Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, widow of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mrs Amina Yakowa, chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Manir Ja’afaru and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the one year Memorial Anniversary of the former Governor in Kaduna last Saturday. Photo: NAN
Benue
The Benue State Coordinator, All Farmers Association
of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Kunti Adamu, has called on the government to provide loans and inputs to farmers, to assist them to embrace mechanised farming.
Kunti made the call in an interview with newsmen last Thursday in Makurdi.
He stated that if loans were given to farmers, this would encourage them to venture into large-scale farming, to boost food production in the country.
He also appealed to the government to organise workshops on quarterly to educate farmers on the latest developments in the agriculture sector.
Ekiti
The Director-General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and
Culture, Mrs Yetunde Fosudo, has lamented non-participation of states and low turn-out of foreign countries at the ongoing 2013 Ekiti Festival.
Fosudo told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on the sideline of the ongoing festival that only two countries and 16 local governments were at the festival.
She said that only Senegal and Mali were participating in the festival, adding that she was disappointed with the low turnout of foreign participants.
Fosudo also expressed concern about the non-participation of states.
“There is no single state that participated in this year’s edition of the festival,’’ she said.
FCT
Three drivers were arraigned before a mobile court in
Abuja, charged with various road traffic offences.
The drivers are Nurudeen Kareem of Mpape, Abuja, and Samaila Mohammed of FCDA Quarters, Garki, Abuja and Alfred Sunday, an official of Zenith Bank, Garki, Abuja.
Kareem was charged with driving an overloaded vehicle, Mohammed was charged with driving without fastening the seatbelt, while Sunday was charged with using his mobile phone while driving.
All the accused pleaded guilty to the offences and the magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Iyana, ruled that the offenders should pay N10,000, N5,000 and N4,000 fines respectively or have their cars impounded.
Kaduna
Northern artists in the country last Thursday converged
in Kaduna to celebrate creativity of the music industry in the North.
The event that was organised by Top Entertainment attracted fun-loving people from across the city.
Artists that performed at the event are, Emilly, Henzee, Marvellous, Skinny Boy, and comedian Mc Basket Mouth.
Mr Ibrahim Jika, Chief Executive Officer of Top Entertainment, told newsmen that the idea was to bring music promoters, marketers and upcoming artists together to give young artists the opportunity to exhibit their talents.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State last Thurs
day signed a law which prescribed 14 years’ imprisonment, without option of fine, for those found guilty of homosexuality, lesbianism and sexual harassment.
The State House of Assembly recently amended Sections 284 and 285 of Penal Code Law, Cap. 96, Laws of Katsina State, 1991, to provide for stiffer punishment for those found engaged in the illegal acts.
The law states: “Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 14 years’ imprisonment and liable to N10,000 fine.
“Any woman, who employs means of satisfying her sexual desire through bodily contact with another woman or otherwise, with or without her consent, shall be liable to 14 years’ imprisonment together with N10,000 fine.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Environment said last Thurs
day that it would conduct an environmental audit to ensure compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of the ministry, Alhaji Sanusi Katune, gave the hint in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Katune observed that many construction companies failed to comply with the legal requirements of conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before executing their projects.
Lagos
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association
of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says the delay in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Bill is crippling investments in the oil and gas sector.
The National Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Mr Oluseyi Gambo, made the observation in an interview with newsmen last Thursday in Lagos.
He said the inaction on the bill had limited foreign investment in the industry.
Gambo said the association was optimistic that the bill would become a law to fast track development in the oil and gas sector.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has called for support from
Lafia Emirate Council in its effort to tackle the problem of erosion and flooding in the state.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, made the call during a courtesy call on the Emir of Lafia, Dr Isa Mustapha, in Lafia last Thursday.
Muazu said the recent disaster prompted him and his management team to embark on advocacy visit to the Emir of Lafia and the affected areas, to find solution to the problem. At the emir’s palace, Muazu said he came to seek for royal blessings and support from the emirate council to curb the problem of flooding that had ravaged the metropolis.
Niger
A Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court last Thursday ordered
the remand in prison custody of a 17 year old student, Abubakar Suleiman for act of indecency.
The accused was arraigned in court on a one count charge of act of gross indecency contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Gunduma Ibrahim, had told the court that one Rabia Ibrahim, of Sani Mambo Street, Suleja, reported the matter at the station on December 1.
Ibrahim said that on November 30, the accused entered the complainant’s residence and met her three years old daughter inside the house.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State last Thurs
day said the state government had taken steps to ensure that farmers enjoyed the full benefits of cocoa production.
Mimiko made this known when he was honoured as the Nigeria Cocoa Ambassador by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN).
The association also recognised the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as a merit award recipient.
Mimiko, who thanked CFAN for the honour, said efforts were on to ensure that farmers were not short-changed in the entire cocoa chain, production to marketing levels.
Osun
An Osogbo Grade II Customary Court last Thursday
dissolved a 22-year-old marriage between Ruth Abimbola and her husband, Elijah on grounds of unfaithfulness and marital unrest.
The President of the court, Chief Bolarinwa Popoola, who dissolved the marriage, held that the respondent’s absence in court was an indication that he had no interest in the relationship.
“The marriage, is therefore, dissolved and the court grants the custody of the four children to their father as they are of age,’’ he ordered.
Oyo
An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr Muhammed Jubril, last Thursday urged the National Assembly to enact laws that would make the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) completely independent.
He made the call, while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
Jubril said that the EFCC, since its establishment in 2003, would have performed better without undue interference from the Federal Government.
“Unfortunately, the EFCC is today seen as a tool in the hands of the government to hunt a selected few who are not in the good books of the government.
Zamfara
A Base Ammunition Depot of the Nigerian Army, Gusau, said it had repatriated 226 foreign donkeys to Niger Republic.
The Commandant of the depot, Major Hamman Saleh, told journalists while loading the donkeys at the Tsafe military check point, Zamfara, that the donkeys were intercepted in the bush on Monday along with their 49 owners.
Saleh said due to the security challenges in the country, the donkeys and their owners were apprehended and searched to detect possible concealed weapons.
He, however, said that only axes and cutlasses were found in their possession, adding that the intruders, however, gained entry into the country illegally.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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