Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof, Ibrahim Garba, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, his wife, Dr Bolutito Olyinka, President, Nigerian Mining and Geo-Sciences Society, Prof. Gbenga Okunola, Vice Chancellor, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Prof. Isa Funtua and Vice Chancellor, Mountain top University, Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, at an appreciation dinner of the society for the Vice Chancellors and corporate sponsors in Lagos on Saturday.
Bauchi
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, has
urged youth in the country not to allow themselves to be used by some selfish individuals as retrogressive tool.
Dalung made the call in an address at the close of a one-day gathering organised by “Muryan Talakawa Awareness Initiative” in Bauchi.
He urged the youth to support and protect the present government they had voted into power to enable it succeed.
Dalung further urged them to stand up against some detractors, who were voted out of power but were still hanging on the “fence” trying to use the youth to cause havoc.
He said that the present administration would accord high priority to youth empowerment to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the country.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has com
mended the Military for their sacrifice in restoring peace in the North-East.
Shettima stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
“ The military has recorded tremendous achievements in the past six months, we are now consolidating the emerging peace in the state.
.“It is wrong for anyone to say that the Boko Haram are in control, yes you might have pockets of them trying to foment mischief, but eventually, we shall overcome the hiccups.
“We are all living witnesses to what is happening in Borno, you and I know that in the last couple of months Ngala was liberated by the military, so also was Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa, Mafa andso many other communities that were hitherto under the terrorists’control.
FCT
President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the virtues of
Hajiya Fati Koko, popularly called Maitalla Tara, who passed away at age of 95 years.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president.
The statement recalled that late Koko, had waited nine hours in Kebbi early 2015, to donate one million naira to Buhari as the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari described her as “a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions, and gave sacrificially.
“Hajiya Koko had offered virtually her life’s savings to candidate Buhari then, saying she admired his honesty, discipline, and stand for truth.’’
Kano
Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA) has
warned members of the public against construction of unprofessional speed breakers along township roads in the state.
The agency was established by former Governor of the state, Alhaji Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to ensure maintenance of township roads in the 44 local government areas.
The Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said that indiscriminate dumping of refuse and digging on the roads, among others, were putting the roads into bad shape.
“Such bad practices cause environmental degradation and are harmful to vehicle owners, when left unchecked.
“When you do things unprofessionally on roads, many damages are expected to happen and such things can cause damage to vehicles,” Aliyu said.
Kebbi
The General Manager, Kebbi State Environmental Pro
tection Agency (KESEPA), Alhaji Musa Umar, has warned farmers against bush burning.
Umar gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Brinin Kebbi.
The general manager said bush burning had negative impact on soil conditions, as it caused its inability to absorb and retain water.
“Bush burning reduces nitrogen in the soil, which slowed growth of crops. The act also causes air pollution and reduces quality of the soil,’’ he said.
Lagos
Traders at the Rauf Aregbesola Market, Iyana Ipaja,
Lagos, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to intervene in the impasse between them and Alimosho Local Government council.
The local government threatened to eject the traders to pave way for the demolition of the structures to upgrade the market.
The traders told newsmen in Lagos that this was the second attempt by the local government authorities to forcefully eject them from the market.
According to the traders, in 2012 when the market was under Egbeda/Akowonjo Local Development Authority, the council asked them to submit their allocation papers for an upgrade of the market.
They said that the upgrade was suspended when their lawyer challenged the council after an advice from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ogun
State Command, says it has arrested over 35, 734 traffic offenders between January and December 2015, for various offences.
The Sector Commander, Mr Adegoke Adetunji, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta recently.
Adetunji said the offenders were arrested for offences such as speeding, overloading, refusal to use seat belt and making phone calls while driving.
He said others were arrested for failure to use crash helmets, reckless driving and driver’s license violation.
Oyo
The Head of Cassava Weed Management Project, In
ternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan, Dr Alfred Dixon, has advised farmers to avoid using blunt cutlass to cut cassava stems.
Dixon told newsmen in Ibadan that cutting the stem with blunt cutlass will damage the stem, thereby stunting the growth of tubers of the cassava.
“The edge you are putting in the soil has to be very fine such that the root will be able to come out of it.
“So, farmers need to cut with a sharp object on a soft ground; not on a stone or hard wood.
“Also, using a blunt object will destroy the point the plant will grow, thereby causing low yield, “ he said.
The cassava breeder also urged farmers to be careful with the planting measurement while planting.
Plateau
Plateau State Commissioner for Environment and Min
eral Resources, Mr Abdullahi Abbass, has lamented the pilfering of property of the state-owned Kaolin factory in Barikin-Ladi, that was gutted by fire recently.
The Commissioner, who expressed his displeasure when he visited the factory , appealed to host communities to always guard and protect government facilities.
“These facilities are in your midst and of much advantage to you, so they must be protected by you,” he told the community leaders.
Abbas was particularly angry that some hoodlums even took advantage of the incident to rush into the factory to steal some office furniture.
He expressed joy that the thieves were promptly apprehended in by the security men.
Sokoto
A member of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji
Sani Yakubu ( APC-Gudu), says he has earmarked N 800,000 for disbursement to 200 female students from his constituency who are currently studying in various boarding Secondary Schools across the state.
Yakubu stated this in Sokoto when he gave an update on his special bursary scheme for female children.
According to Yakubu, each of the 200 beneficiaries would be given N 4,000 transport money.
‘’ In the same vein, each of the female students will be given a carton of indomie noodles, a set of uniforms and a ‘hijab’ covering.
‘’ Similarly, each of them will be given a school bag, a dozen exercise books and mathematical set, among others.
Yobe
Acting Chairman, Gujba Local Government of Yobe State,
Alhaji Mai Musa, said people who fled the area due to the Boko Haram insurgency, had returned to their respective communities and engaged in irrigation farming.
Musa disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Damaturu.
He said residents of Wagir, Nyakire, Mutai, Buni Gari, Gujba, Katarko and Garin Itace, who fled their communities had mostly returned.
“The people have engaged in irrigation farming in most of the communities, while business activities have picked up in the village markets,” he said.
The chairman said except Buni Yadi, headquarters of the local government, most of the communities had returned and engaged in various means of livelihood.
“As you know, Buni Yadi, has since been liberated and occupied by the security but, they have yet to be authorised by the residents to return ,” he said.
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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