Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

December 23, 2009

Ondo

The maiden Mare Festival has been won by a 10-year-old boy, Sunday Akinwunmi, in the rocky town of Idare, Ondo State, for climbing 2,000 feed of steep mountain surface with bare hands and feet while professional mountaineers were using ropes and other gadgets.
For this efforts, which the state Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said typified the traits of gallantry and coverage of the average Ondo State youth, the lad was awarded a state-sponsored scholarship upto the university level.
Hundreds of local and international tourists, as well as the local population of Idanre, a town completely surrounded by towering rocky walls, participated in the three-day event.
Packaged as an avenue to make the town a global destination for tourists by the state government in collaboration with mother land Beckons, a tourism consultancy firm, the festival also exhibited the customs and traditions of the people through a carnival of dancing and drumming.

Kaduna

The Guardian correspondent in Kaduna State, Saxne Akhaine has reputedly received a threat to this life via phone number 08132283200.
The text message which was received at exactly 8.46pm, reads: “if you write rubbish again in this Kaduna you will be missing for ever.”
When Akhaine put a call to the phone number someone who referred to himself as driver to Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Kaduna State Governor, Uma Sani, said: “Yes, my oga (boss) is not around now, he left his phone in the car. But I will deliver your message and he will call you back.”
Not satisfied with this response, Akhaine called Sani on his official phone number to protest the text message.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has terminated the contract for the reconstruction of River Ele Bridge at Itapaji Ekiti over the failure of the contractor to commence work on the project.
The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, who made this known at the weekend, said the contract was awarded to Messers Kopek Construction Limited since October 2008, adding that the failure of the firm to commence work on the project left the state government with no alternative but to terminate the contract.
He said the Segun Oni-led administration would not deviate from its policy of transparency, accountability and due process towards ensuring that public funds are judiciously spent. He said the contract would soon be re-awarded to another contractor.
The Information Commissioner also disclosed that the government has blacklisted a construction company, Jobitrade Investment Limited, over its handling of the rehabilitation of the Teaching Hospital Theatre building in Ado-Ekiti in 2008.

Makurdi

To tackle the rot in the education sector in Benue State, the stakeholders have advised that all public schools, which were taken over by the State government, be returned to their original owners.
At a press conference during the weekend after the stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, the Commissioner for Education, Mr Benjamin Ashaver, said that the leaders, realising the rot in the education sector, have resolved that it is in the best interest of the state that the schools be returned to their owners.
He said: “The general consensus at the stakeholders’ meeting is that the schools be returned to their owners. However, the government will continue to grant aid to these schools to build up the education base of the state.”
According to him, the state government will send a bill to the House of Assembly on the resolution of the stakeholders so that a legal framework could be established for the return of the schools to their origional owners in the interest of the state.

Ogun

The Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at the weekend appealed to all residents of Ijebu-Ife who fled the town during the December 5 mayhem to return home as peace had returned to the town.
Oba Adetona assured that adequate security arrangement has been put in place to protect lives and property.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Ijebu-East Local Council, Tunde Oladunjoye, may appear before the judicial panel of enquiries set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the crisis. He had earlier expressed his lack of confidence in the three members.
The Awujale, who spoke through the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, described the incident as not only unfortunate but an embarrassment to the Yoruba race.

Lagos

Petroleum products marketers across the country appear to have finally gone ahead of the Federal Government to commence a full blown deregulation of the downstream sector as price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol has gone to an all time high of N150.00 a litre, even as some major oil marketers have also started a strategic sale of petrol at black market prices right inside their station.
Black market price appears to have shot astronomically high as investigation reveals that a litre of fuel in the black market now sells for as high as N450.00, with over 75 per cent of the petrol stations on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway shut to travelLers and other road users as they claim not to have any product.

FCT

The Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyeli has said that everything is being done to ensure that Anambra governorship election in February 2010 is hitch free.
The minister who gave the assurance at the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) forum in Abuja said “we need to come together and vote and let our votes be counted, so that we will be happy at the end for who ever emerges as the peoples choice. Until that happens, Anambra will continue to be in the news negatively.”
She said further, “Once we have a free and credible election, select somebody of our choice, feel very happy about our leader in Anambra State, even kidnapping will go down.

Ondo

Akure Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State weekend gave scholarship award till university level to a 10-year old boy, Sunday Akinwumu for his skill in climbing over 2,000 feet with his bare hands and feet.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the year’s Mare Festival, the governor said the boy was identified and rewarded as he climbed a 2,000 feet mountain with bare hands and feet while the professionals used ropes and other equipment. He pledged to harness all the potentials of the state to fast track its development.
Dr Mimiko said the festival was about the economic development of the people of the state. According to him, “the idea behind the festival, which featured mountain climbing, was to attract local and foreign tourists to the state.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Tang of Plateau State is banking on the quick recovery of President Umar Yar-Adua or a favourable outcome of the suit challenging the dissolution of the executive of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, by the national working committee, NWC, of the party to regain control of its machinery in the state.
The Tide gathered that following the resolution of the NWC to get the governor to work with the Chief Abu King Shuluwa-led Caretaker Committee it set up for the state, a position Jang is uncomfortable with.
It was learnt that a recent meeting between Jang and members of the NWC held a day to the recent National Executive Committee meeting of the party ended in a deadlock as the governor reportedly vowed not to work with the Caretaker Committee.

Kwara

Chairman, Governors’ Forum in Nigeria, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has lamented the persisting fuel scarcity across the country, attributing the hardship to the uncertainty trailing the proposed deregulation policy of the federal government.
In effect Saraki who is also the Kwara State governor, tasked the government and other stakeholders, particularly labour to come up with the way forward. He said the sooner this is done, the earlier the current fuel crisis would come to an end.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on the state of the nation to mark his 47th birthday, Governor Saraki said: “For now, it is like somebody who is in the middle of the stream, he has departed the shore and did not reach the destination, so during that period, definitely, you will see a lot of challenges.”

Bauchi

About 3,000 applicants turned up in the current senior cadre recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Bauchi State.
This was disclosed by the State Commandant of NSCDC, Haruna Shehu of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, venue of the recruitment exercise, saying 615 candidates were short listed in the senior cadre in the state.
Shehu said, of the over 11,000 who put in their application in the junior cadre, 4,840 were shot-listed.
According to him, only those short-listed were eligible to participate in the recruitment exercise, adding that the exercise, in the state was smooth and hitch-free.
He commended security agencies such as the army, FRSC and the state government who assisted to ensure that the exercise was smooth.

Oyo

Fuel scarcity which resurfaced last week in Ibadan has continued unabated as motorists and residents in the city spend endless hours at few filling stations that dispensed the products. Already, some independent marketers in some parts of the city have adjusted their pump price from the official N65 to N70 per litre.
But The Tide investigations revealed that all of them now sell at N100 per litre. Outlets visited by our reporter include Sabo, Mokola, Samgo, Bodija U.I. Ring Road, Elerele Iyagnaku, Total Garden and others.
The major marketers that sold the products at the official pump price of N65 collected extra charges from customers. The money they collected ranges from N200-N500 depending on the litres of fuel brought. When asked why they sold at such exorbitant prices, most of them who cared to answer said they bought above the official pump price at the depot where they lifted the fuel.
The Tide gathered that many filling stations in the city were shut. Though they claimed that they had run out of supply, investigation revealed that they preferred to sell either early in the morning between 6am and 7am or late in the evenings.
The refusal of the filling station to dispense the products has led to emergence of black market operators along Major roads in the city who now sell a four-litre keg for N600 and above. It was learnt that these illegal sellers of the products usually go to the filling stations at mid-night to buy the product.
Already, the scarcity of the product has taken its toll on the vehicular and human movement in the sprawling city.
Few vehicles now ply the roads, while the commercial drivers have capitalised on the scarcity to hike their fares.

Nation

FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

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.

Nation

Ogoni Stakeholders Hail Zabbey’s Performance

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

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

Nation

TETFunds’ South Rep Visits CEAPOLY …Unveils Mass Communication Dept Building

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

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