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.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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