Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), has donated roofing
materials worth N5million to residents of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Presenting the materials, the Team Leader, Mr Gima Forje, said that it was in fulfilment of the foundation’s promise to the people after its assessment tour of the ravaged communities on May 25.
He said that during the tour, the foundation met with relevant stakeholders in the area, stressing that it was from there that they arrived on needs of the area.
‘’We carried out an assessment visit to the area, held discussions with members of the community, local government chairman and community leaders.
‘’The report of the assessment determined the type of intervention the foundation has provided,’’ he said.
Borno
The Borno State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defense Corps (NSCDC) say it has arrested four butchers for allegedly selling the meat of dead animals to Maiduguri residents.
State Commandant of Corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, told newsmen that the suspects, who had confessed to committing the crime, were arrested at the Murtala Square area in the state capital.
“The culprits have been selling dead livestock to innocent unsuspecting people.
“They normally go around and pick dead animals from the outskirt of the town and sell same to the public.
“Some of these animals died from tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia or even brucellosis, which can pose dangerous health challenges when consumed.
“Even if you have the licence to operate in an abattoir, the veterinary doctors must ascertain that the animals are safe for human consumption”.
Ekiti
Two men, Ibrahim Mohammad and Usman Haruna who
allegedly stole 16 cows, have been brought before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, Mohammad, 30 and Haruna, 26, are facing a charge of stealing to which they have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Caleb Leranmo told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 3 at about 2.00 a.m. at Ilafo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.
He alleged that the accused stole 16 cows valued at N1 million, property of Mr Yusuf Abdullahi.
The offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti 2012.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Timilehin Omotosho, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms with a promise that they would not jump bail.
FCT
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and
Financial Crimes,Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, has reiterated the committee’s resolve to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its anti-graft war.
This is contained in a statement issued by Head of Media, EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement quoted Utazi as having given the assurance when members of the committee visited the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.
Utazi stated that one of the committee’s priorities was to ensure that the commission’s headquarters was completed and made conducive for officers to carry out their duties effectively.
“We understand that EFCC is short changed in the 2015 budget; we will ensure that the building is completed.
“We will get all you need to work better, contained in the 2016 approved budget,’’ it stated.
Kaduna
A haematologist, Dr Abdul-Aziz Hassan, says Nigeria
needs about 1.7 million units of donated blood per annum.
Hassan, the Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Department, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, made the assertion at a programme to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day in Zaria.
The consultant haematologist, who spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the programme, said 100 million units of blood were donated across the world annually.
According to him, more than 60 per cent of this figure is, however, collected in the developed countries.
Kano
A 32-year-old man, Suleiman Umar, who allegedly impreg
nated his 13-year-old niece, has been remanded in prison on the order of a Kano Magistrates’ Court.
Umar, who lives at Yan Kifi Village in Kunchi Local Government Area of Kano, is being tried for impregnating his niece.
The Chief Magistrate, Maryam Sabo, said the accused should be kept behind bars until the next date of adjournment.
Earlier, Prosecutor Shuaibu Musa told the court that a man, Dauda Muhammad of the same address reported the case at Kunchi Police Station in Kano on April 18.
According to him, the accused about five months ago had carnal knowledge of the 13-year-old daughter of his older brother, Muhammad.
Lagos
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nige
ria (AMSLN) has urged government at all levels to provide adequate security for all categories of health workers.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Tosin Raheem, made the call at a “Day of Tributes and Prayer’’ for the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, late Mrs Olufunke Omotuyi,.
The event was organised by the Lagos State council of the association and LUTH chapter in honour of the late Omotuyi in Lagos.
According to him, law enforcement agencies must ensure safety of every individual in the country, especially the health workers.
Our correspondent reports that the late Omotuyi was killed by assailants at about 4 a.m on June 8, at her residence in Apo Quarters, Abuja.
Niger
Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami
has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with militant groups in the Niger Delta.
Abdulsalami gave the advice when he received members of the Niger State House of Assembly who visited him on his 74th birthday in Minna.
“All we need to do is to sit down on a round table and discuss these problems.
“Even if you fight a war and win, you must sit down with the people you conquered. The insecurity we are going through now is uncalled for.
“For the Boko Haram, nobody knows what they want. The Avengers are now out, what are they avenging?’’, he asked.
Ogun
The Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM)
has advised parents and guardians of students in public secondary schools to desist from engaging their children and awards in part-time education.
TESCOM Chairman, Mrs Olabosipo Ogunsan, gave the advice during an unscheduled assessment tour of some secondary schools in the Remo Zone of the state.
Ogunsan said that if parents should encourage their children to engage in trade apprenticeship during school session, this would distract them from concentrating on their studies.
Osun
The Osun House of Assembly passed seven bills in the
last one year, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr Bosun Oyinloye,has said.
Oyintiloye disclosed this in Osogbo on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
He said the bills were expected to impact positively on the living conditions of the people and the state’s economy.
According to him, the bills are Public Procurement Bill, Land Use Charge Bill, and Primary Healthcare Development Board (Establishment) Bill and the Street Trading and Illegal Market (Prohibition) Bill.
Others are Micro-credit Agency Bill, Conservation Fund (repeal) Bill and the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
Oyintiloye noted that each of the bills was linked to revenue generation, blockage of revenue wastage and theft as well as sustaining transparency in governance.
Oyo
A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Mrs Christiana
Nwankwo, has recounted her experience in the hands of a land agent, Alexander Okoya, who allegedly defrauded her of N4.23 million.
Testifying before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of Ibadan High Court, Nwankwo told the court that Okoya sold 1.054 hectares located around University of Ibadan to her at N4 million and was paid N230,000 as commission.
She added that Okoya claimed to be a land and estate agent of repute, adding that the money was paid in two instalments.
“A group of my students and I wanted to use the land as a small laboratory.
“My lord, after I made all the payments, I demanded to see the land owner, but Okoya lied to me.
“He first said that the owner lives in Lagos and later said that he had been rushed to London due to his sickness.
Plateau
Prof. David Wonang of University of Jos has
recommended the use of organic manure to tackle “root-knot nematodes, a disease affecting roots of crops.
Wonang gave the recommendation at the 80th Inaugural Lecture of the university in Jos.
The lecture is titled: “Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne species) Farmers Silent/Unseen Enemies: Implications on food Security and Stability in Nigeria.’’
Wonang described root crop disease as a major cause of food shortage in developing countries.
“It has been generally difficult to quantify the amount of economic losses caused by root-knot nematodes, especially in developing countries where crops are rarely grown as mono crops.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state
The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.
Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.
According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.
Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”
The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”
He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.
“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”
The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.
“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”
He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.
Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.
He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.
Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.
Nation
RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”
The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.
He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.
“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,
He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.
Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).
He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region
MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent
The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.
MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans
“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.
According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.
They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.
The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities
Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.
He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.
Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.
” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.
The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area
While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .
“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.
“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.
“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.
Chinedu Wosu
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