Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Police Command, has said that it
would destroy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which had been recovered from insurgents in the area over the years.
A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Othman Abubakar said the IEDs would be destroyed on Saturday at the military shooting range at Mayo-Ine in Fufore Local Government Area.
Abubakar urged the public not to panic during the exercise but to go about their normal businesses.
“The Adamawa State Police Command informs the public that the Anti-Bomb Squad will carry out demolition exercise of some recovered IEDs at the military shooting range at Mayo-Ine,” he said.
Bauchi
Chief of Army Staff. Lt-Gen. Tukur Burutai has said
that the military would strive to provide decent accommodation to soldiers to boost their morale and enhance their performance.
Burutai made the pledge in Bauchi while inaugurating 30 chalets at the Nigeria Army Armour Corps barracks in Bauchi.
He noted that the military had grown in units and strength, hence the need to increase welfare facilities.
While commending the building engineers for a job well done, he urged officers and soldiers to imbibe maintenance culture for the structures put in place to last.
Borno
The Nigeria Army has said it had rescued additional
605 women and children during its operation in Sambisa forest.
The Threatre Commander, Maj-Gen. Leo Irabor, stated this during a press conference at the headquarters of the 7 Division of Operation lafiya Dole in Maiduguri.
Irabor said that troops on operation rescure final have continue to record remarkable progress in the fight against counter terrorism operation in Sambisa forest.
He added that “69 male adults, 180 females, 227 male children and 129 female children, were rescued during the operation between December 7 and December 14, 2016.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command said it had arrested 85 sus
pected criminals at different locations in the state within the last one week.
A statement issued in Ado Ekiti by the command’s Public Relation officer, Alberto Adeyemi, and made available to newsmen said that the feat was achieved in a mass raid of some identified black spots in the state.
Adeyemi said the action was also part of the promise made by the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, to rid the state of criminals within the first six months of his assumption of duty.
He said on December 9, combined team of Police and NDLEA operatives carried out raids on black spots and criminal hideouts at Atikankan, Mathew roundabout, Ijan motor park and Odo tipper Garage, all in Ado Ekiti.
Katsina
The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman
Abdullahi, has warned police officers and men in the state to shun corrupt practices or face the consequences.
Abdullahi, gave the warning during the inauguration of the “Change Begins with Me’’ campaign in the state.
He also flagged-off the distribution of rebranded Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) flyers in different languages.
Abdullahi said the distribution of the PCRRU flyers was aimed at making the police force more accessible to members of the public.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has in Lafia inaugurated
the Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) of the police to check corruption and professional misconduct among its officers and men.
The Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, while inaugurating the unit at the Lafia Market, said the initiative was aimed at addressing corruption within the police circle and enhance police public relationships.
Bello said that the PCRRU 24-hour service provider would receive complaints from the public pertaining to professional misconduct of police officers,giving assurance that such complaints will receive prompt attention.
Niger
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Niger,
Mr. Muazu Rijau has expressed optimism that the 2017 budget would turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.
Rijau told newsmenin Minna that the task ahead was for Nigerians to support the government and pray God to ensure a successful implementation of the budget.
The politician said that the budget had what it would take to pull Nigeria out of the current economic recession and open the floodgates for developmental activities.
He explained that the budget would provide avenues for job opportunities during the implementation of capital projects.
Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said
the commission has embarked on massive campaign to further reduce road accidents during the festive periods.
FRSC Unit Commander, Agbado Unit, Mr. Lanre Ogundele disclosed this during the Ember Months Public Enlightenment Rally at Ijaiye Motor Park, Ojokoro, Lagos.
Ogundele noted that the rally’s theme: “Crash the Crash: Speed kills’’ was carefully chosen to alert motorists of the commission’s zero tolerance to reckless driving on the nation`s highways.
The unit commander stated that FRSC officials would be on patrols during the festive period in order to ensure reduction of accidents on the roads.
Ondo
Four men, who allegedly performed abortion of five
months’ pregnancy on a teenager, have been brought before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court.
They are Gboyega Amuwayo, 22, James Amuwayo, 18, Gbenga Babatunde, 20 and Egbeyelo Abilogun, 19.
The accused of no fixed addresses and occupations are standing trial on a four-count-charge of conspiracy, felony, unlawful abortion and impersonation.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that one of the accused, Amuwayo, impregnated the teenager, but later lured her to abort the pregnancy.
The prosecutor said that the accused committed the offences on October 23 at Ipare-Oke Community near Okitipupa.
Osun
Justice Adedotun Onibokun of Osun State High Court
in Ile-Ife has sentenced one Fatai Jimoh and his wife, Lateefat to death by hanging for murder.
Delivering judgment, Onibokun said the prosecutor had proven his case beyond any reasonable doubt, saying that the convicts were guilty of the three-count charge of murder, conspiracy and armed robbery.
The judge consequently sentenced the couple to death by hanging for the murder of one Bukola Taiwo at Ikeketu Village near Garage Olode in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun on August 12, 2009.
The Prosecutor and state Counsel, Mr Moses Faremi, had earlier told the court that the deceased was strangulated by the couple in her rented room and her head was smashed with a sledge hammer.
Oyo
A 24-year-old man, Joseph Onafusi, was last Wednes
day brought before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly stealing 100 live turkeys and 40 male cockerels.
Onafusi, of an unknown address, faced a three-count charge of conspiracy, forced entering and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Fatola, told the court that accused on December 9, at about 2: 34 p.m., allegedly entered a house belonging to one Olufemi Fabunmi, to commit the offences.
The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the charge of forced entering and pleaded not guilty to counts two and three, bordering on stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abdulateef Adebisi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Plateau
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Plateau State Command, said it had trained 56 private security guards from 19 private companies in the state.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr. Solomon Olusupo disclosed this during the passing-out parade of the guards.
Olusupo said that the NSCDC which was saddled with the responsibility of training private guards operatives organised the training with the aim of giving the best to the society in terms of grass root security.
He said the exercise was also aimed at ridding the state of incompetent private security guards.
Sokoto
The National Agency for the Prevention of Trafficking
in Persons (NAPTIP), says it had rescued 18 under-aged girls being used as house helps in Sokoto State.
NAPTIP Zonal Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation, Hajiya Asmau Aliyu disclosed this in Sokoto when she paraded the trafficked children and two suspects.
She said that the children, aged between four and 12 years, were brought to Sokoto from Niger and Kebbi states for “child labour.”
She appealed to parents to desist from allowing some “selfish individuals” to engage their children in the obnoxious act.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Civil Service Commission (CSC), says
it has introduced digital system of recording the data of its civil servants.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Attahiru Bello, disclosed this in Gusau while speaking with journalists after defending the commission’s 2017 budget at the state House of Assembly.
Bello, said that N10 million had been earmarked for the procurement of computers and data banks to implement the programme.
According to him, the move is one of the major policies of civil service administration in the state.
The governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, had presented N107 billion before the state House of Assembly for the 2017 fiscal year.
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