Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa Government in Yola has inaugurated a 12member committee on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.
The Head of Service, Alhaji Othman Mohammed, who inaugurated the committee in his office, Monday said that it would devise ways and modalities to be used in the implementation of the minimum wage.
Othman said that while the committee should look into jacking up the salaries of those on grade levels 01 to 06 to meet up with the required N18,000, it should also “find a way of sprinkling some salt on the other grades so that their salaries will also be palatable”.
He urged the committee to consider a series of demands on enhanced salary package by various unions before the government so as to determine the huge financial obligation on the government.
Bauchi
The NUJ National President, Malam Mohammed Garba, on Tuesday in Bauchi said the union was watching with keen interest the final signing of the new salary structure for its members.
Garba made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Sani Adamu, the Bauchi Zonal Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said that the agitation for new salary structure was the right of the practitioners as well as the union, which, he added, was a professional body.
Garba revealed that the union had earlier reached an agreement with the Salaries and Wages Commission, the Information and Communications Ministry and the Ministry of Labour over the issue. He, therefore, appealed to the three government organs to facilitate the final signing of the agreement to enable members of the profession to benefit from the gesture.
Kano
A food processing company, Geisha Brand, has donated 1000 sets of furniture to five primary schools in Kano as part of activities to mark its 100 years anniversary.
Hajiya Aishatu Atiku, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the State Universal Basic Education Board, announced the donation on Monday on behalf of the chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Adamu.
She said the items included classroom chairs and tables as well as other working materials.
The director expressed appreciation to the company for contributing to the educational development of the state, saying the gesture “supplements government’s efforts”.
Katsina
Thieves on Sunday night broke into Government Day Secondary School, Suduje in Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State and stole textbooks and Home Economics equipment, a witness said. An eyewitness said in Suduje village on Tuesday that eight thieves stormed the school premises in a bus by 2a.m. on the day of the incident.
The witness said the thieves attacked the security guard on duty, Abdullahi Madubi, stripped him and locked him up in the staff room before beginning their operation. Cartons of books and equipment.
Kogi
Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi has approved the immediate dissolution of the executive councils of all the 21 local government councils in the state. Mr Joe Abrahams, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, announced the dissolution in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The commissioner said that the governor had directed the outgoing chairmen to hand over to the directors in their respective local governments on or before July 28.
He said that the dissolution of the councils’ executives was because their three-year tenure would expire on July 28.
Kwara
The Kwara government has called on the Union Bank of Nigeria to accelerate the release of the N1 billion agriculture loan to members of the Integrated Youth Agricultural Training Farm at Malete in Moro Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Isah, made the call during his familiarisation visit to the farm at Malete on Monday.
Isah noted that the loan would enable the young farmers to realise their dreams of becoming big time commercial farmers.
The commissioner also called on the chairmen of the 16 local governments in the state to provide land to the trained farmers.
Niger
The police in Niger has arrested seven persons for allegedly being in possession of large quantity of chemicals used in making explosives.
The Police Public Relation Officer, Mr Richard Oguche, who confirmed the arrest, told newsmen in Minna on Monday that the materials were recovered by the police in the house of one Alhaji Bature on Wednesday last week.
“We recover from him a highly sophisticated chemical capable of making bombs. From our findings the chemicals are high explosives that can only be used by licenced explosives end users.
“But from our investigation Alhaji Bature is neither a licensed retailer nor an end user. The claim that they used it for mining could not be genuine,” Oguche said.
The Federal College of Agnculture, Ibadan, has advocated the re-introduction of agricultural commodity marketing boards to boost farmers’ productivity.
The Provost of the college, Dr. Foluke Oluwatoyinbo, made the call while speaking on Monday in Ibadan. Oluwatoyinbo said that the marketing boards would ensure quality in agricultural production as was the case during the First Republic.
The provost recalled that the cassava glut that happened during the Obasanjo administration, could have been avoided if there had been marketing boards to standardise the quality of cassava and processed by-products.
Plateau
The Permanent Secretary, Plateau Ministry of Health, Mr Jacob Wongdem, says the state Government has identified preventive actions against malaria.
Wongdem said in Jos, that the measures became particularly imperative because malaria had been found to be responsible for most cases of infant mortality.
“Thirty-five per cent to 50 per cent of most clinics, primary health centes and hospital in-cases and out-cases and most deaths that occur in children under five years of age are caused by malaria”.
He said that government had also distributed 1.4 million insecticide treated nets in all the local government areas.
He stated that the preventive measure had become even more necessary because malaria was becoming resistant to a single drug.
Sokoto
Mrs Dawa Everest, the NYSC Coordinator in Sokoto State, said on Tuesday that 70 per cent of the 1,606 batch ‘’B’’ 2011 corps members deployed to the state were posted to schools .
Everest disclosed this in Sokoto at the terminal parade of the batch after the completion of the three-week orientation.
According to her, “this is to ensure that the scheme contributes to the educational advancement and other socio- economic development of the state’’.
Everest said the decision was taken due to an observation that corps members posted to the ministries were largely under utilised and engaged in private practice.
She commended the state government, Sokoto Sultanate Council and the public for their sustained support to the scheme.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara has ordered the contractor handling the Gusau-Sokoto bye-pass road project to ensure completion of the project before his first 100 days in office or have it revoked.
Yari, who made an unscheduled inspection tour of some vital projects in the state, said on Tuesday that his administration would not accept excuses from the contractors if the project failed to meet the September 10, completion deadline. “Having met our obligations and our part of agreement, I am not ready to accept any excuse if the project is not completed on or before our 100 days in office because the project is vital to the administration.”
Yari, however, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done and urged the contractor to keep it up.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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