Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Former Benue State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Jo
seph Orkar, who was detained for eighteen months by the then military regime of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that the APC presidential candidate sent corrupt politicals to jail to demonstrate his high sense of moral discipline.
Orkar stated this at an APC rallty in Aliade, Benue.
Admitting that they could have have been cases of miscarriage of justice, the few cases did not undermine the intergrity of the process. He said Buhari was working towards establishing probity and accountability in the system by desciplining erring politicians. Orkar, who is the APC Vice Chairman in the state, said he was an ardent supporter of Buhari despite his inmprisonment and called on other Nigerians to support the APC presidential candidate.
Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has offered to
provide scholarships to nine primary school pupils up to university level based on their exceptional academic performance.The Governor made the announcement during campaign in Jaba local government Area of the state.
He described the presentation made by the pupils as classic, saying it was a testimony that government’s efforts aimed at transforming the education sector was yielding fruits.
“It is better to invest in the education of our children now to secure their future. Parents should invest in the education of their children,” he said. He called on the people of the area to remain united and support the government to deliver more dividends of democracy to them.
Kwara
Traditional rulers in Kwara South Senatorial District on
Thursday, pledged their support for the re-election of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The Olupo Ajase-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Sanni; the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Rafiu Ajiboye; and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, all separately pledged to support Ahmad’s re-election bid when the APC campaign team visited their respective palaces.
Sanni said the call for the support toward the re-election bid of Governor Ahmed was to give the administration the opportunity to complete its ongoing projects across nooks and crannies of the state. He expressed the desire of the people of the community to support government at all levels toward ensuring the sustenance of the nation’s democratic system.
“We want to assure the government of our continuous support, including the re-election bid of our governor at the poll, he said.
Kano
The Kano State Government said on Thursday, it had spent
N10 million on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were camped in Dawakin Kudu Local Government area of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SARERA), Alhaji Aliyu Bashir, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano. According to him, over 3,000 IDPs were assisted with the fund during their stay at the camp. He said the agency also collaborated with the United Nations to get relief materials for the displaced persons who were mostly from Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba. Bashir added that the displaced persons left their various homes and trooped into the state due to insecurity in their areas.
Katsina
Victims of 2011 post-election violence in Funtua, Katsina
State, on Thursday sought for assistance from the state and Federal Government to enable them rebuild their lives.
The chairman of the victims committee in the area, Mr Billy Okbegboro, made the call at a press briefing in Funtua. He explained that the assistance provided by government was only given to landlords, leaving out tenants particularly shop owners whose properties were destroyed. He said that about 233 tenants affected by the violence were left roaming the streets with no means of livelihood, adding that some of them had died of trauma.
Lagos
An Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a
six-year-old marriage over heavy drinking and adultery.
The President of the court, Mr Rasak Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile Samuel Ajibode, a businessman and his wife Rebecca had proved futile.
He said the court had no option than to dissolve the union for them to go their separate ways.
“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” Adeyeri ruled.
The Petitioner, Samuel Ajibode (53), had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of the marriage over wife’s infidelity and excessive alcoholic consumption.
Nasarawa
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi,
Nasarawa State, Dr Joshua Giyan, has appealed to striking health workers nationwide to resume work in the interest of humanity. Giyan made the call in Keffi in an interview with newsmen. He observed that the industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had affected the lives of many Nigerians, particularly the poor who have no means to patronise private hospitals. Giyan said the Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, had met with chief medical directors and assured them that the Federal Government was doing its best to implement the white paper submitted to it by the presidential committee. The director commended the federal government for its sustained efforts in funding the health sector, calling for support and understanding from stakeholders.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has prom
ised to continue to commit the resources of the state for the development of the rural areas across the state, if re-elected.
Amosun gave the promise in Coker, a town in Ifo local Government of the state during his re-election campaign tour. He said his administration would focus on the construction of rural roads, electricity supply, and create employment opportunities in rural communities.
“I want to thank you for your support and perseverance in the last three and half years. “It is not that we neglect you; our concentration during the first term was on urban renewal which we intend to attract investors into the state. “You can see that many companies have sprung up in the state and many investors are still interested in doing their businesses in Ogun”, he said.
Sokoto
Gwabadawa Local Government Council, Sokoto
State, says it spends N6 million on the payment of monthly allowances to 1,200 regular vigilantes it has recruited. The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Aminu Aya, said this in Sokoto during an interview with newsmen recently. Aya said that the council had also engaged 2,436 non-regular vigilantes.
“The local government council is making arrangements to regularise the engagement of the vigilantes who are yet to start receiving the monthly allowances of N5,000 each,” he explained. Aya said that the vigilantes were engaged to complement the efforts of the security agencies in protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the area. He said the vigilantes were deployed to various towns and villages in the 11 political wards of the local government area.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on
Thursday, said the state government has fulfilled the promises it made to people of Maru local government area in 2011. Yari, who was on campaign tour of the local government said in Maru that the multi-million naira projects executed by the government had transformed the area from what it used to be.
“Now if you compare Maru town before the coming of this administration, you will see that it has improved in terms of town planning and socio-economic development.
“Our administration has fulfilled all the promises it made in 2011 during the last election campaigns; our great party, the APC has good mission for Nigerians,” he said.
The governor listed some of the projects executed in the area to include township roads, expansion and upgrading of Maru General Hospital, completion of Government Secondary School Maru, as well as renovation and construction of new primary schools.
L-R: Govenor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Abimbola at the closing ceremony of a 3-Day Conference by Committee of Wives of Lagos State officials in Lagos.
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