Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar, Bauchi State Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Capt. Musa Yakubu (Rtd) and Commander 33, Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, Brig.-Gen. Alexander Dusu, at the opening of 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Apple Week in Bauchi, yesterday
Adamawa
The Acting Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Coun
cil, Mrs Dabney Shalhoma, has donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
Making the presentation in Gombi town, Shalhoma said the gesture was aimed at identifying with the IDPs and given them a sense of belonging during the yuletide.
Shalhoma, who hails from Garha village, said she was also a victim of Boko Haram insurgency, adding that she lost some of her relations and properties to attacks by the insurgents.
She said: “It is regrettable and sad that human begins are experiencing this kind of situation caused by other human beings.
“It is unfortunate that the most defenceless people are the victims of this dastardly act.
Ekiti
The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose,
has assured women of more government oriented programmes this new year.
Our correspondent reports that Mrs Fayose gave the assurance while presenting gifts to the babies of the year in Ado-Ekiti.
The governor’s wife said that women would enjoy more dividend of democracy through different programmes that would be initiated to carter for their welfare.
She however advised expectant mothers to patronise government hospitals to enjoy the quality service delivery from the medical workers.
The first baby of the year was born at Basic Health Centre, Aisegba-Ekiti to the family of Mr and Mrs Hassan at 12:03 a.m., weighing 3.5kg.
FCT
The Federal Government says it will digitalise the opera
tions of the Federal Civil Service in 2016 to forestall altering of vital documents by some officials.
The acting Head of the Civil Service (HOS) of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, when she paid an unscheduled visit to some Ministries and Government Agencies.
She said the visit was to monitor the level of staff punctuality to duty, especially after the Christmas holidays.
“It was necessary for me to come round today with some of my permanent secretaries when I observed the scantiness in some offices after the Christmas holidays.
“The essence is to find out what is really happening,’’ the acting HOS said.
Kano
Kano State’s Head of Service, Alhaji Auwal Na’iya, said
plans are underway to introduce Contributory Healthcare Insurance Scheme for Civil servants in the state.
Na’iya announced this at a one day workshop organised by Nigerian Health Insurance Scheme, Kano State office in Kano recently.
He said the scheme would ensure an effective and sustainable healthcare system for the state workforce and their dependents.
“This arrangement is being made through the office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Justice.”
He said a Bill on Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency would be sent to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
Katsina
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Katsina command,
said on Wednesday that it had generated over N4.9 billion in the last 12 months.
Alhaji Gidado Bala, the area controller, who disclosed this at a news conference in Katsina, however said that the command realized N4.5 billion in 2014.
The controller said the command had intercepted goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N134 million within the period.
The items, according to him, include 178 used vehicles, 133 used motorcycles, 4,929 bags of rice, 11,844 Jerry cans of vegetable oil and 1,490 bales of textile materials.
Others are 1,134 cartons of pharmaceutical products, 2,599 cartons of spaghetti and 1,750 bags of mosquito coil.
Jigawa
The Emir of Kazaure in Jigawa State, Alhaji Hussaini Adamu,
recently in Kazaure charged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
Adamu made the call at a civic reception organised by the Kazaure community to honour the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu, and 114 other prominent personalities.
He said that it was imperative for parents to enrol their wards in school and support them to pursue higher education.
“It is imperative to invest in education of our children, especially girl child.
“We must instil discipline, good moral virtues and ensure proper education of the young ones to achieve sustainable development,” he said.
Lagos
The Lagos State University (LASU) has directed its staff to
resume the signing of nominal roll before the fifth day of every month to ensure payment of their salaries.
This is contained in the university’s official bulletin made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
According to the bulletin, the directive is meant for both the academic and Non-academic staff.
The bulletin said the members of staff must henceforth resume the signing of the nominal roll in their various faculties, colleges, schools, departments, centres and units from January 2016.
“The university management also reiterates that as it is the practice, failure to submit the nominal roll by the 5th of every month by any faculty, college, school, department, centre or unit will lead to the forfeiture of salary of the concerned staff for that month”.
Nasarawa
The Mada Development Association (MDA) in Nasarawa State
has appealed to the State Government to construct a palace for the first-class traditional ruler of Mada, Mr Samson Gamu-Yare.
Mr Josiah Musa, the Chairman, Care Taker Committee of the association, made the call during the inauguration of MDA’s newly elected officials and launching of its 2016 Almanac in Akwanga.
Our correspondent reports that the Chun-Mada is the paramount traditional ruler of Mada nation in Akwanga local government area of the state.
It was learnt that the traditional ruler has been using his personal residence as palace since his appointment in July 2013 by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura.
Niger
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has congratulated a
former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, on his 76th birthday celebration.
In a statement, issued by Malam Jibrin Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary of the Governor, in Minna, Bello described Kutigi as a towering judicial colossus, moral crusader and paragon of virtues.
The governor lauded the exemplary leadership demonstrated by Kutigi as the Chairman of the National Conference in 2014 and described the assignment as a selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.
He said the intellectual capacity and vast experience of Kutigi enhanced the performance and credibility of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Plateau
The Paramount Ruler of Pyem Chiefdom Mr Charles
Mato, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, has declared a State of Emergency on education in his domain.
Speaking to newsmen in Gindiri Mato explained that the educational backwardness of the chiefdom informed the decision.
The traditional ruler said the chiefdom had decided to establish a technical school to train her people on various engineering courses.
“I have to declare state of emergency on the education sector in my chiefdom because we discovered that we have to do something drastic and immediate to save the situation.
“We have decided to set up a technical school which will serve as an avenue for our wards to study engineering courses such as mechanical, civil and electrical and also crafts, “ he said.
Sokoto
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isa Local Gov
ernment of Sokoto State has commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) for postponing the local government elections until further notice.
Chairman of the Party in the area, Alhaji Awaza, made the commendation in Isa, the headquarters of the council during a rally organised by the party.
“The gesture by the commission is a welcome development as it will enable the commission to organise free, fair, transparent and acceptable polls.
“The action is indeed a right step in the right direction and all the political parties and stakeholders were happy when the commission heeded to our persistent pleas in this direction.
“ We will use these periods of the postponement of the polls to reconcile all aggrieved members due to the recent primary polls’’, he added.
Yobe
Yobe State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) has organised a circumcision ceremony for boys aged from five years to 10 years at Pompomari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Damaturu.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Musa Jidawa, said 60 boys were circumcised according to the tradition and custom of the people.
“Circumcision of boys as we all know is the first initiation (rite) of the boy to manhood which is his right and we have just given them this right today,” Musa said.
The secretary said some of the boys lost their parents to Boko Haram attacks on their villages, while others were with their parents in the camp.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
