Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa State government completed 46 road projects
within one year in office, the state Governor Jibrilla Bindow, has said.
Bindow made the disclosure in Government House, Yola recently.
“The state government will embark on massive road construction projects outside the state capital while the Kiri-Shelleng road construction will be flagged off after the Sallah celebration.
“Adamawa people should support the government with prayers and words of encouragement to enable this administration achieve its mandate.
“Within one year in office, we have been able to complete 46 road projects”, he said
Bauchi
Mr Iliyasu Zwal, Senior Special Assistant on State Leg
islative Affairs to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to Niger Delta militants to consider the effects of their activities on their own environment.
Making the call in Bauchi during an interview with newsmen, Zwal reminded the militants that each time they destroyed oil facilities, their environment was the first victim.
“Whenever there is destruction of oil facilities, the problem of pollution in their environment is worsened as the air, water and soil are affected.
“The situation is even capable of triggering outbreak of diseases, just as farming and fishing activities are adversely affected,” he noted.
Borno
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,
has, inaugurated a 50,000 litre capacity solar borehole provided by the Nigerian Army in Dikwa, Borno State, as part of the 2016 Army Day Celebrations.
Buratai, accompanied by Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno and top brass of the Nigerian Army, performed the ceremony in Dikwa, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area (LGA).
He explained that the Nigerian Army provided the borehole as part of its Civil-Military Relations Program.
Buratai said that the aim was to assist in the provision of water to the numerous Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the town. “The Nigerian Army decided to provide the 50,000 litre capacity borehole as part of its policy of enhancing the civil-military relations in the society”, he said.
Gombe
Some mothers in Gombe State have lauded the activities
of malnutrition centres established in three local government areas of the state for saving the lives of their malnourished children.
Our correspondent reports that the Community Management for Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres, were established seven years ago in Gombe,Dukku and Nafada Local Government Areas of the state by UNICEF, in collaboration with the state government.
Aishatu Umar, a mother to nine months old Muhammad Umar, said they started visiting the Gombe centre six weeks ago. She said before they commenced the treatment, the baby could not sit, talk less of crawling and walking.
Jigawa
The Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu
Adubakar, has called on the state government to assist families whose houses and farmlands were recently destroyed by flood in the state.
The monarch made the call in Hadejia in his Sallah message to the people of his domain.
Abubakar, who sympathised with the victims, said that the assistance was imperative to mitigate their sufferings.
He commended the government for its empowerment programme for the youths and women and for executing viable projects that would enhance the development of the state
Kaduna
A lecturer with the College of Business and Manage
ment Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Mr Oteri Michael, has advised states to think like businessmen and develop capacities to create sources of revenue.
Michael told newsmen in Kaduna that the states would attain economic viability if they were creative and operate like private entities.
He pointed out that over-dependence on federal allocation had made states to be complacent in terms of investment and diversification.
He said that such approach had put pressure on the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government is already burdened with so many issues to tackle such as security, infrastructure and the economy in general.
Nasarawa
The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr Shehu Chindo-
Yamusa, has urged Nigerians to embrace farming so as to boost the nation’s economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Chindo-Yamusa, in an Eid-el Fitr message to his subjects in Keffi, said that returning to the farm was crucial to end the age-old over dependence on the oil sector.
“We must all go back to the farm to boost food sufficiency, end the over- dependence on oil and shore up the prospects of becoming a prospective nation,” he said.
He said that it was not only wrong, but very dangerous for Nigeria to hold on to a monolithic source of income, “especially in view of current realities.
Ogun
Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Suraj
Adekunbi, has urged Nigerians to continue to support all the Federal Government’s programmes and policies.
Adekunbi made this call while speaking with newsmen recently.
He said that Nigerians should give support to the Federal Government because because the government meant well for them.
The speaker said that the citizens’ understanding and participation in governance remained a credible force in the development of any nation.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has requested
for a letter of apology from schools whose pupils took part in a protest against government’s proposed education initiative.
The Chairman, National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh, said this in Ibadan after a meeting with the governor.
Our correspondent reports that pupils in the state on June 6 went on rampage in protest against the state government’s proposed public/private participatory management of schools.
Plateau
The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church (LFC)
worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, has described Nigeria as a country that is moving forward, in spite of its present economic challenges.
In a telecast via satellite monitored in Jos, Plateau, Oyedepo said this when he addressed both local and international assembly of the church workers in a broadcast recently.
He told the workers that both the nation and the church were in a period of revival and that sacrifices would have to be made.
The bishop said that the era of private universities championed by the church came to set standards and right moral codes in our educational system to make it thrive better, devoid of cultism and activism.
“Nigeria’s healing is taking place now, and the health of the nation is being restored now.
“We are pushing darkness back,” he said.
Sokoto
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has de
scribed the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, as “a true statesman.’’
This is contained in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam and issued to newsmen in Sokoto recently.
It said: ‘’The late Marafan, who died Wednesday afternoon at a London hospital, was a true statesman. Shinkafi was born 13 January, 1937.
“His selfless and meritorious service to God, country and humanity, was felt by all.
“The late Shinkafi was a distinguished legal luminary, security expert, politician with conscience and great community leader and mobiliser.
“Marafan’s death has closed a chapter in the life of one of Nigeria’s most valuable public officers who made his mark in both public and private sectors.”
Yobe
Senator Alkali Jajere has added his voice to the call on
the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to embrace peace and support Federal Government’s efforts at revamping Nigeria’s ailing economy.
Jajere, who represented Yobe South Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu
He cautioned that the attack on pipeline installations was not only harming the economy, but also compounding environmental problems in the Niger Delta.
He called on leaders and elders of the region to engage the youth in discussions on the negative consequences of the actions of the militants on their environment.
“They should be made to understand the attacks are doing more damage and compounding the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.”
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