Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr
Babachir Lawal says he is not nursing the ambition to become governor of Adamawa State.
Lawal told newsmen in Yola that the speculation was baseless, adding that at his age and position as SGF, it was not proper for him to think of serving as state governor in the future.
“At over 60 years of age and my position as SGF, I should not be thinking of being a governor, governorship should be left for younger people”.
Lawal also said he was not planning to sponsor a candidate for governorship of the state.
“The whole thing is funny, they are even saying that I favour my own tribe of Kilba in federal appointments because Bos Mustapha was recently appointed the Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency.
“People need to know that Mustapha is not only well qualified for the job but also a chieftain of the party who actively participated as an official in Buhari campaign organisation.
“Buhari knows Mustapha’s capacity and Buhari’s appointments are always based on merit.
Bauchi
About 12 persons have been reportedly killed in an auto
crash along Bauchi, Kano road.
Witnesses report that the victims were operatives of a popular local security outfit, Danga Security, heading back to Bauchi from Ningi, a town about 70 kilometres away.
The commandant of the Danga Security outfit, Yusuf Hassan who was in another vehicle behind the one involved in the crash, said the accident occurred about 5p.m. at Kafin Liman Village, along Bauchi Ganjuwa road in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
“Nobody is expecting that to happen, we were returning from Ningi to Bauchi, I was in my car and the Hilux that had an accident was conveying my personnel. It was four kilometers ahead us. It collided with a tanker that lost control and rammed into our Hilux killing all the 11 personnel”.
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commended
the operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigating the Speaker and other members of the State House of Assembly for allegedly misappropriating N750 million meant for purchase of official cars.
The governor said his government would not condone any act of criminality or defend anyone who had a hand in fraud.
I would recall that the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkinbi Ikanyga, his Deputy, James Ikefe, the majority leader, Benjamin Adanyi, Deputy majority leader, Nick Eworo, the minority, leader, Sule Aulu and ten other members were recently arrested and detained in Abuja by EFCC.
It was gathered that though they were left off the hook via bail after spending three days in detention, seven other members had been summoned to appear before the commission for questioning.
Borno
Soldiers have recorded successes in their operations
in parts of the North-East and North-West, killing several Boko Haram insurgents and three armed bandits respectively.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman in a statement said the troops 118 Taskforce Battalion, 8 Taskforce Division on blocking position at Garere Junction ambushed Boko Haram insurgents at Gudumbali, northern part of Borno State, while they were crossing to another location with some logistics items.
Usman said that during the operation the troops killed two and ambushed one of the terrorists.
He said the troops also recovered a truck earlier stolen by the terrorists in Kangarwa.
Ekiti
Some members of Esure Ekiti in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local
Government Area of Ekiti State have told Governor Ayo Fayose not to pardon the seven persons convicted of rioting and malicious damage in the community in 2014.
The seven persons were convicted in 2014 after a bloody feud between two quarters of Ilomu and Anyinshin in the town.
A letter of Appeal dated June 29, 2016 written on behalf of Ilomu quarters by their counsel, Dr A. D. Adebayo said the town had remained peaceful since the accused persons were convicted, pointing out their pardon might jeopardise the peace.
FCT
The General Overseer of Deeper Life Church, Pastor Wil
liams Folorunsho Kumuyi has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in President Muhammadu Buhari because God is on the throne.
He said he was hopeful that Buhari-led administration was on the right track to reposition Nigeria’s economy.
“Although the country might be passing the ‘best of times’, there are strong reasons not to lose hope on Muhammadu Buhari, because God is on the throne; He will turn things around for Nigeria. There is always light after the tunnel”.
Lagos
The Senate has reiterated its commitment to remove any
form of monopoly that will impede the development of private and public free trade zones in Nigeria.
Speaking after inspecting facilities at Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment led by its chairperson, Senator Fatimat Rayi-Resaki said the fact-finding tour would enable the senate gather useful information to aid its review of existing laws.
According to Raji-Rasaki who was accompanied by Senators Effiong Nelson and Yusuf Abubakar. The senate has shown commitment towards creating a conducive environments that would move the economy of the nation forward by strengthening the laws governing the operation of the trade zone.
She added that the committee would also visit similar projects in Calabar and Kano.
The chairman of LADOL, Mr Bedi Jadesimi while thanking the committee for the visit said he hoped that it would convey a different perception that Nigerians were capable of doing and pleaded with the legislators to create a conducive business environment devoid of policy somersault that could send wrong signal to investors.
Ogun
The rift between the Ogun State Government and the
Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State council is yet to be over as the union has challenged the government to publish details of how it expended the bailout fund from the Federal Government.
The union faulted the state government’s claim that the bail-out fund was used to service the outstanding arrears of salaries/deductions of local government workers, describing it as mere political propaganda.
The NULGE leadership had accused the Ibikumle Amosen-led government of diverting N9.1 billion bail-out funds meant to pay salary arrears of the state government employees, including those of 20 LGAs for other purposes.
The union disclosed that the administration did not settle the outstanding arrears of salaries and deductions of local government workers with the bailout fund.
This is contained in a statement siged by the union President, Comrade Olatunji and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Oyo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has
called for a thorough investigation into the murder of a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Gideon Aremu (Dorelope-LP).
This is contained in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr Olewale Sadare in Ibadan.
The statement described the death of Aremu who was the chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Public Relations and Security as brutal and disturbing.
“We received the news of the killing of Hon. Gideon Aremu with utter disbelief and rude chock.
This is in view of the fact that such nasty development and political violence have become history the state since 2011 when the current administration took the mantle of leadership of Oyo state”, it said.
Plateau
The Plateau State House of Assembly has witnessed a
rowdy session as members of the People’s Democratic Party protested the extension of the tenure of the transition chairman of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor Simon Lalong had written a letter to the lawmakers, requesting that the tenure of the local government transition chairmen be extended by six months instead of the original two months.
The chairmen were appointed following the sacking of the chairmen who were elected into office by former Governor Jonah Jang.
But the 10 PDP lawmakers led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Yusuf Gagdi protested the move, saying that it was against the agreement reached with the lawmakers when the chairmen were elected last year.
He said that the chairmen’s tenure had been extended by two months in the former exercise since they were appointed earlier this year.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
