Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has signed the state’s 2012 Appropriation bill of N112 billion.
The governor also signed three other bills namely a bill to amend Local Government Law 2007, a bill to amend Benue Independent Electoral Commission Act and a bill to amend Benue State Electoral Law 2007.
Speaking after appending his signature to the appropriation bill, Suswam said he would ensure that only proposals captured in the budget were funded.
He warned that no ministry, department or agency would be allowed to indulge in extra budgetary spending.
The governor urged commissioners and permanent secretaries to adhere strictly to only provisions captured in the budget.
Earlier, Mr David Iorhemba, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, assured that the legislature would ensure full implementation of the budget through its oversight functions.
Bornoo
The Borno Government said on Tuesday that it would plant two million trees across the state in a bid to check desert encroachment.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Hassan, disclosed this in Maiduguri while speaking with newsmen.
“The state government is working towards planting two million trees as part of efforts to control desert encroachment in the state.
“In planting the trees, we are also hoping to empower rural farmers so that they can generate income from the trees,” Hassan said.
He said that government would soon procure the seedlings, adding that it would assorted economic and non- economic trees.
“Additionally, the government will encourage the establishment of orchards in all parts of the state to further accelerate the programme.”
Edo
The Edo State Police Command has deployed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been deplored to Auchi, to curb the incessant bank robbery in the area.
The deployment was as a result of an agreement between the banks and the authorities for the banks to open for business after a week of closure.
It will be recalled that there has been incessant attack on banks in the area by armed robbers, the latest of which was that of April 9, when robbers attacked bullion vans in the area.
The attack had led to the Edo branch of the Bankers Forum to order banks to close their doors against costumers until the security situation in the area was addressed.
The banks, however, agreed to reopen for business on Monday with strong a condition.
Kaduna
Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Monday urged residents to assist the state government to tackle the current security challenges.
Yakowa, who made the call when he paid sympathy visit to the victims of the Easter day bomb explosion in Kaduna, described the explosion as “unfortunate and unnecessary”.
He said the people must resolve to ensure the security of their environment and to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard their lives and property.
“Security is the business of everybody, the people in the state should take security seriously, the security agencies can only succeed if we provide information to them.”
He assured the people that the government would continue to partner with traditional and religious leaders to preach peace and unity in the state.
“In the north we have a structure and a system, if properly used, from the chief, the village head to every household, we would be able to resolve the security challenges.”
He commiserated with families of the victims, assuring them that appropriate assistance would be offered to them.
Kano
The Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in Kano State says that it will construct public conveniences in 12 markets and motor parks in some local government areas of the state.
The decision is part of the renewed effort to check indiscriminate open defecation in public places, especially among villagers in the rural areas.
Alhaji Garba Durbunde, the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.
“The toilets to be constructed are modern ones as they will have water and other necessary facilities in them.’’
He also said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had also promised to construct additional public conveniences in some of the local government areas of the state.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government built 1,172 units of houses for civil servants in the last four years, Gov. Ibrahim Shema said.
The governor made the statement in Katsina on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), led by its Executive Director, Alhaji Bello Isah Gachi.
He said the houses were sold at subsidised prices to workers, who were required to deposit 10 per cent of the cost and pay the remainder in instalments for 15 years.
Shema said the 34 local governments in the state had also constructed some houses for workers.
“The gesture is in line with the efforts of government to alleviate the accommodation needs of workers,” he said.
The governor, who described shelter as a ‘’basic necessity in life’’, said the intention of FHA to build more houses in Katsina State was `timely’.
He said the agency’s efforts would complement the effort of the state government to provide more houses for the people.
Kwara
Residents of Moro, Edu, Patigi and Kaiama Local Government Areas in Kwara have been urged to take proactive measures to minimise damages from heavy rainfall and flood expected due to a forecast.
The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Samuel Bamisaiye, gave this charge in an interview in Ilorin.
According to him, the warning becomes necessary in order to minimise damages that may occur as a result of the forecast heavy rainfall and its attendant flood.
He said that after an alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment through its Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), the ministry decided to sensitise residents.
Bamisaiye said there was the need for all buildings and structures along river banks or on streams to be evacuated with immediate effect.
Lagos
The Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State is organising free holiday lessons for secondary school students, to address the mass failure in O’ Level examinations.
The Chairman of the LCDA, Mr Obafemi Durosimi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the council was worried at the continued mass failure.
Durosimi expressed the hope that the lessons would also divert the attention of students from vices.
“The council has also acquired three buses for the students to facilitate their movement to their various schools.’’
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government said on Tuesday that it had concluded arrangements to re-equip all public secondary schools with science laboratories and library facilities to boost education.
Alhaj iHussaini Abubakar, the Commissioner for Education, announced the plan in Lafia at a three-day capacity building workshop for principals and deans of studies of secondary schools.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmuminin, said the government was worried about the decay of infrastructure in public secondary schools.
He said the development prompted the ministry to evolve a blueprint to boost the study of science and technical education to enable the state to grow technologically.
Plateau
Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau says his administration will make the state self-sustaining by making agriculture the mainstay of its economy and relying less on the federal revenue allocation.
Jang, who stated this on Monday in Jos when he received participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Senior Executive Course 34, said that Plateau was blessed with abundant natural resources.
He expressed regret that the state used to rely on the meagre monthly federal revenue allocation, but assured that it could no longer continue to rely on the federation account and was now developing its huge agriculture potential.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Jabbi Kilgore, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to equip the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to enable it to train the teeming youth on new farming techniques.
Kilgore said in Sokoto that the provision of job opportunities among the youth would enhance peace and political growth of the country.
He said the directorate should engage the unemployed youth in various methods of modern farming, including dry and rainy season cropping, to ensure massive food production.
The Commissioner said the measure would eradicate poverty in the society, adding that the country was blessed with abundant vast land suitable for various crops production.
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