Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Population Commission (NPC) in collabo
ration with UNICEF and European Union has commenced a one-week massive birth registration exercise in Adamawa State.
Flagging-off the exercise in Yola, Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla, assured of the state government’s commitment to the success of the exercise in the state.
Jibrilla, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Fatima Atiku, urged parents to come out en mass to register their children.
“The daily registration of our children is indeed very essential as it provides data needed for population estimation, projection and other analytical studies useful for all demographic planning and research in the state and nation as a whole.
Borno
No fewer than 50 children orphaned by the Boko Haram
insurgence have been awarded scholarships in commemoration of the 50th birthday of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communication Isa Gusau announced this at a ceremony marking the governor’s birthday in Maiduguri today.
According to him, the scholarship will be funded from donations made by Shettima’s associates at a birthday reception held in honour of the governor.
“The award was sponsored by a group of 30 friends and political associates of Shettima,’’ he said
“Two schools, the Maiduguri Capital School and Bara’Imul Iman Integrated School, both in Maiduguri, were selected for the programme.
FCT
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Garba Abari, has cautioned Nigerians to stop activities that can lead to the blockage of drainage and water ways.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Fidel Agu, the Deputy Director, Press Unit of the agency in Abuja, recently.
According to Abari, the State Directorate and Local Government formations of the agency have been directed to commence public sensitisation to stop the trend.
“The agency is making efforts for massive sensitisation to mobilise Nigerians away from flood prone areas, thereby minimising casualties both at local and state levels.
Kaduna
A medical practitioner, Dr Nuhu Yusuf, has advised Ni
gerians to check their blood pressure regularly to reduce the risk of sudden death.
Yusuf of the Jamik Medical Center gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
He said that regular checking of blood pressure was important to avoid stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and sudden death.
“High blood pressure is a silent killer because it often has no symptoms and goes undetected in a high percentage of people.
“Untreated high blood pressure can damage and weaken your arteries. “Regular checking of blood pressure gives you accurate idea of the typical pressure.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it would create an
industrial park to boost small and medium scale businesses in the state.
Governor Aminu Masari made the disclosure at a press briefing in Katsina. Masari said the Park would be established along Katsina-Jibia road in Katsina metropolis.
He said the area, when fully developed, would house all industries in the state.
According to him, the government has commenced talks with Skippers Transformers, one of the leading producers of transformers in the world to design a special transformer for the area for electricity transmission.
Kogi
The police said that they had deployed more person
nel to the nine entry points into Kogi State to secure it against kidnapping and robbery during the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir festival.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Chafe, told newsmen in Lokoja that policemen would also take strategic positions in towns, villages and highways in the state during the period.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has deployed additional 300 policemen to the state to ensure effective policing during the period.
He said that the 25 security patrol vans donated to the state police command by the Kogi State Government had been deployed for joint patrol and stop-and-search operations.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has com
miserated with the General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide, Kayode Abiara, on the death of his wife, Christiana.
The governor, in a condolence message, described the deceased as a woman of virtue who lived her life with the fear of God and was devoted to humanity.
The condolence message was signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, and made available to the newsmen in Ilorin.
According to Ahmed, the prayers of the deceased will be missed given the challenges confronting the country.
Lagos
A 23-year old man allegedly caught with a gun has
been arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, alongside a friend he claimed gave him the weapon.
Tobechukwu Igwe and his friend, Henry Njoku, 20, both unemployed, are charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of arms.
They both live at Ebute Meta area of Lagos State. The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the offences were committed on August 8, at Ilaje area of Ebute Meta, Lagos. Perezi said that a security guard caught Tobechukwu with the gun and arrested him.
Osun
A security expert, Alhaji Ridwan Hussein, has called
for caution over statements made on sensitive security issues. Hussein, who is the Head of Harmonised Vigilante Group in Osun State, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo.
He spoke against the backdrop of statements made by some individuals on security issues in recent times.
Hussein said that such statements were capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country and could hamper socio-economic progress.Oyo
Oyo
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, and no fewer than 5,000 participants would attend the 2016 Ministers’ Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso.
The President of NBTS, Dr Emiola Nihinola, said this in Ogbomoso at a press conference to herald the programme.
Our correspondent reports that this year’s edition, billed for between Sept. 12 and Sept. 15, would focus on praying for Nigeria’s prosperity and spiritual renewal of Christians.
“In this year 2016, we expect participants in the neighbourhood of 5,000.
“ We expect church pastors and musicians, Christian educators, evangelists, missionaries as well as denominational and interdenominational workers and officers.
“It is an international conference with participants expected from the 36 states of the country and beyond,” he said.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it has procured and
distributed 777 trucks of fertilisers to farmers for the 2016 farming season, in a bid to boost production.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malam Nazif Muhammad, made the disclosure at a monthly news briefing in Jos.
Muhammad said that the figure translated to over 400, 000 bags that were sold to farmers at a subsidised rate.
The commissioner also said that apart from the fertiliser, the state government was committed to assisting farmers with farm inputs.
“Government has sustained this gesture in a variety of ways; for instance, improve seedlings of tomatoes and Irish potatoes were purchased and distributed to farmers at subsidised rates,” he said.
He further said that the state government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Greenlands Integrated Agribusiness Limited to set up processing and storage facilities.
Yobe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)
in Yobe State says it has fully established its presence in liberated communities in the state to encourage internally displaced persons to return home.
Dr Muhammad Fari, Commandant of the corps in the state, told newsmen in Damaturu that his men established their presence after visiting the communities and assessing the situation on ground.
“The NSCDC had already deployed staff to the liberated local government areas of Gujba, Gulani and Yunusari to enhance the return of civil authority in the areas.
“We have a huge responsibility of ensuring the attainment of the mandate of this administration of building peaceful and secured communities across the country”, he said.
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