Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has advised internally-displaced persons in some local government areas of Adamawa to return to their communities.
The Senior Information Officer of the agency Malam Sani Datti, told newsmen in Yola that peace had been restored in the areas concerned.
Datti said that following the military recapture of some of the local government areas from Boko Haram, NEMA had been able to assess the situation in three local government areas.
He listed the areas to include Gombi, Hong, Mubi North and Maiha.
“The agency is therefore advising those internally displaced persons, especially those from Gombi, Hong and Mubi Local Government Areas to go back to their respective areas.
FCT
The Foundation for the Advancement of Ethics and Val
ues (FAEV) has urged Nigerians to promote ethical and moral values for good governance to thrive in the country, as the general election approaches.
The President of the NGO, Mrs Shimite Katung, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
Katung said that the foundation had collaborated with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Moral Values, to ensure that corruption, crises, violence and other evil acts were curbed.
She said that democracy was incomplete without accountability, transparency and integrity, adding that the organisation would contribute its quota toward the ongoing transformation of the country.
Gombe
The Gombe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS
(GOMSACA) said it had increased the number of Prevention of Mother Child Transmission (PMCT) centres from 185 to 225 in the state.
The Project Managerof the agency, Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, told newsmen in Gombe that the centres were sited across the state.
He explained that the aim was to ensure that every pregnant woman that was tested positive accessed the services provided by the centre.
Abdulkarim said the agency had collaborated with non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations conducting advocacy in brothels to educate commercial sex workers on preventive measures against HIV and AIDS.
“They advise them on the need to use condoms as well as know their status,” he said.
The manager said that a bill on stigmatisation against people living with HIV was pending in the state House of Assembly.
“We are made to understand that most people do not want to come for voluntary counselling and testing.
“But it is very important to know your status, as well as the various preventive measures,” he said.
Kaduna
The President, Environmental Health Officers Associa
tion in Kaduna State, Mr Yandeh Mairiga, has suggested the use of tricycles for refuse evacuation in areas with difficult terrains and populous quarters.
Mairiga made this suggestion in Kaduna while speaking to newsmen recent.
He stressed the need to use tricycles to evacuate waste “in communities that are not easily accessible.”
He opined that this would ensure effective collection of waste from communities, especially in high-density areas, where heavy waste collection trucks might not be able to access.
The president said, “Using trucks would deal with the unhealthy situations in some localities that have become an eyesore in some parts of the state.’’
According to him, most dump-sites in the state are too far from residential areas, thereby making it difficult for residents to evacuate and dispose of their refuse.
Kano
The Dala local government area in Kano State said it
had budgeted more than N6.5 billion for this fiscal year.
The Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after defending his council’s budget at the state House of Assembly in Kano.
He said the council proposed to spend 54 per cent of the budget on capital projects and 36 per cent on recurrent expenditure.
“We also planned to construct six major drains to ensure a healthy environment,’’ he said.
The chairman said further that the council had trained more than 500 women in various vocational skills.
He said,“Since my assumption in office in May last year, the council had initiated a number of empowerment programmes for the people of the area.
Katsina
Avian Influenza, a.k.a. bird flu , has hit some poultry
farms in Katsina leading to the death of over 3,000 birds.
The Vice Chairman, Katsina State Poultry Farmers Association, Alhaji Musa Danhassan, confirmed the outbreak of the disease to newsmen in Katsina
Danhassan said that the farm of one of their members, Alhaji Garba Dalhatu was affected by the outbreak and the man lost over 3,000 birds.
He said that specimen from the affected birds had been taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, where it was confirmed.
The vice chairman disclosed that their association had reported the outbreak to both the state and federal ministries of agriculture about the outbreak of the disease.
Kwara
The PDP deputy governorship candidate in Kwara State,
Alhaji Yinka Aluko, has called on wealthy muslims to imbibe the virtue of righteousness as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed.
Aluko made the call on Friday at the inauguration of a mosque built by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) within the premises of the Ilorin International Airport.
Aluko enjoined clerics to concentrate on the propagation of Islam in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
This, he said, was to eradicate acts capable of undermining peaceful co-existence in the country.
Aluko also charged youths in the state to shun violence, stressing that it was an obstacle to growth and development of democracy.
He also advised parents and guardians to keep close watch on their children and wards.
Lagos
A UK theatre outfit, Hamlet Globe to Globe, will perform
Shakespeare’s historical play, Hamlet, in Lagos on March 4 and March 5 at the MUSON Centre, Victoria Island and St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi.
A statement by the organisers said the Hamlet Globe to Globe tour opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on 23 April 2014, the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.
The event is coming to Nigeria courtesy of the British Council.
Hamlet is scheduled to tour every single country on earth in two years.
It features Nigerian actor, Ladi Emeruwa in the role of Hamlet and is directed by the Globe’s Artistic Director, Dominic Dromgoole.
The Hamlet theatre arrived Africa in January after showing in the U.S.A, Moscow, Mexico, Chile, Poland, St Kitts and Nevis and South America.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has threatened to sanc
tion principals and head teachers found collecting illegal fees in public schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Keffi.
He described unauthorised fee collection in public primary and secondary schools as an act of sabotage by the erring head teachers and principals.
Abdullahi explained that the state government declared free education policy to enable the children of the poor have access to education to better their future and for the overall development of the country.
He said: “In the olden days education was free, government will provide all the necessary and needed facilities for pupils, students from the primary to the higher institutions and there is an enabling environment for teaching and learning”.
Osun
The Provincial Pastor of Living Faith Church in Osogbo,
in Osogbo Pastor Muyiwa Emmanuel, has urged Christians to be faithful in their business dealings with others.
Emmanuel, who said this during a business and career summit said any Christian who aspired to be great in his business and career must learn and practise the virtue of faithfulness.
“Faithfulness has its reward. Unfaithfulness may work for people sometimes, but it does not all the time,’’ the cleric, who read from Luke 19 verses 7 to 26, said.
He urged Christians not to cheat in their dealings but should rather be honest and faithful.
Emmanuel, who decried the manner some Christians cheat in their business dealings, said unfaithfulness does not glorify God and urged Christians to be accountable in their businesses.
He urged Christians to be faithful to God and their fellow men.
“Faithfulness, accountability, generosity, divine guidance and gratitude are the hallmarks of breakthrough in a Christian’s business and career,’’ the pastor said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi, Director, Women Affairs, Mrs Iran Ajufo and representative of UN Women, Kemi Ndiel, at the National Stakeholders’s Consultative meeting on the Status of Women in Abuja yesterday.
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