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Court Advices Prosecutor On Ogundokun’s Arrest

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A magistrate sitting in Somolu, Lagos, Mrs Fimosola Azeez, yesterday advised that a warrant be obtained for the arrest of an accused, Abiola Ogundokun, for not being in court.

Mrs Azeez implored a principal state counsel, Mrs A.O. Olugasa, who represented the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to apply for the warrant from the office of the Attorney-General of the state and commissioner for justice.

Ogundokun, a People Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and one Aramide Olufowobi, are standing trial for alleged theft.

The police accused them of burglary and stealing a brochure on the planned inauguration of Osun State Action Congress (AC) standard bearer Rauf Aregbesola as governor from the premises of Bankered Limited, Somolu, last March 31.

Ogundokun was absent in court.

He is said to be at large.  This prompted Mrs. Azeez to ask the prosecution to apply for a warrant to arrest him.

There was drama at the proceedings as the defence counsel, Femi Aina, challenged the court’s power to try his client.

Aina drew ire when he applied for the case to be struck out, citing her ruling at the last hearing that her court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

But Mrs. Azeez insisted  that her court has jurisdiction to try the accused, saying that was why she entertained their pleas in the first place.

She faulted the eight paragraph application brought by Aina for the case to be struck out, condemning the language he used.

Mrs. Azeez chided Aina for not “thoroughly” reading his application before presentation, advising counsel to always cross-check their applications before bringing them.

She adjourned the case till October 5.

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MOSIEND Hails Benibo Anabraba Appointment As Rivers SSG

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Eastern Zone, has applauded the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) by His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara,

The Socio Cultural Organisation described the appointment as a masterstroke of leadership and wisdom.

MOSIEND in a statement by the Acting Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Gibson, and the Assistant Secretary, MOSIEND Eastern Zone, Dr. Tams Longjohn hailed the appointment as a reflection of Governor Fubara’s Eagle-eyed discernment, belief in merit, and unwavering commitment to building a peaceful and people-centered administration anchored on excellence and integrity.

“Hon. Anabraba is a statesman in every sense, an accomplished lawyer, a tested grassroots politician, and a man of Peace whose record of service stands tall,”

The statement noted that “from his days as a grassroots politician to his election as a legislator, his tenure as Minority Leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly, and his service as a Commissioner, Hon. Anabraba has remained a model of maturity, courage, and dedication to the Rivers project.”

MOSIEND expressed confidence that Hon. Anabraba will bring his trademark calmness, intellect, and wealth of experience to bear in his new role, assuring that the people of Rivers State will feel the positive impact of his leadership.

The group commended Governor Fubara for his strategic and inspiring commitment to peace, stating that the appointment once again demonstrates the administration’s preference for competence, loyalty, and results over political convenience.

“We are proud of this choice,” MOSIEND affirmed. “It signals continuity, stability, and a renewed focus on people-oriented governance.”

The organization congratulated Hon. Benibo Anabraba and prayed for divine guidance, good health, and strength as he takes on this vital assignment in service to Rivers State.

Chinedu Wosu

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HYPREP Remains Steadfast In Adhering To International Standards—Zabbey …As Regulators, Asset Owners Hail Project

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The Project Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has said that the Project remains steadfast in adhering to international standards, processes and protocols, contending that it would continue to engage all stakeholders transparently to achieve set goals and targets.

This is even as regulatory stakeholders, regulators and asset owners have expressed satisfaction with the work so far being carried out by the Project in Ogoniland, commending it for sustaining the momentum of the ongoing cleanup project.

Zabbey, who gave the indication during the third quarter meeting of HYPREP with regulators and asset owners in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said as an interventionist and community-based project, HYPREP would continue to engage all stakeholders transparently, as it addresses challenges that may arise during project implementation.

To this end, he noted that the continuous support and constructive feedback of regulators and asset owners remains vital in helping the project coordination office overcome challenges and sustain the momentum of progress.

Zabbey said the quarterly meeting with regulators and asset owners serves dual purpose of providing a platform for the Project to share updates on the status of the cleanup project, highlighting areas where further support is required; and allowing “regulators and asset owners to provide constructive feedback that would help our collective approach.”

According to him, the meeting is ultimately designed to catalyse deeper collaboration and synergy between HYPREP and its regulatory stakeholders.

While appreciating and recognising the invaluable roles of the regulators and asset owners in the project’s Quality Assurance and Quality Control(QA/QC) framework, the Project Coordinator said their consistent oversight, technical input, and commitment to upholding standards have remained essential to the integrity of the Ogoni cleanup efforts.

He noted with a sense of satisfaction that Quality Assurance and Quality Control are being given increased attention at all levels of the cleanup project, and solicited for the continuous support of the regulators and asset owners.

“QA/QC considerations are a key part of HYPREP’s policy framework, from the Governing Council decisions to field-level work,” he said, emphasising that this focus ensures that HYPREP’s interventions and activities are executed professionally, safely, and in compliance with national regulatory standards and global best practices, guaranteeing value for money.

“As we continue to consolidate the gains made so far, I want to reassure you that HYPREP remains steadfast in adhering to international standards, processes and protocols”, he said.

Zabbey announced that considerable progress is being recorded across various thematic areas of the cleanup project, including remediation of hydrocarbon-impacted sites; mangrove restoration; provision of potable water; public health interventions; the Ogoni power project; and the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; among others.

He said these coordinated interventions are gradually restoring confidence in the cleanup effort and bringing renewed hope to Ogoniland.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the performance status of the cleanup project by HYPREP’s Evaluation and Monitoring Unit, which put the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration at 92.5 percent completion, among other legacy projects.

In their response, the regulators and asset owners were unanimous that HYPREP has recorded remarkable improvement so far in the cleanup efforts, and solicited for more support of the project.

Environmental Resource Manager of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development(CEHRD), Mr Meshack Uyi commended the Project Coordinator and his team for the remarkable improvement recorded so far in the area of environmental remediation and mangrove restoration, describing the Ogoni cleanup as one of the most robust in Africa.

He applauded HYPREP for its human capacity building initiative, saying, building the capacity of Ogoni people and training them to become mangrove vanguards are boosting their economic wellbeing.

Uyi said what is going on in Ogoniland is a learning process for the Niger Delta, saying, “those who think that nothing is happening in Ogoniland, they should come closer and see that a lot is indeed going on, and this can impact on Nigeria, the Niger Delta and Africa.”

He called on people all over the world to come on board to support HYPREP to achieve far greater milestones.

Also, the representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mrs Doris Wilcox Balafoma commended the Project for doing very well, working and collaborating with its partners, saying, “We are always with them in the field.”

She scored HYPREP 90 percent for its cleanup efforts, insisting, however, that the abandonment of some ongoing water facilities in some Ogoni communities is due to cost variations.

For the Executive Director of the Society for Women And Youth Affairs(SWAYA), Dr Stella Amaine, HYPREP has recorded a great improvement in the area of women inclusion and livelihood restoration.

She, however, noted that she looks forward to the realisation of the 45 percent empowerment quota for women as promised by the Project Coordinator.

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Cancer Care: Expert Seeks Hospice In UPTH

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As part of measures to tackle the growing menace of Cancer in the country, a medical expert and Head of Department of Palliative Care in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital(UPTH), Dr. Geraldine Ndukwu
has called for the establishment of a hospice to cater for indigent people who are battling with the disease.
 She therefore  tasked government and corporate bodies to support the department in improving and expanding palliative care, as a way to boost survival rate of cancer patients.
Dr. Ndukwu who spoke on the theme of the 2025 Palliative Day ,” Achieving the Promise :Universal Access to Palliative Care” said care and funding remain key to cancer survival.
Apart from being a human right, Dr. Ndukwu said many cancer patients do not have access to good care leading to high fatality in many hospitals.
She opined that palliative care helps improve survival rate of cancer patients,  helping them make lifestyle changes that elongate their life.
Without good care, she explained that Cancer patients easily give up due to effects of drugs and high cost of treatment.
“Cancer is traumatizing to many families, but by the time patients are given palliative care, they feel happier and heal quickly”,Ndukwu said.
Besides the care, she decried poor manpower in the palliative care across the country, stressing the need for more manpower to boost health care.
“Many of what we have are just self voluntary. We need trained personnel, and that will boost expertise and care to people”, she added.
To achieve this, she stated that more funding and support is needed from both government and corporate bodies to boost care and manpower.
By Kevin Nengia
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