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 taken prompt steps to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station recently commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is even as the Project has restated its determination and commitment to supplying quality potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
HYPREP said while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt that it has commenced an investigation into the collapse of the overhead tank at the Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The high-level committee set up by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as an interim measure, is mandated to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gowon Ichibor while addressing newsmen said the committee has already swung into action, as it has visited the site of the incident to take stock and assess the situation.
Barrister Ichibor noted that the committee is firmly on top of the situation, as it is poised to carry out a painstaking investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.
He further indicated that it is hasty and premature at this point, to pinpoint what might have caused the incident but promised to furnish the public with all necessary information in connection with the overhead tank collapse as soon as possible.
While assuring affected communities of HYPREP’s determination to restore the water facility as quickly as possible, he said the committee would tidy up its work in less than no time and promptly brief the press on its findings.
The committee did not, however, foreclose the possibility of recommending appropriate punitive measures and sanctions to be meted out to culprits at the end of its assignment, to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, who also lent his voice, described the incident as a temporary setback, as the Project would take appropriate and prompt actions to restore potable water supply to the affected Ogoni communities.
He also reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to upholding global best practices, standards and quality in the execution of projects, and sympathised with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident, saying, 16 water facilities have already been commissioned, which are effectively and satisfactorily serving over 40 Ogoni communities.
With the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, he revealed that 40 Ogoni communities are currently enjoying potable water.
The head of communications further disclosed plans by HYPREP to provide potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
While regretting the unfortunate incident, Dr Mba-Nwigoh urged Ogoni people and residents of Gwara community to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and eschew all forms of speculations and rumour-mongering, as the Project is on top of its game to remedy the situation.
He reeled out the achievements and milestones so far recorded by HYPREP, saying, the Ogoni cleanup programme is very much on course.
It would be recalled that HYPREP had earlier in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at Gwara Water Station, stressing that the
Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, had set up a high-level committee to determine the immediate and remote
causes of the incident.
It further noted that the committee had already visited the site and begun a detailed investigation to establish whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or possible third-party interference.
HYPREP, in a statement signed by its management, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Gwara community, urging residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to affected areas.
The Project assured that it remains committed to delivering quality projects that meet international standards, adding that internal and external quality control measures have been introduced, including the engagement of EcoProject as Project Consultant, supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and oversight by water supervisors.
It noted that aside from this isolated case, 16 water stations have been commissioned across Ogoniland, providing water to over 40 communities, with some facilities operating successfully for more than two years.
The Project added that sustainability plans have been put in place to ensure continuous water supply to communities. These include the formation of Water Consumers Associations (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power, and training of laboratory staff.
It also stated that one of the key features of the HYPREP water projects is the establishment of laboratories to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
HYPREP reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.
The Project has also set up a technical sub-committee over the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, to foster and promote accountability in the implementation of projects.
As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
”The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
”We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Nwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of Mene Anua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.
Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.
Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by Mr Igo Weli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; Igo Weli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.
In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as Project Coordinator.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.