Nation
THE STATES
L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (left), welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the three-day prayer for the late mother of FCT Minister, in Bauchi last Saturday.
Bauchi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on all
politicians and political parties to team up against insurgency and other security challenges bedevilling the country.
The union in a nine point communiqué issued at the end of its national executive council meeting in Bauchi recently urged politicians and the supporters to be mindful of inflammatory statements that are capable of jeopardising the corporate existence of the nation.
NEC further appealed to the striking lecturers of Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and the Federal Government to urgently resolve all the grey areas of disagreement, to enable the resumption of academic activities in the various affected schools in the interest of the students and the nation at large.
Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has appealed to the
Nigerian Air Force, Tactical Air Command (TAC) Makurdi, to halt the demolition of houses at Akpen village and its environs. The village is in the suburb of Makurdi.
The appeal followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Benjamin Adanyi, a member representing Makurdi South constituency.
Adanyi told the house that the command had demolished houses at Akpen village, pointing out that as at the time he visited the area, five houses were demolished, rendering the occupants homeless. He said members of the community were in dispute with the command over the parcel of land, adding that the matter was before the assembly.
Gombe
The Society for Family Health (SFH), a non-governmental
organisation, says 35 per cent of expectant mothers in Gombe State delivers their babies in hospitals across the state.
The society said that the figure, which emanated from its monitoring and evaluation of public health facilities, represented an increase from the 28 per cent recorded in 2011.
Managing Director of the society, Mr Bright Ekweremadu, said this in Gombe while presenting the mid term report of the Gates Maternal and Neonatal Health Care project in the state.
According to him, at the commencement of the phase two of the project in 2011, only 28 per cent of expectant mothers accesses skilled care during delivery.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Mohammed, said that because of the geographical topography of the state, many communities lacked access to quality health care service.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government said it recruited 1,564 teachers
for senior secondary schools across the State in the last six years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Haruna Wakili, who made this known in an interview in Dutse said the employment, which started in 2008, was done by the administration of Governor Sule Lamido to address shortage of qualified teachers in the state prior to his assumption of office in 2007.
The commissioner said the state government had been collaborating with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) for continuous training of teachers to improve their quality.
According to him, 440 classrooms in various senior secondary schools were renovated within six years to make the environment conducive for learning.
Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has signed the
law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in Kaduna metropolis and some other major towns in the state.
Briefing newsmen after the weekly Security Council Meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Ben Bako, said the ban was aimed at reinforcing security in the state.
Bako said that the ban followed the influx of commercial motorcycles in the state following a similar ban on their operations in some neighbouring states such as Plateau, Niger, Kano and the FCT.
The Commissioner listed the areas affected by the ban to include Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun, Igabi, Zaria, Jema’a, Sabon Gari and Birnin Gwari local government areas.
Niger
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON)
has reiterated its call for local government autonomy in order to ensure speedy development of the councils.
The ALGON National Deputy President, Mohammed Kantigi, made the call last Wednesday, in Minna when he appeared before the Niger House of Assembly for screening as a commissioner nominee.
He said, “I will articulate myself of what is expected of me. I will not allow people that brought us into power to cry. “I know that the governor is concerned with the welfare of his workers and surely he will not do anything contrary to that.
“He will bring in best hands to work with him in the State Executive Council because there are specific assignments he gives to people.
“We want to see if we can improve on what has been on ground. “I know the local government system very well and have been playing a role as the state financial secretary of ALGON,” he added.
Ogun
The Ogun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board last Tuesday
assured this year’s intending pilgrims from the state of a hitch-free exercise.
The Chairman of the board, Dr Isiaq Yusuf, gave the assurance in Abeokuta at the commencement of a three-day screening exercise organised for intending pilgrims.
According to him, it is expected of a Muslim to perform the pilgrimage once in a lifetime after fulfilling all rights expected of a practising faithful.
He said pilgrims for this year’s exercise would be screened to meet required standards, adding that a total of 1,212 slots were allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Abuja.
Ondo
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure last Thursday
sentenced three Benin citizens to three years in prison each for attempting to sell a 13-year-old boy. They are Kareem Saibu, 39, (father of the victim), Abdullateef Mumuni, 24 and Kadir Rasaq, 24. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adebanji Ayeomoni, sentenced each of them without an option of fine.
The accused, of no fixed address, were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to sell human being, and they all pleaded guilty to the offences.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Zakari Ibrahim, told the court that the father of the victim and two others conspired to sell the minor for N8 million.
Ibrahim said the father brought the boy from Cotonou in Benin Republic to Nigeria to meet with the other accused persons, who live at Ibadan, to help him find buyers.
Plateau
Senator Gyang Pwajok, (PDP-Plateau), has condemned the
recent communal clash between the people of Irigwe and Rukuba in Bassa Local Government area of the state.
In a statement released in Jos by his Special Assistant on media, Chuwang Dung, the senator cautioned the communities to eschew violence.
Pwajok described “as sad and regrettable” that the two tribes that had co-existed for decades needed to take arms against each other.
He said that the clash over land matters was uncalled for and urged for dialogue among the leaders of the communities toward resolving the issue through dialogue.
The Senator further advised the warring communities to shun other acts capable of breaching peace in the area.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State government last Tuesday donated four
Ford pick-up vans to the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The vehicles were handed over to the Commandant of the corps, Mr Yusha’u Yamel, by the Permanent Secretary, Careers and Special Services, Alhaji Tukur Mohammed.
Mohammed said the vehicles were donated to enhance the operations of the corps, and to encourage it to provide adequate security for lives and property in the state.
He appealed to officers and men of the corps to make good use of the vehicles, promising that the state government would continue to assist all security agencies in the state to function effectively.
Taraba
The Federal Government said that 400,000 farmers would
benefit from the subsidised fertilisers and seeds under its Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) in Taraba.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, who made this known at the commencement of the scheme in Jalingo said the Federal Government had subsidised the commodity by 25 per cent, while the state government further subsidised it by another 25 per cent.
Represented by the Regional Director, North-East, Alhaji Ibrahim Arabi, Adesina said each registered farmer would get two bags of fertilisers and a bag of seeds.
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, said the initiative would boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in the state.
Umar said the state government would procure more fertilisers for the farmers to ensure food security and urged farmers to make good use of the inputs to ensure bumper harvests.
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