Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Some private hospitals in Bauchi State have stopped rendering service to civil servants under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Our correspondent gathers that the stoppage followed the inability of the state government to pay for such services on behalf of the civil servants who enrolled into the programme.
Some of the Chief Medical Directors of the affected private hospitals told newsmen that they were being owed amounts ranging from N5 million to N25 million.
‘’The Bauchi State Government has yet to pay us for the services we have rendered to its enrollees between April 2009 and September 2009 as well as between November 2010 and February 2011.
Benue
The effective implementation of the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) will ensure the success of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, a director has said.
The Benue State Director Cooperatives, Mr David Bauchi, said this in an interview with the newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday.
“If well implemented, RUFIN can serve as a catalyst that will ensure the success of government transformation programme, especially in the rural areas in the country.’’
Borno
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has advised the people of Borno State to clean up drains and culverts to prevent flooding this rainy season.
Malam Zakariya Darazo, the North East Manager of the agency, who gave the advice on Tuesday in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen said the state would experience heavy rainfall this year.
According to him, rainfall might cause flooding just as he predicted bumper harvest.
Darazo also advised the people and traders to always remain indoors whenever they observed dark clouds.
FCT
A cross-section of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents have called on the Federal Government to employ the use of modern security devices to check the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.
Some of them, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja decried the time wasted at some check-points across the metropolis.
Mr Sylvester Fayemiwo, an employee of Ecoscan, Garki, Abuja expressed discomfort over some of the measures used by security operatives at some check-points.
“I believe there are modern devices they can use that can be more effective than the current stop and search system,’’ Fayemiwo said.
Kaduna
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former governor of old Kaduna State, has advised the Federal Government to dialogue with members of the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
He told newsmen in Kaduna last Tuesday that government should adopt “practical strategies aimed at ending the crisis by engaging the members politically”.
Musa advised government to accept making mistakes in the way it handled the problem initially.
“I am canvassing for the use of dialogue and political resolution for two reasons. Firstly, the world over, such crises are resolved through dialogue and secondly, the use of force doesn’t solve crisis.’’
Katsina
A former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has blamed the current security challenges in the country on the lack of accurate intelligence by security agencies.
Coomassie told newsmen in Katsina that the security situation was worrisome and called for urgent solution.
He noted that the sporadic bomb blasts, threats of the Boko Haram militants and other security lapses were all traceable to the lack of effective and accurate intelligence by security agencies.
“We have dealt with groups such as Maitatsine sect in Kano and similar cases in other parts of the country with the help of efficient intelligence.’’
Lagos
To achieve success in “rolling back’’ malaria, the cycle of infection must be broken, the National Professional Officer (Malaria) with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo has urged.
The Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. It forges consensus among key actors in malaria control, harmonises action and mobilises resources to fight malaria in endemic countries.
In an interview with newsmen Arowolo listed the cycle to include unkempt environment, incomplete treatment and the attitude of not using the Long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLIN).
She explained that if an individual did not complete malaria treatment, mosquitoes could transmit the malaria parasite from the individual with malaria to another person.
“And how can you break the cycle? It is either by treatment, either by prevention, by having a barrier or causing a barrier between human and mosquitoes.
Niger
The presidential panel on post-election violence has urged the people of Niger to provide useful information that will assist the panel to deliver on its terms of reference.
Justice Samson Uwaifo (rtd), sub-committee ‘A’ Chairman of the panel, made the call in Minna on Tuesday.
Uwaifo was speaking when he led his team on a courtesy visit on the acting Governor of Niger, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto.
He said that his sub-committee was in the state on a fact-finding mission with regard to the post-election violence that took place in the state.
“If there is anybody with useful information, which will help us meet the terms of reference given by the Federal Government let him come up with it.”
Ogun
Female staff of Ijebu-Ode Local Government of Ogun failed to come to work last Tuesday, while market women also closed their shops over the observance of a traditional festival, “Agemo”.
“Agemo’, a traditional masquerade of Ijebu-Ode people, is believed to come to town with other deities after three days of traditional rituals during the festival and must not be seen by women.
The belief is that a woman, who mistakenly comes across Agemo will die.
Based on the assumption, the palace of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, issued a statement last week and posted it in strategic places in the town advising women to keep off from the streets.
Ondo
The Chairman, ad- hoc Committee on Local Government Creation in Ondo State, Mr Lawrence Ajetumobi, says that states are vested with powers to create new local governments.
Ajetunmobi made this known in Akure while receiving memorandum on creation of the proposed Ogbese Local Council from the present Akure North Local Government.
He said, however, that states’s constitutional provision to create more councils was subject to approval of State Assembly and final enlistment by the National Assembly.
According to him, the committee will strictly follow all constitutional procedures to ensure the success of the exercise in the state without acrimony.
At the presentation of the memorandum were traditional rulers including Oloba of Oba- Ile, Oba Joseph Agunbiade, Alayede of Ayede- Ogbese, Oba(Prof) Iseoluwa Oluyide, Olu of Owode, Chief Samuel Fapohunda and Chief Olu of Ilado, Chief Johnson Ajomale.
Oyo
The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has graduated 99,379 students since its inception 40 years ago, the Rector, Prof. Olusegun Odunola, said.
Odunola made the fact known in Ibadan at a news conference to mark the institution’s 40th anniversary celebration.
He said the polytechnic had become a citadel of learning for Nigerians with 51 accredited programmes at both the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
“The institution since establishment has distinguished herself from its peers through brilliant performance in both academic and extra-curricular activities.
Plateau
Retired Col. Fidelis Attahiru , running mate to Plateau Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship candidate in the April 26, 2011 election, has been suspended from the party.
Mr Amos Gizo, the party chairman, who announced the action in Jos, said that four other top shots of the party had also been suspended over alleged “gross misconduct”.
The others included Gizo’s Deputy, John Haruna, Mr Philip Samci, Vice-Chairman, Central Zone, as well as Sen. Silas Janfa and Moses Atan.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, has urged PDP supporters in the state to ignore acts of provocation by the opposition during the campaigns for the local government elections.
Tureta, who was the Director-General of the Wamakko/Shagari Campaign Organisation, said “we should not engage in any form of violence as it is not in our character’’.
He told newsmen in Sokoto that all the candidates fielded were credible, sincere and committed party members who would work towards the successful implementation of the party’s manifestoes.
He said as democrats, PDP members should exhibit high sense of political maturity at all times.
Tureta said the party had already taken measure to promote its “lofty ideals” for the overall political development of the state.
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
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