Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Tenants, occupying the 52 low-cost housing units at Mubi in Adamawa, have pleaded with the State Government to reconsider the quit notice issued them by government in the interest of justice and fairness.
A spokesman for the tenants, Malam Umar Belel, told newsmen that the quit notice came as a surprise and a shock to the residents who over the years were hoping that the government’s policy of owner-occupier applied to all residents of government housing estates in the state.
“In Yola and Numan towns, the houses were given out on owner-occupier basis but to our surprise the good gesture was denied us and instead we were served quit notices, saying we should vacate the houses we live in for more than a decade with immediate effect”, Umar lamented.
Bauchi
Alhaji Yahaya Jalam, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, says the State Government has set up a committee to redesign urban centres in the state.
Jalam told newsmen in Bauchi on Saturday that the committee was set up, following the expiration of an earlier master plan for the development of urban centres in 1998.
He said the committee would draw a renewed urban planning for Bauchi, Misau, Azare, Ningi, Jama’are and Dass townships, considering recent environmental challenges being faced by the state.
He disclosed further that structures that were constructed on either public drains or water ways in the areas marked for development would be demolished after the committee might have submitted its reports.
Borno
There was another bomb explosion on Saturday morning at the Ruwan Zafi area of Maiduguri metropolis, the second explosion in four days, an eyewitness has said.
The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity to newsmen in Maiduguri, said that the bomb was planted on the highway leading to Gamboru-Ngala.
“The bomb detonated when a truck driver drove on it but we thank God that nobody died,” the eyewitness said.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Mr Simeon Medenda, said that the bomb was set on a tree branch before it was detonated and that there was no casualty.
FCT
Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, said in Abuja that Nigerian women were looking forward to attain 50 per cent gender equality in appointments.
She spoke when the African Women Leaders Think Tank, led by the Regional Director, Dr Remi Aribisala, paid her a courtesy visit.
Obada said the 50 per cent gender equality was welcome, adding that the women were looking forward to that, “and one day, we will get there.’’
“Never in the history of this nation that any president has done so much for women like President Goodluck Jonathan.’’
She said that the President promised women 35 per cent, “ he must have surpassed that by now and appointments are still coming.’’
Kaduna
Mr Dogo Makama, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, says the State Government has spent N138 million on fire-fighting vehicles.
Makama told newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday that the vehicles were capable of fighting fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings.
He said the agency had also begun rehabilitation of fire-fighting machines at fire service stations in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan for effective disaster management.
The executive secretary said the agency would develop a contingency plan for future disaster management in response to series of disasters that had affected the Kaduna metropolis and its environs in the past.
Katsina
Some farmers involved in the IFAD-assisted Community-Based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme (IFAD-CBARDP) in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina, have called for the expansion of the seed multiplication strategy.
Alhaji Sule Yusuf, the Chairman of the groundnut and soya beans association, told newsmen on Saturday in Bakori, Katsina State, that farmers recorded increased harvest and profit using improved seeds.
Yusuf explained that the improved seed was farmer-friendly and stressed the need to expand the programme to enable more farmers, especially those in the rural areas to benefit.
“Farmers recorded increased gain by using improved soya beans and groundnut seeds supplied by the programme,’’ Yusuf said.
Lagos
Some university lecturers on Saturday in Lagos expressed concern over the continued security challenges in the country.
The lecturers told newsmen that the level of insecurity had become worrisome in recent times and appealed to the Federal Government to urgently proffer a solution.
Dr Kazeem Bello, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan said that the bombing of the United Nations building, Abuja, showed that the government should do more on security.
Bello said that Nigeria had an image deficit which needed to be redeemed if the country must move forward, adding that the fundamental problem of national security has not been addressed.
Niger
The Anglican Bishop of Minna Diocese, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yisa, has charged the nine newly ordained priests and a deacon to fashion their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
This charge was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna and signed by Mr George Fashe, the Diocesan Communicator.
“You should fashion your lives in accordance with the precepts as you love and serve the people,” Yisa was quoted as saying.
He also advised them to work with members of their churches, caring for the young and the old, the strong and the weak, as well as the rich and the poor.
He admonished them to preach God’s forgiveness to the penitent sinners as they pronounce God’s blessings and perform other duties entrusted to them in the church diligently.
Nasarawa
Local government workers in Nasarawa State will soon receive the new N18,000 minimum wage, Alhaji Abdullahi Oji, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, has said.
Oji told newsmen in Lafia on Friday that local government and development area workers were not excluded from receiving the new wage by the state government.
He said that 12 local government councils had already prepared and submitted their payment vouchers and allied documents, adding that the ministry had given the remaining local government councils up to the end of this week to submit their payment vouchers.
The permanent secretary said that “once the relevant documents are properly sorted out, the ministry will commence payment within the next few weeks.”
Plateau
The Plateau caucus in the House of Representatives has opposed calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, following incessant conflicts in Jos and its environs.
The caucus, which comprised of Reps Jonathan Aminu, Bitrus Kaze, Emmanuel Goar, Peter Akujah and Beni Lar, expressed its position at a news conference in Jos on Friday, saying that such advocates of emergency rule were misguided.
“It is highly suspicious that they singled out Plateau State for persecution notwithstanding the precarious security situation in many parts of the country, including post-election violence and bombings.
“We make bold to state in unmistaken and unequivocal terms our determination to resist any attempt to plunge our state into another round of confusion; Plateau State cannot be treated as a scapegoat,” the lawmakers said.
Sokoto
Sen. Jibril Gada, a former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, has urged the Federal Government to evolve concrete measures to assist Nigerian farmers.
Gada, who made the call in Sokoto on Saturday in an interview with newsmen said the measures should include agricultural programmes and the provision of adequate fertiliser and other inputs.
“The measures should include plausible agricultural programmes and policies as well as loans.
“The loans should be given only to genuine farmers nationwide,” he said.
Gada underscored the need for the involvement of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in programmes meant for farmers, noting that the association had been recognised by all levels of government as the apex farmers’ body.
According to him, agricultural schemes and loan packages were often “messed up by bureaucrats and politicians”.
The former minister also stressed the need for a conducive environment for Nigerian farmers to produce more food and encourage foreign direct investment in the sector.
Zamfara
A Zamfara Local Shari’ah Court has ordered the amputation of the right hand of two men for stealing a farm bull.
The convicts are Auwalu Abubukar Tsaure, 23, and Lawali Musa Tsaure, 22.
They were convicted for stealing the bull valued at N130,000 and which belonged to one Bawa Maiguru in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state.
Alhaji Muhammadu Gusau, a Higher Sharia Court Judge of Nasarawa Mailayi, said that the prosecutor proved beyond doubt that the two accused were guilty of the offence.
He said the accused persons would be punished according to the Sharia Law.
“The court arrived at the amputation sentence after careful consideration of the fact that the convicts are mature and stole the bull from a confined place.
“The cost of the stolen item exceeds one-quarter of gold gramme and their consistent plea of guilt.”
Gusau ordered that the amputation would be done in public on October 8 , the local market day of Nasarawan Mailayi for people to witness and to serve as deterrent to others.
The judge said that the offence was contrary to Section 144 of the Zamfara State Shari’ah Penal Code Law.
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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