Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in
Benue State has alerted the public of the existence of employment racket within the command.
The NSCDC Commandant, Mr Shuaibu Jibrin, told newsmen in Makurdi that the racket had been collecting money from applicants in the guise of offering them employment into the organisation.
Jibrin, however, assured that its searchlights had already been beamed on the perpetrators while explaining that all recruitment exercises by the organisation “are properly advertised through the mass media”.
“Currently, the NSCDC is not carrying out any recruitment, the NSCDC recruits based on certain criteria and merit which is always advertised through the mass media.”
Borno
The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has inaugurated
the distribution of relief materials, including drugs, to families and malnourished children in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The relief materials are targeted at meeting the immediate needs of the families and children suffering from malnutrition occasioned by the activities of insurgents in the State.
The relief materials were part of the items donated during the inauguration of the “Get Involved’’ initiative, which was a component of the wife of the president’s pet project, ‘The Future Assured’ Programme.
The disturbing rate of malnutrition among children in the IDPs’ camps, necessitated the distribution of the relief materials by the wife of the president.
Ekiti
Teachers and students in Ekiti State have been urged to
build on their 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) performance in future public examinations.
A retired school headmistress, Mrs Ruth Olugbamila, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ikole, Ekiti State.
It would be recalled that the state emerged as the best performing state in 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) result
Olugbemila noted that the current feat by the state should be sustained and also improved upon in the 2017 West African Examination Council result “so that every Nigerian will know that Ekiti is truly Fountain of Knowledge.”
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has established 313 health
facilities providing Family Planning (FP) services.
The state Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Rejoice Bala, said the policy was part of efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality rate in the state.
Bala spoke during a one-day workshop organised by Pathfinder International for journalists and faith based organisations in Gombe.
She said the state currently has about 556,109 women within reproductive age, yet a huge number of them die as a result of preventable complications.
The Programme Facilitator, Pathfinder International, Dr Sakina Bello, said the effort was out of concern on the threatening rate of maternal mortality and its devastating effects to the family and societal well being.
Jigawa
The Chairman of Jigawa State Revenue Board, Alhaji Ibrahim
Sani, has said that the board was set to increase the state internally generated revenue in view of dwindling federal allocations.
Sani told newsmen in Dutse that the state government was looking inward to raise revenue to meet its socio-economic responsibilities to the people.
He said that the board had blocked all channels of revenue leakages.
The chairman said that since his appointment a year ago, there had been significant improvement in revenue collection in the state.
Kaduna
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Chediya G.R.A. Zaria,
Kaduna State, has remanded 4 among 14 youth from Unguwan Kaura, Zaria-city, for alleged attempted homicide.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Abubakar Ibrahim, told the court that the police received a complaint on July 6 that the accused conspired and attacked one Abdurrahman Tanimu of No. 127 Anguwar Kaura, Zaria-city.
Ibrahim added that the police arrested four of the 14 accused persons found with dangerous weapons in their possession.
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Kano
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State chapter,
has raised concern over the casualisation of workers and refusal by some employers in the private sector to allow unions in their establishment.
The Chairman of the NLC in the state, Alhaji Kabiru Minjibir, who disclosed this to newsmen in Kano, said that the congress would soon take action on these issues.
He said that the union had received series of complaints from workers in some private organisations in the state on this trend.
“We have come to the realisation that some of the private organisations in the state do not engage permanent staff. And such action denies the workers some of their rights and benefits after working for many years. Not having Unions also denies workers the avenue to express their grievances.”
Kebbi
A 35-member medical team from the United States of
America is providing free surgery and treatment of patients suffering from cancer and diabetes in Kebbi State.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the surgical operations were part of government’s efforts to provide effective service delivery to the people.
He called on the people to turn out in order to avail themselves the opportunity to be treated by the visiting doctors and nurses.
Yombe said the APC-led government would continue to redeem its campaign promises as it had started boosting the agricultural activities in the state.
Kogi
The Kogi State Immunisation Officer, Mr Amaje John, says
the state has been polio-free since 2009.
John told newsmen in Lokoja that the last wild polio case in the state was in Dekina Local Government Area in 2009, stressing that the state had not recorded any other case since then.
The immunisation officer said that the state had enough vaccines for various immunisation cases, especially the polio vaccine.
“Right now, the state is doing what we called ‘Intensifying Routenisation Activities’ in all our health facilities to strengthen immunisation of children below the age of one.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government says it will commence a
task shifting policy on health to reduce maternal mortality in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Atolagbe Alege, announced this in Ilorin during the National Task Shifting Policy Dissemination meeting with stakeholders.
Alege explained that the policy would help specialised health workers take on some responsibilities of more specialised workers.
He said multiple efficiencies might arise from task shifting, given that the cadre to which tasks were shifted often required shorter training periods and lower educational qualifications.
Nasarawa
The Commissioner for Education in Nasarawa State, Mrs
Ramatu Ajuji-Abubakar, says the state government is contemplating education for prison inmates in the 2017 budget.
Ajuji-Abubakar made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
According to the commissioner, the move will ensure that inmates in all federal prisons in the state are properly reformed, in line with global best practices.
She said that even though the prison is a federal government establishment, the state government is a stakeholder, hence, the desire to provide for the education of inmates.
The commissioner said the modern prison yard is supposed to be a place where inmates are reformed morally, and learn one skill or the other, and be educated.
Niger
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida
chapter, has expressed delight with the Federal Ministry of Education for the release of N48 million for the payment of allowances for its members.
The ASUP Chairman, Dr Umar Saganuwan, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Bida.
He said the allowances paid was from January to May and that they were still awaiting allowances of June , July, August and September.
He commended the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, for the gesture.
Saganuwaný expressed displeasure with the management for reducing the allowances .
Ogun
Some students in public primary and secondary schools in
Ogun State have called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to attend to the demands of striking workers in the state.
The students, who spoke separately in interviews with newsmen in Abeokuta, described the strike as very “unfortunate.’’
They said that the strike was already affecting their academic calendar.
An SSS 2 student of African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, Samson Asade, called for early resolution of the crisis.
He said that their colleagues in private schools were already ahead of them, and urged the state government to cooperate with the workers to end the strike.
Ondo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, says
it has no plans to change its governorship candidate in the November 26 election.
A press statement issued in Akure by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Banji Okunomo, said nothing will happen to the candidacy of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
Okunomo urged party supporters to disregard what he called ”rampaging distortion of facts and misrepresentations” on the matter by a section of the party.
“We are also in the know of the syndicated report/newsflash which aim to misinform the public as regards the status of the true PDP candidate in the fast approaching gubernatorial election in the state.”
The publicity secretary assured that the party at state and national level, is working to ensure that Jegede’s candidacy remain.
Osun
The Osun Police Command said it had arrested a member of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Mr Imran Olalekan, 24, for alleged rape.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Folasade Odoro, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo.
Odoro said that the suspect committed the offense at St. Charles High School, Osogbo.
She said that the 17-year-old victim (names withheld), is an SSS III student of the school.
She said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had intercourse with the victim.
The PPRO said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the crime was concluded.
Oyo
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State chapter, says the National Health Act, if implemented, will benefit the citizenry and solve the problems militating against the health sector.
The Chairman of the association, Dr Omolola Oladele, said this when he led a delegation to submit a letter on the issue to the Gov. Abimbola Ajimobi.
The National Health Act, which took 10 years and several readings at the National Assembly was eventually passed and signed into law in 2014.
Oladele said that the objective of the visit was to awaken the consciousness of the government to the implementation of the act and for the states to key in.
“According to her, the Act protects the right of healthcare users to receive treatment and not to be rejected in the case of accident.
Oladele said that the nation had all it takes to be great.
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.