Nation
THE STATES
The Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande,
has restrained Gov Gabriel Suswam from appointing first class chiefs in the state.
Mr Benjamin Adanyi has dragged Suswam and eight others to court challenging the passage of Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils Bill/Law by the Benue House of Assembly on April 7, 2015.
Joined in the matter were Tor Tiv, the Och’Idoma, the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Benue House of Assembly.
Moving the motion on behalf of the applicant, Barr. T D Pepe had informed the court that the respondents had put machinery in place to implement the contents of a law that had not been properly or validly passed.
Pepe prayed the court to stop the respondents from appointing any person to the office of the 10 proposed first class chiefs in Benue pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in the case.
FCT
The Advocacy for Economic Integrity, an NGO, has advised
the incoming government to provide security, stable political system, regular electricity supply and efficient transportation to boost the nation’s development.
The Director-General of the organisation, Mr Abdullahi Aremu, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Aremu said the programmes and projects would help to solve the myriad of problems facing the Nigerian entrepreneur.
According to him, when there is no guarantee of security of lives and properties, it becomes difficult to run a successful venture.
He also urged the incoming government to ensure speedy improvement in the nation’s transportation system.
Kaduna
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the
incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure adequate protection of journalists and other media workers in the discharge of their duties.
The National President of the union, Malam Mohammed Garba, made the call in Kaduna on Monday as part of the activities marking the World Press Freedom Day 2015.
According to him, good governance can not be achieved when the press do not have unfeterred access to the process of governance.
Garba said it was important for government to allow the journalists to carry out their watchdog role in the society “if any positive impact is to be made in the fight against corruption”.
The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is: “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting Gender Equality and Media Safety in Digital Age.’’
Kwara
The Kwara State Anti-Thuggery Taskforce has said it had
arrested 22 suspected hoodlums at different locations in Adeta and Pakata areas of Ilorin, the state capital.
Alhaji Suleiman Abdulsalam, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Intelligence, made this known in an interview with newsmen in llorin.
He said some of the suspects were arrested at a shrine in Adeta in llorin, adding that some dangerous weapons and charms stained with fresh blood were recovered from them.
Abdulsalam told newsmen that a joint operation comprising the NDLEA, vigilante group and police tagged: ‘Operation Harmony’ on Friday also arrested 32 people at an Indian hemp joint in the outskirt of llorin.
According to him, all the suspects are being detained and interrogated by the security agents.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government has said that 140 convicted
sex offenders had been recorded in a Sex Offenders’ Register created by the state government to shame offenders and serve as deterrent.
Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Mr Ade Ipaye, made the disclosure at the 2015 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.
He said that the state had recorded no fewer than 12, 120 rape cases and other sexual violence matters in the last four years, describing such acts as threats to dignity and humanity.
According to him, the government is doing its best to address the problem through the law and other means.
Giving other statistics, Ipaye said that it had sentenced 5,834 offenders to community service for various offences in the last four years.
Niger
The Niger State government has announced the termination
of the appointment of political appointees and dissolution of State Boards with effect from May 1.
A statement issued on Monday in Minna by Alhaji Saidu Kpaki, Secretary to the state government, said the measure was aimed at ensuring smooth transition and proper handing over to the new administration.
It urged the affected appointees, who are heads of establishment to hand over to the most senior civil servant in such establishments.
“Category of officers entitled to severance gratuity who have vehicle loans and have not served up to two years minimum to qualify for the severance are to return such vehicles.
“They should also return any operational vehicle in their care to the Transport Officer, Government House for proper documentation”, the statement said.
Ogun
The Ogun State Government has pledged to improve on its
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), so as to complete ongoing developmental projects across the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, stated this while briefing the participants of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on the activities of the Ministry in Abeokuta.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ajibola Chokor, Adeosun said government was planning to extend its cashless policy to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in order to block leakages.
She said revenue consultants would be registered by the Ministry of Finance to monitor and create an enabling environment that would attract local and foreign investors.
Adeosun said the ministry had continued to formulate economic policies geared towards repositioning the state as well as improving on the existing process and systems to support the present administration
Osun
House of Assembly members-elect in Osun State have
been urged to shun partisanship and work together for the development of the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Adekunle Ogunmola, made the call on Monday while presenting certificate of return to them at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Osogbo.
He said that now that the elections were over, the next thing for the assembly members-elect to do was to ensure service to the people.
The REC, who described the in-coming lawmaker as members of the same family, said ‘’we are all members of the same family and we must ensure that we do our best to ensure good governance in the state.
In his speech, the Speaker of the house, Mr Najeem Salaam, who was also re-elected, described the next dispensation in the assembly as ‘’a new challenge’’ which required more commitment from the legislative arm of government.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government has restated its commitment to
maintaining and sustaining the existing peace and security of lives and property of the entire citizens of the state.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi stated this on Monday while receiving a delegation from the Institute for Security Service, Abuja ,at the Governor’s Office, Agodi ,Ibadan.
Ajimobi , who was represented by his Deputy, Moses Adeyemo, said that no state could develop without the provision of adequate security of lives and property.
He said the present administration would adopt a radical approach to the provision of security and economic development of the state.
The governor also called on governments at all levels to redouble their efforts toward creating a peaceful environment for the people.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has urged the
Federal Government to reposition the nation’s educational system to make it efficient, effective and competitive.
Wamakko made the call in Sokoto while receiving participants of Group 3, Course 37 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau.
“Such repositioning should be premised on facts and figures and not on sentiments; This should be the guiding principle while formulating and implementing plausible policies and programmes.
“Consequently, they will be made more sustainable, plausible and workable, hence, strengthen the nation’s education sector,” he said.
The governor said the state government had been providing substantial percentage of its annual budget to the education sector since 2007.
Zamfara
Residents of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara
State have urged the Federal Government to reverse the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) because it had done more harm than good to Nigerians.
Some residents, who spoke with newsmen in Gusau, said the privitisation of the sector had not yielded the desired results.
Muhammad Mansur, a resident of Gidan Dawa, said that since the privitisation of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the country had continued to experience power shortage.
Mansur said that there had not been any progress with the privatisation of the company, rather it had witnessed degeneration.
He said before the company was privatised, the distribution of light in the area was better than it is today.
Salisu Idris, a resident of Bakin Kasuwa area of Gusau, said that in spite of the shortage in the supply of power in the area, the company’s officers disconnect customers at will.
From Right: Nlc President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Deputy President, Comrade Peters Adeyemi and Secretary, May Day Organising Committee, Mr Benson Upah, at the 2015 May Day Symposium in Abuja on Thursday
The Standard Bearers (SB) Islamic Organisation has raised concerns over the growing rate of binge drinking among Nigerian youths, attributing the trend largely to the widespread availability of sachet alcohol.
The group’s position follows the recent move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Nurudeen AbdulRaheem, and National Secretary, Malam Qaasim Adegbuyi, the organisation declared its full support for NAFDAC’s decision, describing it as a timely and necessary public health intervention.
AbdulRaheem noted that sachet alcohol, often sold for as little as ?100, has made excessive drinking more accessible, particularly to young people and minors. According to him, the affordability and small packaging of such products have worsened binge drinking, youth addiction and community insecurity.
He explained that binge drinking involves consuming multiple alcoholic drinks within a short period, typically within two hours, a practice that can lead to severe physical and mental health complications as well as legal and social problems.
The SB National Coordinator cited global health data indicating that alcohol is responsible for more than three million deaths annually worldwide and remains a major contributor to road accidents, violence, liver disease and mental health disorders.
While acknowledging concerns from industry stakeholders over the economic implications of the ban, AbdulRaheem maintained that public health considerations must take precedence.
“Public health and the protection of young lives must come first,” he stated, adding that Islamic ethical values, like many societal norms, emphasise the protection of life, intellect and family stability.
The organisation urged NAFDAC and the Federal Government to remain resolute in implementing the policy while also providing transition support for businesses that may be affected by the ban.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban represents a significant step toward promoting a safer and healthier society.
By Favour James
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully concluded its Seafarers Training Programme for 100 Ogoni youths, positioning them for opportunities in the competitive global maritime industry.
The beneficiaries, who underwent four months of intensive training at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, received their certificates during a close-out ceremony held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The event was attended by top management staff of HYPREP, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning of Charkin Maritime Academy, the Head of the Seafaring Department, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, and other dignitaries.
Addressing the graduates, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the ceremony as a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the young beneficiaries.
He said the graduation symbolises vision, resilience, and hope — hope translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for Ogoni youths.
According to him, the passing-out ceremony marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s mandate to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland. He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills and certifications acquired.
“These skills and achievements should not end here but serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and Nigeria,” he stated.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the seafaring programme is significant not only to the beneficiaries but also to HYPREP’s broader livelihood restoration strategy and the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He explained that by equipping the youths with globally relevant maritime skills, HYPREP is opening alternative income opportunities while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other environmentally harmful practices. He added that the initiative aligns with the directives of the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and reinforces the Project’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
Commending Charkin Maritime Academy as a dependable training partner, Zabbey described the institution as one of the foremost maritime training centres in the country.
“This partnership has delivered high-quality results today, and we intend to expand it as we intensify efforts to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for the Ogoni people,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress, noting their resilience and commitment to peace in the area. He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of youths and women in Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator likened knowledge and certificates to fuel in a vehicle, stressing that they are meant to propel the graduates toward greater heights.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is 93 per cent completed,” he added.
He emphasised that HYPREP’s approach integrates all projects and interventions toward achieving environmental sustainability and long-term development in Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the HYPREP Project Support Lead and Representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwahia, said the graduates had gained not only technical maritime skills but also discipline, resilience, and confidence to compete globally.
He described their graduation as the beginning of a new journey and noted that the UNEP Report emphasised that environmental restoration must be complemented by sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and youth empowerment.
“Without empowering people, restoration cannot be complete. Programmes such as this maritime training represent practical steps toward creating employment pathways, dignity, and long-term community stability,” he said.
Engr. Igbinomwahia added that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited remains committed to supporting environmental recovery, human capacity development, and sustainable economic opportunities in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and safety, he urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism and integrity.
“The sea you are about to enter is vast and sometimes challenging, but it is also full of opportunity. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your constant companion, and let your character speak for you wherever you go,” he advised.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Training and Strategic Planning at Charkin Maritime Academy, Captain Joseph Awodeha, who represented the Chairman, Dr. Charles Wami, emphasised discipline and safety as critical to career success in the maritime sector.
The Head of the Seafaring Department, Captain Jonathan Hammond, urged the graduates to remain humble and disciplined, noting that such virtues are essential for career growth.
In his remarks, the Principal Consultant of DCL Consulting Firm, Barrister Dornu Baridan, commended the beneficiaries for successfully scaling through the
rigorous selection process and completing their training as seafarers.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch, Rivers State, has elected 14 member executives to lead the organization for the 2025/2026 year. Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, is the 23rd chairman.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Engr. Ishmael A. Branch Secretariat, 3 Benard Carr Street (Waterworks Yard), Port Harcourt, attracted members of the engineering profession from within and outside the state.
Other elected executives include:
Engr. Samuel H. Kwelle, MNSE – Vice Chairman
Engr. Dr. Promise Jumbo, FNSE – General Secretary
Engr. Priye P. K. Lawson, MNSE – Assistant Secretary
Engr. Patrick O. Udegbunam, MNSE – Treasurer.
Others are Engr. Hilda D. Batubo, MNSE – Financial Secretary
Engr. Bowei M. Dauseighe, MNSE – Technical Secretary
Engr. Charles O. Okwakpam, MNSE – Assistant Technical Secretary
Engr. Agnes Komolafe, MNSE – Membership Secretary
Engr. Dike N. Livingstone, MNSE – Publicity Secretary
Also elected are Engr. Ayebaye Daniel Wanatoi, MNSE – Welfare Secretary
Engr. Oribiokpomari I. Comfort, MNSE – Internal Auditor
Engr. Dr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, FNSE – Immediate Past Chairman
Engr Dr Hachimenum Amadi, FNSE (Ex-Officio)
In his a goodwill message, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, urged the new executive to maintain high ethical standards and move the association forward.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Engr. Belema Fubara Ekine, FNSE, promised an inclusive administration and teamwork, focusing on collaboration with stakeholders. He had begun building partnerships with Rivers State University and the University of Port Harcourt.
The highlight was the inauguration lecture, “Engineering Solution for Security, Energy Access and Sustainable Development,” delivered by Engr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
-
Politics3 days agoAPC Releases Adjusted Timetable For Nationwide Congresses, Convention
-
Business3 days agoCustoms Seek Support To Curb Smuggling In Ogun
-
Sports3 days ago
DG NIS Wants NSC Board Constituted, Seeks Increased In Funding
-
Sports3 days agoSWAN Rivers Set-up Five Functional Committees
-
News3 days ago
Police Bust Kidnapping Syndicate In PH
-
Sports3 days ago
NSC Disburses N200m Training Grants To 26 Athletes
-
Featured3 days agoINEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations
-
Sports3 days ago
‘NTF Will Build On Davis Cup Success For Brighter Future’