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 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.
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
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.
Akujobi Amadi