Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

August 26, 2013

Benue
The Benue State Director of Environment, Mr Daniel
Iorshagher, has advised Nigerians to plant trees in order to control environmental degradation, desertification and climate change challenges in the country.
Iorshagher said last last Thursday in Makurdi, that trees serve as measures against the growing effects of climate change, desertification and other environmental challenges.
He noted that the felling of trees for firewood and illegal logging had impacted negatively on the environment, adding “We depend much on wood for cooking and other furniture needs at the expense of the oxygen it would give us. “If trees are removed excessively, we would be producing an imbalanced environment in the country.’’
The director said that the ongoing deforestation had exposed the state to environmental hazards.

Gombe
Residents of three communities in Yamaltu/Deba and
Kwami Local Government Areas of Gombe State, have been cut-off from the rest of the state following the collapse of the Lubo bridge.
The bridge, located in Yamaltu/Deba council, collapsed on Tuesday, after several hours of rain.
The affected communities include Diffa, Lubo and Kinafa in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government, as well as Daban Fulani in Kwami Local Government.
Motorists, passengers and pedestrians from the communities are facing difficulties travelling in and out of the area, as the situation had forced them to detour through Gaji-Bauchi-Malam Sidi road to reach Gombe, a resident, has said.
Kogi

The Chairman of the Board of Federal Medical Cen
tre, Lokoja, recently commended the Kogi State Government, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on its free medical scheme for rural dwellers.
Abubakar, who gave the commendation when he led members of the board on a courtesy visit to Gov. Idris Wada.
He said that the scheme had helped in bringing quality healthcare to the doorstep of people at the grassroots.
He urged the government to sustain the scheme, considering that its benefit was not quantifiable and also commended the governor for opting to receive treatment in a local hospital when he was involved in an auto accident on Dec. 28, 2012.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for its assistance to the hospital and pleaded with the governor to help in fast-tracking the release of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the hospital’s permanent site.
Wada in his response expressed satisfaction with the services being rendered by the hospital and promised that the issue of C of O would be addressed very soon.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Culture and Tour
ism, Allhaji Gambo Lawal, last Thursday said that the fourth coming state cultural festival, was designed to promote peace and unity among diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state.
Lawal said in an interview in Kaduna that the festival scheduled to commence on August 26, would bring together different cultural groups to show case their rich cultural values and promote tourism.
The commissioner, commended the state government for sponsoring the festival, saying that the best performing groups and individuals would receive awards.
He disclosed that seven standing committees had been inaugurated, including security committee, to ensure the success of the event.
The state cultural festival has run for over three decades and remains one of the key tourism events in the state.
Kwara
An Economic and Financial Crime Commission
(EFCC) counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, has called for establishment of more anti-corruption agencies instead of merging the available ones.
Shittu said in Ilorin that unless everybody was enlisted in the fight against corruption, getting rid of the societal defect might be a mirage.
The legal practitioner, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lagos, noted that ”corruption remains the only impediment to the development of Nigeria”.
He urged the government to show more political will and monitor each of the stages of a fight against corruption to prevent compromise and he alleged that each of the stages of process in litigation against corrupt practice, investigation, prosecution or adjudication was being compromised.
“If we must win the battle against corruption, we will need to monitor the monitors. “Police that conduct investigations must be monitored so that they do not compromise; lawyers that prosecute and judges that adjudicate need monitoring too,” he said.

Lagos

Rear Admiral Ibok Ibas, Flag Officer Commanding, West
ern Naval Command, Lagos, has said Nigerian Navy would collaborate with the navies of other African countries to tackle insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
Ibas told newsmen in Lagos last Thursday that maritime security challenges facing African countries required regional collaboration and support to overcome.
Ibas announced that an international conference of all African navies and maritime experts to discuss best ways to secure African waters and trade would be hosted by Nigeria from August 27 to August 28 in Lagos.
The naval chief said the conference was expected to provide credible and sustainable solutions to the various challenges.
Niger

No fewer than 2, 000 students of the Niger State College
of Education, Minna and some community members were on Wednesday screened for malaria as part of efforts to curb the disease.
The college Chief Nursing Officer, Alhaji Sani Sanda, said in Minna that out of the number, 150 tested positive to malaria parasite, including three lectures.
He said that the patients who were referred to the school clinic had been treated as the state Ministry of Health had supplied drugs to the clinic to support the programme.
He said that 50 pregnant women received free treated mosquito nets, while members of the neighbouring community also benefited from the rapid malaria test and treatment.
Sanda commended the state Ministry of Health for the free testing kit, drugs and the nets made available, adding that the college and the ministry would intensify the sensitisation of the general public to the dangers of malaria and also curb maternal mortality rate.

Osun

Patients with orthopaedic problems have been advised
to visit hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment instead of rushing to traditional bone setters.
The former Head, Orthopaedic Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Prof. Lawrence Oginni, gave the advice during an interactive session with members of the institution’s Newsletter Editorial Board recently.
Oginni also advised patients coming to the hospital to cultivate the habit of patience to allow medical personnel to carry out necessary investigations instead of believing that nothing was being done during investigation.
He noted that it was this feeling of neglect which patients have that was making the traditional bone setters to persuade them to withdraw from orthodox treatment.

Plateau
Senator Gyang Pwajok of Plateau State has declared that
Nigeria’s collective survival was being challenged by current security challenges and warned politicians against “playing politics with sensitive security matters’’.
Speaking at the dialogue, sponsored by the Canadian Embassy, is organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an international outfit, the Senator said that politicians would be “gravely mistaken’’ if they ever assumed that conflict would simply come to a halt “once APC, PDP, APGA or any other political contraption ascends to power at any level’’.
Pwajok regretted that Nigeria’s leaders had consistently disregarded early warnings and even outcries that foreign elements were involved in the Plateau crises, and expressed relief that the federal government had woken by closing up the porous borders.
The law maker advised communities participating in the mediation talks to have open minds and be frank in their submissions, and advised that memories of past sufferings, the presence of orphans and the plight of victims, should not obstruct forgiveness.

Zamfara

Zamfara State Hisbah Commission, has arrested 50 un
der aged girls caught frolicking in the night in Gusau, its Chairman, Malam Aminu Aliyu, has said.
Aliyu told newsmen in Gusau that those caught were mostly under 18, and daughters of some rich people in the city.
He said that following a tiff-off, officials of the commission raided various spots in Gusau, where the girls and their male escorts operate, to effect the arrest.
“The girls were meeting men to commit sinful acts, particularly at night”, he said, adding that the male escorts took to their heels on sighting the hisba officials.
The chairman disclosed that the the commission had written letters inviting the parents of the girls for counselling before their wards would be released to them.

Nation

Sachet Alcohol Fuels Binge Drinking Among Nigerian Youths, Group Warns

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.

The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.

AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.

He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.

The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.

While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.

“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.

The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.

According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.

By Favour James

Nation

HYPREP Unleashes 100 Ogoni Youths Into Maritime Industry …Tasks Them On Discipline, Safety

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.

The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.

Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.

He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.

According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.

“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.

Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.

He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.

Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.

“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.

He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.

The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.

“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.

He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.

Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.

He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.

“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.

Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.

Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.

“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.

Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.

The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.

In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.

Nation

Nigerian Society of Engineers Inaugurates 14-Member Executives In Rivers”

Published

3 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.

Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.

Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary

Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)

In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.

The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.