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.
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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