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NUT Demands Release Of Chibok Girls
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday called for immediate release of the over 200 abducted girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno
The Chairman , FCT chapter of the union, Mr Hassan Jibir, made the call at the ‘Bring Back our Girls’’ rally staged at Zone 7 in Abuja.
The national body of the union last Wednesday in Abuja directed the closure of all schools nationwide to protest the abduction.
Jibir said that the protest was in solidarity of the families of the abducted girls in Chibok and the slain teachers.
“The abduction of the girls is very painful; the girls are the ones facing the shock of the insurgencies.
“Unfortunately, Nigerians are not happy likewise the international community.
“The protest is a way of demonstrating our position and feelings that we are demanding for the release of these girls; to have them available in schools for the teachers to teach them the curriculum that has been provided.”
He said that the protest was also in line with the international community to ensure that the girls are rescued, safe and alive.
Jibir called on the military and the international security agencies to be careful in carrying out their rescue operations in order not to lose any of the girls.
“The demand of the NUT is to ensure that the objective of the rescue mission is to bring them safe and alive,” he said.
Jibir also called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate compensation to the families of the teachers that were killed by the insurgents.
He also called on government to ensure security in the school system.
Also, Mr Labaran Garba, Assistant Secretary, NUT FCT chapter, said the protest was also to lend the chapter’s voice in condemning the abduction of the girls.
Garba said that Nigerians should not relent in their prayers for the abducted school girls, adding that the entire country and the teachers were at a crossroad.
On his part, Mallam Usman Abubakar, a teacher at L.E.A. Paipe, Lifecamp, FCT, condemned the way and manner that the girls were abducted.
“We also want to plead with the abductors to please release our girls; they are innocent and they are not in government; they are not policy makers,‘’ he said.
Some of the placards carried inscriptions like “don’t mortgage the future of our girls’’, “support government to crush Boko Haram insurgents’’.
Others are “Education is a right, Chibok girls should be brought back to school’’, “please release our students, Boko Haram leaders are educated, please don’t deceive us’’ , among others.
In Lagos, The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday stormed the Lagos State Governor’s office, protesting the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the death of 173 teachers in Borno and Yobe State respectively.
Mr Segun Raheem, the state chairman of the NUT who led the protest, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ensure that the girls, who were abducted by insurgents, were rescued and brought back alive.
He also appealed to the government to compensate the families of teachers who had been killed by the insurgents.
Raheem described the killing of 173 teachers in Borno and Yobe as well as the abduction of 234 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok as attacks on the education sector.
“Education is the forum for development in any country.
“It is pertinent at this time to call on the Nigerian government to bring back our girls safe and alive by demonstrating enough social responsibility,’’ he said.
Raheem also appealed that insurance cover should be provided for both students and teachers and urged all tiers of government to come together to fight the insurgents.
Responding, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said that the day of protest declared by the NUT was a testimony of its astuteness.
Fashola was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr Fatai Olukoga, while the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, was also present.
He said that the interest of the teachers and pupils was of paramount interest to the government.
“The security and safety of the citizens is of paramount importance to the government.
“The safe return of the girls is of utmost importance to us,’’ he said.
Fashola promised to pass the NUT’s message to the Federal Government..
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi