Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government is to merge the College of Administrative and Business Studies Azare and the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic to transform into a full-fledged institution.
The Bauchi State Head of Service, Mr Abdon Dala-Gin,made the announcement on Tuesday in Bauchi when he inaugurated an 11-man committee, set up by the government to work out modalities for the merger.ions
Dala-Gin said the committee would be chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Service Matters Bureau, Alhaji Hashimu Dori.
He named Chairman, Governing Council of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Prof. Andrew Haruna representatives of the state’s Attorney General as well as representatives of staff unions of ASUBP as members.
Speaking after the inauguration of the committee, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of College of Administration and Business Studies, Mr Adamu Waziri, described the merger as a “welcome development. ’’
FCT
To avoid a spillover of the Kaduna and Yobe crises, the Federal Government has commenced a nationwide peace-building efforts, starting with Plateau.
Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Odenyi.
Omeri said time had come to take practical steps not just for religious and social tolerance but also for mutual acceptance among the citizenry.
He appealed to chief imams and other Muslim clerics across the country to always emphasise peace, unity and mutual acceptance in their sermons as there was no alternative to peace and unity.
The NOA director general denounced the attacks on ECWA headquarters in Plateau and other parts of the country.
According the statement, these are the handiwork of mischief makers who take advantage of issues that can be resolved through dialogue to foment trouble.
Kaduna
Some customers on Wednesday trooped to various banks in Zaria, Kaduna State, to withdraw money following the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed by the government.
The state has been under 24-hour curfew imposed since Tuesday, June 19, due to the spate of attacks on worshiping centres.
Malam Bala Tijjani, who was on queue to use an ATM, commended the government for relaxing the curfew, saying it was a thing of joy.
“We have been at home days and nights like women. Apart from that, all our pockets are dry.
Another customer, Mr Mike Okey, said that money was a basic necessity to keep life going and for meaningful survival.
“Without money, nothing moves perfectly. However, I can testify that peace is by far greater than money,’’ he said.
Kogi
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has set up a new special patrol exercise code named “stop the killing/eagle eye’’ on Lokoja-Abuja Road and other highways in Kogi.
The state Sector Commander, Mr Mohammed Garba, made the disclosure at the commencement of the exercise in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Garba said that the initiative was to curtail the excesses of drivers plying Lokoja-Okene-Abuja Road and other highways in the state
He said that the operation would entail creating special corridors on Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Road to check over-speeding, overloading and motorists that engage in phoning while driving.
Garba said that 100 marshals, 10 patrol vehicles and one ambulance had been deployed for the exercise, which would hold simultaneously in Isanlu, Kabba, Ankpa, Magongo, Zariagi, Okene and Koton-Karfe towns.
Kwara
Five professors from the University of Ilorin are now jostling for the position of vice-chancellor of the institution .
The office is due to be vacant in October when the incumbent, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, would have completed his tenure.
At the close of the application for the job of Vice-Chancellor on Monday night, five of the professors from the institution had applied.
They included Prof. Hassan Salihu of the Department of Political Science, Prof. Ganiyu Hambali, Dean of Veterinary Medicine, and Prof. Luke Ayorinde, immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management) of the university.
Others are Prof. Albert Olayemi, the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and Prof. Musbau Akanji, Director of Academic Planning.
The authorities of the institution had in an advertorial on May 14, declared that the exalted office of the Vice-Chancellor, currently occupied by Oloyede would be vacant by October 6.
Lagos
The Social Workers League, a human rights group, on Tuesday blamed the continued killing and destruction of properties in some parts of the country on mass poverty and high level of illiteracy.
The League, in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its co-ordinator, Mr Baba Aye, said that economic underdevelopment had also encouraged discontent among some youths to cause havoc in the society.
“For about one week, Nigerians have been killed in Kaduna and Yobe states. There is need for the Federal Government to do all within its powers to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians,’’ it said.
The statement said the level of destruction of lives and properties showed that the guns, vehicles and other logistics used by the Boko Haram group did not come from the contributions of their members who are poor.
It noted that the killing had forced communities to form vigilante groups to defend their lives which encompassed Christians and Moslems, amongst others.
“There is the need to forge greater unity of working people in the communities within the states now faced by this painful violence,’’ it said.
Niger
The Northern States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) on Tuesday expressed sadness over the death of ASP Ado Yahaya , a security aide to Gov. AbdulAzeez Yari of Zamfara.
Yahaya died in an auto accident on the Gummi-Sokoto road during an official assignment with the governor.
In a condolence message to Yari, signed by Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger and the Forum’s Chairman, the forum said they were pained by the sudden death of the well groomed cop “who died in active service’’.
“We can only pray God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and his family, friends and the Nigeria Police, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement said.
Ogun
The Ogun police command said on Tuesday in Abeokuta that it has uncovered a shrine belonging to ritualists and fraudsters in Iganke, a boundary town with Lagos States. The shrine, located deep in a forest was filled with charms and other scary objects.
The Ogun Police Commissioner, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, who supervised the operation, told newsmen later that his men had been on the lookout for shrines and other places where evils were perpetrated.
He said the arrest of two members of the group in Abeokuta led to the discovery of the shrine, and attributed the breakthrough to the cooperation and collaboration with various communities in the area.
Okoye said, “One of them tried to dupe someone of huge amount of money, but through intelligent gathering we got to hear about it.
The commissioner further said that the two suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter was concluded.
While thanking members of the various communities for the cooperation extended to the force, he charged anyone with useful information to supply such to the command.
“I can assure you that the identity of anyone, who volunteered information that will help us uncover men of the underworld will be highly shielded,’’ he said.
Ondo
An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded two officials of the State Security Service (SSS) in prison custody for alleged armed robbery.
The officials, Owolabi Kolawole, 25, and Okunola Kayode, 28, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Igbekele Akinyele on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
They were said to have committed the offence with others at large on June 14, 2012 at about 11.30 a.m. at UBA on Owo/Ado Road, Akure. The police accused the two SSS operatives of robbing a car dealer, Peter Charles Denis of his N480,000.
The offence, the police said, was contrary to and punishable under Section 402 (1) of the Criminal Code cap 30 Vol. II laws of Ondo State, 1978. The accused pleaded not guilty.
But Magistrate Akinyele, however, told them that in legal parlance, what they did amounted to taking bribe.
Police prosecutor, ASP Pelumi Adejuwon, informed the court that he had four witnesses and urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable him to assemble them.
Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Ilesanmi Ikuemenisan, urged the court to admit the accused persons to bail on liberal terms.
Plateau
A Jos State High Court on Tuesday ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N1 million as damage to a suspect, the Secretary, Kanam Traditional Council, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi.
The court also ordered the police to refund N700, 000 said to have been extorted from Abullahi, who was unlawfully detained and prosecuted for a crime he was not guilty of.
Justice Yargata Nimpa of High Court 4, while delivering judgment on the case of conspiracy, breach of trust and criminal offence, said that the police over-stepped its bounds by extorting N700, 000 from Abdullahi.
The court had heard that Abddullahi was arrested in Kanam Local Government and taken to the state Criminal Investigation Department where he was forced to “cough out N700, 000 said to be part of N8 million given to one Nafiu Abubakar.
The court further heard that one Mohammed Kabir, proprietor of Al-yusura Primary and secondary school, Konar Shagari, Jos, was alleged to have given Abubakar, a cousin to the Emir of Kanam, the said money to organise a launching for his school.
Zamfara
Barely one month into the commencement of fertiliser sale for 2012 farming season, the Zamfara Government has jacked up the price of the commodity from the initial N1,000 to N3,000 per 50kg bag.
The decision is viewed by political observers as a policy reversal after the landslide victory of the ANPP in the June 23 local government elections in the state.
Announcing the new price to newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Malami Yandoto, said the new price would affect all categories of farmers who applied for the input through the ministry.
He said that the state government had fulfilled the promise to sell fertiliser at N1,000 per bag to smallholder farmers through their polling units.
According to him, 550,000 bags of fertiliser out of about 800,000 bags procured for distribution to farmers for the 2012 farming season, were sold at N1,000.
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