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THE STATES

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Borno
The Borno State Police Command said it had put in place
all necessary machinery for peaceful conduct of the February general elections in the state.
The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Clement Adoda, stated at a sensitisation meeting with officials of political parties in the state  that the command was also looking at possibilities of seeking additional personnel from other states to beef up security during the polls.
The commissioner also said that the military could be drafted to provide additional support should the situation degenerate.
“The military is always on standby in every situation. “But if there is the need for the military assistance to civil authority during the elections, be rest assured of our preparedness to invite them,” Adoda said.
He said that the meeting was aimed at enlightening politicians on the need to avoid violence during the polls.

FCT

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have frowned at the
monumental fraud and looting of the oil treasury without significant action to identify, prosecute and punish culprits.
Convener of Protest To Power Movement (P2PM), Mr Jaye Gaskia, made this known in Abuja at a news conference recently.
The conference was jointly organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), P2PM and State of the Union Coalition (SOTU) to mark three years of fuel subsidy protest.
He said treasury looting could not have happened without the collaboration and protection of highly placed political officials.
According to Gaskia, the NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Product Pricing Regulation Agency (PPPRA), Federal ministries of Petroleum and Finance were not left out of the looting.
He said that no official had been implicated or disciplined on this issue.
He said any claim paid on subsidy since the downturn of oil prices in the international market would be regarded as fraudulent payment because the landing cost of fuel had reduced.
According to him, Nigeria is sufficient in producing refined oil in the country but our crude oil is being refined overseas due to corruption.

Kaduna

The Federal Government has said  it had released N3
billion for disbursement to victims of 2011 post-election violence in Kaduna State.
The Vice President, Namadi Sambo made the disclosure at the 40th anniversary of Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, on the throne held at the Emir’s palace, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Sambo, who was represented by Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State, said the money which was already in the coffers of the state government would be disbursed to the affected victims accordingly.
He stressed the need for people to live in peace with one another to enable government at all levels to provide the dividend of democracy to the electorate.
While congratulating the Emir for attaining 40 years on the throne, Sambo attributed the success recorded by the Emirate to patience, fairness, justice and truthfulness.

Kano

The Kano State Government has approved over N17 mil
lion for the purchase of JAMB forms and training of candidates who will benefit from the forms, the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Maliki Umar, said.
Umar made the disclosure in Kano while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council Meeting.
He said the council had also approved over N186 million for the upkeep of public and voluntary schools in the state.
He added that “the council also approved N2.1 million for renovation of dental centre and eye clinic at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.’’
Katsina

The Katsina State Inter-faith Committee has denied the
destruction of a Church in Matazu Local Government Area by the Katsina Urban and Regional Planning Development Authority (KURPDA).
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Isah Dodo stated this in Matazu during a visit to the area.
He said that the committee was mandated by the state government to investigate and ascertain the true picture of the matter.
He explained that the affected area was a pathway between a school and staff quarters of the church.
Dodo further explained that the church decided to fence the school and the staff quarters, thereby, blocking the pathway which had been in existence for more than 20 years.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breed
ers Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended the Kebbi Government for the establishment of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Gwandu said that the new ministry would go a long way to boost livestock and fisheries production in the state.
The statement added that the new ministry would also boost family’s income, generate employment and improve nutrition in-take of the people of the state.

Ondo

The new Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has assumed duty.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Francis Oyabade, led other principal officers and students of the institution to receive Ajibefun at the Senate Chambers where prayers were offered for a successful tenure.
The vice-chancellor, who was accompanied by his wife, Bosede, expressed gratitude to God for the appointmen,t and thanked Governor Olusegun Mimiko for appointing him to serve the state at another level after completing his tenure as the rector of the state polytechnic.
Ajibefun promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by driving the university toward fulfilling the vision and mission of its founding fathers.

Plateau

The Plateau State Head of Service (HOS) Ezekiel Dalyop
has described the biometric of the state workforce as ‘a huge success.’
Speaking with newsmen in Jos, Dalyop said the exercise which commenced in 2012 was tasking.
He said: “As a pioneering exercise, the biometric has not been easy but it has been a huge success in the sense that we have been able to identify clearly those who are genuine workers. “As at the state level, we have almost concluded the entire exercise.
“The report of the appeal panel on the exercise had been reviewed by another committee and has been submitted to the government.
Dalyop said the exercise was aimed at sanitising the state workforce, leave a legacy behind by identifying genuine workers.
“At the first count, we arrived at 11,000 workers certified as genuine, leaving about 6,000 plus workers who needed to answer questions raised by the committee.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State police command in has warned politi
cal parties against the illegal use of sirens.
Spokesman for the Command, DSP Al-Mustapha Sani, gave the warning in a statement in Sokoto on Wednesday, following complaints about the use of sirens by some candidates.
The statement stated that “ in Sokoto State, only the governor, his deputy, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, CP, AIG, the Brigade Commander and the Sultan are legally allowed to use the sirens while on movement. Anyone outside this exclusive list who uses sirens does so illegally and stands to face the consequences according to the laws of the land.”
The statement also warned political parties against moving with youths wielding various types of weapons during their activities

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) has commenced training of 150 teachers on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its applications to education.
Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Kabir Mayanchi, who made the disclosure in Gusau, said the training was to assist the primary and junior secondary school teachers to improve their knowledge of ICT.
He added that the training became necessary considering the fact that majority of primary school teachers in the state lacked basic requirement of computer literacy.
The image maker expressed optimism that the training would enhance the quality of education and boost the acquisition of basic ICT skills by teachers.

 President  Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving letter of credence  from the new Ambassador of Guinea Conakry, Mr Gaoussou Toure, in Abuja recently

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving letter of credence from the new Ambassador of Guinea Conakry, Mr Gaoussou Toure, in Abuja recently

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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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Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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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

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TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

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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

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