Nation
THE STATES
Damaturu
Team leader of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Fred Onyeoziri, has identified two ingredients critical to the successful implementation of the new nine – years basic education curriculum of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) as designed by the council.
According to him, to ensure fun the scheme is beneficial to the pupils as envisioned, the nation must phase out grade II teachers from the nine-year basic education programme and separate junior secondary schools from the senior ones. Onyeoziri spoke recently in Damaturu at the North – East advocacy forum at the NERDC.
He said that the new curriculum for the primary six and junior secondary schools was designed by the council to ensure equal access to ‘functional and qualitative” education, with a view to developing the pupils’ educational, entrepreneurial and moral potentials for a better society. The new scheme kicked off nationwide last month.
“The new curriculum cannot be instilled in the pupils without qualified and trained teachers.
The minimum teaching requirement at the primary and junior secondary schools is the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and not Grade II Teachers certificate as obtainable in some states in the North,” Onyeoziri said.
Abuja
The Action Congress (AC) yesterday condemned the plan by federal legislators to surreptitiously grant themselves and their state counterparts the kind of immunity from arrest and prosecution now being enjoyed by the President, Vice President and the governors of the 36 states.
In a statement issued in Abuja last Monday by its National Publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the bill which, according to media reports, has scaled second reading in the House, could create a new set of untouchables if passed into law.
The party, therefore, asked all Nigerians to “rise against this selfish move by a few elected officials, who are now lording themselves over those who elected them into office, and who believe they should be above the laws of the land”.
It said if the ill-advised move is aimed at curbing the excesses of the security agencies, as claimed by some of its supporters, it shows that the lawmakers are nothing but a bunch of selfish people, since all they are seeking to do is to protect themselves alone, not those who elected them into office.
AC said innocent Nigerians are being illegally arrested or knocked down daily by trigger-happy security agents, but those who were supposed to be the representatives of the same people are taking to a flight of fantasy by seeking to create a new law to protect themselves only, instead of protecting those who elected them.
Kano
The Kano State Chapter of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has given Governor Ibrahim Shetarau the privilege to pick his successor in the 2011 election.
The Party’s Secretary, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, Monday told reporters in Kano that the decision was taken at the stakeholders meeting held at the government House. He said as a stakeholder in the party and an incumbent, it was natural that Shekarau should be given the privilege to name his successor.
Bako added that the meeting directed all members of the party interested in the governorship ticket to suspend their campaigns forthwith.
The stakeholder’s forum, the secretary said, urged Shekarau to vie for the presidential ticket in 2011.
He said the party would soon begin to campaign for Shekarahu’s candidacy for the presidency.
The Secretary said the meeting had directed the state executive council members, headed by Alhaji Sani Itotoro, to remain in office beyond 2010 in recognition of their achievements, especially in ensuring the party’s successes in past elections.
Ogbomosho
The election by the Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) of an executive to pilot its affairs for the next one year has turned into a farce.
At the end of polling, an ex-student was declared president.
The election held at the Ogulola Township hall Oja Igbo Ogbomoso.
Olafemi Taiwo Okunlola, an ex-student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, was declared president, another student, Saamon Aborisade, who has been justicated from Ladokc Akintola University Ogbomoso was also elected into the executive.
Prior to the election day, intense screening and ratifications were carried out. At the end, sensitive positions like those of President and Secretary-general had only one candidate standing. Many students who spoke to The Tide accused the state government of interfering in their affairs and imposing candidates on them.
Others who were so ‘selected” included Shuaib Alojialapa (Vice President), Ezekiel Ayansiji (Assistant Secretary-General), Idowu Okedara (Auditor), Ahmed Muili (Welfare Director), Opeyemi Amuda Opeyemi (Social Director II) and Mose bolatan Adeyemo ( Social Director I). Samson Aborisade Samson emerged the Senate President.
Prior to the election, violence had ensued between Olafeni’s supporters and those of Tunde Saka, another presidential aspirant and student of Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife.
In the free-for-all, some students were injured. Mobile Policemen were present throughtout. Equally present was the out-going President of the body, Bashir Alade.
Meanwhile, many students have called for the cancellation of the election on the basis of the many irregularties that characterised it.
The Federation of Ogbomosho students’ Union (FOGSU), one of the five zones that makeup FOSSU, in a letter signed by Tope Olawuyi, Sarafedeen Abdulazzez and Adekunle Oluseyi, urged its member to dissociate themselves from the election which is described as “a selection and imposition of rusticated, ex-and ghost students of the state students unionism.
The letter accused Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of imposing his likes on students through his special Adviser on Youth, Mr. Ismail Akindele.
Students also asked that all those who purchased forms to run and were disqualified on “flimsy” excuses should be refunded their money. They accused the electoral committee of exploiting their mates by selling the forms for between N5,000 and N7,500.
The students, who accused Akindele of “excessive interference in student unionism in the state since 2007”, also called for the man’s removal as special Adviser on youth, so that he would not “impose leaders on us anymore.
They further rejected the imposition and called for a fresh, free and fair election.
Akure
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mr. David Adulugha, has identified lack of competitive products in the international market the bane of the non-oil export sector.
Besides, he noted that inadequate infrastructure has contributed to the cost of doing business in the country.
Speaking at a one-day workshop on Administration of Export Finance and Incentives in Nigeria, Adulugba said the preference of Nigeria’s financial instructions for funding import activities to the detriment of export further compounded the problem of an average Nigerian exporter.
The workshop organised by Akure Zonal office of NEPC was held in Ado-Ekiti where the NEPC boss disclosed that the federal government had introduced a package of incentives to encourage Nigerian exporters.
This is to increase the volume of their exports, broaden export product and market coverage as well as diversify the production base of the economy.
He said incentive schemes were also aimed at increasing foreign exchange earning capacity of non-oil export sector and address the major problems of supply; demand and price competitiveness of Nigerian products in the world market.
In his opening remark, Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni said the workshop came at a time when the present administration is exerting effort to transform the economy of the state in the area of enterprise.
According to him, 97 select graduates are under-going a three – month intensive course in entrepreneurship to nurture future entrepreneurs who would transform the economic landscape of the state.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop, participants urged the federal government to reduce the number of security check points along the ECOWAS regional trading routes.
They also pleaded with exporters to keep record of transactions to reduce delay in processing their Export Expansion Grant (EEG) claims, while appealing to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen its monitoring mechanism to reduce incidence of non-declaration and repatriation of Actual Export Proceeds (AEP).
The Akure Zonal manager of NEPC, Mr. A.L. Ako said the programme was packaged as part of efforts to create export awareness and capacity building of exporters and members of the state committees on export promotion in Zonal office covering Ondo, Edo, Delta, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi and Osun States.
Lokoja
The Kogi State government has partnered Salem University, a private university to train 300 youths in the state.
Flagging off the entrepreneurial training at one of the lecture theatres of Salem, the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said apart from shouldering their tuition fees, the government would also provide credit facilities to each participant to cushion their business at the end of the training.
He said youth empowerment is one of the state’s politicies aimed at reducing unemployment.
He assured the youths that his administration would continue to accord importance to their well being.
The 300 youths were selected from the 21 local government areas of the state for the three month training.
He therefore directed all the local government chairmen to accommodate participants from their respective local government area for the duration of their training in Lokoja.
Also speaking on the occasion, the special Assistant to the Governor on Youth empowerment, Mr. Friday Abdul Sanni said the state government has spent over N50 million monthly on youths in the state.
The vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Paul Omojo Omaji, said the participants would get certificates at the end of the training.
Omaji, who pointed out that no amount of money spent by any government on youths is too much, said empowering youths in any society would reduce social vices such as thuggery, robbery, kidnapping, among other crimes.
He assured the state government that the university would train the youths and make them global leaders.
Jos
Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has said that the government would establish a cancer-screening centre in each of the three senatorial districts.
He said this became necessary to check the disease, especially in women.
Jang spoke at the Government House, Jos, while hosting a medical team from the African Centre for Cancer Care, a non-government organisation (NGO) based in Houston, United States.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, James Monnok, said Jang promised that the government would begin retraining of surgeons to deal with cancer cases.
The statement added that the government had accepted to pay the medical bills of parents with the disease and send serious cases for advanced treatments aboard.
The team leader, Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, said the organisation was set up in 2005 to provide basic health education and other statutory responsibilities to cancer patients.
He, however, noted that when the organisation discovered that cancer related cases, especially cervical cancer in women were rampant, the organisation decided to proffer solution through awareness, screening and treatment.
About 700 patients had been screened in the state and those with the disease would soon be treated.
IIorin
Traditional and religious leaders in Kaima local government Area of Kwara State have been urged to support government’s effort to eradicate polio.
Governor Bukola Saraki spoke on Tuesday at Kaima General Hospital.
He stressed that the vaccine being administered against polio did not have any negative effect on children.
The governor noted that Kaima Local Government Area is prone to wild polio virus (WPV) invasion from neighbouring states.
He said; “This facility provides routine immunization services to children from 0 to 5 years of age.
“All nursing mothers are urged to avail themselves of this opportunity to ensure that all children under 5 are immunised.
“This is in addition to the adhoc immunisation; that is periodically conducted by the state government with the assistance of the federal ministry of health, national and international partners.
“Therefore, the importance attached to health care services is portrayed in many strategies adopted to improve the health care indices of the state.
“Such stategiees include primary healthcare, disease control, immunisation, provision of essential drugs, HIV/AIDS control, capacity building, upgrading of infrastructure in many primary, secondary and tertiary health centres.
These hospitals are supplied with modern medical and accessibility to health care service by the rural dwellers is being strengthened by the scale up of community health insurance scheme which is now fully functional in Kwara North and Kwara Central, respectively.
The governor said it costs government a huge amount of money to upgrade the Kaima General Hospital.
He stated that the government spent N78 million to procure medical equipement, furniture, ambulance, fencing and civil works of the hospital.
Nation
Diri Approves N200m Monthly Grant for Bayelsa Farmers, Targets Increased Local Rice Production
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved a monthly support scheme of ?200 million for farmers in the state as part of efforts to boost food security and expand agricultural production.
The governor announced the approval on Tuesday at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 dry season farming programme held at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the volume of rice harvested during the last farming season, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure a significant increase in the production of homegrown rice in Bayelsa State by the end of 2026.
He stressed that despite the government’s provision of necessary support to the ministry and farmers, it was unacceptable that the state still had to procure rice from outside during the last Yuletide period.
The governor charged the Ministry of Agriculture to take food security seriously, noting that Bayelsa has a comparative advantage in several crop areas, with fertile soil that does not require fertiliser to produce organic crops.
While commending the Commissioner for Agriculture and other stakeholders for organising the event, Governor Diri urged the ministry to ensure that such initiatives go beyond yearly ceremonies and translate into tangible benefits for the people.
According to him, agriculture remains a key pillar of the state’s economic diversification drive, which his administration has prioritised through heavy investments. He also called on civil servants and residents to embrace agriculture as a way of life.
“Let it not be that we come here for a yearly ritual. This is something that affects us as a people and so we must all take it seriously. Food security will continue to be a top priority of my administration,” he said.
He added that agriculture strengthens the economy and highlighted the importance of transportation infrastructure in moving farm produce from rural communities to the state capital.
“We are investing in agriculture and connecting communities. The roads and bridges support agriculture. We have developed partnerships and collaborations and will continue to partner with other agencies to ensure Bayelsa attains the expected food security,” the governor stated.
Governor Diri further directed that by the end of 2026, the state should record a minimum production of 300,000 kilogrammes of rice, stressing that government would patronise local farmers rather than sourcing rice from outside the state.
On security concerns, he reiterated that the state’s anti-grazing law remains in force, warning herdsmen against destroying farmlands and urging farmers to report such incidents to security agencies instead of resorting to social media.
He also cautioned traditional rulers against allocating land in forest areas to herdsmen, warning that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned.
“For our farmers, we will always support you. Honourable Commissioner, identify the genuine farmers in the state. What we did for MSMEs will also be done for farmers. Henceforth, ?200 million will be set aside monthly to support farmers in Bayelsa State,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, described the event as a reaffirmation of the state government’s unwavering commitment to food security.
He commended Governor Diri for his substantial investment in the agricultural sector, noting that it has been the driving force behind the progress recorded so far.
Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, also lauded the governor’s sustained support for farmers, which they said has significantly improved the agricultural sector in the state.
City Crime
Fanfare, Pageantry As Ohiauga Community Honours 31 Eminent Personalities with Maiden Leadership Awards
Ohiauga Community in Igburu Clan, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, witnessed an unprecedented spectacle of celebrations, fanfare and cultural splendour as it honoured 31 distinguished personalities for their outstanding leadership qualities, selfless service and immense contributions to the growth and development of the community.
The historic event, which took place at the Ohiauga Community Town Hall, marked the maiden edition of the Ohiauga Leadership Awards and saw 27 illustrious sons and daughters of the community, alongside four non-indigenes, decorated with various honours in recognition of their unwavering commitment to the socio-economic, political and infrastructural advancement of the area.
From the early hours of the day, the once serene and seemingly sleepy community was transformed into a beehive of activities. The atmosphere was electrified with excitement as the sound of music echoed from different corners of the community. Everywhere was colourful, lively and festive, as men, women, youths and children, young and old, trooped out in large numbers, beautifully adorned in elegant traditional and modern attires.
The favourable weather further added glamour and grace to the occasion, enhancing the beauty and splendour of the event, as the people, stakeholders and visitors savoured every moment of the celebration.
Adding royal splendour to the colourful ceremony was the presence of the Eze of Igburu Clan, Eze Igburu IV of Igburu Land, His Majesty Eze Kenneth Nwabochi, who arrived at the venue in full royal regalia, accompanied by his retinue of chiefs, elders and other palace officials. His presence was a clear testament to the significance of the occasion and underscored the unity and collective resolve of the people to celebrate excellence and service.
One after the other, the award recipients stepped forward amid thunderous applause, cheers and admiration from the audience. These were men and women whose years of dedication, sacrifice and contributions have helped place Ohiauga Community on the map in terms of political relevance, socio-economic growth and self-help-driven development.
Indeed, Ohiauga Community today boasts of notable achievements credited largely to community-based initiatives, including a relatively good road network, stable and uninterrupted electricity supply powered through solar infrastructure, and other basic amenities that have improved the quality of life of its people. The honoured individuals, it was observed, have played significant roles in achieving these milestones, leaving their unmistakable footprints on the community’s development journey.
By honouring them, the community made it clear that the awards were not meant to signal retirement from service, but rather to encourage the recipients to intensify their efforts and continue to give back to their fatherland. Community leaders noted that although progress has been recorded, Ohiauga still faces serious developmental challenges that require sustained commitment and collective action.
Prominent among these challenges is the absence of a functional healthcare facility. The only cottage hospital project in the community, allegedly initiated by Total Energies Limited several years ago, was said to have been abandoned, leaving residents without adequate medical care. The community strongly appealed to the Rivers State Government to intervene and revive the project in the interest of the people.
The education sector was also not spared. The Ohiauga Community Primary School, according to the community, is allegedly in good shape, with a conducive learning environment, but lacks enough classroom teachers, as there is only one government-employed classroom teacher. To fill the void, the community reportedly employed five additional teachers from its meagre resources and currently bears the responsibility of paying their salaries.
These realities, stakeholders explained, provided further justification for the decision to celebrate and honour individuals who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the welfare and development of the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Ohiauga Maiden Leadership Awards, Pastor (Dr) David Chizor Nwaoburu, described the event as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering peace, unity and development, while recognising and rewarding excellence and service.
According to him, the award ceremony was designed to honour eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in public and private life, and who have continued to make meaningful contributions to the growth of Ohiauga Community.
Dr Nwaoburu, who was himself among the award recipients, said the recognition was intended to motivate the honourees to do more for the community and not to rest on their achievements. He urged them to continue to serve the interests of the people wherever they find themselves and to remain ambassadors of peace and development.
He further reiterated the need for government intervention in the abandoned cottage hospital project and the posting of teachers to the primary school by the state government, stressing that community development in Ohiauga has largely been driven by self-help efforts.
Among those honoured at the event were Pastor (Dr) David Chizor Nwaoburu; former Bursar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr Davis Ojima; the Registrar of the institution, Dr Chinonye A. Ajie; Dr Obi Chukwuma Ebenezer Jular; Elder Kemmer Mark Godwin; Dr Nwokoji Chukwuemeka; Mr Nduka Louis Odiegba; Dr (Chief) (Mrs) Ojima; Comrade Chimezie Igwela; Engr Gideon Eke; Chief (Prof) H. A. Ajie; Hon. Sule Igwela; and Dr Obi Nwaoburu.
Others included Prof. (Mrs) Jennifer Igwela; Dr Charity Ajie; Eric David Orukwo; the Paramount Ruler of Ohiauga Community, HRH Dr Amb. Bright Abali; Mr Chukwudi Lloyd Reuben; Comrade Wisdom Adieme; and the member representing ONELGA Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Nwabochi.
Also recognised were Comrade Kelvin London Oji; Pastor Smart Brass Maduagu; Chief (Hon.) K. O. Igwela; Harmony Igwela; Comrade Onyemaobi Igwela; and Late Elder Nwaba Maduagu, who received a posthumous award in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the community.
The four non-indigenes honoured for their dedicated services and goodwill towards the community were Hon. Marculey Ogolo; Hon. ThankGod Chibor; Comrade Kingsley Ogu; and Pastor G. Oreke, who was specially recognised as the only dedicated government classroom teacher at Ohiauga Community Primary School.
Reacting to the honour, the Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr Chinonye A. Ajie, described the award as a step in the right direction and a thoughtful gesture that encourages service and excellence. He called for harmonious relationships among all segments of the community and pledged his continued support towards education, job creation and collective development.
Former Bursar of the university, Dr Davis Ojima, also expressed gratitude to the community for recognising his contributions, assuring that he would remain committed to promoting peace, unity and sustainable development initiatives in Ohiauga.
Business mogul, Mr Nduka Louis Odiegba, said being honoured by one’s own community carries special significance, describing the recognition as the most cherished among the many awards he has received. He pledged to intensify his contributions to the welfare and development of the people, noting that “charity must begin at home.”
In his royal remarks, the Eze of Igburu Clan, His Majesty Eze Kenneth Nwabochi, emphasised the importance of peace, unity and the preservation of cultural values, describing the maiden Ohiauga Leadership Awards as a timely initiative aimed at strengthening communal bonds and fostering collective progress.
Giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees, Mr Chukwudi Lloyd Reuben, thanked the community for finding them worthy of recognition, and commended the leadership and merit award committee for the excellent packaging of the programme. He urged the awardees to continue with their good work to the community, as the merit awards were a clarion call for more community development involvement and a wake up call for others to emulate the leadership qualities exhibited by the awardees.
Overall, the maiden Ohiauga Leadership Awards ceremony lived up to its billing, serving not only as a platform to celebrate excellence and service but also as a rallying point for renewed commitment to the development of the community, amid resounding jubilation, merriment and cultural pride.
By: Donatus Ebi
Nation
Bayelsa Agriculture Commissioner Vows to Protect State Assets Amid Protest Over School-to-Land Fencing
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, has reiterated the commitment of his ministry to protect all agricultural assets belonging to the state government, despite protests by some property owners over ongoing perimeter fencing works at the School-to-Land Authority.
The Commissioner made this known on Wednesday during a fact-finding visit to the ministry following a recent protest by residents and developers within the School-to-Land Authority axis of Biogbolo II, Yenagoa, the state capital.
Trouble reportedly began when the ministry commenced perimeter fencing of about 16 hectares of land said to belong to the School-to-Land Authority, amid allegations that private individuals had encroached on government-owned land.
Prof. Sese explained that the decision to fence the land was informed by repeated cases of criminal invasion and vandalism of government facilities in the area, leading to the loss of public assets.
He clarified that the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has no mandate to demolish buildings or illegal structures, stressing that the directive given to contractors was strictly to fence government-owned land and nothing more.
“It is not the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to demolish any building or illegal structure within the School-to-Land Authority. Our responsibility is to train farmers and support agricultural activities of the Bayelsa State Government,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the School-to-Land Authority covers about 19 hectares of land, a significant portion of which, based on available documentation, has been encroached upon by developers.
“We need adequate land to train our farmers. We plan to establish poultry facilities, expand rice farming and boost food production for Bayelsa State, to the extent that other states can come here to buy our produce,” he added.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to protest, Prof. Sese warned that protesters must not harass or harm contractors and workers carrying out the fencing project.
“People have the right to protest, but on no account should any protester touch or harm the contractors and workers simply because they feel their houses may be affected by the fencing,” he cautioned.
He disclosed that representatives of some protesting property owners had earlier engaged with the ministry, where officials presented documents showing that the affected individuals had encroached on government land.
He further noted that the fencing project was duly approved by the state governor following the submission of a memo by the ministry.
“As it stands, the only person who can stop this project is the Governor himself,” the Commissioner said.
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