Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), Mr Mohammed Garba, has called for improved funding of government owned media organisations.
Garba made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Ima Niboro.
He said adequate funding was necessary for the media to discharge their functions effectively, especially as the country prepared for the 2015 general elections.
According to him, proper funding of the organisations is also needed for balanced reportage.
Jigawa
The Village Head of Chai-chai community in Dutse
Local Government Area, of Jigawa State has commended the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), an NGO, for constructing borehole and classrooms in the area.
Muhammad made the commendation at the inauguration of the projects in the Community Primary school in Chai-Chai, Dutse.
He said that the provision of the borehole would enhance access to safe drinking water among people of the area.
He said that both the pupils and members of the community would benefit from the facility.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, said it has awarded
contract valued at N100.9 million for the upgrade of electricity infrastructure at the Kaduna Dry Port.
The Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad, stated this in Kaduna at a ceremony marking the commencement of the project.
The project involves the construction of a 300KVA-Transformer sub-station, procurement of a 250KVA generator and construction of a generator house.
Ahmad also said that the money would be used to upgrade street lights in the port located at the Inland Containers Terminal, Kaduna.
Kano
The Kano State policing outfit, Hisba Board, said it had arrested 52 young women and men for allegedly engaging in prostitution and other immoral acts in Kano metropolis.
The board’s Director-General, Dr Abba Sufi, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said those arrested were made up of 27 females and 25 males, adding that they were apprehended at the railway station and behind Magwan Water Restaurant in Kano metropolis.
The arrest was made following a raid by members of the board, he noted.
Kebbi
UNICEF has commended Kebbi State government for
paying its N158 million counterpart funding to curb malnutrition in the state in two years.
The UNICEF officer in-charge of malnutrition, Mr Stanley Okechukwu, made the commendation when he visited Gov. Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi recently.
He also commended the state government for ensuring the treatment of 100,000 malnourished children and enabling the treatment of 600,000 more children against child killer diseases within the period.
Okechukwu described the efforts to fight such diseases as highly commendable and assured that UNICEF would sustain its support to the state.
Kwara
A housewife, Yetunde Afolabi of Osere area of
Ilorin, has prayed an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her five-year-old marriage with Kunle Afolabi, because he publicly humiliated her.
Yetunde, 30, told the court that her husband was fond of tearing her clothes, making her naked before beating her in public, just to humiliate her.
She told the court that her husband was also fond of calling her names like “prostitute, dirty pig, and shameless person” in public.
“My husband has ridiculed me and soiled my personality to the extent that I am ashamed of moving freely in my neighbourhood,” she said.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State
has said that in spite of his Deputy, Mr Damishi Luka, defecting to PDP, he will accord him his right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Al-Makura made the statement in Lafia when commissioners in his cabinet paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House.
“Damishi Luka remains my Deputy and I am duty bound by the constitution to accord his office all its dues and entitlements,” Al-Makura said.
He, however, described “the defection as a tip of the iceberg of an onslaught orchestrated against the present administration in the state.’’
Niger
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has en
joined Christian faithful to use the Lenten season to pray to God for solutions to the socioeconomic and security challenges confronting the nation.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, made the call on behalf of the group in Minna, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.
Aliyu urged Christian faithful to conduct themselves well during the season in order to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the season.
He said that good intentions, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds were pre-requisites for reaping the benefits of the holy season.
Ondo
To achieve the 35 percent affirmative action on fe-
male representation in governance, the Ondo State Government has urged women to participate actively in politics.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Yemi Mahmud-Fasanmi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Akure.
“I urge the woman folk to come out; they should not fold their arms and be expecting good turnout in terms of their participation in politics.
Osun
The Osun State government said that it would spend
N2.6 billion on the ongoing rehabilitation of its water works at Ede town.
The General Manager of the Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga Owojuyigbe, disclosed the amount when the House of Assembly Committee on Water, Environment and Sanitation visited the corporation in Ede.
Owojuyigbe said the government had earlier spent N424 million during the first phase of the emergency rehabilitation of the water works.
Plateau
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been charged
to create a curriculum that would help the youth think ‘outside the box’ instead of looking for paid jobs.
The charge was made in Jos by Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman of ITF Governing Council, and Minster of State for Defence, at the 2013 Merit Award ceremony of the Governing Council.
“What we need is creativity; we, in the ITF must create a Nigerian dream that everybody will latch onto,” he said.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan had already provided the right platform for creativity, adding that the Fund needed to be known internationally.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee has
facilitated the treatment of 526 mentally-ill persons at the Federal Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Kware, in February.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who disclosed this while disbursing N56.5 million as donations to physically challenged persons in Sokoto, said N914,000 was spent on their treatment.
He said only 16 of the patients were admitted at the psychiatric hospital while the rest were out-patients coming for drug administration and counselling.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, representative of the governor of Rivers State, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Lalaye and Chairman, Board of Peoples Media Limited, Malam Wada Maida, at the Peoples Media Limited conference in Abuja, last Thursday. Photo: NAN.
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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
Nation
TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building
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