Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Commissioner for Works, Mr Benjamin Ashaver,
says over N55.3 million has so far been recovered from the Value Trust
Investments for non-execution of rural roads project.
Ashaver told
reporters on Wednesday in Makurdi that the money was recovered from the
contractor for his inability to execute the project, adding that the contract
which was awarded in 2004, had 18 months duration from the time of award.
He expressed regret that though 30 per cent of the contract
sum had been paid as mobilisation, the contractor still failed to complete the
job. Ashaver said the contract was
awarded at the sum of N2.303 billion, pointing out that the contractor was duly
mobilised for the job and paid N691.068 million but expressed regret that the
total work done by the contractor amounted to only N195.799 million.
FCT
The Federal Government will eliminate all equipment with
high toxic contents known as Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) by 2025, the
Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, said on Thursday.
Polychlorinated
Biphenyl are a class of organic compounds found to be fire-resistant, stable
and non-conductive to electricity and with low volatility under normal
conditions.
Equipment containing PCBs include transformers, capacitors,
ballasts, paint additives and hydraulic fluid additives.
Mailafia gave the indication at the inauguration and first
meeting of the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee for the Polychlorinated
Biphenyl management project in Nigeria.
Represented by Dr Uju Okoye, the Deputy Director in the
Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, the minister
recalled that the production of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) had been
banned globally since the 1980s due to their toxicity.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government said on Wednesday that it had
begun the spraying of farms with insecticide to reduce the destruction of
produce by the quela birds. The
Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, said in Dutse that the spraying
of farm produce was being carried out in four local government areas.
Isa identified the four council areas as Guri, Birniwa,
Kirikassama and Kafin-Hausa, saying the exercise was carried out in the
affected areas in collaboration with the Jigawa Agricultural Development Agency
(JARDA).
The commissioner said that the agency had deployed extension
workers equipped with insecticide and sprayers to the affected areas.
Jos
Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, the Commander, Special Task Force
(STF) in Plateau, has said that it would partner with the Rotary Club of Jos to
restore peace to the state.
Ayoola said this in Jos on Saturday at the installation of
Marlvis Olubiyi as new President of the club.
He lauded the clubs stand on character molding and described
such as a necessary tool for peaceful coexistence.
He solicited the club’s collaboration in the area of youth
empowerment.
Ayoola congratulated the new president and lauded the
programmes she outlined to achieve in her one year tenure.
Earlier, Olubiyi said she would provide a borehole and a
transformer for the school of the deaf in Rukuba.
“We are also going to organise essay competitions for
secondary school students,’’ she said. She explained that the essay
competitions would be centred on peace to enable the students to learn more
about peace and its importance.
She also said road shows would be conducted on Saturdays to
preach peace to the residents of Jos.
Our correspondent reports that prizes were given to those
who arrived early for the event. The gesture, according to the immediate past
president of the club, Nalfa Banfa, was to encourage people to keep to time.
Kano
The Kano State Government has approved N33.3 million for the
clearing of the drainage at Farm Centre, in Kano metropolis. The state
Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Yunusa Dangwani, disclosed this while
briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Kano
on Wednesday. He said the clearing of the drainage was necessary to prevent
possible flooding in the area and to guard against possible outbreak of
communicable diseases.
According to him, the council has also approved N669 million
for the state participation in the 8th National Council on Tourism, Culture and
National Orientation in Ilorin, Kwara.
Katsina
The Katsina State government says it has awarded a N454
million contract for water projects in six local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Jamilu Mamman, disclosed this
while briefing newsmen in Katsina on Thursday. He said that the contract was
approved by the state executive council at its meeting held on Wednesday,
pointing out the contract comprised the expansion and upgrading of semi-urban
water schemes in Kankia, Mai’adua, Batsari, Mani, Danmusa and Zango Local
Government Areas of the state.
The commissioner said the contract, with a completion period
of three months, was part of the state government’s commitment towards ensuring
enhanced water supply throughout the state.
Kaduna
Zubairu Isa, 45, of Hayin Rigasa Area, Kaduna, on Wednesday
appeared before the Kaduna Sharia Court 2, for alleged trespass on a plot of
land belonging to one Musa Magaji of Kontagora road.
The complainant told the court that the accused encroached
on his property at Rigasa and started building on it. Magaji further told the
court that the accused had refused to take heed of his repeated warning to stop
the construction.
“I told to him several times but he refused to stop the
building so I brought the matter to court to seek justice,’’ he said.
Kwara
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar on
Saturday in Ilorin announced a N500, 000 annual cash award to the best Islamic
Studies graduate of the University of Ilorin.
The Sultan announced the grant at the opening of an
international conference on the Life and Works of Shayk Adam Al-Ilory held at
the university.
The Sultan said the ‘Shaykh Al-Ilory Award’ would commence
from the next convocation of the university, adding that it was meant to
inspire the students and publicise the life and works of the late scholar.
He described Al-Ilory as a “great and outstanding
personality” worthy of emulation.
The Sultan said it was necessary to put in place the right
institutional framework for the training of future Islamic scholars, to prevent
the propagation of divisive ideas and behaviours among Muslims.
“It is imperative for the Muslim Ummah to be able to apply
his seminal ideas and teachings in addressing some of its pressing problems.
“The legacy of Shaykh Al-Ilory is undoubtedly a legacy
worthy of emulation.
“We must consciously cultivate an active and dedicated class
of scholars who would dedicate their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and its
dissemination.
“We must all realise that Islam is predicated on knowledge
and Muslims societies are necessarily knowledgeable societies.
Ondo
The Secretary, Ondo State Gymnastics Association, Bolanle
Adebiyi, said the maiden Tunji Dairo Open Gymnastics Competition was to enable
states within South-West Zone II of the NSC to identify gymnasts for 18th
National Sports Festival.
The competition is being sponsored by Tunji Dairo, who
represents Owo Constituency II in the state House of Assembly.
Adebiyi said on Saturday in Akure that the competition was
for gymnasts from Osun, Ekiti and the hosts Ondo.
“It is a preparatory championships ahead of National Sports
Festival and we will use it to know how prepared our athletes are for the
festival.
“Since we are not participating in the zonal eliminations,
we have to organise zonal competitions like this to know the athletes we will
invite to camp when it commences.
“The states are to present 24 gymnasts each at the
competition which will begin on Monday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Akure
Township Stadium.,’’ she said.
It would be recalled that the Ondo gymnasts won three gold,
four silver and one bronze at the 17th edition of the festival in Port Harcourt
last year.
Lagos
Some medical experts on Thursday expressed divergent views
on the Federal Government’s plan to establish a world-class private managed
hospital in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. In separate interviews in Lagos some of the
experts said, that the hospitals would improve access to healthcare service,
others said it would not benefit the average Nigerian.
The Federal Government had on August 15 announced plan to
set up six private sector-managed mega-hospitals. Under the scheme, the
government is giving the private sector the nod to mobilise resources to
establish and manage the facilities in selected states in the six zones.
The National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA),
Dr Osahon Enabulele, said that the establishment of the mega-hospitals would
improve access to healthcare service.
Osun
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) on
Wednesday called on Nigerians to support the Osun-Osogbo festival for the good
of the country.
Mr Olakunle
Makinde, the Curator and Heritage Sites Manager, Osun Groove, made the call
while speaking with newsmen ahead of the festival’s grand finale scheduled for
Friday.
Makinde said that since it was only two of the Nigerian
heritage sites that had made it to the UNESCO world heritage list, Nigerians
should support it to make it the envy of nations. Our correspondent said that the Osun-Osogbo in Osun State and Sukur
in Adamawa are listed on the World heritage list by UNESCO. The curator said
that as the official custodian of the groove, NCMM supported the people of
Osun, the traditional ruler of Osogbo and the Yoruba people to ensure the
sustenance of the cultural heritage.
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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