Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the United
.States is to assist Borno and other states in the North East Zone in the areas of primary healthcare and agriculture.
The President, Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Chris Elias, made this known during a meeting with officials of the Borno and Bauchi State Governments in the U.S.
The Special Adviser to the Borno Governor on Media and Communication , Malam Isa Gusau, made this known in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Sunday.
“Gov. Kashim Shettima and his Bauchi counterpart, Governor Isa Yuguda, were at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Washington D.C where they held meetings with the officials for hours.
FCT
WaterAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Govern
ment to address water and sanitation issues in the country to curb deaths among children.
The organisation’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Michael Ojo, described the high mortality rate of children under five from water related cases as “scandalous’’.
Ojo made the call in an interview with newsmen in commemoration of the World Water Day, in Abuja.
He said there was need to reverse current statistics of infant deaths arising from diarrhoea and water borne diseases in the country.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa has urged
political parties to shun sentiments in the choice of their flag bearers during elections.
Lamido said this when he received the executive officers of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) in Dutse.
He said aspirants needed not to be popular among the leaders of political parties, if they had the required will to work for the people.
The governor said that over the years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had carried out its objective of delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“It is either PDP or PDP, there is no alternative to our party, the only party that is owned by Nigerians”, he said.
Lamido said the PDP had always demonstrated that it was a party not owned or controlled by anyone or some individuals.
Kano
The Serendipity Health Care Foundation, an NGO based
in Kano, has called on the Kano State Government to focus more on the provision of safe drinking water to rural communities.
Its Coordinator, Mrs Samira Faruk, made the call at a rally the NGO organised to commemorate the World Water Day in Kano.
She said the call was necessary in view of the importance of water and sanitation to human lives.
‘’We appreciate the laudable projects Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso is doing, but we want him to do more especially in the areas of water and sanitation in the rural areas.’’
She said the organisation was ready to partner with the state government in the area of water and sanitation with a view to achieving the desired objectives.
Kaduna
The Integrity Network, a group under the All
Progressives Congress (APC), has urged youths in the country to shun “politics of deceit, money, religious bigotry and ethnic manipulation”.
Leader of the network Malam Umar Yahya, made the call at an interactive session with youths in Kaduna as part of the APC’s grassroots mobilisation.
The session has as its theme: Integrity and Corruption: Wither Nigerian?
Yahya said the aim was to ensure that the youths played vital role in the evolution of a new leadership in the country through democratic principles.
Lagos
Some lawyers in Lagos have criticised the wearing of
branded jackets belonging to religious organisations by the accused while standing trial in court.
Their reactions came against the backdrop of an accused, Dairus Nweze, 37, who appeared before a magistrate in a sleeveless branded jacket of a church — The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church — with Scriptural inscriptions on it.
Our correspondent reports that the accused is facing a charge of assault at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.
He had earlier entered a plea of “not guilty’’.
Court officials had asked the accused to remove the jacket, but he reluctantly responded that he could remove it and chose to walk out of the courtroom.
Niger
The Niger Government has sent packing 200 Fulani
herdsmen from Gunu village in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state to Rijana, their ancestral village in Kaduna State.
The Director-General of the state’s department in charge of Nomadic Affairs, Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar, addressed the herdsmen shortly before their departure.
He said the decision to send them home was based on “security issues’’.
Abubakar said the herdsmen erred by not informing their association in the state about their intention to migrate in such a large number with their herds.
Ogun
As the world observed World Water Day recently, the Ogun
Government has renewed its commitment to make potable water available to the citizens.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Olu Odeyemi, said this in Abeokuta in an interview with newsmen.
Odeyemi said that the state government’s efforts in providing good drinking water for the people were being hampered by inadequate power supply.
He disclosed that the government was negotiating with some power companies from Índia and China to have alternative way of generating power rather than depending on the government.
Osun
A former military administrator of Ebonyi, Sen.Simeon
Oduoye, 69, is dead.
Oduoye, who represented Osun Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party from 2003 to 2007, died in Osogbo.
Mr Bola Ajao, PDP Publicity Secretary in Osun, confirmed Oduoye’s death to newsmen in an interview last Saturday in Osogbo.
He described Oduoye’s death as “a blow to the party” adding that the deceased was a gentleman to the core, who served the country diligently.
Plateau
The Plateau Government says it will spend two billion
naira to restock the 30-years-old Jos Wild Life Park.
The commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Abraham Yiljap, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Jos recently.
Yiljap said the step would address the park’s declining fortunes and patronage following years of neglect of the facility famed to be the largest man-made zoo in Nigeria.
“We want to upgrade the facility to realise its full potential”.
“The multiplier effects are massive but we specifically target a situation where every family will seek to visit the Jos Wild Life Park and have a good time,’’ he said.
Sokoto
A 4-day Maiden Conference on Basic and Applied Sci
ences has ended in Sokoto with participants advocating inter-disciplinary approaches to researches.
This is contained in a communique signed by the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Aminu Ibrahim, and made available to newsmen in Sokoto recently.
The conference which was organised by the Faculty of Science, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, between March 17 and March 20, had as its theme, “Impact of Basic and Applied Sciences on Resource Acquisition and Management”.
The communique advised that, “the institutions of higher learning and research institutes should give more emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to researches.’’
It also called for more “investigations in order to obtain a qualitative and enduring solution to resource scarcity”.
Taraba
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, says
he believes in the ability of the new leadership of the PDP to bring back those who defected from party.
Umar said this during a media parley with newsmen in Jalingo recently.
‘’Ahmed Muazu is active and he wants his people to return to PDP. I believe he will achieve this and win back most if not all defectors before the next general elections,’’ Umar said.
He said Taraba remained peaceful in the region because the PDP brought all the stakeholders to dialogue and enlightened the people on the need for development through peaceful co-existence
‘’We achieved peace in Taraba today through dialogue. We brought together major stakeholders: emirs, chiefs, clergymen to enlighten and talk to the people that destruction of lives and property was affecting our development and advancement.
L-R: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State (2nd-left) and Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (right), signing an MoU for National Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Bauchi, last Monday. Photo: NAN.
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