problems in the country by using the railway system.
According to him, the new train service will assist in decongesting traffic in Kano city for easy movement of people.
The minister, therefore, advised parents to allow their children to patronise the service.
Sulaiman disclosed that Intra-city Train Service would be introduced in six cities, Kano, Jos Maiduguri, Lagos, Enugu and Port Harcourt.
He said necessary work had been completed to commence the service in the six towns before the end of 2010.
Kebbi
To check deforestation in Kebbi State, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has intensified its tree planting campaign.
The NESREA Coordinator in the state, Dr Ahmed Kasim, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that the exercise was part of the campaign to safeguard the environment.
“The tree planting campaign is aimed at improving forest reserve, especially considering t hat trees will help to stem emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants of the earth”, he said.
He said the campaign would be carried out in conjunction with the state government and the NYSC Club.
NESREA, he said, would take the campaign to secondary schools in the state to enable students imbibe the culture of planting trees.
He also stressed needs to carry out tree planting campaigns at local, state and federal levels to boost the boost the stock of trees in the country.
Kwara
The Kwara Government for Friday warned those involved in its FADAMA programme against fraudulent practices.
Governor Bukola Saraki gave the warning in Ilorin while flagging-off the FADAMA III programme.
He said those involved in the initiative should follow the procurement guidelines as well as ensure due process in their transactions.
He said his government had contributed its N40 million counterpart fund for the take off of the programme, adding that 10 councils benefited from FADAMA II.
In his remarks, Prof. Mohammed Yisa, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the ultimate objective of giving agriculture top priority was to ensure food security.
Yisa said agriculture would also help to create employment and attract investors in agribusiness and agro tourism.
He commended the World Bank for providing funds to alleviate poverty in the state.
Lagos
The scarcity and high cost of fresh tomatoes and pepper will linger till the end of the rainy season, Alhaji Haruna Muhammed, Chairman Mile 12 Market Management Committee, has said.
Muhammed told newsmen Friday in Lagos that the scarcity of the commodities was due to the rainy season.
He said that the current scarcity and high cost of food items in the country, was contrary to speculations by some people that it was as a result of the anticipated strike by traders in the north.
He said that the species of tomatoes and pepper currently in the market came from Jos, due to the cold weather in the city.
Muhammed said that other species of tomatoes and pepper were from Ibadan and Ghana, adding that these were the ones that consumers would be compelled to make use of till the end of the rainy season.
Oy Oyo
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos chapter, on Saturday warned of the implications of teachers in Oyo State going on strike over non-implementation of Teachers Salary Scale (TSS).
Our correspondent reports that teachers in Oyo State are on a warning strike to press home their demand for the implementation of the new enhanced salary agreement signed in August 2008.
The Secretary, NUT Lagos State, Mr. Jamiu Idris, told newsmen in an interview that the development in Oyo State was regrettable.
“I particularly feel bad about this development because Oyo State is the only state that is yet to implement the 27.5 per cent teachers’ enhancement salary scale (in the Southwest).
“It is unfortunate that the Oyo State Government has not been responsive enough when it comes to teachers’ welfare”, Idris said.
Ogun
The Police in Ijebu-Ode last Friday arraigned a 50-year-old woman, Comfort Okuneye, before an Ijebu-Ode Magistrate’s Court for allegedly failing to produce her son whom she stood surety for.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Temitope Babatunde, told the court that Okuneye had on March 23 at Obalende Police Station, Ijebu-Ode, volunteered to stand as a surety for her son, Bola Okuneye, who was alleged to have stolen N375,000.
Babatunde explained that Okuneye, who pledged to produce the suspect whenever he was needed, signed a bail bond of N400,000.
She explained that Okuneye’s failure to produce her son when he was needed led to her arrest and arraignment in court.
Okuneye, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
The Defence Counsel, Mr. D.T. Fowodu, told the court to grant the accused person bail on liberal terms since the offence was bailable.
Plateau
The Plateau government has said that there is no going back on the ban on commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada.
A statement on Friday, in Jos, signed by the commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Gregory Yenlong, said that anyone who defaulted would face appropriate sanctions.
The Plateau House of Assembly in May passed a bill prohibiting the use of motorcycles popularly called ‘okada’ for commercial purposes.
A Jos Federal high judgment on Thursday, dismissed a suit instituted by the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) against the state government.
The court dismissed the suit on grounds that it would not stop the enforcement of the law which was enacted pursuant to the powers vested on the state government by the constitution.
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
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