Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The aid group of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has begun a one-week disaster management training of its disaster relief officers.
The training currently ongoing in Yola, Adamawa, is being organised by the national headquarters of JNI for its officials from all the states of the federation.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Yola, the Secretary-General of the JNI in the state, Alhaji Gambo Jika, said the training was to equip the trainees with modern skills to handle disasters effectively.
“This workshop is purposely organised for disaster relief officers.
“The reason is to equip disaster relief supervisors and coordinating officers from all the states of the federation and some from local governments here in Adamawa.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has inaugurated a Community Radio Station in Kafin-Madaki, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
Yuguda at the ceremony pledged to complete nine other stations before the end of the year.
He said that the radio stations were established to improve the relationship between the government and the rural dwellers, adding that they would promote effective communication with the people.
The governor said community radio broadcasting was an age-long system already in practice in most parts of the world, including developing countries.
He said the stations were designed to disseminate information on weather, agriculture, politics and other socio-economic issues, particularly those in rural areas.
FCT
The Federal Ministry of Transportation has called for the full utilisation of the dredged River Niger to enhance economic activities in the country.
The Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, made the call in Abuja on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
Oladunjoye recalled that the contract for the dredging of the Lower River Niger from Baro in Niger to Warri in Delta, a distance of 572 km, was awarded in December 2008 and completed in 2011.
Oladunjoye noted that some companies, including NINON Nigeria Ltd, manufacturers of ceramic tiles, started using the channel shortly after the dredging started to transport goods from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.
Gombe
The Gombe Coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs Grace Samuel, has appealed to parents to ensure that their children were given good training to become responsible citizens.
She stated this in Gombe when she led the network on a visit to the State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki, to mark the International Day for Street Children.
Samuel quoted a UNICEF report in May 2005 which stated that over 7.3 million Nigerian children of school age were not in school.
“These street children are exposed to untold dangers of molestation, abuse, loneliness and lack of care.
Jigawa
The residents of Dutse, the Jigawa capital, have expressed worry over excessive heat.
A cross section of the residents who spoke to newsmen in Dutse, said that both inside and outside of their homes were no longer comfortable for them.
Malam Sanusi Adamu said that the intensive heat had made life miserable for them.
Adamu explained that in the last three weeks, he had been sleeping outside his home with his family to prevent cerebro-spinal meningitis.
Also speaking, Alhaji Ali Makama, , a resident of Fagoji in Dutse, said he had pitched his tent under the tree near his house due to the excessive heat.
“I am always under a tree especially during the day after I return from farm; I eat and do some domestic works under the tree because there is no comfort in my house.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed the amended the Prerogative of Mercy Bill into law to make it more inclusive and effective.
The passage followed the adoption of a report submitted by the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Irmiya Kantiok, at the plenary session in Kaduna.
The committee was mandated by the House to study and review the Kaduna State Cap No: 4 of 1991, otherwise known as the Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Committee Law of 1991.
Presenting the report, Kantiok told his colleagues that the law called for a review to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the state.
He explained that the review was necessitated by an executive bill submitted to the House by Gov. Patrick Yakowa.
Lagos
The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has called for the deployment of members of the State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to Agunfoye-Igbogbo community in Ikorodu.
The call followed a protest by residents of the community to the House during which they submitted a petition on the activities of land speculators in the area.
According to the protesters, hoodlums have taken laws into their hands and destroyed properties, valued millions of naira.
The protesters alleged that the attacks and destruction of properties were carried out by a faction of Adeyoruwa’s family, claiming ownership of the disputed land.
Nasarawa
Governor of Nasarawa StateUmar Almakura has stressed the need for people in the state and all Nigerians to be united and to live in peace with one another.
Almakura spoke on Wednesday in Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, when he paid an on the spot assessment visit to the crises areas in the state.
“We strongly need this unity if we are to continue to forge ahead as a united and indivisible entity,” he said.
According to the governor, without peace and unity, socioeconomic development will continue to elude any society.
Almakura said that there was the need for all Nigerians to continue to learn to live in peace with each other, irrespective of religious, tribal, political or ethnic differences.
Ogun
The Ogun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has intercepted 40,000 litres of petrol from vandals around Arepo Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Kareem Olanrewaju, told newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday that the products concealed in 800 kegs of 50 litres were intercepted in the early hours of Wednesday.
Olanrewaju said that the perpetrators had vandalised petroleum pipes in the waterways near Beach Estate, in Arepo Village.
Plateau
To elicit support for peace efforts in the North Central, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it will organise a special workshop for wives of serving military men serving in that zone.
“The workshop is next week and will sensitise women to the need to join the peace effort in the North Central states,” NEMA Zonal Coordinator for the zone, Alhassan Aliyu, told newsmen in Jos on Wednesday.
According to him, wives of paramilitary officers and women NGOs will also participate in the workshop scheduled for Jos.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has donated 60 vehicles and one thousand motor cycles to the state police command to enhance productivity among the force.
Wamakko presented the vehicles to the visiting Inspector General of Police Mohammad Abubakar at Government House in Sokoto.
He said that modern communication facilities would be attached to all the vehicles to ensure effective policing.
Wamakko said the administration would continue to support the police to enable the officers and men of the command discharge their primary assignment without hindrance.
He said that already the state government had also directed local government chairmen to work hand in hand with their respective divisional police to ensure peace in their respective areas.
Yobe
Vegetable farmers in Yobe have decried lack of preservation facilities for newly harvested tomatoes, pepper, onions and melon.
A vegetable farmer in Garin Alkali told Alhaji Usman Bukar, newsmen that vegetable farmers in Jakusko, Bade and Nguru local government areas were faced with the challenge of storage.
Usman said that the price of onions in the market was not encouraging while they were no facilities to preserve the harvest.
Zamfara
Bungudu Local Government Council of Zamfara State has directed the closure of the Gidan Daji well which claimed the lives of six persons last week.
The council’s Sole Administrator, Alhaji Sa’idu Ma’aji, said in Gidan Daji that: “it is not medically advisable to allow people to continue to draw and drink water from it,”hence the directive to seal up the well.
Ma’aji said that although the well had been the major water source for the Gidan Daji community, a hand pump provided by the state government in the nearby village of Marke, could serve them temporarily.
He said that plans were under way to sink a borehole for the Gidan Daji people, adding: “And this, I assure you, will be done very soon.”
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.
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports4 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports4 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports4 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports4 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports4 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports4 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project
-
Sports4 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes