Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, is yet to declare
his desire to contest the presidency or a senate seat, his spokesman, Malam Danlami Takko, has said.
He said in Bauchi that it had become necessary to clear the air to prevent some people from using the people of the state to heat up the polity.
He said though Yuguda had the leadership qualities to contest for any of the posts, he had never declared his intent to do so.
“Judging by his background, the governor is capable and eligible to contest for the presidency or the senatorial seat come 2015 if he so decides,” he said.
FCT
The National Council on Science and Technology
(NCST), has called on Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) to work with Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) on projects to accelerate national development.
This is contained in a report of its 12th council meeting made available to journalists on Wednesday at the ongoing 13th Council Meeting in Minna.
SHESTCO should work with the ministry and other stakeholders to regenerate its rice, wheat and cassava projects.
The report stated that the council had proposed the establishment of the Nigerian equivalent of the U.S. Silicon Valley to be called SHESTCO Silicon Valley adding that in pursuit of the goal, the ministry hosted a team of UNESCO officials to partner with it to prepare the feasibility studies for the project.
Kaduna
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it
is committed to the training of Nigerian youths under the National Open Apprenticeship Training (NOAT) programme.
The Kaduna State NDE Coordinator, Alhaji Isa Tandama, said in Kaduna on Thursday that this was in line with its mandate to create avenues for job creation for unemployed youths.
He said that the programme was part its Vocational Skills Development (VSD) programme which became necessary as the nation’s educational system did not favour technical education.
Tandama said the training was another platform to enhance economic development and empowerment initiative and that the directorate identified this and introduced the scheme from inception to empower youths.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has urged
institutions, communities and individuals to support the government in protecting the environment.
Shema made the call at the inauguration of the Funtua Zonal Forestry Office and tree nursery in Mairuwa Village in Faskari local government area of the state, last Thursday.
Rrepresented by the District Head of Funtua, Alhaji Sambo Idris, he said government needed maximum support from the public, considering its huge investment in annual tree planting.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara last Wednes
day described the victory of the Governor-Elect of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose, as a positive development.
Ahmed, who said this last Wednesday in a congratulatory message to the governor-elect, noted that the June 21 election was an indication that democracy was on course.
He said the fact that the election went peacefully and an incumbent was defeated showed that Nigerians cherished democracy, especially when the atmosphere was conducive.
The governor urged the political class to imbibe an enduring lesson from the Ekiti experience that elections could be conducted devoid of hooliganism.
Ahmed also commended the All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi, for his gallantry in defeat and political maturity in accepting the wish of Ekiti people.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) last Thursday blamed the deplorable state of infrastructure in public schools on years of neglect of the education sector in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Mallam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, stated this during the board’s assessment visit to one of the public primary schools in Agyaragu Tofa, Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the neglect of the education sector in the state was responsible for the high level of infrastructure decay in the public schools across the state.
“Gov. Tanko Al-Makura is doing his best to improve on the standard of education in the state through the building of new schools and the renovation of the existing ones to meet with international standard. “The schools are now wearing a new look and equipped with facilities by the present administration under the leadership of Gov.Al-Makura,”he said.
Osun
The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr
Najeem Salaam, last Thursday commended Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for displaying the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the June 21 governorship election.
Salaam who gave the commendation at the assembly‘s plenary in Osogbo said Fayemi’s display of maturity had guaranteed a place for him in the future of Ekiti and Nigerian politics.
“It is only the progressives, particularly the APC, that can produce such a fine, disciplined and compassionate mind to admit defeat gallantly in an election Gov. Fayemi’s action has guaranteed a place for him in the future of Ekiti, Yoruba and even Nigerian politics,” he said.
The speaker said the Ekiti people would continue to appreciate Fayemi’s positive contributions to the state.
Oyo
Chairman, Bodija Corn Millers Association, Bodija Mar
ket, Ibadan, Mr Wasiu Atanda, has called on Oyo State Government to establish a fire service station inside the market.
Atanda, who made the call in an interview in Ibadan following the gutting by fire of some shops in the market last Tuesday, said shop owners lost property worth about N23 million in the incident.
The chairman said there was the need for a fire service station within the market to ensure rapid and early intervention of the men of the service during emergency.
“There is a land at a place called Kara within the market where a fire station can be built for the benefit of traders and, even, the people living around the community,’’ he said.
The fire, which started around 4.30 a.m, destroyed shops belonging to the millers, hairdressers, fashion designers and hot drink sellers.
Plateau
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has kicked
against taxing of churches as proposed by the National Conference Committee on Religion.
The religious body made its position known in Jos at a press conference by the National Vice Chairman of PFN, Rev. Yakubu Pam, shortly after its North-Central zonal meeting.
Pam said that the PFN noted with concern the reported recommendation of the committee on religion that taxes be imposed on religious institutions.
According to the national vice chairman, the meeting deliberated on several issues affecting the nation and advised the politicians to be circumspect in their utterances and conduct while politicking.
Pam, who decried the plight of Nigerians in northern Nigeria, particularly Christians, however called on Nigerians irrespective of their religion or tribe to unite and defeat the enemy.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government last Wednesday, ap
proved a contract for the supply of medical equipment and furniture worth more than N216 million for the Wamakko Orthopaedic Hospital.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Bako, who disclosed this in Sokoto, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly state executive council meeting said that state of the art equipment would be installed at the hospital to ensure smooth operations.
Bako said that the government would continue to accord priority to the development of the health sector through the provision of basic working facilities, to manage its health institutions.
Yobe
The Yobe State Government says it would remain fo
cused on institutional reforms to strengthen good governance in the state.
Special Adviser to the state governor on Media, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, in Damaturu, that the government embraced the reforms in spite of security challenges faced by the state.
Bego said the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for State Partnership, Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability (SPARC) on June 21 with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).
He said the state government under the platform of Yobe State Socio Economic Reform Agenda (YOSERA) convened a summit to provide input to facilitate speedy socio-economic transformation of the state.
The special adviser said the reforms had translated in promoting service delivery, accountability, transparency and good governance.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (right)with the son of late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, Alhaji Yisa Arisekola Alao, during his visit to the family in Ibadan, last Saturday. Photo: NAN
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
