Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has signed the state’s 2012 Appropriation bill of N112 billion.
The governor also signed three other bills namely a bill to amend Local Government Law 2007, a bill to amend Benue Independent Electoral Commission Act and a bill to amend Benue State Electoral Law 2007.
Speaking after appending his signature to the appropriation bill, Suswam said he would ensure that only proposals captured in the budget were funded.
He warned that no ministry, department or agency would be allowed to indulge in extra budgetary spending.
The governor urged commissioners and permanent secretaries to adhere strictly to only provisions captured in the budget.
Earlier, Mr David Iorhemba, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, assured that the legislature would ensure full implementation of the budget through its oversight functions.
Bornoo
The Borno Government said on Tuesday that it would plant two million trees across the state in a bid to check desert encroachment.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Hassan, disclosed this in Maiduguri while speaking with newsmen.
“The state government is working towards planting two million trees as part of efforts to control desert encroachment in the state.
“In planting the trees, we are also hoping to empower rural farmers so that they can generate income from the trees,” Hassan said.
He said that government would soon procure the seedlings, adding that it would assorted economic and non- economic trees.
“Additionally, the government will encourage the establishment of orchards in all parts of the state to further accelerate the programme.”
Edo
The Edo State Police Command has deployed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been deplored to Auchi, to curb the incessant bank robbery in the area.
The deployment was as a result of an agreement between the banks and the authorities for the banks to open for business after a week of closure.
It will be recalled that there has been incessant attack on banks in the area by armed robbers, the latest of which was that of April 9, when robbers attacked bullion vans in the area.
The attack had led to the Edo branch of the Bankers Forum to order banks to close their doors against costumers until the security situation in the area was addressed.
The banks, however, agreed to reopen for business on Monday with strong a condition.
Kaduna
Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Monday urged residents to assist the state government to tackle the current security challenges.
Yakowa, who made the call when he paid sympathy visit to the victims of the Easter day bomb explosion in Kaduna, described the explosion as “unfortunate and unnecessary”.
He said the people must resolve to ensure the security of their environment and to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard their lives and property.
“Security is the business of everybody, the people in the state should take security seriously, the security agencies can only succeed if we provide information to them.”
He assured the people that the government would continue to partner with traditional and religious leaders to preach peace and unity in the state.
“In the north we have a structure and a system, if properly used, from the chief, the village head to every household, we would be able to resolve the security challenges.”
He commiserated with families of the victims, assuring them that appropriate assistance would be offered to them.
Kano
The Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in Kano State says that it will construct public conveniences in 12 markets and motor parks in some local government areas of the state.
The decision is part of the renewed effort to check indiscriminate open defecation in public places, especially among villagers in the rural areas.
Alhaji Garba Durbunde, the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.
“The toilets to be constructed are modern ones as they will have water and other necessary facilities in them.’’
He also said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had also promised to construct additional public conveniences in some of the local government areas of the state.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government built 1,172 units of houses for civil servants in the last four years, Gov. Ibrahim Shema said.
The governor made the statement in Katsina on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), led by its Executive Director, Alhaji Bello Isah Gachi.
He said the houses were sold at subsidised prices to workers, who were required to deposit 10 per cent of the cost and pay the remainder in instalments for 15 years.
Shema said the 34 local governments in the state had also constructed some houses for workers.
“The gesture is in line with the efforts of government to alleviate the accommodation needs of workers,” he said.
The governor, who described shelter as a ‘’basic necessity in life’’, said the intention of FHA to build more houses in Katsina State was `timely’.
He said the agency’s efforts would complement the effort of the state government to provide more houses for the people.
Kwara
Residents of Moro, Edu, Patigi and Kaiama Local Government Areas in Kwara have been urged to take proactive measures to minimise damages from heavy rainfall and flood expected due to a forecast.
The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Samuel Bamisaiye, gave this charge in an interview in Ilorin.
According to him, the warning becomes necessary in order to minimise damages that may occur as a result of the forecast heavy rainfall and its attendant flood.
He said that after an alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment through its Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), the ministry decided to sensitise residents.
Bamisaiye said there was the need for all buildings and structures along river banks or on streams to be evacuated with immediate effect.
Lagos
The Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State is organising free holiday lessons for secondary school students, to address the mass failure in O’ Level examinations.
The Chairman of the LCDA, Mr Obafemi Durosimi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the council was worried at the continued mass failure.
Durosimi expressed the hope that the lessons would also divert the attention of students from vices.
“The council has also acquired three buses for the students to facilitate their movement to their various schools.’’
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government said on Tuesday that it had concluded arrangements to re-equip all public secondary schools with science laboratories and library facilities to boost education.
Alhaj iHussaini Abubakar, the Commissioner for Education, announced the plan in Lafia at a three-day capacity building workshop for principals and deans of studies of secondary schools.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmuminin, said the government was worried about the decay of infrastructure in public secondary schools.
He said the development prompted the ministry to evolve a blueprint to boost the study of science and technical education to enable the state to grow technologically.
Plateau
Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau says his administration will make the state self-sustaining by making agriculture the mainstay of its economy and relying less on the federal revenue allocation.
Jang, who stated this on Monday in Jos when he received participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Senior Executive Course 34, said that Plateau was blessed with abundant natural resources.
He expressed regret that the state used to rely on the meagre monthly federal revenue allocation, but assured that it could no longer continue to rely on the federation account and was now developing its huge agriculture potential.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Jabbi Kilgore, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to equip the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to enable it to train the teeming youth on new farming techniques.
Kilgore said in Sokoto that the provision of job opportunities among the youth would enhance peace and political growth of the country.
He said the directorate should engage the unemployed youth in various methods of modern farming, including dry and rainy season cropping, to ensure massive food production.
The Commissioner said the measure would eradicate poverty in the society, adding that the country was blessed with abundant vast land suitable for various crops production.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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