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The Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company
(AUMTC)) says it has concluded plans to improve the safety of its passengers by regularly monitoring its drivers.
Mr Tunde Akintola, the company’s Head of Marketing and Communication, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
Akintola said that the company had improved its customer care services in the interest of passengers.
“We are in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to give daily pep talks to our drivers on the basic tenets of driving.
“We also mandate our drivers to properly check their vehicles every morning before they set out. This is to ensure comfort and safety of our passengers,’’ he said.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has
promised that his administration would deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state next year.
Dankwambo, who made the promise at the 9th Tangale Cultural Festival “Pissi Tangle”, said “I want to assure you that we will continue to do our best and ensure that we provide social amenities for the development of our people’’.
He said his administration would provide comfortable environment for the people and contribute its very best to the development of the state and Nigeria in general.
The governor said by January 2015 more roads would be constructed in the area, adding that the design of the roads had been completed.
He said the state government would also build the Tal General Hospital which he said would cost N1 billion.

Kwara

The President of Living Faith Church (Winners
Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, says the ministry has six million members in 147 nations across the world.
Oyedepo made the disclosure at a breakfast meeting with members of Omu-Aran Government Secondary School Old Boys Association (OGSSOBA) at the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara.
Oyedepo, the Chancellor of Landmark and Covenant Universities and also a member of OGSSOBA, said that the figure was ascertained at the recent convention of the church.
He advised members of old boys association to rededicate themselves to arresting infrastructure decay in all colleges and institutions across the length and breadth of the country.
“No amount is too small or too big toward the growth, progress and development of the schools,” he said.
Mr Segun Adeniyi, the newly elected president of the association, described Oyedepo as a living legend of the nation’s education sector.

Lagos

The presidential candidate of the KOWA Party, Prof.
Oluremi Sonaiya, has advised Nigerians to elect candidates of credible character, come 2015.
Sonaiya gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
“Everybody talks; the real issue is who will match their talk with action,’’ she said.
The candidate said political office seekers should have a passion for truth, justice and fairness to all, with the conviction that “righteousness exalts a nation and corruption is a reproach and destroyer”.
According to Sonaiya, intending leaders should be concerned with the issues that have bedeviled the country such as unemployment, decayed infrastructure and poor electricity supply among others.
Nasarawa

Mr Labaran Maku, a former Minister of Information,
has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) one week to correct anomalies in the party’s governorship primary in the state.
Maku gave the warning while addressing youths in Wakama Village of Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
He said that he had already written a petition to the appeal panel set up by the national headquarters of the party challenging the outcome of the primaries.
He mentioned the irregularities that occurred during the primary to include shortchanging of delegates names in many LGAs, intimidation and threatening of delegates, among others.
According to him, the fraud committed in the recent PDP governorship primaries in the Nasarawa state is worse than the one committed at party’s primaries in the state in 2007.

Ogun

A 32-year-old man, Oke Oladipupo, who allegedly
obtained N350, 000 under false pretence, was yesterday docked before a Sango-Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State.
Oladipupo, who lives at No. 21, Daniel St., Iyana-Iyesi in Sango-Ota, is facing trial for allegedly obtaining the money from one Mr Kolawole Soyinka, on the pretext of clearing a car for him.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Mustapha Abdulkareem, said that the accused committed the offence on June 7 at No. 2, C.A.C. St., Ewupe, in Sango-Ota.
Abdulkareem alleged that the accused obtained N350, 000 from the complainant under the pretext of assisting him to clear a car from Lagos Port.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections 319 (a) and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Ogun, 2006.
Osun

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has called for
the sustenance of peace in Modakeke in the Ife East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Aregbesola made the call in a message he sent to the 29th Modakeke Akoraye Day Celebration and launching of N500 million Community Development Fund at Modakeke.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Wahab Adeniji, member, Local Education Authority Board, Modakeke, said peace was imperative for any sustainable development to take place.
“My administration is determined to ensure that infrastructure is provided in every part of the state, including Modakeke,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Tajudeen Oke, the National President of Modakeke Progressive Union, called on the Osun government to provide basic infrastructure in the area.
Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has
inaugurated three committees to devise strategies of ensuring total victory for the APC in the 2015 general elections in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the committees were for campaign , reconciliation and contact.
The 33-man state campaign committee is chaired by Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, a one time gubernatorial candidate of the defunct DPP in the 2011 elections while the APP governorship running mate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, will serve as secretary.
The reconciliation committee is headed by a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Amb. Shehu Wurno, with Dr Yakubu Maccido as Secretary, while the contact committe has the former state chairman of the defunct DPP , Alhaji Umarun Kwabo, as chairman.

Taraba

The PDP Governorship Candidate in Taraba State and
ex-Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Darius Ishaku, has pledged to boost the state’s economy with increased tea production if elected.
Ishaku made the pledge at a news conference shortly after a reception in his honour by supporters and party faithful in Takum recently.
“Taraba is the most resourceful state in Nigeria due to its huge agricultural and mineral resources.
“I want to assure you that coffee production alone can sustain the state’s economy, let alone the entire tea production potential of the state.
“I, therefore, assure the people of the state that I will make use of private partnership to resuscitate the Kakara Tea Factory on the Mambilla plateau.

Zamfara

The Zamfara Co-ordinator of National Directorate of
Employment (NDE), Alhaji Muhammad Alhassan, said that the directorate, under its various programmes, assisted 1,427 people in 2014.
Alhassan told newsmen yesterday  in Gusau that NDE, funded by the Federal Government, was meant to provide employment to the unemployed youths nationwide.
According to him, the Zamfara office of the directorate empowered and employed 1,427 youths under its various programmes, including Graduate Coaching Scheme, Graduate Attachment Scheme and National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS).
The co-ordinator said under the schemes, all the beneficiaries were empowered from January to date.

L-R: Out-going Ambassador of Sebia, Mr Rifat Rondic; President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali,  during the visit of the out-going Ambassador to the Presidential Villa Abuja, recently.

L-R: Out-going Ambassador of Sebia, Mr Rifat Rondic; President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, during the visit of the out-going Ambassador to the Presidential Villa Abuja, recently.

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HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

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In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

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NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

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The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

 

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

 

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

 

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

 

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

 

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

 

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

 

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

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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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