Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the
abduction of the Vice Chairman of Hong Local Government, Mr Bijida Yakubu, by suspected insurgents.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Othman Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said three vigilante members that were with Yakubu lost their lives in the encounter.
Abubakar, who did not give details, however, said policemen investigating the incident had so far recovered the vice chairman’s shoes.
A resident of Hong who simply identified himself as Hussaini told newsmen that the incident occurred in Gayafa village of the area.
“You know, insurgents attacked the village last week. The vice chairman who hail from the village was on an assessment visit with some hunters when the insurgents attacked and over-powered them.
“ About seven insurgents were killed in the encounter before they over-powered the hunters and took away the vice chairman,” he said.
Hussaini claimed that the abducted vice chairman was later allowed by his captors to call his wife with his cell phone before the device was switched off.
The Chairman of Adamawa branch of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Sahabo Gurin, also confirmed the incident.
Bauchi
The Raw Material Research and Development Council
(RMRDC), said it would collaborate with the Bauchi State Government to train 20 local government council chairmen on cluster formation.
The Bauchi State Coordinator of the council, Malam Ahmed Waziri said the training would help drive industrialisation in the state through clusters, which he described as a congregation of various industries that produced similar products, using common raw materials or mineral resources as input.
Waziri told newsmen in Bauchi that plans were on to deploy the council’s Ward-Based Cluster Technology Programme (WBCTP) to all the wards of the 774 local government areas in the country to start the process.
“Clusters have been identified as one of the engine rooms for industrialisation globally.
“When they are concentrated in one geographical location, it is easy for the government to provide them with a common facility.
Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has directed the
state Commissioner for Finance to submit details of revenue received from the Federation Account to it before March 3.
The House gave the directive during the plenary after considering the motion moved by 23 members.
Our correspondent reports that the motion called on the state government to furnish the house with details of its financial status.
Speaking, the leader of the group, Mr James Ochojila, stated that the constitution had empowered them to investigate any matter or thing that it had power to make laws on.
Ochojila further said that the power of investigation of the House covered the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministries, departments and agencies.
FCT
Electricity consumers in the commercial and industrial
sectors of the country have called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff.
NERC, on December 23, approved a review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2.1 regime for commercial and industrial consumers on D3 with the take-off date of January 1.
Some members of the sector made the call at a consumer forum organised by NERC for commercial and industrial consumers in Abuja.
Mr Felix Okojie, a representative of the Steel Manufacturers Association, said that 45 per cent increase in tariff for the commercial and industrial sector was astronomical and inappropriate.
He said that the increase had interrupted the long term planning by members of the association.
Kaduna
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
has alerted passengers of commercial vehicles in Kaduna to be wary of armed robbers posing as drivers.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Kaduna State NSCDC Commandant, Alhaji Zakari Ningi.
It said the operators of the vehicles took advantage of passengers and ended up robbing them at vulnerable spots.
“The operators of painted commercial buses in the metropolis carry unsuspecting passengers but end up robbing them on board,” Ningi said.
He said the command had received complaints from victims of such robberies, and advised passengers to be extra careful while boarding commercial vehicles, especially within Kaduna metropolis.
He said the command had since commenced investigation into the matter after it received “two reports of persons who have been robbed in such manner”.
The commandant urged the general public to assist the NSDC with useful information to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
Kano
The Police in Kano have arrested a female politician,
Hajiya Aisha Maijama’a, over alleged sponsorship of political thugs in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Ibrahim Idris, announced this while briefing newsmen in Kano recently.
Idris said the woman who is a strong member of one of the political parties, was apprehended along with 23 thugs found carrying different kinds of local weapons trying to instigate violence in the area.
He said investigation had commenced after which the suspects would be charged to court.
The commissioner said the command had on different occasions warned politicians against acts capable of causing violence in the state.
He said the command would not allow any groups or individuals to breach the peace, warning that anybody who indulged in acts of violence would be arrested.
Kebbi
The Nigeria Immigration Service in Kebbi State has de
ported 500 illegal immigrants as part of security measures ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The Comptroller of the service in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Salahu, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants would be a continuous exercise.
He said the exercise followed the directives of the Controller-General of the service, Mr David Paradang.
He said the service would ensure that foreigners did not partake in the elections.
“During the mop-up operation 47 National Identity cards; 16 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); 53 Temporary Voter Cards and three Court Affidavits were impounded from the illegal immigrants,” he said.
Lagos
A businessman, Aremulola Anjorin, who allegedly de
frauded some people of N36.7 million, has been charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Anjorin, 42, is facing charges of stealing, conspiracy, issuance of dud cheques and fraud.
Prosecutor G.O. Osuji told the court that the accused committed the offences at different times in his office.
He said that the accused defrauded Mr Ernest Uduebor of N2.5 million on June 2, 2014, at No. 2, Ayorinde St., Ojota, adding that he defrauded Mr Kenneth Eromosele of N20.9 million sometime in May 2012, on Ogudu Road, Ojota.
Osuji also submitted that the accused obtained N8.9 million from Mr Basil Ogoha under false pretences and issued a dud cheque to him to cover the amount.
“Anjorin also obtained the sum of N4.8 million from one Ibukunoluwa Otesile with a promise to supply her company petroleum products.’’
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 285 (9) (b), 312(3) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has budgeted N1.2 billion
for the construction of students’ hostels in four state owned tertiary institutions to improve the standard of education in the state.
Alhaji Husseini Abubakar the supervising commissioner for Higher Education, made the disclosure recently in Lafia while defending the 2015 budget of the ministry before the House of Assembly Committee on Education.
He said that if the budget was approved, the money would be utilised for the construction of students’ hostels in four higher institutions to reduce the problem of accommodation.
Abubakar said the ministry had done its best to improve the standard of education in the state through the execution of various projects aimed at providing conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He appealed to the committee to ensure speedy passage of the budget to enable the ministry execute more projects.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government says it has met the demands
of its judiciary workers who have been on strike since January 5.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adebayo Ojo, said this in an interview with newesmen in Ibadan recently.
He said government officials had met with executives of the Oyo State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), adding that the strike was expected to be suspended.
“We had a meeting with the JUSUN last week and we have fulfilled their demands. We, therefore, expect them to call off the strike,” he said.
But the JUSUN Chairman in the state, Mr Ayoade Ademola, said that the expected suspension of the strike by the attorney-general was “ wishful thinking.’’
“This must be his wishful thinking because our demands are still not yet met.
L-R: Founder, Support Our Troops Foundation (Sotf), Mrs Funmi Ogbue, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, member, Board of Trustees of Sotf, Mr Femi Adesila and others, during a road walk by Sotf in Abuja last Saturday
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
