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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The lack of improved toilets in households and public places in Mubi-North  local government  area of Adamawa, is a major threat to public health in the area, an environmentalist, Mr Jika Hayatu, has said.

 Hayatu, an Assistant Director, Health Education and Women Affairs in the council, told newsmen in Mubi  on Monday, that the lack of adequate toilet facilities in households exposed residents to diseases.

He expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of waste  and defecation in open places in the area.

 “The rate of defecation in open places is alarming and a major health problem,” Hayatu said.

He said the council had embarked on an enlightenment campaign to sensitize communities on the need to build improved latrines and to ensure proper waste disposal.

He said that 10 health educators and sanitary inspectors had been deployed for the exercise.

 

Bauchi

Security personnel on Thursday night, rescued a seven-year old girl, Jamila Ahmed, kidnapped two weeks ago in Bauchi.

The suspected captors of the girl, four men and two women, along with their two babies, were arrested by the security agents.

Briefing newsmen on the rescue operation, the Bauchi State Director of the State Security Service (SSS) said on Thursday night in the state capital, that SSS operatives, soldiers and the police undertook the mission.

Jamila is the daughter of a former Executive Secretary of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Alhaji Ahmed al-Mustapha.

She was kidnapped while being conveyed to her school, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University International School, Bauchi, two weeks ago.

The SSS director, who refused to disclose his name, said his men initiated the operation while the military and police gave them cover.

 

Ekiti

The University of  Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Tuesday, banned male and female students from cohabiting.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye-Bamidele, 

announced the ban while addressing a forum of parents at the institution’s temporary site in Ifaki-Ekiti.

He said investigations conducted by the authorities showed that some students had formed the habit of abandoning hostel accommodation on campus in preference for rented apartments in the town. 

According to him, the male and female students live together off-campus to engage in unhindered sex. 

The VC said such practices were contrary to the state government’s ideals of making the institution a world class university. 

He maintained that the university would not allow children from different sexual and parental backgrounds to live together in the same room for any reason.

 

FCT

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja, urged the African Development Bank (ADB), to give greater support to the development of public infrastructure in Nigeria.

Jonathan, made the appeal at a meeting with the President of ADB, Mr Donald Keburuka and other senior officials of the bank, at the State House.

Jonathan said that the Federal Government, would particularly welcome ADB’s support for improvements in Nigeria’s power sector.

He commended the ADB for making support for the development of critical infrastructure in African countries the main focus of its operations.

Keburuka assured Jonathan that ADB would support his administration’s efforts to boost economic growth and development in every possible way.

According to him, the bank recognises the fact that Nigeria is the main driver of economic development in the West African sub-region.

He praised efforts being made by the Federal Government to achieve better management of Nigeria’s oil resources.

 

Gombe

The National Environmental Standard Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has called on the people to be alert and report suspicious dumping to law enforcement agencies.

Dr Williams Arabs, the North East Zonal Director of  NESREA made the appeal in Gombe recently.

This followed the discovery of 20 jute bags containing rotten fish deposited in Wuroyoli village of Akko local government area of Gombe State on November 13.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has attributed the scarcity of water being experienced in some parts of the state to insufficient power supply from the national grid. 

The government also identified the current rehabilitation at some water works across the state as also one of the reasons for the shortage.

 The General Manager of the Water Board, Malam Hassan Mohammed, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday. 

Mohammed was reacting to complaints by the residents on the scarcity of water supply in various parts of Kaduna Metropolis. 

He said the rehabilitation work resulted in the under utilisation of facilities to adequately provide water to the residents.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi State-owned radio and television stations have reopened after RATTAWU and NUJ called off their three-day warning strike over improved remuneration.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) had called the strike on Monday, demanding an increased salary package due to the hazardous nature of the profession.

Malam Abubakar Chika, the Kebbi State Chairman of RATTAWU, told  newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the call-off was sequel to a directive from the national headquarters of the union.

Chika warned members who failed to resume duty immediately that they “will have themselves to blame”.

He said the union had signed an agreement with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on the implementation of enhanced salary for members.

“The NUJ, RATTAWU, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity as well as the commission have signed an agreement for salary increment and members have resumed duty,” the chairman said.

 

Kwara

Chief Bode Oyedepo, the sole administrator of Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA), has pledged the organisation’s commitment to the reconstruction of all deplorable roads and drains in the area.

He made the pledge on Tuesday in Ilorin, in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.

Oyedepo said that Governor Bukola Saraki was concerned about the deplorable condition of roads in the state, adding that officials of the agency were currently on an inspection tour of the roads to  determine the urgency of the repairs needed. 

He promised that the roads would be rehabilitated to boost economic activities in the state.

Oyedepo said some of those already identified for urgent rehabilitation in the next few weeks included Adewole Kano Road, Sawmill Garage Road and Adabata Road in Ilorin.

 

Lagos

The Chief Executive Officer, Ijodee Dance Centre, Laidi Adedayo, said on Tuesday that dance could be used to promote unity in Nigeria and the world.

Adedayo told newsmen at the venue of the 5th edition of TRUFESTA in Lagos that, “dance provides interpersonal peace, unity and a sense of purpose in the society.’’

TRUFESTA is an annual dance festival which features training of dancers as well as workshops for professional dancers from Nigeria and abroad.

 

Ogun

Chief  Theophilus Adenaike, President, Ijebu-Ode Grade II Customary Court, has advised parents to rededicate themselves to the task of ensuring proper parental care and upbringing of their children.

He gave the advice in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen stressing that proper upbringing of children would stabilise the society. Adenaike explained that the only way parents could do this was by staying together and resolving their differences amicably, rather than seeing divorce as the last option to any marrital disagreement.

He observed that many children had become wayward due to the  lack of proper training and care by parents who, in most cases were already separated.

Adenaike noted that divorce always had negative effects on children’s upbringing, asserting that “a better society can only be achieved when children are brought up by both parents”.

“Divorce destabilises the society. When a marriage is dissolved, children from such union will not have access to proper parental care because they will be left with one of the parties, which is not good, he declared.

 

Osun

The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has urged states which have yet to implement the National Gender Policy, to do so without further delay.

The President’s wife made the plea during the launch of her project, Women for Change Initiative (W4CI) in Osun.

She noted that although Osun produced the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as having a female deputy governor, women were still under-represented in the state.

She said: “I must point out that Osun State is among the six states in Nigeria with a female deputy governor. This is heartwarming and most commendable. However, women are still under represented in the state.

“Osun State has no female representation in the Senate and it has only one female member in the House of Representatives and one in the State House of Assembly.  In summary, the state is yet to implement the National Gender Policy on 35 per cent representation for women in governance, the first lady.”

 

Plateau

Representative Joseph Gumbari, an aspirant to the Senate, has promised to work towards more Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southern Kaduna, if elected in 2011.

“The economies of China, India and the so-called Asian Tigers were the same with Nigeria’s economy in the 1960s. In fact, Nigeria’s economy was better than those economies.”

“But such countries had since gone past Nigeria because they embarked on deliberate policies that developed their MSMEs, they also made sure that such policies were sustained to fruition,’’ Gumbari said on Monday.

He spoke at the launch of a Women Traders’ Cooperative Society formed by a group of petty traders of Southern Kaduna origin in Plateau.

Gumbari promised to advocate a strong state policy toward an autonomous MSMEs commission empowered to seek local and international funds to establish strong enterprises.

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HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

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In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

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NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

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The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

 

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

 

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

 

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

 

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

 

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

 

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

 

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

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Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt

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The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.

 

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.

 

He said Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.

 

According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the focus of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.

 

” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.

 

” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pads to girl child and condoms to the boy child and there is also introduction to ICT training that will commence soon in the campus, “he said.

Kiadum Edookor

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