Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

December 17, 2014

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State addresing traders during his visit to Aleshioloye Market which got burnt in Ibadan

Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court has dissolved an 8-
year-old marriage between Mr Victor Ilesanmi and his wife, Omobola.
Ilesanmi, 38, had accused Omobola of threatening his life, lack of respect and failed to take care of their only child.
He also told the court that his wife was responsible for the frequent quarrels in the family.
Omobola, 35, however, denied the allegations, saying that she was giving her husband all the necessary attentions and respect .
She accused her husband of failing to take care of her when she put to bed, adding that her parents catered for her and the child.

FCT

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said
on Friday that the Federal Government had trained more than 3,000 artisanal and small scale miners on mining techniques and mineral processing.
Mr Patrick Ojeka, the Acting Director, Artisanal and Small Miners Department in the ministry, said this in Abuja during an interview with newsmen.
Ojeka said the training was conducted through the ministry’s extension service training programme which started in 2011.
According to him, the training is aimed of ensuring safety during mining in the country.
“More than 300 mining cooperatives have benefited from the extension service. Each cooperative had a minimum of 10 members while some had up to 100 members,’’ he said.

Gombe

The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)
in Gombe State, Dr Adamu Bojude, has called on voluntary organisations to assist the doctors in rendering medical service to patients.
Bojude made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gombe recently.
He said that in spite of the strike by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), doctors had been rendering skeletal service to patients.
The NMA chairman said the doctors could not manage situation alone, adding that it was only the Red Cross that had been assisting them in the hospitals.
He said the number of volunteers was limited, and called on other voluntary organisations to emulate the Red Cross.
Bojude added that doctors could only render service to out-patients at units like the Accident and Emergency units.

Kano

The police have arraigned a 33-year-old man, Idris
Dayyabu, in a Magistrates’ Court in No Man’s Land in Kano, charged with receiving three stolen motorcycles.
The accused, a resident of Brigade Quarters, is facing a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case was reported at Brigade Police Division by one Ibrahim Haruna and Lawal Musa on March 24.
The complainants reported that Dayyabu of Brigade Quarters dishonestly received three motorcycles, which were stolen from them.
The report added that the motorcycles, with registration numbers; XQ96BUK, XB25DAL, XU53GKU valued at N130,000, N120,000 and N90,000 respectively, were altogether valued at N340,000.

Katsina

The Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji
Mannir Talba, said that the state government would partner with Wacot Ltd, an agriculture inputs company, on healthcare delivery to rural communities.
Talba made this known in Faskari at the inauguration of Mairuwa Primary Health Centre, which was renovated and furnished by Wacot Ltd .
The commissioner, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Muhammad Qabasiyyu, commended Wacot Ltd on the initiative, geared toward enhancing public health.
He urged other profit making institutions to emulate the company and enjoined the people of the area to patronise the facility to cater for their basic health needs.

Kwara

A PDP governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Mr
Jani Ibrahim, has described Sen. Sule Ajibola’s victory in the primary election as a victory for democracy in the state.
Ibrahim said this in a congratulatory message to Ajibola in the aftermath of the just-concluded PDP governorship primaries..
According to Ibrahim, “this is a hard-won victory; it is victory for democracy, due process and transparency. It is also victory for all of us who cherish freedom of choice’’.
“On behalf of my family and the Jani Ibrahim Campaign Organisation, I warmly congratulate my brother, Sen. Simeon Ajibola, on his emergence as the flag-bearer of our great party for the 2015 governorship election,” he added.

Kogi

Ademu Halidu, the Kogi State Secretary of All Farm
ers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has said that the fish production level in the state was very low.
Halidu, who is also the Leader of AFAN in Benue and Kogi States, told newsmen in Lokoja that there was a high demand for fish products in the state.
He said that there were factors and challenges limiting the level of production of the fish farms in the state.
According to him, the chemicals needed to treat the ponds are expensive and not readily available, adding that the fish feeds are also very costly.
He noted that the fish farmers were not adequately trained on the methods of application, preservation and fish feeding, in order to get high yields.
“Fish farmers have not been able to receive adequate training on how to manage and run fish farming.
Lagos

A defendant, Okwumo Nwabufor, has told an Igbosere
High Court, Lagos that he never ordered the purchase of the drug, Ryhophnol, that was used to drug the late Cynthia Osokogwu
Nwabufor, 34, spoke while being cross-examined by Mr Chris Obiaka, the counsel to the third defendant in the case, Orji Osita.
“I never asked the third defendant to purchase any drug for me neither did I purchase any drug,’ ’ he said.
Nwabufor is standing trial before Justice Olabisi Akinlade, alongside Olisa Chidera, 24, Osita, 33 and Ejike Ifechukwu, 25.
The men were accused of the July 22, 2012 murder of their Facebook friend, Miss Cynthia Osokogwu, a businesswoman, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos.
Nwabufor also told the court that he had late Osokogwu’s Blackberry phone in his possession because she gave him the phone to repair and sell for her.

Ondo

The Ore Command of Federal Road Safety Commission
(FRSC) has advised motorists to desist from drinking and driving on the highways during the Yuletide.
Mr Kehinde Dahunsi, Unit Commander, said this in Ore while flagging off FRSC campaign with the theme: “Drive to Save a Life’’.
He said that the majority of the road accidents recorded during festivities was caused by drunk driving.
Dahunsi said that accidents were also caused by human errors and urged motorists to always put on their safety belts and avoid speeding.
The commander advised drivers against overloading and overtaking wrongly.

Osun

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday urged Vice-Chan
cellors of Nigerian Universities to strengthen the existing internal security network in their institutions.
Jonathan gave the advice at the 40th Convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun.
Represented by Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of State for Education, Jonathan advised the vice-chancellors to be proactive in maintaining law and order.
He also urged the institution to be security-conscious to detect and arrest the activities of insurgent groups in their various campuses.
“You should strengthen the internal governance structures of the institutions and should create new ones if necessary to make them more sensitive and responsible to the needs and demands of staff, students and other stakeholders,’’ he said.
The president, however, called for dialogue between formal and informal groups in order to promote greater flow of information between staff, students and universities authorities.

Nation

RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.

The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_

The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.

The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.

Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.

Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.

On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.

In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.

Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.

Amadi Akujobi

Nation

Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.

The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.

Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.

He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.

Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.

He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.

Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.

He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.

According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.

He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.

Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.

Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.

“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.

Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.

She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.

By Kevin Nengia

Nation

Etche Group Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The City Boys Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.

Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.

Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.

He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.