Nation
THE STATES
FCT
Prof. Justus Sokefun of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has called on law students at the University to study hard so as not to become “charge and bail lawyers”.
Sokefun made the appeal at the inauguration of the Moot Court/Clinical Legal Education of the University in Abuja.
Sokefun who is the Dean, School of Law and Chairman of the occasion, represented the Vice Chancellor of the University.
“The issue here is not about the university you graduate from but what you make of your effort. Be successful lawyers and go beyond “charge and bail’’.
“Make reference to text books as recommended by the course material.”
Sokefun said it was purely professional and organised by the universities to develop law students in advocacy skills and prepare them for the future.
According to him, the Moot Court builds a lawyer’s confidence wherever he finds himself.
The President of the law students Abuja Centre, Emeka Kalu, also told newsmen that only a serious lawyer would be successful in the profession due to its challenges.
He advised his colleagues to be more serious in their studies, adding “this is the only way we can show the world that we are capable”.
Kaduna
Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly last Saturday sympathised with the victims of the bomb explosion in Kaduna during the Easter celebrations.
The lawmakers visited the victims at various hospitals and donated money to settle their medical expenses.
The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Dr Dogara Mato, led the delegation.
During the visit, various cash donations were given to the victims.
The places visited were Barau Dikko Specialists Hospital, 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital and St. Gerard Hospital, Kaduna.
At the 44 Army hospital, the Director, Brig-Gen. Napolion Amarie, expressed gratitude to the members for the donations to the victims.
At Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, the members were conducted round by the Matron in-Charge, Mrs Hassana Garba, while at St. Gerard Hospital, the Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday John conducted them round the institution.
Kano
The Almajiri Foundation of Nigeria has applauded the Federal Government for initiating the Almajiri Model School scheme.
The national chairman of the association, Yusuf Hassan, described the programme as “a noble idea which the foundation and all Northerners had been yearning for. ’’
According to him, the scheme was in line with the cardinal principles and objectives of the Almajiri Foundation of Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation.
Hassan, who decried the untold hardship being experienced by young Almajiri, said that they were not adequately taken care of in the society.
He said: “they roam about dangerously between fast moving vehicles in tattered clothes begging for food and money. “
He expressed optimism that the programme if sustained would completely rehabilitate the Almajiri by educating them in both religious and secular education, so that they could contribute to national development.
The chairman urged all state governments to ensure the construction of such Almajiri schools in each local government area of their respective states.
Hassan also implored the private sector and wealthy individuals to contribute their quota to the success of the scheme.
President Goodluck Jonathan had on April 10 inaugurated one of the schools at Gagi in Sokoto State.
Lagos
Residents of Akanni Crescent, Jakande Estate, Okokomaiko, Lagos, are seeking the assistance of the state government to solve the problem posed by a 20-year old swamp in the area.
The residents lamented the increasing flow of the swamp into their homes during the rainy season.
Mr Wale Odukoya, a resident of the area, said the situation was becoming worse, especially as the rainy season had set in.
Odukoya said that the swamp had existed in the area for about 20 years without efforts to checkmate its menace.
Mr Gbenga Olutobi, another resident, said that several appeals had been made to government to assist the inhabitants of the area but to no avail.
Olutobi said that “whenever it rains, the volume of the swamp increases and flows into our homes, damaging our property.”
Mrs Edith Omogiate, another resident, said the break of each rainy season raised anxieties among the people due to the problem encountered during the period.
Niger
President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to make education accessible to all youths as part of the government’s policy on human capital development.
Jonathan made the pledge at the convocation of the Federal University of Technology Minna, last Saturday.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, said human development was part of the reasons for establishing federal universities in the federation.
He reiterated government’s commitment to provide quality education to the people.
“Let me point out that our administration is committed to improving education to ensure appropriate human capital development in Nigeria.“
Jonathan urged the universities to establish entrepreneurship training courses for their students, to equip them with the skills and make them become job creators rather than seekers after graduation.
He urged youths to maintain their resilience and determination in spite of daunting challenges.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Audu, said the management had instituted a scholarship scheme for students who excelled, to sustain the record in subsequent examinations.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State last Saturday installed Kehinde Olugbenle as the new monarch (Olu of Ilaro) for Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government area of the state.
Ilaro, a major town in the West Senatorial District, had been without a monarch since Feb. 20, 2008.
The administration of Amosun had upon assumption of office, initiated the process of selecting a successor to late monarch, Samuel Adekanbi.
Amsoun said that the installation was a great accomplishment for both his administration and the people of the district.
“It is my pleasure to present to Kehinde Olugbenle, the instrument of appointment and staff of office as the new Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa land.
“This installation is a testimony to the divine word of God that whatever He proposes shall surely be accomplished.
“For this reason, the government and the entire people of Ogun rejoice with the good people of Ilaro and the entire Yewa land, even as we express gratitude to God who made this event a reality.“
Osun
The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation in Osun, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, has warned the residents to keep every part of the state clean to avoid flooding as the rainy season begins.
Oyawoye gave the warning in response to concerns expressed by some residents over the predictions by weather forecasters that with the onset of stormy rainy season, some parts of the state might experience flooding.
A statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday by Mr Babatunde Kolawole, the ministry’s Coordinating Director, quoted the commissioner as urging the people “to be environment friendly.’’
Oyawoye also warned the residents not to dump refuse into waterways as this could block the drains and cause flooding.
She said the 2012 weather forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency revealed that the downpour would be experienced between April and November.
Plateau
Military regimes’ intolerance of freedom of speech killed the Plateau government-owned Nigeria Standard newspapers, the media outfit’s General Manager, Mr Jonathan Ishaku, has said.
“Military regimes do not tolerate freedom of speech; unfortunately, that is the fulcrum on which the media operates.
“The regimes operate by suppressing public or dissenting opinions and would insist that public-owned media houses concur.
Ishaku, a two-time editor, managing director, and now general manager of the paper, said the paper used to publish daily and printed more than 40,000 copies on a daily average.
The paper was at its peak between the 1970s and the 1980s.
“I have been around and have seen the best and worst times of the Nigeria Standard. In those days, we hardly had unsold copies and that was a great feat considering the literacy level then.
“But currently, we struggle to publish twice or thrice a week and print less than 5,000 copies; we try to make our presence felt only in Plateau and Abuja.’’
The veteran journalist said the Nigeria Standard was established in 1972 to protect the views of the minority since they did not have any voice at the time.
“The papers on the stable discharged that mandate for some time and were indeed very famous; its editorials were greatly respected and read on the 7 o’clock Network News. The paper was also read in Lagos in the morning of publication date.
“Unfortunately, autocratic regimes came and had great links with some feudal establishments that felt their interests were being threatened with the focus on the rights of the minorities.
Sokoto
The Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, plans to establish its Faculty of Engineering in 2014, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, has said.
The construction of the faculty’s infrastructure had so far gulped more than N200 million between 2007 and the present date.
“This includes funding from the Federal Government for the project as well as internally generated revenue.’’
He said that the faculty would start with programmes in three fields of civil, electrical and chemical engineering.
“The structures at the faculty have reached about 70 per cent completion. Engineering is capital intensive there is also the challenge of getting the required manpower as well as the requisite equipment,’’ Shehu said.
He said that the management of the university would soon meet with the contractor handling the project to sort out all the grey areas to ensure timely completion.
“We have to do everything humanly possible to consolidate our gains and always consider our limited resources and work within them the challenge in respect of engineering is staff recruitment as they are hard to come by. Even older universities do not have enough manpower in this regard,’’ the vice chancellor said.
He said that the institution would send requests to its catchment states to “get their best graduates in engineering.
“We will recruit them and send them for higher training at all levels, both within and outside Nigeria”, he said.
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