Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Mr Terhemen Tarzoor, Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, has commended the Senate for re-electing Chief David Mark as its President.
Terzoor told newsmen in Makurdi that the unanimous election of Mark showed that he lived above board in the sixth National Assembly.
He declared: “For Mark to co-ordinate the activities of the Senate for four years without major challenges that could warrant any call for his impeachment showed that he displayed a high sense of maturity in handling issues”.
“It is quite challenging to co-ordinate people with divergent backgrounds without acrimony, Mark has conveniently done that and he deserves commendation”.
FCT
Mrs Mulikat Adeola-Akande has commended women for supporting her during her recent contest for speakership of the House of Representatives.
Speaking in Abuja during an event organised by the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Adeola-Akande said she was surprised at such support.
“I want to say a big thank-you to Nigerian women; they have shown that the 35 per cent affirmative action would be achieved if women support one another”.
“The development of this nation is the responsibility of all Nigerians; God has proved to us that men and women are partners in progress”, she remarked.
She explained that the event which unfolded on the day of the election showed to the world that it was not all about a gender issue but capability.
Kaduna
The newly constituted Kaduna State House of Assembly promised to enact “quality laws” that would improve the lives of the people.
Dr Mato Dogara, the Deputy Speaker, told newsmen in Kaduna that his colleagues had resolved to make a difference in legislation by writing their names in gold.
Dogara said: “We have resolved to pass quality people oriented laws and adopt motions that will fast-track development in the state and enhance the lives of our people.
“This is the covenant between us and the electorate and we pray to God to enable us succeed”.
Kogi
The Kogi State Chapter of the NLC has welcome the state government’s decision to pay the salary relativity of N14,100 to workers in the state.
The State Chairman of the NLC, Mr James Odaodu in a reaction to the government’s approval of the new salary in Lokoja, described the action as great, saying that “it portends a sign of good things to come for workers:
He said that the labour insistence on the payment of N16,000 as pay relativity was dropped when the labour leaders evaluated all options tabled before them for consideration which he said included option to sack some of the workers”.
Odaodu also stated that teachers in the state would also benefit from the new wage, which he said, had now raised the current minimum wage of N6,000 to N14,100.
He, however, called on government not to renege on its promise to commence the payment with effect from June 1.
Lagos
A 24 year man, Sunday Agboola, was in Lagos docked at an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly impersonating a naval officer.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Uche Kalu, told the court that Agboola was arrested on May 29 at about 9.30 p.m. at the railway line, Ijora-Badia, Lagos, impersonating a naval officer.
Kalu said that the accused had been parading himself as a naval officer and harassing residents.
He said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos 2003.
Our correspondent reports that the accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
She adjourned further hearing in the case till June 20.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has set up a task force to devise measures on how to combat the impending flooding in the state.
Amosun said in a statement issued in Abeokuta by Mrs Funmi Wakaka, his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Communication), that the step was a proactive measure aimed at containing the expected flooding during the rainy season.
Our correspondent reports that the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and meteorologists have predicted heavy rainfall as from June, resulting in widespread flooding.
They all warned that unless precautionary measures were taken, the resultant havoc might be greater than that of 2010.
The task force consists of permanent secretaries in the state Ministries of Works, Environment and Water Resources as well as the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning.
Osun
Mr Opeyemi Adepoju, a stalwart of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun, said that the election of Malam Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker, House of Representatives was democratic.
Adepoju told newsmen in Osogbo that the emergence of Tambuwal had shown the workings of “a true democracy”.
Our correspondent reports that the Peoples Democratic Party’s zooning formula failed with the election of Tambuwal as Speaker on Monday.
It was further recalled that the election did not favour the party’s candidate as Tambuwal defeated Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola from the South West 252 to 90 votes.
According to him, the PDP zoning arrangement might not have produced the best person for the position.
It would be recalled that Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, PDP National Publicity Secretary on Tuesday, said that the Party might revisit its zoning formula.
Oyo
Mr Gabriel Ibe, the Oyo State Co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has announced that the management of the cops will no longer post corps members to crisis prone areas in the country.
He made the announcement in Ibadan when he led top members of his staff on a courtesy visit to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.
Ibe said each state coordinator had been directed by the management of the corps to post any corps member to any crisis prone area in the country, adding that the directive would make effect with the next deployment of corps members on July 7.
He noted that the security and safety of lives of corps members had been the major challenge of the scheme.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has called for the establishment of District Council Fund for the traditional institutions to effectively supervise government infrastructure in their domains.
Receiving the traditional rulers in the 19 northern states, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at Government House, he said such funds would address the pressing needs of the populace.
He explained that the rural dwellers had direct contact with the traditional institutions than local government chairmen and councilors.
Wamakko said the state government would continue to identify with the Sultanate Council, to uplift the welfare of the people.
“We have been operating like a family for the common good of our people.
“We have succeeded in being where we are today based on the support, co-operation and prayers from the royal fathers”, Wamakko said.
Yobe
The Deputy Governor of Yobe, Abubakar Ali, says the new 40-bed mother and child hospital complex will soon be ready, expected to decongest existing facilities at the Damaturu Specialist Hospital.
Ali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Yayaha Barde, explained that government was committed to boosting maternal and child health as well as to reduce mortality rate in the state.
“Government has sustained the free drug programme for expectant mothers, children and road accident victims across the state”, he said.
The deputy governor, who supervises the ministry, noted that “government has rehabilitated all hospitals and clinics and upgraded most facilities in the hospitals to meet the challenges and provide patients with psychological and medical needs”.
Zamfara
The Acting Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Dr Tajudeen Aiyedun, urged aggrieved workers of the institution to put public health above personal grudges and call off their strike.
The workers on Wednesday embarked on an indefinite strike at the end of a two-week ultimatum calling for the immediate removal of Aiyedun.
Our correspondent reports that the strike had forced patients to relocate to other public health institutions inspite of the poor services.
The Joint Health Unions (JHU) of the centre had insisted that workers would not resume duties unless Aiyedun was removed.
Aiyedun, however, told newsmen that the on-going strike by the JHU was a threat to public health.
He said the leadership of the union acted in ignorance of due process concerning the vacation of the medical director at the expiration of a four-year tenure.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
