Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala
Nyako (rtd) has returned from abroad, Nyoko fled the country following his controversial impeachment by the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The returnee ex-governor, sources said decided to return to Nigerian following the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President.
Nyako, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission over allegation of financial crimes, according to sources, is planning to meet with President Buhari.
Bornu
A bomb exploded Saturday afternoon near Maiduguri’s
main market leaving at least 13 persons dead. The explosion, it was gathered occurred by the mosque near a market in the town.
The Saturday explosion came on the heels of another blast by Boko Haram insurgents in their attempt to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, Friday, which killed 16 persons.
In the Saturday explosion, correspondent learnt that one of the insurgents joined the worshippers pretend to be one of them, but the insurgent later detonated the bomb which killed some of the worshippers and injured others.
FCT
A female politician, Dr Olubunmi Usim-Wilson, has ad
vised the President, Retired Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to cut the high cost of governance in the country.
Usim-Wilson gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. The Abuja based female politician also urged Buhari to improve the welfare of citizens. Usim-Wilson, a former Senatorial Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the FCT. appealed to incoming administration to explore areas like tourism and agriculture as ways of augmenting dwindling revenue from crude oil. She further called for youth unemployment as a priority for the government to reduce poverty .
The President should block all leakages and ensure that our common wealth is no longer stolen and frittered away by politicians. “About 80 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed and this should be addressed urgently; education, health and social security should be given
priority.
Gombe
The Defence Headquarters says a cordon and search
operation conducted by Nigerian troops in Gombe has led to the arrest of three bomb making experts.
Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, said the arrested persons were suspected to be members ot the terrorists’ group, Boko Haram, in search of soft targets for attack after being dislodged from the stronghold in Sambisa forest and other enclaves.
He listed the Items recovered from those arrested to include a tricycle and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
He said the suspects were currently undergoing interrogation.
“Cordon and search is continuing in certain localities and will be intensified along with mopping up operations in locations where offensive operations are being conducted.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Monday said that it had rescued a commercial motorcyclist, after being attacked by robbers.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado,told newsmen in Dutse that Danladi Ismai’l, 25, was rescued having sustained machete cuts.
Gidado said that Isma’il was picked from the pool of his blood, after the hoodlums stole his motorcycle and money in Kiyawa Local Government Area on Sunday.
He said that the victim was attacked while carrying one of the suspects who pretended to be a commuter going to Gwari village. He said the motorcyclist was attacked when another suspect appeared from nowhere and inflicted cuts on him.
Kwara
Kaiama Local Government Council of Kwara State has
pledged to finance the marriage of any serving female National Youth Service Corps member that marries a man from the council area.
The chairman of the council, Alhaji Alhassan Bagudu, made the pledge last Wednesday in Kaiama while receiving the 2015 Batch “A” corps members posted to the council.
Bagudu said the council would also pay 20 per cent of marriage expenses of any male NYSC member that marries a lady from the area.
The Council boss said the gesture is to foster unity in the country in line with the objective of the NYSC scheme.
He said the council would set up a farm for the corps members serving in the area to help the agrarian community boost food production.
Kaduna
A Zaria-based Non Governmental Organisation, Waje
District Development Association (WDDA) has tasked elected political leaders on executing projects that would touch the lives of the citizenry.
Malam Garba Mohammed, Chairman of the association, stated this at a town hall meeting held at Zaria Youth Centre, Tudun-Wada in Zaria.
He said the essence of the meeting was to provide a platform for dialogue between the community and political office holders representing the area.
Tracing the history of the non-political association to year 2000, Mohammed said it was established with a view to bringing unity and promoting socio-economic well-being of the people.
Lagos
A nutritionist, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, recently said one out
of every two women of reproductive age in Nigeria was anaemic as a result of iron deficiency.
Nnam, who is the National President of Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
She said that anaemia in women, especially pregnant ones, was a serious global public health problem with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
According to her, pregnant women, other women and adolescent girls of reproductive age and children, are particularly vulnerable.
“Inadequate iron intake is dangerous to both baby and mother as it can result in severe morbidity and mortality during childbirth as well as negative pregnancy outcomes.
“This condition occurs when the concentration of haemoglobin falls below what is normal for a person’s age, gender and environment, resulting in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood being reduced.
Oyo
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals
(NUAHP) has threatened to resist attempts by the Federal Government to privatise any of its health institutions.
President of the union, Mr Obinna Ogbonna, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
“The National Delegates Conference, recently held in Akwa Ibom, was informed about the antics of some Chief Medical Officers of health institutions, hiding under the PPP to privatise health institutions.
“Privatisation would encourage plans to sell out core clinical and professional services to their lackeys who in turn would profiteer and share such profits with the chief executives.
“This would in turn make hospital services to be out of reach of commoners and staff would be retrenched to satisfy their whims and caprices.
“All legitimate actions would be taken to see that the ongoing PPP as being negatively implemented are resisted and prevented from seeing the light of day,” he said. Ogbonna, however, congratulated the President. Muhammadu Buhari, advising him to cautiously constitute his cabinet; especially that of the health sector.
He advised him against appointing a medical doctor as a health minister, adding that this had always led to serious industrial crises in the past.
“The Federal Government in 1985 appointed Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti as the health minister and the practice had continued till 2014 when Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was similarly appointed.
“Having made members of the Nigeria Medical Association ministers of health to date, we strongly canvass that members of the Allied Health Professionals be appointed into that post,” he said.
Plateau
Outgone Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang begged for
forgiveness from the people of the state that he might have offended during his eight-year tenure.
Making the appeal in a state broadcast mark the end of his administration as governor, Jang said that governance was about decision making.
“In the course of this, we might by commission or omission done wrong to some.
“I hereby on behalf of the outgoing government apologies to all and pray we continue to have favour in your hearts.
“As l look back too, there were painful and bitter moments, happy and sweet times, rough and tough points challenges and conquests, all these and more, we pulled through together.
“This administration is eternally grateful for support without which we would’t have made these modest strides,” he said. According to him, the administration came in with great ambition to change the history and face of the state, but was limited by lack of resources and other competing demands.
R-L: Director of Finance, Federal Radio Corpoaration of Nigeria (Frcn), Pastor Michael Oluwole; Executive Director, News Agency of Nigeria (Nan), Mr Isaac Ighure and Chaplain, Frcn, Pastor Emmanuel Zakari, at a Thanksgiving Service for peaceful conduct of 2015 General Elections by parastatals of the Ministry of Information Abuja recently.
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