Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has advised internally-displaced persons in some local government areas of Adamawa to return to their communities.
The Senior Information Officer of the agency Malam Sani Datti, told newsmen in Yola that peace had been restored in the areas concerned.
Datti said that following the military recapture of some of the local government areas from Boko Haram, NEMA had been able to assess the situation in three local government areas.
He listed the areas to include Gombi, Hong, Mubi North and Maiha.
“The agency is therefore advising those internally displaced persons, especially those from Gombi, Hong and Mubi Local Government Areas to go back to their respective areas.
FCT
The Foundation for the Advancement of Ethics and Val
ues (FAEV) has urged Nigerians to promote ethical and moral values for good governance to thrive in the country, as the general election approaches.
The President of the NGO, Mrs Shimite Katung, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
Katung said that the foundation had collaborated with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Moral Values, to ensure that corruption, crises, violence and other evil acts were curbed.
She said that democracy was incomplete without accountability, transparency and integrity, adding that the organisation would contribute its quota toward the ongoing transformation of the country.
Gombe
The Gombe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS
(GOMSACA) said it had increased the number of Prevention of Mother Child Transmission (PMCT) centres from 185 to 225 in the state.
The Project Managerof the agency, Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, told newsmen in Gombe that the centres were sited across the state.
He explained that the aim was to ensure that every pregnant woman that was tested positive accessed the services provided by the centre.
Abdulkarim said the agency had collaborated with non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations conducting advocacy in brothels to educate commercial sex workers on preventive measures against HIV and AIDS.
“They advise them on the need to use condoms as well as know their status,” he said.
The manager said that a bill on stigmatisation against people living with HIV was pending in the state House of Assembly.
“We are made to understand that most people do not want to come for voluntary counselling and testing.
“But it is very important to know your status, as well as the various preventive measures,” he said.
Kaduna
The President, Environmental Health Officers Associa
tion in Kaduna State, Mr Yandeh Mairiga, has suggested the use of tricycles for refuse evacuation in areas with difficult terrains and populous quarters.
Mairiga made this suggestion in Kaduna while speaking to newsmen recent.
He stressed the need to use tricycles to evacuate waste “in communities that are not easily accessible.”
He opined that this would ensure effective collection of waste from communities, especially in high-density areas, where heavy waste collection trucks might not be able to access.
The president said, “Using trucks would deal with the unhealthy situations in some localities that have become an eyesore in some parts of the state.’’
According to him, most dump-sites in the state are too far from residential areas, thereby making it difficult for residents to evacuate and dispose of their refuse.
Kano
The Dala local government area in Kano State said it
had budgeted more than N6.5 billion for this fiscal year.
The Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after defending his council’s budget at the state House of Assembly in Kano.
He said the council proposed to spend 54 per cent of the budget on capital projects and 36 per cent on recurrent expenditure.
“We also planned to construct six major drains to ensure a healthy environment,’’ he said.
The chairman said further that the council had trained more than 500 women in various vocational skills.
He said,“Since my assumption in office in May last year, the council had initiated a number of empowerment programmes for the people of the area.
Katsina
Avian Influenza, a.k.a. bird flu , has hit some poultry
farms in Katsina leading to the death of over 3,000 birds.
The Vice Chairman, Katsina State Poultry Farmers Association, Alhaji Musa Danhassan, confirmed the outbreak of the disease to newsmen in Katsina
Danhassan said that the farm of one of their members, Alhaji Garba Dalhatu was affected by the outbreak and the man lost over 3,000 birds.
He said that specimen from the affected birds had been taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, where it was confirmed.
The vice chairman disclosed that their association had reported the outbreak to both the state and federal ministries of agriculture about the outbreak of the disease.
Kwara
The PDP deputy governorship candidate in Kwara State,
Alhaji Yinka Aluko, has called on wealthy muslims to imbibe the virtue of righteousness as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed.
Aluko made the call on Friday at the inauguration of a mosque built by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) within the premises of the Ilorin International Airport.
Aluko enjoined clerics to concentrate on the propagation of Islam in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
This, he said, was to eradicate acts capable of undermining peaceful co-existence in the country.
Aluko also charged youths in the state to shun violence, stressing that it was an obstacle to growth and development of democracy.
He also advised parents and guardians to keep close watch on their children and wards.
Lagos
A UK theatre outfit, Hamlet Globe to Globe, will perform
Shakespeare’s historical play, Hamlet, in Lagos on March 4 and March 5 at the MUSON Centre, Victoria Island and St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi.
A statement by the organisers said the Hamlet Globe to Globe tour opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on 23 April 2014, the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.
The event is coming to Nigeria courtesy of the British Council.
Hamlet is scheduled to tour every single country on earth in two years.
It features Nigerian actor, Ladi Emeruwa in the role of Hamlet and is directed by the Globe’s Artistic Director, Dominic Dromgoole.
The Hamlet theatre arrived Africa in January after showing in the U.S.A, Moscow, Mexico, Chile, Poland, St Kitts and Nevis and South America.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has threatened to sanc
tion principals and head teachers found collecting illegal fees in public schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Keffi.
He described unauthorised fee collection in public primary and secondary schools as an act of sabotage by the erring head teachers and principals.
Abdullahi explained that the state government declared free education policy to enable the children of the poor have access to education to better their future and for the overall development of the country.
He said: “In the olden days education was free, government will provide all the necessary and needed facilities for pupils, students from the primary to the higher institutions and there is an enabling environment for teaching and learning”.
Osun
The Provincial Pastor of Living Faith Church in Osogbo,
in Osogbo Pastor Muyiwa Emmanuel, has urged Christians to be faithful in their business dealings with others.
Emmanuel, who said this during a business and career summit said any Christian who aspired to be great in his business and career must learn and practise the virtue of faithfulness.
“Faithfulness has its reward. Unfaithfulness may work for people sometimes, but it does not all the time,’’ the cleric, who read from Luke 19 verses 7 to 26, said.
He urged Christians not to cheat in their dealings but should rather be honest and faithful.
Emmanuel, who decried the manner some Christians cheat in their business dealings, said unfaithfulness does not glorify God and urged Christians to be accountable in their businesses.
He urged Christians to be faithful to God and their fellow men.
“Faithfulness, accountability, generosity, divine guidance and gratitude are the hallmarks of breakthrough in a Christian’s business and career,’’ the pastor said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi, Director, Women Affairs, Mrs Iran Ajufo and representative of UN Women, Kemi Ndiel, at the National Stakeholders’s Consultative meeting on the Status of Women in Abuja yesterday.
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
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