Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
A former member of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel
Bello, has joined the race for the Adamawa State governorship seat as he picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form yesterday in Abuja.
Bello who represented Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003 said he is in the race to better the lot of the Adamawa people who have been suffering from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors since 1999.
“If you look at our state, it has been degraded. The PDP government of Nyako degenerated the state in such a way that the roads are degraded, the health and education systems have collapsed. No system is working in Adamawa.
“Unfortunately, the security situation is not helping matters, and for that reason, we sat down and thought over it and said ‘look, if APC is the party of hope, it’s the progressive party that wants to unite Nigerians; it’s the party that wants to bring about change, then we should aspire under the APC in order to find a lasting solution to our state,” he said.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has directed
that 1,000 bags of processed wheat and maize as well as assorted drugs should be delivered to people who are trapped at Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Usman Zanna, a member of the Agric Transformation Committee of the state government, said the governor gave the directive following reports that the people in Banki had run out of food and could not go to Bama because Boko Haram insurgents had blocked the road.
It was gathered that the people could not also cross over to villages in Cameroon as a result of stringent measures put in place by the Cameroonian authorities, which include closure of the border to contain the spread of Ebola virus.
Ekiti
Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has set up
a nine-man transition committee to do underground work for his smooth take off on October 16.
Fayose had also lamented the debt profile of the state under Governor Kayode Fayemi, saying it was “worrisome and disturbing.”
He also warned those with political ambition in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 against name-dropping, saying “nobody in the party has been slated for any appointment, except two people he promised to be given on concessional grounds.”
Inaugurating the committee in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday, Fayose regretted that Fayemi’s government had plunged the state into huge debt, to an extent that members of the public would have to be sensitised about situations on ground, because of high expectations.
Kaduna
A former Minister of State for Aviation, Felix Hassan Hyat,
has declared readiness to contest for the governorship election in Kaduna State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hyat, who hailed from Southern Kaduna, told journalists, that he would contest the governorship because Southern Kaduna, was morally entitled to fly the PDP ticket in 2015 in comparison with previous precedents in the state.
He flayed the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Yero saying it cannot stand because it was not done with consultations.
Lagos
The Federal Government has announced a direct assistance
of N200 million to Lagos State government, to enable it to successfully curtail the spread of Ebola virus disease in the state.
Government had recently set aside the sum of N1.9 billion for the 36 states of the federation to combat the disease, following its importation into the country by the index case patient, the Liberian-American, the late Patrick Sawyer.
Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday.
Niger
Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said
state governments across the country are struggling to survive financially, as a result of low returns from the federation account.
Governor Aliyu, who is the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), said for several months now, the allocation to the states had been on the downward trend, which had hampered developmental strides of the administrations.
Aliyu spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, recently, after inaugurating the Board of the Niger State Transport Authority, which has former secretary to the Niger State government, Mohammed Adams Erena as chairman and the Local Government Service Commission’s retired Permanent Secretary, Mr Peterson Kaura, as member.
The governor specifically said that in the last allocation, the state lost well over N100 million, a trend he said had been on since late last year.
Osun
Some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),
Ile Ife, have expressed worry over the large population of ceaseless migratory fruit bats, which have been living in various parts of the university community, including academic areas, for decades.
The university re-opens on Sunday, August 24.
Bats are one of the primary sources of contracting Ebola and the fruit bats are members of the Pteropodidae family of bats, which act as pollinators and seed dispersers and are said to be found in primary or maturing secondary forests.
One of the students, Sodiq Oyeleke, on Wednesday, captured the panic being expressed by his colleagues on the possible temporary shutdown of the school by the Federal Government, in an effort to stop the spread of Ebola.
Sokoto
There was a protest in Sokoto yesterday by some youths
believed to be supporters of the PDP against the collection of a N3.6b loan by the state government, resulting in the destruction of four vehicles, one of which was completely burnt.
The state government had said the loan would be used for the completion of some ongoing projects in the state, but the PDP alleged that it was meant to finance the 2015 election campaign.
The demonstration started at the roundabout close to Binji Pharmacy and ended at the state House of Assembly. Our source explained that problem started when some of the some youths started throwing stones at passing vehicles, smashing their windscreens.
It was gathered that a vehicle of the Government House press crew was also attacked.
“We were just passing through the area on our way back to the Government House with our official vehicle when they attacked us with stones. We came back with one of the stones which hit me on the back”, a member of the press crew said.
Taraba
The federal government yesterday said it is poised to
improve maternal and child healthcare services in Taraba State through its SURE-P/MCH Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.
Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammad stated this in Jalingo during the inauguration of a 12-man- committee that would ensure smooth execution of the programme in the state.
He said the committee members drawn from among key stakeholders were expected to ensure adequate co-ordination and implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in the state.
The NPHCDA Executive Director, who was represented by Dr Isah Jidda, urged the committee members to ensure effective advocacy, community sensitisation and mobilisation of pregnant women to access the programme.
Yobe
Yobe State House of Assembly yesterday endorsed
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 election, saying the move is to demonstrate the level of confidence it has on the governor.
The 24 members at a special sitting dismissed alleged plans to impeach the governor and passed a vote of confidence on Gaidam.
Alhaji Sirajo Wakil, representing Bade East, standing on a matter of urgent public importance, said it’s necessary for the assembly to make it’s position clear on the allegations that some legislators met in Saudi Arabia during the lesser Hajj “and perfected plans to impeach the governor.”
He said it was also reported that money was given to some of its members to facilitate the impeachment, saying “the House needs to make its position clear that the allegation is false and baseless.” Wakil then moved a motion for a vote of confidence on Governor Gaidam to dispel the rumour.
Zamfara
Zamfara Central Senatorial district Youth Forum has
endorsed member representing Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau as the right candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The chairman of the forum, Mallam Abba Muhammad said that they had decided to rally round the lawmaker in his bid to grasp the PDP ticket for the governorship election in the state going by his sterling leadership qualities.
“Ibrahim has impacted positively on the lives of the people he is representing at the National House of Assembly especially in the areas of women empowerment, health care deliveries, education, rural water supply and other infrastructures,” he added.
He then called on the people of the state especially the youth to support the candidacy of Ibrahim Shehu so that their promising future would be guaranteed through job creation and other poverty elimination strategies.
L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, at the National Council of State meeting 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