Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Olabisi Onabanjo University, Comrade Egberongbe Taiwo, SSANU Chairman, University of Ibadan, Comrade Wale Akinremi, SSANU Secretary, Western Zone, Comrade Abdussobur Salaam and SSANU Chairman, Delta State University, Comrade Goodluck Ohwavborua, at a news confernce by Western Zone of SSANU on the main report of committee on NEEDS assessment of Nigerian Public Universities in Ibadan, recently.
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has assured
the people of the state of justice and fairness in the provision of basic social amenities.
Nyako gave the assurance when he addressed the chairmen of the 21 local government councils of the state in Yola.
The governor said that in spite of the political and man-made challenges facing the state, his administration had performed wonderfully well in the provision of social amenities in all parts of the state
He expressed worry over the negative activities of some politicians, who he said, invoke “tribal sentiment’’ to score cheap political points.
Borno
No fewer than 1,500 blind persons from across the country
took part in a special prayer for peace in Borno.
Alhaji Mai-Bukar Abacha, the chief of the blind in the state, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Abacha said the prayer session was an annual event organised by the blind as part of their contributions to the restoration of peace and harmony in the state and the country.
He said prayer was essential in ending the current security challenges in the northern region and the country in general.
FCT
A Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Gwagwalada in the FCT
has sentenced a 19-year-old man, Badamasi Abdullahi, to four months in prison for trespass and theft.
The presiding judge, Alhaji Hassan Muhammed, however gave him an option of fine in the sum of N8,000 and ordered him to pay N50,000 in compensation to the nominal complainant.
“For the fact that the accused has no previous criminal record, he is hereby convicted as charged.
“He is therefore sentenced to a month imprisonment for the charge of criminal trespass or to pay N3,000 in fine.
Jigawa
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has
urged politicians to promote peaceful coexistence for the unity of the country.
Abubakar made the call when he visited Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa in Dutse.
He stressed that peace was important for the development of any society, pointing out that there will be no nation without peace.
“Where ever we are, we must make peace and this is also applicable to politics.
“We, as people must avoid violence and if there is any difference among us, there are procedures to follow – like the judiciary”, he said.
Kaduna
The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW), in Kafanchan Mr Silas Kabruk, says sanctions await members who fail to participate in the ongoing membership registration exercise.
Kabruk told newsmen in Kafanchan that the union would take measures to ensure that all its genuine members were adequately covered in the registration.
He said the exercise was aimed at ensuring sanity in the system and cut down on road crashes among other reasons.
“We also want to get rid of unprofessional drivers by ensuring that every commercial driver register with the union,’’ Kabruk said.
Kano
A former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji
Abdullahi Gwarzo, has commended Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State on the successful merger of the PDP splinter group with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The commendation is contained in a statement signed by the former deputy governor and made available to newsmen in Kano.
“I wish to congratulate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State on the successful merger of new PDP with APC.
“This is a great achievement to the people of Kano State and a boost to democracy.’’
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has earmarked N5.9 billion
for the rehabilitation and construction of township roads in Yauri, Koko/Besse, Maiyama and Shanga Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor Saidu Dakingari announced this in a message to the flag-off of the first phase of the project in Yauri recently.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, the governor said the road projects were initiated to enhance socioeconomic activities in the affected areas.
“The rehabilitation and construction of the roads by this administration was without borrowing money, and we would ensure prompt payment of the contract,’’ Dakingari said.
Kwara
The IIorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union
(IEDPU) has called on the Federal Government to repair Jebba-BodeSaadu highway.
The president of the union, Justice Saka Yusuf, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin.
He said there is an urgent need to repair the road to enhance social and economic activities between the people of the north and the south.
According to him, the road which links the south with the northern part of the country is in a state of disrepair and has become a death trap.
Lagos
The former Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress
of Nigeria (TUC), Mr John Kolawole, has urged employers to allow their workers join the union to avoid industrial crisis.
Kolawole told newsmen in Lagos State that “it is against the Nigerian Constitution for employers to stop their employees from joining a union of their choice.
“It is the right of every worker by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and the Constitution of Nigeria to associate or belong to any organisation of their choice.
“Belonging to a union in any work place does not disturb the smooth running of that organisation. It only enhances productivity,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
A task force set up by the Nasarawa State Ministry of
Health has shut down six private clinics in Kadarko village, Obi Local Government Area of the state for allegedly operating illegally.
The Chairman of the task force, Dr. Damina Ali, told newsmen in Lafia that four proprietors of the clinics were handed over to the police.
He explained that all the clinics were operating without licence, equipment and trained health personnel.
Ogun
One Bola Mukaila, 38, was has been arraigned before
an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for selling fake wines valued N300,000 to a customer.
The police prosecutor, Insp Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the offence was committed in Omida area of Abeokuta on September 5 at about 3:00 p.m.
Ozimini said the accused sold fake Hennessy, Jack Daniels and Remy Martins wines worth N300,000 to one Remi Abiodun.
“The accused, who owned a wine shop, mixed fake with original wines and sold cartons of them to Abiodun knowing that they were fake.
Sokoto
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), has donated relief materials to victims of this year’s flood disaster in seven local government areas of Sokoto State.
The items included rice, millet, maize, blankets, detergents, roofing sheets, cement, nails, mats and mattresses, among others.
The Zonal Coordinator of the Agency, Alhaji Musa Ilalla, presented the materials through the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada.
Ilalla said the gesture was not compensation but a support to alleviate the sufferings of the victims.
Yobe
The Yobe State Government has urged contractors handling various road projects in the state to take advantage of the relative peace attained to speed up work and recover time lost to insecurity.
The state Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Lawan Shettima, told newsmen in Damaturu that government was committed to early completion of the projects.
He observed that some of the projects could not be executed within the scheduled time frame due to security challenge.
“We thank God for the relative peace attained and urge our contractors to mobilise more equipment and manpower to the various sites to hasten completion of the projects,” he said.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi