Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The World Health Organisation (WHO) last Tuesday in Abuja urged employers globally to treat mental health illnesses with the same urgency and seriousness as physical illnesses.
WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti gave the advice in a message to mark the 2017 World Mental Health Day celebrated annually on October10.
Moeti said that mental health was often neglected as a key aspect of employees’ health, adding that an estimated 10 per cent of the employed population globally had taken time off work because of depression.
She urged employers to be change agents by modifying risk factors for stress in the workplace, create an organisational climate that promotes wellbeing, creativity and facilitate care for those who need it.
Kaduna
The Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Aminu Shagali, has urged members of the House to sponsor private bills that would add value to ongoing reforms in the state and lives of their constituents.
Shagali said in an address on the floor of the assembly, which resumed after a long recess that the assembly would support any member who presents bills that would have meaningful impact on the lives of the citizenry.
He noted that though the assembly had deliberated on a total of 55 bills since inception, they were largely sponsored by the executive.
The speaker, however, commended the lawmakers for conducting oversight visits and public hearings in spite of the recess.
Kano
Kano State Government has reiterated commitment to initiate more youth and women empowerment programmes to fight unemployment and poverty in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said this when participants of Course 26 of the National Defence College, Abuja on Geo-Strategic Study tour of Kano State paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Kano.
Speaking on the theme of the Geo-Strategic Tour, “Youth Empowerment and National Security’’, Ganduje said, “most of our programmes are geared toward youths and women empowerment.”
The governor said the state government would continue to initiate more youth empowerment programmes in order to train more youths in different skills to also reduce social vices.
“Government has done this in the past and is still doing its best to reduce the rate of unemployment, youths’ restiveness, poverty.
Katsina
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Katsina State has commenced a state-wide campaign to sensitise women on protective measures against rape.
The NAWOJ Chairperson in the state, Hajiya Hauwa Yalladan, said at a town hall meeting with women in Kaita Local Government Area of the state last Wednesday, that the campaign was part of the association’s efforts to highlight the dangers of rape in the society.
She said that NAWOJ decided to spearhead the campaign in view of rising cases of rape across the state.
“Rape cases in the state are becoming more rampant, no parent will want his daughter to become a victim.
“It has now reached an extent that even boys are not safe from rapists, so, we want all stakeholders to join hands to put an end to the menace,’’ the NAWOJ chairperson said.
Kogi
The Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole says the House will enact laws that will promote the education and emancipation of the girl-child in the state.
Kolawole gave the assurance in a goodwill message to mark the 2017 International Day of the Girl-Child last Wednesday in Lokoja.
The message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Femi Olugbemi.
He said the House would support and promote every cause that would enable women and girls to take their rightful positions in society.
Kwara
Members of the llorin Muslim Community in Kwara State say they would exhume the corpse of a civil servant killed by lightening on September 20, in Oro, lrepodun Local Government Area.
The Coordinator of the llorin Muslim cemetery and a lecturer in the University of llorin, Dr Abubakar Aliagan made this known in an interview with newsmen in llorin.
Aliagan said that the llorin Muslim Community had perfected arrangement to exhume the corpse to give him proper lslamic burial.
A correspondent reports that the victim, a 47-year old Salami Adekunle who was a staff of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro was buried at a Christian cemetery Okeose on September 21.
Adekunle was buried after his body was rejected at the Muslim cemetery in llorin.
Lagos
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Ezezue has urged the three tiers of government and wealthy Nigerians to empower the less-privileged to make them productive in the society.
Ezezue, also the Parish Priest of St. Michael, Raphael and Gabriel’s Catholic Church (Archangel Parish), Satellite Town, Lagos made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He spoke on the sidelines of the feast of Saint Vincent the Paul organised by the church.
Ezezue said, “It is necessary to always consider the needy and bring them closer to God by extending hands of fellowship to them.
“When we are marking the feast of Saint Vincent the Paul, our usual tradition is to gather the poor and the less privileged around us to share food items, clothes and other relief materials which they need.”
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Prisons Service last Wednesday said that 25 inmates were undergoing degree courses at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in the state.
The State Controller of Prisons, Ekwere Ekaneem, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Lafia.
According to him, 20 inmates of Keffi Prisons and five inmates of Lafia Prisons are currently studying various courses at the NOUN study centre in Lafia.
Niger
The Niger State Government has signed N1.2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Reports indicate that Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State signed on behalf of the state while Dr Chris Elias, President of Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation signed for the foundation.
Bello who decried the neglect of the health sector in the past years said that the MoU would help strengthen the primary healthcare and reduce pressure on the secondary health sector.
Osun
The Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr Kola Omotunde-Young has advised members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) serving in public schools in the state to be dedicated to their duties.
He also urged the Federal Government Youth Empowerment Programme (N-Power), serving in such institutions to do same.
The commissioner gave the advice during an inspection visit to the Africa Church Middle School in Osogbo last Tuesday.
Omotunde-Young said by being passionately dedicated to their duties, the corps members and the r volunteers would be seen to be contributing their quota to the development of education in the state.
Oyo
A Consultant Dermatologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ogunbiyi has that hair problems among Nigerian women have become worrisome, stressing the need for hair management and hygiene.
Ogunbiyi who made this assertion while speaking with newsmen on health issues in Ibadan said Nigerians do not have adequate knowledge on how best to manage their hair.
Plateau
A Jos High Court has found Etisalat Nigeria (9 Mobile) guilty of trespassing into a personal property and ordered it to pay N15 million damages.
The judge, Mr Justice R.K. Sha ordered that the plaintiff be given the property.
The judgment was based on a suit filed by Christ Best West Africa Limited, Plaintiff versus Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (Etisalat Nigeria).
Sha said that the act of running and maintaining the mast on the property amounted to trespass and constituted a nuisance to the rights of the plaintiff to exclusively use and enjoy the property.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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