Nation
THE STATES
Benin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor
Osayuki Oshodi, resumed work Monday after almost three months absence due to ill health.
It would be recalled that Prof Oshodin, until yesterday, was last seen in the institution’s campus in May, fuelling speculations about his health and calls for the appointment of a successor.
Amidst such speculation, Prof Oshodin, who wore a grey suit, yesterday made a surprise appearance at the institution’s Senate building at about 11:00 a.m. to attend a meeting of the appointment and promotion board of the university amidst shouts of joy by senior staff of the university who welcomed him.
Meanwhile, three associations in the university’s branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) Monday berated calls by some sections in the university for the appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor for the institution because of the absence of Prof Oshodin.
SSANU, NAAT and NASU, who were represented at a press briefing at the institution by Comrade John Osaretin Alile, Comrade S.M. Momoh and Joel Idonije respectively, noted that it smacked of mischief for anyone to claim that the absence of the vice-chancellor had created tension and slowed down activities within the university.
Ekiti
The current wave of policy change across some states
controlled by the All Progress Congress (APC) has been attributed to the defeat suffered by the party in the June 21 governorship election.
The Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye who spoke yesterday, commended the people of Ekiti State for “liberating Yoruba people from bondage”.
Adeyeye, who briefed journalists in his Ise-Ekiti country home, said the reversal of tuition fees from over N300,000 to N25,000 by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and the planned review of the ban on Okada in the state was an “act of deceit propelled by the fear of an impending rejection by the people in 2015.”
The minister said he was proud to be part of the June 21 governorship election, which according to him has forced the APC governors to embark on “desperate review of anti-people policies. Ekiti people can now hold their heads high having liberated the South-west from oppression”.
FCT
An Abuja-based group, Service Integrity Group, has faulted
a news report purportedly insinuating that the new Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Danladi Kifas, was not qualified to be appointed into the exalted position because he was allegedly indicted by a probe panel.
A statement issued by the Coordinator of the group, Mallam Sherrif Abdulahi, said: “Our attention was drawn to a news-report purported to insinuate that the new Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi , was indicted by a panel and therefore not qualified to hold public office.
“We affirm that Mr. Kifasi was cleared of any purported indictment as early as March 2006 and was also given clean bill of health by the Attorney General of the Federation in July 2006.
Kano
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy to Governor Rabiu
Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has broken his silence over his ambition to govern Kano after 2015, saying he is interested in the guber-race.
Ganduje during a meeting with Kano Correspondents Chapel Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said his willingness to subject himself to succeed his boss, if given the chance was borne out of his large wealth of experience and urge to build on the gigantic legacies of Governor Kwankwaso.
Ganduje, however, stated that he would be willing to wait until the Kwankwasiyya political movement of the Kano All Progressive Congress (APC) decides who will carry the flag.
Ours is a party that has just been put in place. The APC it is a merger party. So, I will urge you to wait until the time when there will be news or no news. I am interested, but I have not declared, we are still consulting, Ganduje added.
Kebbi
The office of the Permanent Secretary at the Government
House in Birnin Kebbi was gutted by fire yesterday.
Sources at the Government House told our reporter that the incident which occurred at about 4:40pm affected files and documents inside the permanent secretary’s office. An official said there was no injury or loss of life.
“The Head of Civil Service, Alh Baballe Umar Yauri, just visited the scene and a committee will be set up to investigate the cause of the fire. He will also talk to the press later,” he said. Unconfirmed sources said the fire was caused by an electrical surge.
Kogi
The traditional ruler of Itoduma community in Ibaji Local
Government Area of Kogi State, Ogah Attah, David Ademu Onate, has called on Governor Idris Wada to provide the community with electricity.
Chief Onate made the call yesterday in an interview with newsmen at Itoduma community, shortly after a reception organized in his honour.
Onate said “people of the area had been fighting for an autonomous traditional ruler, and that now that they had gotten one, they would now fight for development.
Onate, who was crowned on October 14, 2013 by Attah Igala, Michael Ameh Oboni 11, called on the people to remain peaceful and united.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended,
Tanko Tunga, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker for six months.
Our correspondent reports that Tunga was suspended for violating the Assembly’s rules.He was also accused of attempting to snatch the mace and insulting his colleagues.
Tunga has been placed on half salary for the duration of his suspension.
Also, the state house of assembly directed its Clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to write the National Judicial Council (NJC) reporting Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, for violating Section 188.
Niger
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) will
train 8,000 professional welders with a view to replacing expatriates working in similar capacity in the oil and gas industry.
Executive Secretary of PTDF, Mr. Femi Ajayi, said this yesterday while flagging off an entrepreneurship development training programme for trainees of the welders in Minna, Niger State.
”The skills gap audit and several reports since 2011 have identified fabrication as the area with the highest potential for Nigerian content development. Yet, it is one in which the least capacity development has been recorded over time.
Ondo
Many more lives in the Niger Delta region would be
touched through the programme and projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) as its funding improves.
The Ondo State Representative on the Governing Board of the Commission, Barrister Benson Amuwa, said this while speaking at the flag- off of the Free Medical Programme in Igbobini, Ese Odo Local Government Area and Igo, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
During the programme, which was organised in collaboration with Universal Medical Foundation and Pro-Health International, over 6,000 residents of the riverine communities of Ondo State received free medical services.
Barr. Amuwa urged the people to cooperate and support the medical teams to work effectively, promising that NDDC is determined to bring healthcare to the doorstep of the people.
Oyo
Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja,
has decried the omission of his name on the voters’ registration list.
Ladoja expressed his disappointment when he visited Ward 3, Ibadan North Local Government area of the state, where he went to collect his permanent voter card.
Commenting on the development, Publicity Secretary, Accord Party, Dr Nureni Adeniran, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve upon the process, so as not to deny eligible voters their rights.
Adeniran also urged the people yet to register to avail themselves of the opportunity.
Taraba
The Taraba State House of Assembly has resolved to
investigate the N10 billion loan procured in 2012 for the construction of four kilometres roads in each of the 16 local councils of the state.
Charles Maijankai had in a motion told the House that the roads were poorly done and prayed that a committee be set up to investigate utilisation of the funds.
He recalled that the House in 2012 approved the sum of N10 billion for the road projects, which were handled by Taraba State Road Construction Agency (TARCMA) and PW Company.
The motion was seconded by Muhammad Gaayam at a sitting which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Tanko Maikari.
Contributing to debate on the motion, former speaker of the House, Istifanus Haruna Gbana, said the contractors compromised standards in handling the project, adding that those concerned should be summoned.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
