Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Investment and Property Devel
opment Company (BIPC) says it is poised to break its jinx of a non-profit making organisation by declaring huge profits in the next six months.
The company’s new Managing Director, Mr Jack Mulya, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Mulya who expressed regrets that the company failed to make any profit in the last 15 years, stated that the company was restructuring and repositioning for profit making.
“We need to run this place as a business venture and to do this, we need to build capacity for our workers and restructure our assets for profitability.”
Borno
The Nigerian Army has called on commercial banks
to deploy Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to the military barracks in Maiduguri for the use of front line soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Borno State.
Brig.Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, made the call while speaking at a Civil-Military Forum organised by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu was reacting to criticisms by residents that soldiers often refused to join queues at the ATM points in the town.
He said that the army had written several letters to the banks for the deployment of ATM machines to the barracks without much success.
FCT
A human rights activist, Mrs Esther Uzoma, says
the Nigerian legal system must create an enabling environment to encourage whistleblowers in the fight against corruption.
Uzoma made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
She said that the importance of whistleblowing would not be effective without providing enabling environment backed by legislation.
The activist said that Nigeria’s social environment as currently constituted was not yet ripe for whistleblowers due to weak institutions.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has commenced
aerial spraying of pesticides to control quela birds that ravaged rice and millet farmlands in seven local government areas of the state.
The Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Community Development and Inclusion, Alhaji Hamza Muhammad, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Muhammad said the affected local governments were Auyo, Kirikasamma, Miga, Guri, Birniwa, Kaugama and Malammadori.
He said the exercise which commenced on September 15, would end on September 24.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has urged the people
of the state to imbibe the culture of tree planting and desist from indiscriminate felling of trees.
The Commissioner of Environment, Hajiya Sa’adatu Sa’ad, made the call at a news conference in Gombe recently.
Sa’ad said that it was high time the people contributed their own quota towards environmental protection against desertification and other climatic challenges in the state.
“Desertification has been our main problem that is really disturbing us in Gombe State, so, such effort will help a lot in protecting our environment.
Kaduna
A member of the House of Representatives, Abbas
Tajudden, says the Federal Government would spend N1.6 billion on the rehabilitation of Zaria-Pambegua Road in Kaduna State.
Tajuddeen, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Zaria shortly after a meeting with his constituents.
He said the rehabilitation work would begin this year and would cover over 100 kilometres.
The lawmaker explained that the project was initiated to save lives due to frequent accidents because of the deplorable nature of the road.
Kano
Authorities of Garun Malam Local Government
Area of Kano State say no fewer than 40, 000 children below the age of five years would be immunized in the ongoing exercise in the state.
The Primary Healthcare Coordinator of the area, Alhaji Tijjani Jafaru, made this known to newsmen as immunisation commenced in the area.
The coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the state and the local government to polio eradication.
According to him, parents must complete their responsibility of providing their children with quality health care.
Kwara
A pharmacist, Mr Lanre Alege, says registered phar
macists in Nigeria are grossly inadequate, considering the population of the country.
Alege of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), said this in Ilorin in a lecture delivered during the monthly “Keep Fit exercise” for members of staff of the institution at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
Quoting the records of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), he said Nigeria has 17,000 registered pharmacists,
“Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world with estimated 170 million people (2012 population) can only have a pharmacist to 10,000 Nigerians by that number,’’ he said.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has
urged commercial drivers to help reduce the incessant gridlock in the state by respecting traffic rules and regulations.
Ambode made the call at the inauguration of Ketu-Alapere Lay-By and Bus Stop Expansion at Kosofe, Lagos.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor said transport unions must educate their members to abide by the state traffic laws, adding that commercial drivers should not to use the expanded Alapere-Ketu Bus stop for union activities, as anyone caught would be sanctioned.
Osun
The Osun State Government has deployed an
Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to Ibokun community in the state to enable Wema Bank to reopen for commercial activities.
Our correspondent reports that WEMA bank, the only commercial bank in the town was shut for business activities in December 2015 due to a robbery attack.
A gang of armed robbers had on December 15, 2015 attacked the bank, during which two people were killed, many injured and a large sum of money carted away by the robbers.
One of the conditions listed by the bank’s management to resume operation was the provision of an armoured vehicle by the government to guarantee the security of its business.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has redeemed the
N1.98 million it pledged to the three cleanest local governments during Hajj.
The Director-General of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto recently.
Umar said that the competition was introduced by the state government during the 2015 hajj.
“It was conceived to encourage personal and environmental hygiene amongst the pilgrims in Mecca,Muna and Arafat.”
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government, says it has re
corded increase in malaria-related deaths among children under five years and pregnant women.
The Project Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), Alhaji Hamisu Dauran, made this known while speaking at the commencement of a one-day training of religious and traditional leaders on malaria eradication.
Our correspondent reports that the training was organised by the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA) in collaboration with Health Community Capacity Collaboration (HC3), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Dauran said that within the first and second quarters of 2016, the state recorded 276 deaths and over 76,000 reported malaria cases of under-five children across in health centres across the state.
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.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi