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THE STATES

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Adamawa

Adamawa  State Acting Governor Ahmadu Umaru has
approved the constitution of  a seven-man judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the administration of impeached Murtala Nyako from June, 2007 to June 2014.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tukur Liman  in Yola recently indicated that the panel which   has Justice Bobbo Umar as chairman, and Mr Sedan Nyari,   as its secretary has four weeks to submit its findings. According to the statement, the terms of reference of the panel were to investigate financial accruals to the State from June, 2007 to June, 2014  and the investigation of disbursement and application of funds to ministries, boards, and agencies over the period of reference.
The panel would also identify those involved in inappropriate financial disbursements and application. It further stated that the panel would investigate staff recruitment, deployment and administration of human resources.

Bauchi

Some gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, have killed
the District Head of Soro in Bauchi State Malam Abdulrahman Baba, and injured two other persons.
The Bauchi Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the killing in a statement yesterday, said the incident occurred at 7.45 pm last Saturday
.He said: “On Saturday at about 7.45 pm, six gunmen suspected to be armed bandits, stormed Soro town in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, killing the District Head, Abdulrahman Isa Baba, and injuring two other traders. They carted away undisclosed amount of money from their victims and escaped to unknown destination. The entire surrounding had been cordoned off and efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
Mohammed also said a 32-year-old man had been apprehended in connection with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was buried in a building site located at VIO quarters in Azare.

Ekiti

A former Speaker of the old Ondo State House of
Assembly, Chief Femi Akinyemi, says  the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, lost his bid for a re-election in the June 21 governorship election to “inexperience and incompetence in politics and governance.”
Chief Akinyemi, who is also the chairman of Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in Ekiti State, addressed newsmen in his native Usi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state after he received a merit award of the community. He claimed that “Fayemi failed woefully in the election because he did not put reliable structures in all the councils to reach out to the people.”
Describing the SURE-P scheme as a huge success and one of the best poverty alleviation strategies in the country, Akinyemi revealed that “the Federal Government spends a sum of N360 million on beneficiaries in Ekiti annually.”
Akinyemi, however, condemned the states and local governments for not showing enough transparency in the disbursement of the funds to beneficiaries like the Federal Government.
FCT

The Nigeria Immigration Service said  recently that 24
officers were to be sent to various embassies abroad to ease the process of obtaining visas and e-passports.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Obua  said some Nigerians in Diaspora and foreigners experienced difficulties obtaining  visas and e-passports because NIS was not represented at some Nigerian embassies.
The spokesman said to complement the effort of officers, the service would also make provisions for more machines since the passport was mainly done online.
He said that NIS had begun the implementation of the new e-passport reforms, and called on all Nigerians to cooperate with the service to ensure its implementation.
The spokesman said the new 64-page e-passport costs N20,000, adding that those under 18 years and those above 60 years could obtain the passport at N8,750.
Kano

Governor  Rabiu Musa  Kwankwaso of  Kano
State, yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of running a government based on ethnic sentiment and religious bigotry.
Kwankwaso, who spoke with reporters in his office weekend, also advised the Presidency to reduce the level of hatred and bitterness among Nigerians, if the government was actually interested in resolving the problem of insecurity.
According to him, the real cause of insecurity in the country was bad leadership being experienced in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- led government, noting that the inability of President Jonathan to tackle the issue of insurgency in the North and insecurity in other parts of the country had exposed Jonathan’s incompetence to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

Kwara

The Kwara  State  House of Assembly last
Monday debunked a report that it had concluded plans to impeach Governor  Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The Majority Leader of the House, Alhaji AbdulKareem AbdulGaniyu, told newsmen in Ilorin that the impeachment rumour was fuelled by a report that the House was divided over the second term bid of the governor.
Abdulkareem, however, said the House was united, adding that most of the members were from the same party. He also maintained that the relationship between the governor and Senator  Bukola Saraki was cordial.

Lagos

As part of the on-going efforts to prevent the
spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into the country, a team of federal and Lagos State health officials, yesterday, visited the General Overseer of The Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua, to sensitise members of the congregation about persons from the affected countries in their midst.
The team, led by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, expressed readiness to work with the health team of the Church by way of technical assistance, medical advice and training to ensure that no victim of the deadly disease comes to the Church undetected. Medical doctors attending to an Ebola virus disease victim
Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board said
it had concluded plans to recruit no fewer than 2,000 teachers to fill vacant positions in schools in the state.
Executive Secretary of the board, Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made this known at a meeting of the board and local government councils’ chairmen and education secretaries in the state in Lafia recently Monday.
Abdullahi said the board had set up a committee to collaborate with the councils’ chairmen and the education secretaries to identify areas where the teachers were needed stated that the committee was also charged with the responsibility of working out modalities of ensuring that only competent hands were employed.

Osun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a red
alert on the August  9 gubernatorial election in  Osun State, saying, about half a million permanent voters cards (PVCs), which were either unclaimed, not handed over to their authentic owners or obtained fraudulently, have been cloned by unscrupulous persons ahead of the election, with the sole purpose of rigging.
”These cloned cards, mostly in the hands of persons from states other than Osun, are to be used along with the authentic PVCs issued to the electorate in Osun state during the August 9 Osun governorship election,” the party said in a statement issued in Osogbo last Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
”Already, we can confirm that the hundreds of thousands of people in possession of these cloned cards all over Nigeria, especially in the states neighboring Osun, are being induced monetarily and instructed to super impose their photographs on the cloned PVCs.

Oyo

The epileptic electricity supply currently being experienced
in Ibadan and its environs will soon be a thing of the past as Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC), in charge of electricity distribution in the zone, has promised a daily 15-hour electricity supply to consumers.
The Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Engr. Fortunato Leynes, made this promise at the company’s first journey to change knowledge sharing series which held in Ibadan over the weekend.
According to Leynes, one of the greatest challenges hindering uninterrupted power supply to customers is inadequate power generation capacity for his company to distribute to consumers.
Speaking on the essence of the knowledge sharing series being organised by the company, Deputy Managing Director of IBEDC Mr. John Darlington noted, that “the challenges are enormous but if we get our people, technology, attitude and discipline right, in the next two or three years our company will make the difference.”

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto (left), receiving a souvenir from Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar 111 for attending the Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni 18th Regular Course Re-union in Sokoto, recently.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto (left), receiving a souvenir from Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 for attending the Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni 18th Regular Course Re-union in Sokoto, recently.

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HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

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In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

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NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

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The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

 

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

 

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

 

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

 

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

 

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

 

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

 

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

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FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

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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.

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