Nation
THE STATES
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State (4th right) with members of the State chapter of Niger Delta Peoples Forum that paid him a solidarity visit in Maiduguri last Friday.
Bauchi
A Principal Shari’ah Court in Bauchi State has ordered
Malam Abdullahi Shira, former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Isa Yuguda, to pay N71.5 million to one Adamu Aliyu, a printer.
The Principal Sharia Court Judge, Malam Mohammed Aliyu gave the verdict in Bauchi last Tuesday.
The court had been told that Aliyu printed 400,000 copies of books for the former governor’s aide without being paid.
The judge said that the court had no option but to issue the order since the defendant had agreed that he ordered the plaintiff to print the books.
Aliyu also ordered that the defendant should commence the payment by installments from the end of June 2014 adding that the defendant should pay the plaintiff N15 million monthly until the debt was liquidated.
Borno
The police command in Borno State, have presented N16
million cash to families of 16 policemen who died in May after suspected insurgents attacked Ngala, headquarters of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Council in Borno.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Alhaji Lawal Tanko, who presented the cash at a ceremony in Maiduguri, Thursdays said the money was donated by the Borno State Government to provide relief to the affected families, pending when their death benefits would be released.
He assured that the command was determined to ensure the success of the ongoing war against terrorism by putting in more efforts.
The commissioner also presented N200,000 each to each of the four policemen injured during the attack.
Ekiti
All election materials for the June 21 gubernatorial election
in Ekiti State will get to the 16 local government areas of the state two days before election date.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti, Alhaji Halilu Pai, gave the assurance at a security meeting with Ekiti traditional rulers in Ado-Ekiti last Tuesday.
Pai said all non-sensitive materials were already in the state and were being distributed to all the local government areas adding that, sensitive materials are still being kept with security agents, and will be distributed at least two days before the election date.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti, Mr Felix Uyanna, said his men were ready to provide adequate security for lives and property of all citizens before, during and after the election.
He also said the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure prompt arrest and prosecution of people who might want to cause mayhem in the state.
FCT
The House of Representatives has mandated its relevant
committees on security-related matters to meet with the nation’s security chiefs, to introduce explosive detection devices on the highways.
A resolution adopted at the house in Abuja squel to a motion by Rep. Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue) which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.
The motion was entitled: “Need to introduce Explosives Detection Devices/Portals on the Highways in Lieu of Manual Checkpoints in place”.
The house said its decision was based on the need to forge a better appreciation of what was needed to effect changes at check points so that the changes would be in line with modern trends.
It said that the installation of the devices would also guard against the physical inspections by security personnel at check points.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government last Thursday rewarded
some out-going batch ‘B’ members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), with N440,000, in recognition of their service to humanity.
Assistant Director, Corps Discipline and Reward in the state office of the NYSC, Mr Jingi Denis, who disclosed this to newsmen recently in Gombe, said 18 Corps members received N20,000 each.
He said that another corps member with outstanding performance, received N50,000, while the best female corps member, was given N30,000.
He said that 30 others also received letters of commendations from the state NYSC Coordinator for their contributions during the service year and disclosed that four corps members were to repeat the service year for absconding from their places of primary assignment.
Jigawa
The Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, last Tuesday,
urged community leaders to support the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in its campaign against illegal aliens in the state.
The emir who made the call when the Controller of NIS in Jigawa, Alhaji Idris Jere, paid him a courtesy visit in Hadejia said the call was necessary in order to support the service “to fish out illegal aliens out of the country.
Abubakar also urged the people of the state to cooperate with immigration officers to enable them to discharge their duties effectively and called for continued prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.
Earlier, Jere had told the emir that he was on familiarisation tour and sought for the emir’s support in carrying out his assignments.
Kwara
Prof. Adekunle Olorundare of University of Ilorin in Kwara
State said Information Communication Technology (ICT) was gradually changing the age-long role of classrooms.
Olorundare, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, said last Tuesday in Ilorin that students should be careful of how they used ICT “because it is capable of robbing them of quality education.
He said, “The Internet is the unrivalled source of information on virtually any topic and subject on earth and its use will undoubtedly reduce the role of teachers and a more creative role for learners. “However, its use makes students lazy, as they will not even endeavour to read through and find out how an answer to their questions is reached. They go about copying and pasting.’’
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government said last Wednesday that
it would partner a private agro-allied company to boost organic rice production technology in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Danladi Madaki, made this known during a visit to Kereksuk Rice Demonstration Farm in Tunga, Awe local government area of the state.
The commissioner, who was represented by Mr Timothy Maji, Director, Agric and Engineering Services, expressed satisfaction with the new technology being introduced by the firm to boost rice production.
Plateau
With strange diseases hitting more roving cattle, the
National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, has advised herdsmen to form cooperative societies, with a view to establishing ranches.
NVRI boss, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, who gave this advice while speaking in Jos recently said: “Many cattle have been killed recently by diseases that are multi-faceted; it means that the cows must be kept around one place to secure them as free ranching is getting more risky.
He said that forming cooperative societies would enable the herdsmen to access financial facilities from banks to grow grass, treat the environment, access vaccinations and keep the livestock constantly in good health.
Ogun
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in
Ogun State last Thursday in Abeokuta, inaugurated an inter-agency advisory committee on voter education and publicity recently.
Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, said the body would assist the commission in promoting voter education and sound democratic practices.
He said the committee named “Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP) was formed as enshrined in sections 2 and 153 of the Electoral Act (as amended), amongst others.
The REC said the worrisome and alarming level of apathy and the number of rejected votes in past elections had necessitated the development.
Osun
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo last Tuesday
remanded an 18-year-old gate man, Papa Abdullahi, in prison over alleged rape.
Chief Magistrate Olusola Aluko, who ordered the remand of the accused in Ilesha Prison, also directed his counsel, Mr Taiwo Awokunle, to file a formal bail application on behalf of his client and adjourned the case till July 15.
Earlier, the prosecution, Asp. Wilson Mereti, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 24 at about 12.30 p.m. at Slava Company Staff Quarters, Prime Area, Osogbo.
Mereti alleged that the accused went into the staff quarters of Slava Company where he was a gateman and raped a staff member.
He said the accused overpowered his victim and had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Oyo
Olusegun Abatan, the Secretary of The Nigerian Union
Pensioners (NUP), South-West Zone, has urged the Oyo State Government to embrace the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Abatan said in Ibadan recently that the Contributory Pension Scheme would solve the challenges associated with payment of workers’ entitlements.
He said the state government had been unable to pay retired teachers their pension and gratuity since 2011, adding that unless the state government keys into the Contributory Pension Scheme, it will be difficult to pay workers’ pension in the next five years.
“Workers are retiring every week and government is not employing new hands to replace them, so it will be difficult to pay pension of workers,” he said.
Responding to the claims, Busari attributed government’s challenge to the fraud that took place in the pension board.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor
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