Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi last Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by the defeated PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Terver Khaki, against Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.
Khaki dragged the governor to court claiming that the primaries were not properly conducted and alleged that Suswam was not educationally qualified to contest the election.
He alleged that the governor forged his secondary school certificate and described the conduct of the primaries as “a charade and stage managed’’.
The Federal High Court in Makurdi in 2012 gave judgment in favour of the governor, in which Justice Marcel Awokulehin, held that the case was a pre-election matter and a party’s affair.
Ekiti
The police last Tuesday arraigned a 70-year-old man before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Curtis Enabulele, told the court that the accused committed the offence in January, opposite a palm wine outlet on Ilawe Road in Ado-Ekiti.
Enabulele told the court that the accused unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the girl, causing her grievous harm.
He claimed that the latest incident was the third, after two earlier failed efforts by the accused.
The offence, he added, contravened Section 358 and 359 of the Criminal Code Cap. C 16 Vol.1 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
Gombe
The Gombe State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has urged its members to register in the ongoing exercise to enable them to access fertiliser allocation.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Gambo Sarkin-noma, made the call in an interview with newsmen last Tuesday in Gombe.
Sarkin-noma said that the new method was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure fairness in the distribution process.
He said that the registration forms would be distributed at the ward level by facilitators in each ward.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Savings and Loans Ltd., a mortgage finance company, last Tuesday said it had concluded plans to construct 150 low cost houses in Dutse.
Its Managing Director, Alhaji Babangida Umar, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Umar said 100 houses would be constructed at the Mobile base quarters while 50 houses would be sited at strategic locations in the city.
He said the houses would be constructed in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom categories.
Umar said the project would be executed under the National Housing Fund (NHF), adding that the houses would be sold to civil servants and interested persons on owner-occupier basis.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly last Tuesday amended the 1991 District Court Law empowering it to adjudicate in civil cases.
The speaker, Alhaji Muazu Gangara, said that the amendment of sections 13, 14, 15, 25, 31, 32 and 81 of the law, had empowered the courts to entertain cases with material value of up to N500,000 as against N50,000 previously.
He also said that the amendment made had repealed the District Court (Amendment) Edict of 1994.
Gangara said the law now empowers the Chief Judge of the state to regulate the practice and procedure of the district courts where no specific provisions were made by the subsisting law.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has said that work will soon resume at the N50 billion Zauro Folder irrigation project that was abandoned two years ago.
Alhaji Sunusi Ibrahim, the Director of Water Supply in the state Ministry of Water Resources, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Ibrahim said that the project would be jointly executed by the federal, state and affected local government areas.
According to him, the state government has so far spent N18 billion since the commencement of the project seven years ago.
Kogi
A socio-cultural group, Nigerian Cultural Development Consultants, has urged the Federal Government to accord Lokoja a prominent position in the celebration of the country’s 100 years of nationhood.
The call is contained in a statement by the Chairman of the group, Dr Hinmikalu Paul and Secretary, Dr Jacob Olorunshola, in Lokoja.
It said the call was necessary due to the prominence of the historical and political roles of Lokoja in the emergence of Nigeria.
It said the anniversary, slated for 2014, was worthy of celebration because it would be a period of national rebirth through “self evaluation of our past and the quest for a better future”.
Kwara
An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday remanded in prison custody a member of a vigilante group, Ibrahim Seko, for allegedly killing two persons.
The accused was alleged to have conspired with eight others now at large to shoot Abubakar Ali and Abdullahi Chumo on February 19 during a rift.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons shot dead the deceased over the allegation that they were armed robbers.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Yakub Emmanuel, told the court that investigation was on-going in order to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Lagos
A 25-year-old unemployed man, Amidu Shittu, who allegedly broke into an apartment and stole three mobile phones, including a blackberry, worth N47, 500, was last Tuesday charged before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Shittu, who is of no fixed address, is facing a two count-charge of burglary and theft.
The prosecutor, Insp. Clara Olagbayi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on November 18, 2012 at No. 1 Olorunda St., Ijaye, Lagos at 3:00 a.m.
“Shittu broke into Miss Blessing Chukwu’s apartment, in her absence, and stole a Blackberry phone, as well as Nokia and Techno phones valued at N47, 500,” she said.
Ondo
An Ore Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State last Tuesday sentenced a motor mechanic apprentice, Sheriff Adegoke, 32, to 6 months imprisonment for stealing a Nokia phone and N2,000.
Magistrate Tope Aladejana sentenced the accused to prison— with hard labour— after he pleaded guilty to the one count charge of stealing.
Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Agboola said the convict committed the offence on February 16, at about 2:00 .p.m. at Ajelanwa St., Ore.
Agboola told the court that Adegoke allegedly stole one white Nokia Asha handset valued at N15,000 and two thousand naira cash, belonging to one Simeon John.
Oyo
A 32-year-old man, Olawale Badru, was last Tuesday arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of fraud and assault.
The prosecutor, Mr Oluseye Akinola, told the court that Badru assaulted one Damilola Adelanwa by stabbing him with a broken bottle on the back and causing him bodily harm.
Akinola said Badru also caused a breach of the peace by unlawfully demanding an illegal fee from a tanker driver, Olalekan Oseni, while discharging kerosene to customers, claiming “ son of the soil’’ status.
The alleged crime was said to have been committed on March 3, 2013 at about 9:00am at Idi- Mango area, Soka, Ibadan.
Plateau
Senator Gyang Pwajok (PDP-Plateau) last Tuesday blamed “external groups’’ for the incessant attacks on rural communities in Plateau.
“The modalities and nature of the attacks indicate that these groups of attackers are largely external to Plateau and the sole aim is the decimation of the people in a bid to destabilise the state,’’ Pwajok said in a statement in Jos.
“Clearly, what they want is to stifle our determination to shun violence, embrace and trust one another so as to live as brothers in peace,’’ he said.
He said that the attacks were “a hallmark of organised and specialised terror with no empathy or regard for human dignity,’’ and advised the residents to quickly realise that they must unite “so as to overcome these trying times’’.
Nation
HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.
He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.
He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.
”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.
Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.
The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.
The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.
Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.
Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.
At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.
Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.
HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.
Nation
NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions
The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.
In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.
He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.
The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.
Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.
Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.
” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.
In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.
Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”
Nation
Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt
The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.
He said that Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.
According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the fucos of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.
” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.
” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pad to girl child/ condoms for the boy child and there is also introduction to ICTC training that will commence soon in the campus.
” What inform us to empowered the youth we understand that when you get the youth you have getting the society.
“We came together and says let empowered the youth in our little way knowing that government can not do anything.
” Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic was a divine choice for the program because we have a lot of University including the Madonna University to carry out the program” Dr Wopara said.
He thank the Rector of the institution Dr Moses S. Neebee, management and students of the school saying that the were expecting like 200 students but over 600 students were in attendance.
” So for us we have achieved our aim for the program and we are happy.
” First the institution management and of course our sponsor Hon Goodluck Ndala that gave us some good support for the program ” he said.
Meanwhile the Rector of institution Dr Moses S. Neebee expressed joy for the program thanking Madonna University Alumni Association and partners for bringing the program to their institution.
Dr Neebee who was represented by the Duputy Rector Academic Dr Alapuye G. Eleki said that one thing about Alumni Association is to encourage the young ones, coming behind to impact positive value in them.
” So if we have a lot of Alumni like the Madonna University I think it is good because is going to help the society and beyond.
” The program is quite encouraging taking of health, education scholarship and all that involve we are happy for it” Dr Moses said.
Also speaking the Student Union Government President Comd Henry Chijioke expressed happiness for the program saying that the lecture in course of the program as impacted a lot on the students.
“The scholarship and the international passport is a very big boost to the students.
” I appreciate Madonna Alumni and partners for dimming it fit to organize the program in our institution” Comd Chijioke said.
Earlier one of the scholarships beneficiary Taabere James of Science Laboratory Technology ND 11 said he feel very honored for the scholarship adding that he was thinking how to clear some of his fees in the school but with the support of Madonna University Alumni Association and partners he is going to clear his outstanding fees.
Key highlights of the initiative include
Scholarship award, free international Passports, medical outreach, girl child support – sanitary pad were distributed to female students while male students received condoms.
Kiadum Edookor
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