Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija Global (AOA), Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the 1st annual dialogue on Rebuilding Borno in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Borno
University of Maiduguri has presented first class
degree certificates to 172 students of the institution during its 22nd combined convocation.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, who announced this at the ceremony said 37, 259 students, comprising five sets of students from 2009 to 2015 graduated at the convocation.
“It is gratifying to inform you that the university graduated five sets of students from 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 academic sessions from 12 colleges, faculties, distance learning centre and 23 affiliated colleges.
“A total of 37, 259 students were graduated, out of this 32, 869 were regular students, 841 students were from affiliated colleges and 3,549 students were from the Distant Learning Programme,’’ Njodi said.
FCT
A 38-year-old auto mechanic, Kolawole Murtala, who
allegedly defrauded one Kunle Dosunmu of N200,000, has appeared before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrate’s Court, Abuja.
Murtala, a resident of Sector ‘F’ Lugbe, Abuja was docked for allegedly collecting N200,000 from Dosunmu to replace his car engine but failed to do so.
He is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on fraud and breach of trust.
The prosecutor, Mr Okere Chimaeze, told the court that the accused committed the offences in December 2015.
He alleged that the defendant collected money from Dosunmu to repair his Peugeot 406, but opted to convert the money to his personal use.
Jigawa
The Kiyawa local government council of Jigawa has
banned fishing activities in all rivers and streams in the area.
The council’s Information Officer, Malam Balarabe Abdullahi, said this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Abdullahi said that the council’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sulaiman, announced the decision after the council’s security meeting recently.
He explained that the action was taken following disputes among fishermen in the area.
The spokesperson quoted the chairman as saying that no fisherman should fish in any of the waters in the area without obtaining permission from the authorities.
Kaduna
Examination Ethics Committee of Kaduna State Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology has paid an unscheduled visit to schools in Kaduna to check examination malpractice in the ongoing WAEC examination.
The committee made of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), National Association of Private Schools, Quality Assurance Board, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), paid the visit.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Adamu, told newsmen shortly after the visit that the exercise was to ensure compliance to examination procedure, rules and regulations in all schools in the state.
Adamu said that members of the committee were going round the schools to serve as invigilators in both public and private schools suspected to be operating as ‘miracle or deliverance centres’.
Kwara
Prof. Adetayo Talabi of the Department of Human Ki
netics, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, has advised Nigerians not to over-dress in humid weather to avoid dehydration.
Talabi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that hot and humid environment being currently experienced in the country could cause more loss of water from the body system.
Talabi said that over-clothing in hot and humid environment would disturb the cooling effect of the body which could lead to dehydration.
Lagos
The Acting Director-General, Standards Organisation
(SON), Mr Paul Angya, said the agency would need additional 10,000 staff to fight substandard products in the country.
Angya stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that if more staff were employed, they would be able to go far places in the country to check substandard products.
“We have just 1,500 staff at hand and there is no how they can cover the market places in the country.
“It was recommended in 1993 by government officials that SON needed 10, 000 staff for its operations,’’ he said.
Angya said that many lives had been lost due to substandard products coming into the country, adding that the integrity of SON concerning the laboratory tests results had not been compromised.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDP)
has arraigned 2 filling stations owners at Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lafia for operating in residential areas.
The defendants were MM Nigeria Ltd. and Chibo Oil Investment Limited.
Representatives of the two stations, Adamu Usman and Mamman Maji, applied for out of court settlement.
The Acting General Manager Development Control of NUDP, Juliana Haruna, told newsmen that the board instituted a legal action against them because they had not complied with set down rules.
“Everyone knows the degree of hazards posed by siting filling stations close to people’s houses. So, we are out to ensure that things are done properly.
“If anything occurs today, which we do not pray for that to happen, only God knows the level of damage it would cause.
Niger
The Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, Mr Ahmed
Marafa, has solicited for media support for the state government to deliver on its electoral pledges.
Marafa made the call while addressing newsmen at the state Assembly complex in Minna.
He noted that the developmental progress has been made in the state without adequate publicity.
According to him, the poor media coverage given to such improvement in the lives of the people makes them insignificant.
He said adequate coverage of state government activities was critical to the success of the administration.
“The three arms of government in the state are working very hard to improve the state and its economy since the inception of this administration.
“The media is central to the success of any government, so I want to enjoin you all to help play your part in the development of our state by constantly keeping the people informed of the policies and programmes of government.
Ogun
A 50-year old woman, Omolabake Adeshina, who alleg
edly assaulted one Taibat Akinlabi with electrical wire, has been charged before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.
Adeshina, who lives at No. 21 Olayemi St., Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a charge of assault.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 28 at about 2:30pm at Oyewole Street, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Mustapha said that the accused assaulted Akinlabi by using electrical wire to inflict injury on her.
He said that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Vol.11, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Adelaja said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should swear to affidavit of means as well as produce evidence of one year tax payment to Ogun State.
Osun
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has
described late Governor Adekunle Fajuyi as an embodiment of patriotism, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity.
Ooni Ogunwusi said this while playing host to a delegation of “Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust“ led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs Desola Olajuyigbe at his palace, in Ile-Ife.
“Fajuyi, a governor of the defunct Western region, was killed alongside the former Head of State of Nigeria, Maj.–Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, during the coup d’état of July 29, 1966.
“A patriotic Nigerian, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity that should not be forgotten in the history of Nigeria, “ he said.
The royal father pledged to give his full support to the trust in its noble quest to uphold and promote the Yoruba race.
Sokoto
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Sokoto State Command, has beefed up security at Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic to curtail illegal diversion of petroleum products.
The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Adamu Soja, told newsmen in Sokoto, that its officers on surveillance patrols at Gudu, Tangaza, Sabon-Birni and Illela border communities had been adequately briefed.
He warned petroleum marketers against diversion of the products to black market, saying that sensitive security measures had been adopted to monitor the sale of the commodity in and outside the metropolis.
He solicited the assistance of traditional and religious leaders in border communities by providing useful information that could assist in the arrest and prosecution of these ‘saboteurs.’
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken prompt steps to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station recently commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is even as the Project has restated its determination and commitment to supplying quality potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
HYPREP said while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt that it has commenced an investigation into the collapse of the overhead tank at the Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The high-level committee set up by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as an interim measure, is mandated to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gowon Ichibor while addressing newsmen said the committee has already swung into action, as it has visited the site of the incident to take stock and assess the situation.
Barrister Ichibor noted that the committee is firmly on top of the situation, as it is poised to carry out a painstaking investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.
He further indicated that it is hasty and premature at this point, to pinpoint what might have caused the incident but promised to furnish the public with all necessary information in connection with the overhead tank collapse as soon as possible.
While assuring affected communities of HYPREP’s determination to restore the water facility as quickly as possible, he said the committee would tidy up its work in less than no time and promptly brief the press on its findings.
The committee did not, however, foreclose the possibility of recommending appropriate punitive measures and sanctions to be meted out to culprits at the end of its assignment, to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, who also lent his voice, described the incident as a temporary setback, as the Project would take appropriate and prompt actions to restore potable water supply to the affected Ogoni communities.
He also reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to upholding global best practices, standards and quality in the execution of projects, and sympathised with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident, saying, 16 water facilities have already been commissioned, which are effectively and satisfactorily serving over 40 Ogoni communities.
With the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, he revealed that 40 Ogoni communities are currently enjoying potable water.
The head of communications further disclosed plans by HYPREP to provide potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
While regretting the unfortunate incident, Dr Mba-Nwigoh urged Ogoni people and residents of Gwara community to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and eschew all forms of speculations and rumour-mongering, as the Project is on top of its game to remedy the situation.
He reeled out the achievements and milestones so far recorded by HYPREP, saying, the Ogoni cleanup programme is very much on course.
It would be recalled that HYPREP had earlier in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at Gwara Water Station, stressing that the
Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, had set up a high-level committee to determine the immediate and remote
causes of the incident.
It further noted that the committee had already visited the site and begun a detailed investigation to establish whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or possible third-party interference.
HYPREP, in a statement signed by its management, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Gwara community, urging residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to affected areas.
The Project assured that it remains committed to delivering quality projects that meet international standards, adding that internal and external quality control measures have been introduced, including the engagement of EcoProject as Project Consultant, supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and oversight by water supervisors.
It noted that aside from this isolated case, 16 water stations have been commissioned across Ogoniland, providing water to over 40 communities, with some facilities operating successfully for more than two years.
The Project added that sustainability plans have been put in place to ensure continuous water supply to communities. These include the formation of Water Consumers Associations (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power, and training of laboratory staff.
It also stated that one of the key features of the HYPREP water projects is the establishment of laboratories to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
HYPREP reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.
The Project has also set up a technical sub-committee over the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, to foster and promote accountability in the implementation of projects.
As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
”The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
”We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Nwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of Mene Anua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.
Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.
Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by Mr Igo Weli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; Igo Weli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.
In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as Project Coordinator.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.