Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Supporter of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari,
identified as Abubakar Duduwale , has set for a walk from Yola in Adamawa to Abuja.
He told newsmen in Yola on Saturday at the onset of the walk that the adventure was to express his joy over the emergence of Buhari as president-elect.
Duduwale, from Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa and Chamba by tribe, reportedly began the journey at Yola Gate on Yola-Numan highway at about 6:30 a.m.
He said he had wanted to start the journey a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Buhari as a winner but somebody from Lagos pre-empted him.
“The reason why I am trekking from Yola to Abuja is to express my joy and solidarity with President -elect Muhammadu Buhari.
“I want to trek from Yola to Abuja to witness the inauguration ceremony of President elect, Duduwale said.
Borno
The Borno State Government has warned residents
in the state capital to desist from tapping electricity from street lights using generators.
The warning is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Baba Sanda, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Works.
The statement described the spate of vandalism and illegal connection of electricity in Maiduguri as disturbing and called on the people of the state to stop the trend.
“In spite of the concerted efforts being made to stop the illegal act, it has continued.
“That is why we have intensified efforts and patrol to ensure that anyone caught in the act faces the wrath of the law,’’ the statement said.
It also said that measures had been put in place to deal with persons caught tampering with all government facilities in the state.
FCT
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday
said it would take stringent measures to check the activities of scammers that were swindling unsuspecting job seekers of large sums of money.
Mr Gboyega Fola-Kayode, Special Assistant to the Comptroller-General of the service, Mr David Parradang, said this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Fola-Kayode, who spoke for the comptroller-general, was reacting to a case of job scam reported by one of the 2015 recruitment applicants.
He said Parradang condemned the incident, saying that a lot of Nigerians had been swindled of large sums of money by scammers with promise of fake employment into various agencies and parastatals of government.
Kano
Kano State Task Force Sanitation Committee, has
shut down the Unguwa Uku slaughter house in Kano due to very poor sanitary condition.
Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, told newsmen that the action was taken after “several warnings over the past few months”.
Abbas who doubled as the State Commissioner for Environment said two local governments were responsible for the slaughter house.
Abbas, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Bello Bari, explained that the committee had written to Kumbotso and Tarauni local councils to reconstruct drainage at the abattoir but were yet to comply.
He said that the present drainage was done without expert advice.
The committee said that the slaughter house was closed to safeguard the lives of residents.
Katsina
Katsina State Governor-elect, Aminu Masari has
promised to provide free education and healthcare services for the benefit of orphans in the state.
Masari made the promise in Katsina on Saturday while donating food items to the Katsina Orphanage Home.
He said that his administration would continue to feed the orphans free of charge on a daily basis.
The governor-elect said that the gesture was part of his efforts to improve the living condition of people in the state, particularly the less privileged in the society.
“My administration will do everything possible to cater for the need of such children so that they will grow up to be responsible people in the society.
Kebbi
Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)
in Kebbi State on Friday elected Malam Murtala Usman, as the new Chairman at its triennial delegates conference held in Birnin Kebbi.
The Returning Officer for the conference, Mr Kafas Dogonyaro, said that Usman polled 603 votes against the incumbent Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Kao’je, who garnered 437 votes.
The other officials elected as ex-officio included Malam Samaila Sawwa, Malam Aminu Kangiwa and Malam Abubakar Danladi.
Dogonyaro also announced that other officials of the NLC that were returned unopposed included Malam Yunusa Musa,Vice Chairman; Malam Tasiu Lawal,Vice Chairman; Malam Umar Kalidu, Treasurer and, Malam Abubakar Umar, Auditor.
Kaduna
The Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, has advised
the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen anti corruption laws in the country to make it easier to prosecute offenders.
The Managing Director of the foundation, Justice Mamman Nasir, made the appeal at a news conference in Kaduna.
Nasir said fighting corruption would require laws that would make it difficult for people to be corrupt and easier to prosecute.
Nasir, who is also a former president, Court of Appeal said, “Our laws must make corruption difficult to perpetuate but easy to logically prosecute persons accused of corruption.”
He also called for the strengthening of the nation’s security forces to make them well informed and committed to protecting the country’s constitution.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government on Friday said it res
cued no fewer than 62 babies abandoned across the state in the last one year.
The Permanent Secretary in the Office of Youths and Social Development, Dr. Adesegun Oshinyinka, gave the figure at a news conference in Ikeja.
He said that 34 of the babies were male, while 28 were female.
The permanent secretary said that the babies had been taken to some registered orphanages where they were being given adequate care.
Ondo
The Ondo Government has banned the production
and consumption of locally-made gin, commonly called ‘ogogoro‘ in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Akinyanju, announced this at a news conference in Akure on Saturday.
The commissioner attributed the ban to the outbreak of an unknown disease two weeks ago in Irele Local Government Area of the state.
“Our clinical analysis reveals the fact that there were no known viruses, while toxicology reports have confirmed our prime suspicion of methanol poisoning.
“We have reviewed our strategies and embarked on sensitisation to let people know that locally-made gin is prohibited.
Osun
Assemblyman Busola Adeyeni representing Ife-East
in Osun has pleaded with Nigerians who are living in other countries to invest in their country.
He made the plea in an interview news on Saturday in Ile-Ife.
Adeyeni expressed concerns about the attitudes of some Nigerians abroad who, somewhat, abandoned and neglected their home country just for mere luxury of living.
He also urged them to always come home to celebrate annual festivals which he said could give them the opportunity to interact and make investment plans.
“It is not a crime to be a sojourner in a foreign land but it is a crime not to have a foresight for the future,’’ he said.
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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