Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Mubi Emirate Council of Adamawa at the weekend honoured some of its illustrious sons for their contributions to the socio-economic development of the area.
The PDP National Vice-Chairman (North East), Sen. Paul Wampana bagged the traditional title of “Zannan Mubi’’, while the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Alhaji Sali Bello, was honoured with the title of “Dan Masanin Mubi’’.
Similarly, Alhaji Gidado Sajoh, a member representing Mubi South Constituency in the State House of Assembly, bagged the title of “Katukan Mubi’’, while Alhaji Gambo Abba, a retired custom officer, was honoured with the title of “Jakadan Mubi’’.
In a speech at the occasion, the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa, tasked the title holders to be good ambassadors of the Emirate. Isa, who lauded the peaceful coexistence among “the diverse people’’ of the Emirate, condemned the recent sectarian violence in Jos and said that those found to be responsible should be dealt with accordingly.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Wampana lauded the leadership quality of the Emir, who, he said had been able to unite the diverse people of the Emirate.
Borno
Mr Asishana Okauru, Director-General, Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF), has urged the federal government to urgently address the poor state of federal roads across the country.
Okauru made the call in an interview with The Tide’s source in Ngala, Borno State.
He said that the poor state of the roads was impacting negatively on the nation’s economy. He spoke to the source after the visit of the NGF peer review team to the International College and the mini stadium being built by the Borno State Government.
He noted that the deplorable state of federal roads made nonesense of the efforts of state governments across the country to achieve economic development.
According to him, the deplorable state of the highways is a major hinderance to the realisation of the vision of states in regards to the empowerment of the people and economic growth. “Unless the federal government resolves to deliberately invest in the immediate rehabilitation of these federal roads, the investments of state governments would not yield the desired results.
“And this will not be in the interest of the less privileged, most of whom look up to states to have their poverty alleviated,” Okauru said. He said that the poor condition of federal roads particularly in the north east zone, made it difficult for the states in the area to achieve their economic potentials.
FCT
A water expert, Mr Hope Ogbeide, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to advocate for increased access to water and sanitation in the country.
Ogbeide, the Coordinator of the Society for Water and Sanitation in the south-south, made the call while speaking with The Tide’s source in Abuja. He said the CSOs should remind the federal government of its commitment in the endorsement of various water and sanitation declarations at regional and global levels.
The coordinator recalled that Nigeria had in 2008 ratified various protocols on water and sanitation at meetings in Egypt, South Africa and Tunisia, to fast track its water and sanitation goals.
“Usually, when there is a law in place, it becomes easier for a group of people to take advantage of it to pursue their goals.
“In this case, CSOs have an opportunity in the fact that we have signed those conventions, to begin to mobilise to ensure that the National Assembly domesticates such conventions.
“Once that is done, the next step and next thing to be done is to advocate for its implementation because it is one thing to have those things in place and another for them to be implemented,’’ the expert said.
He advised the CSOs not to stop at advocacy, but to also monitor the impact of the particular activity they were advocating for.
Kaduna
The Kaduna command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it arrested 92 suspects in the past three months.
A statement sign by NDLEA State Commander, Epeso Ngale, in Kaduna, said the command also intercepted 591.1 kilograms of various drugs from the suspects. The statement said the arrests were made during raids at seven hideout of the suspect traffickers in Kaduna and Zaria.
It stated that seven persons had been convicted, while 11 addicted persons were admitted for counselling and rehabilitation. The commander appealed to the public for useful information that would lead to the arrest of traffickers in the state.
Kano
Sheikh Muhammad Tudunwada, a Kano-based Islamic scholar, on Saturday in Kano called on Muslims and Christians to live in peace with one another.
Tundunwada, who made the call in an interview with The Tide’s source, said that Easter, Christmas, Sallah and Maulud celebrations were the best periods to advocate for peace.
“During those periods, people are relaxed and they worship their God whole heartedly and are always attentive to what their leaders say,” he said.
Tundunwada noted that both Christians and Muslims worshipped one God, and said that they should avoid unnecessary sentiments that could lead to blood shed.
He condemned the recent crisis in Jos, adding that it was created by unnecessary sentiments that had no basis in either the Christian or Islamic religion.
Tudunwada advised the federal government to ensure that all those behind the crisis were brought to book.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it has donated N25.5 million to 17 registered community colleges of Arabic and Islamic studies to enhance their operations.
The state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide’s source in Katsina. Garba said that each community college received a donation of N1.5 million from the state government.
The gesture, he said, was to assist the colleges to address their pressing problems with a view to complementing the government’s efforts at improving education in the state.
“The state government is giving the desired attention to Arabic and Islamic education.
“That is why it established an additional college of Arabic and Islamic studies in Fago, apart from the exisiting ones in Katsina, Dutsin-ma and Kabomo towns of the state,” he said. The commissioner also disclosed that the state government had sponsored many students to study Arabic Language, Arabic Caligraphy and Computer studies at the University of Sudan. According to him, more than 60 of such students have graduated, while 175 of them are currently pursuing their various courses in Sudan.
On the dearth of Arabic and Islamic teachers in the state, Garba said the government was making efforts to address the problem.
Lagos
The Surulere Local Council in Lagos State says it has begun an enlightenment campaign at motor parks to check drug abuse and sale of alcohol. The Chairman, Dr Razak Folami, told The Tide’s source in Lagos that the campaign was aimed at re-orientating youths and commercial bus drivers. He expressed concern over the problem of drug abuse and alcoholism which, he said, had reached an alarming dimension. Folami said the council decided to take the campaigns to motor parks because they had become a haven for hard drugs and alcohol. “We have commenced a campaign to enlighten drivers and commercial motorcyclists on the harmful effects of such drugs.
“The local concoctions mixed with gin are part of the hard drugs which they consume; they are injurious to health and also affects safe driving,’’ he said.
Folami stressed the need to prevent accidents at parks by discouraging the consumption of drugs and alcohol by the drivers and commercial motorcyclists.
He threatened that after the campaigns, the council would clamp down on erring drivers and sellers of local gin and alcohol at parks. “Consumption of such drugs causes abnormal behaviour which leads to accidents.
“Council officials have been deployed to parks to enforce the law banning sale and consumption of alcohol at parks,’’ Folami said.
He said the council was also collaborating with Federal Road Safety Corps in enforcing traffic rules and regulations to reduce accidents in the area.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has ordered the release of N160 million to the state eight emirate education foundations as part of government support for their activities.
Aliyu gave the order during the combined annual general meeting of the Minna Emirate Education Foundation (MEEFO) held at the emir’s palace, Minna.
According to the governor, the Minna Emirate Education Found will get N30 million, the Bida Emirate Education Foundation, N25 million; while the Kontagora, Borgu and Suleja emirate foundations will each receive N20 million.
Similarly, Aliyu also directed that N15 million each should be released to Lapai, Agaie and Kagara emirate foundations for their activities. He directed the emirate foundations to ensure that part of the money was used for the construction of toilets and locally dug wells, in order to make public schools more conducive for pupils and students.
Aliyu, however, ordered that the funds for Kagara Emirate Education Foundation be withheld, until it accounted for the funds already given to it.
“We heard that some people in the area have misused the foundation’s funds and as such their share should be withheld until the previous allocation is properly accounted for,’’ he said. The governor urged officials of MEEFO to re-vamp the foundations so that they could live up to the goals of their founding fathers, among which “are the construction or rehabilitation of schools structures and award of scholarship to indigent students.
In his speech, the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk, expressed his concern about the mass failure recorded in the November-December 2009 NECO examination and called on the officials of the foundations to work toward improving the standard of learning.
MEEFO spent N54 million on the renovation and construction of classrooms and award of scholarship to indigent students in the emirate in the last three years.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi