Nation
THE STATES
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.
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