Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The U.S. Government has been urged to urgently supply
arms to the Nigerian military to effectively fight Boko Haram terrorists.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Prof Ini Udoka, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday.
He spoke during the signing of 9.2 million dollars grant to 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria by the U.S. Government.
His remarks came against the backdrop of Monday’s attack on a school in Potiskum, Yobe by the Boko Haram sect, in which several students were killed.
Kaduna
President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, advised
Nigerians to emulate the legacies of the Premier of Northern Region, late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Jonathan made the call during the inauguration of the new secretariat of Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
He said the late premier lived a life of sacrifice and dedicated his life to the development of the region and the country.
Represented by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, Jonathan said that the Sardauna was a visionary leader who helped to industralise the region during his tenure as premier.
Katsina
Senator Ibrahim Ida, a Katsina State PDP governorship
aspirant, said on Monday in Abuja that the party would lose the state in 2015 if an unpopular candidate was imposed on the people.
He stated this on Monday in Abuja when he led a group of five PDP gubernatorial aspirants from the state on a protest to the party‘s National Working Committee (NWC).
Ida was a former Deputy Governor of Katsina State.
The other aspirants include Alhaji Tukur Jikamshi, Alhaji Gide Yar’Adua, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’Adua, Alhaji Kabiru Barkiye and Alhaji Mohammed Khalil.
He added that though Katsina was a stronghold of the PDP in the North West zone, it was also the home state of leading members of the opposition.
“Therefore, for the party to succeed in the 2015 general elections, it must field a popular and acceptable candidate,’’ he said.
Kwara
Alhaji Hakeem Lawal, son of former Kwara State Governor,
late Admiral Mohammed Lawal, has promised to make life more abundant for the people of the state if elected as governor in 2015.
Lawal, who is contesting the governorship ticket under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the promise on Monday during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He said though he was from a well grounded political family, the need to have things done differently for the progress and rapid development of Kwara informed his bid to contest for the governorship ticket.
“I am in politics to contribute my quota to the development of Kwara and make things done differently,” Hakeem said.
Lagos
An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday remanded a Togolese,
Benjamin Sunday, in prison for allegedly stabbing one Gbenga Adigun to death with a broken bottle.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye remanded the 18-year-old accused at the Kirikiri Medium Prisons, Apapa, after his arraignment by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Our correspondent reports that Sunday, who lives at No. 4, Haruna St., Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of murder.
The state prosecutor, Mr Akin George, said Sunday committed the offence on June 2, 2013 at Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos.
George said that a dispute between the accused and Adigun degenerated into a fight and the former thereafter stabbed his opponent with a broken bottle, which led to his death.
Niger
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger said that 15
female aspirants shown interest to contest for various political offices in 2015 in the state.
Alhaji Hassan Shaba, Publicity Secretary of the chapter, announced this on Monday in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
He said that the aspirants would be given equal opportunity like their male counterparts, adding that the party was ready to support and guide them.
‘’As part of the party’s philosophy, female aspirants will be supported to contest with their male counterparts. We will not allow anything to hinder their vision of positive contribution.
Ondo
The Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution has
gone through the second reading at the Ondo State House of Assembly.
The house, which was presided over by the Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, said a letter was sent to the house by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, to the state parliament to deliberate.
The two arms of National Assembly, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives, had earlier discussed critical areas of the constitution and made some amendments.
They include autonomy for local governments, separation of office of minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, establishment of House of Assembly Service Commission and independent candidacy.
Plateau
Sen Gyang Pwajok last Monday expressed “deep
disappointment’’ over the disappearance of voters’ records in 161 polling units in Jos North Local Government Area and advised INEC to revert to manual registration.
Our correspondent reports that voters, who went to the affected polling units to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), returned home disappointed as there were no INEC officials at the units.
The commission’s officials later explained that the records had been completely wiped out.
“It is inconceivable that such an important data can be completely wiped out without appropriate back-up after it had been relied upon for several elections,’’ Pwajok said
He made the statement when he visited the INEC office of the local government area to lodge his constituents’ complaints.
He suggested that the manual register be kept as a handy back-up so as not to disenfranchise the “more than 110,000 voters’’ whose records had been wiped out.
Taraba
Alhaji Babaji Buba, the Chairman, Local Miners Association, Nguroge, Taraba State, last Tuesday appealed to the state government to provide amenities in the mining village in the area.
Buba told newsmen at Sardauna, that the miners were in dire need of a health centre, potable water and telecommunications network.
He said that the provision of these amenities in the “Blue Village” would boost the morale of the miners to be more productive.
The chairman noted that the discovery of the mine in December 2013 had provided a source of employment to the teeming youths, thereby increasing their income and reducing crime rate in the area.
Yobe
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed
outrage over the bombing of the Government Technical Science College, Potiskum, Yobe, by a suicide bomber dressed as a student of the school.
Atiku, in a statement by his Media Officer, Malam Garba Shehu, on Monday, said that the latest bombing was needless.
According to the statement, the deaths of young and promising Nigerian school children underscored the need for the government at all levels, elders and opinion leaders to find a permanent solution to the problem of insurgency.
It noted that the tragic incident was not the first time that innocent young people were subjected to violence and untimely death in their quest to get an education.
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State (right), receiving the chairman, Governing Council of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare in Dutse, recently.
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.”