Nation
THE STATES
Gombe
An Islamic cleric, Malam Salihu Tafawa-Balewa,
has advised traditional and religious leaders, as well as elders in Gombe State to caution candidates for the February elections to maintain peaceful campaigns.
He gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said leaders’’ fatherly advice was necessary for maintaining peace, understanding and unity before, during and after the elections in the state and across the country.
He added that “leaders and elders must caution candidates in their areas; candidates must be advised to know and understand that at the end of the elections, only one person will emerge as winner.
“There is need for them to conduct their political activities peacefully so that at the end, people will not have problems between them and their supporters.’’
Kano
The Managing Director of Kano State Roads
Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Mr Abubakar Jibril, said the agency had rehabilitated 42 township roads in the state between January and December 2014.
He told newsmen in Kano that the rehabilitation work was carried out in seven local government areas of the state.
He said the agency was established by the Kano State Government to repair dilapidated township roads across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He added that the agency was also mandated to maintain the roads, as well as clear the drains in local government areas.
Kebbi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship
candidate in Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has appealed to voters in the state to vote wisely and shun financial inducement during the February general elections.
Bagudu, who made the appeal in Dakingarim, Suru Local Government Area at the inauguration of his campaign team, urged the electorate to vote for candidates whose party’s manifestos are people-friendly.
“Your permanent voter card is your right; you must not trade it for material and financial gains, ‘’ he said.
Bagudu called on registered voters in the state to collect their permanent voter cards and vote for APC candidates.
Kwara
A pharmacist, Lanre Alege, has urged Nigerians to be wary of seven dangerous acts after meal.
Alege, who is of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), spoke while delivering a lecture at the Kwara Stadium Complex during the monthly keep fit exercise for members of staff of the tertiary health institution.
Acts to avoid, he said, included smoking after meals, eating fruits immediately after meals, drinking tea, loosening the belt, taking bath as well as walking about and sleeping immediately after meals.
“When you eat your fruits with meals, the fruit sticks in the stomach along with the content of the meal and cannot reach the intestine in time.
“Lying there, they get spoilt and spoil the remaining food in the stomach too,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
Some residents of Nassarawa State have said that
the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari can change Nigeria for good.
They gave their opinions in separate interviews with newsmen in Lafia.
The APC gubernatorial running mate in the state, Mr Silas Agara, said Buhari “is an upright person who has nothing to gain in deceiving Nigerians.”
“If you study him as a person, you will notice clearly that this man has one goal in mind and that is to rescue Nigerians from recession, corruption and so many other problems that are facing us.
“Even the opposition admits that he is a man of trust and incorruptibility, and that is why they are very worried now.’’ he said.
Niger
Niger State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji
Abubakar Bello, says he will have zero tolerance for corruption in the state, if elected governor on February 28.
Bello made the pledge on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Minna
“ I will have zero tolerance for corruption, and one way I will address corruption is to lead by setting a good example for others,” he said
He also said that he would not probe past administrations, to save vital time needed to deliver dividends of governance to the people.
“Probe is not a priority for me, because it will take up the timeý I would have used to work for the good people of the state.”
Ondo
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at
the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) in Ondo State, Mr Olusola Akanle, has reiterated government’s commitment to regular inspection and monitoring of public secondary schools.
Speaking with newsmen in Akure, Akanle said the major problem in public secondary schools was lack of adequate monitoring.
“We have told the principals that when we are not there, they are our representatives and should make sure that the teachers are on their toes.
“Responsible teachers do not have to wait for the principal to tell them their duties since they are sufficiently trained, experienced and should be dedicated to their duties.”
Sokoto
The Chairman, Sabon Birni Local Government Council in
Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Gobir, has solicited the support of religious and traditional rulers in mobilising the electorate to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that religious leaders should inform the people through their sermons the benefits of the voter cards.
He described the PVC as “the weapon needed by the electorate to elect candidates that will meet their expectations through the provision of the dividends democracy.’’
He said, “good governance will only be possible if the electorate participate in all the electoral processes.’’
Gobir advised the electorate in the area not to sell their voter cards and shun all forms of violence before, during and after the general elections.
Taraba
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Taraba State, has appealed to the electorate to give her the mandate to make the difference.
Alhassan made the appeal in an interview in Jalingo after a reception in her honour by supporters and party faithful.
She said men had ruled the state since its creation in 1991 but had not recorded the desired impact on the lives of the common people.
She added that “I want to appeal to the people of Taraba State to try a woman for once and I can assure you that you will see a great difference.’’
Alhassan, who denied allegations that she was still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said she had submitted her PDP membership card to the party’s state Chairman, Mr Victor Bala and had picked up that of APC, which she said was her current party.
Zamfara
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial
candidate, Alhaji Mamuda Shinkafi , has promised to improve education, healthcare services and security in Zamfara State, if elected.
Shinkafi, who was the former governor of the state under the ANPP, made the promise in Gusau at the flag-off of his campaign.
“It is unfortunate that instead of the state to be progressing in the areas of education, healthcare, and security, it is undergoing serious backwardness.”
According to him, when he left office in 2011, the state government had over 100 medical doctors and now has less than 40 doctors.
“My administration, if re-elected in February, will give priority to education, healthcare, security, harness mineral resources, as well as improve farming activities in the state,’’ he said.
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (left), receiving a souvenir from Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 for attending the Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni 18th Regular Course Re-union in Sokoto.
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
