Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop
ment on Tuesday, said over 135,000 dry season rice farmers were assisted by Federal Government in Adamawa.
The state Director in the ministry, Dr Walia Hamman, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Yola said the development, which was a special programme under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, was aimed at improving local rice production.
He said under the programme, government provided over 1,500 metric tonnes of improved rice varieties which was distributed free to the farmers.
FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
on Tuesday arraigned a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Margret Onoja , before an FCT High Court for alleged fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Onoja lied to officers of the ICPC on the number of bank accounts she was operating.
The prosecutor, Mr Paul Bassi, told the court that the accused actions violated Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused was alleged to have concealed the ownership and operation of a Zenith Bank Account with number 6216501714 in her company’s name, Shekina Glory Cooperation Society Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the accused was a sole signatory to the Zenith Bank account with a N75 million balance and that the accused also concealed the existence of a First Bank account with the balance of N40 million.
Jigawa
The Executive Secretary, Jigawa Rehabilitation Board,
Alhaji Abubakar Raba-Kaya, said on Tuesday, that the Albino Foundation (TAF) would build a skin hospital in the state.
He said that the state government had donated a piece of land for the construction of the proposed hospital which would be sited in Dutse.
The scribe said the hospital would be accessible to albinos and other members of the public and he described the establishment of the hospital as a “great achievement’’.
Raba-Kaya urged albinos and other citizens of the state to patronise the facility to cater for their skin.
Kaduna
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on
Tuesday condemned Monday’s college bombing in Kano that killed eight students of the School of Hygiene.
Its President, Malam Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, said in Kano that the attack on the school was “satanic and devilish’’.
He urged the Federal and Kano state governments to set up investigative panel to fish out and prosecute all those behind the blast and also to beef up security across the state and other parts of the country, especially in the North-East to curtail the activities of the insurgents.
Arrigasiyyu said that members of the Boko Haram sect were not Muslims and did not represent Muslims and appealed to parents not to allow the bombings to distract them from sending their children and wards to school.
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Katsina
Manager of Rural Development Animation Programme
(RUDAP), an NGO, Rev. Sister Regina Onyegbule, has called for more spending on sanitation and literacy campaigns in rural areas.
Onyegbule, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Funtua, Katsina State, on Tuesday urged governments at all levels, individuals and community groups to redouble efforts on economic empowerment schemes, sanitation and literacy programmes in rural communities.
The manager said this effort was capable of uplifting the living conditions of the citizenry and appealed to the communities to cultivate the habit of clean environment and ensure good hygiene at all times.
Kwara
The new Coordinator of the NYSC in Kwara, Mr
Adebayo Amusa, has called on employers in the state to improve the welfare of corps members.
Amusa made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin when he visited the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) office as part of his familiarisation tour of media houses.
The coordinator said the welfare of corps members would be his priority while serving in the state and enjoined employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare, especially issues concerning their accommodation and allowances, healthcare and security.
Amusa also appealed to host communities and local government councils to build Corpers’ Lodges for corps members.
“ The NYSC is not a baby of the Federal Government alone, it belongs to states, local government, organisations and host communities,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on
Public Account on Tuesday, urged the Management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi , to ensure proper audit of the institution’s finances to ensure accountability.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Francis Orogu, who gave the advice during the defence of the institution’s finances by its management said that the advice become imperative in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of funds in the institution.
Orogu called on the management of the institution to be up and doing in ensuring proper utilisation of funds budgeted for the institution to ensure academic excellence.
In his remarks, the State Auditor-General, Mr Lamus Alhassan, said that the account of the university had not been audited since 2012, adding that it was the responsibility of the university to submit its audited account to his office for record purpose.
Niger
A Minna Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, sentenced a
labourer, Ndagi Mohammed, 31, to three years imprisonment for impregnating a 12-year-old pupil.
Mohammed, who was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenager, was convicted after he had confessed to the offence as charged.
In her ruling, Magistrate Amina Musa, sentenced Mohammed to three years in prison without an option of fine.
The prosecutor, Insp. Alfred Auta, had told the court that one Ahmed Zakariya of Okada Road, Minna, reported the case to the police on June 22.
He said that the complainant on June 20, discovered that his younger sister was pregnant adding that the convict impregnated the girl, who is a primary school pupil, after having sex with her three times in his house.
Osun
A physician at Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital
(LAUTECH), Dr Segun Babatunde, on Tuesday, advocated inter-disciplinary patient management in health-related institutions.
Babatunde, a member of the palliative care unit at the hospital, said this in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen ading that with the development of palliative care in modern medical practice, there was the need for medical trainees to be grounded in inter-disciplinary patient management.
“At many professional workshops, we have come across nurses and physiotherapists alleging doctors of being indisposed to release patients for specialised treatment.
“There are a lot of contemporary developments in the medical world that are in the interest of improved health care delivery, he said.
“However, if entrants into these new departments in the medical world are not well indoctrinated, there may be cases of protecting territories while treating patients and “There are times when a general practitioner is taking care of patients, even those with terminal illnesses.
“A trained palliative giver may however think he is more appropriate to see that such patients are given specialised handling.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it will spend N5.5 bil
lion for contracts variation, including new ones this year.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Olivia Dazyam, said this at news briefing on the outcome of the state executive council’s meeting in Jos.
She said that the approval for the variation and execution of new projects was given at the council meeting chaired by Governor Jonah Jang.
The commissioner said that the variation on one of the roads would gulp N1.8 billion due to increase in the scope of work on the construction of Bisichi-Koro-Fan-Mangu Halle road with six new spurs.
Dazyam said that additional works were also considered on the ongoing construction of the new Government House.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto
state, Alhaji Shehu Badau, said the council had completed the construction of five mosques in the area.
Badau in Bondinga on Tuesday, said that the mosques were built at the cost of N42 million, adding that they were located in Bangi Rafi, Kauran Hanya, Bunazawa, Darhela and Bodinga communities.
He called on the people in the communities to reciprocate the council’s gesture by praying for God’s intervention in the socio-economic and political activities of the area.
The chairman restated his administration’s commitment to providing basic infrastructure that would improve the living condition of the people.
From 2nd left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and fct Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, at the scene of Emab Shopping Mall bomb blast on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 in Abuja, yesterday. 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.”
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