Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi State Governor-elect, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar of Apc and his wife react after he was announced winner of the governorship election in Bauchi recently
Bauchi
A Local Church Council (LCC) of the Evangelical Church
Winning All (ECWA), has held special prayers to seek God’s intervention for a smooth handover on May 29.
Our correspondent learnt that the prayers were held during the LCC two-day revival service which ended on Saturday at ECWA II, Bauchi.
The Local Overseer, Rev. Shuaibu Byal, told newsmen shortly after the prayers that consistent prayers were needed for God’s intervention to deepen Nigerian democracy.
Byal said that with the handover day less than a week away, there was need for Christians and Muslims to pray for smooth transition.
According to him, it is only God that will ensure a smooth transition from President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to the incoming Government.
Borno
The Borno State government, has commended the Federal
Government for setting up an Inter-ministerial Assessment Committee for rehabilitation of structures damaged by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mustapha Zanna, gave the commendation when he received members of the committee who were on a visit to Maiduguri.
Zanna said that the constitution of the committee was timely as it would provide avenue for the commencement of work in affected communities.
He added that, “the setting up of the committee is timely because our people are due to start going back to their communities following the liberation of their communities by soldiers.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, the Director of Search and Rescue of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had told the deputy governor that the visit was to assess damages done by the insurgents in the state.”
FCT
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP),
Mr Emeka Ezeh, has warned newly recruited procurement officers to follow due process in the award of contracts or risk going to jail.
Ezeh gave the warning in Abuja when he led the 130 procurements officers’ in-training on a tour of Kuje Medium Security Prisons.
Represented by Mr James Akanmu, Director, Research and Training, Ezeh said that being a procurement officer was a sensitive position.
He, therefore, urged the officers to refrain from corrupt practices and any act that could tarnish their reputation.
The BPP boss informed the officers of the provisions of sub-section 5 of Section 38 of the Public Procurement Act.
According to him, the act states that “any government official upon conviction of contravention of the Public Procurement Act will be sentenced to not less than five calendar years”.
Gombe
The National Association of Persons with Disabilities
(NAPW) last Monday, appealed to the Federal Government to organise a special skills acquisition training programme for its members across the country.
The Chairman of the Association in Gombe State, Alhaji Ali Goro, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Gombe State.
He said that such training would help its members and also assist the less-privileged amongst them, who relied on street-begging for their livelihood.
“We are appealing to the Federal and Gombe State Governments and some of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to come out with special packages for our members.”
Jigawa
Electricity consumers in Hadejia, Jigawa State last Monday
decried the epileptic power supply in the area.
Our correspondent reports that Hadejia and its environs had been facing persistent outage in the last three weeks.
The poor power supply had affected businesses and made life unbearable, a situation a cross section of the residents who spoke to newsmen in Hadejia, described as worrisome.
A resident, Aminu Umar, said the persistent power outage has made life difficult due to the prevailing hot weather.
He said that the situation had forced many families to sleep outside, inspite of the ravaging mosquitoes and other pests.
Kano
The Federal Government has approved the establishment
of two specialised universities, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.
Speaking at the 31st convocation of the Bayero University, Kano, recently, Jonathan said the universities were the Marine University and the Federal University of Health Sciences.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okoje, said the decision was borne out of the government’s desire to give more students with the requisite qualifications the opportunity to access quality education.
He said that in spite of the numerous challenges, the Federal Government would continue to support the education sector to empower the youth.
Kwara
The Senator -elect representing Kwara South Senatorial
District, Dr Rafiu Ibrahim, yesterday, assured victims of Owode market fire disaster in Offa of adequate succour.
He gave the assurance in Offa while speaking to newsmen after inspecting shops gutted by the inferno.
Ibrahim said he would contact relevant emergency management agencies to provide immediate assistance to the victims.
He pledged to seek the intervention of the Federal Government and the National Assembly, describing the fire incident as a monumental loss to the people and the state at large.
Niger
The Niger State Police Command has said that it deployed
7,000 personnel in Minna to ensure a hitch-free inauguration of the state Governor elect, Alhaji Sani Bello, on May 29.
This is contained in a statement in Minna by the Commissioner of Police Mr Olusola Amore .
“We have deployed no fewer than 7,000, personnel in strategic areas of the venue of the ceremony and Minna to ensure adequate security coverage of the event,’’ Amore said.
He enjoined the good people of the state to continue to be law abiding and to support the Police in protecting lives and property.
Amore commended the media for its balanced reportage before, during and after the 2015 general elections in the state.
Ondo
Pastor Richard Adesoji of Gospel Faith Mission International
in Okitipupa on Sunday, advised Nigerians to be fervent in prayers for a smooth and hitch-free transition to new government.
Adesoji gave the advice in an interview with newsmen shortly after he delivered a sermon on “The Journey to the Promised Land”.
He recalled that the biblical Israelites faced series of difficulties before getting to the Promised Land, but through prayers to God, they got to the Promised Land which God prepared for them.
Adesoji likened Nigerians to the biblical Israelites, saying that Nigerians would definitely get to the Promised Land “if they pray and seek God’s face“.
Sokoto
Youth Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto
State, Malam Musa Isa, has pleaded with the party leaders to entrench internal democracy in the party to ensure its success in future elections.
He made the call in Sokoto while speaking with newsmen.
Isa identified lack of internal democracy and disrespect for the founding members of PDP as the major factors responsible for the failure of the party in the last general elections.
“The new comers to the party have no regard for the founding members of the party.”
“New members who defected to the party from various political parties were given more regards than the founding members that stayed and promoted the lofty ideals of the party,’’ he said.
Taraba
Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilous Danjuma,
last Saturday inaugurated two bridges worth N500 million along Takum-Katsina Ala Federal Highway in Taraba.
The project is meant to curb the frequent accidents on the road as a result of the collapse of the bridges.
“The project started when I noticed the deplorable state of the bridges and realised that they had become death traps and a major cause of serious disabilities in the society over the years.
“We worked closely with the ministry and other relevant bodies and today, the challenges are over and I am glad this is over,” Danjuma said during the inauguration ceremony.
He observed that the road had not been given any serious attention since the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
He called on the Minister of Works to award the contract for the construction of the road to a competent civil engineering company.
Yobe
The Jamaatul Izalatul Bidiah Wa Ikhamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS)
an Islamic sect in Yobe State has advised parents against exposing their wards to wrong religious teachings.
Its Deputy Chairman, Malam Babagana Kyari, gave the advice in Damaturu at the closing ceremony of a Quranic recitation event.
“Our experiences in Yobe and Borno states have taught us to be vigilant of friends and associates of our wards, their schools, teachers and behaviours.
“This Quranic recitation competition has promoted true teachings of the holy Quran and unity among the Muslim community across the state,” Kyari said.
He urged all parents to scrutinise the type of schools and religious knowledge being imparted to their wards to avoid the type of insurgency plaguing the North East of Nigeria today.
In his speech, the Chairman of the State Council of Clerics, Sheik Haruna Gashua, commended security operatives for improving the security situation in the state.
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