Nation
THE STATES
Jigawa
A Jigawa State based NGO, the Association for the Ad
vancement of Women in Nigeria (ASSAWIN), has distributed uniforms and books to 151 pupils in Hadejia.
The Director of the organisation, Hajiya Aisha Babangida, said this while distributing the items to the beneficiaries in Hadejia.
Babangida said that school uniforms, books, bags, shoes and other instructional materials were distributed to children selected from 20 primary and junior secondary schools in the area.
She said that the gesture was to encourage enrolment and retention in school.
“This is part of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) initiative to support the education of less privileged children.
“We had so far secured 36 birth certificates of children whose mothers could not do so following the death of their fathers,” she said.
Babangida explained that the organisation had also trained 40 mothers and children on various trades and provided them with economic strengthening equipment to enable them engage in productive activities.
Lagos
The Dredgers Association of Nigeria has urged the Na
tional Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to stop illegal dredging of sand in water ways across the country.
Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Richard Ntang, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Ntang said the “reckless” sand excavation had made the depth of water ways irregular and dangerous for transportation and aquatic activities.
He said NIWA and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals should effectively tackle the problem, especially in Lagos State.
“Unlicensed operators have caused havoc to the even depth of nation’s waterways.
“Unsafe dredging activities pose threat to the safety of lives and the environment because it can cause a canoe or boat to capsize at will.”
Kano
The Kano State House of Assembly has passed into law
the 2015 Appropriation Bill of over N210 billion as proposed by the state government.
Speaking after the passage of the bill, the speaker, Alhaji Ali Danja, thanked the members for working tirelessly towards the passage of the bill in time.
He said its early passage would enable the state government to implement people-oriented programmes.
During the sitting of the house, the Speaker also announced the receipt of 2015 budget proposal for the 44 local governments in the state.
It would be recalled that on February 3, the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Alhaji Sule Bichi, presented the committee’s report on the budget proposal to the plenary.
Bichi said the amount was not altered after a thorough screening by members of the committee.
Kwara
The wife of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara STate,
Omolewa, has appealed to women in the country to imbibe healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of having cancer.
A statement by Omolewa’s Press Officer, Mr Adeniyi Adeyinka, in Ilorin said she made the appeal to mark the World Cancer Day last Wednesday.
The statement said that women had been sensitised at the local level in Nigeria, especially on how to prevent breast and cervical cancers through public enlightenment.
“We are consciously providing basic screening centres in 28 communities spread across the geographical spread of Kwara,’’ it quoted her as saying.
The statement said the state had one of the most sophisticated diagnostic centres for cervical and breast cancer in Nigeria.
It urged all women to be conscious of living healthy lifestyles and to regularly go for checkup.
Nassarawa
Nassarawa State Universal Basic Education Board says it
has recently that it had not deducted the salary of primary school teachers to finance the election campaign of Governor Tanko Al-Makura.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdullahi said in an interview with newsmen in Keffi, that those peddling the rumour “do not wish the state well.”
He explained that the 20 per cent shortfall in the January salary of teachers of public primary schools in the state was due to reduction of funds received from the Federation Account.
Abdullahi, however, assured all teachers affected that the balance would be paid soon.
“I want to debunk claims in some quarters that the All Progressive Progress (APC) government in the state has deducted 20 per cent of primary schools teachers’ salaries to fund its campaign.
“This is not true; it is coming from those that do not wish the state well.
“I want to state, clearly, that the allegation is baseless, false and unnecessary as the board has not owed the salary of any teacher in the state.”
Niger
The Niger State Government says it will apply the full weight
of the law on anyone involved in political violence before, during and after elections.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, stated this after the Executive Council meeting in Minna.
He said government was worried by the wanton intimidation, destruction and threat by some people in the build up to the elections.
“Council members decry the manner of political activities by some unscrupulous people since the campaigns began.
“Various judicial measures are already in place in our statute books. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of violence of any kind.
“We appeal to parents and guardians of minors to warn their children and wards in order to avoid being prosecuted for their children’s actions’’, he said.
Ogun
The Ogun State Hospital in Sango-Ota may give mass burial
to 205 unclaimed corpses in 2014 by the end of this month, an official said.
Head of Mortuary Attendants, State Hospital, Ota, Mr Kunle Babalola, gave the indication in an interview with newsmen in Sango-Ota.
Babalola said that the hospital would follow the due process before the mass burial.
According to him, the unclaimed corpses in the hospital mortuary include 95 males, 85 females and 25 children.
Babalola said that there was a stipulated period of between six months and one year within which claimers could come for the corpses before declaring them unclaimed.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has in Akure announced
that the state has not recorded any case of Avian Influenza (bird flu).
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, told newsmen that the state government had taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease to the state.
Oluboyo explained that the major causes of the disease include heat, and unhygienic water given to the birds.
The commissioner said that the state had been fortunate as rain had fallen to mitigate the hot weather and provide more water for farmers.
“We have had rainfall this year, it is a good thing because some of the causes of the virus are heat and unavailability of clean water.
“We have enlightened our poultry farmers to provide adequate clean water for their birds and ensure that their vaccines are given regularly. Prevention is better than cure,” he said.
Osun
Osun State Government has warned the residents
against dumping refuse in drains and streams to avoid flooding.
Deputy Director, Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES), Mr Gabriel Odesanmi, Ife Central Local Government, gave the warning in Ile-Ife in an interview with newsmen He said that the rains that fell recently flushed out waste dumped inside gutters, thereby causing majority of roads in Ile-Ife to be littered with refuse.
He said that the sanitarians had been educating the masses on the need to maintain personal and environmental cleanliness.
“We have tried all efforts to sensitise the people on how to keep their refuse properly and maintain personal and environmental cleanliness, but they refuse to yield to simple correction.
Oyo
Two artisans, a bricklayer and vulcaniser, have lost their
lives in the process of evacuating a septic tank at Oremeji area, Mokola, Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that the two men fell into the septic tank and died before help could get to them.
An eye witness, Mr Akamo Oladimeji, who identified the victims as Wasiu and Solomon respectively, explained that they were invited by the residents of the house to evacuate their septic tank.
Oladimeji said: “One of the deceased was trying to pour some chemicals into the soak-away before evacuation when he fell inside.
“While trying to rescue him, the second man fell inside as well.
“There was a third person with them but he escaped death because he had gone in search of a pumping machine they needed for the evacuation.”
Governor Umaru Al-makura (middle) and members of the governing board of Nasarawa State University, during their inauguration in Lafia, recently.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken prompt steps to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station recently commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is even as the Project has restated its determination and commitment to supplying quality potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
HYPREP said while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt that it has commenced an investigation into the collapse of the overhead tank at the Gwara Water Station in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The high-level committee set up by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as an interim measure, is mandated to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gowon Ichibor while addressing newsmen said the committee has already swung into action, as it has visited the site of the incident to take stock and assess the situation.
Barrister Ichibor noted that the committee is firmly on top of the situation, as it is poised to carry out a painstaking investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.
He further indicated that it is hasty and premature at this point, to pinpoint what might have caused the incident but promised to furnish the public with all necessary information in connection with the overhead tank collapse as soon as possible.
While assuring affected communities of HYPREP’s determination to restore the water facility as quickly as possible, he said the committee would tidy up its work in less than no time and promptly brief the press on its findings.
The committee did not, however, foreclose the possibility of recommending appropriate punitive measures and sanctions to be meted out to culprits at the end of its assignment, to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, who also lent his voice, described the incident as a temporary setback, as the Project would take appropriate and prompt actions to restore potable water supply to the affected Ogoni communities.
He also reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to upholding global best practices, standards and quality in the execution of projects, and sympathised with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident, saying, 16 water facilities have already been commissioned, which are effectively and satisfactorily serving over 40 Ogoni communities.
With the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, he revealed that 40 Ogoni communities are currently enjoying potable water.
The head of communications further disclosed plans by HYPREP to provide potable water to 65 Ogoni communities before the end of the year.
While regretting the unfortunate incident, Dr Mba-Nwigoh urged Ogoni people and residents of Gwara community to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and eschew all forms of speculations and rumour-mongering, as the Project is on top of its game to remedy the situation.
He reeled out the achievements and milestones so far recorded by HYPREP, saying, the Ogoni cleanup programme is very much on course.
It would be recalled that HYPREP had earlier in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the collapse of the overhead tank at Gwara Water Station, stressing that the
Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, had set up a high-level committee to determine the immediate and remote
causes of the incident.
It further noted that the committee had already visited the site and begun a detailed investigation to establish whether the collapse resulted from structural failure or possible third-party interference.
HYPREP, in a statement signed by its management, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Gwara community, urging residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to restore the damaged facility and resume water supply to affected areas.
The Project assured that it remains committed to delivering quality projects that meet international standards, adding that internal and external quality control measures have been introduced, including the engagement of EcoProject as Project Consultant, supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and oversight by water supervisors.
It noted that aside from this isolated case, 16 water stations have been commissioned across Ogoniland, providing water to over 40 communities, with some facilities operating successfully for more than two years.
The Project added that sustainability plans have been put in place to ensure continuous water supply to communities. These include the formation of Water Consumers Associations (WCA), construction of solar farms for alternative power, and training of laboratory staff.
It also stated that one of the key features of the HYPREP water projects is the establishment of laboratories to ensure that water supplied to communities meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
HYPREP reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and prevent future occurrences.
The Project has also set up a technical sub-committee over the collapse of the overhead tank of the Gwara Water Station, to foster and promote accountability in the implementation of projects.
As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
”The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
”We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Nwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of Mene Anua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.
Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.
Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by Mr Igo Weli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; Igo Weli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.
In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey as Project Coordinator.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.