Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
An Islamic Cleric in Adamawa State, Utaz Idris Njidda, has called for compulsory test for all prospective pilgrims to Hajj to determine their eligibility for the exercise.
Njidda made the call in Yola at the on-going Hajj stakeholders meeting organised by the Nigeria Aid Group of Jama’atil Nasrul Islam (JNI). He said that such examination on knowledge ability became necessary as many pilgrims had no basic knowledge of the religious rite.
Njidda, who is also a Hajj official from Fufore Local Government area of Adamawa State said that such test was conducted in his area after a two-month workshop, but that some were unable to answer simple questions on Islam.
He said, “Some could not recite Fatiha, Kalmatul Shahada or the five pillars of Islam correctly.
FCT
A Non- governmental organisation, Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria (SAP-CLN), has rehabilitated 470 women, including commercial sex workers, in FCT, Mrs Grace Adogo, Coordinator of the organisation, said.
Adogo made the disclosure in an interview with our Correspondent in Abuja during a sensitisation programme for FCT residents.
She said the sensitisation became imperative considering that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration had zero tolerance for street hawking, begging and commercial sex work in the city. She noted that among the rehabilitated women, 137 were repentant commercial sex workers, while the remaining were vulnerable women, single mothers, widows and mothers of child hawkers.
“We are also rehabilitating mothers of child hawkers in order for them to take their children out of the street and give them meaningful future.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has said it had awarded contract for the construction of 475 metres drain in the Ringim Local Government Council to check flooding in the area.
The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, told The Tide in Dutse that the project would cost N66 million.
According to him, the project is in continuation of efforts to check flooding in the area, pointing out that the contract was awarded to Triacta Nigeria Limited, while the scope of the contract included, the construction of embankment, culverts and drain. He said the State Government had also constructed drains and culverts in other flood prone communities across the state to stem environmental degradation.
The Tide recalls that four persons died while more than 1,000 houses, farmlands and roads were destroyed across 13 Local Government areas in the last four weeks.
Kaduna
Alhaji Shehu Malami Nuhu-Babajo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won Saturday’s by-election into Kaduna State House of Assembly for Zaria constituency.
Announcing the result on Sunday, the Returning Officer, Dr Dauda Ishaya of the Agriculture Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, declared that Nuhu-Babajo scored 13, 659 votes to defeat four other candidates.
He said: “Shehu Malami Nuhu-Babajo of PDP has emerged winner, having satisfied all the conditions and recquirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes.
“He is hereby returned as elected member to represent Zaria state constituency at the Kaduna State House of Assembly.”
Others, Ishaya said, were Kasimu Iliyasu of CPC who came second with 9,031 votes and Muhammad Inuwa-Umar of PRP who got 999 votes to place third.
Kano
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, in Kano called on governments at all levels to focus on youth employment to tackle the growing rate of unemployment in the country.
The traditional ruler made the call at a special lecture organised by the Bayero University Kano in honour of CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
He stressed the need for the federal and state governments to create job opportunities for the teeming number of unemployed youths, to reduce redundancy among them, noting that empowering youths had become necessary for the economic growth and development of the country
Akiolu also advised politicians against any attempt to rig the 2015 election, to ensure the sustenance of democracy in the country and called on elected political leaders to emulate Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State in terms of infrastructure development efforts.
Katsina
The Funtua zonal forestry officer in Katsina State, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim has called for collaboration among institutions, communities and individuals for the maximum protection of the environment. Ibrahim, who made the call in an interview with our Correspondent in Funtua, Katsina State, on Saturday, emphasised the need for people to complement government efforts on environmental protection programmes.
He said that government efforts needed maximum support from the public, considering the huge investments on annual tree planting, demarcation of forest and grazing reserves, aimed at safeguarding the environment.
“The consequence of environmental degradation affects every person along with animals, therefore, concerted efforts are needed for individuals to contribute toward environmental protection initiatives.’’
Kogi
The Controller of Prison in Kogi State, Mr Adam Omale, has tasked Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and religious groups in the country to complement government’s efforts at reforming convicts and other prison inmates.
Omale made the call in Lokoja at the decoration of 20 officers and men of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), who were recently promoted.
He said inmates should be shown love, care, attention and made to acquire skills, to reform them and ease their re-integration into the society on completion of jail terms, adding that the task of reforming convicts should be collective and not left for government alone. He called on NGOs, civil societies, religious groups, professional bodies and individuals to contribute their quota to the process.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has yet to establish a functional family court to cater for problems confronting children, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Comfort Afolayan has said.
Afolayan who made the revelation in Ilorin in an interview with The Tide said although the government had approved the establishment of the court since 2009, it could not function because of the lack of accommodation and other logistic problems.
The commissioner said cases affecting children that were supposed to be handled by the court were currently being treated by some lawyers in the state Child Rights Act Committee and appealed to the government to provide accommodation and other logistics for the state Ministry of Women Affairs for the take-off of the court. The commissioner said government had domesticated the Child Rights Act since 2006, leading to the establishment of Children’s Parliament in the state.
Lagos
An expert on child abuse, Mrs Amaka Awogu, hascalled on parents to bond with their children to stem the rising tide of child abuse in the country.
Awogu, the Executive Director of Child Dignity Foundation, an NGO, made the call in an interview with The Tide in Lagos.
She said that parents should endeavour to develop close relationships with their children as that would be capable of building a sense of trust of the children in the parents. “Parents should learn to bond with their children and not shut them out to create trust; this will enable the child to confide in his/her parents at all times and in all situations.
Niger
Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in charge of Niger State Command, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkarim says the command has deported nine Nigeriens.
He told The Tide in Minna that the illegal immigrants were arrested on September 11, in Minna without valid residence permits. “We arrested nine Nigeriens on September 11, 2012, right now they are on their way back to their country.
“They constitute nuisance to members of the public because they do not have any source of livelihood.”
Abdulkarim said that the immigrants claimed to be water vendors, adding, “they are not; they only use selling of water as a cover up.”
Ondo
The Vice-Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Prof. Adebayo Odebiyi has called on the Federal Government to establish a Revolving Structural Fund for the funding of private universities.
Odebiyi, who spoke in an interview with The Tide in Owo, said the fund would boost development of manpower in the private universities. He said the credit should attract between two to three per cent interest and repayment period of 10 to 15 years. Odebiyi decried the exclusion of private universities from benefitting from the Tertiary Education Task Fund, pointing out that both public and private universities were contributing to the development of the nation’s manpower needs.
The Vice Chancellor remarked that if the government could provide enabling environment for foreign investors, then the same environment and credit facilities should be made available for Nigerians investing in the nation’s education sector.
Sokoto
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka said on Saturday that 54 persons died in motor accidents in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara between July and August, 2012.
Chidoka made the fact known in Sokoto at a Special Marshals Sectoral workshop, with the theme, “Advocacy as a tool for improved road safety activities’’.
Chidoka, who was represented by the Sokoto Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC, Mr Alfred Adeboye, said 15 persons died during the Eid el-Fitr celebrations in August in Zamfara and Kebbi states.
He said the zone, RS 10, came third nationwide in the ranking for accident rates during the period.
The Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, said the state government had given priority attention to road construction and rehabilitation, to ensure free flow of traffic.
Zamfara
A lecturer at the Talata Mafara Polytechnic, Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Magaji, has urged the Federal Government to adopt measures to strengthen the nation’s security agencies.
Magaji, who is the Head of Department of Mass Communication, told our Correspondent last Friday in Sokoto State that this would enable them to effectively tackle the current security challenges in the country. He said the measure would also empower the security outfits to deal with the insurgency, militancy, and other crimes that had been retarding the nation’s development. “The nation’s security officials need urgent capacity building to enable them put to an end all the acts capable of tempering with the peaceful atmosphere.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor
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