Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Bauchi

The Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare
Development Agency, Dr Nisser Umar, has refuted reports on the outbreak of new
cases of Diphtheria in the state.

He told The Tide in Bauchi that the cases being reported
occurred two months ago at Duzun in Katagum Local Government area and that 36
children were affected in the incident and only one tested positive to
diptheria.

Umar said that the children were immediately treated, adding
that all children under five years in the community were vaccinated and
provided with nutritional supplements and antibiotics.

The executive secretary said the agency had also organised
awareness campaign on the importance of utilising healthcare services.

 

FCT

A 26-year old actor, Bestwood Chukwuemeka, was last Monday
sentenced to three months imprisonment by a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court,
Abuja, for having sexual intercourse with another man through the anus.

The convict, who resides at Gidan Mangoro, had pleaded
guilty to the charge.

“I am guilty of the charge against me. I was under the
influence of alcohol and I want the court to temper justice with mercy’’, he
said.

The police prosecutor, Mohammed Umar, had told the court
that the convict committed the offence in August when the complainant was
sleeping in his bed, pointing out that since he had pleaded guilty to the crime
he initially denied, the court should trial him summarily.

 

Gombe

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) on Monday confiscated many expired, counterfeit and banned
drugs in some patent medicine stores in Gombe State.

The agency seized the drugs during raids on some shops by
different enforcement teams in Gombe, Kaltungo, Billiri and Kumo town.

Mrs Comfort Makanjuola, Deputy Director, Ports Inspection of
NAFDAC, told newsmen that the raids were aimed at ensuring compliance with the
law prohibiting the sale of unwholesome products.

She said “NAFDAC has acquired cutting edge technology,
called truscan technology, for a quick and on-the-spot assessment of
counterfeit and fake drugs.

 

Jigawa

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has
spent N30 million on the purchase of audio recorders for intending pilgrims
from the state.

The Secretary of the association, Alhaji Abba Daguro, told
The Tide in Dutse that the tapes were meant to assist the pilgrims to record
and learn the etiquette of Hajj.

Abba said that the gesture was a moral obligation on its
part to ensure the success of the pilgrimage.

“Last year, we purchased the same gadgets and it is our hope
that we will continue with the gesture, annually.

 

Jos

The Plateau State Agricultural Development Programme (PADP)
and the ADP-assisted Fadama II has advised farmers in the state to embrace the
Community Seed Multiplication Programme (CSMP) as it has the potential of
increasing production.

Mr. Luka Kefas, the leader of the technical team of the
Fadama II programme made the call during an inspection tour of some selected
farms.

He said that the crop farms were earmarked for seed
multiplication in various parts of the state, adding that the CSMP was aimed at
making improved and high yielding varieties of seeds available to farmers at
affordable prices.

Kefas, who is also the Director of Technical Services of the
PADP, said that the Community Seed Multiplication Programme was necessary to
remove middlemen syndrome in the procurement of farm inputs.

 

Kaduna

The Federal Government on Tuesday declared that the Kaduna
River Bridge was safe for motorists.

Mr Sa’ad Tukur, the Federal Controller of Works, Housing and
Urban Development in Kaduna, told The Tide that the bridge was last maintained
in 2009 and was still safe.

Tukur frowned at speculations in Kaduna metropolis over the
safety of the River Kaduna Bridge, saying that visualisation inspection had
been carried out on the bridge by the ministry to verify and correct the erroneous
impression created by some opposition elements.

Tukur said that the only problem identified during the
inspection was that the walkway slabs had been removed by mobile phone
operators in the state and were not properly replaced.

 

Katsina

The Country Programme Manager, International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ms Atsuko Toda, has stressed the need to
consolidate the impact of the Community-Based Agricultural Development
Programme (CBARDP).

Toda said this in an interview with our correspondent as the
16th Supervision Mission of the IFAD-assisted programme got under way on Monday
in Katsina.

The programme is being implemented in the seven northern
states of Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.

While commending what she called “strong buy-in” into the
programme by the State Governments, she underscored the importance of ensuring
the viability and sustainability of programme implementation.

 

Kebbi

Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State has advised the new
local government council chairmen in the state to ensure accountability and
good governance in the discharge of their duties.

The governor who made the call in Birnin Kebbi during the
swearing-in ceremony of the chairmen, promised to give them free hand to
perform their statutory responsibility of improving the lives of the people.

Dakingari commended the people of the state for the peaceful
election and urged the chairmen to reciprocate the gesture through hard work.

“The popular choice of the people put you in office and such
popular opinion can remove you from office if you do not perform for the
people” he warned the council bosses.

 

Kwara

Kwara State Government has inaugurated a 22-member committee
for the celebration of the 52nd independence anniversary of the country.

The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr
Anthony Towoju, inaugurated the committee in Ilorin on Monday.

Towoju said the committee would design an acceptable
programme and organise a hitch-free ceremony.

The Chairman of the committee, Hajia Aishat Mohammed,
promised that the members would organise a colourful event.

The committee has Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, an Assistant Director
in the ministry as the Secretary.

 

Lagos

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola
Johnson, has said that the Federal Government would soon formulate a regulatory
framework for the protection of intellectual property rights in the country.

The minister said this at a dinner jointly organised by the
Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) and the National
Association of Computer and Software Companies of India (NASSCOM).

Represented by her Special Assistant on IT, Mr Ola Ogunleye,
the minister said that the proposed regulatory framework would support the
privileges of local entrepreneurs on technology biased policies like tax
breaks, tariffs, levies and concessions.

She said that the Ministry was creating enabling
infrastructure to boost Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

 

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Investment and Property Development Company
(NIPDC) on Tuesday disclosed that about 400 contractors had submitted bids for
the rehabilitation of the Karu International Market in Nasarawa.

Mr Daniel Ajegena, NIPDC General Manager, disclosed this to
our correspondent after the biding process in Lafia.

He said that about 400 bids had been received, adding that
the applications would be scrutinised to determine the technical and financial
capacity of the companies.

He said: “their bids will pass through a consultant who will
evaluate the contractors based on their technical and financial capacities,
adding that that NIPDC advertised for submission of interests for the
renovation of the market three weeks ago.

 

Oyo

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Oyo State
Command, on Monday recovered 224 laptop computers worth N17 million from an
accident scene in Ibadan.

The FRSC Oluyole Unit Commander, Mr Sanya Adeoye, said that
the accident occurred at Onigari area along Lagos-Ibadan express road on Sunday
evening, pointing out that the accident involved a Toyota 18-seater Hiace bus
with registration number Lagos RN 210 AAA.

The commander said the driver of the bus, which had four
occupants, lost control of the vehicle as a result of over-speeding before
skidding off the expressway.

 

Zamfara

An Islamic scholar in Gusau, Sheikh Hamisu Anka, has urged
the Zamfara  State House of Assembly to
drop its plan to reduce the tenure of local government councils in the state to
two years.

Last week, the House said it would soon commence
deliberations on a bill seeking to amend the tenure of the councils from three
years as provided by the existing law to two years.

The Tide reports that the bill has attracted criticisms from
many commentators who viewed the move as an avenue to waste public funds.

Anka, who was speaking at a preaching session in Gusau, said
the legislators should focus on laws that would fight poverty, ignorance and
unemployment among the youths and women of the state.

Continue Reading

Nation

FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Nation

TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Trending