Nation
THE STATES
Benue
A 37-year-old man, Philemon Kwaghkondo, was arraigned
before an Upper Area Court 2, Makurdi, for allegedly blocking the entrance and preventing customers from entering a bank. Kwaghkondo is charged with wrongful restraint.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Omaye Ujata, told the court that Alhaji Garba Adamu, Managing Director, Algreb Mirco-Finance Bank, Makurdi, reported the case at ‘B’ Division police station, Makurdi.
Ujata said that the accused used a mattress to block the entrance of the bank, thus making it inaccessible to members of staff and customers adding that the accused admitted to committing the offence.
The prosecution said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 254 of the Penal Code. After the charges were read to the accused, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, granted the accused to bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum.
Mohammed adjourned the case until June 3, for hearing.
FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar,
has ordered Commissioners of Police to immediately carry out a nationwide security audit and threat analysis of boarding schools.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said the measure was part of a proactive effort to bolster security network in the schools.
“The outcome of this exercise will greatly assist police authorities and other security agencies in the task of designing security strategies that will help in promoting safety and security in schools. “It is equally expected that the result of the consultations, threat analysis and the attendant security awareness campaigns will help in reducing the vulnerability of the schools and strengthen an otherwise soft terror target,’’ it said.
The I-G advised the commissioners to collaborate with other security agencies, the Ministry of Education in the various states, as well as the management and staff of the schools and urged commissioners to work with the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), the host communities and other stakeholders so as to obtain the most reliable intelligence.
Kano
The Kano State Police Command said it arrested two sus
pects over alleged security breaches in the state.
The command spokesman, ASP Magaji Majia, said in Kano that “two persons were arrested at the New Road Motor Park this morning and brought to headquarters for further investigations’’.
“The commissioner of police has directed the CID department to investigate, thereafter he (the commissioner) will brief the press,” he said.
There was a bomb attack on Sunday night in which five persons died while an explosives laden car was demobilised in Kano on Monday.
Majia said the suspects were arrested, to avert further security breach, adding that “no information yet to link the suspects to the bombings until investigation is completed”.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Government said it would collaborate with
retired military officers to address the prevailing security challenges in the state.
Gov. Mukhtar Yero said this when Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association of Nigeria (RANAO) led by its President, Maj. Gen. Rabiu Aliyu (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.
The governor, directed the coordinator of the state security outfit, Operation Yaki, to discuss further with the association on strategies to tackle the prevailing insecurity in the state.
Earlier, the President of the association, Maj. Gen. Rabiu Aliyu (rtd) said that members were ready to use their wealth of knowledge and experience to assist the government in tackling security challenges in the state.
Kwara
Workers at the three Kwara State owned Colleges of Edu
cation last Tuesday suspended their six-week industrial action called by Committee of Unions of Tertiary Institutions (CUTI).
CUTI Chairman, Malam Shehu Sanni, announced the suspension of the strike in Ilorin at the end of the congress of the union held at the College of Education, Ilorin.
He said the strike was suspended for three weeks to allow for negotiations between the union and the state government, and directed all members of the three unions under CUTI to return to work immediately.
Sanni said members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) met to take the decision.
The CUTI chairman said the union decided to suspend the six-week strike due to the intervention of Senator Bukola Saraki and Global Peace Movement.
Ogun
An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, re
manded three union officials in prison custody at the Abeokuta Prisons, Ibara, for allegedly stealing money belonging to two organisations.
The organisations are: the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta.
The accused, Odeogbola James, 55; Egbewunmi Olalekan, 44, and Taiwo Oladipupo, 38, are being tried for stealing, conspiracy and concealing relevant documents relating to the disbursement of funds, property of FCMB and NASU.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Banji Sangotokun, had told the court that the accused persons, whose addresses were unknown, committed the offences between 2008 and 2011 at MAPOLY.
He said the accused persons were holding major positions in the union as the President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the NASU at MAPOLY.
Osun
The Osun House of Assembly has appealed to the Joint
Negotiation Council (JNC) of the non-academic staff union of state-owned tertiary institutions to call off its three- month-old strike.
The House made the appeal at a joint meeting of JNC, Head of Service and the Commissioner of Finance, Mr Akintunde Adegboye, in Osogbo.
Members of non-academic staff union of the institutions embarked on strike on March 11 over non-remittance of their contributory pension funds and poor condition of service, among others.
Addressing the meeting, the Speaker of the House, Mr Najeem Salaam, said the House would do everything within its power to address the union’s demands and assured that the House would consider the inclusion of the union in the new 65 year retirement age demanded by them.
Earlier, Mr Olusoji Fasipe, JNC chairman, said government had not been remitting their pension deduction into the appropriate quarters in the last nine months.
Oyo
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations En
forcement Agency (NESREA) says it will collaborate with the town planning authorities to stop the location of industrial and residential property in the same area.
South West Zonal Director of the agency, Mr Olufunbi Sode, who said this in an interview in Ibadan last Tuesday stated that to ensure a clean and healthier environment, the problem of locating industries in residential areas and vice versa must be resolved.
“It is important to ensure that areas designated for industries are solely used for industrial development and not to have residential buildings mixed up with industries.”We must stop the problem of having residents living close to industries, thereby keeping people away from industrial pollution. This should stop,” he said.
“We must establish working relationship with government establishments at the federal, state and local levels and in this instance, town planning authorities are paramount. “We have had occasions of working together with them in the past and only last year, we were able to sensitise them on this particular issue,” he added.
Lagos
The National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) has recov
ered the body of the victim of the boat mishap that occurred at Bonny Camp in Victoria Island, Lagos on May 18.
Eight of the nine people on board the boat were rescued alive while one of the passengers, a woman could not be accounted for.
The Head of the Marine Department of NIWA, Mrs Sarat Suleiman, said the body of the woman was recovered at around mid day on Tuesday.
Recounting the mishap, Suleiman said that a heavy wind blew against the boat and the operator could not control the situation.
She commended the Association of Tourist Boat Operators, Water Transporters of Nigeria and fishermen for rising up to the challenge before the arrival of NIWA rescue team and urged boat operators and passengers to desist from night trips to save their lives.
Also speaking, Mr Olayinka Marinho, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, said that the authority had warned passengers and operators against travelling at night.
Marinho decried the failure of passengers and operators to heed warning on their safety, adding that any person who disregarded the law did so at his or her own risk.
Plateau
A former aviation minister, Chief Felix Hyat, has advised
northern governors to relate more with security agencies rather than hurling blames in the quest to tackle insurgency.
The former minister, who was also Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during the Ahmed Makarfi administration in Kaduna State urged governors and other leaders to be proactive and should quickly resolve issues as they arose rather than taking them for granted.
The former minister said Nigerians must be educated to accept one another, adding that they must realise that they cannot live in isolation.
“Even if we decide to be that foolish, we shall have denominational differences staring us in the face,” he said.
On the allegations that insurgency was politically motivated, Hyat described such claims as “myopic.”

L-Rt: U.S. Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye, during the visit of the U. S. Under Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, recently.
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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