Nation
THE STATES
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State (left), receiving a t-shirt from the United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria and ecowas, Grace Ongile, who paid him courtesy visit in Jos on Monday
Adamawa
A former Interior Minister and APC chieftain in Adamawa
State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu, says the society has a vital role to play in efforts to achieve the December deadline to rout Boko Haram.
Adamu, who was Minister of State for Interior in the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’adua, made the statement in Yola on Sunday during an interview with newsmen.
He said that developments in the on-going fight against Boko Haram had shown that the insurgents had been seriously degraded.
He said what was needed was to mop up some of the insurgents who had mingled with the society and were causing havoc through suicide bomb attacks.
“It is our moral responsibility to help the army by exposing members of Boko Haram even if such suspects are our relations,” Adamu said.
Borno
The Borno State chapter of the Islamic Medical Associa
tion of Nigeria (IMAN) has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to 40 widows of Boko Haram insurgency in the state capital.
The Chairman of the association, Malam Abba Babagana, stated this during the presentation of the items at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Babagana said that the gesture was to assist the vulnerable victims of the insurgncy who were in dire need of assistance.
He added that the gesture would equally reduce the situation whereby women and children roamed the streets seeking for help.
In his remark, the Chief Medical Director of UMTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Tahir, said catering for the less privilage was paramount.
Tahir said report had shown that Borno had more than 10,000 widows as a result of the insurgency which posed serious problems to the society.
FCT
The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineer
ing (NATE), has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to establish a polytechnic in Abuja in order to enhance technical education in the territory.
The Chairman of NATE, FCT branch, Mr Jubril Kadri, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
NATE is a professional body with membership comprising mainly Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) holders in engineering.
Jibril, who rued the absence of government-owned polytechnics in the FCT, noted that the existing private polytechnics lacked the capacity to provide the necessary equipment to enhance engineering study.
Jigawa
The price of Benny seeds, also known as sesame seeds,
has dropped in major grain markets in Jigawa due to low patronage of the produce.
Our correspondent at Hadejia and Gujungu markets found that the price has dropped by about 50 per cent since the commencement of the harvest season.
It was gathered that a bag of the commodity now sells at N10, 500 as against the N20, 000 it sold for last season.
Traders at the market attributed the situation to increase in supply of the produce from the farms amid low demand.
Alhaji Shehu Malammadori, a trader, said prices would further go down due to lack of buyers.
Malammadori said that the market was flooded with the produce, thus forcing prices down.
Kaduna
The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi
Kale, said the demand for data and statistical information had increased as the output of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also increased.
Kale told newsmen in Saminaka, Kaduna State, that the reason for the increase in the output was that NBS had become creative in data gathering.
He said that the bureau had become creative in the ways it gathered data and it equally devised more cost effective way in disseminating its data.
“We have gone electronically in most of our activities instead of printing hard copies and that will be more expensive for us.
“I think that is what people mean by saying that our measures are more for the elite, because instead of putting our reports on paper, we put them on website.
Kano
The Kano State Government has advised residents to be vigilant and be more fire-conscious in order to avert fire disasters during harmattan.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje gave the advice while inspecting the timber section of the Sabongari Market that was gutted by fire.
He called on business men in the market and other markets in the state to take precautionary measures and not allow smokers to throw away lighted cigarette stubs anywhere in the market.
“Ganduje said , “Since investigation had shown that one of the causes of the inferno was lighted cigarettes stubs thrown away indiscriminately within the section, the business operators should ensure they prevent people from doing so.’’
He warned the security men guarding the market to stop making fire to warm their bodies during harmattan.
K
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government said on Saturday that it planned to rehabilitate the Turai Yar’adua Psychiatric Hospital to ease hardship faced by patients, medical and administrative personnel.
A statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Mua’azu, Press Secretary to the Governor, on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi, said the governor made the promise while inspecting the hospital.
It said that Governor Atiku Bagudu also addressed staff and patients during the visit promising to ensure affordable healthcare delivery, especially in the rural settlements.
According to the statement, Bagudu also promised to rehabilitate infrastructure, build patient wards, deploy medical and administrative personnel and ensure that adequate and required drugs are provided.
The hospital attends to patients once a week while those who require admission are referred to other specialists hospitals.
Lagos
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority says adequate
preparations have been made ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) slated for March 2016.
This is contained in a statement by the NCAA’s General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, on Sunday in Lagos.
The statement said a six-man team from ICAO had recently arrived in Nigeria on technical assistance visit, ahead of the programme and had concluded its assignment.
It said the ICAO delegation was led by Mr John Gratton while other members were Mrs Kristian Dores, Mr Michael Mcdonald, Mr Tahir Siddiqui, Mrs Naomi Mwaugi and Mr Ben Hallberg.
According to the statement, the team has briefed all the stakeholders namely the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) and the NCAA.
Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has urged
motorists in Lagos and Ogun States, to obey traffic regulations, before, during and after the Christmas celebrations.
Asst. Corps Marshal, Nseobong Akpabio, in charge of Zone 2, made the appeal on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, in an interview with newsmen Zone 2 comprises Lagos and Ogun Commands.
Akpabio who also met stakeholders’ at the FRSC Unit Command in Ijebu-Ode, assured that the corps’ officers and men would do all they could to ensure the safety of all.
He said that Zone 2 would deploy over 6,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, during the period to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
Plateau
The National Universities Commission (NUC) panel has
rounded off its accreditation visitation to the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos.
The panel, led by Prof. Joseph Charles, arrived at Bokkos last Monday to accredit courses in the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences. The accreditation visitation was the first since the university was founded 10 years ago.
No fewer than 319 students who graduated from the institution had not been able to go into the labour market due to the non accreditation of its courses by the NUC.
Charles told authorities of the university that his team had concluded its assignment in the faculty, ready for submission to the NUC for consideration.
Sokoto
Sokoto State government said it had resolved to declare a
state of emergency in the education sector.
The state took the decision in order to ‘’ effectively tackle the problems bedeviling education in the state.’’
The government’s decision is contained in a communiqué signed by Prof. Bashir Garba, the Secretary to Sokoto State Government, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Sokoto.
The communiqué was issued after a retreat organised by the Sokoto State government for its political office holders and senior public officials which ended in Kaduna at the weekend.
“The move becomes imperative not just because standards have fallen, but because education holds the key to tackling virtually all challenges of governance in Sokoto State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Taraba
The Jukun Muslim community has urged the people of
Wukari in Taraba to eschew violence and live harmoniously with one another to foster peace and development.
A leader of the community, AIhaji Isa Zhema, made the call at a news conference in Jalingo on Sunday.
Zhema said the incessant crisis in the area had brought economic activities in the town to a halt and thereby impoverished the people.
“We want the people of Wukari – Christians, Muslims and traditional worshipers – to eschew violence and tolerate one another’s religion for peace and development,” he said.
Zhena urged the people to support the administration of Governor Darius Ishaku to it to succeed in efforts to address issues of insecurity, poverty, among others.
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