Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Fadama III Office in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa says it has expended about N21 million on the programme.
The Desk Officer for the programme in the area, Malam Nasiru Lawan, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiha on Wednesday.
Lawan said that N15 million was spent on rural community development projects while N6 million was committed to pilot assets acquisition in the last three years.
“Some 15 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) benefitted from the pilot assets scheme to enable them to engage in agricultural processing, crop, fishery and livestock production,” Lawan said.
He identified the benefitting FUGs as Lingal, Alheri and Soran, Imani Support, Pakka Widows, Hamdala Women and Rahma Poultry.
According to him, the programme has so far registered 12 Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) and 134 FUGs serving 2,010 members in the area.
Ekiti
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has recommended resuscitation of railway and water transport systems as means of reducing high incidence of auto crashes on Nigerian roads.
The Corps Transport standardisation Officer of the FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, said this in an interview with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.
Olagunju said the pressure on Nigerian roads was too much, while stating that deplorable road condition, violation of traffic rules and bad management practices among flect operators in the country had contributed largely to heavy carriage on the roads.
The FRSC boss who was in the state to ensure flect operators compliance with safety requirements for flect owners, including government ministries, departments and agencies, said the commission would no longer treat violation of safety rules with kid gloves.
According to him, the Commission in a report on Road Traffic Crashes involving buses between 2007 and 2010 recommended that government should resuscitate railway transportation and water transportation systems to reduce the pressure on the road as well as high incidence of crashes.
FCT
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has called for the submission of memoranda from members of the public.
The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the committee, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, requested the public to state the sections they wished amended.
The statement also called on those submitting memoranda to provide justification for the suggested amendment and indicate how it would promote good governance, unity and rule of law in the country.
The statement further requested that memoranda should be submitted to the Clerk of the committee within 30 days.
It noted that the commencement of the review was based on the previous successful alteration of the constitution by the sixth National Assembly.
Gombe
The President, Gombe Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (GOCCIMA), Alhaji Adamu Annuri, has called on the State Government to address the problems of robbery in Gombe metropolis.
Annuri told newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday the government should intensify efforts to ensure adequate security at the central market and its surroundings.
“There is the need for the government to send intelligence security personnel to the strategic areas to enable them provide information that will lead to the arrest of the robbers,’’ he said.
He said between last year and early this year, five robbery incidences had occurred in the market and the robbers left with thousands of naira.
Kaduna
The Association of Solid Waste Contractors in Kaduna has described the sanitary condition of the metropolis as an “eyesore” and a “threat” to human health.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim, said this on Tuesday in Kaduna while speaking with newsmen.
He decried what he called the care-free attitude of some residents to waste management.
“The care-free attitude of some residents of the city has worsened the sanitary situation in the metropolis,’’ he said, adding that it posed a challenge to attaining the MDGs on sanitation.
“The attitude of some residents is sabotaging government’s efforts to maintain a clean environment.
Ibrahim told newsmen that the state government sacked eight solid waste contractors last year for non-performance.
He also said that the waste collection coverage allocated to the contractors last year was reduced from 60 per cent to 50 per cent.
Katsina
Tomato farmers in Danja, Kafur and Bakori local government areas of Katsina State, have solicited the assistance of both the Federal and Katsina State Governments to expand their business.
A cross section of the farmers made the call on Wednesday in Danja, Katsina State, in separate interviews with newsmen.
They identified the lack of storage and processing facilities and inadequate water supply as some of the constraints militating against the growth of the business.
Alhaji Kabiru Usman, who plants tomato at Gozaki village, appealed to the state government to construct a dam or sink boreholes for tomato farmers to boost their business.
He said that he and his colleagues recorded huge losses annually due to the lack of water, storage and processing facilities.
Lagos
Contract for the second phase of expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway— LOT 2A— has been awarded to China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Mr Biola Fagunwa, the Assistant Director, Public Relations Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
The statement said that the commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Kadiri Hamzat, disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders on the project at Alausa, Ikeja.
It said that CCECC was one of the five companies which bidded for the contract in 2010.
It added that the new phase of the project would start at Mazamaza area of the road to Okokomaiko, adding that CCECC would also have the responsibility for the railway content in the LOT 2A as in LOT 1.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko AlMakuru of Nasarawa State has said that the state government will collaborate with the Abuja Market Management Limited to effectively and efficiently put Lafia modern market to use.
Al-mkura said the completion of the market was to ensure the utilisation of its values and give prospective business people the opportunity to contribute to the economic advancement of the state and enjoined the market association to cooperate with AMML.
He also said that the state government was determined to boost the economy of the state even as he wooed investors into the state.
Ogun
A Senior Registrar at the Nephrology and Geriatrics Unit, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Dr. Folashade Oluwole has advocated for the passage of an Elders Rights Act by the National Assembly to cater for the aged.
She made the call in a lecture on “Active and Healthy Ageing” delivered on Wednesday in Abeokuta in commemoration of the 54th birthday anniversary of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.
Oluwole urged the Federal Government to facilitate the passage of the Act, “because most of the senior citizens have suffered untold hardship as a result of old age”.
“If animals can have their own rights in some countries, how much more human beings.”
She said that it had become imperative for the proposed bill to be passed into law to ensure adequate protection of the rights of senior citizens.
Oluwole also called for a periodic review of the nation’s pension laws to be commensurate with the inflation rate in the country.
She advised the senior citizens to always ensure periodic check of their blood pressure and their blood sugar level.
Oluwole identified some of the diseases that were associated with old age as arthritis, stroke, romanticism and insomnia, stressing that eating right, exercising and taking adequate rest would elongate lives.
Zamfara
The chairman of Zamfara State Primary Schools Assessment Committee Prof. Tukur Adamu, has promised to dig out the net bedevilling Primary Schools development in the state.
Adamu said the States’s Primary Education Board had made some discoveries of mismanagement in the sector in recent times, including the existence of over 1500 ghost teachers, adding that the committee would be intensive in its investigation and was likely to come up with more revelations.
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