Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
No fewer than 500 women have benefited from the vocational and skill acquisition programme initiated by the Maiha Local Government in Adamawa during the last two years.
The Coordinator of the programme, Hajiya Zainab Abdullahi, told newsmen in Maiha last Tuesday that the measure was to empower women and enhance their economic wellbeing.
She said the beneficiaries were trained on aquaculture, poultry, livestock and crop production as well as tailoring, soap making and groundnut oil processing.
Abdullahi said the local council had distributed soft loans, sewing machines and other working tools to enable the women to set up their businesses and engage in gainful productive activities.
Bauchi
Bauchi State Ministry of Water Resources sunk 500 boreholes in various parts of the state between 2007 and 2011.
The outgoing Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Bukar Bayero, made the announcement on Tuesday in Bauchi while handing over the affairs of the ministry to the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Yerima Yusuf.
He said that most of the boreholes were sunk in rural areas to ease the water problem faced by the people.
Bayero said that some of the boreholes were sunk in hospitals and schools in various locations in the state.
He advised Governor Isa Yuguda to appoint credible people as commissioners to enable the government to sustain and improve on its achievements so far.
Borno
The Borno co-ordinator of NAFDAC, Malam Adamu Sabo, in Maiduguri called on the producers of foods to avoid adulteration or be ready to face the consequences.
Sabo, who made the call in an interview with newsmen, noted that palm oil, groundnut oil, fruits and other food items were being adulterated by the sellers to maximise profit.
He said the adulteration was harmful to human health, pointing out that such act affected the functions of body organs.
Adamu said the agency would not accept any thing other than a high level of hygiene in the production of food items.
Ekiti
A 32-year-old man, Mr Gabriel Adeniyi, last Tuesday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s court charged with the vandalism of equipment belonging to the PHCN in Ado-Ekiti Business District.
Our Correspondent reports that the accused person was allegedly caught vandalising the company’s transformer located along Oke-Ila Street in Ado-Ekiti.
The Police Prosecutor, Mr Ewuola Ebenezer, told the court that the accused person and two others, now at large, were arrested by the police at midnight on Feb. 12 while vandalising the equipment.
Ebenezer, a corporal, said that the accused person had committed an offence punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 30, Volume 2, Laws of Ondo State, as applicable to Ekiti State.
FCT
Miss Dupe Shittu, a seamstress in Utako Market, last Tuesday, pleaded with an Abuja Customary Court to order a judicial separation from her 22-year-old relationship with Mr Isaac Omolua.
Shittu also wants the court to give her custody of the three children that came from the relationship and to restrain Omolua from abducting them.
She told the court that Omolua, who is above 60 years, was a polygamist with three wives and 10 children.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has warned residents against the dumping of refuse in drains, on rail tracks and highways, warning that it would deal with anyone violating the directive.
Mr. Zakariah Shamaki, the state Commissioner for Environment, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna last Tuesday.
Shamaki said that notorious dump sites had been identified and would soon be cleared.
He disclosed that the state government had cleared 20 out of the 49 dump sites discovered last year.
He expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and said that the state government would apply appropriate measures to stop the act.
Katsina
Alhaji Yakubu Wada, acting chairman of Malumfashi local government in Katsina State on Monday enjoined youths to participate in community development programmes.
Wada made the call while addressing group youth associations at voluntary dredging of Malumfashi dam embarked by youths associations aimed at enhancing water storage and water passages.
He said community development efforts would enhance development as government have enormous burden and called on wealthy individuals and organisations to assist such initiatives.
Kobbi
The Kebbi Department of Fire Services has said that two persons died in the 44 fire incidents it recorded between January and April.
The State Director of Fire Services, Alhaji Garba Zagga, said in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that about 85 per cent of the fire incidents were caused by electrical faults.
Zagga told newsmen that Jega, Aliero, Birnin Kebbi and Koko/Besse local government areas recorded the highest number of fire incidents.
He said that the two deaths recorded were in Koko/Besse Local Government Area, while 13 houses and property worth N800,000 were lost in Barbarejo in Suru Local Government Area.
Kwara
Dr Aishat Saka of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital says Nigeria records 114 deaths in every 1,000 births.
Saka said in an interview with the newsmen in Ilorin last Tuesday that the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria was 948 per 100,000 live births.
She said adequate maternal nutrition was essential for new born babies and advised nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breast-feeding with a view to improving the intellectual capacity of their children.
Saka said adequate nutrition was a major determinant of health and growth as well as the determinant of the intellectual capacity of the child.
Logos
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has begun the clearing of waste from water bodies in the state, Mr Ola Oresanya, the Managing Director, has said.
Oresanya told Journalists in Lagos that the project was ongoing in Lekki, Badagry, Ikorodu, Iddo, Snake Island and Oworonshoki.
He expressed the hope that that the exercise would enhance the preservation of aquatic life.
“We have commenced a routine operation of waste collection and disposal from across lagoons in the state.
Niger
The Niger State Government has spent N1 billion on the purchase of 13,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for sale to farmers on subsidy, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf, has announced.
He told newsmen that the purchase was part of government’s efforts to boost food production in the state.
Yusuf said the NPK brand of fertiliser would be sold at a subsidised rate of N2,500 per bag against the N4,800 market price, while the Urea brand would be sold at N2,100 per bag against the market price of N4,500.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau has approved the appointment of Mr Gyang Pwajok as his new Chief of Staff.
The appointment is contained in a statement signed by Mr Atang Azi, the Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Services, in Jos last Tuesday.
It said that the appointment was with immediate effect.
Until his appointment, Pwajok was the Director-General, Research and Documentation in the governor’s office.
The new Chief of Staff replaces Mr Ignatius Longjan, who is now Deputy-Governor elect.
Sokoto
Alhaji Bala Yabo, member-elect, Sokoto State House of Assembly, has promised to introduce a scholarship scheme for all qualified pupils in his constituency.
Yabo told newsmen in Sokoto that the measure would complement the effort of the state government in its resolve to provide qualitative education in the state.
He said education remained a tool needed to fight poverty and all machinery had been put in place to ensure youths acquired western education, to enable them to contribute positively to the development of the area.
“We must at this material time begin necessary modalities that will make our future generation relevant in the task ahead,” he said.
Taraba
The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) in Taraba has accused men of inciting Nigerians against one another, and causing religious crisis in the country.
Hajiya Zainab Galadima, the Chairperson of the association, made the accusation in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.
According to her, the Islamic religion considers all human beings as equal before God.
She said that she could not understand why men used the religion as an instrument for division.
“My understanding of the Islamic religion is that all human beings are equal before God.
“The closest person to God is the one who is righteous, not the one that belongs to a particular religion.
Zamfara
Prices of beans have increased by about 15 per cent in Gusau, Zamfara.
A survey conducted by Our Correspondent in grain markets in Gusau on Tuesday showed that a bag of beans, which was N8, 000 four weeks ago, now sells for between N9,000 and N9,500, depending on the quality of the grains.
Also a measure of beans, which was N250 last month, now costs between N260 and N270.
Mallam Muhammadu Kabiru, a beans dealer, told Our Correspondent that they expected the high prices to come down any moment from now.
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