Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Police Command in Adamawa State said it recorded
15 rape cases across the state in two years.
This is contained in the statistics of the cases from the command, signed by Mr Salau Usman, the command’s Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of CID in Yola last Tuesday.
The statement stated that 16 people, made up of 10 people in 2012 and six in 2013 were arrested during the period under review. It said that eight suspects were charged to court in 2012 and three in 2013.
The statistics also showed that 27 cases of house breaking and theft were also reported within the period with 12 in 2012 and 15 cases in 2013, respectively.
Borno
The Borno State Fire Service Department recorded 121
fire incidents in the state in 2013, an official said in Maiduguri last Tuesday.
The Director of Fire Service in the state, Alhaji Musa Hussaini, said in an interview that no life was lost in the incident and added that the agency was working toward protecting the lives and property of the citizens.
He said the agency had acquired 60 fire fighting vehicles to facilitate speedy response to fire outbreaks and other related incidents adding that the agency was collaborating other organisations, such as Federal Road Safety Commission and Red Cross, to save lives.
Husain said the agency had opened area offices in Bui, Hawal, Shani, Damboa, Askira Uba, Goza, Bama, Konduga and Ngala local government areas to expand its reach to local communities and appealed to the public to desist from using charcoal to warm their houses during the hamattan.
Ekiti
Any person wishing to be appointed into any public
office in Ekiti State must first ensure that he or she is qualified, with sound character and exceptional pedigree.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State made the declaration in Ado-Ekiti last Tuesday, during the swearing-in of Mr Ayoola Owolabi, the state Accountant-General as a Permanent secretary.
He said there would be no room for persons whose preoccupation was to cut corners to achieve their goals in life and restated the determination of his administration to ensure that appointment in the state civil service was based only on ability and competence, rather than patronage.
FCT
The Nigerian Army has appointed Brig.-General Olajide
Laleye as its new Director of Public Relations.
Laleye, who hails from Lagos State, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army on September 23, 1989 was until his appointment, the Commander, 1 Division Garrison, Kaduna.
He holds a B.Sc in Physics from the Nigerian Defence Academy and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Strategy, Defence and Disaster Management from the University of Yaounde.
Speaking in Abuja at a brief handing over ceremony, Laleye said that under his leadership, the directorate would focus attention on the achievements of the various sectors in the army.
He said the directorate would key into the vision of the Chief of Army Staff “to transform the Nigerian Army into a force better able to face contemporary challenges’’.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
in Jigawa State said it had set up monitoring team to check the activities of illegal Private Guards Companies (PGCs) in the state.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, said in Dutse, last Tuesday, that the move was to ensure people did not run such companies without licence.
He explained that the action was necessary to ensure proper coordination of security activities in the state and urged all other PGCs operating in the state must renew their licences for them to continue operating.
Gidado said that some of the companies operating in the state were yet to establish their offices and advised those affected to establish their offices in the state before the end of the year.
Kaduna
Former executive members of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, last Tuesday, restated their loyalty to the party, saying they were not among those who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A former zonal chairman of the party, Alhaji Maikudi Tela,who made the position of the members known in a chat with newsmen in Kaduna State dismissed the allegation that they were part of the group led by a former state PDP chairman, Alhaji Yaro Makama, who defected to the APC two weeks ago.
He assured that they were committed members of the party and would continue to be loyal to it irrespective of the current challenges.
In her contribution, a former women leader, Hajiya Hauwa Abdullahi, stressed that no woman would decamp from PDP to any party and assured that the defectors would “certainly return to the party’’.
Kano
Kano State Government said it would accommodate refu
gees evacuated from the Central African Republic whose families had not been identified.
The Executive Secretary of the State Rehabilitation and Emergency Management Board, Alhaji Bashir Nikel, said in Kano State, last Tuesday, that although people from across the state had been coming forward to claim the refugees, those whose families could not be identified “will become government’s property.”
The executive secretary said the state rehabilitation centre at Mariri would be used to accommodate the unclaimed refugees.
He, however, said that the infants and children amongst them would be taken to the children’s home and would be placed under the care of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
About 413 refugees were on Monday transported to Kano from Abuja, most of whom women and children.
Kogi
The wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Halima Wada,
has donated gift items to babies delivered in the state on the first day of 2014.
The wife of the governor who donated these items through the chairpersons of the local governments to mothers of the babies in Lokoja last Tuesday, said the history of Nigeria would not be complete without mentioning Lokoja as the first seat of government in Nigeria, hence the need to celebrate the centenary babies.
She said that the presentation of the gift items was to give the state its rightful place in the event and to celebrate the babies delivered during this period.
Earlier, the Director of her office, Mrs Susan Oguche, commended the governor’s wife for carrying every one along in her activities, and prayed that God would give her more grace to continue the good works.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State last Tuesday, said the state government would give priority to youth entrepreneurship in 2014.
Ahmed said at the graduation of Skill Acquisition programme organised by Dynamix Industrial Training Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development. He charged the 25 graduates drawn from the 16 local governments in Ilorin to take advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves and become employers of labour.
Represented by Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment, Saka Babatunde, Ahmed said his administration would continue to focus on youth development because they constituted the largest percentage of the country’s population.
Lagos
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and
the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development lastTuesday, signed an agreement to enhance exchange of research on Africa’s continental relations.
Signing the agreement in Lagos State, NIIA’s Director-General, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, said it was imperative for the institutes to come together and contribute to the continent’s development.
He said, “We have realised that Africa’s relationship with the rest of the world has been vertical. We strongly believe that through our partnership, we can promote African renaissance and intra-African cooperation.
Nasarawa
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Mr Umar
Shehu, said that the command recovered a total of 40 stolen vehicles and 50 motorcycles in 2013.
Shehu, who was briefing newsmen in Lafia yesterday on the efforts of the command to combat crime in 2013, also said that 136 armed robbery suspects were arrested and prosecuted within the period under review.
He noted the crime rate in the state in 2013 reduced significantly compared to previous years as only 234 criminal cases were recorded in the year under review as against 307 cases in 2012.
Shehu said that 92 of the cases were successfully investigated, prosecuted and the suspects convicted while 22 were still under investigation.
Ogun
The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Suraj
Adekunbi, in Abeokuta last Tuesday said the state government would continue to partner with civil servants.
Adekunbi, who gave the assurance shortly after a New Year special prayer session, said this would enhance the delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state.
He said workers remained the engine through which the government functioned, and government had remained consistently proactive to ensure improved welfare for the workforce.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno (middle), accompanied by other officials inspecting the Chad Basin Development Authority Bump Station in New Marte in Maiduguri last Tuesday. Photo: NAN
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