Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu has been barred from holding political office for 10 years by the state government. He is also to refund N2.6bn which he allegedly misappropriated while in office.
The ban on Muazu and others who saved in his cabinet followed the Isa Yuguda administration’s acceptance of the white paper of Justice Bitrus Sauya commission of inquiry while probed the activities of industries, parastatals and agencies during his tenure.
Muazu’s deputy, Abdulmalik Mahmud however escaped the ban but he will refund N74 million to the state government. Also banned from holding public offices were former 20 local council chairmen who are to refund N740 million to the state purse.
Also affected is former commissioner for Finance Haruna Alfa Ahmed who was banned for 10 years and ordered to refund N2 billion.
Taraba
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to as a matter of urgency declare vacant the seat of the only All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) member in the Taraba State House of Assembly Hamman Adanu Abdullahi who has decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party.
In a statement made available to journalists in the state capital, the chairman of the party Hamilla Suleiman decried the attitude of the lawmaker and called on INEC to urgently declare the seat vacant.
Abdullahi who is the only ANPP member in the House, last Saturday decamped from the party that brought him to lime-light to joint he ruling PDP.
Citing relevant portions of the constitution, Suleiman faulted Abdullahi’s defection, saying it was not a result of division in his former party or merger of two or more political parties or faction Suleiman said the decampment can only be possible in a situation where there is chaos in the ANPP.
Ekiti
The Ikole Descendants Association Ibadan branch, has described Ikole Local Government Area as the most appropriate location for the new university proposed by the Governor Segun Oni’s administration.
The group in a communiqué issued at Ibadan and signed by Chief S. A. Olominu stated that siting the university in Ikole LGA would promote distributive justice and equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy.
The group stated that it considers the rumoured intention of government to site the university in Elfaki as unjustifiable because of its closeness to Iworoko that hosts the university of Ado Ekiti as well as the federal medical centre in Ido Ekiti.
It promised that a high powered delegation be sent to the governor and the Ekiti State House of Assembly on the above issue.
It observed that the association was not oblivious of the on- going contention on the location of the university of Education, saying it does not intend to benefit from any community’s misfortune.
The union said it is highly concerned about the continued marginalisation of the towns and cities in the defunct Ekiti North Local Government of which has been the headquarters.
Kwara
The Kwara State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Tunji Bamigbola has asked judicial officers in the state to accord priority attention to bail applications with a view to accelerating the country’s prison decongestion drive.
He also asked the officers to expedite action on speedy completion of criminal cases in their respective courts in the interest of justice.
The Chief Judge dropped the hint over the weekend during the visit of the State Criminal Justice Committee to the Ilorin Federal prison on jail delivery exercise.
“We have to warn all of us judicial officers, magistrates; area court judges especially that in communal cases as in all other cases, there should not be delay at all. Criminal cases should not be adjourned for more than two weeks.”
“Also, we should give priority to bail applications, infact, recently, the CJN, issued a circular that once you have a bail application before you, it should be given utmost attention because it should not be a pre-trial punishment” he said.
Justice Bamigbola however, commended the prison officials for “taking good care of the inmates” and making them “good citizen” after completing their jail terms.
The committee, however, released eight awaiting trial inmates for offences ranging from house breaking, theft, assault and trespass.
Bamigbola, who advised the released inmates to learn one trade or the other, admonished them to desist from crime in their own interest. He also promised to make the committee’s visit to the prison as regular as possible.
Damaturu
To meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDU) on housing for all by 2015, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, has indicated his intention to construct 406 additional housing units with the recapitalisation of Yobe savings and loans scheme so that the people could have access to funds build their houses and complement governments an achieving affordable and decent shelter.
All the completed housing units are, however, to be sold on an owner occupier housing scheme (OHS) at 50 per cent subsidy. The governor made the declarations yesterday in Damaturu, while laying the foundation stone for 256 housing units on the Maiduguri-Gashua road.
He said apart from meeting the UN-MDG on housing for all, the provision of decent shelter gives psychological satisfaction and improves the efficiency and productivity of workers.
He disclosed that as the state government continues to accord priority to the housing sector, the construction of 406 houses, including the 256 units being awarded to 128 indigenous construction firms, is to promote healthy living and sense of fulfillment for enhanced performance and productivity.
He said that over 1,485 housing units have been completed by the state government and the Yobe State Housing and Property Development Corporation.
He therefore urged the committee for the 256 housing units to work as a team with the contractors handling the N1.024 billion projects.
Kaduna
To meet the 6,000 megawatts target by December the federal government has committed N43.28 billion to the rehabilitation of the nation’s power plants, minister of state for Power Nuhu Wya, has disclosed.
Wya spoke last Thursday at the Joint annual General Meeting of the Kaduna branches of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
In the paper titled, “Federal Government’s target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2009, A mirage or reality, the minister assured that government would meet the target.
According to him, following the result of the technical appraisal carried out on the nation’s power plants, the government expended N43.27bn on the rehabilitation of existing power facilities.
This he said was expected to generate about 1,500 megawatts. The minister also disclosed that N10.21bn and N11.50bn were injected into the rehabilitation of the nation’s transmission and distribution infrastructure in that order.
Wya noted that the current poor state of electricity supply has had a debilitating effect on the socio-economic development of the country, saying unavailable and inadequate power supply had been identified as the biggest problem to the conduct of business in Nigeria.
Kano
The only panacea for national development is a total transformation of the education sector, with good packages that would promote qualitative education for the Nigerian youth.
The wife of the first National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Mary Lar made assertion in Kano during the closing ceremony of Teachers’ Professionals Development Programme (TPDP) held in the ancient city powered by her pet project, aunty Mary literacy project.
Ambassador Lar urged individuals, agencies and the government to invest hugely on education to save Nigeria from running shot needed hands to steer the ship of the nation in the nearest future.
She further stated that Nigeria is in dire need of quality leaders and called for stringent efforts at giving quality education to our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.
The envoy who was one time Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland urged Nigerians to reflect candidly on the quality of leaders they would vote in 2011 election.
She charged the youths of the country to shun vices capable of truncating their education and life endeavour, adding that there was need for parents to pay more attention to the upbringing of their children.
Niger
The kidnapped Niger State permanent secretary, Alhaji Adamu Umar returned to his family after been in captive for one week in far away Warri in Delta State.
Looking so frail in a white Kaftan and a black slippers, Umar was abducted at Dikko junction on his way from Zaria, was driven to the Government House at about 5.30p.m by the State Commissioner for Police Zuokumor after his released by security operatives in Warri.
Recounting his ordeal in the hands of his captors, Umar who was so grateful for the divine intervention over his freedom said that he was abducted at about 7.45p.m after buying palm oil at Dikko junction before he was abducted and taken to Warri.
Umar who was to be received by the state governor Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at about 11.00a.m had the reception delayed due to his inability to catch a flight from Benin to Abuja.
“If you see me cry, it simply means I am over joyed I did not cry in the hands of my captors. For one week we have been under control of these men of the underworld. Today, I thank Almighty Allah that I am back in one piece with my family. I am grateful to all those who saw to my release. I thank you all” Umar said.
Speaking during the brief reception, the SSG condemned kidnapping, describing it as an act against humanity, adding that the dastardly act should not be encouraged.
Ogun
Ogun State House of Assembly has described an oil magnate, hotelier and philanthropist, Alhaji Esho Jinadu, as a responsible and law abiding citizen.
The lawmakers said the allegations of criminal conducts leveled against him were not only baseless but flowed from an unwarranted organised campaign of calumny being weighed against him by faceless group in Ogun and urged him to sue anybody that accused him of any criminal charges.
Esho, an emerging political kingmaker in Ogun and whose rising profile is causing not a small jitters in the top echelon of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, had petitioned the House, notifying it of the attempt by some people within the state PDP to malign his character with a view to rubbishing his philanthropist gestures to the mass of the people in rural areas.
The House committee on ethics, justice and public petition, led by the deputy speaker, pastor Remmy Hassan, while presenting the committee’s report said the politician had been cleared of alleged stealing of children by the law enforcement agency.
While explaining that all the parties were invited including the petitioner during the meeting by the committee, it found out that the people accusing the politician of wrong doings were faceless people.
The speaker, Mr Tunji Egbetokun who allowed members of the House to adopt the report asked for comment where all members unanimously adopted the report.
Lagos
It was a drama of sorts Saturday at the blue roof of the Lagos State Television (LTV) Ikeja, venue for the celebration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN), 900 days in office as the governor and artisans brainstormed on issues that would further reposition the sector to be more efficient.
The event which was well attended by top government officials, party chieftains, also drew representatives of the various operators in the sectors including market women, carpenters, hair dressers, among others.
Addressing some of the issues raised by participants at the forum, Governor Fashola said the contribution of the sector had been one of the major backbones that have sustained the nation’s economy.
He said, “very often, people have made the mistake to think that you are poor. But I will never fall into that error because I know or at least you have fair sense of your contribution to the state and national economy.” He added that their little savings in the bank that they have no control over provide cash with which various banks satisfy the cash needs of the economy.
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