Nation
THE STATES
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State said last Thursday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would present a credible candidate for presidential election in 2015.
Lamido gave the assurance in Dutse when he received members of Arewa Youths Forum who paid him a courtesy visit.
“From my political history, I don’t present myself for any position, I believe in my party and it will present a candidate that will be acceptable by all.
“PDP has modalities of doing things, we should wait and see the person that will be chosen to be the flag bearer of the party in 2015.
“PDP is built on justice and fairness and my party has sagacity to break religious dichotomy and it is a party that was formed to unite the country, “ he said.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government said it would get N2.3 billion as grant from the Global Partnership to revive its ailing education sector.
The state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammad Usman, who made this known at a one-day education conference said the fund would enable the ministry work out strategies, implement policies and put it into action toward revamping the education sector.
The commissioner said no country would develop without investing in the education sector as it would improve the socio-economic structure and the literacy level of the country.
The chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Ishaya Akau, said there was the need for host communities to assist the government in safeguarding its properties.
Kano
The Kano State Film Censorship Board inaugurated a committee to organise a film award to outstanding Hausa movie and film practitioners in the country.
The Hausa film industry is popularly called Kannywood akin to the Nollywood in the southern part of the country.
Inaugurating the committee in Kano the Chairman of the board, Sheikh Bazallahi Kabara, charged the members to fear God in carrying out their work.
While acknowledging the importance of the film industry in the lives of the people, Kabara, however, advised that the culture and religion of target audience must be respected.
The chairman warned the committee members, whom he described as “extremely competent”, to avoid partiality while selecting the film categories to be awarded.
Kebbi
The Secretary to Kebbi Government, Alhaji Nurudeen Kangiwa, has appealed to primary school teachers and local government workers in the state not to embark on strike due to delay in the payment of their January salary.
Kangiwa said in Birnin Kebbi that the delay was as a result of the ongoing verification exercise to determine the number of workers in the state..
He also said that the repeated verification exercise was necessitated by government’s decision to ensure probity and accountability.
Kangiwa urged the affected workers to present their relevant documents before the verification panel, adding that prompt payment of salaries and other benefits would resume after the exercise.
Kogi
The Kogi House of Assembly recently in Lokoja called for the establishment of model secondary schools to stem the falling standard of education in the state.
In a resolution following the adoption of a motion by Mr Henry Ojuola, the house expressed concern over the quality of education “from primary to tertiary institutions” in the state.
Ojuola, who stressed the need to replicate best practices from the federal and some state governments said model secondary schools were “usually established to encompass talented, intelligent and meritorious students.”
According to him, some existing secondary schools in the state should be upgraded to model status to serve the intended purpose.
Nasarawa
Workers of Nasarawa Express embarked on an indefinite strike over their demand for the payment of six months salary arrears.
The Chairman of Amalgamated Union, Nasarawa Transport Workers, Mr Timothy Marku, said in Lafia that “we have been working for the past six months without being paid our salary.
Marku said the union called its members out on strike not to sabotage government’s efforts but to ensure the demands of the workers were paid.
He, however, commended the workers for performing their duties during the six months they were not paid.
Niger
The Northern States Governors Forum has urged Christian clergymen to educate their followers on the essence of the Lenten season to enable them to earn God’s blessings.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, who made the call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, urged Christians to conduct themselves well during the Lenten season to maximise its spiritual and physical benefits.
It identified good intention, prayers and firmness of purpose in pursuing good deeds as some of the benefits inherent in the holy season.
The statement noted the need for the faithful to fast, pray and abstain from heavy meals and other bad habits as well as give alms during the Lenten period.
Ogun
The Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Rev. Fr John Patrick, Ijebu-Ode Catholic Diocese, has urged the Federal Government to intensify its fight against corruption in the country.
Patrick, who made the call in an interview in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, state identified corruption as one of most serious challenges facing the country, said the government must redouble its effort in tackling the menace.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to fast-track the prosecution of corrupt individuals.
Osun
Armed robbers last Wednesday attacked a bank and a police post at Ode-Omu, near Gbongan in Osun.
The robbers operated about 1a.m. and caused panic among residents of the town by shooting sporadically, witnesses said.
The residents made efforts to contact the police, the hoodlums escaped before the police arrived. A passer-by, identified as Tirimisiyu, was hit by a stray bullet and died before he could get medical attention.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Mrs Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident and said that the bank manager claimed the robbers stole N10 million and $6,000 from the bank.
Oyo
A former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, has advocated the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
Alao-Akala made the call in an interview in Ibadan recently.
According to him, the abolition of the SIEC will curtail the excesses of some state governments which fight shy of democratising the local government elections.
He likened the existence of SIECs to the creation of state police, which he said, was needless, adding: “as bad as the state police, so also is SIECs.
Alao-Akala criticised the call for local government autonomy, saying that the existing arrangement allowed the councils some level of autonomy except for the disbursement of funds.
Plateau
Director of Press Affairs to Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau, Mr James Mannok, has advised media houses against rumour-mongering and wild speculations while performing their duties.
Speaking in Jos when he received the Executive Council members of Faith Chapel, publishers of Christian newspapers and magazines, who paid him a courtesy call.
Mannok described the contributions of the Christian media during the period of crises on the Plateau as “very courageous“ and “encouraging.
He said that government was always ready to partner with them in their contributions to development, and urged them to always seek for clarification when in doubt.
“Our doors are always open, so don’t hesitate to seek for any information that will help you to tell the truth,’’ he said.
Zamfara
The Emir of Maradun in Zamfara, Alhaji Garba Tambari, has promised to mobilise farmers in his domain to participate in the renewed efforts of the state government to revive cotton production.
Tambari made the promise in Maradun when Chairman, Zamfara Cotton Development Agency, Alhaji Hussaini Moriki, led a team of Chinese experts on agriculture on a courtesy visit to the palace.
The visit was part of the on-going awareness and mobilisation campaign being mounted by the government to accelerate cotton production in the state.
The emir said that it was obligatory for the people of the state to support the current efforts of government to rejuvenate agriculture and make the sector the mainstay of the economy.
He said that since Zamfara was mainly an agrarian state, the people should take advantage of government support to boost agriculture production.
The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector.
Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state.
According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government.
Speaking on the recent approval of employment for staff of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nwagor described the development as a clear demonstration of continuity and progressive governance in Rivers State.
He explained that the recruitment exercise was initiated in 2023 during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike when Hon. David Akah served as Chairman of RSUBEB, while the current administration approved and implemented the names that were earlier forwarded for employment.
The Commissioner noted that the process reflects the commitment of successive administrations to sustaining policies and programmes capable of strengthening the educational system and improving service delivery within public schools.
He stressed that governance achieves greater impact when beneficial policies are sustained irrespective of political transitions, adding that the approval of the employment exercise would help address manpower needs within the basic education sector.
Dr. Nwagor , a proud son of Etche Ethnic Nationality with includes Omuma further assured the visiting journalists that the Ministry of Education remains open to collaboration with media organizations, especially the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists, in advancing educational advocacy, public enlightenment, and youth-oriented development programmes.
He commended the group for promoting professionalism, responsible journalism, and community development initiatives through its activities across the state.
The Commissioner particularly praised EEPJ for conceptualizing a pet project focused on combating drug abuse among youths in selected secondary schools in Etche and Omuma local Government Areas describing the initiative as timely considering the growing concerns over substance abuse and its negative impact on society.
He pledged the support and participation of the Ministry in the anti-drug abuse campaign scheduled to hold in the second week of June 2026.
According to him, tackling drug abuse requires collective action involving government institutions, the media, parents, schools, religious bodies, and civil society organizations.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of EEPJ, Elder Akujobi Amadi said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and the education sector while also recognizing the Commissioner’s contributions toward educational development and public service in Rivers State.
The group reiterated its commitment to supporting policies and programmes that would promote quality education, youth empowerment, and societal development across the state and pronounce him a worthy patron of the Association. A recognition that will be celebrated in due time.
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board port Harcourt has trained 1,000 newly recruited teachers to raise standards in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.
The two-day orientation and capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt introduced the teachers to civil service rules, classroom management practices, and professional conduct expected of educators in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education Dr. Peters Nwagor told the new intakes that teaching demands more than academic qualifications and called for discipline, diligence, and a strong commitment to service, describing the profession as noble one that is central to the development of the state.
The recruitment, he said, reflects the government’s investment in children and long-term development. “Education is the foundation of societal progress, and basic education is where that foundation is laid,” Nwagor stated.
He reminded the teachers that they would shape the values and character of pupils during their most formative years. He pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education through training, resources, and an environment that allows teachers to perform effectively.
Nwagor also directed RSUBEB to reject transfer requests from rural to urban schools. He said the newly employed teachers have an obligation to serve where they are posted and help strengthen education in those communities.
In his opening remarks,the RSUBEB Chairman ,Hon. Sam Oge explained that the recruitment process began in 2023 under the previous board , adding that after assuming office, he consulted widely and secured Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval to complete the exercise.
Oge said the selection was competitive, with 1,000 candidates chosen from more than 5,000 applicants. He urged the teachers to treat the opportunity seriously and avoid lobbying for reposting.
He warned that those seeking to change their postings would not be entertained. All teachers, he said, must resume at their assigned schools immediately.
The former RSUBEB Chairman Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, who delivered the keynote address, described the orientation as the teachers’ formal entry into the civil service. He encouraged them to be creative, purposeful, and open to learning on the job.
Akah stressed that teachers have a role in restoring values lost to moral decline. He urged them to model national values and see their work as a calling with lasting impact on society.
He thanked both past and present state governments for approving the recruitment, noting that the exercise would improve access to quality basic education across Rivers State.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and psychosocial wellbeing of workers engaged in the ongoing Ogoni cleanup project, as the world marks the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP joined the global community in commemorating the annual event themed, “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment for All,” noting that workplace safety must go beyond physical protection to include mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Zabbey highlighted that since the commencement of the Ogoni cleanup in 2017, following recommendations by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Project has made significant strides in environmental restoration while maintaining a strong health and safety culture.
According to him, HYPREP’s interventions across remediation sites, shoreline cleanup operations, mangrove restoration efforts, and construction locations have consistently incorporated robust Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) systems.
He said the Project also recorded a major safety milestone, surpassing nine million man-hours without a fatality—an improvement on its earlier achievement of five million man-hours, and attributed this feat to strict adherence to safety protocols, effective monitoring, and collective commitment from all stakeholders.
Despite these gains, the Project Coordinator stressed the growing importance of addressing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Citing global data, he noted that hundreds of thousands of deaths annually are linked to work-related psychosocial factors such as excessive workload, poor work organisation, harassment, and job insecurity.
To tackle these challenges, he said HYPREP has strengthened staff welfare systems, promoted open communication, and integrated psychosocial risk assessments into its safety framework.
According to him, the Project also conducts regular awareness programmes aimed at fostering a healthier work environment.
HYPREP further disclosed that measures have been put in place across its offices and project sites to ensure reasonable work schedules, adequate rest periods, and access to both medical and psychological support services.
Zabbey emphasised that collaboration with contractors and host communities remains key to sustaining safety standards, noting that workplace safety is a shared responsibility.
Reiterating the human-centred nature of the Ogoni cleanup initiative, he called on all stakeholders to prioritise psychosocial wellbeing as an integral part of workplace safety, while continuing to uphold vigilance and mutual support across all levels of project implementation.
