Nation
THE STATES
FCT
Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Precious Gbeneol, said recently that Nigeria would domesticate the Integrated Implementation Framework (IIF) to enable it to track programmes for realising the goals .
Gbeneol made the statement in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the MDGs Integrated Implementation Framework (IIF). The IIF are tools used for accelerating and assessing the implementation of MDGs programmes by individual countries.
She said the tracking tool would serve as an efficient peer review mechanism that would foster accountability and increase transparency.
Earlier, Mr Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Nigeria. said IIF was an initiative of the UN Secretary-General aimed at promoting partnership and accountability for the acceleration of the drive for the attainment of MDGs.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Commissioner for Lands, Regional Planning and Urban Development, Alhaji Muhammed Barde,said 24 contractors had won bidding for the construction of six township roads in the state.
Barde said in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Friday, that the State Government would spend N3 billion on the projects.
The commissioner said that 46 contractors bidded for the projects,out of which 24 were successful, adding that N4.2 billion was spent on construction of nine township roads across the state, recently.
Barde said the companies won the bidding because of their outstanding qualities, commitment, honesty in executing projects in other parts of the federation.
The commissioner said the six township roads would be constructed in Birnin kudu, Gwaram, Gwiwa, Kirikasamma, Karkarna and Taura, explained that the construction firms were expected to finish the work between November 2012 and February 2013.
Kaduna
The Waziri of Fika Emirate in Yobe, Malam Adamu Fika, has identified the restoration of moral, academic and ethical values as the greatest challenge of facing Nigerian universities.
Speaking last Saturday at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) 50th Anniversary Public Lecture, Fika, who was represented by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the challenge should be tackled head on.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to intensify its efforts to transform the country’s education system so as to guarantee national development and advised the university authorities to do everything possible to proffer lasting solutions to the challenges facing the institution.
An elder statesman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama-Sule, who is also the chairman of the occasion, identified the late Sardauna’s philosophy as the panacea to the myriad social, political, economic and security challenges facing the country nowadays.
Kogi
Luck ran out on a suspected six-man robbery gang in Lokoja lastThursday as two of them were killed in a bloody gun battle with policemen.
The Kogi Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Katsina, who briefed newsmen on the incident, said that two of the suspects were also arrested while two escaped with gunshot injuries.
Katsina said that one Chimeze, believed to be the ring leader of the gang, was one of those killed. He said the suspects, who carried out the operation on three power bikes, intercepted a man coming out from one of the commercial banks on Fen junction in Lokoja and dispossesed him of his money.
Katsina said the suspects fired several shots into the air to subdue their victim. He added that it was the gunshots that attracted the command’s undercover anti-crime outfit to the scene.
Kano
The Kano State Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA), has urged motorists in the state to always observe traffic rules to ensure safety on the road.
The Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Diggol, made the call in an interview in Kano on Saturday.
Diggol said that motorists and all road users needed to be sensitised on the importance of observing road signs so as to avoid road accidents. He said that vehicles plying the roads would be regularly checked to ensure that they were road-worthy.
The managing director urged all stakeholders to support the agency in its efforts to inculcate the ideal traffic culture in motorists, to make the roads safer.
He commended Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for embarking on “massive” road construction and the installation of street lights in the state and he said the initiative had helped to reduce road accidents in the state.
Kwara
Two men, Kazeem Kamaldeen and Oluwafemi Yusuf, were last Thursday arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court for allegedly forging the receipt of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
The accused were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, forgery and giving false information in respect to the offence, contrary to Sections 97, 363 and 178 of the Penal Code.
According to the charge sheet, the first accused issued a fake departmental receipt to some final year students to enable them get their original HND certificates and NYSC call-up letters. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations leveled against them.
Police prosecutor Sanni Abdullah, however, told the court that investigation into the case was ongoing, and urged it to use its discretion on the issue of bail.
In her ruling, Magistrate Sakirat Olanipekun, granted the accused bail in the sum N3,000 each and two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case to November 27, for further mention.
Lagos
True Federalism is the only way forward for Nigeria, the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu II, said in Lagos, Saturday.
Addressing the 1999 Constitution Review Congress on the Lagos Island Federal Constituency 1, He said that the power allocated to the Federal Government in the 1999 Constitution was too much and urged that some of it should be relinquished to states and local governments.
The traditional ruler suggested that states and local governments should be given greater powers to facilitate development and Akiolu expressed regret that the federal Government controlled the bulk of revenues from levies that should go to states.
He canvassed that Lagos State should be given its due rights as a former Federal Capital while advocating that traditional rulers should be under the control of local governments. “Anything short of that is unacceptable,’’ he said.
He commended members of the National Assembly for the initiative of holding the public congress, saying that they had demonstrated by this initiative, that they were the true representatives of Nigerians.
Ogun
No fewer than 20 graves will be relocated in Sapon and Ilugun in Ogun following the expansion and rehabilitation of major roads in the state.
The State Government started the rehabilitation of major roads in Abeokuta, recently. Construction workers have begun to demolish houses on the roads marked for expansion, under close supervision by Gov. Ibikunle Amosun.
Many of the corpses, which had been buried more than 20 years ago, were located between Sapon and Ilugun areas of the metropolis.
Relatives of some of the corpses pleaded with the State Government to assist the families in the reburial process and rituals.
A 38-year-old business man, Kehinde Bankole, said that his family would rebury at least eight corpses because of the road expansion.
Osun
An Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court last Thursday ordered that Hannah Akinwalehimi, 22, remanded in prison custody for allegedly kidnapping a seven-day-old baby.
The police prosecutor, Sgt.Elisha Olusegun, told the court that Akinwalehimi committed the offence at about 2.30 p.m. on October 22 at Oke-Asa compound, Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun.
According to Olusegun, the accused entered the room of Mr and Mrs Jelili Aderemi and carried the baby “with intent to deprive the parents access to the baby.”
The prosecutor said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 371(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2003. The accused pleaded not guilty and her counsel, Mr S.P. Ogundari, made an oral application for her bail.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United Kingdom-based milk producing company, Kama Milk Industry, for the processing and production of soya milk.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who presided over the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office Ibadan, last Thursday, said that the development was the product of his foreign trips which were aimed at improving the economy of the state.
When it eventually comes on stream, the company, which establishment was put at N4 billion, would produce about 750,000 tonnes of soya milk per annum, aside the creation of about 100,000 jobs for the people of the state.
The governor assured the management of the company that the government would provide the enabling environment to enhance its success.
Plateau
Vice President Namadi Sambo last Saturday said that the Federal Government had collected N10 billion as donations to resettle flood victims in the country.
He said in his address to the victims and community leaders of flood-ravaged areas in Plateau South, after touring sites in a helicopter, that “the damage is unbelievable, devastating.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan was saddened by the development and stressed that the Federal Government was worried over the destruction of farmlands and bridges.
Sambo expressed government’s commitment to ensuring that the victims were settled and advised those affected to be calm.
He said that part of the monies realised had been released to the health minister to check against any outbreak of diseases in the affected areas.
Sambo promised government’s continued assistance to the victims, pointing out that government had always been committed to people in such circumstances.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State last Saturday said that the state’s boundary with the Federal Capital Territory FCT ought to be well-defined in the constitution to eliminate unnecessary controversies.
The governor said this in Lafia during the public session held on the review of the 1999 constitution, Saturday.
Al-Makura, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Dameshi Luka, expressed regret that the 1999 Constitution failed to reflect the fact that Nasarawa State was sharing boundary with the
FCT.
“Part II of the First Schedule of the constitution clearly defines in detail the boundary lines of the FCT. “Ironically, Nasarawa State, which practically shares the longest boundary with the FCT, is not mentioned anywhere in the aforementioned definition.
Sokoto
Nigerians have commended the National Assembly for its initiatives to allow the people at the grassroots to participate in the constitution review.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said in Sokoto that the public hearings on constitution review “is aimed at having a constitution that will stand the test of time’’.
“We want to have a constitution which is widely acceptable and a long lifespan. The public hearings are also aimed at widening the scope of consultations and inclusiveness,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to actively participate in the review to ensure a lasting constitution.
The Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, advocated the use of the public hearings to decide national issues.
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
-
Sports4 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports4 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports4 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports4 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports4 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports4 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports4 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Politics4 days agoRivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension