Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Dr Aliyu Shehu, Executive Director, Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA) says many rounds of polio vaccines are not harmful to children.
Shehu told newsmen in Minna that parents should not be afraid because it boosts the child’s immunity.
“Many rounds of polio vaccination do not affect the child, they boost the immunity of the child.
“We have gone a long way to eradicate polio and we are succeeding and we will not want to fail, especially now that the country is being praised by the whole world,” he said.
Shehu called on parents to collaborate with the government on the fight against polio to make the country polio-free.
According to him, the agency will ensure that parents are educated before the next round of immunisation exercise.
Bauchi
Senator Iliya Audu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bauchi State, has urged CPC to resolve the crisis rocking the Bauchi chapter of the party.
Audu who made the call when members of the Caretaker Committee of the party paid him a courtesy visit in Bauchi on Tuesday said that the commission would support members of the party to enable them run its affairs smoothly.
The REC explained that the Electoral Act provided that all parties should notify the commission 21 days before holding any meeting.
Borno
The price of livestock has remained slightly stable in Borno State as the Eid-el Kabir celebration approaches, a survey conducted by our correspondent has shown.
Our correspondent who visited some livestock markets on Tuesday, reports that prices have either gone down or record marginal increases.
At Damboa market, a middle size ram which sold for N18,000 in June, goes for between N18,000 and N19,000, while the price of a big one has remained unchanged N30,000.
Similarly, a small size ram which sold for N12, 000 in June, is now selling for between N10,000 and N12,000 at the same market.
Ekiti
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State says the House of Representatives’ resolution asking the Accountant-General of the Federation to stop further allocations to local governments in the state is advisory.
He said it was not binding on the state.
The House had at its sitting on Tuesday, passed a resolution that the AGF should stop allocations to the councils, following their dissolution by the governor.
The governor had dissolved the councils’ executives and legislatures, regardless of their three-year tenure which was still subsisting at the time he replaced Segun Oni.
Oni’s election was recently voided by the Court of Appeal in Ilorin.
The chairmen and councillors were elected on the platform of the PDP in December 2008 for a three-year tenure.
Fayemi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Mojeed Jamiu, however told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, that the resolution was not binding on the government since it was not a law.
Also reacting, former spokesperson of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, said the resolution was aimed at making the government to respect the nation’s Constitution.
FCT
The National Committee on Job Creation says about 15 million jobs will be created in five years if its recommendations are fully implemented.
The Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, made this known on Tuesday at the presentation of the report on job creation to the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) in Abuja.
He listed the recommendations to include massive overhaul of the national skills acquisition capacity to help facilitate job creation in the country.
“A key recommendation in our report is therefore the massive overhaul of our national skills acquisition capacity in order to better align the skills that our citizens have to the skills that the country needs to grow and develop.
“Central to this is the need to resuscitate structured, credible and respected vocational programmes to provide the skills that will fuel the growth of local industry and improve that attractiveness of vocational careers,’’ Dangote said.
He said the committee also recommended that core sectors such as agriculture and agro- allied, manufacturing, building and construction, should be adequately explored, adding that a deep examination of the small and medium industries would help to create jobs.
Gombe
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) is now a united and indivisible family, its National Chairman, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said in Gombe State.
Onu told newsmen on Monday that his submission was based on the fact that members of the party had resolved their differences.
“With this, our members and the party are now poised to spring surprises in the coming elections,” he said.
Kwara
Dr Bukola Saraki has explained that he is in the presidential race to reform the country and place it among the comity of developed nations.
He told newsmen at Government House in Ilorin on Sunday that his administration would focus on commercial agriculture to make food abundant and secure.
He pointed out that with commercial agriculture, more employment opportunities would be created for the youths.
He said agricultural revolution would also help the country fight against over dependence on oil. “it is high time the nation diversified its sources of revenue.”
He promised to make graduates embrace self employment as against chasing scarce white collar jobs.
On the PDP primaries, the presidential aspirant urged the leadership of the party to ensure level playing ground for all aspirants.
Saraki warned that anything short of that would wreck the party, saying that he was optimistic of winning the primaries if a level playing ground is provided.
Lagos
The Anglican Bishop of Awori Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Akin Atere, on Monday cautioned against money politics, saying it would undermine democracy if unchecked.
Atere told newsmen in Lagos that politicians should woo the electorate with their records of achievements and not bags of money.
Atere also urged that political aspirants should not receive donations for their electioneering campaigns from the citizens to avoid being influenced by the donors.
He said that money politics had no place in a true democracy and that it should be avoided in 2011 by politicians who meant well for Nigeria.
The cleric spoke against the backdrop of the fundraising for President Goodluck Jonathan’s electioneering campaign.
Some groups including the Conference of Nigeria Peoples Party (CNPP) had criticised the fundraiser during which N450 million was realised.
However, the Goodluck-Sambo Campaign Organisation had said that nobody was allowed to donate more than a million naira at the event.
Niger
Nigerians should take personal hygiene seriously, Dr Mohammed Usman, Director Public Health, Niger State Ministry of Health, has advised.
Usman told newsmen that personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation was key to prevention and control of most diseases.
“Take your personal hygiene seriously, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is key to prevention and control of most disease. Prevention is better than cure,” Usman said.
He urged people at the grassroots to make use of the facilities at the primary healthcare centres, where most treatments are free.
Usman said in an effort to prevent malaria, the state had evacuated all the waste, cleared all drainages and brought back the environmental sanitation exercise days.
“After all this, we still give health talk to the people to educate them on how to take care of their health,” he said.
Usman added that the state had concluded plans to introduce ‘indoor-residual spray’ to complement the Long Lasting Insecticide-treated Mosquito Nets.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has promised that 140 of the 150 rural transformation projects planned for the year will be completed by the end of November.
Mr Clement Faboyede, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, told newsmen Tuesday in Akure that contractors handling the projects had been given six weeks to deliver them.
He said that N600 million was spent on 80 such pilot projects in 2009 in three local government areas.
Faboyede said that the N1 million approved for the second phase of the programme was grossly inadequate for the type of projects the communities were demanding, which were estimated to cost between N8 million and N20 million.
He, however, promised that in spite of the development, government was determined to give the communities what they asked for.
Plateau
A Don, Prof. Etannibi Alemika, has tasked Nigerian security agencies to be proactive in their strategies toward curbing violent conflicts.
Alemika was speaking at a workshop organised by Governance and Social Research Institute, Jos.
While blaming the elite for most of the nation’s crises, he challenged the security agencies to deal decisively with people responsible for any conflict no matter the status in the society.
“Experience has shown that most of the conflicts are caused by the rich and the influential; it is only they that stand to gain from such crises. “The ordinary person, who is concerned with making ends meet can never be the cause of any crisis,” he said.
Alemika advised the ordinary people against allowing themselves to be used by the rich as they would be abandoned thereafter.
He urged the people to strive to understand each other, saying that there was the need to discard religious or ethnic differences that could prove to be useful tools for the elite.
Taraba
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on the Federal Government to fully harness the environment and natural resources available at the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba.
The President of PSN, Mr Azubike Okwor, made the call during a courtesy call on the Taraba acting Governor, Alhaji Sani Abubakar, on Monday in Jalingo.
He said such a step by the government would enhance pharmaceutical development and tourism.
He suggested the establishment of a National Hospital on the Mambilla Plateau because of its unique climate.
He said there was no point for Nigerians to seek medical treatment in China or in India when Nigerian pharmacists could develop the required drugs for production locally.
Responding, Abubakar stressed the importance of the society in the medical field, saying that “no meaningful healthcare delivery system will be successful without its members”.
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