Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has designed a quick
response mechanism to assist victims of religious, communal and other disasters in the state. The measure followed the influx of more victims from the crisis prone areas to the state due to insurgency and other disasters.
Stakeholders at a meeting in Bauchi designed a framework on how to effectively manage the programme and resolved to conduct a feasibility study at the places the displaced persons were residing to ascertain the number of the victims for necessary assistance.
Speaking, a representative of the International Resolve Committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Bawu, said the programme would focus attention on rendering support to health, education and social needs of victims.
Bawu said: “Statistics has shown that more than five million insurgency victims were displaced to Bauchi State and some neighbouring states, hence there is the need to provide support and intervention from government and development partners”.
Benue
Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has assured the
people of the state that the state government is taking precautionary measures to ensure there is no outbreak Ebola disease in the state.
Suswam, who spoke to newsmen yesterday, hinted that already, the state Ministry of Health had sent doctors to the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja to get the kits in case of any outbreak in the state.
While appealing to the people of the state to be calm and go about their normal activities without fear, the governor said even though the disease is highly contagious, it is not airborne and could not be contacted unless one came in direct contact with an infected person.
Reminded that there are thousands of bats daily hovering over the Government House in Makurdi, Governor Suswam said the bats had been there even before the state was created and had not caused any problem.
“The bats have been here before Aper Aku became governor and we have not had any case of Ebola in the state. Even those who eat bats, so long as they cook it well, I don’t think it can cause any problem for them,” he said.
FCT
The Chairman, Black Creations International, a Pan African
trade and investment organisation based in the United States, Dr Joseph Brown-Diogo, says the organisation has discovered a rock with a replica of Nigeria’s physical map.
He said in a statement in Abuja last Tuesday that the rock was discovered on July 7, 2013 by a team called the “Destination Nigeria”, sponsored by the organisation.
Brown-Diogo claimed that “the spectacular rock formation in Rayfield Jos, Plateau State, depicts the geographical map of Nigeria. This eighth wonder of nature signifies nature’s replica of God’s divine plan for Nigeria, displayed on a rock formation of more than 10,000 years old”.
He said the organisation had named it “Unity Rock” with a view to solidifying the unity of Nigeria and packaging it as a potential tourist site that could boost Nigeria’s image and generate income for the tourism sector.
Kebbi
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an NGO, last
Tuesday said it would train 5,000 rice farmers in Kebbi State on modern methods and technology of rice production.
The Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, said in Birnin Kebbi that the training was part of the NGO’s efforts to boost commercial rice production and contribute to food security in the country.
He said the association had shortlisted farmers from Bagudo, Suru, Jega, Bunza and Argungu Local Government Areas as potential beneficiaries of the training.
Augie said after the training, the NGO would provide farmers with improved seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, water pumping machines and qualified extension workers, among other logistics support.
He called on the selected farmers to make judicious use of the knowledge they would acquire from the training and commended the NGO for choosing Kebbi as one of the two states to host the pilot programme.
Kwara
Tragedy struck, yesterday morning in Ilorin, when a Pastor
who was a volunteer member of his Community Development Association, was drowned in a flood while creating pathway for the water’s free flow in front of his house. The over 10-hour rain in the state capital started about midnight lasting till about 11am, yesterday.
The deceased, according to residents in Kilanko area of the state capital, where the incident happened, used to create water channels whenever there was such heavy rain.
The pastor whose name was yet to be ascertained at press time, was going about his past time when he slipped and fell into the gutter and the flood carried him away. Unfortunately, there was nobody to rescue him.
It was when the rains subsided some 30 minutes later that the residents discovered that the pastor was missing. A search party was quickly set up which later found him dead inside a gully, about 500 metres from his house. Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident. He said his remains had been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, morgue.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government has started compiling a
comprehensive list of all persons who may have had contact with the female doctor infected with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The doctor contracted the disease from the Liberian national, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, when she battled to save his life at the First Consultants Medical Centre, a Lagos-based hospital, before his death two weeks ago.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday in Lagos, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said the contact tracing was part of measures to contain the spread of the dreaded virus.
Idris, who addressed the conference alongside his Special Duties counterpart, Dr. Wale Ahmed, urged members of the public to be vigilant and careful in relating with people who are facing health challenges.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has returned N495,000 recovered from an alleged 75-year-old fraudster, Alhaji Aliyu Yahaya, in Ringim Local Government Area of the State, to the owners.
The suspect, alleged to have defrauded 11 unsuspecting graduates who wanted to work as task force officers with the state government, was arrested by officers of NSCDC following a tip off.
The suspect had confessed during interrogation that the money he collected was remitted to one retired police officer in Kaduna State after taking his commission of N5,000 per person.
The Jigawa Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Mohammed Gidado, said the suspect would face prosecution and warned that extortion of the people would not be tolerated in the state.
Nasarawa
The Minority Leader, Nasarawa State House of Assembly,
Mr. Tanko Maikatako, says President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts to amicably settle the dispute between the lawmakers and Governor Umaru Al-Makura were rejected.
“The President’s efforts toward peace were not successful due to selfishness among the lawmakers,” Maikatako, a member of the All Progressives Congress, who represents Lafia Central Constituency, said last Wednesday in Lafia.
According to him, Jonathan had appealed to the lawmakers to opt for dialogue rather than impeaching Al-Makura, but that the legislators insisted on removing the governor.
“The President met with us and appealed to us to go back and meet with the governor to iron out the issues, but the members refused.We don’t know why it happened that way. If the President himself, the PDP leader in the country, appeals to his colleagues to return to Nasarawa, meet the governor to iron out issues, they should have come back,” he opined.
Osun
Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola sealed
yesterday his renunciation of the People Democratic Party (PDP), which he urged the people to reject at the poll on Saturday.
Oyinlola, now of the APC, was all smiles as he danced and sang at the party’s rally ahead of the governorship election. He said the electorate should not vote PDP’s candidate Iyiola Omisore.
Clad in complete All Progressives Congress (APC) customised agbada at the party’s mega rally at Osogbo Township Stadium, the former governor said there was no project the ruling party at the federal level had executed in Osun to deserve the people’s vote.
In a speech brimming with anecdotes, Oyinlola, an Okuku prince, swore with sanctity of the royal crown to further authenticate his claims, as he tasked would-be voters to cast their votes wisely.
Oyo
Head of Service of Oyo State, Mr Williams Adesoji Eniade,
whose appointment was recently approved by the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has resumed duties. Eniade was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youths and Sports.
Eniade appointment was made public by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo. He succeeded Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu.
Born on April 31, 1959, Eniade obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Ibadan in 1981 and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1997.
Eniade, a 2012 graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, joined the services of the Oyo State Government on February 8, 1983 as Administrative Officer II and rose through the ranks to become a Permanent Secretary on July 3, 2009.
Congratulating him on the appointment, Governor Ajimobi charged him to discharge his duties with integrity dedication, diligence and professionalism.
Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud (right), with Emir of Ringim, Alhaji Sayyadi Mahmoud, during his visit to the Emirate over flood disaster last Sunday.
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
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.
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.
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