Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Worried by the level of insecurity, a coalition of Islamic and Christian Leaders in Michika, Adamawa, has set up a committee to sensitise communities on peace building and conflict resolution.
The Public Relation Officer of the group, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Mutawale told newsmen in Mubi on Sunday that the measure was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people in the area.
Mutawale said members of the sensitisation sub-committees had already been inaugurated across the 16 wards in the area to create awareness on the need for people to live in peace and harmony.
He said the group in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) had held various meetings between religious and community leaders on the need to promote peace in the area.
Benue
Governor of Benue Gabriel Suswam has urged the people to unite in the interest of development in the state.
Suswam was speaking Sunday at St Theresa’s Parish, Makurdi, in a thanks-giving mass in honour of Mr Fidelis Audu, Chairman, Makurdi Local Government Council.
The governor, who was represented by Dr Eugene Aliegba, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said peace was necessary for sustainable development.
He called on the people to desist from fomenting trouble on the account of their political differences but to play the game of politics according to the rules.
He said politics ought to be devoid of violence and advised them to shun violence.
Borno
Governor of Borno Kashim Shettima on Sunday attributed last Tuesday’s inauguration of caretaker committees for the 27 local governments in the state to security reasons.
Some opposition parties in the state had accused the governor of refusing to conduct elections into the councils for political reasons.
But Shettima told newsmen in Maiduguri that the committees were inaugurated because of the difficulties in organising polls, especially against the current security challenges in the state.
Shettima said that, government planned to conduct credible elections for the councils once the security situation improved.
FCT
The new Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Dr Montaser Abuzaid, said in Abuja on Sunday that he would promote the existing cordial relations between the two countries.
“I will work to promote the existing relations between Nigerian and the State of Palestine, especially in the areas of culture, sports and education,’’ Abuzaid told newsmen.
He said the two countries could do a lot together in the area of culture considering that the role of the embassy was to facilitate contact between the two countries’ relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
“We can organise student exchange programmes as well as sporting activities; we can also explore each other’s tourism sector as Palestine is blessed with many historic and tourist sites,’’ Abuzaid said.
Kaduna
The Catholic Diocese of Kaduna Province on Sunday called on the faithful to contribute toward improving the lives of the less privileged in the society.
The Provincial Organising Committee Chairman, Rev. Fr. Michael Gadache, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna at the launch of Lenten Campaign for the diocese.
Gadache said that arrangements for the event had reached their zenith as the faithful and other dignitaries were being sensitised to brace up for the success of the programme.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr John Bagu told newmen that Rev Fr. Peter Babangida would preside over the event at the St. Pius X Catholic Church, Unguwar Romi, Kaduna South Local Government Area.
Kano
Former President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has said that leaders at all levels must be involved in providing security in the country.
Gen. Babangida said this in Kano on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, in his palace, over the multiple bomb blasts that killed about 200 people in Kano.
Babangida, who ruled the country between 1985 and 1993, said it was the responsibility of not only the Federal Government , but leaders at all levels, to ensure peace and stability in the country.
Kebbi
Two female councillors in Maiyama and Kalgo Local Government Areas of Kebbi died on Wednesday in a motor accident on Funtua – Zaria road.
The Chairman of the state chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the deceased, Hajiya Ruqqayya Mohammed and Sa’adatu Umar were travelling to Abuja to witness the Supreme Court sitting in the case filed by Alhaji Abubakar Mallam of CPC against the election of Gov. Saidu Dakingari.
Lagos
The Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), an NGO, on Saturday in Lagos pledged to sensitise Nigerians on various opportunities on wealth creation.
President of the group, Mrs Lola Okanlawon said during an interactive session with journalists, that the aim was to promote the establishment of small and medium entreprises in the country.
She said that the NGO was principally focussed on creating wealth and not alleviating poverty.
As part of the strategy, Okanlawon said the group had concluded plans to organise a workshop to expose men and women on how to earn a living in the oil and gas industry.
Osun
A group of Young Professionals has been inaugurated in Ile-Ife, Osun on Saturday, with a pledge to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.
The group has membership from various professions, including medicine, engineering, the academics and law.
Leader of the group, Dr Bayo Olokun, promised that it would work to improve the quality of life of the citizenry.
Olokun, who is a consultant at the National Hospital, Abuja, said the group would offer humanitarian services to the people, especially the less previledged.
“Our aim is to make a better Nigeria, the country has invested so much in her people, we want the nation to be properly positioned.
Plateau
The Yakubu Gowon Foundation has distributed 800 pairs of school sandals to female pupils of some primary schools in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau.
The beneficiaries are pupils of L.E.A. Primary Schools in Jimakwi, Pukien, Pangjem and Pangsot Local Government Areas.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mr Dan Tenshak, said the initiative was in line with the organisation’s advocacy on girl-child education.
“It is in line with the foundation’s way of assisting indigent students. The initiative will also create awareness on the challenges of girl-child education toward bridging the gender gap in learning.”
He noted that education was becoming more expensive, and stressed the need for governments and NGOs to encourage girls from poor homes to pursue their dreams.
Sokoto
Stakeholders from the 23 local governments in Sokoto State have expressed their support to fast track the formulation of a draft policy on water and sanitation for the state Our correspondent reports that the state government and a USAID- assisted non governmental organisation, Research Triangle Institute / Leadership. Empowerment , Advocacy and Development –RTI/ LEAD are championing the formulation of the policy .
A public hearing on the draft policy was conducted on January 28 by the state Ministry of Water Resources and the organisation .
A statement signed by Alhaji Tijjani Mohammed , the Deputy Chief of Party ( DCoP) of the organisation, said in Sokoto on Sunday that the public hearing was attended by the various stakeholders in the state .
Yobe
The Deputy Governor of Yobe State Alhaji Abubakar Ali, has expressed the hope that the new 200-bed hospital in Damaturu would prevent the people from seeking medical attention outside the state.
Ali, who is also the Commissioner for Health, told newsmen in an interview on Sunday that the ultra modern hospital had adequate provisions for laboratory examinations, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
He said the services of consultants engaged from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital would be an advantage to the facility.
“Travelling out of the state to seek medical treatment will soon be a thing of the past. The new hospital will decongest the existing specialist hospital, which is overstretched,” he said.
He said a committee had been constituted to equip the hospital with state-of-the-art facilities “to promote efficiency and qualitative healthcare delivery to the people.
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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