Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Government has promised to
organise subsequent editions of the Youth Carnival in the State.
Governor Gabriel Suswam, represented by his Deputy, Stephen Lawani, announced this in Makurdi last Saturday at the end of the Youth Cultural Carnival in the state.
Suswam explained that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism would henceforth, partner with the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs, to organise subsequent youth carnivals.
He said the just-concluded carnival was the best of its kind in the country due to its positive effect on the dying cultures in the state. The governor said the carnival was capable of transforming Benue youths into international celebrities if they were adequately trained.
Gombe
Unidentified persons have kidnapped a mem
ber of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Jalo Ganga (PDP-Gombe North ), at his residence in the Gombe metropolis on Sunday. A source told newsmen that the kidnappers with a motorcycle, abducted the lawmaker around 5 a.m. when he was going for his morning prayers. The source said the lawmaker shouted for help to no avail as his captors were bent on taking him away to an unknown destination. The Commissioner of Police in Gombe, Malam Mohammed Sule, confirmed the incident, saying that the lawmaker was kidnapped last Sunday morning.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has threatened
to prosecute traders, who manhandle chickens and other poultry animals in the state.
The Chairman, Consumer Protection Agency in the state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hadejia, gave the warning last Saturday during a sensitisation exercise at Furji Market in Yankwashi Local Government Area.
He said the government had placed a ban on the manhandling of chickens in all markets across the state and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted. “The action is cruel, inhuman and exposes the animals to maltreatment.
Kaduna
The remains of Mr Idris Mohammed, the Aide
De Camp (ADC) to Kogi Governor, was buried in Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State, last Saturday. It would be recalled that Mohammed died in an auto crash in the same car with Governor Idris Wada, at Emi-Woro village on Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road on December 28.
Mohammed, 42, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), is survived by his wife, five children and his aged mother, Hajiya Amina.
Mohammed attended Alhudahuda College and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, both in Zaria before he enlisted into Police Academy for Cadet Inspectors’ Course.
Kogi
The Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has ex
pressed thanks and appreciation to God for sparing the life of Governor Idris Wada, who was involved in auto crash on December 28. This is contained in a statement signed by Micheal Abu, his Chief Press Secretary, in Lokoja last Saturday. Awoniyi also expressed thanks to all those who supported the state during its trying moment and those who wished the governor speedy recovery through their visits, phone calls and prayers. He also commiserated with the family of the Aide De Camp to the Governor, late Mohammed Idris, who died in the crash.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government last Saturday expressed satis
faction with the performance of its students in the 2012 May/June WAEC examinations. Chief Fatai Olukoga, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, expressed the satisfaction, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.
He stressed that the state recorded a significant improvement in the students’ performance in the examinations. “The state scored 38 per cent outstanding performance in core subjects in the results released by WAEC.
“It is the best in the country and the main reason for the improvement is the government policy which ensures that pupils are only promoted on merit in our primary and secondary schools,’’ Olukoga said:
Niger
The Niger State Government has spent N80 million on train
ing 10 pilots at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology’s facilities at the Minna Airport, the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammad, said on Sunday.
Mohammad made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Minna. “The trainee pilots had completed their ground training preparatory to their flying training. “We are spending N8 million each for the training of each pilot, who had concluded their ground training, using the stimulators in Minna and the training facilities in Zaria.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has ordered the re
lease of 20 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of three others to life imprisonment.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, said in a statement in Abeokuta that the governor took the action in exercise of his powers of Prerogative of Mercy under Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement said the governor acted on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“The 20 prisoners whose freedom has been ordered were those serving sentences of three years imprisonment and have 12 months left. “They are also are adjudged to have good records and good conduct, “ it said.
Osun
The Osun Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation,
Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, said on Monday that the State Government would no longer tolerate defecating in public places from next month.
Oyawoye, who gave the warning in Osogbo while speaking with newsmen, decried the way and manner some public places in the state had been operating without functional toilets.
The commissioner called on business organisations to provide toilets for their workers and customers to ensure public health.
Oyo
A driver, Adedoyin Musibau (43), was on Monday dragged
before an Oyo Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession and stealing of seven goats.
The accused and others now at large on Dec. 9, at about 1:30 a.m., allegedly stole one goat worth N5,000 belonging to one Alhaji Agboola Tunde and seven other goats found in his possession worth N21,000.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP. Abiodun Aluko, said the accused could not give satisfactory account of the additional goats found in his possession.
Sokoto
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, last
Saturday pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to give priority to teachers’ education through effective training to improve their skills.
Rufa’I made the pledge in Sokoto at the closing of the 2012 Millennium Development Goals capacity building workshop for teachers.
She said the nationwide programme was split into two and designed to target 40,000 teachers across the federation.
Represented by Mr Ojo Joel, the Director of Education in the ministry, Rufa’i said the workshops would improve teachers capacity in subject contents, pedagogy and general methods of teaching.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government has supplied medical equip
ment worth millions of naira to the newly inaugurated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Bello Kwatarkwashi, made this known to the newsmen in Gusau.
Kwatarkwashi said that the items include surgical equipment, special beds for intensive care units and a large number of parameters. He said that other items include blood and sugar monitoring instruments, radiotic incubators and cardiology machines for heart diseases.
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