Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has directed former Chairman, Ukum Local Government Area, Mr David Sevav to refund N25 million, following an audit report which indicted some officials in local government councils in the state..
Sevav is to pay the money into the treasury of the council’s cooperative thrift within one month with evidence of payment to be submitted to the Committee on Public Accounts.
The House also directed the Sports Officer of Apa LGA, Mr Matthew Ofenkwu to refund N2 million to the coffers of the local government within one month.
The House gave the directive during a debate of the report of the Auditor-General on activities of Local Government Counclis from 2008 to 2010.
Borno
Borno State Police Command has denied media reports on alleged killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gwoza Local Government Area by suspected terrorists.
Some media organisations had reported that the DPO and his deputy were killed during an attack by suspected terrorists recently.
But Mr Dideon Jibrin, the spokesman of the command, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the story was untrue.
“I wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that at no time was the DPO or his deputy killed by suspected terrorists.
“The story is absolutely untrue,” Jibrin said.
FCT
An Abuja Grade 2 Area Court has sentenced a labourer, Abbah Lawal, to two months imprisonment for stealing a generator under the guise of assisting a trader to salvage his property from fire.
The trial judge, Ahmed Ado, sentenced Lawal, after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of theft.
Ado said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in such act.
He, however, gave the convict an option of N2000 fine.
Gombe
Gombe State Government has acquired and installed equipment worth N200 million for the full take-off of Gombe State University Medical College.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Isa Wade, made the information known in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
“The equipment which we bought for N200 million have been delivered and some of them are being put into use for the training of students,” he said.
According to Wade, the governor has approved another N50 million for the purchase of furniture, laboratory equipment and other facilities for the college.
Kaduna
The Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, has lauded the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for developing and reviewing its 87 curricular and 356 instructional materials in engineering, science, business and technology.
Alhaji Adamu Aliyu-Shika, the Institute’s Rector, said this at a one day training workshop on curriculum and instructional materials organised for technical and vocational education teachers by the institute.
He said that without the support of NBTE, being the supervisory body of polytechnics and other similar institutions, the success achieved would not have been possible.
Aliyu-Shika explained that the workshop was primarily designed to enhance the curricular of technical and vocational education teachers’ programmes.
Kebbi
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission says it has embarked on inspection of the ongoing Federal Government projects in the six geo-political zones.
It’s Commissioner, Alhaji Zakari Sada, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Sada said that the inspection was part of measures to ensure strict compliance to budget implementation.
He said the commission embarked on tour of Federal Government projects in the six geo-political zones “to obtain assess compliance to financial commitment of the government.
Kwara
The newly appointed Secretary, Board of Fountain University, Osogbo, Mr Yinka Yahaya has called for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria.
Yahaya made the call in Ilorin while speaking with journalists.
He said that the establishment of more universities would ease the difficulty Nigerian students faced in seeking admission for higher education.
According to him, more universities will enhance the development of human capital and accelerate national development and technological breakthroughs.
Lagos
The China Machinery Engineering Corporation, managers of Phase 2, Omotosho Power Plant, Ondo State, says it has completed the 500mw plant.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Liu Zhao-Long, told newsmen in Lagos that all the four turbines were functioning.
“The project had been completed but the official commissioning will take place later this month. It will be commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We have finished work on Omotosho Phase 2. The four turbines are contributing 500 Mega Watts to the national grid.”
Nasarawa
The House Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Nasarawa State House of Assembly says it increased the 2013 budget of N107 billion by N3 billion.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Philip Gyunka, made this known while presenting its report on 2013 budget in Lafia.
Gyunka said the addition would facilitate the conduct of local government election, provide infrastructure for rapid development and fertilisers to boost food production in the state.
“The committee has added N3 billion to the budget of N107 billion earlier presented by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, to ensure adequate provision of infrastructural facilities across the state.
Niger
The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo, has said that inadequate funding of the judiciary by the federal and state governments was responsible for delays in justice delivery.
Ndajiwo made the statement in Minna at the opening of the 39th Joint Conference of Chief Judges, Grand Kadis and Presidents, Customary Courts of Appeal of the Northern States and FCT.
According to him, there is no compliance with Section 121(3) of the 1999 constitution.
The section states: “Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned.’’
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Wednesday urged Nigerians to take advantage of public institutions that were established for their benefits.
Obasanjo said this in Abeokuta while playing host to the Commissioner, Public Complaint, Commission in Ogun State, Mr Wale Banjo and his team.
He said that one of such institutions was the Public Complaints Commission established to intervene and investigate acts of injustice and victimisation of any citizen free of charge.
“Most citizens do not make use of this opportunity probably because they do not know enough about the commission,” he said.
Oyo
A 25-year-old, Tijani Bilia, was remanded in prison custody for stealing an iron rod valued at N150,000.
The defendant was arraigned on a one- count charge of stealing before a Senior Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, Insp. Aliu Samad, told the court that the defendant stole the iron rod belonging to one Babatunde Oladele.
Samad said the incident occurred last Friday at 10:00am at Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, adding that the offence contravened section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
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