Nation
THE STATES

Abuja
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), says it is committed to sensitise Nigerians on the need to preserve air quality for healthier environment in the country.
Director-General of the agency, Dr Lawrence Anukam,made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Anukam said that the sensitisation of Nigerians on air quality would help to address air quality problems in the country.
He said that the agency would also sensitise the public on the environmental and human health implications of air pollution and on the extant environmental and human laws related to air quality.
The director-general explained that air quality could be described as the condition of the air in an environment.
He said that air quality was being determined by assessing a variety of pollution indicators.
Anukam explained that good air quality was a requirement for preserving the exquisite balance of life on earth for humans, plants, animals and natural resources.
Bauchi,
The 33 Arttilery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bauchi, says it
has arrested a fake soldier who claimed to be a serving personnel.
Ag. Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the brigade, Cpt. Sunday Akinkunmi, said this in Bauchi while presenting to newsmen the suspect, Adamu Alexander, alias dudu, 22, from Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno.
Akinkunmi said that Alexander was arrested on Novevember 4, 2016 at GSM Section, Winti Market, Bauchi, while attempting to sell a stolen Samsung cell phone Note 5.
He further said that the suspect was arrested in full military uniform by a detachment of officers from the brigade.
Akinkunmi said that the suspect during interrogation claimed that he was a serving military man with 22 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Dikwa, Borno.
Kano
The Kano State House of Assembly has called on the
state government to, as a matter of urgency, provide additional security personnel in all the boarding schools across the state.
The Assembly made the call following the presentation of a joint committee report of the Assembly on Emergency and Education.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Education, Alhaji Baffa Dan’agundi, said the call was necessary to ensure the safety of the students.
According to him, over 46 students were affected by the incident, while over N7 million worth of property was lost.
Dan’agundu also called on the state government to assist the students affected by the inferno.
Katisna
The Katsina State Standing Committee on the Improve
ment of Farmers and Herdsmen Relationship had recovered no fewer than 9,000 cattle from rustlers in the state.
The chairman of the committee, Alhaji AbdulAziz Lawal, disclosed this to newsmen last Tuesday in Katsina.
He said that 8,700 animals that were identified by their owners had been released to them.
Lawal said that cattle rustling had reduced drastically in the state following the efforts of the state government to dialogue with members of the group.
He said that had also reduced cases of clash between farmers and herdsmen across the 34 local government areas of the state.
Lawal said that the state government issued grazing permit to herdsmen through their traditional leaders as part of measures to curtail clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.
Kwara
An Ilorin Area Court has granted custody of a three-
year-old girl to her mother after both parents were separated.
The plaintiff, Fatimah Abubakar, had begged the court to grant her custody of her daughter after the dissolution of her marriage to Abubakar Aroni.
The plaintiff said her daughter had been with her husband since their marriage was dissolved in October.
She said the marriage was dissolved last month due to lack of care and interest by her husband.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr. Abdulquadr Ibrahim, granted the woman the child’s custody but ordered the husband to give her N5,000 monthly for the child’s upkeep amidst other responsibilities.
Lagos
A Federal High Court in Lagos fixed December 2 for con
tinued trial of a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Ibrahim Abdulsalam.
Abdulsalam was charged alongside six others over alleged stealing and conversion of NAMA’s N6.8 billion.
The other accused are: Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Adegorite and two companies – Randville Investment Ltd. and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.
The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Babs Kuewumi adjourned the case following the absence of prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who informed the court of his non-availability, in a letter.
Oyedepo informed the court that he was before an appellate court for another case.
Nasarawa
Director of Child Development in Nasarawa State Min
istry of Women Affairs, Mrs Yomi Adagazu, has raised alarm over increasing cases of abandoned babies in Lafia, the state capital, and environs.
Adagazu expressed concern over the trend in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
She noted that three babies were abandoned at different locations in Lafia and environs within the last one month.
The director said that the baby boy had been taken to Maimuna Katai Orphanage in the metropolis for proper upkeep.
Adagazu described as unfortunate the way girls were abandoning their babies in spite of the fact that these babies were precious gifts from God.
She appealed to members of the public and organisations to assist the orphanages in the state in catering for the children and assured of the ministry’s commitment to the proper up bringing of the orphans.
Niger
The Federal Government will provide land to artisanal
miners in the country to legitimise their trade, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Feyemi, has said.
Kayode, who inspected mining sites at Muye Kafinkoro in Paiko Local Government Area of Niger State, said the government was developing a framework to legalise artisanal mining in the country.
“Kayode said it was important for the miners to properly organise themselves into cooperative groups, to benefit from various interventions of the federal government to boost the sector.
He said that the ministry would issue mining licences through the cooperatives.
The minister explained that the registration of cooperatives would also allow the miners to be engaged by registered mining companies to earn decent income.
Oyo
The President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan,
Mr Ademola Odunade, has dissolved 12 year-old marriage between one Aishat and her husband, Riliwan Atanda, for blowing off her tooth.
Odunade held that it was obvious that there was no more love between Aishat and Riliwan because the duo agreed to part ways and had even stopped living together.
He awarded the custody of their three children to Aishat for proper care.
The court president, however, directed Riliwan to be paying monthly feeding allowance of N10, 000 for the upkeep of the children and be responsible for their education and other welfare needs.
Narrating her ordeal, Aishat told the court that Riliwan blew off one of her teeth during one of his punching encounters with her.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State House of Assembly has received a
letter from Governor Aminu Tambuwal requesting for a second warrant to vire N2.4 billion in the 2016 budget.
Tambuwal, in the letter read by the Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, drew the attention of the assembly to the ongoing development projects and services in the state.
The letter read: “Therefore, there is the need for the modifications in the budgetary provisions in order to ensure sustainability of the projects and services in the state.
“Further to that, all the affected votes of charge will be harmonised in the state’s budget outlay to ensure prudence in the management of the resources.
“In the light of the foregoing, I forward to the house, the 2016 second virement warrant request involving N1.130 billion for capital projects and N1.290 billion for recurrent expenditure.”
The Speaker referred the request to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further consideration.
Zamfara
The police in Zamfara State say several people have
been killed by gunmen suspected to be cattle rustlers at a mining site in Gidan Ardo village of Bindin district of Maru Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Shehu Muhammad, disclosed this to newsmen in Gusau.
Muhammad, however, said the command had yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed during the mayhem.
He said investigation into the killing had just begun.
He said the Anti-terrorism Squad of the command had already been deployed to the area to join the Army in trailing the gunmen, and assured that they would soon be arrested.
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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