News
Jonathan Lauds Corps Members For National Dev
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja commended the contribution of NYSC members to their host communities during their primary assignments nationwide.
Jonathan made the commendation at the passing-out ceremony of the 2012 Batch ‘A’ corps members.
The president was represented by Director, Finance and Administration, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, Alhaji Salisu Kallamu,.
“Your sincere contributions to your host communities in the area of Community Development Services are commendable.’’
According to him, most of the corps members will be leaving their host communities in a better state than they met them.
“Your affinity to your host communities during your primary assignments should equally form the basis of life-long friendships, national unity and integration, which is the core objective of the NYSC scheme.’’
Jonathan also commended them for their contributions to the critical sectors of the economy as well as their role in giving credibility to electoral processes.
He urged the members to utilise the experience they gained during the one-year service to be a guide in the pursuit of their goals.
“I have been briefed that skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering corps members to become self-employed started by this batch.
“The reports reaching me indicate that the programme is widely embraced by corps members and has recorded appreciable success.’’
Jonathan noted that his administration had remained focused on youth empowerment which would be pursued through SURE-P, You win and other programmes.
“I therefore urge you to cooperate and support this administration to reduce the current level of unemployment.’’
He also said that this year, the Federal Government would partner with UNDP to recruit young professionals for work on variety of UN programmes around the world.
“This will expose our youths and make them serve as Nigerian ambassadors, not only in the International Civil Service, but also in many other respects.’’
The Coordinator, FCT NYSC, Mr Frank Ekpunobi, said 27 corps members who distinguished themselves in community development and primary assignment would be recognised.
“Six honours award, 10 certificates of commendation and 10 will receive letters of commendation.’’
Ekpunobi congratulated the corps members and urged them to shun negative vices that were prevalent in the larger society.
“Always be guided by the positive ideals of the scheme which you must have internalised in the last one year.’’
Our correspondent reports that 3,600 members passed out at the FCT NYSC camp.
Meanwhile, 48 of them who served in Oyo State, will receive sanctions including outright repeat of service year and extension of service, for various offences committed during the year.
Disclosing this in Ibadan yesterday at the passing-out parade of corps members, Mr Olanipeku Alao, the state coordinator of NYSC, said some of the offences were dereliction of duty, absenteeism and abandonment of duty post.
Alao, however, said the sanctions were subject to ratification by the NYSC directorate headquarters.
He also announced that 21 other members who excelled in their areas of primary assignment were rewarded.
He said three of them would be decorated with the state government award, four with NYSC Governing Board Award and 14 with the coordinator’s commendation certificates.
The coordinator thanked Gov. Abiola Ajimobi for creating a peaceful and secure atmosphere for corps members in the state.
He also thanked the governor for the financial and material support to NYSC and the appreciable progress of work at the permanent site of the orientation camp at Iseyin town.
A total of 3,503 corps members made up of 1,836 males and 1,667 females participated in the passing-out parade in the state.
In Niger, two batch ‘A’ members collapsed in Minna during the passing-out parade because of the scorching sun.
Our correspondent reports that the first incident occurred when the parade commander slumped midway into the parade and was revived by the medical team.
Another member, who was the first flag bearer of the parade, also fell down towards the end of the show when the representative of the state governor, Mrs Victoria Jiya, was taking the salute.
The member was taken away and revived by the medical team but could not make it for the remaining part of the parade.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi