Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), has donated roofing
materials worth N5million to residents of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Presenting the materials, the Team Leader, Mr Gima Forje, said that it was in fulfilment of the foundation’s promise to the people after its assessment tour of the ravaged communities on May 25.
He said that during the tour, the foundation met with relevant stakeholders in the area, stressing that it was from there that they arrived on needs of the area.
‘’We carried out an assessment visit to the area, held discussions with members of the community, local government chairman and community leaders.
‘’The report of the assessment determined the type of intervention the foundation has provided,’’ he said.
Borno
The Borno State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defense Corps (NSCDC) say it has arrested four butchers for allegedly selling the meat of dead animals to Maiduguri residents.
State Commandant of Corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, told newsmen that the suspects, who had confessed to committing the crime, were arrested at the Murtala Square area in the state capital.
“The culprits have been selling dead livestock to innocent unsuspecting people.
“They normally go around and pick dead animals from the outskirt of the town and sell same to the public.
“Some of these animals died from tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia or even brucellosis, which can pose dangerous health challenges when consumed.
“Even if you have the licence to operate in an abattoir, the veterinary doctors must ascertain that the animals are safe for human consumption”.
Ekiti
Two men, Ibrahim Mohammad and Usman Haruna who
allegedly stole 16 cows, have been brought before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, Mohammad, 30 and Haruna, 26, are facing a charge of stealing to which they have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Caleb Leranmo told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 3 at about 2.00 a.m. at Ilafo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.
He alleged that the accused stole 16 cows valued at N1 million, property of Mr Yusuf Abdullahi.
The offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti 2012.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Timilehin Omotosho, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms with a promise that they would not jump bail.
FCT
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and
Financial Crimes,Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, has reiterated the committee’s resolve to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its anti-graft war.
This is contained in a statement issued by Head of Media, EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement quoted Utazi as having given the assurance when members of the committee visited the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.
Utazi stated that one of the committee’s priorities was to ensure that the commission’s headquarters was completed and made conducive for officers to carry out their duties effectively.
“We understand that EFCC is short changed in the 2015 budget; we will ensure that the building is completed.
“We will get all you need to work better, contained in the 2016 approved budget,’’ it stated.
Kaduna
A haematologist, Dr Abdul-Aziz Hassan, says Nigeria
needs about 1.7 million units of donated blood per annum.
Hassan, the Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Department, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, made the assertion at a programme to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day in Zaria.
The consultant haematologist, who spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the programme, said 100 million units of blood were donated across the world annually.
According to him, more than 60 per cent of this figure is, however, collected in the developed countries.
Kano
A 32-year-old man, Suleiman Umar, who allegedly impreg
nated his 13-year-old niece, has been remanded in prison on the order of a Kano Magistrates’ Court.
Umar, who lives at Yan Kifi Village in Kunchi Local Government Area of Kano, is being tried for impregnating his niece.
The Chief Magistrate, Maryam Sabo, said the accused should be kept behind bars until the next date of adjournment.
Earlier, Prosecutor Shuaibu Musa told the court that a man, Dauda Muhammad of the same address reported the case at Kunchi Police Station in Kano on April 18.
According to him, the accused about five months ago had carnal knowledge of the 13-year-old daughter of his older brother, Muhammad.
Lagos
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nige
ria (AMSLN) has urged government at all levels to provide adequate security for all categories of health workers.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Tosin Raheem, made the call at a “Day of Tributes and Prayer’’ for the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, late Mrs Olufunke Omotuyi,.
The event was organised by the Lagos State council of the association and LUTH chapter in honour of the late Omotuyi in Lagos.
According to him, law enforcement agencies must ensure safety of every individual in the country, especially the health workers.
Our correspondent reports that the late Omotuyi was killed by assailants at about 4 a.m on June 8, at her residence in Apo Quarters, Abuja.
Niger
Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami
has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with militant groups in the Niger Delta.
Abdulsalami gave the advice when he received members of the Niger State House of Assembly who visited him on his 74th birthday in Minna.
“All we need to do is to sit down on a round table and discuss these problems.
“Even if you fight a war and win, you must sit down with the people you conquered. The insecurity we are going through now is uncalled for.
“For the Boko Haram, nobody knows what they want. The Avengers are now out, what are they avenging?’’, he asked.
Ogun
The Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM)
has advised parents and guardians of students in public secondary schools to desist from engaging their children and awards in part-time education.
TESCOM Chairman, Mrs Olabosipo Ogunsan, gave the advice during an unscheduled assessment tour of some secondary schools in the Remo Zone of the state.
Ogunsan said that if parents should encourage their children to engage in trade apprenticeship during school session, this would distract them from concentrating on their studies.
Osun
The Osun House of Assembly passed seven bills in the
last one year, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr Bosun Oyinloye,has said.
Oyintiloye disclosed this in Osogbo on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
He said the bills were expected to impact positively on the living conditions of the people and the state’s economy.
According to him, the bills are Public Procurement Bill, Land Use Charge Bill, and Primary Healthcare Development Board (Establishment) Bill and the Street Trading and Illegal Market (Prohibition) Bill.
Others are Micro-credit Agency Bill, Conservation Fund (repeal) Bill and the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
Oyintiloye noted that each of the bills was linked to revenue generation, blockage of revenue wastage and theft as well as sustaining transparency in governance.
Oyo
A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Mrs Christiana
Nwankwo, has recounted her experience in the hands of a land agent, Alexander Okoya, who allegedly defrauded her of N4.23 million.
Testifying before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of Ibadan High Court, Nwankwo told the court that Okoya sold 1.054 hectares located around University of Ibadan to her at N4 million and was paid N230,000 as commission.
She added that Okoya claimed to be a land and estate agent of repute, adding that the money was paid in two instalments.
“A group of my students and I wanted to use the land as a small laboratory.
“My lord, after I made all the payments, I demanded to see the land owner, but Okoya lied to me.
“He first said that the owner lives in Lagos and later said that he had been rushed to London due to his sickness.
Plateau
Prof. David Wonang of University of Jos has
recommended the use of organic manure to tackle “root-knot nematodes, a disease affecting roots of crops.
Wonang gave the recommendation at the 80th Inaugural Lecture of the university in Jos.
The lecture is titled: “Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne species) Farmers Silent/Unseen Enemies: Implications on food Security and Stability in Nigeria.’’
Wonang described root crop disease as a major cause of food shortage in developing countries.
“It has been generally difficult to quantify the amount of economic losses caused by root-knot nematodes, especially in developing countries where crops are rarely grown as mono crops.
Nation
Key Regulators, Asset Owners Impressed With HYPREP’s Milestones
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
Nation
Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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