Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is to demolish 19 villages in the territory, an official of the authority said on Thursday in Abuja.
Head of Public Relations Unit, Department of Development Control, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mrs Josie Mudashiru, told newsmen last Thursday in Abuja.
Mudashiru said the affected villages comprised Idu, Karmo-Dape, Tasha, Gwagwa, Suburi, Zauda, Jahi, Gishiri, Mabushi, Mpape, Kuchigoro, Chika, Aleita, Piwoyi, Lugbe, Pyakassa, Tudun-wada, Dei-dei and Guzape.
She said that AMMC had begun a two-month sensitisation programme for residents of the areas. “We have commenced sensitisation programmes in Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, Gbagi and pidgin English in the affected areas before the demolition exercise.
“We have involved chiefs, youths and other stakeholders in the sensitisation programme. We will proceed for marking after the programme, and hopefully, the demolition will commence before the end of 2012,” Mudashiru stressed.
Gombe
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr Thanda Rubainu, has advised the Ashaka Cement Company to increase its production to four million tonnes annually.
Rubainu gave the advice in Gombe on Thursday when the company’s Board of Directors paid him a courtesy call, stressing that increased production would boost the company’s profile and position it better to retain the market shares.
Earlier, the Chairman, Ashaka Board of Directors, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, said they were in Gombe for the company’s 37th Annual General Meeting. He said the company was planning to increase its production from 900,000 tonnes to 1.3 million annually.
Kwairanga assured the state government of the company’s continued support to the host communities in terms of social amenities.
He said the company dug boreholes, constructed health care centres and built schools to the communities around it, and also gave scholarship to 50 Gombe indigenes studying in various universities in the country.
Kano
Animal feeds prices have increased around Kano metropolis due to scarcity of the product, The Tide’s correspondent reports.
The demand for the product had increased since the state government began the empowerment of women and youths in poultry farming.
The price of a 50 kg bag of the feed formerly sold at about N1,200 now goes for between N1,500 and N1,600, depending on the selling point.
Consumers of the product have expressed concern over the sudden increase, saying that it would also impact on the prices of chicken and eggs.
A dealer in animal feeds, Malam Habibu Balarabe, attributed the development to low production at the factories due to the rainy season.
“During the rainy season, the storage of the product is a bit difficult so people use other methods to feed their animals as the feeds easily got spoilt during this season.”
A consumer of the product, Hajiya Khadija Nura, said that the development would translate to an increase in the prices of chicken and eggs, as well as other animals.
Katsina
Fifty-four victims of food poisoning in Gatakawa village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State have survived it.
The Chief Nursing Officer of the Kankara General Hospital, Mr Joshua Danjuma, said last Thursday in Kankara that they were brought to the hospital same day and put on admission.
He said the victims reportedly consumed a local cake prepared with treated beans meant for planting.
Danjuma said that all the victims had survived what could have been a tragedy after series of medications, stressing that they were admitted at the stage of convulsion.
He said the victims, who included school children and adults, were brought to the clinic unconscious with most of them vomiting and excreting some substances.
The Primary Health Care Coordinator of Kanakara Local Government Area, Alhaji Sani Kusada, confirmed the incident.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Government has commenced the training of female Muslim Guides to assist pilgrims in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Nuruddeen Kangiwa, who addressed the trainees in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said adequate provisions would be made to ensure smooth pilgrimage.
“The utmost care and guidance for the pilgrims of the state must be your priority and I urge you to shun any anti-social and illegal activities while in the Holy Land for the pilgrimage.”
The Chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Usman Suru, said the training of female guides was in line with the directives of the National Pilgrims Board.
“We would ensure that our pilgrims are properly guided. “Part of your responsibility is to ensure that Pilgrims especially women abide by the rules as well as conduct themselves in an orderly manner during the pilgrimage.”
Kogi
Kogi urgently requires additional 2,000 for effective teaching in its 238 public secondary schools, the acting Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Alhaji Salu Aliu, said on Thursday in Lokoja.
Aliu told newsmen that 3,000 teachers currently engaged in the schools were inadequate for quality teaching.
He said the situation had been compounded by the fact that many teachers would soon retire.
He blamed the predicament on the staff auditing exercise carried out by the state government in 2009 during which more than 2,000 secondary school teachers were “shown the way out of service.”
He said that the effect of the shortage was being felt badly in core subjects of Mathematics, English language and the sciences.
He said a proposal to recruit teachers to fill the vacancies had been sent to Gov. Idris Wada and appealed to the government to quickly accede to the request.
Aliu called on all stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, especially the government, teachers and parents, to come together to rescue the sector from total collapse.
Lagos
Two tanker drivers and a conductor were on Thursday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing aviation fuel worth N4 million.
The accused — Abdulsalami Tirimisiyn, 42; Kodiri Murina, 27; and Kodiri Oladele, 21 — are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. Tirimisiyn and Murina were the tanker drivers while Oladele was the conductor.
The trio, whose addresses were unknown, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Marcus Okon, told the court that the trio committed the offences sometime on June 7 and 8 at Coconut Bus Stop, Apapa.
He said the accused stole 36, 000 litres of Jet A (aviation fuel) worth N4 million, property of S-Kay Haulage and Transport Services Nig. Ltd.
“The accused stole the product while in transit from Lagos to Abuja,’’Okon said.
Ondo
An Akure Senior Magistrate’s Court on Thursday remanded a com-mercial motorcyclist, Friday David, in prison for alleged indecent assault.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Funke Adegoroye, ordered the remand of the 23-years-old man who is standing trial on a two-count charge of unlawful and indecent assault on a 12-years-old girl.
According to the police, the offence was allegedly committed on June 18, at Irawo Street, Akure, in the Akure magisterial district.
David was accused of unlawfully taking the girl into custody against the wish of her parents for three days, and indecently assaulted her.
Police said the accused person touched the girl’s breasts and private part and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.
This, the police said, was contrary to and punishable under Section 222 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. I Laws of Ondo State 2006.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges, and told the court that the girl’s mother was actually his girl friend.
He also told the court that both the girl and her mother had spent up to three days with him, and that the mother usually sends the girl on errands to his house.
Plateau
The Plateau House of Assembly has threatened to sanction Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) that fail to furnish it with their Financial Report for the first quarter of the year.
The House had allotted a one-week grace period for accomplishment of the assignment, failing which defaulting heads would be summoned.
The Speaker, Mr John Dabwan, who issued the order on Thursday, expressed surprise that most MDAs had yet to submit their first quarter reports to the legislature as stipulated by law.
The member representing Jos-South, Mr Dalyop Mancha, had called attention of the House to lapses in its over-sight function, occasioned by the inability of the MDAs to furnish it with their quarterly financial reports.
Mancha said that the action of the MDAs had denied the various committees of their role of tracking the performance of the budget.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Government on Thursday doled out 2,300 bags of grains worth N2.5 million to the poor in the state.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko said in Goronyo while inaugurating the distribution of the grains that each of the beneficiaries would also receive N5,000. He said the gesture was aimed at alleviating their suffering.
The governor also said that the government was spending N45 million monthly on physically challenged persons across the state.
“I have also directed the state Zakat and Endowment Committee to get the census of all those physically challenged persons not currently benefiting from the monthly gesture.
“This is with the view to bringing all of them on board to benefit from the N6,500 each receives as monthly allowance, as a way of reducing begging in the society,” he said.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the state government for its commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
Abubakar called for fervent prayers by the people for peace to prevail in the state and the nation.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who is also the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Musa Maitafsir, commended the administration for giving priority to the welfare and comfort of the people.
Yobe
The new National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, said the Federal Government would give top priority to dialogue and negotiation to tackle the current security challenges in the country.
Dasuki stated this in Damaturu on Thursday, when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, at the Government House.
He said that government was committed to working with all stakeholders to bring a final solution to the prevailing security challenges posed by insurgency.
In his remarks, Gaidam urged the Federal Government to consider the option of dialogue and negotiation to provide solution to the security challenges.
The governor called on the Federal Government to introduce special welfare packages for security men “in the event of death, injury and accidents while on duty”.
He commended the professionalism and gallantry of the Joint Task Force team during the four major attacks on Damaturu in less than one year, noting that their sacrificial efforts had succeeded in reducing casualties.
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