Nation
THE STATES
Osun
The Ooni of Infe, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II has praised the Federal Government and all those who made the licensing of Oduduwa University possible.
Oba Sijuade was speaking in his palace recently when the chairman, board of Trustees of the University, Dr Oluwole Adedoyin presented the license of the institution to him for divine blessing.
He expressed deep appreciation to Dr Adedoyin for his steadfastness and commitment in his pursuit of excellent and patriotism, adding that, he has “added value to the lives of all people the state and the entire country.”
The Ooni advised Dr Adedoyin and his team not to toil with the name and take advantage of the leadership skills of Oduduwa in solving some of the challenges that might be encountered in the course of the administration of newly licenced institution.
“Nothing greater could have been done to honour Oduduwa by the Yoruba than the establishment of Oduduwa University. It must be made to succeed. The coming of Oduduwa University will in particular bring limelight to Ile-Ife and honour to the nation” – he said.
In his response, Dr Adedoyin, lauded the Ooni and the entire people of Ile-Ife for t heir encouragement and motivation towards acutalising the dream.
The Maye of Ife, Adedoyin told the Oba that the University plans to have linkage programmes with other universities and technical schools for staff exchange.
Ondo
Parents and family members of a dinner allegedly tortured to death by security operatives over alleged oil theft in Arogbo, Ondo State, have called for an official inquest into his death. The deceased 31 year-old Julius Gbeneme, (alias Asio) was reportedly arrested on the high sea alongside two others and detained in Okitipupa, Ondo State, where he gave up the ghost after being repeatedly tortured in a detentionc amp by some security operatives. According to the family of the deceased, Gbeneme’s death engendered panic among the security operatives who quickly released the other two suspects. They also alelgedlyr eached out to know chieftains of illegal bunkering activities in the area to douse the tension created by Gbeneme’s death by pacifying his family.
It was gathered that the illegal oil-bunkering leaders were making overtures to the deceased’s family with a view to giving them monetary compensation for the loss of their son. But one at the deceased’s brothers who lives in Lagos and pleaded anonymity, said Gbenemes was tortured to death by security operatives who were desperate to cover their tracks in cohort with beneficiaries of illegal bunkering activities in the riverine area of Ondo State.
Nasarawa
Thirteen years after the creation of Nasarawa State, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Lafia is yet to be connected to the national power grid, General Manager of the station, Maxwell Uloko, has said.
The station, situated on one of Lafia’s hills off the Doma Road axis of the state capital, has been transmitting using diesel-powered stand-by power generating set since inception.
While governments in state created alongside Nasarawa have ensured that their stations were connected to the national grid, NTA Lafia has not enjoyed government’s patronage in that respect.
Rather, it has often been attacked by armed robbers, who even carted away the station’s first heavy-duty power generating set by yanking it off its concrete stands during the second term of former Governor Abdulahi Adamu.
According to Uloko, since the stations connections to the national grid has been delayed for so long, the current cost of linking it to the nation’s power supply is about N8 million.
He said: “this is because so many equipped would be purchased, including transformers, ups facilities and cables to take electricity up the hill where the station. Once that is done, we will save a lot of money and may even go 24 hours.”
According to Ulooko, it costs over N1 million to transmit programmes like the recently concluded Under-17 Football World Cup alone.
He stressed that hooking the station to the grid would save man-hour and other resources spent on generating its own electricity.
Benue
Benue State House of Assembly has alleged that the State Ministry of Finance had misplaced resources by using funds meant for the execution of capital projects in the 2009 budget to settle recurrent claims at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
Also, members of the House Tuesday condemned the release of only N5 million to the Benue State Agency for the control of HIV/AIDS (BENSACA) by the State Ministry of Finance, when the State has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country.
Leading debate on the House committee on Health and Human Services report, minority leader, Tsetim Ayagwer, said the committee found out in the course of its oversight duties that the State Ministry of healthy illegally set aside the recurrent provisions of the 2009 budget for the State University Teaching Hospital and instead continued to release N10 million monthly to the hospital, which still operates with temporary accreditation.
Ayagwer stated that the committee received no satisfactory explanation on the matter from the Ministries of Finance and Healthy, hence its resolve to report the development to the Assembly.
Chairman, House Committee on Education, David Orjime, expressed worry that the Ministry of Finance could ignore the 2009 budget passed by the Assembly, adding that similar violation of the budget might exist in other ministries.
Kwara
Kwara state government has declared its determination to revive its identified tourist centres to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) capacity.
According to the chairman of the State Tourism Board, Alhaji Funsho Aikone, Tuesday in a chat with pressmen in Ilorin, the state government has perfected plans to involve more private participation in its tourism endeavours.
Prominent among the monumental centres in the state is Esie Museuna, Esie in Irepodum council of the state.
The people of the town some years ago heeded the call of a brave hunter identified as “Bayabon” to have a look that the collection of over 2,000 stone gaven images some metres to the town’s boundary.
Up till now, no one has specifically stated how he images got there. But the strongest report was that God turned the people into images due to their alleged idolatry tendencies.
According to Aikore, the museum, which today has its gallery and curator, will continually be seen as a great wonder of the modern world.
He also spoke on the Shao mass wedding in Moro council as another area the state would publicise.
Recently, 20 maidens from Suho, the Yoruba ancient settlement, participated in this year “Awonga” mass marriage ceremony.
The event, which had since been submitted under the programme of the state’s tourism board.
Oyo
An Ikeja High Court, Lagos Tuesday sentenced the Director of Micro Economic Planning in the Oyo State Ministry of Special Duties, Mrs Helen Banke Laoye, to 20 years imprisonment over fraud.
The judge found her guilty of the two counts of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence which is contrary to sections 8 (a) and 3(e) of the Advance fee fraud Act and convicted her on bath counts.
The statement of offence stated that Laoye obtained money by false pretence and conspired with one Dr. Olaoluwa Balogun whi is now at large, to fraudulently collect N4 million from one Segun Olorunfunmi and Adeola Adepoju of the East Atlantic Business System Support Services.
Justice Morenike Obadina, while delivering her judgment said: it is unfortunate that the defendant abused her office. I here by sentence her to 10 years for each of the two charges to run concurrently from September 21, 2008 and she should refund N4 million as restitution upon her release from custody.
According to information field in count, the convicted Helen Laoye carried out the fraud under the pretence of carrying out a project of procuring bond for government in 25 states for the federal government through the DFID, and went ahead with the project without the knowledge of the Oyo State Civil Service.
Taraba
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State has urged the Igbo in the State to be more united in the interest of peace and development.
The governor made the call Tuesday at the Igbo Day celebration held in Jalingo, the State capital, adding that in spite of the rapid growth and development by the Igbo in the state, unity had continued to elude them.
Suntai, who further observed the uniqueness of the Igbo, said they were mostly spread across the country and beyond and were very accommodating, but lamented that those in the state were factionalised.
He attributed the disunity, which has split the Igbo in the state into two groups as the devils handiwork.
The Igbo Community in the state as gathered by the Guardian has been factionalised into two groups, namely: Igbo welfare Association (IWA) and Igbo Community Association (ICA).
Abuja
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee has felicitated with Muslims and all Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Eid el Kabir – the great feast of Muslims’ sacrifice.
Prince Ogbulafor said in a message to Muslims yesterday in Abuja that the Eid el Kabir festival and celebration which places emphasis on the virtues of complete submission and sacrifice once again reminds all of their duties to the Almighty God and nation, Nigeria.
Ogbulafor said he and the PDP were happy to observe that Nigeria is at what he described as “the threshold of a great transformation”, adding that the momentum requires the patriotism, loyalty and sacrifice of all citizens to be sustained.
He said that the occasion therefore offers a unique opportunity to show and share LOVE to one another and not to dwell on issues that have a tendency to divide the nation and her peoples.
He added:” On this special occasion, our great Party, the PDP invites all Nigerians to join hands with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Var’ Adua (GCFR) in our steady march to greatness. We wish all Nigerians a peaceful and Joyful celebration Barka Da Sallah”
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State Tuesday enjoined Corps members servicing in the state to be of good behaviour, in the same vein, the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), mr Ladipo Laniyan, has called on the corps members to avoid any anti-social behaviour.
They made the call Tuesday in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos during the closing ceremony of the 2009 batch ‘C’ orientation for Corps members.
Fashiola who was represented by Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Kofo Abayomi, promised to provide opportunities for the new corps members to contribute their “quota to the development of the state in the areas of education, free health care as well as environmental sanitation.”
While commending the corps members for their “display of abundant skills and talents during the orientation course” the governor urged them to accept their posting to their various places of primary assignments in good faith.
Ogun
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ota Business Unit has launched 40 micro Business Units (MTSUS) to bring its service closer to electricity consumers in the network.
The units are billed to motivate customers’ bill settlement habit, monitor customers who illegally tamper with PHCN installations, record complains and ensure that adequate steps are taken to restore any faulty facility at any point in time.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the MBUS at the company’s promises in Ota recently, Mr Kayode Moyosore, said the establishment of MBUS was based on the premises to extend its services to some of the customers which the unit had hitherto found difficult to reach in the past.
“We have discovered that there are lots of potentials around here and if we do not reach out to them it may be difficult for us to extend our improved services to them” – he said.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
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