Nation
THE STATES
R-L: Minister of Finance and author of the book, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former Commonwealth Secretary General and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, representative of the President of Nigeria, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Chief Launcher, Ide Ahaba, Chief Sonny Odogwu, at a book presentation entitled `Reforming The Unreformable, Lesson From Nigeria' by Dr Iweala in Abuja,recently. Photo: NAN.
Benue
Benue State Commissioner for Education, Dr Elizabeth Ugo, has advised secondary schools principals in the state to desist from admitting students into JSSIII, SSII and SSIII classes.
Ugo gave this advice in Makurdi at a meeting between the ministry and stakeholders in the education sector.
The commissioner who emphasised that the stoppage of the practice had become necessary to check and to eliminate all forms of examination malpractice., lamented that Benue was always on top of the chart of states that indulged in examination malpractice, adding that the development was tarnishing the image of the state.
Ekiti
The Chairman, Ekiti Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Chief Aaron Komolafe, has urged contingent to the 2012 Jerusalem pilgrimage to see the exercise as a serious spiritual one and not as a jamboree.
He gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti at a one-day orientation programme organised for the intending pilgrims.
Komolafe, who noted that the programme was aimed at sensitising intending pilgrims on what would be required of them before and during the pilgrimage, advised them to allow the impact of pilgrimage to reflect on them, their families, Ekiti and the country at large.
He warned them to be moderately dressed and to exhibit characters that would show them as people from the land of honour, adding that they should be good ambassadors of the state.
FCT
The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission to improve its monitoring and evaluation of basic education projects.
Wike, who made the call while monitoring the Federal Government Special Girl-Child School project in Lafia, Nasarawa State, said that the practice would ensure that the projects achieved their desired results.
He expressed disappointment over the poor supervision of construction work in the school and regretted that the quality of job carried out by the contractor under the supervision of UBEC consultant was below the specification of the Federal Government.
“I wonder why UBEC consultant would write the UBEC management claiming that the school has been fully completed and initiating the takeover process for the school.
Gombe
All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State Chapter, says over 1,600 farm lands were affected by flood in the state.
The Secretary of the association, Alhaji Gambo Sarkin-Noma disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said that members of the association accompanied the committee set up by the Federal Government to inspect some of the affected areas that were seriously flooded, noting that plans were under way to drill boreholes in those areas for irrigation purposes.
According to him, almost every part of the state was affected but he identified the areas worst hit to include Dadin-Kowa in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government area which is close to the upper Benue river basin.
Jigawa
The Chairman, Jahun Local Government of Jigawa State, Alhaji Idris IIIiyasu has warned traders against indiscriminate dumping of wastes.
Illiyasu gave the warning while inspecting shopping malls, canteens and restaurants in Jahun town.
He decried the practice of indiscriminate dumping of waste by the traders, saying that the filthy environment exposed the residents to health risks.
“Poor waste disposal is posing serious environmental challenges,” he said, adding that the council would not condone acts capable of destroying the environment.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government said it spent more than N85 million on the payment of fees for its students that sat for the rescheduled 2011/2012 NECO examinations.
The state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammed Usman, said this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Usman said the amount was used to pay the fees for all candidates in public and private schools in the state.
The examinations were rescheduled following the June 17 bomb attack on Churches in Zaria and Kaduna, and the reprisals that followed which led to the imposition of a curfew in the state.
Kano
Livestock traders in Kano State said that they recorded low patronage during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Muslims worldwide celebrated Eid-el Kabir last Friday to mark the end of the 2012 Hajj operation.
“We have no choice but to return our unsold animals home due to low sales recorded this year,” some of the traders said.
Malam Habu Mu’azu, a trader from Rimin-Gado Local Government area of Kano, said he recorded a loss due to poor patronage.
“This year has been a horrible one in terms of sales. I brought 30 rams but I only sold eight during the two weeks of my stay in the city.”
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has released N156 million for the payment of tuition and registration fees for indigent students on scholarship in tertiary institutions.
The executive secretary of the state scholarship board, Alhaji Murtala Yauri told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi has that the payment to each institution would be immediate.
He said personal details of beneficiaries would be scrutinised to avoid irregularities, adding that students who had earlier paid their tuition or registration fees would be refunded “after showing evidence of such payment”.
He said N1.2 billion had been spent in the past two years for the payment of tuition and registration fees for students within and outside the country, pointing out that the government recently released N67 million for the sponsorship of 32 indigent students to study Medicine and Pharmacy in Sudanese Universities.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to promote the cultivation of ‘Moringa’ plant tree because of its medicinal and economic potential.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed stated this in Ilorin in a message to the conference of the ‘Moringa’ Development Association.
He said that the government would encourage youths undergoing training at the Youth Farm Centre, Malete, in Moro Local Government Area to go into large-scale ‘Moringa’ farming with a view to boosting the state’s economy.
Lagos
Community Conservation and Development Initiatives (CCDI), an NGO, has urged local governments to establish local emergency management committees in their communities.
CCDI’s Director of Programmes, Mrs Kofo Adeleke, said in a statement in Lagos that such committees would be needed in disaster risk reduction and management.
Adeleke said that it was imperative for councils in the country’s six geopolitical zones to have structures on ground for reducing flood-related emergencies.
“Local councils in different parts of Nigeria need to be prompted to have these committees in place, as recently directed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” she said.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,Hajia Hadiza Alakayi, has urged parents to give priority to girl-child education to develop the state.
The Commissioner made the call at Obi during her familiarisation tour of Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
According to her, educating a female child is like educating the entire society; this is because women are vital instruments for development in every society.
She urged parents who considered the education of a girl-child as less important to reverse such notion and act wisely as that would enable them to overcome future challenges.
Ogun
The Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Tokunbo Olopade, has set free 13 inmates in Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu prisons.
The inmates were released during the visit of the chief judge to the two prisons.
Nine inmates including four women regained their freedom in Ijebu Ode while an additional four in Sagamu prison had their sentences quashed.
The offences committed by the former inmates ranged from wandering, stealing, inability to repay loans as well as fighting.
Speaking during the visit, Olopade decried the attitude of the police in duplicating case files of the inmates, which she said, was making efforts at releasing those unjustly detained difficult.
Yobe
The Yobe State Livestock Development Programme said it had targeted 2,000 youths and women for training on commercial livestock farming and fattening before the end of the year.
The Programme Manager, Dr Mustapha Gaidam, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu said that the training would equip youths and women with techniques on commercial livestock farming as a means of employment and wealth creation.
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