Nation
THE STATES

Benue
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) office in Benue State will train 2,691 youths on digital marketing skills, according to Mrs. Magdalene Dura, a Special Adviser to the Governor.
Dura, adviser on Development Cooperation, SDGs and NEPAD, told newsmen on Friday in Makurdi that the training would commence on April 4.
She said that the digital marketing skills would enable the youths acquire more skills in ICT and food technology, to enhance the processing of food items for exportation.
The official said that the training was in partnership with Google Nigeria, through its vendor, Mind the Gap, on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
Borno
The police in Borno State last Sunday confirmed that three suspected male suicide bombers were killed in separate foiled attacks in Muna and Dusuman village at the outside of Maiduguri.
The spokesman of the state police command Mr Victor Isuku disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Isuku said that the first incident happened around Muna garage near the entrance of the city when two suspected male bombers were killed.
“Today, at about 0438 hour, two male suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) strapped to their bodies near Alhaji Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area at the entrance of Maiduguri.
“All the bombers died instantly without killing anybody”, Isuku said.
FCT
The Federal Government on Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to key into various vocational skills acquisition programmes as a way of unlocking their potentials and reducing unemployment in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, made the call in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director of Press in the ministry.
Ngige said this in Kano while addressing the graduands of the Ganduje Auto-Mechanic Training and Empowerment Scheme, Kano Zonal staff and management of parastatal under the ministry and the Industrial Training Funds.
“Training of the youths in vocational trade is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s cardinal objective on youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State , said N417 million has been spent on digitization of the state television station (KTTV).
Masari announced this during the formal launching of digitisation of the state owned television station in Katsina.
“The government is ready to pump millions of Naira to make KTTV meet up the international television standard,’’ he said.
“We are ready to invest to make all our state media stations to provide 24 hours service as its being done by international media houses.
“We are ready to provide standard equipment as well as cameras that will make the state television station a centre of excellence,’’ he said.d.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government last Sunday confirmed a case of Lassa Fever in Angwan Kura Community, in the old market area of Lokoja, the state capital.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, disclosed this in a statement.
He said a patient (male) who is a resident of Angwan Kura, Lokoja, reported at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, with signs and symptoms suggestive of haemorrhagic fever.
Audu said: “this is to inform the general public that there has been a confirmed case of Lassa fever in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last Friday said its men had arrested two travellers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos with cocaine and heroin.
Spokes person of the NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said in a statement in Lagos that one of the suspected drug traffickers hid cocaine in his boxer shorts and his luggage, while the other ingested heroin.
Ofoyeju said that one of them claimed to be an importer of jewellery, while the other said he was an auto parts dealer.
The NDLEA spokesperson said that cocaine, weighing 750 grammes, was found with the jewellery importer, while the auto parts dealer ingested 94 wraps of heroin, weighing 1.595kg.
Nasarawa
Rev. Dave Denji, of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC), Glory Land, Lafia, Nasarawa State has challenged members of the media to stand for the truth and be committed to integrity, honesty and fairness.
He made the call during a thanksgiving and special prayer service for journalists and other media workers across the state.
Denji who, spoke on the topic “Tell the Truth” and quoted Proverbs 23.23 urged journalists to fight for the truth and take the issue of truth seriously.
“I urge journalists and media workers to always tell the truth no matter the situation they found themselves.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to constructing more roads in rural areas.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, made the pledge while inspecting the construction of Sabomi-Idi-Itala – Irele link road in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
Ajayi said the administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had started fulfilling its campaign promises barely one month in office.
The deputy governor said the administration understood the pains residents of the area had been going through in transporting their farm produce to markets.
Osun
Fifty-four students of the Osun State University emerged with first class honours in the 2016/2017 academic session.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Labode Popoola, made this known at a news conference on Saturday at the university’s main campus, Osogbo.
Popoola said that the first class students and 1, 182 others would be awarded first degrees at the university’s convocation on April 6.
The vice chancellor said that 512 students made second class (upper division), 539, second class (lower division) and 129, third class.
Oyo
The wife of the governor of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has urged women not to relent in praying for the peace and stability of Nigeria.
The governor’s wife said this on Sunday during the quarterly prayer rally organised by the Women Intercessory Network (WIN) held at the Government House Arcade, Ibadan.
Ajimobi said the current economic recession in the country was a passing phase and expressed optimism that there would soon be a turnaround of the economy for the better.
She lauded the efforts of the present administration in its women oriented programmes and policies in the state.
Ajimobi, who reiterated the importance of prayers and fasting said that WIN, had served as a platform for shaping the state through consistent and strategic prayers.
Sokoto
A Coalition of Sokoto State Youths Associations (COYASS) has urged Nigerians to vote out corrupt politicians in 2019.
The Coordinator-General of the coalition, Mr AbdulRahman Umar, made the call while addressing newsmen in Sokoto State on Saturday.
“Nigerians have a myriad of choices in 2019. These include using the ballot papers to vote out any corrupt politician and this will help in consolidating the current gains of the anti corruption fight.
“ President Muhammadu Buhari is totally committed to taming the menace and a number of glaring achievements had so far been achieved in this direction.
“While hailing the president for achieving this feat, the coalition is cautioning against complacency.”
Umar welcomed the whistle blower’s policy introduced by the Federal Government.
He noted that the policy was already yielding fruits and advised that it should be strengthened with a view to making it more efficient.
Zamfara
Rep. Lawali Hassan, representing Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, has donated drugs worth N 1.8 million to the victims of meningitis outbreak in his constituency.
The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sulaiman Gummi, had recently announced the outbreak of meningitis in all the 14 local government areas of the state.
No fewer than 80 people have lost their lives, while 500 patients are receiving treatment in health facilities across the state since the outbreak of meningitis.
The lawmaker, who presented the items through his foundation, “Dan’iya Foundation”, said that it was aimed at complementing both the State and Federal Governments’ efforts in tackling the menace.
Also, the foundation coordinator, Alhaji Yahayya Aliyu-SFawa, while presenting the drugs on behalf of the lawmaker, said that it was part of the donor’s contribution to tackle the outbreak.
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
Nation
Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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
Nation
TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building
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.
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