Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Borno State Government has donated N200,000
to each victim of the recent insurgency attacks in Kilde and Gashigar communities of Mabar Local Government Area of the state.
Chief Of Staff (COS) to Governor Kashim Shettima, announced the donation on behalf of the government in Maiduguri when he addressed people from the area.
He said that the assistance was offered to lessen the hardship being faced by the victims.
Kyari said that the gesture as in line with the governor’s directive to disburse N30 million as donation in sympathy with the victims.
FCT
The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Femi
Adeshina, has called on INEC to be impartial in disseminating information to the media to ensure credible elections in 2015.
Adeshina made the call at the Strategy Meeting on Media and the 2015 Elections Agenda organised by Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) in Lagos.
“INEC must be seen to be truly independent and impartial in all ramifications to ensure that come 2015, we have a peaceful and transparent elections in Nigeria,” Adeshina said.
He stressed the need for INEC to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act in an impartial way to enhance transparency in the conduct of political parties in the country.
Jigawa
The Chairman, Interim Committee in Hadejia Local
Government, Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi, has urged workers to support the council to fast track sustainable development of the area.
Abdullahi made the call at the inauguration of the committee in Hadejia.
The chairman also urged communities in the area to support the committee to enable it to effectively manage the affairs of the council.
He assured that the committee would be transparent and fair in the discharge of its duties.
Kaduna
The International Federation of Women Lawyers
(FIDA), Kaduna State branch has expressed worry over the increasing cases of rape in the state.
The FIDA Chairperson, Mrs Sidikat Adegboye, who said this when he spoke with newsmen said the figure against the vice had not been won in the state.
She, however, attributed this deficiency to dearth of correct statistical data on cases of rape and administrative bureaucracy in the state judiciary system.
“The fight against rape in Kaduna State is far from a battle won; as rape cases are now on the increase on a daily basis.
Kebbi
About 4,000 qualified candidates are to benefit from
the distribution of free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms valued at N16 million by the Kebbi State Government.
The Executive Secretary, Kebbi Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sahabi Birnin-Yauri, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin-Kebbi.
He said that the forms would be distributed to secondary school students who graduated between 2010 and 2013 with minimum of five credits including English and Mathematics.
Birnin-Yauri said that zonal inspectors would identify the five best students in each secondary school in their zones and provide them with the forms.
Kwara
Kwara
The University of Ilorin says it expelled no fewer than 51
students for various acaemic offences in the last two years.
The university’s spokesman, Mr Kunle Akogun, told newsmen in Ilorin that the exercise was a routine one.
According to him, it is meant to sustain the rich tradition of the university in line with character and learning.
Akogun said that their offences ranged from being members of secret cults to bribing lecturers to upgrade their scores after examinations.
Lagos
An unemployed man, Saka Afeez, 21, who allegedly stole
property worth N120,000 belonging to a church, was arraigned in Lagos.
Afeez, whose address is unknown, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and theft at an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 15, at about 1:30 a.m. at 22, Mojirade St., Shibiri, Ajangbadi, Lagos.
He said that the accused unlawfully entered into Rain Day Christian Assembly and stole a speaker and an amplifier engine, both valued at N120,000.
Nassarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makuraof Nassarawa State has
urged exporters in the country to explore and exploit the export potentials of the state.
He made the call in Lafia at a one-day sensitisation seminar organised by the North Central Coordinating Office of the Nigerian Shippers Council with the theme: “Tapping the export potentials of Nassarawa State”.
Al-Makura, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Emmanuel Yaji, said the state was endowed with enormous solid minerals, including high quality precious stones, semi-precious stones and precious metals.
Others are metallic and non-metallic minerals as well as mineral fuel that are of high economic value.
Ogun
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, has
remanded a 26-year old welder, Dare Ojo, for allegedly defiling a three-year old girl.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, ordered that Ojo be remanded in Oba Prison.
The prosecutor, Insp Banji Sangotokun, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on February 15 at Ogunji Estate, Somorin in Abeokuta.
He said the accused, a friend to the girl’s father, defiled and inflicted serious injury on the minor.
Ondo
The Ondo State Direct Labour Agency in
Akure said it had completed 49 projects across the state in five years.
The Chairperson of the agency, Mrs Mobolaji Suara, told newsmen that the projects ranged from the construction of markets to health centres.
“We have completed about 49 projects across the state in the last five years in the markets, auto marts, mechanic villages and emergency health centres.
“We are also into the construction of public buildings as long as they have positive effects on the people.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government has called on
the electorate not to allow desperate politicians to buy their voters’ cards during election
The state Commissioner for Information, Mrs Olivia Dazyem, made the call during a sensitisation campaign for Plateau South Senatorial District in Shendam for the February 25 council election in the state.
“Your voter’s card is your weapon of electing a credible representative to any elective position and should be guarded jealously not to allow anybody deprive you of it.
“As electorate, you should not allow desperate politicians buy off your voters cards; doing that means selling off your conscience and the right to elect the leader of your choice, “ she said.
Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar
III has urged politicians to ensure peace in the country as the nation approaches the 2015 elections.
Abubakar made the appeal in Sokoto when the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu paid him a courtesy call.
“So much acrimony and mudslinging is now going on in Nigeria and there is the need to stabilise the nation’s polity.
L-R: Chairman, Lagos Public Works Corporation, Mr Gbenga Akintola, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Ranadu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Agoro, at the inauguration of Imota Asphalt Plant in Imota, Lagos State recently.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken prompt steps to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station recently commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is even as the Project has restated its determination and commitment to supplying quality potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
HYPREP said while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt that it has commenced an investigation into the collapse of the overhead tank at the Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The high-level committee set up by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as an interim measure, is mandated to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gowon Ichibor while addressing newsmen said the committee has already swung into action, as it has visited the site of the incident to take stock and assess the situation.
Barrister Ichibor noted that the committee is firmly on top of the situation, as it is poised to carry out a painstaking investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.
He further indicated that it is hasty and premature at this point, to pinpoint what might have caused the incident but promised to furnish the public with all necessary information in connection with the overhead tank collapse as soon as possible.
While assuring affected communities of HYPREP’s determination to restore the water facility as quickly as possible, he said the committee would tidy up its work in less than no time and promptly brief the press on its findings.
The committee did not, however, foreclose the possibility of recommending appropriate punitive measures and sanctions to be meted out to culprits at the end of its assignment, to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, who also lent his voice, described the incident as a temporary setback, as the Project would take appropriate and prompt actions to restore potable water supply to the affected Ogoni communities.
He also reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to upholding global best practices, standards and quality in the execution of projects, and sympathised with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident, saying, 16 water facilities have already been commissioned, which are effectively and satisfactorily serving over 40 Ogoni communities.
With the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, he revealed that 40 Ogoni communities are currently enjoying potable water.
The head of communications further disclosed plans by HYPREP to provide potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
While regretting the unfortunate incident, Dr Mba-Nwigoh urged Ogoni people and residents of Gwara community to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and eschew all forms of speculations and rumour-mongering, as the Project is on top of its game to remedy the situation.
He reeled out the achievements and milestones so far recorded by HYPREP, saying, the Ogoni cleanup programme is very much on course.
It would be recalled that HYPREP had earlier in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at Gwara Water Station, stressing that the
Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, had set up a high-level committee to determine the immediate and remote
causes of the incident.
It further noted that the committee had already visited the site and begun a detailed investigation to establish whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or possible third-party interference.
HYPREP, in a statement signed by its management, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Gwara community, urging residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to affected areas.
The Project assured that it remains committed to delivering quality projects that meet international standards, adding that internal and external quality control measures have been introduced, including the engagement of EcoProject as Project Consultant, supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and oversight by water supervisors.
It noted that aside from this isolated case, 16 water stations have been commissioned across Ogoniland, providing water to over 40 communities, with some facilities operating successfully for more than two years.
The Project added that sustainability plans have been put in place to ensure continuous water supply to communities. These include the formation of Water Consumers Associations (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power, and training of laboratory staff.
It also stated that one of the key features of the HYPREP water projects is the establishment of laboratories to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
HYPREP reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.
The Project has also set up a technical sub-committee over the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, to foster and promote accountability in the implementation of projects.
As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
”The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
”We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Nwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of Mene Anua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.
Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.
Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by Mr Igo Weli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; Igo Weli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.
In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as Project Coordinator.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.