Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the United
.States is to assist Borno and other states in the North East Zone in the areas of primary healthcare and agriculture.
The President, Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Chris Elias, made this known during a meeting with officials of the Borno and Bauchi State Governments in the U.S.
The Special Adviser to the Borno Governor on Media and Communication , Malam Isa Gusau, made this known in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Sunday.
“Gov. Kashim Shettima and his Bauchi counterpart, Governor Isa Yuguda, were at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Washington D.C where they held meetings with the officials for hours.
FCT
WaterAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Govern
ment to address water and sanitation issues in the country to curb deaths among children.
The organisation’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Michael Ojo, described the high mortality rate of children under five from water related cases as “scandalous’’.
Ojo made the call in an interview with newsmen in commemoration of the World Water Day, in Abuja.
He said there was need to reverse current statistics of infant deaths arising from diarrhoea and water borne diseases in the country.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa has urged
political parties to shun sentiments in the choice of their flag bearers during elections.
Lamido said this when he received the executive officers of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) in Dutse.
He said aspirants needed not to be popular among the leaders of political parties, if they had the required will to work for the people.
The governor said that over the years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had carried out its objective of delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“It is either PDP or PDP, there is no alternative to our party, the only party that is owned by Nigerians”, he said.
Lamido said the PDP had always demonstrated that it was a party not owned or controlled by anyone or some individuals.
Kano
The Serendipity Health Care Foundation, an NGO based
in Kano, has called on the Kano State Government to focus more on the provision of safe drinking water to rural communities.
Its Coordinator, Mrs Samira Faruk, made the call at a rally the NGO organised to commemorate the World Water Day in Kano.
She said the call was necessary in view of the importance of water and sanitation to human lives.
‘’We appreciate the laudable projects Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso is doing, but we want him to do more especially in the areas of water and sanitation in the rural areas.’’
She said the organisation was ready to partner with the state government in the area of water and sanitation with a view to achieving the desired objectives.
Kaduna
The Integrity Network, a group under the All
Progressives Congress (APC), has urged youths in the country to shun “politics of deceit, money, religious bigotry and ethnic manipulation”.
Leader of the network Malam Umar Yahya, made the call at an interactive session with youths in Kaduna as part of the APC’s grassroots mobilisation.
The session has as its theme: Integrity and Corruption: Wither Nigerian?
Yahya said the aim was to ensure that the youths played vital role in the evolution of a new leadership in the country through democratic principles.
Lagos
Some lawyers in Lagos have criticised the wearing of
branded jackets belonging to religious organisations by the accused while standing trial in court.
Their reactions came against the backdrop of an accused, Dairus Nweze, 37, who appeared before a magistrate in a sleeveless branded jacket of a church — The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church — with Scriptural inscriptions on it.
Our correspondent reports that the accused is facing a charge of assault at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.
He had earlier entered a plea of “not guilty’’.
Court officials had asked the accused to remove the jacket, but he reluctantly responded that he could remove it and chose to walk out of the courtroom.
Niger
The Niger Government has sent packing 200 Fulani
herdsmen from Gunu village in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state to Rijana, their ancestral village in Kaduna State.
The Director-General of the state’s department in charge of Nomadic Affairs, Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar, addressed the herdsmen shortly before their departure.
He said the decision to send them home was based on “security issues’’.
Abubakar said the herdsmen erred by not informing their association in the state about their intention to migrate in such a large number with their herds.
Ogun
As the world observed World Water Day recently, the Ogun
Government has renewed its commitment to make potable water available to the citizens.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Olu Odeyemi, said this in Abeokuta in an interview with newsmen.
Odeyemi said that the state government’s efforts in providing good drinking water for the people were being hampered by inadequate power supply.
He disclosed that the government was negotiating with some power companies from Índia and China to have alternative way of generating power rather than depending on the government.
Osun
A former military administrator of Ebonyi, Sen.Simeon
Oduoye, 69, is dead.
Oduoye, who represented Osun Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party from 2003 to 2007, died in Osogbo.
Mr Bola Ajao, PDP Publicity Secretary in Osun, confirmed Oduoye’s death to newsmen in an interview last Saturday in Osogbo.
He described Oduoye’s death as “a blow to the party” adding that the deceased was a gentleman to the core, who served the country diligently.
Plateau
The Plateau Government says it will spend two billion
naira to restock the 30-years-old Jos Wild Life Park.
The commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Abraham Yiljap, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Jos recently.
Yiljap said the step would address the park’s declining fortunes and patronage following years of neglect of the facility famed to be the largest man-made zoo in Nigeria.
“We want to upgrade the facility to realise its full potential”.
“The multiplier effects are massive but we specifically target a situation where every family will seek to visit the Jos Wild Life Park and have a good time,’’ he said.
Sokoto
A 4-day Maiden Conference on Basic and Applied Sci
ences has ended in Sokoto with participants advocating inter-disciplinary approaches to researches.
This is contained in a communique signed by the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Aminu Ibrahim, and made available to newsmen in Sokoto recently.
The conference which was organised by the Faculty of Science, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, between March 17 and March 20, had as its theme, “Impact of Basic and Applied Sciences on Resource Acquisition and Management”.
The communique advised that, “the institutions of higher learning and research institutes should give more emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to researches.’’
It also called for more “investigations in order to obtain a qualitative and enduring solution to resource scarcity”.
Taraba
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, says
he believes in the ability of the new leadership of the PDP to bring back those who defected from party.
Umar said this during a media parley with newsmen in Jalingo recently.
‘’Ahmed Muazu is active and he wants his people to return to PDP. I believe he will achieve this and win back most if not all defectors before the next general elections,’’ Umar said.
He said Taraba remained peaceful in the region because the PDP brought all the stakeholders to dialogue and enlightened the people on the need for development through peaceful co-existence
‘’We achieved peace in Taraba today through dialogue. We brought together major stakeholders: emirs, chiefs, clergymen to enlighten and talk to the people that destruction of lives and property was affecting our development and advancement.
L-R: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State (2nd-left) and Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (right), signing an MoU for National Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Bauchi, last Monday. Photo: NAN.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”