Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered a payroll racket at the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication, Abuja, a statement said.
The anti-graft agency said in a statement, signed by its Head of Public Enlightenment, Mr Mike Sowe, in Abuja on Monday that preliminary investigations had revealed that
about N16.7 million had been siphoned by the syndicate.
It stated that ICPC investigators discovered that the syndicate operated by reinstating names of downsized and retired staff of the ministry in the payroll system.
“The second stage involved using forged documents bearing names of the downsized or retired staff to open bank accounts.
Gombe
A lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Yola Dr Keftin Namal, has advocated a political solution to the current security challenges in the country.
He told newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday that while it was imperative for the security agencies to be proactive in their approach to the issue, other options should not be foreclosed.
“Although there is the need for security agents to be proactive, the issue of Boko Haram for example, is better addressed politically. Each elected politician from the affected constituencies should be deployed to his or her area to parley with and obtain a truce with members of the group.’’
Jigawa
The Jigawa Government says it has distributed 12,459 tonnes of assorted fertiliser worth N997 million to farmers this farming season.
Alhaji Mohammed Danzomo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this in Dutse in an interview with newsmen.
He said the fertiliser would be sold to farmers at the rate of N2,000 per bag.
He said NPK and Urea brands cost N4,000 at the open market, adding that the government had subsidised the cost by more than 50 per cent.
Danzomo said that 12,459 tonnes of fertiliser, representing 415 trucks, had been distributed to the 27 local government areas, the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and research Institutes for onward distribution to farmers.
Kaduna
Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana has inaugurated a five-man Governing Council of TIMEX School of Communications, Kaduna.
Gana inaugurated the council during the opening of a 3-day National Communication summit, organised by the school.
The school, which was established in 2010 by Kabiru Dangogo, former Head of Union Bank Public Relation Unit, is the first of its kind in the North.
Gana, who commended Dangogo for using his money for the development of people and public relations in the country, urged members of the council to use their vast experience to develop the school.
In his speech, Dangogo, who is the chief executive of the Institution, said the school had made some progress since its establishment a year ago.
Kano
The Kano State Government is to set up a special court to try erring pilgrims from the state as from the next Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said in Kano on Tuesday that the court would prosecute erring pilgrims after they had returned from the Holy Land.
Ganduje said soon after returning from the Holy Land that “we can not try the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, because we don’t have the powers to do so.
“But all evidence of against them will be brought to Nigeria, and the offenders will be tried here in Kano.” He said Islam had forbidden pilgrims from misbehaving in the Holy Land, stressing that the state government would not condone any misdeeds.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has donated three cows and assorted food items worth about N4 million to the state NYSC orientation camp.
Presenting the items to the NYSC Co-ordinator in the state on Tuesday, Alhaji Labiru Musa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural, Social Development, Youth and Spots, said the gesture was to assist the 2011 ‘Batch B’ NYSC members.
He said the donation included N500,000 cash to be spent on the fumigation of the camp and purchase of insecticide and toiletries for the corps members.
Musa said the gesture was part of the state government’s commitment toward ensuring a successful orientation programme for the corps members.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Government has earmarked about N4 billion for the resettlement and compensation of 137,023 victims of the 2010 flooding, which also killed five persons and destroyed seedlings worth N33 million.
Gov Saidu Dakingari disclosed this on Monday in Birnin Kebbi when Alhaji Khalid Yusuf, the Managing Director of the Sokoto River Rima Basin Development Authority, led the new management team on a courtesy visit.
Dakingari said that 50 per cent of the earmarked amount had been released as compensation to the flood victims while the flood relief committee had yet to conclude its report.
The governor said that people residing along flood plains had been relocated to higher ground to avoid future flood.
He said that the measure was in response to the weather forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicting possible flooding this year.
Lagos
Suspected armed robbers took advantage of the floods in Lagos metropolis to rob motorists.
Our correspondent reports that most parts of Lagos were flooded following a downpour that occurred throughout Sunday.
The floods submerged houses and vehicles and paralysed traffic.
Witnesses told our correspondent that hoodlums exploited the chaotic traffic situation which continued on Monday to rob motorists and commuters.
The route on which some of the robberies occurred included the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Dr Paul Adesanya, who witnessed a robbery on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, told our correspondent that the perpetrators were within the ages of 20 and 22.
A Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered Sen. Ibrahim Musa (CPC-Niger North) ,charged for alleged falsification and forgery, to be remanded in prison custody.
Sen. Nuhu Aliyu of the PDP had approached the elections petition tribunal to challenge Musa’s victory in the April senatorial election.
Musa, who was said to have been invited to the state police headquarters, Dutsen Kura, early on Monday was arraigned before the court around 5:42p.m.
The First Information Report (FIR) read by the prosecution counsel, M.A Igwe, stated that the senator was being charged for criminal conspiracy, forgery as well as using fake tax clearance receipt to mislead public officers.
He further stated that the offence was contrary to section 97, 364, 366 and 322 of the penal code.
Osun
The Osun State Government has agreed to pay the
N18,000 minimum wage to its workers.
Mr Sunday Akere, the Director of Research and Strategy, Osun State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), made the announcement in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen.
“We will pay the N18,000. We will not beg labour for any reduction, because it is already a constitutional issue. It is also the right of Nigerian workers.’’
He said that once Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, who is currently on official trip to China returns home, the effective date when government would commence paying the wage would be announced.
Oyo
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has said the military was facing the challenges of rebuilding itself and subordinating to civil authority.
Ihejirika said this at the opening ceremony of the workshop on civil-military relations held for officers and men at the 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.
To tackle the new challenges, the army chief said the military needed a complete re-orientation.
Ihejirika, who noted that there had been frictions in civil-military interactions in the past, said the trend globally was to establish a Department of Civil Military Affairs as was conceived by the army headquarters.
“The establishment of this department is to ensure that the personnel of the Nigerian Army are fully sensitised on this concept.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has spent about N10 billion on the three Agricultural Services Training Centres in the last four years, Gov. Jonah Jang has disclosed.
Jang disclosed this when he received Mr Goerge Deek, the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Israel, in Jos.
“The centres are costing Plateau N10 billion and the Israeli government is committing N2 billion into the project. The centres are being replicated in the three senatorial districts.
“Kassa (Plateau-North) and Mangu (Plateau-Central) centres were commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010. Shendam (Plateau-South) will soon be completed.
Zamfara
Following allegation of diversion by some members of the Fertiliser Distribution Committee, Gov Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara has instituted a probe into the activities of the committee.
Yari announced this while fielding questions from newsmen in Gusau.
He said he had received reports that some persons entrusted with the distribution of the commodity to farmers had allegedly diverted them for their personal gains.
“Right now, the issue is under investigation and as soon as the report comes to me, I will take appropriate action on all those found wanting in this important state assignment.“
“My administration will not fold its arms and watch some unpatriotic persons diverting fertiliser that is meant to assist the farmers in enhancing their agricultural productivity.”
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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