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THE STATES

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Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, chieftain of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, the Ekiti State chapter of the party as well as a group, the Strategic Team, were yesterday among the persons and groups that congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for his r-election.
In separat statements, Tinubu, Yuguda and the groups commended Aregbesola over the outcome of the last Saturday gubernatorial election in the State, describing it as the collective wish of the people of the state and defeat over tyranny.
Yuguda’s commendation was also coming at the time the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani –Kayode gave kudos to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore and other members of the party for putting up a remarkably strong appearance at the election.
In a statement yesterday, the former minister conceded victory to the incumbent governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, of the APC, but said the defeat would not deter him, Omisore and his party from working for a better Nigeria.

Borno
The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta,
who was abducted last Tuesday after his town was attacked and captured by Boko Haram insurgents, has appeared in public after escaping from the insurgents’ den.
The emir who was held hostage in Mandara Mountains of Gwoza hills by the insurgents with some of unspecified number of his subjects, was said to have escaped captivity  Sunday night due to heavy rainfall which allowed for relaxed watch from their abductors in the hills.
According to military sources in Maiduguri, the emir and one of his district heads also held captive were able to escape with others to Madagali in Adamawa state.

FCT
The Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council
(JCNC), Ministry of Aviation has urged the Aviation Minister, Mr Osita Chidoka, to collaborate with the sector’s workers for efficiency.
The Chairman of the Council, Mr Hector Nnadi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nnadi said the collaboration would help the minister to consolidate achievements of his predecessor.
He said there was the need for synergy between the minister and workers’ leadership for the development of the aviation sector.
“As for the industry and the union, we expect consolidation. We expect that he begins to consolidate on what his processor had achieved because governance is a continuous process.

Kebbi

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an NGO,
recently 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.
Lagos
Lagoa State House of Assembly has confirmed the
appointment of Hon. Justice Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade as the new Chief Judge of Lagos State.
Atilade, 62, was confirmed following a satisfactory showing at a screening on the floor of the House last Monday.
Ruling on the motion of her confirmation, Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji directed the Clerk to convey the message of confirmation to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN).
Following Atilade’s recommendation by National Judicial Commission (NJC), Fashola had nominated her to replace retired Justice Philips, Atilade’s elder sister.

Ogun
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun
has approved an across the board reduction of school fees in all state-owned tertiary institutions.
In the new school fees regime, which will take effect from the 2014/2015 academic session, some students will pay 61 percent less than they are currently paying, while some others will be paying as low as N29,700.
The reduction was arrived at after extensive deliberation between government, leadership of the various Students’ Unions and heads of the institutions.
Also, the new school fees regime has abolished the indigene/non-indigene dichotomy as all students offering the same course and the same level will pay the same fees.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State says it is
high time the government checked illegal movement of people into the country to curtail the Ebola virus threat.
Our correspondent reports that a lot of Nigerians are becoming aware of the Ebola virus as they are taking precautions to ensure they do not contract it.
“We are fearful about our area because we are close to the forest and we have direct contact with animals, the government should send researchers to confirm that the Ebola virus disease is not in Chibok. “We need the help of the government because one cannot be too sure, probably enlightenment campaigns on the diseases,” he said.
In Benin, the level of awareness of residents about the dreaded Ebola virus seems to be high as bush meat sellers’ record low patronage.
Osun
The governorship candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said that his loss at the Saturday election is due to the malpractices perpetrated by a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state.
Omisore, who said this in a statement last Monday, claimed that although the REC was replaced shortly before the election, he had done enough damage to ensure victory for Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress.
He expressed gratitude to the people of the state who supported and showed him love before, during and after the election.
Aregbesola was declared the winner of the poll with a total votes of 394, 684 while Omisore came second with 292,747 votes.

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’s 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.

Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, has
warned the Muslim community against the consumption of monkeys and bush meat to avoid contracting the dreaded Ebola virus.
Abubakar noted that since it was first confirmed medically that the disease was discovered in monkeys and fruit bats, it would be reasonable for Muslims to avoid such, including other sources of bush meat.
A statement on behalf of the Sultan by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, in Kaduna on Tuesday said, “As confirmed by medical experts, the disease was first discovered in monkeys and contacted by those who eat monkeys and other sources of bush meat. Alas, in Islam eating of monkeys had already been discouraged (Makruh), according to many scholars of Islamic jurisprudence.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left), with former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, at the inter-faith Conference  in Abuja, yesterday.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left), with former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, at the inter-faith Conference in Abuja, yesterday.

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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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Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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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

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TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

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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.

Akujobi Amadi

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