Nation
THE STATES

Borno
The Borno State chapter of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers (NURTW) has warned drivers against picking passengers along the highways but at designated motor parks.
It said this was to avoid bad elements that could cause havoc from boarding their vehicles.
The state Chairman of the union, Malam Bello Maduganari, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Maduganari said all commercial transport operators and drivers must also ensure proper checks of both passengers and their luggage at various motor parks before embarking on any trip.
Ekiti
A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced to four
years imprisonment, a 51-year-old husband of four wives, who unlawfully possessed 26.5kg of marijuana.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo sentenced Akindele Oso without an option of fine, after he pleaded guilty.
”The defendant was shown all exhibits tendered to the court by the prosecution, and he confirmed signing them without objection.
“I have listened to the submission of the prosecutor and the plea of guilt by the defendant in the open court. The defendant is found guilty as charged.
FCT
An FCT High Court will deliver judgement in the alleged
murder of Remigius Nzekwe in a date to be communicated to the counsel.
The judge, Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo, made this known when the parties adopted their final written addresses.
Aladetoyinbo said the date of the judgement would be communicated to the parties.
The prosecuting counsel Mr. S.M. Labaran while adopting his final written address, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
But Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Ehi Uwaifoh, prayed the court to discharge the defendants.
Gombe
Gombe State Government in collaboration with United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Monday, commenced skill acquisition training for 264 women and youths in the state.
The training is part of efforts by the administration of Governor Ibrahim DankwamNAbo to provide livelihood skills and support for youths and women in the state.
The 264 beneficiaries will be trained in Plumbing, Plasta of Paris (POP), Solar Power Installation, Tailoring and Fashion Design.
Speaking at the commencement of the training, the Commissioner of Economic Planning, Alhaji Danladi Mohammed, said the governor had made skills acquisition and empowerment a priority of his administration.
Jigawa
No fewer than 150 less privileged children in Hadejia,
Jigawa, have benefitted from an education support programme initiated by an NGO, Association for Advancement of Women in Nigeria (ASSAWIN).
The Programme Manager of ASSAWIN, Mrs Ameachina Chinelo, told newsmen in Hadejia that the organisation had been providing the education support in the last two years.
Ameachina said that the NGO distributed school uniforms, bags, shoes books and other instructional materials to the children selected from 20 primary and junior secondary schools in the area.
She said that the gesture was to encourage enrolment and retention in school.
Katsina
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Funtua, Katsina
state, has established Human Rights help-desks to increase the people’s access to legal services in the area.
The NBA Chairman, Malam Aminu Garba, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Funtua.
Garba said the branch had also designed legal aid clinics for litigants, adding that the clinic would be manned by lawyers on National Youth Service Corps scheme and supervised by senior lawyers.
The chairman said the scheme would be of immense benefits to both corps members and the litigants.
Kwara
A factional Chairman of the PDP in Kwara, Mr Sunday
Fagbemi, has led some of his sympathisers to take over the party’s secretariat on Asa Dam Road in Ilorin.
Members of the party, who are loyal to the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of PDP, had stormed the secretariat early in the morning amid wild jubilation.
The jubilant PDP supporters were sighted carrying placards with various inscriptions affirming Fagbemi’s leadership.
Speaking with newsmen at the secretariat, Fagbemi said his executive committee members remained the authentic leaders of the PDP in the state.
But in his reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the Oyedepo-led executive of the PDP, Mr Rex Olawoye, insisted that Oyedepo remained the authentic state chairman of the party.
Lagos
The Provincial Coordinator in charge of the Children Church
of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Rekiya Iletu, has urged mothers to spend quality time with their children.
Iletu, who made the plea in an interview with newsmen at the Musical Concert of the Lagos Province 15 of RCCG, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos, said that sexual abuse was on the increase, adding that parents had the responsibility to educate their children on the dangers of sexual abuse.
“The economy is tough, parents are busy trying to get means of livelihood for these same children that are being neglected. They should spend short but quality time with their children”.
Iletu said that to avoid sexual abuse, parents should create the awareness from age four.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has said that its continued
monthly briefing on Federal allocations to local government councils in the state is to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Lafia.
According to him, transparency and accountability is the watchword of Gov. Tanko Al-Makura’s administration in order to bring the much-needed dividends of democracy to the citizens.
“Let me make it clear that the essence of the monthly briefing of allocations to the local government is to ensure transparency and accountability in the process of governance in the state and in the interest of peace and national development.
Niger
The Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) in Niger State has said that it
was taking proactive measures to prevent any attempt of jail break in the state.
The prisons in the state currently have 1,500 inmates.
The Comptroller of Prison in the state, Mr Baba Gana, disclosed this to newsmen in Minna.
Gana that the prison service along with other security agencies had put in place security measures against any unforeseen circumstance.
He said that well armed security personnel had been deployed to effectively manage the prisons at Kontagora, Bida, Minna old prison, New Bussa, Agaiye, Lapai, Kagara and Minna new prisons.
Osun
Members of the National Association of Nigerian
Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have expressed concern over the shortage of nurses and midwives in public health facilities in the country.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Abdulrafiu Adeniji, expressed the concern at the 6th quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the association in Osogbo.
The conference has as its theme: “Nursing Education in Contemporary Nigeria System; Issues and Challenges.’’
Adeniji said it had become imperative for the government to address the issues of acute shortage of nurses and midwives to guarantee adequate health service delivery.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government says it is committed to the
implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it has with its workers on payment of salaries.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Toye Arulogun, said this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
Arulogun was reacting to speculations that the state government had decided to be paying 50 per cent of salaries to workers, including the 50 per cent of the six months salary arrears owed.
The commissioner, who dismissed the speculations, said “ government still stands by the last MoU which is to be paying the workers based on the allocation it receives.’’
Sokoto
The Education Secretary in the Sokoto North Local Gov
ernment, Alhaji Mustapha Ladan, has called on politicians and wealthy persons to support the state of emergency in the education sector.
Speaking with newsmen in Sokoto, Ladan said that the situation called for the support of all stakeholders in the sector.
“The aim of the emergency on the education sector will be achieved if stakeholders, teachers and the entire people are fully committed to the programme,’’ he said.
He called on politicians and wealthy individuals to emulate a member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Bala Hassan, who renovated three primary schools in Sokoto North Local Government.
Plateau
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry sitting in Jos has
reserved ruling in a memo submitted by Njin Gyara against former governor of Plateau, Jonah Jang.
The Chairman of the commission, Justice Stephen Udah, reserved the ruling to a date to be communicated to the parties after hearing them on Tuesday.
Gyara, a former deputy director, Plateau Ministry of Finance, had filed a petition against Jang for dismissing him in office for refusing to sign a cheque of N112 million contract.
He alleged that he was suspended from office in 2012 after he refused to sign the said cheque, which he said, did not follow due process.
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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
Nation
TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building
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.
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