Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The location in Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area of EkitiState where the first plane crash was recorded in 1942, is to be converted to tourist centre.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Tourism Development, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, who inspected the crash site recently in Ikogosi-Ekiti, said the decision was to turn the state into attractive tourism destination in West Africa.
Ikogosi town is also famous for being the home to warm and cold water co-existing together on the same spot.
He said government’s determination to make the state a place where people could visit and see the relics of the airplane would complement the appeal of the warm spring in the area.
FCT
Helpline Foundation for the Needy (HFN) in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) last week in Abuja donated food items to widows and orphans in the FCT.
President of the NGO, Mrs Jummai Ahmadu, said that her desire to distribute food items to widows and orphan, particularly during Christmas motivated her to set up the foundation in 2005.
According to her, the objective of the foundation is to enhance the wellbeing, economic and human empowerment of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and vulnerable widows in the society.
“ The organisation since its inception is currently responsible for the education of more than 150 children both in primary and secondary schools.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commended the Federal Government for distributing fertiliser and other inputs to irrigation farmers in the state.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, told newsmen at Auyo in Jigawa that the gesture would assist farmers and encourage agricultural activity.
It would be recalled the Federal Government had distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rate to rice farmers in the state.
The Federal Government also distributed 2,400 tonnes of improved rice seeds free to the farmers this dry season under its agricultural palliative programme to accelerate rice production in the country.
Kaduna
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) last Thursday in Kaduna said it had spent N11.5 billion on the training of 425,000 teachers in the last four years.
The Director General of the institute, Dr Ladan Sharehu said this at a press briefing ahead of the flag-off of the Annual Nationwide Capacity Workshop for Teachers.
Sharehu said the programme, financed by the MDGs, was for the training of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in four subjects English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies.
She explained that N3.5 billion was spent in 2009 to train 120,000 teachers, N4 billion in 2010 to train 140,000 teachers and N2 billion used in 2011 on the training of 125, 000.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government says it will soon domesticate the Child Rights Act to enhance its application for proper upbringing of children.
Mrs Patience Mameh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, told newsmen in Lokoja that government had put in place measures that would popularise the Act.
She said that the upbringing of children should be premised on their guaranteed fundamental rights to check abuse and traumatising of children.
Mameh said that it was against this backdrop that the ministry recently held its maiden sitting of the “Children’s Parliament” to develop skills for good governance and responsible citizenship among the children.
Kwara
Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to partnering community and religious bodies to eradicate poverty.
Ahmed said this at the Charity Home, Ilorin, during a special prayer to mark the 50th birthday of the former Governor of the State Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara Central).
He said that such partnership was aimed at improving the well being of the people,
He commended the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), for being a dependable ally for growth and development in the state.
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.
He made the call at the formal commissioning of Dr Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said such partnership was very necessary.
“This will help in turning around the dwindling fortunes of education in the state,’’ saying, restating that provision of quality education was part of his administration’s 10-point agenda.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for emerging the first recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
The governor said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, in Abeokuta that Soyinka deserved the award.
He described Soyinka as an “embodiment of integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, among others.
“Soyinka has spent his entire adult life leading the crusade for a just and united society, founded on the sanctity of the rule of law and press freedom.
Osun
Two persons were killed by armed robbers while no fewer than five others sustained injuries during a bank robbery in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun.
The Tide source reports that the robbery attack lasted half an hour at the Ikirun branch of a new generation bank.
It was learnt that security agents attached to the bank and residents took to their heels on sighting the armed robbers.
Ondo
The President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), an NGO, Mr Samuel Ademola, has decried the high death rate among Nigerians due to curable diseases.
Ademola was speaking at a three- day free healthcare programme organised by the NGO at the state Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He said the group organised the programme to reduce the death rate among indigenes of the area.
“ All of us here today belong to the same ethnic group and we have come up with this programme as a way of helping our fellow Ikale men.
Oyo
A researcher with Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Abubakar Oladeji, has advised his colleagues to disseminate research findings in simple language to make government policy implementation easier.
Oladeji, who spoke in Ibadan recently at a training for journalists on reporting research findings, said dissemination of findings to policy makers and the public was vital to any researcher.
He said, it was unfortunate that a lot of policy makers had little time for reading through technical research reports findings which they saw as academic prose.
He said because of this, it would be a fruitless exercise for researchers to be sending lot of pages of research outcome and recommendations to them.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has approved three months salary for its striking local government workers as part of efforts to placate them to end their eight months industrial action.
The state government said in a statement signed by its Director of Press Affairs, Mr James Mannok, in Jos that Gov. Jonah Jang had decided to tamper with the “no work no pay’’ policy on compassionate grounds.
“The issue is already before the National Industrial Court for interpretation, but government has approved payment of salaries to resuming workers with effect from October to December 2012,’’ the statement said.
Yobe
Yobe Assembly has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for engaging 10,000 youths under the state Special Empowerment Programme aimed at curbing unemployment.
The assembly passed the vote of confidence at its plenary session presided over by the speaker, Alhaji Dala Dogo.
The legislators said the gesture would help curb unemployment and contribute to checking insecurity.
The assembly also noted with satisfaction the ongoing training of youths, who were recently engaged as teachers in primary and secondary schools across the state.
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