Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Borno has recorded its first case of Lassa fever, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Salam Anas-Kolo, has said.
Anas-Kolo told newsmen on Sunday in Maiduguri that a middle-aged man had died of the disease on February 21.
“We have recorded the first case of Lassa fever in the state. Last week, a middle-aged man was afflicted by the disease and he died a few hours later at the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, after doctors tried to save his life but to no avail,” she said.
The commissioner blamed the victim’s death on ignorance, saying he probably would have survived if he had reported early enough for medical attention.
“The victim died because he sought for medical attention very late, when the killer disease had reached an advanced stage .
Ekiti
A member of the Senate Committee on Defence and Army, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has said the future of Nigeria remains bleak unless drastic actions are taken to correct the neglect of the youth.
The Senator, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said this in Ado-Ekiti on Friday during the award night and the distribution of prizes to the winners of the Initiatives of Babafemi Ojudu for leadership Development.
The First Prize Winner of the Essay Competition Abiodun Adeyanju, got N500,000 and a laptop while the second prize winner, Taiwo Ayedun, went home with N350,000 and a laptop.
FCT
The Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ) has criticised calls for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, calling it unnecessary.
Members of House of Representatives on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had earlier supported calls for the conference.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, the MDJ National Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Dankyarana, noted that several efforts were being made to achieve a united Nigeria.
He also said that there were better avenues to discuss the Nigerian project than the SNC and that the National Assembly had the mandate to discuss any issue affecting the nation.
Gombe
Some people injured in the Friday bomb blast in Gombe are stranded at home and cannot go hospital for medical attention due to the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state capital.
The Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross in the state, Malam Abubakar Yakubu, told newsmen in Gombe State on Saturday that his men had been busy helping such people by conveying them to the hospital.
“Some of the injured could not go out as a result of the 24-hour curfew imposed on Gombe metropolis.
“We had to be going round the metropolis identifying the injured, after which we take them to hospital.”
He said that apart from those injured in the blast, they had taken three pregnant women in critical condition to hospital for delivery.
Kaduna
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, the Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, has appealed to Kaduna State Government to return mission schools to their former owners.
Ndagoso, represented by the Archdiocesan Vicar-General (Administration), Rev. Fr Bulus Karis, made the appeal on Sunday in Kaduna when he inaugurated the Lenten Campaign.
The theme of the Campaign is “ Access to Qualitative Education: Panacea for Peace and Security.’’
He urged northern state governments to emulate some of their southern counterparts, who had returned schools to the missions.
He decried the fallen standard of education and attributed the development to inconsistencies in the implementation of education policies.
Kano
A fire outbreak has gutted the Gezawa General Hospital, in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano state, destroying property worth millions of naira.
The Interim Management Officer of the local government, Alhaji Usaini Ajingi disclosed this to newsmen in Gezawa shortly after the incident.
He said the fire had completely destroyed the pharmacy, laboratory, theater room and maternity ward of the hospital.
Ajingi, however, said no life was lost and pledged to provide 50 chairs for use at the ante-natal unit and out-patient department of the hospital.
Katsina
Three National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) members have been abducted by suspected political thugs in Mashi local government area of Katsina state, during the bye-election into the state House of Assembly.
The incident occurred at Bamble ward where the thugs were reported to have abducted the corps members who were serving as INEC ad-hoc staff for the election.
Eye witnesses said the thugs had demanded that they be allowed to stuff the ballot box at the polling unit in favour of a political party.
An INEC National Commissioner, Amb Muhammad Wali, who confirmed the report, however, said the two corps members had been rescued.
In a related development, Senator Hadi Sirika (katsina North-CPC) has accused INEC of failing to conduct election in 110 polling units of the constituency.
He also alleged that most of the CPC agents were chased away from polling centres by suspected political thugs during the election, saying that the party would not accept the result.
Lagos
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has yet to benefit from the Federal Government’s mass transit buses, according to its President, Mr Peter Esele.
The Federal Government, under its Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) scheme, had ordered buses for distribution to competent investors in the country’s transport sector.
However, Esele told newsmen on Saturday, in Lagos, that the TUC bought the 150 buses which it was currently operating with a loan.
“If it is the 150 buses TUC received, we took a loan from Urban Development Bank during President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration and it was guaranteed by the government.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State has announced immediate payment of a 10-month arrear of housing allowances to workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.
Almakura made the announcement in Lafia, shortly after a meeting with organised labour and members of the joint Union of Tertiary Institutions in the state.
The approval was the governor’s response to a warning strike embarked upon on Monday by the workers.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condoled with the management and staff of The Guardian newspaper over the death of their Acting News Editor, Mr Benjamin Ukwuoma.
Ukwuoma died at the age of 52.
The governor, while speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, said the death of Ukwuoma, coming on the heels of the passage of the newspaper’s publisher, Mr Alex Ibru, was a blow to the newspaper organisation.
While mourning the death, especially taking into consideration how it had orphaned Ukwuoma’s children who had earlier lost their mother, the governor prayed God to console the bereaved.
“I send my hearfelt condolences to the management and staff of The Guardian.
Plateau
Goverbnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has directed security agencies to beef up security around churches and mosques to check further attacks on religious places.
Jang was reacting to the bombing on Sunday of the COCIN headquarters Church in Jos, where five people were confirmed killed.
Jang, who gave the directive when he visited the scene of the attack, said that government would stop at nothing to sustain the peace that was gradually returning to the state.
The church, incidentally, is where Governor Jang worships every Sunday during the second service but the attack occurred during the first service.
Sokoto
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru, has urged the Governor elect, Aliyu Wamakko, to design comprehensive policies and programmes on poverty eradication.
Kabiru told newsmen in Sokoto on Tuesday that such programmes would help a lot to create jobs for the public.
He also called for the setting up of skill acquisition centres at district levels, to train youths and women in various trades.
The assemblyman commended the immediate past administration for training 400,000 youths through the skill acquisition programmes.
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