Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Chairman of Committee on Internally Displaced Persons in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Abdullahi Musa-Garkuwa says the state is currently harbouring about 48, 475 internally displaced persons.
Musa-Garkuwa said last Sunday in Magama Gumau that 47,000 of them were victims from the Jos and Kaduna crises, noting that the victims were resettled by the state government in 53 settlements within the council between 2010 and 2013.
Musa-Garkuwa said the council had in the last two weeks received 1,475 persons, mostly women and children, whose husbands were killed in the recent crisis in Bokkos, Plateau.
He added that Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi had allocated a large expanse of land for the resettlement of victims at Kara layout in Magama-Gumau, and disclosed that each of the victims was given building materials which included three bundles of roofing sheets.
Benue
The Chairman of Benue State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Yimam Orkwar, has urged the Federal Government to create grazing reserves to check conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in the country.
Archbishop Yimam Orkwar said last Sunday in Makurdi that dams should be built close to the reserves to provide water for the cattle.
The cleric suggested that the dams and grazing reserves should be built in the northern parts of the country where cattle-rearing is most predominant.
He said the dams would allow the herdsmen to stock grasses during the rainy season for use during the dry season.
The cleric said the measure would also check the activities of other militia groups that hide under the attacks to cause mischief in places where such conflicts are rampant.
Borno
The Borno State Government on Sunday said it had set up a committee to handle the distribution of seats to prospective pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Jidda, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the committee was expected to evolve a fair and equitable formula for distribution of the seats.
The committee was set up following complaints about non-availability of forms for prospective pilgrims.
Some applicants last week relocated to the headquarters of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board after unsuccessful attempts to secure application forms from their local governments.
“Gov. Kashim Shettima has approved the appointment of a high powered committee to handle the distribution of the 2013 Hajj seats in the state. The committee is expected to work out a fair and equitable formula for the distribution of the seats among all the 27 local government areas in the state,” Jidda, who is the chairman of the committee, said.
Kano
An elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has advised the Federal Government not to be deterred by withdrawal of some members of the committee on amnesty for Boko Haram members.
He, however, advised the Federal Government to always contact people before appointing them in order not to appoint those not interested in assignments.
“This is a voluntary assignment, so only people who are interested should be appointed to participate in such assignment. “It is also a very sensitive issue; so, there is need for the government to consult people it wants to appoint in any committee or for any assignment,’’ he said.
The Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Shehu Shagari in the second republic, urged the government to appoint replacements to enable the committee to commence its assignment.
Kebbi
Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State said he would complete all on-going projects before the end of his tenure in 2015.
Dakingari said this during an inspection tour of projects by the good governance media tour to the state.
The Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu, who represented his counterpart from the Ministry of Information, led the delegation on the tour.
The road projects inspected by the delegation included the N1 billion Sanchi to Elembu; the 10-Kilometre Zuru to Sanchi; N57 million Marafa to Bacita; the N1 billion Zuba to Ribah and the N3 billion Ribah to Kyabu.
The governor said his administration embarked on provision of good road network to open rural areas that had been denied opportunity to interact with other communities for social and economic benefits. He said funds would be provided for the completion of the projects.
Kwara
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) last Sunday urged due process in the investigation of journalists for any offence.
In a communiqué at the end of its standing committee meeting in Ilorin, the Guild decried what it called a siege to the media.
The communiqué signed by Messers Femi Adesina and Isaac Ighure, the Guild President and General Secretary, respectively said that the latest siege were the harassment and detention of journalists of the Leadership newspaper.
The Guild said that, while it was not against investigation of journalists when and where necessary, such investigation must conform to the basic norms of due process permissible in a democracy. It urged the government to depart from the old ways, whereby journalists were arrested and detained arbitrarily.
Niger
No fewer than five persons were killed in Mokwa, Niger State, last Friday when a tanker carrying petrol ran into 10 stationary vehicles along Jebba-Mokwa highway.
The accident occurred when a petrol tanker coming from the Jebba end of the highway lost control and ran into the popular Saw Mill area of Mokwa in Mokwa Local Government Area.
The tanker ran into the vehicles parked on that side of the highway and exploded, causing the vehicles and some business premises and houses to go up in flames.
An eye witness, who pleaded anonymity said that the 10 vehicles were completely burnt and many shops and houses were also torched by the fire that lasted hours owing to lack of fire fighting trucks in the area. It was gathered that of the five bodies recovered, two were burnt beyond recognition.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State said the state government would plant 50 million trees as part of effort to provide friendly environment for the people.
Amosun, who spoke last Saturday, during the launching of the “Ogun Goes Green Walk’’ in Abeokuta, said the initiatives is aimed at restoring dwindling environment to support our survival as human race and to ensure that Ogun goes green.
“l urged you all to cultivate the habit of protecting our environment through planting of trees to secure our environment against degradation, deforestation and decline of biodiversity,’’ he said.
In her remark, the Chairman, House Representatives Committee on Environment, Rep. Uche Ekwenife, said the Federal Government had released money to some states in the north to confront challenges of deforestation.
Plateau
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ado Maikilishi, has urged northern leaders to assist the Federal Government in the current amnesty deal with the Boko Haram sect.
Maikilishi said in Jos that the sect had remained largely faceless and that any effort to reach out to them would assist the committee in the task.
He said that the leaders could bridge the gap by using their intelligence network to gather information about the sect from the ward, village and district heads and forward to the committee.
Sokoto
Former chairman, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi, last Saturday appealed to Nigerians to assist the security agencies by exposing dubious characters in their midst.
Abdullahi said the measure would ensure that peace, progress and political stability be sustained in the country.
He said that the present security situation could only be tackled if Nigerians developed the habit of offering intelligence reports that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals within their midst.
According to him, vital information from members of the public would enable the security officers to fashion out comprehensive security measures that would pave the way for peaceful coexistence in the country.
Abdullahi said that the nation’s security officers were in dire need of intelligence reports from good citizens to end the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians and called on the security officers to be friendlier with the members of the general public.
Yobe
Political parties, politicians and government officials have lauded the Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) for postponing Local Government election indefinitely.
The commission on April 18 at a stakeholders’ forum announced the postponement because of renewed security challenges in parts of the state.
The Special Adviser to Yobe Governor on Political Affairs, Alhaji Maimala Buni, said that the postponement was commendable, adding that YSIEC heeded to requests of political parties in postponing the poll.
Buni noted that the stakeholders’ forum organised by the commission for political parties afforded them the opportunity to collectively agree on the postponement.
“YSIEC has since the release of the election time-table demonstrated true democracy and gave everyone a sense of belonging in the electoral process,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, 10 political parties, including APGA, CPC, NCP, PDP and ANPP, among others, said the postponement was in the collective interest of all parties.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has alerted the public on the danger of hypertension as a major killer disease that required regular and careful watch.
The chairman of the branch, Dr Sunday Onazie, raised the alarm last Sunday in Gusau when he led tens of medical officers on a “work for live’’ road show as part of activities to mark this year’s World Health Day.
Onazie said that the trek, which covered about five kilometres within Gusau metropolis, was intended to draw public attention to the need for body exercise as a means of curtailing hypertension traits.
“This road show trek is intended to serve as a wake up call on the general public to let people appreciate the need for everyone to create a little time out of his or her schedules to exercise the body and keep it fit. “When you engage yourself in regular physical exercise you are reducing the chances of having traits of hypertension and other heart-related ailments,’’ he said.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor
