Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The price of Dangote Portland Cement in Benue has gone down from N2,600 to N2,250 while Bua Cement has also gone down from N2,700 to N2,250.
The drop in the prices of the product became necessary as a result of the Federal Government’s ultimatum to cement companies to cut down their prices. Mr Ejike Okafor, a dealer told newsmen that the cost of manufacturing the product was still very high but that companies had opted to cut down their prices in line with government’s order. Okafor said that the cost of transporting the product from the factories to warehouses was still high. Another dealer, Mrs Veronica Nwabueze, blamed the high prices of cement on the high cost of diesel.
“Cement companies use diesel in their production machines and it is also used by the articulated vehicles that transport the product to dealers,” Nwabueze said. Mr Timothy Gbin, a trader, urged the Federal Government to prevail on the oil companies to cut down the prices of their products. “If that is done, the cost of producing and transporting the product would be drastically reduced.
FCT
The Muslim Media Watch Group (MMWG), has called on the Federal Government to declare Friday, June 23 and Sunday, June 25 as work-free days for special prayers and fasting. The call was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Co-ordinator of the group. The statement described Thursday’s bomb blast at the Force Headquarters as unacceptable, saying the work-free days would enable Muslims and Christians to pray, to avert such incident in the country in future.
It said that the security challenges of the nation were beyond what government and security agencies alone could cope with and that there was a need for prayers to deliver the country from evil doers.
The statement urged the government to go beyond its security agencies and seek assistance from foreign security experts who could provide clues in addressing the challenges. “Since it is now clear that the security challenges of this nation are beyond what the government and the security agencies can cope with, let us go back to our creator to deliver us from evil-doers by changing their minds. “Government needs to go deeper into our security problems by not only replying on our nation’s security agencies but conduct its own investigation by the help of foreign-based experts,’’ it said.
Kano
Some women in Kano have called on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to appoint more women into his cabinet.
Hajiya Uwani Bako, a politician in Kano noted that only one woman made the list of 12 commissioners the Governor submitted to the State House of Assembly for approval.
She said that the appointment of one woman was against the governor’s promise to women during his campaign.
Malama Hauwa Usman, a housewife, also expressed concern over the appointment. She urged the Governor to appoint more women for gender balance. PDP’s women leader, Hajiya Umma Garba, who commended the Governor for appointing a worthy woman into the cabinet, urged him to appoint more.
Speaking with newsmen in Kano, Garba reminded the Governor about his promise to take the issue of women empowerment seriously.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government on Friday said it would soon commence the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage to its workers. Briefing newsmen to mark the beginning of this year’s Civil Service Week in the state, the Head of Service, Mrs Hannatu Ugah, said the State Government was waiting for the release of guidelines for the implementation of the new salary. Ugah said the State Government had taken proactive measures to boost its internal revenue base. She said the government had also taken measures to improve the living condition of its workers, adding, “we have given workers welfare a top priority.
“The State Government did not shy away from implementing the previous salary structures and will still not shy away from implementing the minimum wage once the guideline is available to government,” she added.
The Head of Service said the State Government had so far invested N900 million into the staff micro-credit loan scheme, which would be available to all categories of workers. “The scheme has disbursed loans to 4, 570 workers to the tune of N1.430 billion as well as distributed 400 units of laptops to workers at a subsidised rate.’’
To enable workers own houses, Ugah said the State Government had in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, built and allocated 165 housing units to serving civil servants on ownership basis.
She disclosed that an additional batch of 1,500 housing units were under construction at Kaduna New City Layout, Zaria and Kafanchan.
Kwara
The Code of Conduct Bureau has directed new political office holders in Kwara to submit their assets declaration forms within 30 days to avoid prosecution.
The state Director of the Bureau, Mr Joseph Olajide Adeoye, told newsmen in Ilorin on Saturday that political office holders must respect the law on asset declaration in their own interest.
According to him, a special committee from the bureau’s headquarters in Abuja is expected in Ilorin between July 5 and July 8 to verify assets declared by such persons.
The director said the committee would screen every asset declared to ascertain the authenticity of the documents.
He stated that many defaulters in Kwara were currently being tried by the agency and more than150 staff of Kwara State Polytechnic had been prosecuted at the tribunal.
“Political office holders and other public officers are cooperating with us. It was only Kwara State Polytechnic lecturers that were dragged before the tribunal three years ago for failing to declare their assets.
“They were subsequently fined N4.8 million after being found guilty with each of them paying the sum of N30, 000,” he said.
Lagos
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Zone of PHCN says more than N120 million has been spent to repair the burnt injector sub-station at Maryland, Lagos.
Mr Chris Akamnonu, Chief Executive Officer of the zone, disclosed this to newsmen after the inspection of the burnt transmission sub-station in Maryland. The sub-station was on Tuesday gutted by fire.
Akamnonu, however, assured affected customers that power would be restored back fully on Monday with the replacement of the burnt equipment.
He also said the zone would commence test run on Saturday and Sunday to confirm the effectiveness of the equipment. To guard against a recurrence, he said PHCN management had constituted a six-man panel to look into the incessant burning of the sub-station.
Oyo
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has condemned the spate of bombings in the country, describing it as “a great tsunami capable of threatening the foundation of the country.’’ A statement signed by the National Chairman, Mr Moshood Erubami, in Ibadan on Sunday stated that the bombings were gradually becoming the official means of expressing dissent “which is dangerously assuming an intolerable dimension’’.
It noted that the act must be condemned by all peace-loving Nigerians, pleading with law abiding citizens to resist the temptation of using bombs to ventilate their grievances on innocent co-Nigerians.
The statement added that “the bombings in Abuja and Maiduguri, which claimed innocent lives, is a big challenge to the intelligence gathering capacity of the country’s security agencies’’.
The group expressed regret over the ease with which crimes of bombing and kidnapping were committed in the face of unwholesome excuses from agencies saddled with the responsibility to safeguard the citizenry.
Plateau
Monsignor Cletus Gotan, the Parish Priest of Church of Immaculate Conception, Zaramangada, Jos, has advised parishioners to be the policemen and women of their lives by being security conscious.
Gotan told the congregation during Sunday mass that “security is the collective responsibility of all and everybody must play his or her part.
“Don’t leave your lives in the hands of accredited security agents alone; do what you can do on your own to remain alive. “If you see somebody you don’t know around you, feel free to ask who that person is.
If you are not comfortable with the person’s response, raise an alarm.’’ The priest also told the parishioners to always be conscious of cars parked around their vicinities, as well as bags dropped around them, saying such were the things used by people who planted bombs.
The church had acquired security gadgets which it uses to screen members before letting them in.
Sokoto
The Federal Ministry of Environment has commenced a training programme for 240 refrigeration and air conditioning practitioners in Sokoto State.
The workshop is being sponsored by the United Nation Development Programme. A UNDP consultant, Alhaji Sikiru Rufaí, told newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday that the workshop was to sensitise participants on the need to protect the ozone layer. “ This is to reduce the emission of ultra violet rays which negatively affects the environment and leads to an array of consequences,’’ Rufaí added. “The environment needed to be protected from danger and by so doing, protecting the living organisms against danger,’’ Rufaí, said.
He said some of the negative consequences of ozone layer depletion included desertification, flooding, as well as ailments like trachoma.
Taraba
Alhaji Abdullahi Gambo, a reporter with Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS), has emerged the winner of the chairmanship election of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Taraba State Council. Declaring the results on Saturday in Jalingo, the NUJ Deputy National Secretary, Mr Gbenga Bamidele, said Gambo polled 80 votes to defeat his only challenger, Mr Kefas Sule of the NTA, who polled 72 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Gambo, who said his victory was from God, added that he could even lay down his life to ensure that the past glory of NUJ in Taraba was restored.
He said “I am ready to do anything humanly possibly even if it means laying down my life to ensure that the past glory of the NUJ in Taraba is restored.’’
He urged Sule and his supporters to join hands with him to take Taraba NUJ to greater hights.
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