Nation

THE STATES

Published

8 years ago

July 24, 2017

Borno
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with popular musician, Innocent Idibia, (2 face Idibia), has inaugurated an awareness campaign to garner support for victims of violence.
The UNHCR and the singer-songwriter are focusing their campaign on those who were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region.
Laibia said this at a musical concert organised by the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri recently. He said he decided to partner with UNHCR because he was deeply touched by the conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“I visited some of the IDP camps. Their condition is heart-breaking and saddening.

FCT
House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts last Wednesday in Abuja set up a six-man panel to investigate alleged disbursement of N1.47 billion loan to unspecified beneficiaries by National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
The resolution followed the consideration of a query raised by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in 2011.
The auditor general requested the NDE to give account of how the N1.47 billion was disbursed to some Nigerians under its skills acquisition scheme since its inception.
The sub-committee, headed by the Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Rep. Ibrahim Baba, also has Reps. Legor Idagbor, Lawal Shuaibu, Sunday Adepoju, Olusegun Kehinde and Daniel Kolawole as members.
The committee is to investigate the loan disbursement and establish particulars of alleged beneficiaries.

Gombe
The Gombe State Government has shut down four private schools located in Tumfure, Akko Local Government Area, over poor infrastructure, unqualified teachers and unhygienic environment. A statement signed by Alhaji Saidu Malala, Chief Information Officer in the Ministry of Education, quoted the Commissioner of Education, Hajia Aishatu Ahmed, as saying in Gombe last Wednesday, that the action followed a report sent to the ministry.
“We received a report on the mode of their operations and found it contrary to our standards.
“We have acceptable minimum standards for establishing and maintaining schools. The four schools did not meet those standards,” Malala further quoted Ahmed as saying.

Kaduna
The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) will require about N5 billion to establish a 600-hectare Integrated Commercial Livestock Farm, says its Director, Prof. Clarence Ayodele-Lakpini. Ayodele-Lakpini made the disclosure when he presented a paper on proposed farm in Zaria last Wednesday. Our correspondent report that the farm project is expected to be executed in collaboration with Fodder Green Technology Ltd., a livestock developer, and some foreign investors.
Ayodele-Lakpini said that the amount, which would cover the National Livestock Training (NALIT 2017), would also be used to provide training halls, hostels, power and water facilities on the model farm.

Kano
A Kano Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday sentenced 28-year-old man, Isma’il Muhammad, to six months imprisonment for allegedly inflicting injuries on the face of one Musa Shehu with an animal horn. Muhammad, who resides at Badawa Quarters, Kano, was sentenced on a count charge of causing hurt. In his verdict, Magistrate Zubair Inuwa, sentenced the convict accordingly as he admitted committing the offence. Inuwa, however, gave the convict an option to pay N15,000 fine and also ordered the convict to pay the victim N17,000, as compensation for medical bills incurred.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Yakubu Galadima, had informed the court that on July 3, one Abdullahi Abbas of Badawa Zango Quarters, Kano, reported the case at Badawa Police Station.

Katsina
The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has secured approval of 3,000 travel visas, out of the 4,930 intending pilgrims expected to perform the 2017 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The Executive Director of the board, Alhaji Muhammadu Abu-Rimi, made the disclosure at the formal commencement of pilgrims’ orientation in Daura last Wednesday. He said the National Hajj Commission had officially announced Sunday, July 30, as the official date for the commencement of transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, nationwide.
‘‘Our remaining visas, 1, 930 for remaining intending pilgrims, will soon be processed,’’ he said. Abu-Rimi further disclosed that the state government had secured befitting hotel accommodation closer to the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina for the intending pilgrims.

Kwara
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has approved the release of N1billion to local government councils in the state to offset part of their salary arrears. The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, disclosed this in a statement in Ilorin last Wednesday. He said the N1billion was part of the N5.1 billion received by the state government as its share of the Paris Club refunds from the Federal government.
Banu said the N5.1 billion received by the state government was 12.5 per cent lower than the amount it expected from the Federal Government.

Lagos
Two men, Sadiq Opebim and Abeeb Oladipupo, who allegedly gang-raped a 13-year-old girl, were last Wednesday docked before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Opebim, 20 and Oladipupo, 21, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and rape. The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, said that the accused committed the offences on July 1 at about 11.00 p.m under the bridge at Idumota in Ebute Ero area of Lagos State.
Osayande alleged that police patrol caught the accused raping the girl. The prosecutor said the girl told the police that both men threatened her with knife before she forcefully removed her dress.

Nasarawa
The police last Wednesday arraigned a 57-year-old security guard, Ayuba Akawu in a Masaka Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State, on a count charge of negligent conduct. The prosecutor, Frank Swem, told the court that one Sunday Onoja of Internal Nigeria Limited, Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Masaka, on July 11. Swem said that on the same date at about 7.40 p.m., the accused, a security man at the ‘Airtel mast’, located at Jeun Madaki Masaka, called the complainant on phone.

Ogun
A 44-year-old man, Emeka Ushiebi, was last Wednesday arraigned in an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Isabo , for allegedly breaking into a Bible College and stole a laptop and cash worth N533,000.
The accused is facing a three -count charge of conspiracy, stealing and break-in.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the offence was committed on May 5, at Mile 7 Km 12 Ajebo Road in Abeokuta.
Eigbejiale alleged that the defendant conspired with others at large and broke into West Nigeria Christian College and School of Biblical Studies.
He said that the defendant made away with an HP laptop, valued at N180,000 and N353,000 cash, all valued at N533,000
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 412, and 390 of the Criminal Law of Ogun 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Osun
A dermatologist, Prof. Olayinka Olasode, has warned Nigerians against skin bleaching, saying that a bleached skin is prone to skin cancer and other diseases.
Olasode, a Professor of Dermatology at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday.
She said that skin lightening creams contained steroid and hydroquinone which have adverse effects on the skin.
She further said that those who engaged in bleaching could also suffer hypertension and diabetes, among other health conditions, including the colour of their nails turning brown.
According to her, those who engage in skin bleaching usually have body odour, experience profuse sweating, hot feelings and discomfort during the dry season.

Plateau
The Plateau State Task Group in the state’s Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASA) on Sanitation has declared 118 communities in the state open defecation free in the last six months.
Director, Sanitation in the agency, Mrs Magdalene Jibrin, made the disclosure at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) mid-year review meeting last Wednesday in Jos.
Our correspondent report that the meeting, organised by the UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, was aimed at reviewing UNICEF’s activities in various sectors working in Plateau and Jigawa.
Open defecation is the practice where by people defecate outside and not into a designated toilet.
The term is widely used in literature about water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues in developing countries.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

Nation

NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

Nation

Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.

He said Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.

According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the focus of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.

” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.

” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pads to girl child and condoms to the boy child and there is also introduction to ICT training that will commence soon in the campus, “he said.

Kiadum Edookor