Nation
THE STATES
Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (nema), Alhaji Sani Sidi (right), welcoming Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State to nema headquarters in Abuja, recently.
Borno
The Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a dismissed police corporal for allegedly extorting money from members of the public.
The Commandant of the corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said that the suspect was arrested at the post office area in Maiduguri, following intelligence reports.
He said that the 27-year-old former policeman, who gave his name as Hussaini Musa, was dismissed from the Kano State Police Command.
“The suspect is not holding any identification card so he uses some of his pictures to deceive people that he is an officer.
“He came to Borno State on a visit to his grandparents and decided to open his own police custody.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court has remanded 27-
year-old Sunday Opesanmi;40-year-old Falilat Odesanmi, and a minor in prison custody over alleged kidnap of two children.
Prosecutor Bayo Ajiboye told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on March 30 at Ise-Ekiti.
He alleged that the accused, on the said date, unlawfully kidnapped two children of the same parent, and kept them in an uncompleted building at the outskirt of Ise-Ekiti.
“The offence is punishable under Section 3 and 4 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism Laws 2005.
Ajiboye said that he had duplicated their case file and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
FCT
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has
called for the proper management of Trees Outside the Forests (TOFs) as an alternative to recovering the 25 per cent recommended forests cover in the country.
The Director General of the foundation, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Trees Out side Forests (TOFs) according to the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO), are trees found on agricultural, grazing, and unproductive lands along canals, railways, roads and in human settlements.
According to him, the trees play an important role in urban greening and regulation of micro-climate.
“It becomes pertinent to put our interests in Trees Outside Forests (TOFs) and the role they play in urban greening and regulation of the micro-climate”, he said.
Kaduna
A new Commissioner of Police, Mr Adamu Ibrahim has
assumed duty in Kaduna State.
Ibrahim, a member of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, took over from Mr Umar Shehu.
A statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna by the Command’s Public Relation Officer, DSP Abubakar Zubairu, did not indicate the reason for the deployment,
According to the statement the new CP hails from Ruwan Dorowa in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.
He joined the service in 1986 and was at one time the Deputy Force Secretary and also served as CP in Abia.
Ibrahim , who has a degree in Geography from University of Sokoto and Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, had attended many professional courses.
Kano
The Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Plan
ning has constituted a technical committee on land allocation for the construction of petrol stations.
The information is contained in a statement issued by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Balarabe Abdullahi, which was made available to newwmen.
The statement quoted Abdullahi as saying the committee was mandated to screen applications for the construction of filling stations in the state.
He stated that “the screening will enable the committee to verify the distance between one filling station and another, as well as the suitability of proposal on location of the filling stations.”
He then urged the committee members to work hard toward realising the objectives for which the committee was set.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government said it had released N314
million for the payment of registration and tuition fee for indigent students in national and foreign institutions.
Dr Sahabi Yauri, the Executive Secretary of the state’s Scholarship Board, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently.
Yauri said that out of the amount, N147 million was for tuition, registration and tenancy for 30 indigent students studying Medicine in Indian universities.
He added that N97 million was for the fees of 30 students studying Medicine, Dentistry and Surgery in Sudanese universities, while N70 million was for 5,000 indigent students studying in tertiary institutions in the country.
Lagos
The Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors
(AMES) in Nigeria said it had postponed the forthcoming Maritime Technical Summit to enable the Secretariat readjust the logistics for members coming from outside Lagos State.
The AMES President, Mr Charles Uwadia stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that the event earlier scheduled for April 11 would hold on April 21.
According to him, the key issue to top the agenda of the Maritime Technical Summit is “Challenges of Maritime Transport Industry in Nigeria,”
“We want to use this summit to advise stakeholders and government on how to maintain their vessels, and how to eliminate sub-standard vessels in our waters.”
Nasarawa
The District Head of Akwanga in Nasarawa State, Chief
Anthony Yamusa, has called on Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
Yamusa made the call during the presentation of staff of office and certificate to Mr John Enakuaza, the newly appointed Wakili Eggon community of Kurmin Tagwaye, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
He said that peace, tolerance and unity were drivers of national development.
“The importance of traditional institution to the socio-economic development of any society cannot be over emphasized, hence the need for the installation and presentation of the certificate of office to Wakili Eggon of Kurmin Tagwaye so as to promote peace among his subjects.
Niger
President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined the Nige
rian Armed Forces to sustain the tempo in the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East of the country to stamp out terrorism.
Buhari gave charge while inaugurating the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) mega filling station in Minna.
The president was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.
Buhari said: “I applaud the successes of the armed forces in counter insurgency operations in the North-East and urge you to sustain the tempo”.
Osun
The Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Con
trol (NAFDAC) in Osun has confiscated fake and unregistered drugs worth millions of Naira in Osogbo and Ilesha areas of the state.
The agency also sealed off some pharmacies and sachet water factories in the state for not meeting up to the set standard.
Officer in charge of Investigation and Enforcement of the agency, Mr Francis Onaniwun, said the essence of the raid was to sanitise the market and ensure that only wholesome products approved by NAFDAC were in circulation.
Onaniwun, who led officials of the agency in the operation, said the agency would not relent in its effort in safeguarding the lives of the people.
Some of the pharmacies sealed by NAFDAC in Osogbo included Akol Pharmaceutical Limited and Raphabalm Pharmacy, while Felfam Healthcare and Supermarket at Fegbewesa were given strong warning.
The agency also sealed off Topawo Feeds Services at Alekuwodo and Atlab Farm Products located at Okinni, Osogbo, for selling unregistered animal feeds.
Oyo
The senator representing Oyo North, Fatai Buhari,
has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari will fix the nation’s problems and restore its lost glory.
Buhari told newsmen in Ibadan that the president had good intentions, and was committed to restoring the lost glory, adding that it would be achieved.
“President Buhari and the APC have good plans to transform Nigeria into a better country, and this I am sure he will achieve within the period of four years.
“Nigerians voted for the party and we will not betray the confidence reposed in us, they should just be more patient,” he said.
The lawmaker apologised to Nigerians on behalf of the party for the current situation in the nation and added that it was not a new development.
Zamfara
The Commanding Officer, 223 Light Tank Battalion,
Gusau, Zamfara, Lt.- Col. Aliyu Adamu, said soldiers from the Battalion had killed four ”bandits” in the state.
Adamu said that the soldiers also injured several others in a shootout at Hajiya bush in Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
The commanding officer made the disclosure to newsmen at the Army operational office in Gusau where the recovered weapons were also displayed.
He said officers and men of the battalion laid siege in one of the bandits’ hideouts and engaged them in a gun battle during which four of them were killed.
Adamu added that five AK 45 assault rifles were recovered along with 205 rounds of AK 45 bullets.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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