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THE STATES

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Adamawa

Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has commenced distribution of motorcycles to head teachers of the 800 rural primary schools in the state.

The Executive Chairman of ADSUBEB, Dr Salihu Bakari, made this known in an interview with newsmen  in Yola.

Bakari said the measure was aimed at checking transportation challenges facing the head teachers in the rural areas, adding that the development would make them more effective teachers and managers of their respective schools.

Bakari said already head teachers of 300 schools had been provided with motorcycles in the first batch of the programme while the remaining 500 would get their own soon.

“There is a very serious problem of transportation which is affecting our managers of rural schools and that is why we decided to start by providing motorcycles to head teachers of “extremely rural areas’’

 

Benue

Clerics in Makurdi have urged youths to shun immoral behaviour and violence as they celebrate St. Valentine’s Day last Tuesday.

St Valentine’s Day is observed on February 14, for lovers to express love for each other, present flowers, offer confectionery and send greetings.

The clerics told newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday that they were more concerned about youths because they are the ones mostly involved in the celebration.

Rev. Fr Titus Igyese of St. Gabriel’s Mission, Makurdi said that the love which St. Valentine stood and died for was divine and not physical.

Igyese urged youths to refrain from indulging in immoral acts under the pretext of Valentine’s Day.

 

FCT

The National Secretary, Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) Mr Sam Onimisi, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen security at the country’s borders to address trans-border crime.

He made the charge on Tuesday in a telephone interview with newsmen  in Abuja.

Onimisi said the security agencies must live up to the task by ensuring that the nation’s borders were secure.

“Government should make sure that movement of illegal migrants into Nigeria is restricted and I believe this would help a lot in alleviating the security problems in the country.

“The Nigeria immigration service should ensure that foreigners do not enter Nigeria without valid papers.

 

Kano

The Kano State Government has relaxed for the second time the curfew it imposed on the state by four hours.

Our correspondent  recalls that the state government imposed the curfew on Jan. 20 as a result of the multiple bomb explosions which rocked the Kano metropolis.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Umar Faruk, said in a statement in Kano on Tuesday that the curfew would now hold from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Faruk explained that the decision to relax the curfew followed the improved security situation in the state.

He, however, stated that commercial motorcyclists were not affected by the new order as they were expected to operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Kebbi

Suru Local Government of Kebbi  has spent N3.5 million on the purchase of 2,800 goats to be distributed to women on loan as part of efforts to reduce poverty in the area.

The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Sahabi Dan-Baba, told newsmen in Dakingari on Tuesday that widows, divorcees and less privileged persons would benefit from the scheme.

He said 1,300 beneficiaries would receive between two and three goats to rear and generate  income for their families.

Dan-Bababa also said the council planned to expand the scheme and sustain it.

 

Kogi

The Kogi State office of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that 61 people lost their lives in 485 road crashes recorded in the state in January this year.

The state’s Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Michael Olapade, who confirmed the figure while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that the crashes which occurred in different parts of the state involved 123 vehicles.

Olapade said that a total of 385 persons were involved in the accidents with 324 of them sustaining varying degrees of injuries, attributing the accidents to dangerous driving, speed limit violation, tyre burst and bad state of roads.

The statistics also indicated that 10 out of the 28 children victims of the accidents were among the dead with the Lokoja-Abuja highway accounting for most of the deaths.

Olapade said that the commission would continue to pay special attention to the road, charging motorists to comply with traffic rules to reduce carnage on roads in the state.

 

Lagos

Head, Lagos State Voluntary Blood Donation Organisation, Dr Temilola Alayande,  has advised Nigerians to develop a more positive attitude towards donating blood voluntarily, as this could help save lives.

Alayande said this in Lagos on Tuesday at a workshop organised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee on “Blood donor recruitment and retention“. It was for youths in the state.

She said that the aim of the workshop was to recruit voluntary blood donors among the youths, as it had been observed that there was an enormous lack of adequate blood in blood banks in the state.

Alayande added that one of the major impediments to having adequate blood was the lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude of Nigerians towards voluntary blood donation.

 

Nasarawa

Governor  Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State has said that government is to embark on the demolition of illegal structures on government’s lands in the state soon.

Al-makura made the announcement on Monday in Lafia during the inauguration of 13 newly appointed Special Advisers.

He noted with dismay the trend whereby persons and groups converted government’s property and land to personal use, especially at Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) in Akwanga, Keffi, Nasarawa and Lafia.

“It is for this reason that all those who are in the habit of indiscriminately acquiring such property do so at their own peril”, he warned.

“Accordingly, government warns that it will soon embark on reclaiming of its lands as well as demolition of illegal structures within government’s lands,” he said.

He called on the people of the state, irrespective of political differences, to safeguard public property and work toward the overall development of the state.

 

Ogun

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, has freed 47 prison inmates in the last one week, according to the Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court, Mr Sikiru Owodunni.

Owodunni told newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday that the exercise began on February 7 and February 14 and the released inmates were drawn from Abeokuta, Ilaro, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode.

She said the judge made the release after a scrutiny of the list of the prisoners and their different case files as submitted by the prisons services.

He said some of the inmates were charged for offences ranging from murder, robbery, stealing, kidnapping and unlawful carnal knowledge among others.

 

Osun

Some educationists have urged the Federal Government to make Yoruba language one of the compulsory subjects required for admission into tertiary institutions by students from Yoruba speaking areas of the country.

They told newsmen  in separate interviews on Tuesday in Osogbo that the measure would improve the study of Yoruba language at the tertiary level.

An official of Osun State Ministry of Education, Miss Odunayo Olawore, said Yoruba language should be made a course to be taught and spoken from primary to tertiary levels in South West geo-political zone.

She suggested that all private schools in Yoruba land should be required to have classes in Yoruba language from nursery to secondary school levels.

 

Plateau

The Plateau Government has donated relief materials to victims of the protracted violence in Damaturu, Yobe, who fled the violence-wrecked state to take refuge in Jos.

Governor  Jonah Jang of Plateau, who donated the items worth more than eight million naira, said that more than 400 persons were taking refuge in the state.

Also offered to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were drugs and temporary accommodation at Tati Hotel, Jos.

Among the items donated to the IDPs are 100 pieces of mattresses, 100 bags of rice, 80 bags of maize, 100 pieces of wrapper and 250 pieces of blankets.

 

Zamfara

Four months after the armed banditry incident at Lingyado Community in Dansadau area of Zamfara, the state’s police command has arrested one Muhammadu Bugge, suspected to be among some bandits terrorising the area.

Bandits attacked Lingyado Village last November in a night raid, killing 19 persons.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mr Saidu Madawaki, told newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday that Bugge was arrested by a police anti-crime patrol team at Mashaya Zaki Village also in Dansadau area.

Madawaki said that Bugge and one unidentified accomplice, now at large, were intercepted on a motor cycle by the patrol team on January 31.

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HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

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In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

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NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

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The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

 

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

 

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

 

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

 

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

 

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

 

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

 

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

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Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt

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The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.

 

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.

 

He said that Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.

 

According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the fucos of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.

 

” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.

 

” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pad to girl child/ condoms for the boy child and there is also introduction to ICTC training that will commence soon in the campus.

 

” What inform us to empowered the youth we understand that when you get the youth you have getting the society.

 

“We came together and says let empowered the youth in our little way knowing that government can not do anything.

 

” Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic was a divine choice for the program because we have a lot of University including the Madonna University to carry out the program” Dr Wopara said.

 

He thank the Rector of the institution Dr Moses S. Neebee, management and students of the school saying that the were expecting like 200 students but over 600 students were in attendance.

 

” So for us we have achieved our aim for the program and we are happy.

 

” First the institution management and of course our sponsor Hon Goodluck Ndala that gave us some good support for the program ” he said.

 

Meanwhile the Rector of institution Dr Moses S. Neebee expressed joy for the program thanking Madonna University Alumni Association and partners for bringing the program to their institution.

 

Dr Neebee who was represented by the Duputy Rector Academic Dr Alapuye G. Eleki said that one thing about Alumni Association is to encourage the young ones, coming behind to impact positive value in them.

 

” So if we have a lot of Alumni like the Madonna University I think it is good because is going to help the society and beyond.

 

” The program is quite encouraging taking of health, education scholarship and all that involve we are happy for it” Dr Moses said.

 

Also speaking the Student Union Government President Comd Henry Chijioke expressed happiness for the program saying that the lecture in course of the program as impacted a lot on the students.

 

“The scholarship and the international passport is a very big boost to the students.

 

” I appreciate Madonna Alumni and partners for dimming it fit to organize the program in our institution” Comd Chijioke said.

 

Earlier one of the scholarships beneficiary Taabere James of Science Laboratory Technology ND 11 said he feel very honored for the scholarship adding that he was thinking how to clear some of his fees in the school but with the support of Madonna University Alumni Association and partners he is going to clear his outstanding fees.

 

Key highlights of the initiative include

Scholarship award, free international Passports, medical outreach, girl child support – sanitary pad were distributed to female students while male students received condoms.

Kiadum Edookor

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