Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The Chairman, Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development
Agency (PHCDA), Dr Sule Lawal, has appealed to the staff of the agency to justify
government’s huge investment in the sector by their commitment to duty.
Lawal made the
appeal in Ado-Ekiti at a meeting with
the staff of the agency. He said the
state government had shown commitment to enhance personal efficiency and
effective service delivery in the health sector. Lawal said the establishment
of the agency by the state government was to tackle the spread of communicable
diseases, particularly in rural areas, as well as create a platform to improve
the welfare of health workers.
He said the implementation of a new salary structure for
health workers was an indication that the present administration was committed
to the welfare of staff.
FCT
President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged the Nigerian
Economic Society (NES) to devise practical solutions that could strengthen the
government’s drive to overcome poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.
Jonathan gave the charge in his remarks in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the
53rd NES Annual Conference.
Represented by the
Chief Economic Adviser to the President,Dr Nwanze Okidegbe, Jonathan, urged the
association to come up with the ideas for accelerating skill acquisition aimed
at creating employment through entrepreneurship. He said a coordinated approach toward
tackling the twin problem of unemployment and poverty was inevitable if the
average man on the street was to reap the full benefits.
Kano
Flood has washed away several farm land in Doguwa Local
Government Area of Kano State destroying cash crops worth millions of
Naira. The Tide learnt that the flood
was as a result of overflow of a river located between Doguwa and Tudun-Wada
Local Government Areas.
An eye witness told our correspondent in Kano that villages affected included, Burji,
Dogon, Kawo and Gimawa.
The Tide reports that the river over-flowed its banks as a
result of persistent rainfall in the area.
When contacted, the state
Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Yunusa Dangwani, said he was not aware of
the incident.
Kogi
The Federal Government has been told to extend its ongoing
effort in boosting the teaching and learning of mathematics to all secondary
schools in the country. The Kogi Deputy
Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, who made the call in Lokoja said the call became necessary for the
country to achieve its goal of becoming one of the best 20 economies in the
world by 2020.
Awoniyi, who spoke at the opening of a four-day capacity
building workshop for 208 mathematics teachers in unity schools, said that the
effort should be extended to secondary schools in the 36 states for overall
improvement in the teaching of mathematics and other science subjects.
Kwara
A meeting of Christian and Muslim leaders in Kwara State
with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike
Omeri, has resolved to sustain the country’s unity. The meeting, which held in Ilorin, was tagged
“Special Interactive Session for Leaders of all Religious Groups in the State
on Peace and Stability.’’
In the resolutions made public, the leaders said: “ All
manner of violence against fellow Nigerians must be condemned.
“ Every religious leader in Nigeria should desist from
preaching hatred and violence in their places of worship. “
The NOA boss, who convened the meeting, said in his opening
remarks that all religious and political leaders should call their followers to
order while refraining from acts inimical to the stability of the nation.
Lagos
The Kuramo Tourism Investors Association has appealed to the
Lagos State Government to retain the Kuramo beach as the only public beach in
the state.
The Secretary of the association, Mr Micheal Onuwaje, made
the plea in an interview with The Tide in Lagos.
The Tide reports that the association made its position
known following the closure of the beach by the state government following an
ocean surge that killed about 16 persons on August18. Onuwajede scribed the
beach as one of the international tourist destinations in the country.
According to him, the Kuramo beach is the only public beach in Nigeria where
tourists are not restricted.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Ministry of Empowerment has said it had
concluded arrangements to train 2,310 youth under its vocational and skills
acquisition programme. The Commissioner for Youth and Economic Empowerment,
Alhaji Rabiu Isah, made the announcement in an interview with our correspondent
in Dutse.
Isah said the training would be carried out with support
from political office holders who volunteered to sponsor the youths who were
selected from various respective constituencies.He said that under the
arrangement, political office holders, including members of the state and
national assemblies, commissioners and governor’s aids, would provide
resettlement packages. He said the state
government would take care of the training programme.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has warned land title holders
in the state to pay their outstanding ground rents before the expiration of a
one-month grace period or face the wrath of the law. The government said it was
being owed over N5.2 billion in ground rents. The Commissioner for Lands,
Survey and Town Planning, Mr Sonny Agassi, who gave the warning, said the debts
were from the over 8,000 titles issued since the creation of the state. He said
that the government would no longer condone the attitude where citizens do not
pay rents on their titles.
Ogun
No fewer than 400 youths in Ogun have commenced training on a health capacity
building programme, tagged “Y-Health” in Abeokuta.
The three-day training programme was organised by the
state’s Ministry of Youths and Sports in collaboration with the Institute of
Human Virology of Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Olugbenga
Otenuga, said the programme was
organised to improve the knowledge base of youths on health related issues.
He said the programme would assist in exposing
misconceptions about various kinds of diseases rampant among youths,
particularly HIV/AIDS.
Ondo
The Ondo State House of Assembly has commenced a three-week
recess.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Samuel Adesina, said the
lawmakers would resume plenary on September
18.
Adesina spoke during
last Tuesday’s plenary in Akure which confirmed the appointment of Mr
Kazeem Olanrewaju as a commissioner in the state’s Judicial Service Commission.
He, however, said that committees of the House could carry
out some oversight functions during the recess.
The confirmation followed the submission of the report of a
selection committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Francis Emiola.
Osun
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Mrs Folashade
Odoro, has urged parents in the state to be vigilant while sending their
children on errands during the long vacation.
Odoro, who made the plea in an interview with The Tide in
Osogbo, spoke against the backdrop of reports of missing children.
She said parents must be conscious of the type of chores
they engage their children in so as not to expose them to danger.
Odoro also warned parents against sending their children to
hawk, noting that there was a special unit in the Force to handle juvenile
cases and other cases related to child abuse.
Oyo
The National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Mr Lai
Mohammed, has urged political leaders to be liberal in the use of the political
power they control.
Mohammed made the plea in Ibadan at an interactive programme
organised by the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The ACN spokesman, who called for the “ democratisation of
power’’ linked the success of a nation’s economy to the way political leaders
choose to manage power.
He also urged political leaders to concentrate on building
lasting political institutions and beliefs instead of building personalities.
“People will die, but institutions will live forever,” he
said.
Sokoto
Senator Ibrahim Gobir (PDP –Sokoto) has in Sokoto said that about N70 million had
been earmarked for the construction of eight solar-powered bore holes in the
Sokoto East Senatorial District.
Gobir told newsmen that each of the local government areas
in the district would get a befitting bore hole to boost the provision of
adequate potable water for both human and animal consumption.
He said that already feasibility studies had been carried
out in each of the local governments, where the projects would be sited.
The senator explained that the project was part of his
campaign promises to provide the needed social infrastructure that would
enhance the living condition of the electorate.
Gobir called on the people in the area to exercise patience,
as more policies and programmes that would have direct impact on the lives of
the people would be implemented.
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
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