Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Bukina-Faso Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Piabe Ndo, Bukina-Faso’s Special Envoy, Mr Rene Bagoro, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Paul Lolo, during the visit of the Special Envoy to the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday.
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has said it had united 5,000 families in Adamawa and Borno States following the liberation of some communities from Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
The Director-General, NEMA, Alhaji Sani Sidi, disclosed this while presenting relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returnees in Uba, Adamawa..
Sidi said the integration programme was initiated by the agency to support displaced persons, who returned to their various villages.
Sidi, represented by Alhaji Sa’ad Bello, NEMA camp coordinator in Adamawa, said the agency would provide necessary assistance to the returnees in parts of the affected states.
He said some of the displaced persons who fled their villages in Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas of Adamawa had returned to their respective villages.
Benue
The Governing Council of Benue State University, has
resolved to take proactive measures to cut down cost for the sustenance of teaching and research in the institution.
The decision is contained in a statement issued by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Prof. Ode Ojowu, made in Makurdi.
The statement quoted Ojowu as saying that contract staff whose tenure had expired would no longer be renewed, except contracts that were based on citizenship or critical needs.
He stated that employment into the university which was not required for accreditation purposes would be suspended forthwith and urged the school management to work out modalities to curtail overhead expenditure.
He said university funds would no longer be used to sponsor foreign trips of staff until further notice and appealed to those concerned to bear the cost.
Ekiti
Worried by the spate of kidnapping, the Ekiti State House
of Assembly, has unanimously passed a resolution calling on security agencies to be more proactive in their duties.
The lawmakers decried the ugly development, urging the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Etok, and other security agencies to ensure that they end the development.
Contributing during plenary, the members called for the enactment of law that would give a stiffer penalty for convicted kidnappers.
Messrs Olusanya Aladeyelu, Samuel Omotoso, Sunday Akinniyi and Gboyega Aribisogan, contributed to the debate.
The House charged members of the public to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any strange movement in and around their environment to security agencies around them.
FCT
The Pan-African Cultural Congresses (PACC) has said that
Africans are optimistic that implementing the continent-wide diversification policy will promote development.
The PACC Chairman, Mr Ferdinand Anikwe, made this know in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Anikwe said that African leaders were aware that extraction and exportation of raw materials would not grow the continent’s economy.
“Most African countries are currently implementing diversification policies to make sure that the extraction and exportation of raw materials do not become the only economic activity driving growth.
“At the Pan African Congress, we encourage positive diversification policies, especially in the area of Culture and Arts as well as other economically viable areas.
Kaduna
A United States-based lecturer, Prof.. Aondover Tarhule,
has urged the management of the Kaduna State University (KASU) to establish a research proposal development centre.
Tarhule made the call on Wednesday in Kaduna while presenting a paper titled, “ Writing a Successful Grant Proposal“ during the university’s Faculty of Science monthly seminar.
Tarhule, Chairman; Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, United States of America, said the centre when established, would address the challenges facing writing research proposals to get approval for funding.
He said international organisations and foreign government agencies are interested in funding researches, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.
Kano
The Kano State Government has approved over N39 million
for clearing of drains in Kano metropolis.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba , announced this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Kano on Thursday.
Garba said the exercise was necessary to prevent possible flooding and to guard against possible outbreak of communicable diseases in the area.
According to him, the council has also approved N61 million for the revalidation of approval in respect of teaching skills programme.
He also said that the state government had approved N18 million for three rounds of polio Immunisation Plus Days campaign in the state.
Lagos
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday,
constituted an eight member Ad Hoc Committee to review the circumstances that led to impeachment of former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro.
This followed an appeal made by the former Deputy Governor in a letter read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mr Ganiyu Abiru.
The ex-deputy governor urged the House to revisit his impeachment in a compassionate manner.
The Clerk also stated that the letter from Pedro was attached with his letter of resignation while leaving office.
Pedro appealed to the 8th Assembly to revisit the impeachment sanction levelled against him by the 5th Assembly in 2007.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has
promised to reconstruct the collapsed federal bridge along Abubakar Burga road in Keffi within two weeks.
Al-Makura made the pledge while inspecting the collapsed bridge.
He appealed to the residents of Keffi and motorists plying the route to be patient, assuring that government is doing everything possible to fix the bridge in order to reduce their hardship.
He said: “Although this is a Federal Government road, my administration is committed to initiate people’s oriented projects in order to better their living standard.
According to him, the reconstruction of the bridge if completed would go a long way in improving the socio-economic activities of the people.
Al-Makura also said that the state government was seriously worried by the hardship being experienced by the people as a result of the collapsed bridge which he said has cut off the city into two.
He added that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that the people of the state enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Sokoto
The United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged
medical personnel in hospitals to continue to partner with community health workers to prevent disease outbreak in the country.
The Sokoto State Incident Manager for UNICEF, Dr Aminu Shehu, made the call on Thursday, in a presentation at a two-day sensitisation workshop organised for media practitioners by the Fund.
He said doctors in hospitals were largely concerned about individual cases brought before them by patients but failed to report same to the disease surveillance units for research and investigation.
He added that although, community health workers use effective disease surveillance on communities, they were sometime unable to trace possible outbreak of likely communicable diseases which could only be known when patients reported at the hospital.
Taraba
The newly-posted Commandant of the Nigerian Security
and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Taraba State, Mr Kamilu Isah, has vowed to deal decisively with hoodlums in the state.
Isah, who said this at his maiden media briefing in Jalingo, said there would be no sanctuary for miscreants throughout his tenure in the state.
The commandant said he would form a synergy with other security operatives to combat criminal activities in the state.
Isah said the command would not relent in its mandate of tackling criminal activities and protecting lives and property.
“I’m here to complement other security agencies and to curb criminality,” he said.
Yobe
The Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board,
has said it used 40 health facilities to immunise children displaced by insurgency, to ensure that the routine immunisation chain was not broken.
An Assistant Director in the board, Dr Umar Ciroma, disclosed this in Damaturu at an interactive session with newsmen on the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) activities in the area.
He said the board had conducted follow-up activities by visiting Internally Displaced Persons in communities where they took refuge.
He said the board had been working round the clock to ensure that every displaced child was covered and immunized.
Zamfara
An NGO, Association of Reproductive and Family Health
(ARFH), has trained 568 women on different family planning methods in Birnin-Magaji local government area of Zamfara, according to an officer of the body.
The association’s Project Officer in the state, Mr Bamidele Oluwaseun, made this known at Birnin-Magaji during the Second Child Spacing Day.
Oluwaseun said the training was provided under the organisation’s Expanded Social Marketing Project in Nigeria (ESMPIN) project.
He added that the women were mobilised across the local government through the use of Community Based Distribution Agents (CBDAs) with support from the state’s Ministry of Health.
The project officer said that part of the child spacing methods taught the women included Implanon, Jaddel, Inter Urinary Device (IUD), Depo and the use of condom.
Other‘methods, he added, included long acting methods such as counselling, injection, insertions, as well as oral pills.
The officer then called for more support from traditional and religious leaders in addressing the myths and misconceptions regarding child spacing and commended the efforts of the Zamfara Ministry of Health and the Emir of Birnin-Magaji for supporting the programme.
He expressed the hope that the overall goal of increasing access, knowledge to women and men of reproductive age would be achieved if government played its role and if partners increased their commitment and support.
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