Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Chief Matron, Bauchi State Urban Maternity, Hajiya Fatima Dangambo, has said that health workers were being counselled on tolerance for better service delivery.
In an interview in Bauchi, Monday she said there was the need for counselling to improve relations between health workers and patients’ relatives, who often rain abuses on health workers at their duty post.
Dangambo said that such issues which were related to free drugs for women and under-five children had being on going in the state.
“We have to counsel our staff to be tolerant and not make such abuses stop them from performing their duties because such words will not have any impact on them physically”, he said.
FCT
The Director-General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, on Tuesday in Abuja reiterated the commitment of the council to provide legal aid to the indigent.
Bob-Manuel made the call at a sensitisation campaign organised by the council to create awareness on its activities.
She said the campaign was a nationwide project meant to sensitise Nigerians of their right to seek legal services and the readiness of the council to provide free legal aid to them.
According to her, the processes involved in getting the services of lawyers in the council are not complicated, adding that the major requirement was a written application.
Gombe
No fewer than 2,806 patients were admitted at the Snake Bite Treatment and Research Centre, Kaltungo, Gombe State from January to November, 2012.
The Medical Officer in Charge of the centre, Dr Habu Ballah, made this known in an interview in Kaltungo on Tuesday.
He said of the figure 33 patients died owing to the delay in reaching the centre, while four others died on arrival at the centre.
Dr Ballah recalled that 316 patients attended the centre in 2011, saying the existing figure was higher owing to factors such as flooding, lack of awareness of treatment at the centre and increase in farming activities.
He said apart from the state, patients were brought from Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe and even Cameroun.
Jigawa
Residents of Dutse, Jigawa on Tuesday described President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state as a positive step to fast track the rapid development of the state.
A cross section of the residents in Dutse, said that the visit was a ‘’welcome development’’.
Alhaji Garba Abbas, a teacher, said that the two-day official visit by the president would attract federal projects to the state.
A Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Isa Haruna, said the visit would enable the president to meet his people and assess their needs.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Kaduna State, on Tuesday ordered local council workers protesting delay in salary payment to return to work.
Comrade Shehu Abubakar, the President of the union gave the order after a close door meeting with NULGE officials of Kaduna North Local Government.
The meeting followed protest by members of the union of the local council, which began on Monday, over delay in the payment of their three months salaries.
Kaduna North, Igabi, Sabon Gari, Kaduna South and Kaura Local Governments have been unable to pay the salaries of their workers for months due to inadequate funds.
Abubakar said the state government and the union were meeting on the matter, and assured the workers that the issue would be resolved amicably. He advised members of the union to always follow due process in demanding for their rights.
Kogi
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the prompt response mechanism instituted by the Kogi Government toward handling internally displaced persons in relief camps.
The Director, Emergency Risk Management and Humanitarian Response, Dr. Brennan Richard, gave the commendation on Tuesday, when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Idris Wada. Wada was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi.
Richard said that the health impact associated with the flood could be devastating, if not properly managed.
Kwara
The Kwara Government said it planned to create 16 additional parastatals in the state to energise its activities.
This is contained in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Abdulwahab Oba, in Ilorin, Monday.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said this when he received the Chairmen of Boards of parastatals and agencies who paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Ilorin. According to him, the parastatal will be sixteen new boards and with over members.
The governor said they would be charged with the responsibility of running various segments of government to ensure efficiency in service delivery among others.
Nasarawa
The Chairman of Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) Dr Abdullahi Modibo, has assured all political parties in the state of a level play ground in the forthcoming local election.
Modibo gave the assurance in an interview in Lafia on Tuesday
The chairman, however, appealed to the electorate to come out enmass and vote for the candidates of their choice during the exercise, adding that their votes would count.
He also assured all the constants that the poll would be free, fair and credible.
Niger
As part of its Four-Year-Strategic Plan for the education sector, the Federal Government on Tuesday launched a capacity building programme for teachers in English Language, Mathematics and Science.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, who was launching the programme in Suleja, Niger State, said the programme followed a needs assessment carried out in selected secondary schools in the 36 states and the FCT.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike said that every effort would be made to ensure that resources provided were used regularly to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Ogun
A 33 year-old mechanic, Mr Yemi Oyeniyi, fled his matrimonial home in Abeokuta, following a scan revelation that his wife was carrying triplet.
The mechanic’s wife, Mrs Esther Oyeniyi, said her hospital bed that her five year-old marriage had earlier produced two children.
She said that her husband absconded since June 3, 2012 when the result of the scan revealed that she was carrying triplet.
She described the disappearance of her husband as worrisome, saying that the development had forced her to relocate to Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke Yidi in the metropolis.
Oyo
Three commissioners were dropped from the from the Oyo State Executive Council in a cabinet reshuffle in Ibadan, Monday.
The reshuffle was announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Waheed Olajide, after the council meeting. Olajide also announced the swapping of portfolios by some commissioners.
He said that those dropped include, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde; Works and Transport, Mr Bosun Oladele; Information and Orientation and Mr Kazeem Adedeji, Trade, Investment and Cooperatives.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State on Tuesday in Jos signed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) bill into law.
While performing the ceremony, Jang warned against the diversion of relief materials meant for victims of emergencies.
Stakeholders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had severely criticised Plateau over its inability to establish a SEMA, in spite of its numerous man-made and natural disasters.
Shortly after signing the bill, the governor said:“I believe this bill I signed into law is holistic and positioned to be relevant to the present realities of global trends in disaster management.
Sokoto
Electricity Consumers Association, Sokoto State chapter, on Monday, demanded the payment of N1 billion as compensation from the PHCN for allegedly disrupting electricity supply to the state in the last three days.
Electricity workers in the state carried out their threat of disconnecting the state at the expiration of a two-week ultimatum to Governor .Aliyu Wamakko to apologise over an alleged manhandling of one of their colleagues, an allegation which the governor had since denied.
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