Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa has arrested six suspects for allegedly vandalising PHCN cables in Yola town.
Parading the suspects, comprising a man, Mohammed Adamu, and five minors he used for the operation, the state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Goodluck Asibi, said the minors were caught after vandalising a cable behind Yola Technical College.
Asibi said the minors subsequently led the defence corps patrol team to Adamu, their sponsor.
The commandant alleged that Adamu had been using the minors for such activities after which he usually gave them some stipend of between N1,000 and N2,000.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has advised parents to rise up to the challenge of ensuring proper upbringing of their children and impacting them with moral values.
The emir, who is also the Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, gave the advice in Zaria at the traditional fast breaking dinner with the people of the area to mark the 10th day of Ramadan.
Idris said parents had a significant role to play in inculcating moral values in the society, through proper upbringing of their children and wards.
He said such efforts would go a long way in curbing youth restiveness, thereby making the society safe for all.
“It is the duty of parents to ensure that their wards exhibit high sense of discipline and become committed to what will move the society forward,” he added.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has submitted 18 names of commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and clearance.
Mr Adoji Disina, the member representing Disina Constituency in the House announced this in Bauchi during a plenary session.
Disina told the House that the submission of the list was in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and urged his colleagues to prepare toward the screening of the nominees.
He announced Alhaji Abubakar Faggo, (Shira), Tasiu Abubakar (Katagum) and Hajiya Talatu Muhammed (Itas Gadau) and Mahiru Maiwada (Torro) former Speaker and the former commissioners for Information, Women Affairs and Rural Development as some of nominees.
They include Alhaji Aminu Hamayo (Misau) former Finance Commissioner, Dr Sani Mallami (Bauchi), Alhaji Muhammed Mai-jama’a (Bauchi), Sani Muhammed-Gura (Ningi) and Mustapha Hassan (Ganjuwa).
The Tide source reports that after a lengthy deliberation, the members agreed to commence the screening of the nominees.
Katsina
The Code of Conduct Bureau has warned the newly appointed commissioners in Katsina State to declared their assets to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
The State Director, Mr. Simon Abu, gave the warning at a news conference in Katsina.
He said the warning became necessary in view of the fact that only two of the 16 new commissioners have so far declared their assets before they took over the affairs of their respective offices.
He said, “according to the bureau’s laws, all political appointees must declare their assets before swearing-in, but majority of the appointed commissioners have yet to declared their assets.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it will provide relief to 35 compounds affected by flood in Masama community in Gwandu Local Government Area.
Governor Saidu Dakingari, who visited the flooded area also directed the Sole Administrator of the area, Muhammadu Juli, to embark on the clearance of drains in the town to avoid further loos of property.
He also directed the state urban development authority to commence the clearing of drains and illegal structures in major towns.
The District Head of Masama, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Masama, told the governor that the absence of systematic drainage system, had exposed the area to flood during the rainy season and appealed to authorities to ensure a reversal of the problem.
Ondo
The Police Command in Ondo State says 2,900 graduates in the area have applied for the advertised posts of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Inspector of Police.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Spokesman, Mr Adeniran Aremu, and made available to our correspondent last Wednesday in Akure.
It stated that examination and screening of applicants would hold between August 15 and Aug. 20.
All applicants are to report at the command headquarters along Igbatoro Road, Akure for the interview.
It warned all applicants to desist from any act that could disrupt the exercise.
Osun
The Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) has said that only 15 per cent of the 160,000 kilometres of roads in the country are good.
RAMP, an offshoot of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture made the disclosure at its Annual Retreat and Review Meeting in Osogbo.
Mr Ubandoma Ularamu, the National Coordinator, said that the 15 percent covered both the secondary and tertiary roads in the country.
According to him, the larger population of Nigerians lives in the rural areas even as about 70 per cent of the Local Government Roads are bad.
“Out of over 160,000 kilometres of secondary and tertiary roads in Nigeria, with an average registered network of 4,000 kilometers per state, only about 10 – 15 per cent is paved.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has identified the well-being of children and women as a crucial health indicator for the progress of the Nigerian society.
Ajimobi stated this at the signing ceremony of the 2011-2012 Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA), with the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in Ibadan on Wednesday.
He said that his administration would work with UNICEF and other development partners to ensure that matters affecting women and children were given priority.
The governor said that government would deliver institutional framework to guarantee the rights of children to survival, adding that women would be empowered in realisation of the set goals.
Ajimobi reminded the meeting that with just four years to the target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the challenges were enormous.
Plateau
A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Shedrack Best, said a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Isa Song, was named Special Adviser on Legislative matters.
Also appointed were former Governor Joshua Dariye’s Chief of State, Alexander Molwus, as the Special Adviser on Political Affairs, and Mr. Ayuba Dangwong, a former Plateau correspondent of the Nation Newspapers, Special Adviser on Media.
Dangwong took over from Dauda lamba, who was appointed Special Adviser on Legal Matters.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has spent about N20 million to purchase laboratory equipment for the Sultan Abdulrahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa.
Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, the Commissioner for Health, told our correspondent in Sokoto last Thursday that the government accorded priority to the promotion of health knowledge.
“We will ensure the availability of basic health facilities to enable the school to produce well qualified health personnel to manage our existing health institutions.”
He explained that the ministry would also encourage health personnel to acquire more knowledge for the development of the health sector.
Maigwandu called on the staff of the ministry to complement the effort of the state government in the promotion of the sector.
Taraba
The Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources says it is worried about the low level performance of the World Bank assisted Fadama programme in the state.
The state government has, therefore, set up a monitoring and evaluation committee under a newly established unit to continually assess the activities of the implementation of the programmes in the state.
The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Mr Anthony Jellason told newsmen in Jalingo last Wednesday that a lot of lapses had been observed in the implementation process over the years.
Jellason said that the state government had decided that before releasing its counterpart fund, the monitoring and evaluation committee, made up of experts in various fields, must be in place.
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