Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government, has assured residents of the metropolis that the planned review of the city’s master plan is in their interest.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, gave the assurance in an interview last Monday in Bauchi.
He said the government would implement the review with minimal removal of unapproved structures built in various locations in the city.
He added that the exercise would accommodate some of the existing structures that did not go well with the master plan.
According to Hammayo, at the end of the review, the lives and property of the residents will be better protected.
He added that at the end of the review, adequate measures would be put in place to ensure that the public did not distort the master plan in future.
The planned review will be the first since 1976 when a British firm was contracted by the Bauchi government to carry out a review of the master plan.
Benue
The Benue Commissioner for Education, Dr Elizabeth Ugo, has challenged proprietors of schools to refrain from aiding and abetting examination malpractice.
Ugo made the call at Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue, while addressing newsmen after monitoring the conduct of NECO examination.
The commissioner said that majority of school owners established their schools with the sole aim of making quick money without considering the effect of such action on the society.
She expressed worry over the dimension of examination malpractice in the state, stressing that drastic action would be taken against the perpetrators to stem the tide.
Ugo said that the idea of paying surprise visits to schools during the NECO examination was to enable the ministry to have first hand information of schools that were “miracle centres”.
FCT
The Commandant-General, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has advised private security guards companies to be wary of fraudulent persons issuing fake biometric cards.
He gave the advice in a statement signed by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Okeh Emmanuel, in Abuja following a report on the activities of some fraudulent persons.
He said that some organisations and persons had been found to be issuing biometric cards to private security guards company with the intent to defraud them.
The statement said that in line with the amended NSCDC Act of 2007, only the corps had the responsibility of monitoring, supervising and licensing private guards companies and the issuance of biometric cards.
He advised private guards companies to verify from the nearest state command of the corps any information that was contrary to the laid-down rules guiding their operations.
Kaduna
Twenty six police recruits undergoing training at the Police College, Kaduna, have been arraigned at a Chief Magistrates’ Court, charged with forging certificates.
The recruits, arrested during screening, are Habila Ayuba, Shuaibu Simon, Salisu Haruna, Augustine Akwe, Nura Iro, Yusuf Ezekiel and Daniel Yakubu.
Others are Ibrahim Bello, Saratu Oguba, Idris Muhammed, Isah Ibrahim, Sabo Abubakar, John Emmanuel, Tanimu Danwawo, Musbahu Garba, Musa Sani, Isyaku Ayuba and Yakubu Sani.
The rest are Kata Ibrahim, Alfa Gabriel, Ubangida Adamu, Abdulkareem Bala, Amah Yarima, Muktar Ado and Ibrahim Salihu.
The police prosecutor, Usman Simeon, told the court that they were accused of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
He said the Inspector General of Police had on February 13, set up a Special Task force led by DSP Maji Michael to screen the recruits.
Kano
Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State says he will transform the state civil service to become more dynamic and result-oriented through the recruitment of qualified personnel.
He made the pledge in Kano while presenting appointment letters to 1,002 fresh graduates recruited into the state civil service.
He said that recruiting qualified persons into the service was necessary to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
“The government is injecting new blood into the system by recruiting fresh graduates. “This will also give youth the opportunity to contribute positively to nation building,’’ he said.
According to the governor, the new officers were employed on merit from across the 44 local government areas of the State.
Kwara
The Kwara Government is committed to ensuring availability of skilled manpower through the provision of quality education, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Mallam Raji Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed, who was reacting to the incessant increase in school fees by private school operators in the state, spoke to newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that the state’s education reform programme would ensure that children access free and quality education.
He also said that since the state government had no authority to fix fees in private schools, its role was to ensure that public schools provided quality education to meet the yearnings of the people.
Mohammed noted that the “Every Child Counts” policy of the previous administration was still in place among other programmes put in place to ensure that pupils accessed quality education.
Lagos
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), announced its plan to hold national interactive sessions on the need to promote workplace safety in Nigeria.
According to Ms Ijeoma Iheme, a NECA spokesperson, the forum, which would be jointly organised with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), would be held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
“No employee wants to live with disability or worse still, death, whenever at work. Employees look forward to retiring well with able bodies,’’ the statement said.
The statement said it was regrettable that many workers were yet to fully benefit from the provision of the 2010 Employees’ Compensation Act
According to Iheme, the interactive sessions would enlighten employees and employers on the procedure for making claims during work place accident.
Niger
The Chairman Niger Assembly House Committee on Information, Mr Bello Ahmad, called for improved media coverage of the legislature to keep the people informed at all times.
Ahmad made the call during the inauguration of the Information and Public Relations Committee of the House in Minna.
He said that an effective and efficient reportage of the House would encourage its members to improve on delivery of its mandate.
He said that the committee would address newsmen on quarterly basis to keep abreast of information on activities of the House, particularly its bills and motions.
Speaker of the House, Adamu Usman, stressed the importance of repositioning the assembly’s information management through collaboration with the media.
Ogun
The Ogun State Government on Monday said the abandoned Gateway International Market in Owode in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state would be re-opened in September.
Business activities in the market were suspended following disagreement between two communities over the location and name.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, said the reopening would boost economic activities and impact positively on the living standard of the people.
Oladipo, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta, said that the reactivation would be to the benefit of the people in the area in particular, and the state in general.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry also said that the market would be renamed Yewa International Market to douse the tension between Ajilete and Owode communities, and advised the market leaders to cooperate with government in the overall growth of commerce in the area.
Plateau
Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen Gyang Dantong, has said that the Bill to establish a national grazing routes and reserves commission before the National Assembly was unconstitutional.
“The Federalz Government and National Assembly have no business with cattle routes because the constitution placed such routes solely in the hands of state governments,’’ Dantong told newsmen in Jos.
Our correspondent reports that the bill seeks to establish a commission to manage grazing routes so as to resolve the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Tsokwa, said recently that the proposed commission would be empowered to control, manage, acquire and establish grazing reserves and stock routes in Nigeria.
Public hearing had been conducted on the bill which had passed second reading in the Senate and House of Representatives, with the later referring it to the House Committee on Agriculture for further legislative action.
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