Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Unidentified gunmen on Tuesday in Mubi, Adamawa, killed a police officer, Cpl. Jubril Abdulkarim.
A resident, Malam Idi Baba, told newsmen that the incident occurred at about 6 a.m. at Wuro-Gude area of Mubi.
Baba said the police officer was riding on a motorcycle when he was killed by the gunmen several metres away from the town’s abattoir.
“I was on bed and heard gunshots in the early morning hours. Later, some butchers at the slaughter house told us that they saw the dead body of a motorcyclist near the river,” the resident told newsmen
The Adamawa Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Altine Daniel, confirmed the incident, saying that the policeman was killed on his way home after night duty in one of the banks in the area.
Bauchi
A physician with the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, Dr Ahmad Panti has advised members of the public to use face masks for protection against communicable diseases during the harmattan period.
Panti told newsmen on Tuesday in Bauchi that the chances of contacting such diseases were high as winds would blow in all directions at this season.
“It is most likely for people to contact communicable diseases easily as we inhale the air that blows in all directions; as such, people should imbibe the habit of using facial mask.
“Meningitis, for example, can also be contacted because this sickness also exists during harmattan and not in the hot season alone. So people should protect themselves from contacting such diseases.”
The physician also advised parents to take proper care of their children by wrapping them in warm clothing all the time to protect them from catching pneumonia and asthma.
FCT
Concerned about the current insecurity in the country, Nigerian women have been urged to play watchdog roles in their communities.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, made the call at the Nigerian Women Stakeholders’ Forum.
The forum had as its theme, “Women: Bridge Builders, Peacemakers.’’
“The issue of security is our collective responsibility; it is not one man’s business.
“You have to keep your eyes and ears open, to take note and report suspicious things to the Police as peacemakers in your communities.”
She explained that through personal interactions, information that could endanger people’s life could filter into their ears, which required that such matters were reported to the law enforcement agents.
“It is in the nature of women to talk to one another and so when you hear or notice anything that is out of place in your communities, please report it.
Kaduna
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has lauded the Nigerian Labour Movement and the Federal Government for the peaceful resolution of the issues which led to the nationwide strike.
Idris made the commendation in Zaria on Monday when he received a group of Zaria-based journalists who paid him a courtesy call in his palace.
He said the strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had not only affected the government but the entire country.
“I want to appeal for more public enlightenment on government policies and programmes, especially those that have direct bearing on the common man,’’ the royal father said.
Idris, who is the Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, also called on Nigerians to embrace one another regardless of religious, ethnic and political differences.
“This will help to pave way for national growth and development,’’ he said.
The emir advised the country’s traditional institutions to sensitise their subjects on the need to contribute towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of non-indigenes living amongst them.
“Such a situation will allow for mutual trust to prevail among Nigerians,’’ he said.
Kogi
Residents of Lokoja in Kogi, have appealed to the Federal Government to slash the price of petrol further to make the commodity affordable to Nigerians.
The residents told newsmen in Lokoja on Monday that President Goodluck Jonathan should exhibit further magnanimity as the nation’s President by reducing the price of fuel to N70.
According to them, the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit will cause more hardship to Nigerians as many factors will play themselves out.
A recharge card seller at Adankolo area of the city Mrs Saudatu Usman said that the removal of the subsidy since the beginning of January had plunged the people into unprecedented hardships.
A metal fabricator, Mr Goddy Achem, commended the Federal Government for deeming fit to review the price from N141 to N97 but noted that there was still need for a further slash as the informal sector of the economy would be the hardest hit.
A banker, Mr Mafo Elukpor, said that the current pump price had put many families in financial difficulty, noting that the gains to the federal, state and local governments were far less than the pains.
Lagos
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it will force filling stations that have petroleum product, to sell at approved pump prices.
Operations Controller in Lagos/ Ogun Zonal Office, Mr Gbenga Koku told newsmen in Lagos that the agency had directed its surveillance teams to visit filling stations.
Koku said that any station that failed to sell petroleum products at the approved rates would be shut down immediately.
“We are going to ensure that any station that has petroleum products sell to customers.
“Our position is to clear all queues and ensure that stations sell petrol at the pump price rate of N97 per litre,’’ he said.
The DPR boss, however, said that many filling stations were closed because they lacked products, stressing that many stations had not received products since the strike started.
“Most filing stations have ran out of stock and we expect that before the week runs out, they will have products,” he said.
Nasarawa
The Parish Priest of St. John Catholic Church, Mararaba, near Abuja, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Patrick has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for effecting a reduction in the pump price of petroleum from N141 to N97 as demanded by Nigerians.
He told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the reduction was a demonstration of the fact that the president meant well for the country.
Patrick also commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for calling off the strike, and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the various palliative measures announced by the Federal Government.
Niger
Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, has raised a 13-member committee to assess the extent of damage to public and private property during the January 11 riot by youths protesting the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhameed, told newsmen in Minna on Tuesday that the governor gave the committee two weeks to submit its report.
The committee, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yahaya Dansallau, is expected to visit the affected places to assess the damage to property by the rioting youth and speak to the owners or managers of such property.
Abdulhameed said the governor had expressed shock at the damage done to the property, “and he is committed to
bringing succour to the owners of the property’’.
He, however, commended the youth of Kapkungu Ward in Minna for coming out to protect the two roundabouts in the area from the arsonists and urged other youths to emulate their good example by protecting government property in their midst.
Sokoto
The Head of Political Science Department, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Dr. Sule Kano has urged the Federal Government to provide essential facilities for the nation’s security outfits.
The don told newsmen in Sokoto on Tuesday that it was only by so doing that the security operatives would be able to manage the security situation in the country without any hindrance.
“Effective communication system, decent barracks accommodation and enhanced welfare will go a long way in boosting the morale of our security officers to safeguard our hard-earned nascent democracy.”
Zamfara
Onions, a bulb vegetable widely used in a variety of cuisines for its excellent taste to dishes, is going beyond the reach of the common man in Zamfara.
A market survey in Gusau and its environs on Tuesday, showed that the commodity has been scarce in the markets.
A small basket of the commodity hitherto sold for N100 has gone up to between N500 and N600, depending on the bargaining power of the buyer and the quality.
Speaking to newsmen, Alhaji Inusa Saminu, the Chairman of sellers of perishable items in the state, said: “We can now say that onions are no longer available in the state because of the high cost.’’
Saminu said that the cost of transporting the commodity from neighbouring Sokoto and Kebbi states had become prohibitive.
He futher said exporting tomatoes and pepper from the state to other parts of the country had become a challenge.
“We cannot move tomatoes and pepper to other parts of the country especially Abuja, eastern and southern parts of the country.”
“We used to charter a Toyota Canter to transport these items from Gusau to Kano at the rate of N90,000, but the fare has increased, to over N200,000 for the same destination.”
Onion is a vegetable cultivated in almost all the countries of the world and consumed across the globe.
Not only does the vegetable lend an excellent taste to dishes, it is also associated with imparting a number of health benefits to its users.
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
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.
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
-
News2 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime2 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime2 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment