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THE STATES

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Representative of the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (nan), Hajiya Kahdijat Lawal (right), presenting a souvenir to  the  National Publicity Secretary, International Federation of  Women Lawyers (fida), Princess Frank-Chukwani (left) and the fida National Secretary, Mrs Rhoda Tyoden-Moore, during the visit of fida delegation to nan headquarters in Abuja, recently.

Representative of the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (nan), Hajiya Kahdijat Lawal (right), presenting a souvenir to the National Publicity Secretary, International Federation of Women Lawyers (fida), Princess Frank-Chukwani (left) and the fida National Secretary, Mrs Rhoda Tyoden-Moore, during the visit of fida delegation to nan headquarters in Abuja, recently.

FCT

The Senate Appropriation Committee has begun the
harmonisation of budget reports of various sub committees and promised that the committee would produce error-free budget.
Senator Danjuma Goje, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, who met with chairmen of the various committees, stressed that the harmonisation would ensure that all errors and discrepancies were corrected.
He promised that the committee would sit for one week and round up its report which would be submitted to the Senate next week.
“The appropriation committee is ready now to start receiving this report and we have one week to conclude this assignment, so this committee will sit from 10 in the morning till six in the evening.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government has approved N500
million for the procurement of 5,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizers for the 2016 cropping season.
Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, the state Commissioner for Information, stated this in Dutse while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
“As you are all aware, fertilizer plays a very crucial role in providing optimum production in agriculture, especially when it is timelessly applied by framers.
“And the state government has resolved to improve the living standard of the rural populace, hence the need to provide agricultural inputs to the teeming farmers during both wet and dry farming seasons,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the council also approved the setting up of State Housing Authority.
According to him, it will facilitate accessing of over N2 billion loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for the construction of 1,330 houses in the state.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Sci
ence and Technology, Dr Shehu Adamu, says the provision of free uniforms to secondary school students is part of efforts to reinvigorate the education sector in the state.
Adamu said this in a message to the presentation of the free uniforms to students under Sabon-Tasha Zonal Education Office in Kaduna.
Represented by Malam Usamatu Umar-Dabo, Deputy Director, Educational Services, the commissioner stressed that the gesture would ensure uniformity in the students’ wears.
“The essence of the gesture is to ensure that all secondary school students across the state wear the same uniform.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government has awarded N104.2
million contract for the renovation and construction of new buildings at Funtua General Hospital.
The Project Manager from the state Ministry of Health, Mr Abubakar Ado, said at the site that the facelift was aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Ado added that the contract was partial fulfilment of government’s readiness to uplift hospitals across the state.
He described the contract as Phase 2 that would cover the renovation of male and female amenities.
The manager said it also covered the renovation of the administration block, female and male mosques, Out Patient Department (OPD) and the central store.

Kano

Alhaji Saleh Marke, a legislator representing
Dawakin-Tofa Constituency in Kano State House Assembly, has donated 1, 000 double decker-beds to Government Girls’ Secondary School Kwa in Kano.
The school was recently gutted by fire.
Presenting the items to the principal of the school, Hajiya Fati Sarki, Marke said the gesture was aimed at assisting the students.
He said that it was his obligation to assist the school at the time the assistance was needed.
“As representative of my people I have no reason to ignore the plight of the students,“ he said.
Marke expressed hope that the gesture would reduce the suffering of the students and enable them pursue their studies without hindrance.

Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government would partner with the
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, to produce improved seedlings that would boost commercial rice and wheat production.
Information on the partnership is contained in a statement issued by Alhaji Abubakar Muazu, the Press Secretary to the Governor, made available in Birnin Kebbi.
The statement quoted Muazu as saying that the state governor had showed interest in buying the institute‘s new variety of improved seedlings after inspecting its model farms.
He said that the institute‘s Irrigation Officer, Fadeiye Olalekan, who conducted the governor round some model farms said the improved seedlings were free of diseases and capable of yielding 22 tonnes of rice per hectare.
He added that the governor had promised to distribute improved seedlings to farmers as part of efforts to produce rice in commercial quantity.

Kwara

The Emir of llorin, Alhaji lbrahim Sulu-Gambari,
has appealed to Nigerians to ensure the success of the forthcoming 2017 census across the country.
The emir made the appeal when he received the management staff of the National Population Commission (NPC) in his palace in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Our correspondent reports that the delegation was led by the NPC Federal Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene.
Sulu-Gambari said that accurate and reliable census was one of the indices for planning any development in any country.
He prayed for the successful conduct of the exercise and pledged to help mobilise all traditional leaders in the state for its success.
Nasarawa

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada,
Nasarawa State, has sentenced a 23-year-old bricklayer, Matthew Isaac, to 12 strokes of the cane for unlawful possession of army uniform.
The presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.
Isaac, a resident of Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State, was convicted for being in possession of army uniform, three caps and two boots.
Maga warned the convict to be careful in future with what he goes about holding as he would not take it likely with him next time.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, had told the court that Idoko John of Elite Security Organisation, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on February 21.

Ondo

A 31-year-old man, Hassan Adeyinka, charged with
conspiracy and armed robbery, has been remanded in Olokuta Prisons custody by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody, pending the receipt of legal advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
Adedapo said that the original copy of the case file should be sent to the state Chief Registrar for safe keeping.
The Principal Legal Officer, Mr Wale Bamisile, told the court that the accused and others at large, armed with guns and other offensive weapons, attacked and stole a Techno IPad phone valued N95,000.

Sokoto

The Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto (UDUS)
Alumni Association, Abuja Chapter, says it is undertaking a water project for the institution at the cost of more than N46 million.
The President of chapter, Mr Kasimu Yahaya, disclosed this while fielding questions from reporters on the sideline of the association’s retreat in Abuja recently.
The theme of the retreat is ‘Strategic Thinking, Planning and Organisational Transformation’.
“We have project of N46 .something million- that is about the water project- because we cannot allow our brothers, our children to be in the university where they have inadequacy of water supply.
“It is a very key thing; we are looking at it.
“So, we are trying; both our senior ones and us to see how we can come together and finance this project at the chapter level.

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HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

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In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

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NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

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The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

 

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

 

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

 

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

 

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

 

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

 

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

 

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

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FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

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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.

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