Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Nigerians need to develop interest in reading books and learning history to develop their future, veteran Actor/Producer, Zack Orji, has said.
Orji spoke with The Tide’s Source in Lamurde, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa recently.
He said majority of Nigerians tended to forget things easily except if they were made into entertainment forms, such as films, and so it was necessary to capture history in movies.
“One of the tragedies that have befallen this country today is that Nigerians don’t read. Give the typical Nigerian a book and a movie, they would pick the movie and abandon the book,” Orji said.
The actor said learning and capturing the culture and lifestyles of other tribes in the country could form a true picture of national cohesion.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has recruited more than 2,030 medical personnel to boost its health care services.
Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, told The Tides Source in Bauchi that the exercise was aimed at rejuvenating the health sector.
He said those employed were nurses, laboratory scientists and 30 Egyptian doctors who specialised in different fields of medicine.
Muhammad said more than 30 state-of-the-art ambulances were also purchased and distributed to the 23 general hospitals in the state.
He said government had embarked on the rehabilitation and re-equipping of the more than 24 primary health centres in the 20 local government areas.
Muhammad said all the 23 general hospitals had been provided with new generators to ensure steady power supply.
Ekiti
Mrs Clara Anekwe, the NYSC Coordinator in Ekiti State, has urged members deployed to the area to be part of the re-branding programme of the federal government.
Anekwe stated this on Tuesday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Ise/Orun during an interactive session with 2010 batch “A” corps members currently undergoing orientation.
The Tide’s Source reports that 2,200 corps members deployed to the state are participating in the orientation programme.
The coordinator, who described the NYSC members as “the future leaders”, counselled them to imbibe the re-branding programme for a better society.
She said “My dearest corps members, Nigeria is re-branding now. As future leaders of our great nation, the re-branding must start with you.
“What you profess in the light, do not go against it in the dark. Our collective aspiration must produce a better society. In the next three weeks, let us come together to fashion a course for a New Nigeria.”
Katsinaa
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) plans to open 15 area offices in the country.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Maharzu Tsiga, told The Tide’s source in Katsina that the project was to decentralise the operations of the scheme to enhance its efficiency.
He said an NYSC area office would be opened in each of the six geo-political zones and nine other states before the end of April.
Tsiga said the NYSC Governing Board had approved the establishment of the offices, adding that the exercise would be for the benefit of the corps members.
He declared: “The establishment of the area offices is to ensure the security, welfare and comfort of corps members.
“It will also enable the administrators of the scheme to play their statutory responsibilities so that the dream of the founding fathers of the scheme will be realised”.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has released about N363 million to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as its counterpart fund for 84 community development projects in the state.
Alhaji Garba Argungu, the IFAD Project Manager in the state, The Tide’s source in Birnin Kebbi that four projects would be executed in each of the 21 local government areas.
He said the projects would be executed in phases, adding that each benefiting community would receive N1.2 million for the execution of the first phase of the projects.
According to him, each of the four communities, Gomozo, Alelu, Tafkin-Kada and Sadam-Razai, in Jega Local Government Area, had already received their share of N1.2 million for the execution of projects initiated by them.
He said the money would be utilised for the execution of capital projects such as schools, dispensaries, rural roads and water supply as well dry season fish and irrigation farming activities.
Kwara
The Kwara Government on Monday in IIorin commenced the annual mass vaccination of local chickens in selected communities.
The exercise is being carried out under the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Rural Poultry Bio-security Improvement Scheme (RUPBIS).
Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said government had released N1.5 million on to support the exercise.
He said various poultry inputs worth more than N3 million supplied by some international agencies were also released.
Gana-Yisa said the Bio-security Improvement Scheme was an intervention strategy put in place by the Avian Influenza Control Project in 2008 in 12 pilot communities spread across six local government areas.
Osun
Capt. Stephen Mamvong, Commandant of the NYSC camp in Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday warned corps members against stealing.
Mamvong said the warning became necessary against the backdrop of previous incidents of stealing involving corps members.
He told The Tide’s source in Ede that any corps member caught stealing would face the full weight of the law.
‘‘We are here to give leadership qualities by demonstrating practically that leaders are supposed to lead by examples of virtuous living and not to steal or rob.
‘‘The corps members must start practising this now so that by the time they go out, they will not start manipulating figures in the public service.
‘‘They must check thieves in their midst by being wary of those who steal their things,’’ he said.
Plateau
A middle aged man, Sunday Rimnil, who routinely embarked on a binge, was found dead on Monday in Chigwong, Plateau, in a gutter.
Relations told The Tide’s source, Monday, that Rimnil was a drunk, and had lost so much weight, even as he was constantly cautioned on the bad effects of excessive drinking.
The victim’s uncle, Mr Moses Dakyil, told the source that Rimnil was found in a gutter near the market in the early hours of Monday, when he did not return home the previous day.
According to him, Rimnil’s wife was the breadwinner of the family as her husband spend most of his time drinking.
Zamfara
Alhaji Aminu Marafa, an Islamic scholar in Zamfara, has called for more legislations that would encourage economic empowerment of women in Nigeria.
Marafa, Director- General, Islamic Orgnisations and Quranic Schools in Zamfara, said in Gusau on Tuesday at a three-day training programme on modified life saving skills for community health extension workers.
The scholar noted that “self- imposed traditional and cultural beliefs that had nothing to do with religion, have over time impeded the progress of women in Nigeria, especially in the northern states“.
Marafa further said that “unless the government, especially the legislative arm, enact laws that will release women from the burden of such cultural beliefs, their social lives will continue to be trampled upon”.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”
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