Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Dry season farmers in Gamawa Local Govern
ment Area of Bauchi State have commended the member representing Madaki Gololo (PDP-Gamawa) for providing inputs to his constituents.
The Chairman, Rice Famers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in the area, Malam Abdullahi Usman gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
“Our farmers are interested in dry season farming, but the issue of inputs has remained our greatest challenge.
“We cried out to the member and he supported us with 187 irrigation water pumps and also dug 187 wash-bows in various clusters across the local government area.’’
Benue
Bishop Nathan Inyom of the Anglican Commun
ion, Makurdi, Benue State, has called on the Federal Government to develop a peace policy to facilitate effective management of crises in the country.
The Bishop made the call in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Inyom said that without a policy document detailing crises management of issues, it would be difficult to contain the recurring crises in the country.
Ekiti
A Nutritionist, Mrs Cecilia Dolapo, says people
who eat cashew fruits or nuts regularly are less likely to develop cancer-related diseases.
Dolapo said this in an interview with newsmen in Ido, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti.
According to her, cashew nuts are ripe with proanthocyanidiusi, a class of flavanois that can starve tumour and stop cancer cells from dividing.
She said that the intake of the nut, which is kidney-shaped seed, was also good for people who want to lose weight.
FCT
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1, Prof.
Viola Onwuliri, and the Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Parilla, have pledged to work towards expanding economic and trade cooperation to attract tangible benefits to both countries.
The two ministers made the pledge while speaking in Abuja at a reception organised by Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry for the visiting Cuban Minister who concluded his four-day official visit to Nigeria recently.
Onwuliri said that economic cooperation was “heartening’’ because of the socio-economic reforms taking place simultaneously in both countries.
She suggested that priority should be given to cooperation in the areas of medicine, pharmacy and education in the renewed efforts to expand economic ties between both countries.
Jigawa
The Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa
State says it has spent about N4 million on water equipment for the people of the area.
The council Chairman, Alhaji Alasan Babandi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Gumel.
Babandi listed the equipment to include 17 submersible pumps, pipes and hand pumps, among others.
He said that the equipment had been installed at Galagamma, Dahiru Atta Primary School and Prison Quarters at Gumel town for utilisation.
Kano
A Kano State High Court has sentenced four per
sons to 84 years imprisonment for armed robbery.
Monday Joseph, Umar Adamu, Simon Chile and Mukhtar Adamu, were convicted for robbing A. A. Rano Tudun Wada filling station in 2012.
The convicts had in December 2012 attacked the Assistant Manager and some staff of the filling station, and carted away N2.68 million during the operation.
Delivering judgement recently, Justice Nura Sagir said that each of the convicts would serve 21 years in prison.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it will soon revive
its four moribund companies to attract investors and generate employment for the youth.
Chairman of the Committee on Resuscitation of Moribund Industries, Alhaji Usman Mhammed, made this known to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, the companies are Neem Seeds Processing Plant, Transformer Manufacturing Company and the Cassava Processing Plant.
He said modalities were being worked out to also revive the Kitchen Wares Factory.
Kogi
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah,
has released four awaiting trial inmates and granted bail to one for unjust and illegal incarceration at the Medium Security Prison, Kabba.
The beneficiaries included Joseph Kashuwa, Safiu Lawal, Isiaka Mohammed and Mohammed Tambuyah while Mohammed Haruna was granted bail.
Ajanah said the continuous incarceration of Kashuwa was unjustifiable as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had issued an advice for his release in November last year.
He said the DPP had said there was no prima facie case established against him.
Lagoss
A psychiatrist, Dr Peter Ogunnubi, has urged stake
holders in the health sector to tackle non-communicable diseases such as cancer and depression effectively.
Ogunnubi told newsmen in Lagos that by 2020, cancer would be the commonest non-communicable disease worldwide, followed by depression.
The psychiatrist who works at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said that cases of depression in the country had been underreported.
“By 2020 cancer will be the foremost non-communicable disease followed by depression, the way we are going.
Nasarawa
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in
Nasarawa State, said it had deployed its staff to rural areas to sensitise people ahead of the March 22, local government elections in the state.
The acting state Director of NOA, Mr Elisha Iyakwari, told newsmen in Lafia that this was part of the agency’s preparatory efforts for free and peaceful local government polls in the state.
Iyakwari said the agency’s aim was to take the campaign to rural communities in the state to further re-orientate the people at the grassroots on the forthcoming polls.
”We have deployed our members of staff to villages, market squares to carryout voters education and to sensitise the people on their civic responsibility ahead of the Local Government polls.
Osun
An Osogbo Grade II Customary Court has dis
solved the 15-year-old marriage between Mutiat Asimiyu and her husband, Saheed over constant beating.
In his judgment, the President of the court, Chief Bolarinwa Popoola, dissolved the marriage and held that the marriage was problematic with accusations and counter accusations bordered on distrust.
“The court, hereby, dissolve the marriage in favour of the petitioner,” he held.
Popoola awarded custody of two children, aged 12 and 10 to the father, while custody of the four-year-old child was awarded to the petitioner.
Oyo
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Iseyin, Oyo State
has sentenced a middle-aged man, Ganiyu Saheed, to nine months in prison with hard labour for stealing from a widow.
Delivering judgment, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Abiola Richard, sentenced Saheed, after he pleaded guilty.
Richard, who did not give the convict an option to pay a fine, said that the sentence would serve as deterrent to others who engaged in such nefarious acts in the society.
The prosecutor, Inspector Friday Sule, had on January 21, told the court that the convict committed the offence on December 4, 2013.

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for budget and planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Deputy German Consul General, Jorg Stephan, German Consul General, Mr Michael Derug, Gov Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and German Vice Consul, Sophia Stephan, during a visit of the Consul General To Gov. Fashola in Lagos, recently.
Nation
HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.
He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.
He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.
”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.
Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.
The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.
The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.
Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.
Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.
At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.
Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.
HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.
Nation
NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions
The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.
In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.
He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.
The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.
Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.
Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.
” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.
In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.
Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”
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.
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