Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Government has set up a committee to reintegrate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to various communities in the state.
Deputy Director, Ministry of Women Affairs, Adamawa State Mrs Regina Vincent, told newsmen in an interview last Tuesday in Abuja.
Vincent, said that the committee would ensure that the returnees were properly treated to enable them cope with the challenges of life in the larger society.
She said that government was conscious of its responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of IDPs as they move back to larger society.
“Those that intend to leave the camp and settle with host communities remain our priority, because they have nothing and nowhere to go; there is a plan to shift them to other camps and settle them there.
Bauchi
The Nigerian Army, last Tuesday said it had cleared kidnappers’ camps in Toro and Ningi Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
It disclosed this in a statement signed by Maj. Joseph Afolasade, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bauchi State, and made available to newsmen.
Afolasade said, a detachment of soldiers from the 135 Battalion of the Brigade in Bauchi flushed out the kidnappers from their hideouts on May 14.
He said, the troops were deployed under an operation code-named ‘Operation Harbin Kunama II’ to clear the notorious camps in Lame, Burra, Dangarfa and Dangardo forests in the state.
The spokesman said that the soldiers had earlier averted an attempt by the suspected kidnappers to escape, adding that, one Ado Ahmed, 20, was arrested.
Benue
The Benue State Police Command, recently arraigned one Benedict Kum, 31, before a Makurdi Magistrate’s Court over alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robber and rape.
The Police prosecutor, Veronica Shaagee, told the court that one Helen Iorbee, who resides behind Oxnet Water, Akpehe, Logo II, Makurdi reported the case at ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi, on May 10.
Shaagee alleged that Kum, also of the same address, conspired with one other person, now at large, to rob and rape the complainant.
“They broke into my house, robbed me, took my Itel phone valued at N24,000 and N17,000 cash, before one of them raped me,’’ Iorbee was quoted as telling the police.
The prosecutor further said that the accused, who was arrested during police investigation, voluntarily confessed to the crime.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court last Tuesday dissolved the 10-year-old marriage between Mr Ilori Ayotunde and his wife, Yetunde.
Ilori sought dissolution of the marriage on grounds of adultery, “no rest of mind and lack of care for him.’’
The 35-year-old furniture maker told the court on oath that the respondent was fond of having secret affairs with different men while she was living in his house.
The father of two children told the court that the behaviour of the respondent did not give him peace of mind, whenever he thought of her actions.
FCT
Director of Stroke Action Group, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, last Tuesday advised Nigerians on regular check-up of their blood pressure to avoid silent death.
Ogungbo, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, ahead of the World Hypertension Day scheduled for May 17, with the theme “Know your Number”.
“Sadly, many are not aware about this silent killer in our midst. Those who are also often do not take it seriously.
“This is why millions of people are literally walking time bombs because of their high blood pressure.
“If it remains untreated, this can cause a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease,” he said.
Ogungbo, said hypertension had ranked first and described as the medical illness most frequently diagnosed in elderly person.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP), has commenced train-the-trainer programme to eradicate malnutrition in the state, an official has said.
Hajiya Ummi El-Rufa’i, wife to Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, disclosed this at the flag-off of the training programme for some selected health personnel in Zaria.
Report that the training is entitled: “Training on Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: Training of Trainers (TOT)”.
The governor’s wife, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Usman-Muhammad, a member of KADENAP, said the workshop was aimed at improving the quality of health workers’ service in the management of malnutrition.
“It is specifically organised to train-the-trainers for them to train others in their various local governments and zones.
“It provides an opportunity to bring participants together from all over the state and best 20 will be selected to become trainers in the management of malnutrition in primary and secondary facilities,” she said.
Katsina
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, has commended the Federal Government for sustaining provision of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Farouk made the commendation in Daura last Tuesday when he received the National Commissioner of refugee commission, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk in his palace.
He said the present administration deserved commendation because of its commitments and determination to alleviate the hardships of IDPs.
He also lauded the efforts of Katsina State Government in supporting and implementing Federal Government programmes, stressing that Governor Bello Masari
was committed to replicating the ideas and philosophy of President Muhammadu Buhari in the state.
The emir added that he would go round to interact with IDPs in his domain with a view to giving them a sense of belonging.
Kogi
Two policemen were killed by gunmen last Tuesday morning on Magongo-Okene road in Kogi State.
The gunmen also made away with the AK47 rifles of the policemen who were on duty during the attack.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed the killing.
Inalegwu, who described the killing as sad, said the fleeing gunmen would be tracked down and prosecuted.
The Administrator of Ogori-Mangogo Local Government Council in whose domain the incident took place, Mr Moses Akande, condemned the killing and described it as unfortunate .
He hoped that the police would arrest the killers and bring them to justice.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has opened the bid for the award of N8.6 billion contracts for construction of new school buildings.
Speaking during the opening of the bid on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa SUBEB Chairman, Mohammed Dan-Azumi, said the process was in line with the law to ensure due process in the award of contracts.
Dan-Azumi, who was represented by Mr Freeman Kasa, a member of the board, promised to provide a level playing field for all the bidders to participate and ensure that due process was strictly adhered to.
“Even though this is my first interface with all the contractors since I assume office, I will ensure that due process is strictly adhered to and make sure there is no favouritism,” the chairman said.
Ondo
Two women, Basirat Abdullahi, 30, and Yemi Ebisola, 25, were last Tuesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court, Ondo State, for alleged beating a couple because of N10,000 foodstuffs debt.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants on April 25, around 6:00 p.m. at No. 4, Bamidele St., Igbodigo, Okitipupa, unlawfully assaulted their debtors by beating them mercilessly.
Orogbemi said that the suspects, who came to collect the debt owed by the couple, Samuel Fafeyiwa and Bola Fafeyiwa, pushed Bola down from a staircase and she sustained various degrees of injuries.
Oyo
Some members of the Olubadan-in-Council have dissociated themselves from the decision of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji , to appoint Alhaja Iswat Ameringun as the new Iyaloja of Ibadan.
Report that, Chief Labake Lawal was removed as the Iyaloja and replaced by Ameringun.
Also reports that, Lawal had dragged the Olubadan and the council to court to seek nullification of her replacement.
But a statement issued on Monday and signed by two high chiefs, Lekan Balogun and Owolabi Olakulehin, dissociated themselves from the appointment of a new Iyaloja.
Zamfara
The Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State, has rusticated 15 students and expelled two others over examination misconduct, The Tide sources reports.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Magaji Garbage, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen while inspecting ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [UTME] in Gusau, lastTuesday.
He said that University Governing Board took the measure to serve as deterrent to other students who might indulge in examination malpractice.
Nation
HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commemorated the 15th anniversary of the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, reaffirming its commitment to restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of affected communities.
In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.
The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.
According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.
Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.
In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.
The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.
Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3
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