Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has trained 750 teachers in Michika Local Government Area of the state.
The Local Government Council’s Education Secretary, Mr Isaac Sanda, told newsmen in Michika last Thursday that the teachers were trained in the last three years.
Sanda said that the beneficiaries were exposed to modern teaching techniques on core subjects like English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science.
He said that the training was conducted in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office.
“The measure is to enhance teachers’ capacity in delivering quality education,’’ Sanda said.
Borno
The Borno State Government has attributed the slow take-off of its municipal tricycle scheme to “due process.”
Gov. Kashim Shettima had on August 5, launched the first phase of the scheme involving 1,500 tricycles to be distributed to unemployed youths.
He said the scheme was to tackle transportation problems in the state capital.
But Alhaji Babakaka Garbai, the Chairman of the distribution committee told newsmen in Maiduguri, that government was not in a haste to release the tricycles.
“It is true that the governor launched the scheme several days ago, but we do not want to release them without proper documentation.
FCT
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian women to rise up to the task of achieving their dreams, saying his administration will be a catalyst for their progress.
In a post on his Facebook page last Thursday, the president said it was his desire to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders in the nation, irrespective of sex, religion or ethnic background.
Jonathan said, “I promised women a 35 per cent slot in my cabinet.
“And I fulfilled that vow because it is my desire to ensure a level playing field in Nigeria by heading an administration where ethnicity, gender and religion do not hinder qualified persons from fulfilling their potentials.’’
He said it was for the same reason that he ordered the admission of women into the Nigerian Defence Academy, the first from a sitting president in the country.
Kano
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kano State has warned commercial drivers against violation violating traffic rules and regulations in the area.
He said the sector found it necessary to issue the warning in view of the increase in number of vehicles, especially commercial ones coming into the state due to the approaching Sallah.
He said the FRSC would soon embark on special patrol along the highways in the state to check the excesses of commercial drivers.
According to him, plans are underway to embark on massive public enlightenment on the proposed new number plate and driver’s licence.
He said the exercise would take place at motor parks and major points in the state aimed at sensitising the public on the importance of the new items .
Katsina
Wife of Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Shema, has urged mothers to watch out for contaminated food items likely to be consumed by children during the Ramadam fasting.
Shema, who was represented by wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Lubabatu Garba, made the call at the annual Tafsir organised by a coalition of Muslim women associations in Kafur Local Government Area .She said that fruits especially could be contaminated, while mothers should also watch out for expired food items during this period.
The governor’s wife also called on women to keep a clean environment which is a prerequisite to good health, as well as to respect their husbands.
Kogi
Over 7,000 applicants turned up for enlistment into the Police as Cadet Assistant uperintendent of Police (ASPs) and Inspectors.
The Kogi Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ajayi Okasanmi told journalists in Lokoja that the applicants came from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that of the number, 4,000 applied for enlistment as ASPs while 3,000 applied for Inspectors’ cadre.
Okasanmi said the screening of the applicants began last Monday with the State Police Commissioner, Mr John Abakasanga as Chairman of the team.
He said the police would strictly adhere to all the guidelines for the exercise.
Kwara
The Kwara State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission last hursday embarked on road walk, as part of efforts to reduce road crashes in the state.
The walk, which started from the FRSC office along Fate Road, Ilorin at about 8.30 a.m. passed through Tanke Road to Maraba Garage, where the Sector Commander, Mr Yusuf Salami, addressed motorists and commuters.
Salami said that the command embarked on the road show awareness along some major street and roads in Ilorin to sensitise the general public on the dangers of overloading.
He told newmen later that the road show awareness embarked upon by the command involving the regular, special marshal and NYSC Road Safety Club.
The sector commander said that it was aimed at drawing the attention of road users on the need to inculcate road safety measures during the ember months.
Nasarawa
The National President of the NUJ, Mohammed Garba has said that the union would picket media organisations which do not pay the salaries of their staff.
Garba said at an interactive session with newsmen in Lafia, as part of the nationwide tour by the National Executive of the union, that the picketing would start with defaulting media organisations in Lagos State.
He expressed concern over non payment of staff salaries by media organisations.
Garba also said that the union would closely monitor media organisations to ensure that their staff were paid regularly.
The president called for improved funding for media organisations across the country to be able to meet the 2012 deadline for migrating from the analogue to digital transmission.
Ogun
A don, Prof. Babatunde Salako, says chronic kidney disease accounts for the death of six per cent of the country’s population every year.
Salako, a professor of nephrology at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan said in a lecture on “Nephrology Practice In Nigeria: The Journey So Far,” at the Federal Medical Centre,
The lecture was part of the send forth programme in honour of Dr Julius Osinfade, the Head of Dialysis Centre of the hospital.
Osun
Three members of the Osun State House of Assembly, have appealed to the leadership of the Osun Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call off their ongoing strike.
The Leader of the House, Timothy Owoeye, the House Whip, Ipoola Binuyo and Babatunde Komolafe, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen, on the ongoing industrial action in the state.
Owoeye, representing Ilesa East State Constituency, said the workers should put the interest of the masses at heart, adding that the present administration was committed to the welfare of workers.
He noted that the strike had paralysed government’s activities, saying that it would pose a challenge to the rapid development of the state which the current administration was tackling.
Sokoto
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State said the Sokoto State Government has spent N280 million on the rehabilitation of two water tanks and the construction of a new one at Arkilla in the state.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, who gave the figure in Sokoto, said that the tank under construction would have the capacity to store one million gallons of water.
Wamakko, said after inspecting the projects, that his administration had also commenced the construction of a new water treatment plant in Asara village in Wamakko Local Government Area of the state.
He said that when completed, the projects would improve water supply to Sokoto City and its environs.
“I must commend the state task force on water supply as well as the contracting firm for a job well done,’’ the governor said.
Taraba
The Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Board has registered 1693 people as intending pilgrims for the 2011 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Abba Tukur, told journalists in Jalingo that the pilgrims were registered in all the three categories based on fare differentials.
He said the maximum fare was N626,000, the medium N555,000 and minimum fare N525,000.
Tukur said the maximum fare would attract Basic Travelers Allowance (BTA) of N201,600; the medium fare would receive N135,000 while N108,000 would be given to those on the minimum fare.
He revealed that the board had secured accommodation for the pilgrims very close to the Kaaba, with arrangements concluded on feeding them free in Mina, Arafat and Mustalifat.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi