Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, has called
on PDP members in the state to support the Presidential Committee set up to reconcile factions of the party.
Nyako made the call while addressing party supporters at a solidarity rally in Yola, saying there was hope that things would be better for the party following recent positive changes.
He commended PDP stakeholders within and outside the state for their concern over the crisis and congratulated members of the new executive committee of the party, led by Alhaji Umaru Kugama.
The governor promised to support the party leadership.
Borno
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima says his
government has taken measures to eradicate polio from the state by September this year.
He said this during the inauguration of the 2013 Special Round of Polio Immunisation in Maiduguri.
Shettima said that the existence of the wild polio virus in Nigeria was a serious embarrassment.
“The year 2013 is a year for serious action against polio virus in Nigeria.
“It is an embarrassment that Nigeria is grouped among the only three countries still harbouring the virus in the world,” he said.
FCT
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has
banned commercial vehicles from operating in the Wuse Market area to discourage street traders and hawkers from operating along the road side.
The Head Information and Outreach Programme, Mr Joe Ukairo,who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, said that the development would help to sanitise the market.
“Wuse Market is like a no-go area because of street traders and hawkers.
Commrcial vehicles drop passengers anywhere, anyhow they like and pick passengers in the middle of the road which ought not to be.
Gombe
The wife of Gombe State Governor, Hajiya Adama
Dankwambo, has urged orphans, vulnerable and the physically challenged children to be hopeful in life in spite of their conditions.
In a message to a party organised for the children, Dankwambo also enjoined them to be committed to whatever they did to excel.
Represented by Mrs Sintiki Rubainu, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Dankwambo said that the party was organised for the children to have a sense of belonging.
She called on the children to study hard in schools and achieve their goals, adding that their condition should not discourage them.
Kano
Motorists plying Kano-Gworzo-Dayi road have
commended Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for the ongoing rehabilitation of the road.
Some of the motorists, who spoke to newsmen in Kano, commended the agency for the ongoing rehabilitation being carried out on the dilapidated portions of the road.
They said that the rehabilitation had reduced the rate of accidents being recorded on the highway.
“Before now the road was a death trap as hardly a day passed without people being killed due to accidents,’’ a motorists, Ibrahim Slow said.
Kwara
Head of Department, Business Law, Univeristy of Ilorin,
Prof. Mohammed Akanbi, said in Ilorin that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was not doing enough to fight corruption in Nigeria.
Akanbi told newsmen that the association was a major stakeholder in the fight against corruption and must champion the cause diligently.
“The Nigerian Bar Association is being ceremonial in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“The NBA is not proactive and that is not good enough,’’ he said.
Lagos
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency
(LASEMA) has opened a relief camp for victims of the recent fire incident in Ebute Meta area of Lagos, an official said.
The General Manager of LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, told newsmen that 1,005 persons had entered the camp in compliance with the directive of Gov Babatunde Fashola.
Fashola had on Thursday given the directive after visiting Oko Oba in Ebute Meta, where fire gutted some sawmills and residential buildings.
Oke-Osanyintolu said that shortly after the governor declared the camp open officials of LASEMA began to move in people displaced by the fire.
Nasarawa
The Chairman, Nasarawa House of Assembly Committee
on Education, Hon. Raphael Saka, has urged the government to revive the role of education inspectors, to save the sector from “imminent collapse’’.
Saka who gave the advice in an interview last Friday in Abuja said the education sector had continued to experience setbacks due to lack of monitoring and implementation of many polices made by the government.
He urged government to employ and train more inspectors as well as provide tools, including vehicles, for them to work.
Saka said although government was trying its best in terms of budget allocation to the sector, no visible results were recorded to transform education.
Ogun
Ogun Command of National Security and Civil Defense
Corps (NSCDC) on Saturday said that NNPC Pipeline located at Arepo village of Ogun was set on fire by suspected vandals.
A statement issued by the command spokesman, Mr Kareem Olanrawaju, said the fire was first noticed late on Friday by the command’s surveillance team.
“We received an earlier call by the same surveillance team of suspicious movement around the water ways.
“Our combat team was on their way at about 22.15 hours when the outbreak occurred.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said the state
government would spend N16 billion to rehabilitate 218 kilometre roads in parts of the state.
The governor who announced this last Friday in Osogbo, while presenting 30 per cent mobilisation fees to contractors handling the projects, said the rehabilitation included some ongoing projects which were at different stages of completion.
Aregbesola said the contractors were selected on merit from the list of those that scaled through pre-qualification test earlier carried out by the government.
Earlier, Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Alimi, said efforts must be made to ensure a good job by the contractors.
Oyo
Oyo State Government has promised to ensure rapid
infrastructure development and empowerment of displaced traders in the state who had been “obedient”.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi made the pledge at the Oyo South Senatorial District meeting of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Ajimobi said the standard of living of the people would only improve with better infrastructure, adding the state government was committed to that through its programmes
He said the state would soon be a model in infrastructure development, adding that protection of lives and property was government’s utmost concern.
. He called for unity within the ACN, adding it was the only way the ruling party in the state would remain in government and provide better governance
A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Adeyemi Adepoju, and Deputy Majority Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Kehinde Subair, assured the people of better representation at both houses.
Plateau
The Plateau Government said it earmarked N6 billion
for the renovation and construction of new facilities in 15 secondary schools in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Mr. Nanle Dashe said, recently in Jos that five schools were picked from each of the three senatorial districts for the project.
Dashe said three schools would be upgraded to science schools to serve each of the districts. He said the schools included GSS Kuru (North), GGSS Shendam (South) and former GSS Mangun (Central).
Dashe said government’s goal was to equip the schools with the desired facilities, adding that furnishing would begin immediately after the renovation and reconstruction of the schools.
He called on wealthy individuals, Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) and corporate firms to support the effort at lifting the standard of education.
Taraba
The Taraba Ministry for Poverty Alleviation and
Cooperatives has said that 300 youths will be trained in various skills before the end of 2013.
The commissioner, Alhaji Isa Musa, disclosed this in Jalingo at the ministry’s 2013 budget defence at the state House of Assembly.
Musa said that the measure was aimed at checking unemployment.
He explained that a team from the ministry would go round all the 16 local government areas of the state to conduct the training.
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