Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The first batch of Christian pilgrims from Bauchi State last Sunday left for Abuja on their way to Jerusalem for pilgrimage.
The state Head of Service and the leader of the delegation, Mr Abdin Dalla-Gin, said while addressing the prospective pilgrims that arrangements had been concluded to stop any pilgrim from defecting in Israel.
Dalla-Gin also called on the pilgrims to pray for peace in the state and Nigeria at large.
He said government had given the assurance the operation would be hitch-free.
Borno
Senator Ali Ndume (PDP-Borno), says, said security agen
cies in the country have the capacity to end the insurgency in the North East.
Ndume, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, also urged the security agencies to take proactive measures to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Boko Haram is a calamity that befell our country but I think our security agencies have the capacity to end the whole thing in a short time.
“I think the problem we are having is that of strategy. The security agencies need to apply new strategy to end the problem’’, he said.
Ekiti
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has warned
against any effort to distort the history of the Yoruba race so as not to jeopardize the people’s culture and misinform the younger generation.
The monarch gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti last Monday, at the launch of “Ekiti Historical and Royal Compendium”, a book written by all traditional rulers in Ekiti State.
Sijuade lamented that those involved in the distortion of the history of the Yoruba people had reduced the race to a “laughing stock”.
The Ooni said that for centuries, the Yoruba race had no “other source than the cradle, Ile-ife”, regretting, however, that many facts about the existence of the race had been distorted.
FCT
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) said
it had constituted a task team to complete ongoing rehabilitation of roads to ensure they became functional throughout the Christmas season.
The Chairman of the agency, Mr Jide Adeniji, told newsmen in Abuja that the team would specifically ensure that the rehabilitated roads were free for motorists especially during the festive season.
“We have already constituted a task team for free passage of vehicles during the yuletide for the 34,120 kilometre-road network.
“Last year I went on air and said if there is a failure nobody should take Mr President for such a failure, they should hold me responsible. And by the special grace of God most of the roads are passable”.
Gombe
Malam Umar Adamu, Chairman of the Academic Staff
Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University (GSU) chapter, has expressed concern over the exodus of Nigerian students to other countries for studies.
Adamu, who criticised the situation, said in Gombe last Monday that it was not for the educational development of the country. He expressed concern over the movement of the students to other countries that had lesser quality of staff.
He said the problems in the education system in the country was attributable to incessant and lingering crises in the sector.
The chairman advised government to honour its agreement with the union to restore confidence in the system.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has in its custody, a 23-year-old man (name withheld) who allegedly threatened to kill his father.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, newsmen in Dutse that the suspect was arrested in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The commandant said “the father told us that the suspect came home drunk and he (the father) tried to counsel him to desist from taking drugs.
“The suspect then brought out a knife and threatened to kill the father if he did not leave him alone.’’
Kaduna
The Federal Government, said the planned deregulation
of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry was to ensure availability of products to Nigerians.
The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said this in Kaduna during an inspection tour of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).
Maku said deregulation was the best solution to problems in the sector.
He added that middlemen and other players in the industry had taken advantage of government’s monopoly in the industry to shortchange the country.
Kwara
A group, the Magaji/Alangua Forum in Ilorin, has called
on politicians in Kwara to shun politics with bitterness in order to ensure steady development of the State.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulwahab Issah, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin.
The statement said the high chiefs in five local government areas of the emirate, including Issah, the Alajagusi of Ajagusi in Asa LGA, appealed to the politicians to bury their differences.
In the statement, the chiefs urged the politicians to work together in peace and harmony in the interest of the people and the development of the state.
Lagos
A Catholic cleric, Rev. Father Philip Obasi, has described
advent “as a time of repentance and holiness in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.’’
Obasi, an Associate Parish Priest, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba, Lagos, made the remark while delivering his homily.
The homily was delivered at St. Anthony Catholic Church out-station, Okoko in a Holy Mass to commemorate the second week in advent.
He called on Christians to imbibe the virtue of repentance, so as to demonstrate true Christian faith.
“‘It is a time for repentance and holiness, in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. There is need for Christians to have deep sober reflections on their daily lives.
Nasarawa
Governor Umar AI-Makura of Nasarawa State has presented N21.4 billion Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
Majority Leader of the House, Mr Godiya Akwashiki, who presented the governor’s letter, said the bill was to address the security challenges facing the state.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Musa, directed the Clerk to schedule the bill for further legislative action.
Governor AI-Makura had on December 2, 2012, submitted a budget estimate of N107 billion for 2013.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has ordered the enforcement of the traffic law banning the operations of commercial motorcyclists in Minna from Jan. 2, 2014.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, made available to newsmen in Minna.
The statement said adequate arrangements had been made to cushion the effect of the ban.
It added that the Ministry of Transportation had received 1,000 tricycles in addition to eight units of 18-seater buses.
Ogun
The Ogun State government said that it had earmarked N400 million and flood control in 2014.
The state Commissioner for Envrionment, Mr Ayo Olubori, made this known in Abeokuta while defending the 2014 budget proposal of the ministry at the House of Assembly complex.
Olubori also said that the ministry had proposed N513 million for the purchase of trucks for effective service delivery adding that the ministry would construct 8,303-metre-long drainage channels across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The commissioner put the targeted for 2014 at N157.3 million while N2.2 billion had been budgeted as total expenditure.
He further said that N878 million was budgeted as recurrent expenditure while N1.3 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure.
Plateau
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has called on Christians to emulate people with exemplary lives like former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
Kaigama made the call during his pastoral visit to the Church of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Parish, Zaramaganda, Jos.
The Archbishop said that by emulating good people, their legacy would continue to impact on society.
“The Catholic Church had long identified such and had been immortalising people that lived righteous and exemplary lives as saints.
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