Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa House of Assembly, last Thursday passed a bill empowering the state government to acquire loan from the capital market.
The House passed the bill into law at plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri. The bill was passed by the legislators after it was introduced for third reading by the Majority Leader, Alhaji Ishaq Bala and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Simon Isa .
The law now empowers the state government to raise loan from the capital market through the issuance of debt securities in the form of registered bonds, for projects implementation.
An earlier report on the bill, submitted by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Laori Kwamoti (PDP-Numan) and which was adopted by the assembly, said the aim was to open new sources of funds to finance development projects in the state.
Benue
The Benue Government on Wednesday expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Canadian Government on training of teachers.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, who made the announcement when the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Chris Butter, paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi. He said that the State Government was interested in the training of teachers in order to upgrade the standard of education in the state.
Lawani who commended the cordial relationship existing between Nigeria and Canada , expressed optimism that teachers from the state would be given adequate training by Canadian experts.
Earlier, Butter said that the Canadian Government was sending over 200 teachers to Nigeria for training exercises annually.
Kaduna
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on Thursday advised its top officials to adopt best information management practice, in line with the Freedom of Information Act.
Managing Director of FERMA, Gabriel Amuchi, gave the advice in Kaduna at a two-day seminar on the Act, with the theme, “ Information Management and Security of Document”, organised for Zonal Directors and Engineers under the agency.
He said, “although the Freedom of Information Act was to make public records and information more freely but as top officials your documents should be safe and secure at all times.”
Amuchi added that the Act covers all public agencies, including FERMA, but cautioned the officials on the adverse consequences of mismanaging information.
Kano
As part of the country’s Democracy Day activities, the Kano State Government said last Wednesday that it registered 16,000 commercial tricycle operators.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director of the state Road and Traffic Control Agency (KORATA), Alhaji Mohammed Diggol, said that the policy was to replace the ban on commercial motorcyclists in February.
Diggol said the decision to register the tricycles was due to government’s desire to regulate the activities of the operators and ensure sanity in the business.
He said the tricycles were issued with code numbers for easy identification due to the security challenges facing the state.
Katsina
A total of 157 students have been registered to begin 40 days programme on the memorisation of the Hadith, Sheikh Shuaibu Abubakar, Coordinator, Centre for the Memorisation of Hadith, has said.
Hadith are compilations of the sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad and is the second most important source of knowledge on Islam after the Holy Qur’an.
Abubakar, told newsmen on Thursday in Katsina that the participants were drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the programme was designed for those who had memorised the Holy Qur’an, have appreciable level of proficiency in Arabic and had obtained a minimum of Senior Secondary School Certificate.
Kebbi
Chairman, Kebbi Chapter of National Association of the Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, says the nation’s mineral deposits are not optimally exploited.
He said in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday that many state governments were not harnessing their mineral deposits to generate revenue and create employment.
Dan-Illela suggested that governors should partner with their local governments in the extraction and utilisation of mineral resources for their economic development.
“Kebbi State is endowed with gypsum, bitumen, iron ore as well as precious stones in commercial quantities.
Kwara
The Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Sen. Simeon Ajibola, has advised politicians to shun politics of deceit and make the well-being of the electorate their priority.
Ajibola gave the advice in Ilorin on Saturday while presenting an 18 seater bus to Kwara South chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that only sincerity of purpose and harmoniousworking relationship between political office holders and their constituents would ensure speedy development.
“It is only sincerity of purpose and total avoidance of politics of deceit that can fast-track development. “Closeness to the people at the grass roots as well as the general well-being of the electorate should be given greater attention,’’ he said.
Jigawa
The Chairman , Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, has commended the efforts of the government in revamping the agricultural sector.
Maigoro who gave the commendation in Dutse on Thursday said that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, had distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser and 2,000 tonnes of improved rice seeds, to encourage paddy rice production in the state.
He added that the state government also made available about 2,000 tube wells and hand pumps to irrigation farmers and called for the adoption of practical measures to encourage the establishment of rice mill, to add value to the local produce.
Kogi
The wife of Kogi Governor, Hajia Halima, has promised to work with the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in order to improve upon the life of people of the State.
Wada who made the promise in Lokoja on Friday at the opening ceremony of the Zonal Delegates Conference of the association enjoined the association to extend its activities to the rural areas to further promote the cause of women, children and the less privileged.
She commended the association in the state for touching the lives of the people through its activities and lauded it for getting the people well informed about happenings around them
Nasarawa
The Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, has commended the state government for transforming its education sector.
Abdullahi who made this known in an interview in Lafia last Thursday, said that the transformation had improved the standard of education for the overall development of the state during the last two years.
“Gov. Tanko Al-Makura deserves commendation for giving top priority attention to education sector by improving the standard of primary, secondary and tertiary education in the state.
Osun
The Osun Waste Management Agency says it arrested 200 persons, including 50 whom it prosecuted for contravening the state sanitation laws between January and May, 2013.
The agency’s General Manager, Mr Ganiyu Oyeladun, who made this known in an interview in Osogbo, last Thursday said that the offenders, who were tried by mobile courts, paid penalties ranging from N2, 500 to N5, 000 fines.
“Although our service is not to necessarily fine or punish, we are interested in enforcing total compliance. “The period of grace is over and we want total compliance with environmental laws,’’ he said.
He said that the bi-monthly sanitation exercise in Osun had paid off, adding that there had been a drastic reduction in incidences of communicable diseases related to poor environmental management.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Wurno Local Government in Sokoto State, Alhaji Shehu Chacho, said recently that his administration spent N45 million to construct Almajiri schools in different parts of the state.
Chacho in Sokoto that the council spent N1 million to construct each of the schools, and that the programme was part of the council’s resolve to prevent street begging among youths in the area.
He said that local teachers charged with the responsibility of teaching the youth had been placed on monthly allowance.
Chacho added that the administration was also working on modalities to provide lunch for the students.
Plateau
Sen. Joshua Dariye (LP-Plateau Central) has advised politicians to look beyond 2015 elections and work for better and united Nigeria.
Dariye gave the advice in an interview in Jos last Thursday, said “Whether 2015 comes or not, we should look beyond it. This one wants to be, the other wants to be that, I don’t think this should be the case,” he said.
The Senator, however, expressed delight that the country’s 14 years of unbroken democracy was on course, in spite various challenges confronting the nation.
Dariye, one-time Governor of Plateau, also expressed optimism that the country’s democracy would thrive, if the mistakes made were identified and corrected.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
