Nation
THE STATES
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi (left) of Oyo State Congratulating Acting Chief Judge of Oyo State, Mr Mukhtair Abimbola, during his swearing-in in Ibadan recently. Photo: NAN
Bauchi
The Bauchi State chapter of the Buhari Cam
paign Organisation has pledged to buy nomination form for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Coordinator of the Nigerian Solution Network Group, Dr Danjuma Dabo, made the disclosure in Bauchi during a solidarity rally in support of Buhari.
Dabo said whether Buhari was willing to contest in the 2015 polls or not, the organisation would source for fund to foot both the campaign bills and purchase the nomination form for him.
The coordinator of the group, who said that the N27 million fee for the purchase of nomination form was too high, added that it was above Buhari’s financial capability.
Borno
The Borno State Government has appealed to
West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) to release the results of its candidates who sat for the 2014 examinations.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Kauji, made the appeal in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen recently.
Kauji said that the state had cleared all the outstanding registration fees for the candidates who sat for the examinations in the state.
He expressed dismay over the inability of the candidates to access their results since it was released.
“I want to plead with both WAEC and NECO to release the result of Borno candidates who sat for the 2014 examinations.
FCT
The wife of the Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican
Communion), Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, has said that women of the church will participate fully in the 2015 general elections.
Okoh, who is also the President of the Mothers’ Union/Women’s Guild, the women’s organisations of the church said this in Abuja in an interview at the end of a two-day conference of the Abuja Diocese during which the maiden edition of the women’s magazine was launched.
She said that the women had been duly sensitised on the importance of participating in the elections and that they were poised to take active part in the exercise.
She said that the women had also been admonished to also ensure that all members of their families who were of age, exercised their franchise.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State
has expressed satisfaction with his performance in the last three and a half years of administering the state.
Dankwambo stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after his return from Hajj.
He said that his administration had delivered a lot of democracy dividends in the state as it was testified by people in the state.
According to him, at the time of his electioneering campaign in 2011, he did not promise anything to the people of the state.
He said, however, having reviewed his performances so far; he was satisfied with his achievements.
Kabbi
The Kebbi State Government has approved the
release of N144 million for the revival of the state-owned Neem Tree processing and transformer manufacturing companies. Governor Saidu Dakingari stated this when he received a delegation of the state’s elders’ consultative forum, led by Justice Usman Mohammed, in Birnin Kebbi State. Earlier, Mohammed said the body called for the revival of the ailing industries to provide employment, attract investors, generate revenue, and promote industrial development of the state.
He said findings by the forum showed that N90 million was required to revive the transformer manufacturing company while Neem Tree processing industry needed N54 million.
Kwara
An economist, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, has urged gov
ernment to give more attention to the welfare of teachers to improve learning. Oyinloye told newsmen in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, that adequate incentives would spur the teachers to give their best to improve students’ performance. Oyinloye, also the Managing Director, The Infrastructure Bank, Abuja, said such incentive became necessary so as to give the teachers a sense of belonging to do more. The banker described the teaching profession in the yesteryears as one of the respected within the public service, especially at the grassroots, saying that the contrary was the case nowadays. The issue of improving the capacity of Nigerian teachers to me has become a kind of misnomer priority to both the government and communities.
Niger
Senator Zainab Kure (PDP-Niger South) and other as
pirants have picked expression of forms to contest various positions in the 2015 general election.
Mr Tanko Beji, the state PDP Deputy Chairman, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Beji said that those interested to run for the polls under the party have purchased their forms, adding “many aspirants are still coming forward.”
“It is a general law that those aspiring for a position either at federal or state level must purchase a form and must meet the requirement for such position ahead the slated date for the election.
“Let this also be a notice to those with ambition to run for any seat either at federal or state level to come and purchase their forms because time is not on their side.
“As you can see, quite a number of people are here to collect their forms, and more are still coming,” he said.
Ogun
The Ogun State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has
commenced screening of candidates for the 2014 Holy Pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome.
The screening took place at the board’s secretariat in Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta.
The Chairman of the board, Bishop Julius Ogunseye, said at the venue of the screeming that the exercise was to ensure a hitch- free pilgrimage.
He explained that the board needed to ascertain the health status of the intending pilgrims so as to prevent any medical challenge.
Sokoto
GovernorAliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, has said
that more than 1,500 students were sponsored by his administration to undergo various training in universities abroad.
Wamakko made the disclosure in Sokoto at the end of the annual national leadership training course of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
He said his administration had trained more than 20,000 unemployed youths in various vocational skills between 2007 and 2014.
The governor, who was represented by Alhaji Harande Mahe, the Special Adviser to Wamakko on Security Matters, said the students would be part of the human capital for repositioning of the state.
He added that “the more than 20,000 youths were trained in various forms of vocational skills to make them productive to themselves and to the society.
Taraba
Taraba State Acting Governor Garba Umar said that
he never declared ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai missing.
Umar offered the clarification in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kefas Sule, and issued to newsmen in Jalingo.
The statement explained that Umar simply told journalists that he was yet to set his eyes on Suntai since he returned from the medical trip abroad.
“The attention of the acting governor has been drawn to the screaming news headlines purporting that he has declared Suntai missing.
“Umar hereby places on record that at no time did he declare his boss missing, he simply said he was yet to see him since he returned from medical trip to London,” the statement read in part.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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