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An optometrist, Dr Kingsley Ekemiri, says carrots, water melon, stockfish and fresh fish are important nutrients for improved sight.
“Nutrient is a very important component of our vision in the sense that when we eat properly, we tend to improve our visions said in Abuja.
“Basically carrot has what is called the carotene, a very important component of the retina; when you eat a lot of carrots, it tends to improve the immunity and the healthiness of your retina that makes you see much better.
“Stockfish and also fresh fish are very important nutrients for your vision, so also is red oil which is palm oil because it contains what is called retinol,’’ he said.
He advised people to desist from frying red palm oil, as such destroys the nutrients that aid vision.
Gombe
In a bid to promote aforestation in Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, an NGO, Prof. Abdullah Mahadi Foundation, has presented 500 tree seedlings to the local government council.
Presenting the seedlings in Deba in Gombe State last Monday, Prof. Abdullahi Mahadi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Gombe State University, said the gesture was also aimed at curtailing soil erosion.
Mahadi urged the people to imbibe the culture of planting trees to protect the environment, and said that the foundation was formed to inculcate the love of nature, particularly trees in children.
The vice-chancellor said that some of the trees being presented would soon be extinct, hence the need to preserve them.
Kaduna
The Federal Government has in the last three years spent N120 billion on the implementation of MDG programmes, according to the Director of MDGs, Mr Oluwole Edun.
He announced in Kaduna at the 13th meeting of Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) Focal Persons that more than 30 million people had benefited from the 30,000 projects executed under the MDGs in the country.
“The CGS is one of a number of initiatives, which have in the past years improved planning, projects management, governance and accountability.
“There has also been a major boost in capital investments in key MDG sectors, in particular health, education, water and sanitation,” he said.
Edun noted that a recent evaluation of the programme had shown tremendous success in many projects, but that there were still challenges in implementation, investment branding, monitoring and reporting, maintenance and sustainability of completed projects.
He said that some states did not adhere to the provisions guiding the CGS procurement process and financial management, which had affected the effectiveness of the investments.
Edun said the MDGs had received proposals from states totaling more than N87 billion in addition to other areas of attention, such as education, health delivery, water and sanitation.
He said the states would soon be invited to commence pre-disbursement requirements, while the CGS to local government areas would soon commence in 113 councils.
Kano
Two persons suspected to be hired assassins have killed a prominent Lebanese motor spare parts dealer, Mr. Gaffar Shamsuddeen in Kano.
An eye witness said, that the incident happened on Thursday around 2.30pm at the deceased’s shop located on the popular Ahmadu Bello Way in the city.
According to the eye witness, the hoodlums stormed the deceased’s shop at No. 139 Ahmadu Bello Way on a motorcycle.
The suspects were said have arrived at the shop, but the deceased, who was said to have returned to Kano from Lebanon on Wednesday, was not in the shop.
But just as the men were about to leave the shop, Shamsuddeen returned and as he tried to enter the shop, one of the hoodlum shot him on the chest.
Kebbi
An Islamic scholar, Alhaji Isma’il Diri, has called on Muslims to seek divine blessing through goodwill to mankind on “the Night of Majesty” during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Diri, who addressed a public gathering in Birnin Kebbi urged Muslims to sustain the lessons learnt during the Ramadan for blessing on the special night in the last ten days.
“Any Muslim who seeks God’s blessing on that night needed to do the right things as contained in the Holy Qur’an during and indeed after the Ramadan period.
He enjoined Muslims to pray for peace unity, a God-fearing leadership and peaceful co-existence.
Kwara
Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the death of former military Vice President Augustus Aikhomu as a great loss to Nigeria.
The former governor of Kwara and senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District said in a statement in Ilorin that Nigerians would remember Aikhomu, a retired Navy Admiral, for his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
The statement, issued by Saraki’s Media Assistant, Mr. Akintoba Fatiregunm, said Nigerians would miss Aikhomu’s advice in the efforts of the present administration to transform Nigeria.
Saraki described Aikhomuas a detribalised Nigerian, who used his position to improve the lives of the people.
Niger
The Niger State government is to undertake a census of primary health care facilities in the state to determining the physical state of the structures, facilities and staff manning them.
Dr Aliyu Shehu, the Executive Director of Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NSPHCDA), made this known in Minna.
He said 1,530 primary healthcare facilities had been transferred to the agency by the local governments in the state, adding that the agency would undertake their baseline study.
“The baseline study will determine the exact number of PHC facilities, state of the physical structures, equipments and facilities and the staff manning them.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government realised N353.6 million as revenue from vehicle number plates and drivers’ licences in the last three and a half years, Dr Rauta Jat, the Chairman, Plateau Board of Internal Revenue, announced in Jos.
A breakdown of the figures shows that the board generated N116.23 million in 2008; N101.70 million in 2009 and about N99.29 million in 2010.
The board collected N36.34 million between January and June this year, adding that N118.10 million was realised from the sale of number plates, N77.16 million from drivers’ licences, while N58.93 million was raked in as motor vehicle registration fees.
Sokoto
The Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto has embarked on the building of a 50-room hotel in Abuja, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu has said.
Shehu told newsmen in Sokoto that the project, consisting of 42 double rooms and eight suites, would cost N321 million, while the project had reached 80 per cent completion.
“The major challenge for any university in Nigeria is the desire to achieve high quality with limited resources.
“That is why we have to always explore more ways to boost our internal revenue-generation capacities,” he said.
He explained that although education was expensive, “if you want quality, you have to invest and there are no two ways about this.”
Taraba
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has led a Kenya-based American investor to inspect about 30,000 hectares of marshy land in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State for possible commercial rice cultivation.
Obasanjo, was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba State.
The former president described the investor, Mr. Calvin Burgess, as a friend to Nigeria.
Yobe
Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Secretary, Mamudo Women Vegetable Farmers Association in Yobe, said the group recorded more than 200 per cent profit in the last six months.
Abdullahi, told newsmen in Mamudo village in Yobe last Monday that the support rendered by Fadama III coordinators assisted the women to increase their profit.
She said that the Fadama III office assisted the group with N280,000 after an initial contribution of N120,000 to expand and improve facilities in their vegetables farms.
“We expanded our farms from 0.8 hectares to 2.1 hectares. We also used the extra funds to construct and rehabilitate concrete wells and procured water pumps for use on our farms,” she said.
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