Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Pro-motion (NOTAP) is to promote the teaching of science and technology in primary and secondary schools.
NOTAP Director General, Umar Bindir, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State.
Umar said NOTAP would ensure this through the introduction of story boards that would show pupils and students how some products were made.
“For instance Maggi cube is made from soya beans. So we asked Nestle to give us a story board that shows the stages in picture of how soya beans was transformed to Maggi cube,’’ Umar said.
He explained that such practical approach and change in teaching methodology would help in reforming the education sector for positive results.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has dismissed a media report that his government had set aside N3 billion for the creation of new chiefdoms.
Fielding questions with newsmen in Damaturu, Yuguda said the report was baseless and described it as a deliberate negative report to ridicule his administration.
Yuguda was in Damaturu to pay a condolence visit to Gov Ibrahim Geidam, who lost his wife last week.
He said that the reason for the creation of the chiefdoms was to accord special rights and privileges to people who demanded for them, to ensure peaceful co-existence among the diverse cultural and religious groups in the state.
Yuguda noted that the state had experienced political and religious crises within the last two years, making it imperative to find ways to ensure lasting peace and harmony.
Borno
Alhaji Baba Garbai, the Borno Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, says the state government is to establish a skills acquisition centre for farmers in Damboa.
Garbai, who announced this on Sunday while inspecting projects in Damboa Local Government Area, stated that farmers would be trained in modern farming technology at the centre.
He said that the state government was determined to give agriculture top priority so as to boost food security.
The commissioner advised parents and guardians to enroll their wards in schools in order to enable them contribute to national development.
He also urged the caretaker chairman of the local government, Alhaji Abu Hong, to embark on the provision of social amenities and execution of developmental projects.
FCT
Defence Minister, BelloMohammed in Abuja has restated Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces were properly settled after years of meritorious service to the nation.
Mohammed stated this at the end of an entrepreneurship training organised for senior military officers by the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in collaboration with EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, the minister said the current agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan had placed emphasis on transformation.
Mohammed said the training was meant to assist the officers to attain self development when they disengage from service.
Kaduna
The 1986 Old Students Association of Alhudahuda College, Zaria, has donated books worth more than N250,000 to the institution.
Alhaji Shehu Yunusa, the Secretary-General of the association, told newsmen at its silver jubilee meeting in Zaria that the gesture was to encourage students of the institution to embrace the reading culture and maintain the good reputation of the college.
He said that in addition to the donation, the association also planned to renovate the college Mosque to make it an ideal place of worship.
“We are here to show appreciation to the college that brought us to limelight, because whatever we become in life, the institution is central to it.
Katsina
The Police Command in Katsina State says it has arrested eight alleged car snatchers in Katsina metropolis in its renewed effort to fight crime in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Katsina.
Mohammed said that the suspects were nabbed at different times in the metropolis and gave their names as Bello Abdulkadir, Salisu Sirajo, Santanu Abubakar, Bashir Kabir alias Sanfolo, Ismaila Usman, Tasi’u Abdullahi and Musa Bala.
The commissioner said that the suspects had confessed to stealing cars in Katsina and its environs for sometime, adding that the command had been on their trail.
He said that the suspects also claimed to have taken some stolen cars to Kano for sale, adding that they were helping the police to track the receivers of the stolen cars.
Kwara
The Kwara government says it will continue to partner with the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) in a bid to boost the economy of the state.
The State Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Saka Onimago, disclosed this in Ilorin on Saturday while launching the prospectus for the fifth Kwara Trade Fair.
Onimago reiterated the state government’s commitment to take the state to the next level of development, saying that government has concluded arrangement to employ another set of 2,000 youths.
He said the development could only be achieved through the co-operation of the private sector of the economy.
Onimago thanked the KWACCIMA for acting as a catalyst in driving the economic development of the state through the organisation of annual trade fairs.
Lagos
Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, former Head of the Civil Service, has charged Nigerians to encourage creative work by Nigerians such as Prof Cyril Onwumechili to enhance national development.
Afolabi made the call in Lagos during the presentation of Onwumechili’s autobiography entitled, “Coming a Long Way”, which he reviewed.
He noted that Onwumechili, who became a professor at the age of 30 after studying to the doctorate level through
scholarships from his early days at Kings College, Lagos, was propelled by hard work and support from his uncle.
Afolabi observed that the professor became a vice chancellor of the University of Ife (now OAU) in 1978, the only known non-Yoruba VC of the institution.
Dr Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice-President, who was chairman of the occasion, said the work of the erudite professor was worth reading.
He described Onwumechili as a bright and productive scholar who had impacted on lives and the scientific landscape of Nigeria.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government says it spent about N3 billion on community development projects within the last 30 months.
Mr Clement Faboyede, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperative Services, said this in an interview with newsmen in Akure.
Faboyede said the initiatives were primarily to take development to the grassroots, adding that more than 200 “quick-win” projects had been completed in the 18 local government areas of the state.
He also said the state government recently approved N400 million for more projects to be executed in some communities
The commissioner said no fewer than 30 projects had been earmarked in some local government areas, including Akure and Ose areas.
Sokoto
Illela Local Government Council of Sokoto State plans to spend not less than N100 million on various developmental projects, its Chairman, Alhaji Garba Sabon-Gari, has disclosed.
Sabon-Gari told newsmen in Illela on Saturday that the projects would cover rural roads and water supply, health, education, power supply and economic empowerment.
“The estimates have been forwarded to the Ministry of Local Government for its final approval and nothing less than N100 million will be approved finally by the ministry.
“ These projects are aimed at further improving the living standard of the people and to fulfil our various campaign promises.’’
Taraba
Taraba is partnering with the North-East Zonal Office of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to train fish farmers on the production of fingerlings.
Mr. Anthony Jellason, the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday.
Jellason said that the state government had provided the agency with access road to its new office along Kona Road, to enable it to effectively discharge its duties.
He noted that the state was blessed with abundant of fish resources through its rivers and natural ponds scattered across the 16 local governments.
“When given the training, it would not only equip the farmers with the technical knowhow- in fish production, but also improve their occupation, boost their economy and provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to young school leavers.”
Zamfara
A female Zamfara pilgrim to this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia (names withheld) has died, according to an official of the state’s 2011 Hajj Committee, Alhaji Jabiru Riko.
Riko disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gusau recently.
He said that the middle-aged woman died in the holy land after a brief illness, adding that she had been buried in Saudi Arabia, according to Islamic rites.
The committee member said the transportation of the state’s pilgrims had been completed on Thursday, adding that all 5,500 pilgrims were transported in 11 flights from the Sokoto International airport.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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