Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Provost of Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, Dr Abubakar Yaji, says the school in 1991 had been operating without any of its courses accredited by the relevant government agencies.
Yaji said this on Thursday in Ganye while briefing Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa when he visited the school.
The provost said that the school would require N508 million to upgrade its facilities to meet up with requirements for accreditation of its courses.
The provost said that the non-accreditation of courses run by the school had been affecting its graduates from getting jobs and gaining admissions into universities to further their education.
Benue
Two persons, Sewuese Orbunde and Victor Godwin, were on Thursday arraigned in a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court for selling a baby after birth.
The duo were charged with criminal conspiracy and concealment of birth punishable under sections 97 and 240 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Gabriel Agbadu , told the court that the case was reported at the State CID, Makurdi, on February 23.
Agbadu said that on February 22, Yaaya Terver of Vigilante Group, Logo 1, Makurdi, arrested and brought Orbunde and Hembadoon Godwin to the ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi.
He said that Terver stated that Orbunde was carrying a pregnancy as at December 2016 when she travelled to Port Harcourt only to return to Makurdi on January 3, 2017 without the pregnancy and without a child.
FCT
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) says it has earmarked 38 million euros for poverty eradication and empowerment in five countries.
The Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Nigeria, Mrs Gloria Akobundu, made this known at a two-day workshop organised by the programme on Tuesday in Abuja.
Akobundu explained that 35 million euros would go for the empowerment programmes, while three million euros had been earmarked for the technical support interventions.
According to her, the three million euros technical interventions will be used in expansion of facilities and training centres and sensitisation and awareness on the programme.
She said NEPAD Nigeria has concluded governance mechanism of the programme at the continental level in South Africa.
Gombe
National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gombe state, has arrested 20 suspects and confiscated 23.453 kilogrammes of dangerous substances and 16.88 Kg of cannabis sativa between January and February 2017.
Commandant of the agency, Mr Aliyu Adole, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.
According to him, most of those involved in the act are youth and such drugs are dangerous to their health.
“The activity of the agency from January to date was very successful.
“The agency went out in search of drugs peddlers and we were able to arrest 20 suspects with 23.453 kilogrammes of substances of abuse and 16.884 of cannabis,” he said.
Kaduna
The Adamawa Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Ahmadu Waziri, has said that the state government had introduced a database to document farmers’ statistics and check irregularities.
Waziri disclosed this to newsmen in Zaria on Thursday.
‘‘We have started creating a useful data base of farmers in the state that can be taken anywhere for any intervention.
‘‘This is as a result of the irregularities that have been perpetrated in some states that have started the CBN Anchor-Borrower-Programme,’’ he said.
According to him, the state government is aware that there are issues in some of the pioneer states that have started the programme.
‘‘Before we embark on implementing it in Adamawa, we went round such pioneer states and drawn a number of conclusions.
Kano
The Nigerian Customs Services (NCS), Kano/Jigawa State Area Command has generated N2.8 billion as revenue from January to date.
The command’s Comptroller, Mr Abutu Onaja disclosed this when he received the officials Nigerian Association of Crimes and Judicial Journalists (NACAJJ) Kano State branch who paid him a courtesy call on Thursday in Kano.
He said out of the amount, N1.05 billion was generated in January while the remaining N1.8 billion was collected in February.
Onaja said, “The NCS had never recorded such revenue generation in the history of Kano/Jigawa State area command. So it is a great achievement.”
Kogi
The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), Mr Boss Mustapha, last Thursday said the agency had commenced routine maintenance of the dredged channel of River Niger.
Mustapha confirmed in a statement in Lokoja that the maintenance dredging would only be from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.
He said that the maintenance was to ensure smooth navigation of vessels and barges, adding that the exercise would be carried out by his workers.
The dredging of the 523-kilometre lower River Niger was executed at a cost of N36 billion.
Lagos
A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Lagos, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, has approached a Federal High Court, Lagos to challenge his arrest and detention by the Department of State Security Service.
It will be recalled that Gbadamosi was arrested by the DSS in Lagos on February 21, and was immediately taken to Abuja, where he has been in custody.
A fundamental rights suit was consequently filed by a rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, challenging the arrest and detention.
Joined as respondents in the suit are the DSS, the Director, Department of State Security and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Nasarawa
The 13 local governments in Nasarawa State have collectively approved the sum of N160 million to offset the gratuity of its deceased pensioners.
According to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Haruna Iliya-Osegba, the sum was approved by the joint accounts committee involving all local governments and other stakeholders.
Iliya-Osegba told newsmen on Thursday in Lafia, that the money was for pensioners that died between 1997 and July 2016.
He explained, however, that the approved amount was not part of the monthly allocation to the local government pension bureau.
Ogun
A 31-year-old man, Adeniran Adebisi, was on Tuesday discharged and acquitted by an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court over alleged N850,000 fraud.
Adebisi was arraigned on a two- count charge of fraud and stealing.
The accused was accused of fraudulently obtaining N850,000 from one Adeniyi Adebayo on the pretence of supplying him assorted wooden planks.
But the Magistrate, Mrs Oriyomi Sofowora, said that based on the evidences tendered before the court, the accused was a genuine wood business man and had actually supplied wood to the complainant.
She consequently discharged the accused.
The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Eigbejiale, had told the court that the accused committed the offences in June 2014 at Lafenwa in Abeokuta.
Osun
The Osun State Government on Tuesday presented retirement bond certificates worth N1.1billion to the fourth batch of retirees under the state contributory pension scheme.
The state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, made the presentation through the state Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, at a seminar organised for workers.
The seminar was organised for them by Pension Fund Administrators to give them a better understanding of what pension schemes were all about.
Aregbesola said that 159 pensioners from the scheme would benefit from the bond, with 100 of the beneficiaries coming from Local Government while the remaining 59 retired primary school teachers.
The governor explained that in a bid to improve the standard of living of pensioners, government had approved the establishment of a data base.
Plateau
Sgt. Apollos Aliyu of ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquaters, Jos, has told a Jos High Court that Stephen Luka, who is standing trial over alleged culpable homicide, had confessed to the crime in a written statement.
Aliyu, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the case, testified against the accused, who had since denied the allegations.
The accused person is facing a four-count charge of murder, attempted murder, assault and sexual abuse.
He was accused of attacking two sisters – Justina Dusu and Simi Dusu, on July 27, 2016 at his home in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Jos, after they went to confront him over Justina’s pregnancy.
Luka, who allegedly used a machete on the duo when they rejected his insistence on procuring an abortion, was said to have killed Simi, while Justina sustained deep cuts.
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.
