Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Federal Government is to register about five million Nigerians in the ongoing National Social Register (NSR) for the Poor and Vulnerable Households.
NAASCO Coordinator, Mr Peter Papka disclosed this at the inauguration of the Community Base Target (CBT) teams in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Represented by the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Atiku Abubakar, Papka said that about 1 million poor and vulnerable families would be captured in the exercise this year.
Papka said that about four million poor families would also be covered in subsequent years across the country.
FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris says Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) lost over N500 million to activities of vandals in Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger States and Abuja from January to date.
Idris made this known while inaugurating the Anti-Electricity Vandalism Response Squad (AEVRS) in Abuja, recently.
He said that 233 cases of vandalism were recorded in the area during the period.
He, however, said that over the years, the police did a lot to prevent vandals from destroying electricity installations across the country.
“With the worsening state of the situation, it has become expedient to urgently develop an improved strategy to better protect the nation`s critical electricity infrastructure,” the police boss said.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) branch has said that it will take necessary actions to ensure that all entitlements of its members are paid.
Alhaji Abdulmuminu Ibrahim stated this shortly after he emerged new chairman of the union in an election held at the ABU main campus, Samaru, Zaria.
In his acceptance speech, Ibrahim said the new executives would continue to fight for the interest of ABU pensioners with the assistance of the national body.
“With the assistance of the national headquarters, we shall ensure that all pensioners’ entitlement is paid on time”.
“When we fully assume office, we shall swing into action to ensure that the arrears of 33 per cent are paid without further delay,’’ he assured.
Kogi
The Kogi StatePolice Command has confirmed the killing of two police officers and the abduction of an expatriate by unknown gunmen at a construction site in the state.
Spokesman of the state police command, ASP William Aya told newsmen in Lokoja that Insp. Ezekiel Negedu and Sgt. Gini John were killed while on guard duty on Obajana – Oshokoshoko – Kabba road.
Aya said that John died on the spot while Negedu died on arrival in hospital.
According to the police spokesman, about 15 gunmen emerged from a nearby bush and attacked the construction site of A .G. Dangote Company currently handling the rehabilitation of the 45-kilometre Obajana – Kabba Road.
He said that the abducted expatriate, Mr Jose Machada, a Portuguese civil engineer, along with other expatriates and Nigerians were inspecting the project when the gunmen struck.
Kwara
A clergyman, Rev. Joseph Agboluaje has attributed the present challenges facing Nigeria to leadership failure.
Agboluaje made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
According to him, the role of a leader in a society cannot be over emphasised as there is already leadership failure both in the church and the society at large.
“The nation is in dire need of leaders who will talk less and act more, leaders who will make our society better to live in.
“We need godly, visionary, humble and practical leaders who can help us achieve the Nigeria of our dreams”, he said.
Lagos
A confessional statement tendered before an Ikeja High Court has exposed how Pastor Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs voluntarily confessed defrauding the wife of former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku Mrs Titi Atiku, of N918 million.
A retired detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Dickson Graymond insisted on the voluntariness of Akpan-Jacob’s alleged confessional statement while giving evidence during a trial – within – trial.
While being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecuting counsel, Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, Graymond said: “There are so many things that he confided in me that he refused to put into writing”.
“He admitted to me that Florence Doregos was Titi Atiku but he refused to put that into writing”.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has sacked the Rector, Registrar and Bursar of the state Polytechnic, Lafia with immediate effect.
A statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Mohammed Abdullahi, issued to newsmen in Lafia also said the government would investigate activities at the institution since 2014.
The government directed the Rector, Silas Gray, Registrar, Labani Joseph and Bursar, Abdullahi Akya, to proceed on compulsory leave.
“The government has taken the decision in pursuant to its desire to reposition the state-owned tertiary institutions.
“And in compliance to the relevant laws establishing all the state owned tertiary institutions and as a Visitor to all the tertiary institutions in the state,” he said.
Niger
Herdsmen and farmers in Gurusu community of Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State have signed an agreement to promote peaceful co-existence among them.
The meeting that produced the agreement was held at the Emir’s Palace in Bosso, with the herdsmen, farmers and other stakeholders within the council area in attendance.
The forum was aimed at reconciling the parties over a portion of land between a Gbagyi man Malam Audu, and a Fulani man, Malam Bello, who had lived on the land belonging to Audu for 15 years in Gurusu village.
District Head of the council area, Malam Mu’azu Laka, commended the concerned parties for reporting the matter to the appropriate authority rather than taking the law into their hands.
Laka also lauded the parties’ agreement that led to the peaceful resolution of the matter, noting that the reconciliation had prevented the dispute from escalating.
Osun
The proposed M. K. O Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, Osun State would cost N69 billion under concession arrangement with AWOL International company, a state government official said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr Nurudeen Adeagbo said at a meeting with members of the state House of Assembly in Osogbov that the concession agreement would be to the advantage of the state government.
Adeagbo said the concession agreement was not in any way detrimental to the economy of the state, saying that it would be on ‘Build-Operate-Transfer” basis.
Plateau
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has sacked 150 workers in what its management said was part of a re-organisation aimed at optimum performance.
Among those sacked across its four states of Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi and Benue were marketers, linesmen, network engineers, cable joiners and electrical fitters.
Their sack letters signed by Head, Human Resources and Support Services, Abubakar Mohammed simply told the workers that their services were no longer required.
The letters said that they would be paid one month’s salary in lieu of notice, and warned them against impersonating as workers of the company.
Sokoto
Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal has advised the Federal Government to handover federal roads to states’ government for effective management of the roads.
Tambuwal gave the advice when he received the Senate Committee on Works led by its Chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya in Sokoto.
He said: “There is the need for the federal government to handover the roads to states, because state governments are closer to the people and we have more efficient methods of supervision.
“If this is done, it will go a long way in ensuring that the vast majority of major roads and highways in the country are well maintained.’’
Taraba
Taraba State University has gone into partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to train Taraba youths on skills needed to work under the Mambilla Hydro Power Project.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Vincent Tenebe disclosed this in Jalingo lrecently at a workshop on Effective Leadership organised by the university for elected local government chairmen and councillors in the state.
He stated that the youth would be trained as security guards, drivers, bricklayers, masons, mechanics, and facilities managers among others to enable them key into the project.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
