Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The North-East Zonal Office of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sealed-up eight bakeries in Adamawa for refusing to observe approved standards in the production of bread and confectionaries.
The SON team, led by the Zonal Coordinator, Mr Cherry Achema-Alewu, on Saturday closed down the bakeries located within the twin cities of Jimeta and Yola, the Adamawa capital.
The affected bakeries are Faruk Special Bread, Lovers Bakery, Godwill Bakery, New Nigeria Bakery, Alheri Bakery, Sawaba Bakery and Adamawa Bakery all in Jimeta and Samti Bakery in Yola.
Achema-Alewu said the exercise was aimed at ridding the society of sub-standard products.
Bauchi
The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. Oliver Doeme, has called on the country’s authorities to ensure free and fair general elections in 2011.
The Bishop made the call in his homily during a thanksgiving mass in honour of the late Bishop of Bauchi Diocese, Most Rev. John Moore in Bauchi on Thursday.
Doeme said that some of the aspirants warming p for the 2011 elections should not have been allowed to contest, but expressed the hope that there would be no rigging.
Borno
Three policemen on Friday at a Maiduguri High Court identified three suspects as members of the Boko Haram sect.
The three police men, who were testifying at the court presided over by Justice Yerima Sanya, said the suspects were arrested after the sectarian violence.
Emmanuel Johnson, a constable, said Hashimu Idris, an indigene of Argunun Local Government of Kebbi State, was arrested at Ngala border town while attempting to flee to Cameroon.
He said items recovered from the suspect included a bag
containing the Qur’an as well as audio and visual CD players.
Johnson said when the CDs were played, it was found to contain various statements condemning western education.
FCT
The newly-elected FCT Area Council chairmen on Friday said that they would give priority to agriculture, health and infrastructural development, to enhance grassroots development.
One of them, Alhaji Zakari Angulu, who is the Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, told newsmen that he would prioritise the provision of road network.
Angulu pledged to build on the foundation he laid during his first term in office.
“The priorities of my administration will be to ensure rapid infrastructural development, especially in the area of good road network, which we started during our first term in office.
Gombe
Gov. Mohammad Goje of Gombe State on Friday inaugurated the newly re-constituted 14-member Governing Council of the state’s university.
He called on them to pay attention to mobilisation of resources for the running of the institution.
“You should pay attention to resource mobilisation and the ability to attract investment and external funding from individuals, corporate bodies, as well as notable foundations, not only in Nigeria, but across the world.
“We should remember that the topmost university in the world, Havard University in the United States, owes its success to its ability to attract funding from the private sector,” he said.
Kaduna
The Kaduna Diocese of the Anglican Church Communion said in Kaduna it realised about N804,610 from mangoe sales during this year farming season.
The Bishop of the Diocese, Idowu Fearon said this during the second session of the 18th synod of the Church.
Fearon said the sales were from the seven mangoe species grown on the church farm along Maraban Rido in the outskirts of Kaduna.
The Bishop said the farm had the capacity of trippling that yield if the irrigation system was boosted.
He expressed regret that in spite of the fine selection of trees on the farm, they were faced with the problem of irrigation.
Kano
Kano State Government has so far spent more than N4.8 billion on its rice development projects, the Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji. Ibrahim Garba, has said.
Garba who disclosed this on Saturday when he visited the Magaga Dam Irrigation project in Kabo Local Government Area, said the projects were aimed at boosting food security and poverty alleviation in the state.
He, however, said that farmers on whose lands the rice cultivation project would be executed, would not be able to plant crops on their farms this rainy season.
Kebbi
The Kebi Police Command in Birnin Kebbi on Friday warned politicians against violation of rules and regulations guiding conduct during election period.
The Commisioner of Police, Mr Dallatu Sa’Ad, told newsmen that the command would not condone any act contrary to the rules during the forthcoming 2011 general elections.
He gave the assurance that the command would remain vigilant and make sure that people obeyed the rules before, during and after the 2011 elections, especially maintenance of peace and order.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has been urged to redeem its pledge of N20 million assistance to the victims of the recent Katsina timber market fire disaster.
The Chairman of the State Timber Sellers Association, Alhaji Halle Muazu, made the plea in Katsina on Friday in an interview with newsmen.
He said the appeal became necessary in view of the fact that five weeks after Governor Ibrahim Shema pledged to support the victims with N20 million, nothing was released to them from the state government.
Muazu said: “Because of the fire disaster, which affected 87 timber sellers, most of the victims are now out of business.
“Hence the need for the state government to redeem its pledge so as to enable the victims to resume their businesses”.
Kogi
Following violent youth restiveness in Ejule, Ofu Local Government of Kogi, a traditional ruler, the Ogohi-Ejule, Chief Akwu Obaje and four others have been remanded in prison custody.
The community leaders were on Friday remanded on the orders of a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court, for various alleged offences ranging from culpable homicide to illegal possession of firearms.
The Ogohi is facing charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide following the alleged killing of one Blessing Sunday and the missing of Musa Baba during a violent clash between two rival youth groups.
Kwara
The Kwara Government has said that community development is a panacea to sustainable growth as government alone cannot provide all the infrastructural needs of the people.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Ogundeji, stated this in Hudum Oro in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Wednesday while inaugurating a N50 million road constructed by Chief Matthew Jolayemi, an indigene of the town to commemorate his 70th birthday.
Ogundeji said communities would enjo speedy growth and rapid development if the people were ready to commit their resources, instead of waiting for government.
Lagos
Amanze Uchegbulam, the Chairman, Lagos State Sub-Seat of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for FIFA U-17 World Cup, on Friday returned N1.8 million to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
The committee returned the money as the unspent amount given it to manage the sub-seat during the tournament hosted by Nigeria from Oct. 24 to Nov. 15, 2009.
A statement by Hakeem Bello, the governor’s spokesman, made available to journalists on Saturday in Ikeja, said that the money was returned on Friday when the committee presented its report.
The statement quoted Uchegbulam as saying that the amount was the balance of the money given to the committee.
He thanked the Governor for his support.
Oyo
Prof. Eyiwunmi Falaye, Dean, Students Affairs, University of Ibadan (UI), on Friday said cultism and other social vices have been eradicated in the institution.
Falaye told newsmen in Ibadan that vices which had negatively impacted on the development of some institutions were no longer tolerable at the premier university.
He said the prevailing peace in the institution was a result of the institution’s unique admission method which involved an on-the-spot assessment of intending students’ character.
The dean also said students were informed of their responsibilities and rights during the orientation courses organised for them.
Plataeu
The Plateau Police Command has appealed to relations and victims of the January Jos crisis who could not make statements to come forward for pre-trial interview with the prosecution counsel.
In a statement on Saturday, in Jos, signed by the Command’s PPRO, ASP Mohammed Lerama, the command said, in the same vein, witnesses who could not make statements to the police could now do so.
According to the command, it held a pre-trial meeting with the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecution (FDPP) Abuja, and officers and men of the state CID on Thursday in Jos.
Sokoto
Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State on Thursday inaugurated the 17-kilometre Wurno-Huchi-Nassarawa-Tambagarka road constructed by the government at N1.36 billion.
The road, which links several villages in Gwadabawa, Kware, Wurno, Gada and Illela Local Government Areas, also has a four-metre span bridge at Huechi.
Speaking at the event in Wurno in Sokoto State, the governor said the road was constructed in fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people.
Zamfara
The Zamfara Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has petititioned the State’s Police Command over the dramatic abduction of a Gusau High Court Judge, Justice Musa Anka.
Our correspondent reported that Anka was on Monday whisked away from his Tudum Wada, Gusau residence at about 10.00 p.m. by unknown gunmen, suspected to be operatives of the State Security Service.
The NBA Chairman, Alhaji Bello Umar, told newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday that the association had taken up the issue.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.
As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.
HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.
According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.
He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.
To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.
He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.
According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.
She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.
Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.
She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.
She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.
Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.
While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.
On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.
According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.
He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.
Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.