Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State said that his adminis
tration spent more than N40 billion to establish 14 technical schools in the state.
Nyako who announced this in Damare, Girei Local Government Area, during a visit to the newly established Agricultural Skills Acquisition School, said the 14 schools specialised in various aspects ranging from engineering, carpentary and agriculture.
He said the Damare school was strictly established to provide students with the necessary qualitative skills in agriculture, to meet the current challenges of modern agriculture.
According to him, “students will get the type of training you get in Europe”, and explained that a trainee of the school in fishery for instance, after graduation, would be able to produce 20 tons of fish from a 20 square metre pond.
“ For somebody taught how to handle cow, such person can make N1 million from a single cow per annum, unlike the normal herdsman who roams around with 50 cows, but can not make N50, 000 per annum, “ Nyako said.
Benue
Cult activities have taken a turn for the worse in Makurdi, the Benue
capital with many persons losing their lives in recent days.
At least four persons were killed by cultists within the past one week in Makurdi.
One James Adangbe, a final year student of History at the Benue State University, Makurdi was hacked to death by a group of cultists on January 12 at his residence at Modern Market Area in Makurdi.
Other killings that took place at the weekend were at Inikpi Street in High Level, Opposite Federal Secretariat and behind Makurdi Community Secondary School where the victims were said to have been stabbed and shot to death.
Confirming the incident, the DPO of ‘D’ Division Police Station, SUPOL. Arit Ekpe, said that the corpse, a boy identified as Tavershima Aluna, who was killed and dumped behind the Community Secondary School had since been identified by his relations and taken to the mortuary.
The Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, ASP. Alaribe Ejike, said that they were aware of the killings by cultists, saying that the police had mapped out strategies to tackle the problem.
Gombe
The Gombe State Ministry of Health is to conduct a survey to
determine the number of local government areas with cases of Schistosomiasis or Bilharzia.
Dr Obiageli Nebe, the Assistant Director and Coordinator
of the National De-worming Programme in the Federal Ministry
of Health, made this known in Gombe, when she visited the state’s commissioner of health on Monday.
Nebe said the aim of the survey, was to identify and treat those who had contracted the disease, adding that she was in Gombe to conduct a training exercise for those who would carry out the survey.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr Kennedy Ishaya, said the State Government had distributed drugs, worth over six million naira to some 15,000 persons who had schistosomiasis in Galdamawo Village in the Kaltungo Local Government Area.
Ishaya appealed to the Federal Government to extend the survey to Taraba and Adamawa, because Galdamawa Community, shared boundaries with the two states.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has donated N60 million to the Nigeria
Legion to enbale it to improve the wellbeing of its members.
The state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, announced the donation at the Armed Forces Emblem, Appeal Fund and Remembrance Day in Dutse, Tuesday.
Lamido, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, said the gesture would assist the legionnaires to assuage difficulties experienced while in retirement.
The Chairman, Jigawa chapter of the Nigeria Legion, Alhaji Lawan Isa commended the government for its support to the organisation.
Isa called for proactive measures to hasten the release of monthly subvention provided to the chapter by the state government.
Kano
The Kano State Hisbah has called for partnership with parents in a bid
to end the persistent abuse of the girl-child in the state.
The Deputy Commander of the Hisbah in charge of Special Service, Barr. Yusuf Nabahani, made the call in an interview in Kano, said the abuse of the young girls in the state had reached an alarming proportion.
Nabahani said, “I would like to use this opportunity to call on the parents to take good care of their children to know their whereabouts, friends and monitor their movements.
“The number of cases being received by the board involving girls is terrible and unless the movements of our youths are checked, the repercussions will not be good.”
He explained that a research recently conducted by the board indicated that hawking exposed most of the young girls to such abuses, and appealed to people in the state to complement the efforts of Hisbah in checking girl-child abuse.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ramalan Ibrahim
has said that the N8.7 billion budget for the ministry would be dedicated to ensuring food security.
Ibrahim said while defending the 2013 budget before the state House of Assembly on Tuesday that the ministry would ensure adequate provision of fertiliser and other farming inputs.
He told the house that the ministry had paid for all the fertiliser supplied to the state last year and would procure more for early distribution to farmers.
Officials of the Bureau for Religious Affairs were also at the assembly to defend their budgets.
Permanent Secretary, Christian Matters, Rev. Billy Felix said the main focus of the bureau was to ensure peace and stability in the state.
Kebbi
The prompt intervention of officers and men of the Kebbi
State Police Command on Monday saved the lives of officials at the office of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Birnin Kebbi.
The office was attacked by scores of irate ‘okada’ riders who were protesting alleged maltreatment of their members.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Kebbi, Mr Seyi Daniel, confirmed that about 300 angry commercial motor cyclists attempted to manhandle road safety marshals and burn the FRSC office.
He said the dispute was sparked off when commercial motor cyclists conveying two other passengers violated traffic rules by following the wrong lane to avoid arrest.
Daniel explained that in the process, they were knocked down by an on coming vehicle.
Kogi
Kogi State of Assembly on Tuesday directed its Committee on
Local Governments to investigate alleged sack of 450 workers of Adavi Local Government on the recommendations of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
The directive followed the adoption of a motion, under urgent public importance, presented by Abdullahi Lawal (PDP-Adavi), at a plenary session in Lokoja.
Lawal urged the house to intervene in the matter, to ascertain its true position.
He said that the ICPC had in a letter dated July 31, 2012, recommended that the affected workers should be sacked based on a petition it received.
Nasarawa
The leadership of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ
(ERCC) Nassarawa, has appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to come to the aid of displaced persons in the state.
Administrative Secretary of the Church, Rev. Jerry Modibo, said that the appeal had become imperative due to the increasing number of displaced persons in the ERCC camp in Nassarawa Eggon and other parts of the state.
Modibo condemned the communal clash in some parts of the state, saying, “it has led to the destruction of lives and properties worth million of Naira.’’
He called on the state government, civil organisations and other spirited individuals to assist the displaced persons with relief materials, and urged the people to forget their differences and unite for meaningful development to take place.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger said the State Government
would enact a law to curb the menace of street begging in the state.
Aliyu made the announcement at a one-day workshop on “Street Begging in Niger State, its Menace and the Need for Regulation’’ in Minna.
“We don’t want people to think that begging is a career. Therefore, we are directing the Niger State Law Reform Commission to come up with a legal framework to curb the menace of street begging in the state,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Imam, the Head of the Department of Languages at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, cited the Holy Qur’an Chapter 70 verses 24 to 25, saying that begging leads to self-disgrace and loss of honour.
Imam, who is the guest speaker, said Islam only allowed persons, who had incurred huge debts and those, who suffered from disasters or misfortunes to beg.
Ogun
The Ogun House of Assembly has ordered commercial and private
motorcycle riders to obtain official rider’s permit before February 28.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Salmon Adeleke, announced this in Abeokuta on Tuesday during a meeting to resolve all issues pertaining to the issuance of the rider’s permit.
Adeleke said that a consulting firm appointed by government would begin the enforcement of the order on March 1.
The resolution was borne out of the crisis between the firm and members of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria and Amalgamated Motorcycle Rider’s Association of Nigeria.
Plateau
The Industrial Fund (ITF), says it trained 360,000 people in various
fields and trades in 2012.
The Director-General, Prof. Longwas Wopmuk said Tuesday in Jos that the fund trained 10,000 persons in each of the 36 states.
“Some of the people received three months rigorous training in skills acquisition and other important trades that assisted them to become self employed,’’ she said.
Wopmuk said that the fund would continue to assist trainees to secure capital to start their own businesses through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan scheme.
He stressed that the idea was to reduce the high level of unemployment and disclosed that the Federal Government had also agreed with ITF’s proposal to establish three special skills training institutions.
Zamfara
A corps member serving with the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Dr
Umar Shuaib, has donated drugs and mosquito nets worth N750,000 to pregnant women and children in Zamfara.
Shuaib, who made the donation at the King Fahad Women and Children Hospital, Gusau, said that the gesture was to reduce maternal mortality in the state.
The corps member said that it was necessary for pregnant women, especially those in the rural areas to access ante-natal healthcare for safe child birth.
He said that insufficient public enlightenment, poverty and lack of access to medical facilities had remained major impediment to the state government’s effort to reduce maternal and child mortality.
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