Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Many victims of last year’s flood disaster in Benue State have returned to the flood-affected areas, in spite of the State Government’s warning for people to stay away from the areas.
The victims, who are yet to benefit from the N500 million approved by the Federal Government for the flood victims, said they had no alternative than to return to the flood-affected areas.
One of the victims, Mr Dennis Igbana, said that the victims had no other option than to return to the areas affected by floods.
“Our situation is that of the abandoned child, we are treated as if we do not belong to this state or country, we are being abandoned as if we choose to be affected by flood. We cannot question God why we are citizens of Benue State, other states in the country such as Edo State, had released additional funds and shared to the victims, but government officials have decided to take away even the little, Mr President had given us,” he lamented.
Another victim, Mr Tyoyame Torkula, said that he had already completed planting his yam along the banks of the River Benue.
FCT
Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), last Sunday urged opposition political parties involved in merger talks to evolve a new political ideology that would satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
The General-Secretary of AEC, Mr Emma Ezeazu, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.
He said that Nigerians expected the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) to use its manifesto to address the challenges facing the country such as distribution of national resources, poverty and unemployment.
“ It is important that the APC demonstrates convincingly to Nigerians that it is not just interested in grabbing power but in effecting real transformation in the quality of lives of ordinary Nigerians. “The APC must, therefore, show that it is not only offering superior value but that its idea of progressive politics unambiguously cuts an image distinct from the current dysfunction in Nigeria’s political arena,’’ he said.
Ezeazu also stressed the need for the APC to draft a constitution that would be issue-based with ideological orientation, and also strive to accommodate the concerns of vulnerable people, including women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
Gombe
The Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Church in Gombe State, Rev. Fr John Keane, has enjoined women to show love and care to their families and those outside their homes.
Speaking on Sunday, Keane also urged women to support their husbands to ensure a good upbringing of their children.
According to the cleric, they should also play their roles as mothers, as defined by the church and their traditions, so that society would develop.
Also speaking, President of the church’s Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Mrs Eunice George, said the day was a unique one in the lives of women in the Christian faith.
George said mothers played significant roles in the church, and that was why the day was set aside to celebrate them as mothers of the society.
Kano
The Kano State Government plans to immunize about 6 million children against polio in the current round of the exercise.
The Public Relations Officer of the state’s Ministry of Health, Alhaji Isma’il Gwammaja, disclosed this last Sunday in Kano.
He stressed that the exercise had so far been successful, as it did not record any form of resistance in any part of the state.
Gwammaja also said that a state monitoring team, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, had visited Ungogo and Minjibir Local Government Areas to monitor the exercise.
He conveyed the team’s satisfaction with the conduct of the immunisation in the two local government areas that were toured since the onset of the exercise on Saturday.
The Information Officer of Fagge Local Government Council, Malam Salisu Kassim, also commended the manner in which the exercise was being handled in the area.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (KARDA), has cautioned farmers on the application of insecticides and chemicals, to prevent environmental degradation and human health hazards.
The Programme Manager in the agency, Alhaji Yahaya Haruna, gave the caution while speaking in Kalgo, Kebbi, recently.
Haruna observed that farmers engaged in the application of insecticides and chemicals without consulting extension workers from the agency.
He observed that some farmers had failed to realise the disparity between herbicides and insecticides to apply on the farmland, stressing that the extension workers would properly guide the farmers.
He, therefore, urged farmers to seek support and guidance from the agency, especially as collaborative efforts were being made with seed firms for the supply of sundry seeds, to ensure maximum yield.
Kogi
The National President, Old Boys Association, Our Lady of Apostles (OLS), Anyingba, Fidel Ogwuche, has commended a House of Representatives’ member, Tom Zakari, for donating educational materials to the school.
Egwuche made the commendation while receiving the items on behalf of the school last Sunday in Anyigba, Kogi State.
The items include, 20 computer sets, desks and chairs, a photocopy machine and two printers. Other items are two sets of split air conditioners, an internet dish, a 5 KV gasoline generator, a scanning machine, one spiral binding system, two standing fans and solar energy facilities.
He said with the digitisation of educational system in the country, the aid would immensely assist the students in updating their knowledge through research and e-learning.
Lagos
The Information Officer, South-West Zone of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, on Sunday advised motorists to be more cautious while driving.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, he stressed that every driver on the highway had a responsibility to protect the road, the environment and his or her own life.
“There are traffic laws to be obeyed on the roads but it will interest you to know that many people still violate these laws to their own detriment,’’ he said.
Farinloye underscored the need for road users to obey all the traffic laws, as part of efforts to reduce accidents on the roads.
“We still have cases of people driving at night without headlight and people driving without the driver’s licence, such acts are not right,’’ he said.
He also urged all motorists and other road users to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy and in good condition, particularly as the rainy season was fast approaching.
Niger
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Global Foundation, says it has expended N150 million in collaboration with the Niger Government to procure NECO exams scratch cards for extra-mural students.
The Secretary-General of the foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussaini said in Minna that the amount was expended in the last five years.
He said the state government procured the scratch cards while the foundation distributed them to its committed extra-mural students attending lectures and tutorials in 53 lesson centres spread across the state.
According to the secretary-general, the programme would also enable the state meet its manpower requirement for growth and development.
He said the foundation started operating its lesson centres in 1997 through donations and the goodwill of wealthy individuals in the state, and disclosed that the foundation was also collaborating with individuals at the lesson centres which are named after them.
Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command says no student was killed by its men during a protest by students of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu on April 10.
The Command’s spokesperson, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said in Abeokuta last Friday that the protest took place and ended with no life lost.
Leaders of the institution’s students union had on Friday alleged at the state’s House of Assembly that police killed five of their colleagues during the protest.
Adejobi however said “the Command was taken aback to hear such a disgusting rumour.
“We hereby reiterate that no single student was killed by the police during the protest.
“The allegations by the students at the House of Assembly were just to appeal to sentiment and for other reasons known to them.’’
Plateau
The Plateau State Government has resolved to cushion the effects of the ongoing biometric capturing of workers by shelving the issue of variation in the interim and making blanket payment.
The state’s Head of Service, Mr Ezekiel Dalyop said in Jos last Friday that the issue of variation would still be tackled while officials found to have played a role in the delays would be penalised.
He said that the government had also given 15th of every month as deadline to all government MDAs to submit their variations and vouchers to the ICT unit of the supervising ministry, for timely payment of salaries.
The Head of Service said that more than 11,000 workers had been cleared and paid their salaries after undergoing the recent biometric exercise and that an additional 2,000 workers cleared by the Appeal Panel, would soon be paid.
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.”
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