Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said he aban
doned the use of bullet proof cars as an act of sympathy with the suffering masses who had no means of self protection from terrorists.
Shettima stated this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said that the action was also aimed at showing that the terrorists had no super natural powers.
“We have to dare the terrorists; I have bullet proof cars, but I do not use them; I want to be exposed to the elements as the ordinary people do,” Shettima said.
He said the bullet proof cars were only kept for the use of visitors who might be afraid to use ordinary cars.
“We have so many bullet proof cars but we only use them for our guests”, he added.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it will immunise over
1.7 million children against polio in the ongoing immunisation campaign in the state.
Executive Secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHDCA), Dr Kabiru Ibrahim, disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse.
Ibrahim said that enough personnel had been engaged to conduct the exercise simultaneously across the 27 local government areas of the state.
The executive secretary commended traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders in the state for their support and cooperation for the smooth conduct of the exercise, so far.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Electricity Company says it has com
menced customer enumeration using Geographic Information System in four states under its franchise.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Head, Corporate Communication of the company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
The statement said that the exercise would be conducted across the company’s franchise states of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
It said that the exercise had commenced in Kaduna State, using NYSC members.
The statement explained that the exercise would capture the data of existing customers, prospective ones, identify undeveloped and developed properties, as well as vacant houses.
Kano
Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), has called on ca
dets at the Nigeria Police Academy,Wudil, Kano State, to change the current perception of the society about the Nigeria police.
Sani made the call while addressing Kaduna State cadets currently undergoing training at the Academy.
“As cadets you have the duty to change the perception of the society about the Nigeria police as time has passed when the police was for those who could not make it academically,” he said.
Sani, who, is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, also urged the cadets to avoid corrupt practices and any act capable of denting the image of the Force.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has procured firefighting
equipment worth N35million to effectively tackle fire outbreak in the state.
The State Director, of Fire Service, Alhaji Bello Zagga, disclosed this to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the equipment would be distributed to the department’s outfits located in the 21 local government areas of the state.
“The equipment include fire extinguishers, safety jackets, fume and other relevant materials”, he said.
Zagga said the department had this year repaired four fire fighting vehicles and trained 30 officers on rapid response to emergency situations.
Kogi
A Kogi-based lawyer, Daniel Makolo, has called on Presi
dent Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a Kogi indigene to replace the Minister of State for Labour, late James Ocholi
Makolo made the call at a press conference in Lokoja in Lokoja.
He said that for almost seven months, Kogi had been denied representation in the Federal Executive Council meetings, adding that there was a dire need for the representation.
According to him, the meeting has the primary purpose of promoting good governance and welfare of all persons in the country on the principles of freedom, equality and justice and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of the people.
Lagos
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is to ensure that
there is steady electricity supply at the terminals to facilitate trade, the Executive Director, Finance, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko has said.
Bello-Koko told newsmen in Lagos that power supply to port facilities was important.
He said that several grey areas of concern to stakeholders would be improved upon with constant power supply to facilities.
“We are looking at a 24-hour cargo clearing time frame as template to drive others. “If we can get the energy stabilised, things like cargo examination can take place, even in the evening.
“With power supply, several repair and maintenance services of equipment that tends to delay operations in terminals can be carried out in the night,’’ Bello-Koko said.
Nasarawa
The Federal University, Lafia, has terminated the appoint
ment of 35 of its non-teaching staff over the inability of the institution to pay their salaries.
Vice Chancellor of the university,Prof. Mohammed Sanusi-Liman, told newsmen in Lafia that the council took the decision due to paucity of funds.
Sanusi-Liman explained that the affected staff, who were employed by the institution earlier in the year, comprised 11 corps members who were retained after their service year and 24 others.
Niger
Rice and Cassava Value Chain Development Programme
(VCDP) farmers in Niger State have commended the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development for empowering farmers.
The Chairman Bankoregi Progressive Farmers Association, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed, made the commendation during a visit by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe in Katcha, Niger State.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has received the
report of the State Committee on Participatory Management of Schools, saying the recommendations would form the fulcrum of the state’s new education policy.
According to him, countries that were developing were those who used education and technology to drive development, adding that they embraced discipline, rule of law and basic tenets of a modern society.
Our correspondent reports that the 31-man committee inaugurated on July 12 was headed by Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin, the Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The committee was to review the status and standard of education in the state as well as recommend suitable and plausible options to government and other relevant means of emhancing the overall standard of education in the state.
Sokoto
Senator Aliyu Wamakko has challenged journalists in
the country to strive to foster unity amongst the nation’s heterogeneous society.
“You should work to foster sustainable, peace, unity and even socio-economic prosperity in the country”, Wamakko told newsmen in Sokoto.
Wamakko said that journalists as watchdogs should routinely educate the people on the realities on the ground.
He enjoined them to be objective, factual and adhere to the ethics of the profession, adding that this should be done devoid of any intimidation, blackmail or distortion of facts.
Wamakko, who represents Sokoto Central, further called on the journalists to always work professionally by reporting the facts in order to maintain the respect known in the field.
Taraba
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has ap
pointed Senator Jeremiah Useni as the Chancellor of Taraba University, Jalingo.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa, and made available to newsmen in Jalingo.
According to the statement, the appointment is with immediate effect.
Our correspondent reports that Useni is a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from Plateau State.
He is a retired Army General and also a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja.
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.
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
-
Politics3 days agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
Rivers3 days agoFasthire, PHCCIMA, CIPM Host CareerFest 2026 In PH
-
Sports3 days agoEnekwechi wins Orlen Cup in season opener
-
Sports3 days agoFalconets, Senegalese Lionesses arrive Ibadan for qualifier
-
Politics3 days agoHoodlums Disrupt LP-ADC Defection Event In Lagos
-
Sports3 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Niger Delta3 days agoTinubu, Jonathan, Diri Pay Last Respect To Ewhrudjakpo
-
Education3 days agoBUK Taps Content Creators to Expand Its Digital Footprint