Nation
THE STATES
Benue
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Mr Peter Chieshe, has suggested more international assistance in the fight against insurgency in the country.
Chieshe said in an interview on Sunday in Makurdi that the government and international communities should evolve pragmatic approach aimed at ending the activities of the insurgents.
Chieshe condoled with those who lost relations and loved ones in the Nyanya bomb and described blasts, the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno, as despicable.
He urged Nigerians not to surrender their destiny to faceless insurgents whose mission was to destroy the country.
“The insurgents seek to disrupt the peace, unity and existence of the country; but it is the duty of every Nigerian to work for a united and peaceful Nigeria,’’ he said.
Ekiti
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has said that
the relationship between him and a former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, is cordial.
Adejugbe who made this known last Sunday when he received Fayose, who was on a campaign tour of Ado Local Government Area, in his palace at Ado-Ekiti ruler noted that he was not thinking or talking about the past, adding that the past had gone with its inadequacies.
He, however, enjoined candidates of all political parties, including Fayose, to be peaceful in their campaigns, so as not to throw the state into violence.
Earlier, Fayose told the Oba that he was in his palace to pay homage, as well as seek his royal blessings and praised the Ewi in forgiving his wrong doings, adding that he was now a better person, more responsible, mature and responsive.
FCT
The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, says it
has undertaken a study on the frequent deterioration of roads in the country.
Director-General of the institute, Prof Danladi Matawal, said in an interview Sunday in Abuja that the research was funded by the Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi Foundation.
He said N6.8 million was received from the foundation for the project, which also entailed designing and fabricating an interlocking block making machine and developing ceiling boards using pulp and sawdust.
According to him, the researches have been highly successful, and a number of publications on the subjects have been made.
Matawal said the findings were presented during the 2013 national conference on road failure organised by the institute and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Gombe
Chairman of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe
State, Alhaji Abdullahi Talasse, has urged the Federal Government to complete the Balanga Dam Project.
Briefing journalists in Gombe, Abdullahi said that the completion of the dam was necessary to enable irrigation farming and provision of potable water for communities in the North East geo-political zone.
The chairman said that the completion of the dam would also facilitate power generation and boost socio-economic development of the region and country at large.
“If this dam is completed, it would reduce youth restiveness by way of job creation and many companies will be attracted to the place because of power supply. “It is the same dam that would pump potable water to the people for irrigation purposes”, he said.
Abdullahi also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the provision of fertiliser, and other agricultural inputs such as tractors, herbicides and pesticides as well as soft loans for farmers during the 2014 farming season.
Lagos
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the Press
Freedom Day, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on the authorities to see the media as an ally.
The NGE said the day afforded Nigerians the opportunity to reflect on the state of the media in the country, adding “Without a free press, good governance cannot be guaranteed, the fight against corruption will at best be tepid, our political development will be stunted and sluggish.
“The fundamental rights of the citizenry would be trampled upon with impunity.
But a free press will accelerate national development and engender the country of our dreams, which yet remains in the realm of envisioning,” the statement noted.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has approved N12.6 billion
for the execution of education, water and roads projects.
The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sani Kanya, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the State Executive council approved N7 billion for the purchase of text books for SSS and JSS students.
He said N2 billion would also be spent on the construction of the 40km Suru-Zengelu road while N1.6 billion would be spent on constructing the 26km Katari-Kechi road while the sum of N865 million would be expended on construction of a 30km road from Dakingari to Maitambari.
The commissioner also said N670 million would be spent on the improvement of rural water supply in addition to the Japanese and Federal Government water supply facilities received by the state.
Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has pledged the state’s
readiness to support individuals whose focus was to impart knowledge and support its education transformation agenda.
Wada, who made the pledge in a statement by the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, on Sunday in Lokoja, said Wada made the promise throught the Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, at a book launch by a renowned educationist, Dr Bello Ibrahim, in Arabi Local Government Area of Kogi.
It said the knowledge gathered by the author and documented would be significant to the development of education in the state and country at large
Wada urged Nigerians to see politics as geared towards development adding that the present realities point to the fact that those in positions of authority must live above board and make service delivery their cardinal point.
Kwara
An aspirant in the forthcoming National Association of
Women Journalists (NAWOJ) elections, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, last Saturday in Ilorin pledged to provide the platform for members to excel.
Omowole, who is aspiring to the association’s National President’s position, made the pledge while briefing members of NAWOJ in Ilorin.
“Our association, which was basically set up to empower women journalists, has unfortunately lost its course. “Due to the edge male journalists have, the need for women to form their organisation so as to provide equal opportunities for women arose.
“But what we have now is not what we bargained for,’’ she said.
Omowole, a one-time National Deputy President of NAWOJ, said the association had over the years lost track and had not become very relevant in the scheme of things.
“I promise to bring back the former glory of this association,” she said.
Nasarawa
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akwanga, Nasarawa
State, last Sunday, announced a special prayer for the freedom of more than 200 school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno.
The Assistant Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Azige Alfred, said during his sermon that the prayer became imperative to seek God’s intervention.
He urged the members of the church and Nigerians to pray seriously and ask God to help the girls to gain freedom and said because of the security challenges in the country; the church had taken some measures to protect members.
Alfred said such measures included the directive that church members and visitors should not be allowed to enter the church with handbags and called on leaders to create employment opportunity for the youths to curtail vices in the society.
Niger
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSS), has
urged Nigerians to embark on fasting and prayer for the safe return of the students abducted in Chibok, Borno, on April 14.
Malam Abdulazeez Folayemi, President of the society made the call in Minna during a lecture organised by the North Central Zone of the MSS to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the body.
“The million of Muslim students in Nigeria and the Diaspora reject this terrorist act that is aimed at increasing and complicating the suffering of the already traumatised Nigerians. “We call on everyone to embark on fasting and prayer in order to seek Allah’s intervention in this precarious time.
He urged the Federal Government to deploy “all necessary machinery to ensure the safe return of the girls” and urged the authorities to come up with more proactive measures to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.
Sokoto
Hundreds of Muslim women last Sunday prayed in
Sokoto to seek God’s intervention over the lingering insecurity in parts of the north, especially in the recent abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.
The women were drawn from Muslim Organisations, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Women in Dawah, Muslim Students Association of Nigeria and Muslim Corps Members Association of Nigeria.
Spokesperson for the group, Hajiya Rahmatu Saleh, called on those holding the school girls to have the fear Allah and release them.
She stressed the importance of prayers towards achieving peace in the country and advised Muslims to turn to Allah.
L-R: President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at a Summit for Child Health in Abuja, recently.
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