Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), says it will partner with the private sector to fast-track the development of historical and social monuments in the country.
The Director-General of the commission, Malam Yusuf Usman, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen.
He said the participation of the private sector would complement government’s funding towards the maintenance of the monuments.
Usman explained that government was providing the enabling environment that would make the private sector to take the maintenance of monuments and museums as a social responsibility.
“It is true that there is no much money that is provided for the maintenance of monuments across the country. But what government does is to provide some funding – that is seed money, to be able to generate interest among the private sector who can come in to participate in the maintenance of this important national edifices.
“So, we are hopeful that the private sector will join us to do this especially where it can be a form of their social responsibility since private sector is about profit and our monument and heritage resources are not for profit in terms of naira and kobo but in terms of the value that they add to our wellbeing as a people.’’
Benue
President Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned N2.6 billion water plant in Otobi, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue.
In his speech at the occasion, the President commended Governor Gabriel Suswam for establishing water projects in the state.
He said such projects would not only assist in reducing the incidence of water borne diseases, but would also address the water and health needs of the cluster communities they were meant to serve.
“More than 30 per cent diseases are water borne and by the construction of this water project, you have solved not only the water needs of the people, but also taken care of their health needs,” Jonathan said.
Earlier, Gov. Suswam, who conducted the President round the site of the project, said the construction of the water plant was in fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people.
FCT
Chairman, Abaji Area Council of the FCT, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed on Thursday advised residents to ensure clean environment by evacuating waste and materials that could harbour rats in their houses.
Mohammed gave the advice in Abaji at the opening of a community awareness sensitisation programme on the prevention of Lassa fever organised by the council.
The council boss, who was represented by Dr Basil Magaji, Head of Health Department, said the awareness programme became necessary following reported cases of outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country.
He said the programme was part of the council’s commitment to ensure clean environment and healthy living among residents.
Mohammed called on residents to take advantage of health facilities across the wards in the council, meant for routine immunisation to prevent the six child-killer diseases.
Kaduna
The Polio Technical Consultant to the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Zikrullah Giwa, said last week that Nigeria recorded four cases of wild polio virus in the past 10 weeks
Giwa who made this known at a meeting in a forum in Kaduna, said the cases were recorded in Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and Zamfara states.
“In 2012, Nigeria has four cases of wild polio virus in four states compared to four cases in three states for the same period in 2011.’’
According to him, the current National Epidemiology the country recorded 62 cases of the wild polio virus in 2011 in eight states.
Giwa stated that the total number of “circulating vaccine derived polio virus’’ (cVDPV2) was 35 in 10 states of the federation in 2011.
“In 2012, Nigeria has zero cVDPV2 compared to five cases in four states for the same period.”
Kebbi
A prominent member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Kebbi, Alhaji Adullahi Muslim, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Muslim was registered along with 1,500 supporters on Thursday at the Nasarawa Ward by the PDP Ward Chairman, Alhaji Bande Mainama.
Muslim was a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP between 1999 and 2011and later defected to the CPC.
He said his decision to return to the PDP was due to lack of internal democracy in CPC.
“I was disowned by CPC through a court affidavit.”
He explained that he was back into the PDP in order to contribute his quota to the socio- economic development of the state.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has promised to effectively use the excess crude oil funds to develop the infrastructure in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr Peter Kishira, the governor made the promise at the flag-off of the 2012 Excess Crude Oil Funds projects held at Share.
He said that the funds would be channeled to priority areas of need “for the sustenance of our people and communities’’.
According to the governor, the funds would also be utilised to reposition all the local governments areas and to develop water project, power generation, schools, health, road networks, youth empowerment, agriculture, scholarship and traditional institution.
Kogi
The immediate-past Chief Whip of the Kogi House of Assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Babadoko, has denied hatching plots to impeach the Speaker, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja last Babadoko, who represents Lokoja 1 Constituency, dismissed as unfounded, the allegation that he held discussions with four principal officers of the house to perfect plans for the removal of the Speaker.
He explained that his meeting with the principal officers centred on how to rally support for the state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, to stabilise the new administration.
The lawmaker said he took the step to ward off plans by the opposition to pressurise INEC to conduct fresh governorship
Lagos
Some lawyers in Lagos have called for the involvement of more women in the judicial activities.
The lawyers made the call as part of the activities marking the International Women‘s Day.
The Day is marked worldwide on March 8 every year, to celebrate the political, social and economic achievements of women.
Nasarawa
The traditional ruler of Doma in Nasarawa, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu-Ogah, has urged the people of the area to cut down on the amount of bride price on their daughters to encourage young suitors.
He gave the advice recently while addressing Imams in Doma and its environs
“The minimum amount payable as bride price is N7,660, which is most blessed in the sight of Allah,’’ he declared.
Aliyu-Ogah, who is the Andoma of Doma, said most young men of marriageable age were scared of approaching ladies for marriage because of the high price being demanded by their prospective in-laws.
Niger
Former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu has called on the National Assembly to ensure the quick passage of the bill that sought to protect traditional medicine and regulate access to genetic resources.
Iwu, who is the Chairman of the Bio-resources Institute of Nigeria, made the appeal during a mini national stakeholders forum on the draft legal document on the Act.
The Act is to provide for “The Protection of Traditional Knowledge Regulation of Access to Genetic Resources and Related Matters”.
He said if the bill was passed into law, it would ensure proper regulation of trado-medicine practice in the country, thus leading to the creation of jobs for millions of Nigerians as well as wealth creation.
Ogun
The Ogun Government says it will provide loans for women to make them financially independent.
Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, said this at the 101st International Women Day celebration in Abeokuta last Thursday.
“Government has set up loans, empowerment kits and programmes to help empower our women so as to reduce hunger and poverty,” Sonubi said.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, attended the programme.
The programme had as theme: “Uplifting Women: Empowering Rural Women to End Hunger and Poverty.’’
Plateau
Local Government workers in Plateau have accepted to collect half of the N18,000 minimum wage owing to paucity of funds, according to Mr Jibrin Bancir, the state’s Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman.
Bancir told newsmen last Thursday in Jos that the Local Governments have, however, agreed in principle to pay the new wage.
“We have seen the monthly subventions of the councils from the federal allocation and have noticed indeed that the money is not enough to pay the minimum wage.
“What we have agreed with the council managements and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is that the councils should be paying 50 percent of the increment pending when their revenue status gets better.”
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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
Nation
TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building
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.
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