Nation
THE STATES
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.
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.
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
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