Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Students of Technical College, Mubi in Adamawa, have commended the member representing Mubi North constituency in the House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Jarengol, for rehabilitating and equipping the school library.
A representative of the students who is also the head boy, Abbas Suleiman, said the rehabilitation and equipping of the library with books and furniture was a big relief to the staff and students.
Suleiman said that Jarengol, a former student of the school, had proved to be a good old boy and should be emulated by others.
The head boy appealed to his fellow students to be committed to their studies so that one day they too could contribute their quota to the development of the school.
The principal of the school, Mr Reuben Manvi, also said that the school authorities and students would ever remain grateful to Jarengol for his good work.
“He is a worthy ambassador of this school and I will like to appeal to other old boys of this famous school to emulate him by complementing government efforts in catering for the growing needs of the school.’’
Bauchi
Hajiya Talatu Barwa, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Childs Development, said the ministry had established a centre for orphans and vulnerable children.
Barwa who stated this at this year’s Children’s Day celebration in Bauchi. She said the centre would ensure that the children were protected and provided with essential services.
Barwa said plans were on to stamp out child labor through collaborative work with the Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity and the International Labor Organisation.
She urged the children to reciprocate government’s gesture by being responsible and avoiding deviant behaviour.
Gov. Isa Yuguda, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Sager Sale, said the government had put in place several projects and programmes for the development of children in the state.
Borno
A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya pupils (SWOT) on Sunday presented materials to Tsangaya schools in Maiduguri.
The SWOT Executive Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said that the materials were donated to uplift the living condition of the Almajiri pupils in the state.
The items were presented at a ceremony marking the maiden Almajiri Day in Maiduguri.
Bello explained that the NGO had made similar presentations to the vulnerable and less privileged groups in the society.
“You will recall that the wife of the governor requested for 100 tricycles for distribution to teachers of Tsangaya schools under the poverty alleviation programme. “She also provide electricity generating sets to some Tsangaya schools for evening classes as well as provided sowing machines and others items to widows to alleviate their sufferings,’’ Bello said.
He said that the provision of first aid boxes in the items distributed was to safe the lives of many Almajiri pupils, who often fell sick at the school.
Ekiti
The Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) in Ekiti will not lead to retrenchment of teachers but enhance their capacity.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti made the clarification, while speaking at the 2012 Children’s Day celebration on Sunday in Ado Ekiti.
Fayemi explained that TDNA was designed to revamp the education sector in the state and better the lot of teachers’ as well as that of the students.
“It is pertinent to say that while many have misconstrued government’s intention, we are convinced that it will better the lots of both the teachers and the students,” he said.
He vowed that his administration would ensure that the state returned to its leading position in the education sector as the fountain of knowledge.
Fayemi said the State Government had commenced the process of creating conducive environment for productive teaching and learning
Gombe
The Gombe State Government is to organise townhall meetings to generate feedback from the people on government policies and programmes to ensure provision of quality service.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki said in Gombe on Sunday that the newly established Directorate of Orientation and Ethics, would coordinate the programme.
“We will soon start town hall meetings in various communities in the state; local governments and ward levels. “These town hall meetings will be a means where we will publicise government activities and programmes. ‘It will also be an avenue where we will receive feedbacks as to how people think so that from there, government will know what it ought to do in so many areas,” he said.
Dawaki said the government had constructed 51 roads, provided fertiliser, expanded the Gombe Greater Water Scheme, electrified 55 communities and installed solar traffic lights across the state, among some of its achievements.
He said Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo had approved the estabilshment of a state Ethics and Moral Committee that would champion attitudinal changes in people.
Kaduna
Alhaji Rilwanu Shehu, Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Soba Local Government Area in Kaduna State, said the council procured 100 trucks of fertilisers at N100 million for this year’s farming season.
He told our correspondent in Soba headquarters of the council on Sunday that farmers in the area would enjoy 50 per cent subsidy.
“We are going to sell the fertilisers to our farmers at half the price; this is part of government’s efforts to assist the farmers. “Our aim is to encourage mass agricultural production in the area to reduce the level of poverty amongst the people.’’
Shehu gave the assurance that the fertilisers would be distributed judiciously to all categories of farmers with emphasis on peasant farmers.
The chairman appealed to the farmers to be patient as sales of the commodity would commence soon.
Shehu lauded Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State for embarking on developmental projects in the area.
“We are grateful to the state government for constructing a road that links Soba with Ikara, where you can now spend 15 minutes instead of two hours. “The road has been upgraded and standard bridges were constructed, now you can move comfortably on this road.’’
According to him, work is also ongoing on Gujungu-Turawa-Dinya road.
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.”