Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Women Education Empower Initiative (WEEIN), an NGO, says it trained 120 women in different skills in Adamawa.
Addressing the trainees at their graduation ceremony in Yola, the Chairperson of WEEIN, Hajiya Zainab Nyako, urged them to make good use of the training, to become self-reliant.
Nyako, who is also the wife of the Adamawa governor, urged them to form cooperative societies, to enable them source loans and assistance to establish their businesses.
She said WEEIN would assist them secure registration with relevant bodies and organisations, such as NAFDAC for their products.
Benue
The Commissioner for Education in Benue State, Dr Elizabeth Ugo, has charged the host community of the College of Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS) to support the college to enable them benefit from the institution.
Ugo made the call in Makurdi at a meeting between the college management and the host community.
The commissioner was represented by Dr Jem Tor-Anyiin, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
She said the institution needed absolute peace to enable it to operate effectively for the overall benefit of the state in particular and the country at large.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has concluded arrangements to provide jobs for 1,500 youths under its Youth Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (YCAD).
The move is aimed at reducing unemployment in the state and ensuring that agriculture contributes 50 per cent of the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR).
The initiative is also intended to turn the Farm Settlements in the state into Centres of Excellence in Agriculture and ensure all-round production of cash crops in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Babajide Arowosafe, disclosed these in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.
FCT
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has advised Nigerians to ensure they know their HIV/AIDS status before planning marriage.
The Director General of the agency, Prof. John Idoko, told newsmen in Abuja that most Nigerians would usually wait until they were about going into marriage before they go for tests to know their status.
“Nigerians should not wait until when planning their marriage or when they are sick before knowing their status. It is advisable to go for voluntary counselling and testing early.
Kano
A Kano-based environmentalist, Malam Haruna Balarabe, has advised residents to clear their drainage ahead of the rainy season.
Balarabe, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kano said that it would prevent the state from being flooded during the season.
“Everybody has an obligation to contribute to the environment and prevent it from being affected by disasters because disasters affect everyone,’’ he said.
Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested four suspected drug traffickers, including two men who ingested 124 wraps of liquid cocaine sealed in condoms.
NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju said in a statement issued in Lagos that the liquid cocaine, weighing 3.3kg, was poured into male condoms before it was ingested by the suspects.
The statement added that the two suspects excreted 70 and 54 wraps of the oily cocaine.
Niger
Governor of Niger State Babangida Aliyu has promised to sponsor interested directors in the state civil service to obtain masters degree in their fields of specialisation.
Aliyu made this known in Minna during an interactive session with Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the service.
He expressed the hope that the gesture would impact positively on their service delivery.
According to him, directors with more than five years before retirement from service will receive full grant, while those with less then three years will receive half of the cost of their education.
Oyo
The Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Yunus Akintunde, says the 50 roads being constructed by the state government will be inaugurated in May.
Akintunde said this while inspecting construction work on the Wakajiye, Isebo–Papa, Olosan and Ajibode Alfonso-Apete roads in Ibadan.
The commissioner, who expressed satisfaction with the level of performance of the contractors, appealed to benefiting communities to monitor the projects to ensure quality jobs.
He said the ongoing road and bridge projects would cost N11 billion, adding that the initiative was to make life more meaningful to the people of the state.
Sokoto
The Federal Government has spent more than N5 billion on the 35 Model Almajiri Schools established nationwide, since the project began in December 2010.
The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETF), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told newsmen in Sokoto that the schools were not part of the 51 currently being constructed by the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Yakubu, who was in Sokoto for the inauguration of one of the schools on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the schools were located in the 18 northern states and that 10 of the schools had boarding facilities.
Taraba
The Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority has donated a block of hostel worth N22.5 million to the Government Secondary School, Jalingo.
The Acting Chairman of the Authority, Mr Collins Kalabare, made the donation in Jalingo on behalf of the two countries.
He said the donation of the female hostel was one of the numerous benefits in the cooperation between the two sister countries which shared common economic interest in their Joint Development Zone (JDZ) in the Gulf of Guinea.
Yobe
The Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Idi Gubana has said that a comprehensive transport system and fertiliser distribution network would be provided for farmers, this cropping season.
The commissioner disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
He explained that ministries of Agriculture, Youth Development and Local Government Affairs “were working on a convenient means of transport for farmers across the state in view of the ban on motorcycles”.
Idi said that arrangements had reached advanced stage to provide farmers with alternative transport in the 17 local government areas in the state.
Zamfara
The Acting Governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala, has ordered the demolition of part of the on-going water treatment plant at Talata Mafara over non-adherence to contract specifications.
Wakkala ordered the demolition after an inspection visit to the project site.
The project, which was awarded at N6.7 billion, is expected at its completion, to provide five million gallons of treated water to Talata Mafara, Maradun, Bakura and Maru Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The acting governor expressed reservation on the competence of the contractor handling the job.
Wakkala also directed that part of the project must be demolished and adjusted to meet the specified standard.
He said that engineering consultants handling the projects had raised observations over the contractor’s violation of contract agreement, which made the government to take action to forestall poor job completion
He said the government would not compromise quality and standard in any job it awarded in line with its principle of transparency and accountability.
Wakkala directed the State Ministry of Water Resources to invite the company for further discussions so as to ensure that every part of the project was done in accordance with the design and contract agreement.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Adullahi Abdulkadir said the project consisted of a five million gallon capacity water treatment plant, laboratory, office complex and a staff canteen.
He said the project was first awarded by the immediate past administration to supply water toTalata Mafara and Maradun LGAs, pointing out that it was reviewed and expanded to cover Maru and Bakura LGAs.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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