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THE STATES

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Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, has said that the state followed due process in the passage of the open grazing prohibition bill and its signing into law.
This clarification was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Godwin Akor, and made available to newsmen last  Tuesday in Makurdi.
In the statement, Ortom made the disclosure while receiving the leadership of Makurdi Catholic Diocesan Laity Council at the Benue Peoples House.
He maintained that anyone, who was not satisfied with the law should go to court and not to think of creating anarchy.
The governor thanked the Catholic Church for standing firmly behind the present administration, adding that, the bishop in-charge of the diocese had always encouraged him on matters concerning development, especially security.

Borno
The Police Command in Borno State has confirmed the death of two persons in a suspected Boko Haram attack along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway.
Mr. Damian Chukwu, the Borno Police Commissioner, who confirmed this on Tuesday said that, the dead persons included a police man and a truck driver.
“You would recall that since the Maiduguri-Damboa highway was reopened, motorists ply the road strictly on military escort.
“Initially, it was only the military that provides the escort, but later the police was invited to join”, Chukwu said.
He said that the convoy left Maiduguri with the military in the front while the police was at the rear.

Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court last Tuesday dissolved the 24-year-old relationship between a septuagenarian, Julius Rotimi, and his partner, Oluwatoyin, 49.
We report that the relationship was dissolved on grounds of incessant fighting, nagging, going out without the petitioner’s consent, regular cursing and threats to life by the wife.
The President of the Court, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi, in his judgement, observed that the relationship had broken down irretrievably and consequently terminated their cohabitation.
Ogunsemi ruled that the education of the child should be funded equally by both parties.
He also ordered the respondent to vacate the house of the petitioner immediately and remove her belongings within seven days.

FCT
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu last Tuesday, expressed concern over a reduction in the number of Nigerians with access to water and sanitation, describing it as unacceptable.
Adamu, said this at a Stakeholders Meeting of Water and Sanitation Development Partners on Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), in Abuja.
Quoting a World Bank WASH Sector report, the minister said, it was saddening to note that Nigeria’s sanitation indices show an overall decrease in access to water and sanitation, saying no effort must be spared at reversing this trend.
“Nigeria’s sanitation is in critical condition, only 29 per cent of Nigerians have access to improved sources of sanitation, 130 million Nigerians used unimproved sanitation facilities or practice open defecation.

Gombe
Advocacy Group for Family Planning in Gombe State, an NGO, on Tuesday called for a special budgetary allocation for Family Planning (FP).
The Secretary of the group, Malam Alhasan Yahya, made the appeal in Gombe, during a courtesy call on the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kennedy Ishaya.
Yahya, noted that there was no budgetary allocation for FP in the state’s 2017 budget.
He said there was need for financing, improved quality access and utilisation of planning commodities and services in the state.

Lagos
External examinations such as the West African Senior Secondary Examination (WASSCE), have helped to reform prisoners in the country, a Nigeria Prisons Service official has said.
The Controller of Prisons, Lagos State Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo, told newsmen in Lagos last Tuesday, that prison education had helped inmates to be useful after jail terms.
“Participation in external examinations, such as WASSCE is designed as a form of reformation to empower prisoners after jail terms.
“Some of them who are illiterates are given primary and secondary education before they are allowed to sit for WASSCE.
“Those that have the intention to further their education are also given the opportunity to study at the National Open University (NOUN).

Nasarawa
Former information minister and APGA National Secretary, Labaran Maku, has appealed to Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State to pay workers’ salaries so as to end their strike.
“The workers have practically shut down the state for more than a month now. Schools, offices and even industries have been closed down. The state government should act immediately,” Maku told newsmen last Tuesday, in Lafia.
He said that, it was “wrong” for government to remain silent over a strike that had dragged on for more than a month, and declared such posture as “insensitive”.
“The governor should show that he is sensitive to workers’ welfare and pay them their dues.
“Salaries have not been paid for six months, while no worker has been promoted in the last six years.

Ogun
Members of Ogun State  House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction over the level of work done on the 35- kilometre Sango-Ijoko-Agbad-Akute Road currently undergoing construction.
The Committee Chairman, Mr Olayiwola Ojodu, gave the verdict, when he led other members on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the road as part of their oversight functions.
Ojodu said that the road, which would have five flyovers, would, when completed, ease  traffic congestion and also promote socio-economic activities in the area.
”The exercise has been quite interesting, so far so good. With what we have seen in terms of the quality of work done, as a committee we are satisfied,” he said.

Ondo
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last Tuesday said  his administration would check the disproportionate percentage in budgetary allocation to capital and recurrent expenditures.
Akeredolu said this  in Akure, while signing the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law.
He said, the huge deficit in various sectors is  needed to be addressed, adding that this informed the move to redress the  imbalance between recurrent and capital expenditures.
“This bill has provision of N170,846,580,000 billion broken into Debt Service (Principal) N8.127 billion, Statutory Transfers N8.374 billion, Recurrent Expenditure N95.159 billion and Capital Expenditure N59.187 billion.

Oyo
The Oyo State chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has urged lawmakers across the country to extend their economic empowerment programmes to farmers.
Mr Olujimi Ayinla, the state AFAN Chairman, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, urged the legislators to also spearhead efforts to fast-track the growth of the agricultural sector.
He noted that, the economic empowerment schemes of the lawmakers usually involved donation of motorcycles, hair dryers, grinding machines, refrigerators and sewing machines, among others, to their constituents.
”I have never seen any senator or member of the House of Representatives donating tractors or fertiliser to farmers in their constituencies, as part of their empowerment programmes.

Taraba
Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker, Abel Diah last Tuesday cautioned members of the public against politicizing the anti-open grazing bill currently before the House.
Diah, made the appeal in Jalingo, when he received a delegation of Taraba Farmers Protection Assocation, led by its Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Bitrus, who paid a solidarity visit to the lawmakers.
“Contrary to speculations that, the bill is targeted at a particular ethnic group, its intention is to promote peaceful coexistence and reduce clashes between farmers and grazers,” Diah stated.
The Speaker regretted that some sections of the bill were being altered or misinterpreted to cause mischief, and advised anyone interested in the bill to get a certified true copy from the House of Assembly.

Yobe
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), last Tuesday appealed to stakeholders to support the rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Yobe with education, safe living condition and economic rehabilitation.
Mr Gabriel Idoko, Head UNHCR in the state, made the appeal at the commemoration of the 2017 World Refugee Day in Damaturu.
He said: “The displaced persons deserve to continue with their education and provided with safe living conditions.”

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FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

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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.

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Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

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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

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TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

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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

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