Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State last Monday commissioned Women Education and Empowerment Initiative Multi-purpose centre in Yola.
Speaking at the occasion, Nyako said the state government would continue to fight poverty through women empowerment progrmmes.
He commended the effort of his wife, Hajia Zainab Nyako, for her focus in establishing the centre, stating that the development would go a long way in empowering women in the state.
In her remarks, Hajia Zainab Nyako, said about N50 million was spent in building the centre.
She said the centre had trained more than 7,000 women in the state on various skills, adding that the centre, which could accommodate 800 people, would also serve as a source of revenue generation.
According to her, the construction of the centre was achieved through the collective activities of philanthropists, donor organisations and other well-meaning individuals.
Benue
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Jibril Okutepa, has suggested that the powers of the National Industrial Court (NIC) be reduced to allow efficiency in the discharge of its duties.
Okutepa, who stated this at the inauguration of the NIC on Monday in Makurdi, said the jurisdiction of the court was too wide at the moment.
He said that section 254 (C) of the 1999 constitution, which vested the powers of exclusive jurisdiction on labour matters on the court, should be reviewed to enable it perform more efficiently.
He regretted that the lawyers, who disregarded court orders and denigrated Judges in the media, were never punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Okutepa said the indiscipline in the bar was encouraged by the bench and called on Judges to enforce discipline against erring lawyers to restore sanity in the judiciary.
In his remarks, the President of the Court, Justice A.B Adejumo, said the court was a specialised one, whose duties could not be shelved owing to its peculiar nature.
He assured that cases before it would be dispensed expeditiously for the purpose of stabilising the polity.
Borno
The wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, last Monday flagged off a training programme for 40 unemployed youths in Maiduguri to fight youth restiveness and poverty.
Shettima said that the beneficiaries would be trained in three trade skills, including tailoring, knitting and computer operation.
She explained that the programme was facilitated by her organisation known as Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya Children (SWOT) Foundation, adding that the major objective was to eradicate poverty by empowering youths in various trades.
Shettima said that the training was packaged in partnership with the agency for mass literacy to ensure maximum result.
She said that the foundation had procured equipment for distribution to the trainees at the end of their training, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously because of its importance for their future.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government last Monday in Dutse said no fewer than 100 less-privileged people living with HIV/AIDS would be empowered in 2013.
The Executive Secretary, State Agency for the Control of AIDS (JISACA), Dr Bashir Ahmed, made this known during a meeting with the state chapter of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN).
Ahmed explained that JISACA would collaborate with the state Ministry of Economic Development to empower the people.
According to him, the empowerment programme for those with the disease will keep them busy and provide them with job to carter for their daily needs.
“Apart from this effort, every month we give N20, 000 each to nine HIV/AIDS Facility-Based Support Groups in the state as a standing order to enable them to carry out their activities effectively,” he added.
The state Chairman of NEPWHAN, Alhaji Ahmed Sarki-Nopa, thanked the State Government for the support, and pledged to continue to embark on more awareness campaign against the spread of the disease in the state.
Kaduna
A husband, Mohammed Gardi of Hayin Danmani, Kaduna on Monday forfeited a N15, 000 dowry to get divorce from his wife.
Gardi’s wife, Yasira Isa had gone to the Shari’a Court II, Kaduna on Jan. 26 asking it to dissolve the marriage. She told the court that she was ready to return the dowry paid by the husband, as she was no longer in love with him.
The presiding officer, Khadi Ibrahim Inuwa had told the woman that her prayers would be granted if she return back the dowry. The pronouncement by the judge prompted Gardi of Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna to decline the offer.
He said he would forfeit the dowry in recognition of the “two children we had’’, and said prayed the court to restrict her from visiting his house so as not to create any problem with other members of his family, especially his aged mother and wife.
Inuwa granted the request and barred Isa from the house but directed that the children be allowed to visit their mother once a month and to attend any event by her family “to enable them get fully acquainted with their mother’s relatives”.
Kebbi
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has suspended its plan to embark on indefinite strike in Kebbi, over delay in the payment of salary to primary school teachers.
The state Chairman of the union, Malam Aliyu Dallami, said on Monday in Birnin Kebbi that the strike was suspended pending the outcome of an exercise being conducted by local government councils.
He urged teachers to be patient and cooperate fully to ensure success of the exercise, adding that officials of the union would be involved in the exercise to ensure that none of its members was victimised.
Dallami advised teachers whose names were not included in the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage to participate in the exercise, and said the union was expecting the state government to inform the union what it was doing to rectify the anomalies.
He expressed concern over the decision of the local government chairmen to reduce the number of teachers on their pay roll.
Kogi
The General Manager, Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA), Mr James Odiba, says the agency spent N445.8 million on the execution of community projects in the past four years.
Odiba who made the disclosure in an interview in Lokoja.said the money was spent on 232 micro projects in various communities.
He said 126 of the projects were completed last year, adding that 44 projects were ongoing while 62 would be flagged off soon.
The projects, according to him, centre on Education, Rural Electrification, Environment and Natural Resources, Gender and Vulnerable groups, Health, Socio-economic, Transport and Water.
Kwara
The Federal Government will commence the dredging of Asa River in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, within the next three weeks.
Mr Tunji Morounfoye, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, who disclosed this in an interview in Ilorin said the contractor for the project has already been mobilised to begin the work.
Morounfoye assured the people of the state that the contractor would execute the job on time in line with specifications. He said the project, when completed, would further enhance the economic activities of the state.
The commissioner stated that the” expansion of the Asa River will put an end to annual flood being experienced in some parts of the state capital”.
The commissioner praised the effort of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr Bukola Saraki, for ensuring the award of the contract, and reiterated the determination of the state government to continue providing amenities that will make life more meaningful for the people.
Ogun
No fewer than six persons, including three children, were confirmed dead in a lone accident near Sagamu interchange in Ogun on Monday.
The Sagamu Unit Commander of the FRSC, Mr Lanrewaju Ogundele, told newsmen that the Toyota Hiace bus marked Sokoto GWD 20 XA was heading to Lagos from Sokoto.
He said the visibility of the driver was impaired by the early morning foggy weather, forcing him to run into a stationary empty container parked off the road.
“Nineteen persons were involved but six died while others are in very critical conditions as we speak and receiving treatments at Idera Hospital in Sagamu.
“The corpses of the three children as well as that of the two male and one female adult had been deposited at Fakoya Hospital Mortuary in Sagamu, he said.
“It is very important for drivers to be very careful when they drive in a foggy weather condition, especially when visibility is impaired.
Ondo
The Ondo State House of Assembly on Monday in Akure passed a budget of N152.5 bilion for 2013 fiscal year, increasing the initial sum of N151 billion presented by Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, by N1.5 billion.
The House Majority Leader, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, moved the motion for the passage of the bill, lauding the effort of the committee, headed by Chief Fidelis Akinwolemiwa.
Akinwolemiwa had also appealed to the government to adhere to the provisions of the budget in line with the needs identified.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Samuel Adesina, called on the executive to implement the budget to the fullest.
The committee chairman also advised the government to take steps necessary to ensure that the anticipated internally generated revenue target of N12 billion was exceeded.
Akinwolemiwa explained that the committee approved the additional N1.5 billion, having discovered the need for the added sum.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has inaugurated a special ambulance service scheme for emergency cases.
Flagging off the “Osun Special Ambulance Service Scheme (OSASSA)” scheme in Osogbo, Monday, Aregbesola said the ambulances would provide first aid at the scene of accidents before taking victims to hospital.
He said the programme with 31 ambulances would promote quality health care delivery service and reduce deaths in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, said the scheme was part of the six integral action plans enunciated by Aregbesola in which the health sector was crucial.
Ilori said many victims die from preventive deaths at the scene of accidents due to multiple reasons such as distance, traffic jams and poor public cooperation, adding that ambulance service would totally eradicate these.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has signed the state’s 2013 appropriation bill of N115.8 billion. The State House of Assembly passed the bill last week.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Sokoto, the governor urged workers in the state to work with the fear of God.
“With the assenting of the 2013 appropriation bill, respective MDAs are now responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the 2013 budget. “I must categorically state without mincing words that we, on our part, have discharged our responsibility. “As such, the onus lies with all the public functionaries in their respective duty posts to ensure that the overall interest of the good people of Sokoto state is protected,’’ he said.
Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, said that the Assembly was modestly blessed with working tools and logistics to carry out its activities.
“Only a month back, about N220 million was expended on the procurement of committees’ vehicles to further strengthen oversight activities. “Happily enough, about N1 billion has been voted in the 2013 budget for the comprehensive rehabilitation and repairs of the assembly complex,’’ Zayyana said.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Primary Education Board on Monday began a two-week training for supervisors of English Language in primary schools toward reducing the rate of failure in the subject among pupils.
A member of the board, Alhaji Mahe Rini, said at the opening of the conference that the training was aimed at enhancing the participants’ proficiency in teaching the subject.
Rini said pupils in both private and public schools lacked enough understanding of the subject and as such the participants were selected from both segments of the school system.
He gave an assurance that the board would work toward removing all bottlenecks to the improvement of standards in the subject.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Director of Primary Education in the board, Alhaji Na-Allah Gummi, urged the participants to work hard to achieve the objectives of the training.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”