Nation
THE STATES
Senate President Bukola Saraki (left) welcoming the British High Commissioner, Mr Andrew Pocock who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja last Friday .With them are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (2nd left) and Sen. Dino Melaye.
Benue
Some farmers in Benue State have urged the state gov
ernment to establish marketing boards in order to check excesses of middlemen who buy off their farm produce.
They told newsmen in Makurdi that they are suffering in the hands of such middlemen, who offer them peanuts for their produce.
A rice farmer, Mr Bernard Yuhe, said such marketing boards would help curtail the excesses of middlemen who were bent on short-changing farmers.
He noted that the activities of middlemen had discouraged farmers from embarking on large scale farming because they were not getting the desired monetary value for their farm produce.
Mrs Cecilia Atim, a groundnut farmer, said they faced enormous challenges in the hands of middlemen, who buy off their produce to re-sell to major marketers outside the communities.
Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) said on Thursday that it had commenced distribution of drugs in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri.
The agency said this was part of its efforts to enhance the living conditions of the displaced persons.
The NEMA Information Officer in the North-East, Mallam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Ibrahim said that the Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, conducted the distribution of the items in all the 22 IDPs camps in Maiduguri, on behalf of the Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi.
Ibrahim said that NEMA was also collaborating with Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders to ensure adequate welfare for IDPs.
FCT
The Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action
(PRAWA), an NGO, has called for proper rehabilitation and empowerment of prison inmates in order to evolve a better and safer society.
The Executive Director of PRAWA, Mrs Uju Agomoh, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Agomoh, who decried prison congestion in Nigeria, stressed the need for the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) to do more in prison de-congestion by rehabilitating inmates in line with international best practice.
She called for the expansion and upgrading of the NPS vocational skills acquisition programme for inmates so as to serve as a source of empowerment for them.
She said apart from the rehabilitation of inmates, there should be adequate focus on training and capacity building for prison officials, police officers and other stakeholders in the criminal justice sector.
Jigawa
The Fulbe-Fulako Association of Nigeria, a Fulani so
cial group, said on Wednesday that it had concluded arrangements to plant 2.5 million neem seedlings to combat desertification in Jigawa.
Alhaji Y’au Muhammad, the National Vice Chairman of the association, made this known while briefing newsmen on the activities of the association in Dutse.
Muhammad said the exercise would be conducted in all nomadic settlements across the 27 local government areas of the state, adding that the initiative was part of the association’s corporate social responsibility in the state.
He said the association would employ casual workers from among nomadic children to be responsible for the growth of the seedlings.
Kaduna
A total of 114 condemned inmates at Kaduna Central
Prison, the Controller, Mr Abubakar Garba, said in Kaduna.
Garba made the disclosure when Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State visited the prison at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The controller said that 11 of the condemned inmates, including a woman, were from Kaduna State.
He, however, appealed to the governor to commute the death sentence of the 11 inmates to life imprisonment in line with section 212 of the Constitution.
The controller expressed concern that over 800 out of the 1,000 inmates were awaiting trial at the prison constructed since 1915 meant for only 547 prisoners.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said
that the policy thrust of his administration would be centered on community development.
Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, made this known at the Lagos House, Alausa during a meeting with members of the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Development Committees (CDC) in the state.
He said that his administration would give back government to the communities.
The Governor also appreciated the contributions of the Neighbourhood Watch members to the maintenance of law and order in the communities.
He said that there was need for them to embark on self-appraisal in order to ensure that the members live up to the expectations of the public.
Nasarawa
Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Suleiman Dikko, has
appealed to Governor Umaru Al-Makura to give urgent attention to the welfare of retired judges in the State.
Dikko made the appeal at a Valedictory Special Court Session in honour of retired and late superior judges in the state.
Dikko added that the welfare of judiciary staff would not have been a problem if the judicial arm of the government in the state was given financial autonomy.
He, however, promised to put machinery in place to reposition the judiciary in order to ensure speedy administration of justice in the state.
Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lafia Branch, Mr Gabriel Akaka, prayed for the retirees and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has re
iterated his administration’s commitment to ensure environmental protection and cleanliness in the state.
Mimiko stated this while speaking with newsmen after a road walk to celebrate the World Environment Day (WED) with the state executive members in Akure.
The road walk began from Government House in Alagbaka en route Oba Adesida road and terminated at the Cathedral junction in the state.
The governor said that his administration would ensure that Akure, the Ondo State capital, remained the cleanest city in the country.
He said that the road walk became important to sensitise the people on the need to keep their environment clean and protect it, especially major roads and streets.
Mimiko further commended the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sola Ebiseni, and his team for their commitment to the sustainability of the cleanliness of Akure and other towns in the state.
Oyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in a combined six hours joint operation has raided and destroyed 24 hectares of cannabis plantation in Oyo state.
The joint operation was conducted by operatives from the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Others were the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Oyo State Ministries of Natural Resources and Forest Reserve.
The operatives invaded and destroyed the illicit plantation at Seriki Centre of the Gambari Forest Reserve.
The NDLEA’s state Commander, Mrs Faboyede Omolade, described the operation as a major break through which would greatly impact on the fight against drug abuse.
Omolade said: “By June 28, the NDLEA will observe the United Nations Day Against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse.
Plateau
A don of the University of Jos, Prof. Chikaike Ogbonna
of the Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos, has advised poultry farm owners to keep their environments clean to avoid the spread of Zoonotic.
Speaking at the 70th inaugural lecture of the University he said that Zoonoses were age long threats to human existence.
According to him, Zoonotic are diseases that are naturally and primarily transmissible from animal to humans.
The don said human beings who were in contact with animals on a daily basis were prone to the disease.
Ogbonna noted particularly that poultry farms in Nigeria were indiscriminately and widely spread both in rural and urban communities.
He said those engaged in this business have little or no knowledge on skills for bio-safety, saying that this was reason Avian Influenza had become one of the deadliest pandemic in human history.
Taraba
Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mutum-
Biyu, Taraba State, have called on the Federal and State Government to provide security for them to return home.
Malam Yusuf Akata, the spokesperson of the IDPs, told newsmen in Mutum-Biyu, near Jalingo, that they were tired of staying in the camp.
Akata said more than 2,500 people were forced out of Wukari in January. 2014, following series of attacks on the town.
He said life was increasingly becoming unbearable for them due to lack of basic facilities at the camp.
Akata also said that their children had been out of school for more than a year, adding that they had lost many of their relations to common illness due to lack of access to medical care.
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.
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
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