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THE STATES

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Borno

The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army yesterday reviewed
the curfew in Maiduguri to cover the period from 7pm to 6am daily.
A statement from Colonel Sani Usman said: “It is now to last from 7 pm to 6 am daily. All must comply with this directive. Anyone found flouting this directive will be arrested, dealt with decisively and prosecuted.”
Before the review, the curfew was taking effect from 9pm.
Though no reason was given for the review, sources said the measure may be related to rumours of impending attacks on Maiduguri.
Benue

Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani has
urged the Tiv people of the state not to panic over power shift to the Benue  South Senatorial District of the state.
Chief Lawani who is aspiring for the governorship seat in the next election made the remark in Kwande local government area of the state during consultation with his Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders and traditional rulers at the weekend.
He noted that, in view of the close affinity between the various groups in the state and for the fact that the people have lived peacefully together for generations, it had become imperative to discard any form of suspicion about power shift to the Idoma speaking area.
“The fears, suspicion and doubts of the people over power shift to Benue south senatorial district are largely unfounded and baseless, as the ethnic groups in the state have lived peacefully together for generations. This is not by accident but by divine act.
“I want to assure that power shift will not affect the inalienable rights of the majority in the state. We will do everything to erase such fears by embracing all groups in the state,” he said.
Ekiti

The Ekiti State government has urged the Peoples Demo
cratic Party (PDP) in the state to focus on ways of ensuring a smooth transition in the state and how to record laudable achievements during the next administration instead of its “campaign of calumny against the present government”.
The Commissioner for Infor-mation and Civic Orientation, Mr Tayo Ekundayo, who gave the advice in Ado-Ekiti, said the PDP in the past couple of weeks has “been churning out lies as part of a sinister plan to generate public disaffection against the Fayemi’s administration”.
The commissioner cited instan-ces of false and misleading reports found to have originated from the PDP camp to include the allegation that the Fayemi administration recruited over 3,000 workers into the state civil service after the June 21 gubernatorial elections.
He said the allegation was far from the truth, adding that 500 mathematics and some core science subjects teachers were recruited in November, 2013, based on existing vacancies while 493 civil servants were recruited in February, 2014, to fill vacant positions.
“In any case, what is wrong in recruiting Ekiti indigenes into the state civil service if there are vacancies and budget provision to take care of such?” he said.

FCT

A female patient on admission in the same hospital with
the late Port Harcourt doctor Sam Enemuo, tested positive to the Ebola virus, bringing the confirmed cases to 16, Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said in Abuja yesterday.
He was speaking at an emergency meeting of the National Health Council.
The minister said the doctor’s wife also showed symptoms of the disease and has since been quarantined.
“It is expected that a few more contacts will develop the disease especially in Rivers State before Nigeria sees the last case of Ebola,” he said.
“While it is encouraging that so far, all confirmed cases of the disease have their roots in the index case, Mr Patrick Sawyer, great vigilance is required particularly at our ports of entry to ensure that we do not have cases of Ebola from other sources other than Sawyer.”

Jigawa

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido yesterday disowned
the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 election by the North West zonal stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday.
Lamido did not personally attend the zonal meeting in Kaduna, but he was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Gumel, who led the state’s delegation that comprised party officials and others.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the zone decided to call on Jonathan to declare his re-election bid as he had achieved a lot for the North West and the country.
But Lamido yesterday said Jigawa State was not part of the endorsement as the communiqué was prepared even before the meeting was held.
The governor, who spoke in Dutse through the deputy governor, added that the president had also not fulfilled his campaign promises to Jigawa and therefore the state had no basis to support his re-election bid.

Kano

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State has
concluded arrangements to formally declare for the presidency in 2015, a reliable source in Kano Government House has confirmed.
The source said Kwankwaso would formally declare his ambition this month.
Our correspondent gathered that the governor who has been at loggerheads with President Goodluck Jonathan is set to contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) so as to confront President Jonathan in the general elections.
Kwara

Intending pilgrims from Kwara State have been warned
against taking illicit drugs to the holy land.
Chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Imam Uthman Olosun, told the intending pilgrims that death penalty awaits anyone caught for drug peddling.
He spoke at the enlightenment programme organised by the board where various agencies including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others were invited to sensitize the intending pilgrims.
The chairman specifically warned pilgrims against going to Hajj with Tramadol tablets, saying the drug has been banned by the Saudi authorities.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the board, Hajia Fatimah Abolore Jimoh, said the intending pilgrims are expected to travel in five batches as soon as the inaugural flight takes off on September 6.
Lagos

Mrs Ganiat Fawehinmi, widow of human rights activ
ist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign his position if he feels he cannot tackle insurgency in Nigeria.
Mrs Fawehinmi made the call in Lagos, at a press briefing organised by the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) to announce activities marking the fifth anniversary of the lawyer’s death. She said “the apparent helpless-ness of the president in the face of continuous bombing and the kidnap of school girls in Borno are enough to demand his resignation”.
“Look at the case of Chibok girls who were kidnapped; if they were the president’s daughters, wouldn’t he have acted? Look at how he acted when a relative of his in-law was kidnapped? He swung into action immediately and the person was found.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday de
nied reports of a fresh plan for another impeachment notice with additional allegations against Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
The House Committee Chair-man on Information, Mohammed Baba Ibaku, told newsmenthat the House had no such plan as reported yesterday.
”An impeachment notice is not told, it is done. If we are compiling fresh allegations against the governor, we will do so. It will not be the media that will urge us to do so with speculations. I don’t want to react to speculations, especially as there are no names mentioned in the report,” Ibaku said.
Osun
A lecturer with the Department of History and Interna
tional Studies in the Osun State University, Mr. Wale Farawe, died yesterday from injuries he sustained in an auto crash a fortnight ago.
The lecturer who was receiving treatment at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Osogbo had gone into comma after the crash which occurred during an excursion with students of the university’s Faculty of Humanities and Culture to the Ayinkunnugba waterfalls in Oke. A student, David Binuyo and the driver of the vehicle died in the crash.

Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad
Abubakar, yesterday harped on the importance of education and need for all well-meaning and wealthy Nigerians to complement the efforts of government in the funding of education.
He said the era was gone when funding of the sector and general infrastructural development of schools at all levels were left to government alone.
The Sultan, who made the call when members of the Federal Government College, Sokoto Old Boys Association, visited him, urged former students of schools at all levels to support their alama matar.

Former Minister of Health, Dr Idi Hong, displaying his form of intention to contest for Adamawa governorship bye election  to his supporters,  before presenting it to the Secretary, PDP Adamawa State Branch, Mr Tahir Shehu (left), in Yola, recently.

Former Minister of Health, Dr Idi Hong, displaying his form of intention to contest for Adamawa governorship bye election to his supporters, before presenting it to the Secretary, PDP Adamawa State Branch, Mr Tahir Shehu (left), in Yola, recently.

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Key Regulators, Asset Owners Impressed With HYPREP’s Milestones

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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.

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Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas

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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

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By: John Bibor
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