Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Government has been urged to enhance security at the commercial border town of Mubi in Adamawa to check the threat of armed robbers.
Member representing Mubi South Constituency, Alhaji Usman Lamorde, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Yola on Monday.
Usman spoke against the backdrop of last week’s day-light robbery at Mubi market in which four people lost their lives.
He said the people of Mubi were disturbed by the development and wanted security beefed up at the market area to forestall future occurrences.
Usman said Mubi, the commercial hub of Adamawa, had always enjoyed peace and growing commercial activities, adding that everything needed to be done to sustain the tempo.
Borno
The Borno State Government will put in place machinery to enlighten the public on the state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan on some areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Information Mr Inuwa Bwala told newsmen shortly after an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council that “Council met and deliberated on the declaration of the state of emergency.
“After brainstorming for some hours, council agreed on the need to educate our people on the development.
“Council stressed the need to disabuse the minds of our people on the misconception that all democratic structures have been removed,” Bwala said.
Ekiti
Ten inmates of the Ado-Ekiti Prison have been granted amnesty by Gov. Kayode Fayemi as part of the new year celebrations. They include eight males and two heavily pregnant female inmates of the prison.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said the two pregnant inmates, Bose Joseph and Omotosho Yetunde, were at advanced stages of pregnancy and there were fears that their prospective babies could suffer stigmatisation if allowed to deliver in the prison yard.
According to sources the two women were not involved in capital offences.
The statement said the eight other inmates had been under incarceration in the prison for between 12 and 14 years while awaiting trial.
FCT
A group, Youth Alliance for the Deregulation of the Downstream Oil Sector, has urged other Nigerian youths to embrace the removal of fuel subsidy which took effect on Sunday.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, Mr Okechukwu Okorie, the coordinator of the group, urged Nigerian youths to avoid any form of protest as it would only lead to chaos in the already “tension-soaked country’’.
“Information reaching us reveals that some of the major cabals that are benefiting from the fuel subsidy are busy organising some disgruntled youths for a protest march.
“We want to sound a note of warning that if any Nigerian youth comes out on the streets of Nigeria, we shall mobilise youths to counter any protest march.’’
Gombe
Four shops were burnt and another destroyed by some hoodlums at Angwan Shamaki ward in Tudun Wada area of Gombe metropolis on Monday.
An eye witness told newsmen that the youths came from opposite directions around 5.30 p.m. and set fire on one of the shops, which later spread to the others.
The witness said the hoodlums fled immediately after setting the shop on fire.
Our correspondent learnt that the incident occurred shortly after some groups had allegedly clashed at the Central Mosque, Gombe, during which three people were injured.
Kano
Law enforcement agents have beefed up security in Kano metropolis, following a protest by some youths on Monday over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Our correspondent who went round the city reports that armed policemen had been drafted to strategic places to monitor the movement of people to prevent a possible break down of law and order.
Policemen were seen in vehicles patrolling some of the major streets.
Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari has approved the construction of Kawara/Mairuwa/Goron-Dutse road in Suru Local Government Area at a cost of N4.1billion.
This was contained in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’zu.
According to the statement, the road which covers a distance of 16 kilometres will link five local government areas (LGAs) across the Rima River in the state.
“The road, which also has provision for the construction of four bridges along the Fadama landscape, is expected to link Suru, Bunza, Dandi, Koko-Besse and Bagudo LGAs, as well as parts of Niger Republic,’’ it said.
Lagos
A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Olisa Agbakoba, in Lagos, has criticised the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the government on January 1, calling it “an unpopular’’ decision.
Agbakoba told newsmen on telephone, that the government disregarded ongoing consultations with the different spectrums of the public on the matter.
“It is unfortunate. I am highly disappointed that government disregarded public outcry against fuel subsidy removal.
Niger
Authorities of Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State, has expelled 11 students for various examination malpractices during its 2010/2011 academic session.
Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, the rector of the polytechnic, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Bida, Niger.
He said the students were caught cheating during the examination, adding that their cases were forwarded to the institution’s Exams Misconduct Committee.
Sule said that the affected students, who were on indefinite suspension, refused to appear before the committee to defend themselves on the allegation levelled against them which led to their expulsion from the institution.
Oyo
The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has condemned the spate of bombings and violence in some parts of the country.
General Secretary of the organisation, Alhaji Kamaldin Akintunde, in a statement in Ibadan on Monday had described the bombing attacks as ‘disastrous, painful, unfortunate’ and a bad omen for the country.
“Let me remind the sect that claimed responsibility for the bombings that attack on any place of worship is grievous and punishable.’’
He said the act was against Islamic prophetic tradition which forbids killing of innocent souls and suicide.
Akintunde urged the Federal Government to employ ‘radical and aggressive’ approaches to curb terrorism and insecurity in the nation.
Sokoto
A Sokoto-based politician, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state emergency in the security sector.
Yabo told newsmen in Sokoto on Monday that the measure would enable the Federal Government to apprehend and prosecute those sponsoring terrorism in the country.
He said that a well-articulated security network is required urgently to safeguard the nation’s hard-earned democracy.
He explained that the time had come for the government to set in motion a comprehensive security mechanism that would enable Nigerians put terrorism behind them for the overall political growth of the country.
Yabo, who is also the secretary of Aliyu Magatakarda Advocacy Group,called on the Federal Government to provide modern working facilities for all the nation’s security outfits.
Zamfara
Governor Yari of Zamfara State has directed his special advisers to relate with people and obtain feedback that can assist the administration in good governance.
Yari gave the advice recently in Gusau at the swearing-in ceremony of the 33 newly-appointed special advisers in the state.
“I urge you to relate with people and obtain feedback, which will assist us in making government policies and programmes that are more responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people”, Yari said.
He urged the advisers to always be guided by the oath of office, which restricted them from allowing their personal interests to influence their official decisions and conduct.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
