Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The need to offer assistance to the orphans and the less privileged in the society in order not to increase the crime rate of the country has been emphasised by a health maintenance organisation.
The company which asked corporate bodies to make it a point of duty to share a though for this group in our midst at its award of the health insurance hospital cards to children of the Fatimah Al-Sheriff Motherless babies an orphanage run and managed by the Borno State government, said the society would be better if the group is not allowed to go wayward.
Presenting the card which offer the orphans a comprehensive health cover, the managing director of the company Chief G. Idowu said the gesture was part of the company’s social responsibility aimed at giving succour to the less privileged.
The managing director who was represented by one of the company’s directors, Engineer Adegbeyi also revealed that the donation was part of the company’s commitment to the promotion of quality healthcare in the country, noting that multi-field provides comprehensive medical cover to all disadvantaged children in the country.
Ondo
Two ballot boxes stuffed with thumb printed papers were last Saturday allegedly recovered in the vehicle conveying the Senator representing Ondo State central district in the upper chamber of National Assembly Senator Gbenga Ogunniwa during the bye-election of the Akoko-South West and Akoko South East Federal Constituency.
Ogunniwa who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs was in the vehicle along with Akoko North East and North West federal constituency Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Temitayo Fawehinmi of the Ondo East and Ondo West Federal Constituency.
The wine coloured Peugeot 407 marked MFR 333 was later taken along with two other similar bands with covered number plates, two police vehicles with mobile policemen and two buses with suspected thugs to Kese police station.
Abuja
Telecommunication companies in the country may face stringent penalties if they fail to confer with National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESREA) on the installation of their mast.
The agency’s threat came on the heels of a court judgement ordering Kaduna-based telecommunication company Helios Towers to dismantle and remove its mast from residential premises in Kaduna where it was installed.
NESREA’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Kola Odugbesean, who spoke to The Tide on the matter said the company not only breached the regulatory laws guiding the location of masts by installing it without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it ignored warnings and pleadings from NESREA to relocate the facility, which led to the judicial action.
He stated that NESREA had resolved that henceforth, it would start prosecuting organisations and their chief executives found violating the EIA act and all extant environmental laws and regulations.
Kwara
More Close Circuit Television Cameras (CTCs) are being acquired by the Kwara State Government as a measure to combat crime in the state.
Governor Olusola Saraki who dropped the hint during an inspection of overhead bridge constructed by his administration along Post Office/Murtala Mohammed Way, Ilorin, told reporters that unless adequate security of lives and property was guaranteed, the provision of infrastructure would be an exercise in futility.
We want more of the CTCs to be installed in Ilorin and indeed, the entire state so that crime could be promptly recorded and consequently taken up at the auspicious time for proper investigations.
“The experience in other parts of the world has assisted greatly in reducing crime. Even if you look at the crime records in our state since the installation of CTCs a few months ago, one can see a drastic reduction. In other words fighting crime offensively is better than fighting crime defensively.”
Ekiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed about 16 bills including one that protects the rights and matters affecting persons with disabilities in the state.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Olatunji Odeyemi lauded his colleagues for passing 16 bills into law in one year.
Odeyemi, in a chat with reporters, said apart from the six bills signed into law by the governor, 10 others are awaiting the signature of the state chief executive, adding that another 19 bills were in the process of being passed by the legislature.
According to him, the current crop of legislators in Ekiti State, which can best be described as an indivisible entity despite their different political backgrounds, worked tirelessly to come up with empirically verifiable successes.
Signing the disability law, which, was among the eight others assented to by the Governor Segun Oni reiterated the commitment of his administration to the well-being of all physically challenged people in the state, adding that the new law would be fully implemented.
Apart from making it mandatory for any department of government to have persons with disabilities in two percent of its workforce, the new law also provides that: “Every person with disability, who is an indigene of Ekiti State shall be entitled to automatic scholarship at all levels.”
Zamfara
Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi of Zamfara State last Saturday announced cabinet reshuffle which affected six commissioners and four Special Advisers.
A statement made available to newsmen and signed by director of press to Shinkafi, Adamu Katuru, said those affected by the development include Dr. Na’Allah Isah who moves from the Ministry of Lands and Survey to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Isyaku Zuma was moved from the Finance Ministry to that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs while Engineer Kabira Marafo was moved from the Water Resources to that of Education.
The statement revealed that Bashir Madaiu who held forth at the Ministry of Education before the exercise will now be incharge of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, while Tukur Dangaladima has been moved from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to that of Water Resources.
It said Alhassan Shinkafi who was recently cleared by the State House of Assembly will assume duty as the new commissioner of Finance similarly, Aliyu Adamu Tsate who was incharge of Budget and Economic Planning Ministry will be given a new schedule in due course.
Kebbi
All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in Kebbi State has last Saturday said it would boycott the Kebbi Central Senatorial bye-election slated for December 19, this year because of alleged massive rigging by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and lack of confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Lagos
The ultimatum issued by Lagos State Government on striking workers of the State University has failed following action by the union not to resume work in the school.
The labour unions of the institution had declared that their members would not resume work until the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hussain Lateef is suspended for alleged corrupt practices pending the outcome of further investigations.
The unions comprised of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institution (NASU).
The unions in a statement said “the university governing council and visitors were deceitfully misled into believing that the VC was turning LASU around.
In contrast to this positive perception held about the VC he has turned LASU into his personal empire/business venture and a slave enclave.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna Government has debunked claims made by the Action Congress in the State over the whereabout of the Governor, Namadi Sambo.
Governor Sambo has been away from the state since the Sallah holidays without any official explanation by the government regarding his whereabouts until some sections of the state raised eyebrows.
However, the Kaduna State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) through its publicity secretary, Mohammed Soba had alleged that, “since assumption, of office, Governor Sambo has been exhibiting traits of administrative truancy by frequently absenting himself from the seat of power.”
The party therefore called on the Commissioner of Police, Tambari Mohammed to immediately declare Governor Sambo missing,” in line with international convention as the whereabouts of the governor is not known to the citizens of Kaduna State and there is no official explanation on his absence from the seat of power.”
The party further asserted that the state is too big to be kept in the dark over the absence of its chief executive.
Adamu also described the AC’s comment as a display of crass ignorance, adding that the governor was on an official assignment outside the country contrary to the assertion of the opposition elements in the state.
The AC spokesman insisted that the governor should be declared missing having stayed out of the state for days without any official explanation.
Sabo declared, “presently Namadi Sambo is out of the country for a pleasure trip with a sizeable number of Kaduna State Executive Council members using the state’s time and resources without any explanation.”
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
