Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

April 11, 2016

Former Senate President, Sen David Mark(4th left), his wife Helen (left) cutting cake with some National Assembly members, during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Sen. Mark’s 68th birthday in Otukpo, Benue State last Friday.

Borno

The Nigerian Army has announced the re-opening of the
Maimalari Cantonment Mammy Market, Maiduguri, three years after it was closed down due to insurgency.
Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, made the announcement at the launch of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Investment Initiatives for Barracks Community in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu said that re-opening the market was to alleviate the sufferings of the barracks community which had been negatively affected by the long closure.
He also distributed N1 million soft loans to 10 women corporative groups as well as 10 tricycles to 10 barrack youths as part of the initiatives.
He said that the women were expected to use the money as start-up capital for their own businesses while the tricycles would provide jobs for the unemployed beneficiaries.

Benue

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court remanded five men in
prison custody for conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants, Henry Agene, Samuel Orne, Alabar Simon, Terzungwe Tyonginengen and Aondohemba Ahungwaor, all of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue, were arrested following a tip-off on March 18.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Adama Owochio, said that they were arrested by the Operation Zenda surveillance team led by Insp. Philip Yankyaa.
Owochio said that the team was on a special duty at Vandeikya with some youths that were granted amnesty by the Benue state government.
He said the team received information that the defendants were in a hideout at Mbarumum village in Kwande, manufacturing, selling arms and ammunition.

FCT

An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-
George (SAN), has decried the delays in the conclusion of criminal cases in the country.
Akinseye-George told newsmen in Abuja that it was not good that courts were unable to conclude criminal cases in due time.
“We only hear when cases are filed or when suspects are arraigned, especially wealthy suspects and we also hear when they are admitted to bail.
“But we rarely hear when the cases are concluded; that is a big embarrassment to our criminal justice system.’’
Akinseye-George commended the judges for their hard work, but decried unfruitful results because of the use of interlocutory appeals that stall trial cases.

Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to the Mariri Boarding Primary School, Kano State, for Borno children orphaned by insurgency.
The school was established by the immediate-past Governor of the state, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to cater for 100 selected children. The NEMA North-West Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Ilallah, said the items were donated to support the pupils whose parents were killed during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno.
“We were here in the school some months ago for an assessment to establish the needs of the school.

Kebbi

A team of medical personnel from Uganda have
concluded a nationwide study tour on the success of prevention of Postrartum Haemorrhage and maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports the team, led by the Ugandan Director-General of Health, Dr Jane Agenghad, had been in the county to study Nigeria’s success on the dispensation and effectiveness of the Misoprostol drug. The drug prevents incessant bleeding during child delivery.
Agenghad, who led a delegation of Ugandan Association of Family Health on a tour to Kebbi, told Governor Atiku Bagudu that the team would interact with communities and nurses in the state.

Niger

The Niger Government has called on the Federal
Government to complete the Baro Inland Port project.
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, who made the call during a visit to the site, said it would boost economic activities in the country.
He said that the state would make the road accessible while awaiting the Federal Government’s intervention.
“The road to the port is very bad; it is extremely bad and I understand the Federal Government has awarded the contract to construct a new road.
“I have directed the state Ministry of Works to grade the road as well as construct culverts pending when the Federal Government will commence the work to make it more motorable,” he said.
Bello said that a committee had been set up to look into the activities in Baro and advised the state on how the Federal Government could expedite action on the realisation of the inland port.

Osun

Striking medical doctors in Osun under the aegis of
Association of Medical and Dental Officers, have suspended their seven months industrial action.
The chairman of the association, Dr Isiaka Adekunle confirmed the suspension of the strike in a telephone interview with newsmen in Osogbo.
He said the doctors would report for duty on Monday..
Adekunle told our correspondent that though the government was yet to meet any of their demands, their decision to resume work was in response to appeals from well-meaning people of the state.
He, however, said that the association would continue to dialogue with the government.
Adekunle said the association took the decision to call off the strike at its Annual General Meeting held on March 30.

Plateau

The Plateau House of Assembly Special Committee on
Solid Minerals has condemned the neglect of Zurak, a community in Wase local government area of the state, by mining companies.
The Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Yusuf Gagdi made the condemnation after inspecting mining sites in the community.
According to Gagdi, the effect of the exploration by the miners has turned the community to an “eyesore.’’
He said the total neglect of the host community by the companies with regards to non compliance with the rules of engagement was unacceptable, warning that they must do the needful.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the environmental degradation as well as poor infrastructure in the community.
Our visit to these sites today have made us see things for ourselves, and it is a confirmation of the complaints we have been getting from the community.”

Sokoto

Chairman-elect, Sabon-Birni Llocal Government Area of
Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Gobir, has promised to provide farm inputs at subsidised rates to youths and women to increase agricultural production.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that the master plan on how to provide farm inputs had been drawn and was only awaiting implementation.
“We are just waiting to be inaugurated and move into action in providing qualitative leadership that will improve on the living standard of our people, “ he said.
He opined that engaging youths and women in agriculture would enable them to be self-reliant and contribute positively towards the nation’s quest for food sufficiency.

Taraba

Taraba Government said its new Log tax regime was to
increase the state internally generated revenue profile.
Chief Press Secretary (CSP) to Governor, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Jalingo on Sunday.
Hassan said with the new tax regime, trucks conveying a particular variety of log called Madrid would be charged N400,000.
He noted that the Madrid logs which were in high demand were exported to China and other Asian countries.
Hassan said government was looking inward and cashing in on large expanse of timber cultivation that was found in many local government areas of the state.

Yobe

The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency
Management Agency, Alhaji Musa Jidawa, has advised response groups to work as partners rather than competitors to avoid duplication and wastes.
Musa told newsmen in Damaturu that the emergency response actors had constituted a forum to coordinate areas of intervention to avoid over lapping and duplication.
Musa, who is also the chairman of the forum, listed the actors as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), World Food Programme (WFP), the UNICEF and Action against Hunger, among others.

Zamfara

The Police Command in Zamfara has arrested Alhaji
Muhammadu Danmliga, the Village Head of Wabi in Maru local government Area, over alleged connection with the killing of 13 persons. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sanusi Amiru, told newsmen in Gusau that the killing of the 13 followed a meeting held in the village head’s house on March 24 by members of the outlawed ‘Yansakai group.’
According to him, 13 persons were allegedly killed at Tubgar Wabi, a neighbouring Fulani settlement on the evening of that day.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

Nation

NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”

Nation

Alumni, Others Launch Campus Care Initiative In Port Harcourt

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter in partnership with Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt Downtown and Nigerian Immigration Service have launched Campus Care Initiative at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Rumuola Port Harcourt.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in the inaugural edition of the Campus Care Initiative, at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic the Chairman of Madonna University Alumni Association Rivers State Chapter (MUAARIV) Dr Iheanyichukwu Wopara said that the program is aim to empowered the youth of Nigerians and also to give them the right direction in life.

He said Campus Care Initiative is a testament to the association commitment to giving back to the society and empowering the next generation of leaders.

According to him the program is designed it demands across all sectors, physical health, mental health, sexual health and even the environment adding that the focus of the Association is to give back to the society the best way they can.

” We have been carrying out different humanitarian activities and outreach which includes medical outreach and the girl child campaign.

” We gave academic support to three students and also three international passports, free medical outreach, pads to girl child and condoms to the boy child and there is also introduction to ICT training that will commence soon in the campus, “he said.

Kiadum Edookor