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THE STATES

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Bauchi

 

The Bauchi State Government says it has purchased and distributed assorted grains worth N1 billion to cushion the effect of the high cost of foodstuffs.

Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad, the Senior Special Assistant on media to the state governor, disclosed this to newsmen in Bauchi.

Muhammad said that the gesture would augment the shortage of food created by the drought that occurred during the 2008 farming season.

‘’To cushion the effect of high cost of food items during the period of the scarcity, His Excellency approved the procurement and sale of 16,000 metric tones of assorted grains worth N1 billion.

‘’The purchase was made through a direct contract with the Bauchi State Cooperative Finance Agency (CFA) and the Federal Government,’’ he said..

He said that 131,742 bags of the assorted grains were delivered to the state under the first phase of the contract while 32,035 bags supplied under the second phase of the exercise.

‘’This brings the total to 163,777 bags of 100 kg of grains which were re-bagged to produce 325,625 bags of 50 kgs.

‘’The grains were warehoused at Azare, Bauchi and Boto grain silos before distribution,’’ he said.

Muhammad stated that 600 bags were distributed to each of the 323 wards in the state and another 600 bags to each of the 20 local government areas.

The remaining bags were distributed to state and federal establishments, individuals, organisations, political parties, mosques, churches, unions, associations and emirate councils, he said.

 

Ekiti

 

 No fewer than 200 AC members in Ekiti have obtained expression of interest forms to vie for various elective positions in 2011.

The state chairman of the party, Chief Olajide Awe, told newsmen that positions for which forms had been obtained were the Senate, House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly.

Awe explained that apart from the governorship position, the aspirants would contest primaries for selection of candidates in three senatorial positions, six federal House of Representative slots and 26 House of Assembly slots. “About 200 AC members in Ekiti state have obtained expression of interest forms to contest elections into the Senate, House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly seats.  “Excluding that of the governorship position which the party is currently contesting in court, AC is going to sell and fill forms into other elective positions in the state,” he disclosed.

The AC chairman explained that the party was awaiting directives from its national headquarters for the timetable and the mode of conducting the party’s primaries.

Awe assured members that the party in the state would conduct free and fair primaries that would be devoid of imposition of candidates.

 

FCT

 

The Federal Government plans to establish a Direct Labour Agency to provide alternative jobs for internally displaced persons in the country.

The Minister of Special Duties, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, made the announcement when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs) in Plateau and Bauchi States.

A statement by Mr Larry Abang, the Information Officer in the ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja quoted the minister as also reiterating government’s commitment to the provision of basic amenities at the camps located across the country.

He said the provision of baisc amenities such as portable water, electricity and accommodation would go a long way to alleviate the plights of the displaced persons.

Olubolade promised that the ministry would collaborate with the Plateau and Bauchi State Governments to ensure that internally displaced persons were fully rehabilitated by providing them with alternative jobs.

 

Gombe

 

Drivers of articulated vehicles going through Gombe State have been advised to be careful when approaching Gombe city because of the slopes.

The Gombe State Commissioner for Housing and Transport, Dr Danlami Rukujei, gave the advise on Tuesday in Gombe, while addressing officials of the state branch of Petrol Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA).

Rukujei explained that the topography of the area was dangerous, hence the need for the officials to call their members to order.

“The slope is steep and since there is a relationship between the mass of a property and speed, heavy duty vehicles coming into Gombe metropolis can easily lose control,” he said.

He also cautioned the drivers against giving out their vehicles to their conductors, stressing that although such practice was aimed at training the conductors, the consequence could be disastrous.

The commissioner reiterated government’s commitment toward ensuring the completion of the Gombe by-pass, noting, however, that the human factor responsible for most of the township accidents must be addressed.

 

Jigawa

 

The Jigawa government has been advised to sponsor students to study education courses in higher institutions to help tackle the problem of unqualified teachers in the state.

Alhaji Shehu Garba, the Chief Inspection Officer of Education in the Ministry of Education, Dutse zonal office, gave the advice on Monday during an interactive session with members of the state’s Science Technical Schools Board in Dutse.

Garba said that for the government to address the problem of unqualified and inadequate number of teachers, students from the state should be encouraged to read courses that would qualify them to teach.

“We need to use what we have to get what we want; when our children are sponsored like that, they will come back to teach in our schools,” he said.

The Chairman of the board, Alhaji Umar Hadejia, promised that the problem of insufficient and unqualified teachers in science and technical schools in the state would be addressed soon.

Hadejia noted that more than 75 per cent of teachers in public schools in the state were not qualified.

He gave an assurance that the board would do everything possible to re-invigorate science and technical schools in the state.

 

Kaduna

 

The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has donatedN1million and a parcel of land to the Malam Abdulkarim Islamic Science School, Giwa, Zaria.

Speaking at the third price giving day of the school on Monday at Giwa, Kaduna State, Idris said the donation was part of his commitment to educational development of the state.

The emir urged public spirited individuals in the society to assist the school with facilities and equipment to enhance its academic standard.

In his message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kaduna State , Alhaji Abubakar Tanko expressed delight with the conducive learning environment in the school.

Tanko commended the management, staff and students for their cooperation and assured the school of government’s support.

Earlier, the principal of the school, Malam Umar Dabo-Hussamatu, expressed optimism that the final year students of the school were expected to get the minimum admission requirement into tertiary institutions.

The principal said the school had received a bus from Giwa Local Government apart from monthly subvention to the school, adding that the boy’s hostel was constructed by the PTA.

 

Katsina

 

A Borno-based NGO, Grace Fellowship Africa (GFA), has commenced the training of Katsina women on how to extract oil and powder from the Moringa tree locally called ‘Zogale’.

The Tide’s source  reports that about 200 women from all the local government councils are participating and that a similar exercise would also be conducted in Daura and Funtua Senatorial Districts.

The wife of the governor, Hajiya Fatima Shema, said the training was designed to empower women with the necessary skills to them self-reliant.

Shema said the programme would cover the technicalities of extracting oil, powder which are the medicinal properties of the Moringa leaves, usually cooked for consumption.

“Katsina State is blessed with large quantities of the Moringa tree; we cook the leaves for consumption and sale.

“We did not know that other useful items can be extracted from the tree.

“Now we are going to be trained on how to exploit the other value of the trees,” she said.

She called on the wives of the chairmen of local government councils to introduce the programme in their areas.

She advised the government to introduce similar programmes in Girls’ schools.

 

Kebbi

 

 The Kebbi Government has inaugurated committees for each local government in the state to ensure prudent management of the N1 billion agricultural loan .

The loan was granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Agriculture, as part of the initiatives to boost food production.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, who inaugurated the committees in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, said the 21 local governments would receive the loan from a commercial bank.

Aliyu said the amount to be disbursed would be determined by the number of qualified beneficiaries from each local government area.

He said the loan scheme was established to promote commercial agricultural enterprises and to fast track upgrading of the sector.

“The loan will be disbursed through the issuance of credit facilities at single digit interest to commercial farmers,” he said.

He said the sole administrator in each of the councils would serve as chairman of the committee in every council while the directors of agricultural services would serve as secretaries.

 

Kwara

 

 Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara has identified the lack of effective supervision, as a factor militating against effective teaching and learning in the school system.

Saraki stated this on Monday, while explaining the education reforms embarked upon by his administration during an interactive session with journalists in Government House, Ilorin.

The governor, noted that the performance rating, qualitative and aptitude test as well as evaluation of behavioural objective used by teachers were equally faulty.

He said that there was the need to improve the teachers and the quality of teaching, through training programmes.

The governor maintained that the education sector was in a state of total collapse at the inception of his administration in 2003, hence the critical steps taken to save the sector and the future of the young ones.

He said that the state was one of the leading states in education reforms, having successfully achieved sanity in the sector through its education sector reform which addressed some of its identified lapses.

According to the governor, schools were equipped with relevant textbooks in core subjects such as English and mathematics.

 The Oyo State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Emmanuel Elegbede, has said that the use of organic fertiliser by farmers will save Nigeria billions of naira.

Elegbede told newsmen  in Ibadan that the use of organic fertiliser would help farmers increase output, as well as enhance the quality of the soil.

“If Nigerian farmers fully imbibe the use of organic fertiliser, the implication for the future is that less budgetary allocation will go into the purchase of inorganic fertiliser by the government and politicians,’’ he said.

The AFAN chairman said whenever the farmers embraced organic fertiliser, it would spell a death knell for politicians who used distribution of the present inorganic fertiliser as weapon to coerce votes from farmers.

Elegebede said that as a result, government would be able use the allocation for inorganic fertiliser to provide for other public infrastructure.

“With the use of organic fertiliser, farmers do not need to do shifting cultivation all the time, more so when the right soil for the right crop had been discovered. Everything will just be natural,’’ he said.

 

Plateau

 

 The Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State has donated relief materials to its residents who were victims of the November 2008 violent crises that occurred in parts of Plateau.

The materials, which were distributed by the Council Chairman, Dr Sale Kanam, include 120 bags of assorted grains, blankets, wrappers and buckets.

He advised the people not to be engaged in any form of violence and to always report any disagreement that could result into conflicts to the appropriate authorities.

Kanam cautioned the people against peddling rumours, and advised them to always focus on issues of peace and development.

Alhaji Sule Kantana, the Supervisory Councillor for Social Services, advised the people to always work toward promoting peace and creating conducive environment for the socio-economic development of the area.

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Accolades, Fanfare As Ogbakor Ikwerre President General Celebrates 80th Birthday

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The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.

 

The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.

 

Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.

 

 

The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.

 

The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.

 

However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.

 

The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.

 

Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.

 

Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.

 

The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.

 

Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.

 

In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.

 

Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.

 

He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.

 

His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.

 

He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.

 

Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.

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Ensure That Ogoni Is Heard In The Right Way, HYPREP Urges Creative Arts Trainees

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As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.

Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.

”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.

While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.

He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.

The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.

Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.

With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.

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NYCOP Urges Stakeholders To Develop, Empower Ogoni Youths

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The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.

NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.

In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.

It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.

The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.

NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.

 

In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.

“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:

” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.

“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.

NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.

NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.

According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.

“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.

” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.

NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.

 

Kiadum Edookor

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