Nation
THE STATES
Governor Ibrahim Dank Wambo of Gombe State (middle), Inaugurating the Inuwa orphanage Foundation in Gombe last Wednesday. With him are the Acting Secretary to the State government, Mr James Pisaghi (left)and the immediate past Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly and Alhaji Inuwa Garba (right).
Adamawa
Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa (APC-Yola South) has emerged
as the Speaker, of the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
Mijinyawa, nominated by Abdulrahman Abubakar (APC-Mubi South), polled 17 votes, while his opponent, Alhaji Rufai Umar (APC- Gombi), who was nominated by Mallam Hammanjoda Umar (APC-Jada/Mbulo), scored eight votes.
Mr Sunday Peter (APC- Guyuk), was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker following non-secondment of Mrs Sodomti Tayedi (APC- Numan), who was nominated to contest the position with him.
Addressing the House after taking oath of office, Mijinyawa thanked members of the Assembly for electing him as speaker.
Mijinyawa, therefore, urged members to support him to move the state forward.
Borno
The Borno State chapter of the Trade Union Congress
(TUC) last Monday urged Governor Kashim Shettima to redeem his pledge of employing 500 people into the state civil service.
Alhaji Ali Grema, the TUC Chairman in the state, told newsmen in Maiduguri that priority should be given to youth empowerment and the security challenges in the state.
He advised the government to rehabilitate its industries to create employment opportunities for the youth in the state.
“We have industries that can generate up to 300,000 jobs for the youth.
“That is why we are calling on the state government to focus on reviving the industries like Borno State Hotel, Neital Shoe Company and Borno Investment Company,” he said.
Ekiti
A 40-year-old man, Banji Adebayo, charged with con
spiracy and armed robbery, has been remanded in Olokuta Prison by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, with others still at large, were alleged to have robbed one Mr Afolabi Adeniyi, of different types of cell phones, cash, laptop and other items, all valued at N4.98 million.
The Magistrate, Mr Sunday Adedapo, ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Pelumi Adejuwon, had told the court that the accused person, armed with dangerous weapons , robbed the victim of different types of cell phones, valued at N1 million.
Adejuwon also said that the accused snatched MTN, GLO, Airtel and Etisalat recharge cards, valued at N1 million; Acer laptop valued at N53,000 and N825,000 cash.
Jigawa
Female beneficiaries of the National Directorate of Em
ployment (NDE) in Jigawa State have commended the agency for its skills acquisition training for women.
The beneficiaries made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
One of the beneficiaries who gave her name as Fadila Muhammad, said the gesture would help the women to be self-reliant.
She added that it would also reduce the level of dependence by wives on their husbands.
Another beneficiary, Hafsat Garba, said: “We thank God and NDE for this training.”
Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reduced
the number of ministries in the state from 19 to 13 for effective service delivery.
The information is contained in a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, the Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), to the governor in Kaduna last Tuesday.
The statement which said that the governor also reduced the number of commissioners to be appointed to 13, noted that the development was in continuation of El-Rufa’I’s efforts to cut the cost of governance in the state.
“El-Rufai decided to reduce the number of commissioners to only 13 as against the 24 appointed by the immediate past administration.
The governor will also limit the number of aides that the 13 commissioners will recruit to support them in the discharge of their duties,” it said.
Kano
The Kano State chapter of the Federation of Muslim
Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) has appealed to leaders at all levels to assist the needy as part of service to humanity.
The FOMWAN Chairperson in Kano State, Hajiya Sa’adatu Hashim, made the call during a one-day seminar it organised with the theme “Service to Humanity (Path to Aljannat)” in Kano last Monday.
Hashim said the call was to alleviate the sufferings of the less-privileged in the society, pointing out that “anybody who assists the poor will be replenished by Allah.
The chairperson then urged women to register with the organisation with a view to rendering service to humanity.
She said the Association has branches in all the 44 local government areas of the state, stressing that its activities centred on the propagation of Islam.
Lagos
Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos
last Tuesday dismissed the suit seeking to vacate Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Mbu Joseph Mbu over his alleged abuse of power.
In his ruling, Buba said no court in Nigeria could declare the office of a police officer of the rank of AIG vacant, saying that such action was the responsibility of the Nigeria Police.
“If any threat is made against any person, it is the duty of the police to investigate and punish the officer who made it accordingly, even if it is an AIG.
“No court in Nigeria can declare the office of such officer vacant; it is the duty of the police, “he said.
Buda said that the case of the plaintiff had no merit and was therefore dismissed.
Nasarawa
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa
State, said last Monday that it has entered into partnership with the Keffi Local Government Council to tackle health challenges of rural populace.
Dr Joshua Giyan, FMC Medical Director, made the disclosure in Keffi when Alhaji Mohammed Dikko, the council Chairman, visited the centre.
Dikko was represented by his vice, Mr Joseph Maiwada.
Giyan said that the collaboration was to tackle the health challenges of the rural dwellers and to ensure quality healthcare service at the grassroots.
Giyan restated the commitment of the centre to continue to initiate policies that would improve on the welfare of its staff and people of the state.gun
Ogun
No fewer than 500 persons benefitted annual free eye
surgery jointly organised by Ogun State Government, Indo Eye Care Foundation and Rotary International.
The Permanent Secretary, state Hospitals Management Board, Mrs Modupe Olurin, made this known at the General Hospital, Abeokuta.
She explained that the event was aimed at giving succour to indigent citizens of the state who were victims of cataract and could not afford the cost of the operation.
Osun
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
(JUSUN), Osun State Chapter, have refused to resume work after State Chairman, Mr Dapo Oseni, called-off the five-month old strike last Monday.
sources said that magistrate and customary courts in Ile-Ife remained closed last Tuesday.
Oseni had directed the workers to go back to work, as Governor Rauf Aregbesola had pledged to pay JUSUN and other workers their salaries.
But the workers insisted that they would not resume duty until their salaries were paid.
A senior staff, Mrs Yemi Owolabi, who spoke with newsmen confirmed that they could not resume work while being owed seven months salary arrears.
“The ongoing strike by the members would not be called off until last penny of our salaries is paid,” she said.
JUSUN began their strike on January 5, to compel the government to obey a court order that affirmed financial autonomy of states’ judiciary.
Plateau
The Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese in Plateau
State, Most Rev. Michael Gokum, has donated items worth over N2.5 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in Pankshin and nearby areas.
The donation was made through the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the diocese and was supported by the Catholic Caritas Commission.
The main beneficiaries of the gesture were persons displaced from the North-East and are taking refuge in Kanem and Kanke local government areas of the state.
He also said that the gesture which was for all Christians was a show of love, concern and to identify with the IDPs.
The Archbishop assured the IPDs that their stay at the various camps was temporary as government was intensifying efforts to ensure that peace returned to their original abodes.
Taraba
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has approved
N8.5 million for the overhaul of the Jalingo water plant to ensure potable water supply in the metropolis.
Mr Sylvanus Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the governor had mandated the Taraba Water Supply Agency to immediately commence work on all faulty water pipes in the capital.
“The governor’s concern is informed by the acute water scarcity in the town, which has forced residents to find alternatives in unsafe water sources that are hazardous to community health, it said.
The statement urged all officials responsible for carrying out the project to be diligent, adding that government would not tolerate any form of laxity.
It further stated that government was committed to providing essential services to the people of the state in the months ahead.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
