Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Heal Disability Initiative, a Bauchi State based NGO, has called for the training of healthcare workers on sign language.
The Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Ayuba Mainas, made the appeal yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Mainas also advised the Bauchi State Government to train its health personnel on sign language in the area of reproductive healthcare.
He noted that women with disabilities face challenges in seeking medical attention and healthcare due to such lack of communication skills in health facilities.
“Women that are physically challenged are facing challenges of accessing healthcare service in areas of immunisation, antenatal and family planning which are vital in improving maternal and child health.
Benue
Police in Benue State say they have arrested a male primary school teacher suspected to be sexually abusing some pupils.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bashir Makama, told newsmen in Makurdi yesterday that the teacher was in the habit of molesting pupils in school.
Makama said that three boys, all in primary five, were brought to the command’s headquarters in Makurdi, from Okpokwu Local Government Area, to substantiate the allegation against the teacher.
According to him, it was established that the teacher has been molesting the boys for some months after school hours and warned them never to tell anybody.
FCT
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says reforms initiated by late Taraba Governor, Danbaba Suntai, to promote delivery of dividends of democracy to Taraba people would not be forgotten.
The National Caretaker Committee of the party stated this in a condolence message on the demise of the former governor, issued recently in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye.
Suntai, 56, died last Thursday of complications from injuries he sustained when a plane he was piloting crashed on October 25, 2012, in Yola, while in office as governor.
The committee-led by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi condoled with the Gov. Darius Ishaku, the people of Taraba State and the family of the deceased former governor.
Jigawa
Not less than 220 houses and property worth millions of naira were destroyed by windstorm in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, according to an official.
The official, Alhaji Sulaiman Doro, Information Officer at the local government Council, told newsmen in Dutse yesterday that the windstorm occurred on June 27.
He said that the windstorm blew off the roof of some schools and clinics in the local government area.
He said that the 220 houses destroyed by the windstorm are located in Jigawar Dan-Alli, Gurfai, Manga, Unguwar Tsamiya and Yarkirya villages.
Doro said that victims of the windstorm had appealed to the state and local governments to come to their aid.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Quality Assurance Board recently said it had trained 68 quality facilitators as part of efforts to ensure quality teaching, learning and management of primary and secondary schools in the state.
The Executive Director of the board, Mrs Maureen Wyom, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Wyom explained that the 68 facilitators would be responsible for the training of evaluators who would evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in public and private schools in the state.
She said 70 head teachers from the three senatorial districts of the state would also be trained this week on effective school, class and teachers management, as well as stakeholders engagement.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government has recently commenced the distribution of 24,000 Chlorhxidine-gel for care of umbilical cord in 120 public health facilities across the 21 local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, said at the flag-off ceremony in Lokoja that the governor in his magnanimity had made free donations of the gel to all public health facilities in the state for cord care and prevention of newborn infections.
He warned that the commodity should not be sold to patients under any circumstance, but be given to all mothers that delivered in the hospitals free of charge.
“Since the inception of the new administration led by Gov. Yahaya Bello, we have made health sector a priority and committed to reducing newborn mortality to less than 10 per 1,000 live births by 2019.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has identified community policing as an effective and efficient means of tackling various security challenges in the country.
The governor said this last Sunday while receiving the new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Lawan Ado at Government House, Ilorin.
According to him, community policing was a feasible option in the existing battle against insurgence, kidnapping and other forms of security threats to the country’s corporate existence.
Ahmed, therefore, charged the police to strengthen existing police public relationship with communities in order to resolve issues militating against peaceful coexistence between various groups.
Lagos
The Head of Lagos State Child Protection Unit, Mrs Modupe Adebambo, last Sunday said that government should engage parents and teachers in finding lasting solutions to the high rates of child abuse in the country.
Adebambo said they would achieve this by creating awareness among the public on the evils of child abuse on their victims.
Adebambo told newsmen on the sideline of the Parent,Teacher Association (P.T.A) conference on Child Safeguarding and Protection held on Saturday in Lagos that child abuse is the physical, sexual and psychology mistreatment of innocent children by adults.
The conference attended by no fewer than 1,000 parents and teachers from schools in Lagos State was organized by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State yesterday lauded the Federal Government’s economic diversification efforts via the yam export initiative.
The governor gave the commendation in Lafia through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur.
Al-Makura said that the ongoing construction of the Lafia cargo airport would greatly enhance the yam export initiative because of its strategic location in the north-central zone, widely known as the hub of yam production in the country.
Osun
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Osun State, says it has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Ademola Adeleke, for the July 8 senatorial bye-election in Osun-West.
Secretary of the conference in the state, Mr Gbade Adelakun, made this known at a news briefing recently in Ede the State.
Adelakun said that the group endorsed the PDP candidate because it believed that he would deliver the dividends of democracy to people in the constituency.
He said that nine political parties had supported Adeleke’s candidature for the bye-election, and listed them as All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN).
Oyo
Oyo State Government, has urged residents of the state to expose suspected criminals around them to complement and sustain government’s efforts at protecting lives and property.
Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSTFF), Mr Femi Oyedipe, made the plea while addressing newsmen in Ibadan recently.
Oyedipe said that the government in conjunction with the security agencies in the state was synergising to arrest pockets of armed robbery incidents in some areas.
“The government and security agencies cannot do the task of protecting our community alone. We need the support of the people of the state.
“We cannot be in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State at the same time; this is why we need the support of our people.
“We want them to collaborate with us to expose criminals in their domains and we guarantee the protection of their identities as we have been doing,” he said
Plateau
A cross section of Plateau State residents yesterday lauded the dissolution of the Local Government Caretaker Committees by Governor Simon Lalong.
Some of them, who spoke with newsmen said that the dissolution was “long overdue”.
Lalong had, on Thursday, announced the dissolution of the caretaker committees of the 17 local governments, and directed them to immediately hand over to the Secretaries of their respected areas.
According to the sacked local government officials were appoint by the governor in July 2015, after sacking the elected chairmen he met on assumption of office on May 29, 2015.
A civil servant in Pankshin, Mrs. Jessica Dakyen, said that the chairmen should count themselves lucky that they were kept in office for two years even though they were not elected.
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