Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The newly appointed Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, in Bauchi State, Dr Musa Dambam, has promised to transform the centre to serve the people better.
The CMD, who is the outgoing State Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) said this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
He described his appointment as the CMD as a challenge and urged staff of the centre not to entertain any fear as his appointment was for the betterment of the centre.
“I don’t look at it as anything but rather a challenge for me to be an agent of change who has come to work with anybody to transform the new place.”
The new CMD enjoined the staffers to give him the necessary support to enable the centre to deliver quality healthcare services.
Jigawa
The Permanent Secretary Jigawa State Executive Council Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Zakari, says unregulated Almajiri system of education constitutes a security risk in the country.
Zakari made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.
He said Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers and traditional rulers in the north should support the Federal Government policy of integrating the Almajiri system of education in the formal school system.
He was speaking at the end of a three-day retreat for political office holders and permanent secretaries in the state, which was held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse.
Zakari said: “if the Almajiri system of education was integrated with the formal school system, it will be more attractive and interesting. “
He, therefore, enjoined traditional rulers and the local Arabic teachers to put heads together with a view to harmonising the system.
Katsina
Three former governors of Katsina State and three deputies have received multi-million Naira pension packages from the state government, in line with a recent pension law enacted in the state.
The beneficiaries included two former Governors of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita and Alhaji Abba Musa Rimi, and the first civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Barda.
The three Deputy Governors are, Amb. Abdullahi Aminchi, Alhaji Tukur Jikamshi and Alhaji Surajo Damari.
Our correspondent reports that late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who was governor of the state between 1999-2007, was not among the beneficiaries, as his pension would now be paid by the Federal Government.
Governor Ibrahim Shema said while presenting the package to the beneficiaries in Katsina that the gesture was in recognition of their contribution to the development of the state during their tenure.
According to him, it is also in compliance with the provision of the new state’s Pension Law.
“You have contributed immensely to the development of our dear state during your time, we are still benefiting from your advises in achieving peace, unity and stability, as well as in moving the state to greater heights.”
Kogi
The Kogi Government has announced a 50 per cent reduction in rents payable on the three categories of shops at its Lokoja International Market.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mike Abu, Press Secretary to the state deputy governor in Lokoja.
It said that the reduction was part of government’s efforts to discourage street trading and accommodate more traders in the market.
According to the statement, a small shop, which hitherto attracted N40,000 per annum, is now N20,000, while a medium-sized one now goes for N25,000 against the previous rent of N50,000.
Niger
The Niger State Government is to spend N30 billion on the construction of 8,000 new houses in Minna and Suleja, to reduce the housing deficit in the state.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Nuhu Musa, told news men in Minna on Thursday at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, that the project would be executed under Public Private Partnership.
He said the project, which would be completed before the end of 2014, involve the construction of 4,500 housing units in Minna and 3, 500 in Suleja.
Musa said the project was not part of the 2, 000 on going housing works started in 2008 in Minna, Bida, and Kontagora, which had reached 90 per cent completion.
He said five developers had been chosen after due diligence was carried out on their past performances and the sources of their finances.
Musa said the government was expected to release to the companies certificates for the land within the next two weeks, while the developers must show physical presence on the sites within six months.
Ondo
The Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Adetoye, has appealed to government to always consider Okitipupa indigenes while employing workers at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH).
Speaking to newsmen in Okitipupa on Thursday, Adetoye said Okitipupa indigenes had not really benefited from the employment opportunities at the university.
“A higher institution is a community on its own; wherever one is sited, it attracts so many things into the area. That area will flourish.
“Those are some of the gains of having a university and consideration should be given to the people in the catchments area regarding employment,’’ he said.
He said the people of the area wanted more dividends from the establishment of the university in Okitipupa, adding that many qualified indigenes had approached him for employment.
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Oyo
A 40-year-old suspected ritualist, Femi Akande, who was arraigned over the murder of one Sekinat Emiola, has been remanded in prison by an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Akande and others now at large were accused of killing Emiola on April 19 at Oke Aremo area of Ibadan.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Ade Adebusuyi, said the accused severed the head and wrist of the victim from her body.
The offence, he said, was contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the criminal code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.
Plateau
A member of Plateau House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Dem, has called for the immediate introduction of community policing to stem further violence and bloodshed in the state.
Dem, who represent Riyom State Constituency made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in Jos.
He said that the measure had become necessary because the Special Task Force (STF) had not been able to effectively protect the affected communities.
He said after condoling with families of victims of Tuesday’s attack in Riyom that the people must be fully involved in the efforts to safeguard their communities.
“Obviously the STF has not helped much and we must look for other devices toward peace,’’ he said.
The lawmaker expressed regrets that so many attacks were being carried out in spite of the emergency rule in the local government.
Dem urged the Federal government to immediately introduce community policing as members of affected communities were conversant with their terrains.
Our correspondent reports that Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, the Plateau Commissioner of Police, confirmed that five persons were killed and many others injured during the Tuesday attack on Riyom village.
Taraba
The Taraba State Government has approved the implementation of minimum wage for teachers in the state, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Alhaji Aliyu Mafindi has said.
Mafindi told newsmen in Jalingo that the government had also approved the promotion of teachers as well as yearly increaments on their salaries.
“His Excellency, Governor Danbaba Suntai, has graciously promised officials of the NUT that payment of minimum wage will start in April and arrears will be paid in the next three weeks,” he said.
The chairman urged teachers to be dedicated to their duties to justify the increase in their salaries.
He warned that absenteeism would no longer be tolerated, adding that the union would support any disciplinary measure against erring teachers.
With the implementation of the minimum wage for teachers, staff of local government councils are the only category of civil servants in the state that are yet to benefit from the new wage.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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