Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa has approved the appointment of Mr Musa Kaibo as the new Head of Service of the state.
A statement issued last Friday in Yola by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kobis Thimnu, said the appointment is with immediate effect.
It said Kaibo’s appointment was as a result of the retirement of his predecessor, Alhaji Othman Mohammed.
Until his appointment, Kaibo was the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service.
FCT
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has assured that the July 14 governorship election in Edo would be credible, free and fair.
The special adviser gave the assurance last Friday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the forth-coming governorship election.
Gulak also promised that election materials would be distributed to all polling units on time to enable the electorate to exercise their franchise without hindrance.
On the recent court judgement reinstating elected local councils in Imo State, Gulak said that Gov. Rochas Okorocha had no constitutional power to dissolve the councils, adding that the court had done the right thing by re-instating the council chairmen.
The tenure of the council officials had not expired when they were told to go in June last year by the governor. A transitional committee was subsequently appointed to replace the 27 council chairmen. According to Gulak, the appointment of caretaker committees for local government councils is unconstitutional.
Kaduna
Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has urged politicians to imbibe the spirit of togetherness to bring true national unity to the country.
At a dinner organised by the State Government to mark the end of the 2012 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL in Kaduna last Friday, Yakowa said he had watched with keen interest the spirit of togetherness of the military, which other groups should emulate.
He commended the role the military and other security agencies played in bringing peace to the state and said the government and people of Kaduna were indebted to them.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Outsole Obadiah, said the country was proud of the army, and urged them to continue to distinguish themselves where ever duty calls either within the country or outside.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said NADCEL had showcased what the army had been doing in the past two years.
Katsina
The Katsina State chapter of the Joint Health Sector Union has expressed concern over alleged imposition of high tax on its members.
The Chairman of the union, Alhaji Aminu Usman, said in Katsina last Friday that the introduction of the new tax regime had reversed the benefit workers derived from the new salary structure.
The chairman said “the union wanted to make it clear that this is not acceptable.’’
Usman also called on the government to pay six months outstanding arrears to health workers in local government areas in the state.
He however, acknowledged that the state government had implemented the Consolidated Medical Salary and Consolidated Health Salary Structure for its members.
The union reaffirmed its support for the three-week ultimatum given by the Nigeria Medical Association for the state to improve the deteriorating condition of health sector or face an industrial action.
Kebbi
Kebbi State Director of Information, Alhaji Garba Hamisu, has advised journalists in the state to shun sensationalism and uphold professional conduct.
The director, who gave the advise last Friday, in Birnin Kebbi in an interview, assured journalists that the ministry of Information would furnish them with relevant information for dissemination to the public.
“Journalists have serious challenge in the current democratic dispensation. Their reports and criticisms of government activities should be objective, fair and factual,’’ he said.
Hamisu appealed to journalists to shun materialism and give priority to rural coverage to enable people in rural areas offer meaningful advise to policy makers that would improve their standard of living.
“If you want to make quick money, then this profession is the wrong place for you, but you can excel and gain recognition and respect through proper conduct”, he added.
Lagos
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Manko, on Sunday said that 244 suspected armed robbers were arrested by the command in the first half of this year.
Manko said that the arrest of the ring leaders of the various robbery gangs in the state remains one of the biggest achievements of the command during the period under review.
He said that 160 guns and 948 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspected armed robbers who had been terrorising the state.
The Police chief said also that out of the 54 cases of robbery recorded during the period, 59 suspected armed robbers were shot dead while five policemen lost their lives in the various encounters with the robbers.
Manko added that 239 vehicles were snatched at gun points, 227 vehicles removed from where they were parked while eight vehicles were driven away by drivers during the period.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the care and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Rotimi Adelola, said this last Friday in Akure while inaugurating the quarterly meeting of the state Technical Committee on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
Adelola noted that the response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children was largely driven by the state government.
He said the meeting was to develop guidelines for the implementation of intervention measures for the care, support and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in the state.
The committee, he added, would “provide a clear understanding of the guiding principles, define roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders to enhance collaboration and strategic partnership”.
Osun
Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has urged the executive secretaries of local government councils to explore ways and means to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of their respective councils.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Rasheed Olalekan, gave the charge while meeting with the Executive Secretaries and the management of six councils which appeared before it last Friday in Osogbo. The local government councils were Olorunda, Osogbo, Odo-Otin, Orolu, Irepodun and Ife-East .
Olalekan stressed the importance of IGR to the overall development of their local government areas in particular and the state in general if they work hard at improving their revenue profile.
Plateau
The leadership of the PDP in Plateau State has given its 19 members in the State House of Assembly three months to open their constituency offices.
The State Chairman of the party, Dr Haruna Dabin, said in Jos that the directive became necessary as the party believed it would aid its effort in the forthcoming elections, especially at the local government level.
He said that the flags of the party flying at those constituency offices would help in consolidating the gains of the party as the offices would provide party loyalists a place to hold regular meetings.
Dabin lamented that currently, only seven second time Assemblymen out of the 19 PDP elected members of the Assembly had constituency offices in the state.
“Only seven of them, who are second time legislators’ already have offices, we have 19 members in the Assembly.”
The PDP chieftain said that the directive which, would surely be complied with, was to enable the party to be prepared for major political events in the state that may soon unfold.
Zamfara
The Chairman of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara, Alhaji Lawali Mada, says the council will meet President Goodluck Jonathan’s December 2012 deadline on polio eradication.
Mada who made the pledge last Friday, at the launching of the second round of immunisation against polio at the palace of the Emir of Gusau, said the council had made all necessary arrangements toward meeting the objective.
He said the people of the area had been adequately mobilised through enlightenment campaigns conducted by health workers in collaboration with the information unit of the council to achieve the goal.
The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Kabir Danbaba, said the Emirate Council had already mobilised all village and ward heads to sensitise their people for the success of the exercise, and expressed confidence that the polio disease would be eradicated from the area before December, this year.
The representative of World Health Organisation, Atiku Mai-ahu, urged the local governments in the state to be more committed in the renewed efforts by the Federal Government toward eradicating polio.
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