Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

September 23, 2011

Adamawa

As the strike on minimum wage in Adamawa State completes its first week, Action Congress Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate Markus Gundiri, has urged the PDP administration to effect the payment.

Gundiri in a statement signed by his campaign Chief Press Secretary, Mr Edward Wabundani, in Yola, stated that he identified with the civil servants over the issue, which, he said, was a genuine cause.

Gundiri tasked the government “to speedily effect the payment of the N18,000 national minimum wage to enable workers resume work and contribute their quota to the state’s development”.

Gundiri said action of labour for the implementation of the minimum wage was a cause that should be supported by all democratic forces.

FCT

Action Aid (AA), an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to put in place an effective intelligence gathering system to tackle crime.

Mrs. Funmilayo Oyefusi, the NGO’s Head of Human Relations and Organisation, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

She said that although government had made efforts in the past to reduce crime, more needed to be done to sustain the work done.

Oyefusi also called on government to investigate the causes of recent bomb blasts in the country and urged it to provide relief materials for victims of the blasts.

She expressed dismay at the plan by Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia to disengage non-indigenes on its payroll to reduce the burden of implementing the new minimum wage.

Jigawa

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, on Monday said the Federal Government was committed to improving the education of teachers.

The minister stated this during a reference meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) in Dutse.

She said government would not relent in its efforts at training and retraining of teachers to ensure quality education in the country.

Rufa’i said the ministry was making efforts toward the realisation of the Teachers Housing Scheme, adding that 24 states had agreed to donate land for the scheme.

She said the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna, which had drawn funds from the MDGs Office, trained 140,000 teachers in 2010.

Kano

The Kano State Government, has concluded arrangements to establish a College of Qur’anic and Western education as part of efforts to integrate Islamic studies into eastern education.

Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso announced the plan when a delegation from the University of Medina, Saudi Arabia, paid him a courtesy visit in Kano.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor said that the college would admit only students with bias in Islamic religious knowledge and Arabic Language.

He said that the motive was for such students to acquire western education to enable them to propagate the religion beyond the Hausa community.

Kogi

The police in Kogi Statehave arrested two suspects, Ahmodu Garba and Danasabe Muhammed, for being in possession of 166 wraps and four bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

Parading the suspects on Monday in Lokoja on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abakasanga, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Samuel Ojo, said the two men were arrested following a tip-off.

He said the suspects were also members of a gang of criminals operating from their hide-out in Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, from where they were arrested with the weeds.

The police also paraded another suspect, Idoko Patrick, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army intelligence operatives for impersonating a State Security Service (SSS) officer and extorting money from his victims.

Lagos

Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, the Chief Medical Director of a children’s hospital in Lagos on Monday said that reduction in child mortality required the collaboration of all the sectors of the economy.

Dosekun made the statement at a Child Resuscitation Seminar in Lagos, organised by the Nigerian Assocation of Science Journalists.

The medical expert said that contributions from all the sectors were necessary to improve the health of Nigerians especially children.

She said that equipment for disease treatment could be provided by philanthropists, corporate organisations and individuals as government alone would not be able to provide adequate healthcare.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), says it has adjourned its sitting indefinitely to allow for the completion and furnishing of the state’s new assembly complex.

The House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr. Baba Ibaku, told newsmen in Lafia that the House adopted a resolution expressing its concern over the slow pace of work on the assembly complex.

Ibaku noted that the assembly had been sitting at the conference room of the Ministry for Local Government and Community Development for almost three years, saying the environment was not conducive for members to effectively carry out their legislative duties.

He said the assembly complex had been completed but was ye to be furnished by the State Government.

Ibaku said that another concern of the assembly that necessitated the indefinite adjournment was the level of insecurity at the temporary chamber.

He recalled an incident last July when some youths believed to be thugs, attacked the venue and smashed windows and doors during one of the assembly’s sittings when the Secretary to the State Government appeared before the House.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday commended Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State over his N10 million donation to flood victims, saying it had opened a new chapter in the relationship between the two states.

Ajimobi stated this in Ibadan when he received Yuguda who was in the state to commiserate with the government over the August 26 flood disaster.

The governor, who said the donation would help in giving succour to victims, recalled that Yuguda had identified with Oyo State for long having participated in the NYSC there in 1980.

The governor also expressed gratitude to those who had donated money and other items to assist victims.

Yuguda, in his address, urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of Oyo State in the post-flood reconstruction efforts.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and the fortitude for bereaved families to bear their loss.

Plateau

An NGO, Global Relief, has donated relief materials worth N8 million to victims of the Jos crises.

The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Peter Akanimoh, said this on Monday in Jos while addressing newsmen.

Akanimoh said the NGO was supported by international organisations like the Serving In Mission (SIM) and Scripture Union (SU).

He also said the NGO had worked with the Red Cross Society, NEMA and other organisations in bringing succour to the more than 80,000 displaced people in various camps in Bukuru and Jos.

Akanimoh condemned the violent attacks launched against innocent people in the state and urged the aggrieved parties to embrace dialogue to restore peace.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government is to spend N300 million to construct a medical library at the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, the Governor, Aliyu Wamakko announced on Monday in Sokoto.

Speaking at the opening of the third international workshop on Reconstructive Surgery of the Lower Urinary and Genital Tracks, the governor said the state government would continue to explore critical areas that require urgent attention, as part of efforts to provide quality medical facilities for its people.

“Our sustained support is hinged on the belief that the health sector is far too critical to be left in the hands of one key player,” he said.

Wamakko, said government would ensure the development of the complex to a world standard, while appreciating Federal Government’s assistance to the hospital.

Taraba

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba has challenged the Governing Council of the state University, Jalingo to develop a strategy that will guarantee high standard of academic excellence.

He gave the challenge on Monday in Jalingo at the inauguration of the council, where he promised to give the members free hand to run the university.

Prof. Monday Mangvwat, a two-term former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, is Chairman of the council.

Suntai urged the council to scout for competent hands to run the institution, stressing that government wanted nothing short of a standard university.

“You can even bring in a Ghanaian or anybody anywhere across the globe to handle the university in any capacity.”

Yobe

The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), has trained more than 1,500 primary and junior secondary schools teachers in English, Mathematics, Basic Science and Social Studies in Yobe.

The training took place in four NTI centres in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua and Gaidam with emphasis on teaching methods in the core subjects.

Speaking to newsmen after the closing ceremony of the event on Monday in Damaturu, the Executive Chairman of the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Abba Gadaka, said the programme would ensure quality education especially at the basic level.

“Incidentally, the Gaidam administration has made quality education a top priority in the state,” he said.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB), has discovered “ghost workers” in the company, advising education secretaries in the state to remove the names of the ghost workers from their pay rolls or be sacked.

The board’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Murtala Jangebe, made the disclosure in Gusau while addressing the 14 local government education secretaries and other education officers of the board.

Jangebe said that the board had constituted a verification committee to trace genuine primary school teachers across the state.

Nation

RSG Hosts 2026 President’s Inter-SS Debate as Eight States Vie for National Crown

Published

5 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Eight states across Nigeria have converged in Port Harcourt for the 2026 edition of the President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship, hosted by Rivers State Government.

The three_days championship, themed “27th Democracy & 3rd Year Anniversary of President Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Schools Debate Championship,” opened on Monday at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumueme, Port Harcourt.

The participating states are Ebonyi, Abia, Delta, Sokoto, Yobe, Kwara, Enugu, and host state Rivers. Each state is represented by its top debaters selected through state-level contests.

Declaring the event open, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, said the championship goes beyond winning trophies. He described it as a national investment in the next generation of leaders.

“This platform is for nurturing young minds,” Nwagor said. “It builds critical thinking, research skills, confidence, effective communication, and the ability to engage constructively with views different from one’s own. These are the very qualities upon which responsible leadership and nation-building are founded.”

The Commissioner commended the organizers, participating schools, teachers, and coordinators for their commitment to promoting intellectual excellence among Nigerian youths.

He urged the students to compete with confidence, discipline, and respect. “Debate is not merely about winning an argument,” he noted. “It is about listening carefully, reasoning with clarity, presenting your evidence with honesty, and having the grace to learn from others. Let the quality of your ideas and the strength of your character define your participation here.”

Nwagor assured the participants that Rivers State is proud to play its part in raising a generation that will bring bold and innovative solutions to the country’s challenges. He wished all teams a rewarding, memorable, and successful championship.

Earlier in his welcome address, the National Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Nigeria, PSDN, Elder Dare Oritu, called the event a “gathering of minds” drawn from different parts of the country.

According to Oritu, debate is about three things. “It is about _unity_. It brings us together from different schools and backgrounds to learn from one another. It is about _broadening the mind_. It teaches you to think deeply, to listen well, to ask ‘why,’ and to defend your ideas with facts and respect. It is about _preparing you for leadership_. The problem-solvers and decision-makers of tomorrow are in this hall today.”

He reminded the students that debate is not a contest of aggression. “Debate is _not a fight_. We challenge ideas, not people. It is _not about who is better_. And it is _not do-or-die_. We win with grace, and we learn with humility,” Oritu said.

The PSDN National Coordinator encouraged all participants to compete with integrity, speak with clarity, and leave wiser than they came. He wished them the very best throughout the competition.

Highlights of the opening ceremony included the official draw for debate matches, administered by PSDN officials. The pairings will determine which states face each other in the preliminary rounds as the battle for the 2026 national title begins.

Amadi Akujobi

Nation

NIIT Port Harcourt Graduates 61 Cybersecurity Students, Enrols 48 New Intakes

Published

5 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), Port Harcourt, has graduated 61 students from its six-month Cybersecurity training programme. The institute also inducted 48 new students for the new academic session during a brief ceremony held at its Port Harcourt centre on Monday.

Centre Manager of NIIT Port Harcourt, Mr. Precious Ogulu Tom, said the institute is always excited to induct students into cybersecurity because it is one of its flagship courses with strong international recognition. He noted that the centre’s performance has earned it high ratings from ICSS, adding that in the past academic year, more than 20 students passed ICSS certification exams.

According to him, beyond the NIIT certificate, which is globally recognized, students also proceed to ICSS and complete their courses without difficulty. He credited the faculty for maintaining standards and said NIIT remains the leading ICT training institute in Port Harcourt and Rivers State.

Tom said NIIT has a presence in all major cities in Nigeria and its headquarters in India, with training covering all areas of ICT. He added that every year the institute produces at least one first-class graduate in Software Engineering from partner universities such as Middlesex University and the University of Sunderland. He described the institute’s approach as practical and hands-on.

On fees, he addressed comments about cost online, saying quality training requires investment. “Does anything good come easy? Nothing good comes easy,” he stated. He explained that students receive industry-standard books and globally recognized certificates, and invited parents and prospective students to register with NIIT for value-driven training.

Also speaking, Principal Instructor for Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, Mr. Nyekwere TamunoTonye, said the cohort began in February with high expectations and completed the programme in six months. He said one notable achievement was that the class remained largely intact despite challenges, including system breakdowns and family issues. “At the end of this six months, we never lost anybody. That is the greatest. So, we give God the glory,” he said.

Nyekwere said students were exposed to multiple domains in cybersecurity and received strong practical training. He told the graduands that their real learning starts now and urged them not to relent. “This is no longer the time you go back to play,” he added.

He emphasized that the institute equipped them not only with technical and practical skills but also with character and a mindset for continuous learning. He noted that no institution, including Harvard or Yale, can teach everything, but good schools set the path, which NIIT has done.

He charged them to deploy their skills positively. “I don’t want to see any of you being arrested by the EFCC tomorrow. I don’t want to see any of you being arrested by the police. I don’t want to see any of you being arrested,” he said.

Senior IT Counselor and Head of Sales and Marketing, Mrs. Igbigbari Vincent-Eretoru, congratulated the graduands for completing the programme and defending their presentations according to NIIT academic standards. She said certificates are awarded in character and learning, and urged them to be good ambassadors of NIIT Port Harcourt by applying what they learned.

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Class Section Head Tamunotonyesia Epelle said many came in with questions and uncertainty about specializations but left with clarity, confidence, and technical competence gained through practical assignments, teamwork, and the instructor’s push to avoid mediocrity.

Nation

HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

Published

2 weeks ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commemorated the 15th anniversary of the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, reaffirming its commitment to restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of affected communities.

In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.

The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.

According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.

Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.

In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.

The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.

Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3