Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) says it will build 20 public toilets in some strategic places in the FCT to stop the practice of open defecation.
Mr. Tony Efechiyi, the board’s Deputy Director, Liquid Waste Management Department, disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Abuja during the Longest Toilet Queue Campaign organised to mark the 2010 World Water Day.
The UN World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22.
Efechiyi said two toilets would be built in strategic places such as markets, hospitals, filling stations and motor parks to promote good sanitation practice.
“We have already included the project in the 2010 budget; latest by June, we would have completed the project and we are targeting those places because those are the areas where we have the highest level of waste disposal.
“This will be the first phase of the project. As soon as we finish in June we may still build more depending on our budget . We intend to make it a yearly thing to increase access to toilet facilities.
“AEPB is committed to the provision of sanitation facilities until we achieve our target of building 10 public toilets in each district in the FCT city,” he said.
Efechiyi said the board would partner with civil society organistations to have a prototype of the type of toilet that would take care of the needs of special people such as the physically challenged, the elderly as well as sick people who may be too weak to use the ordinary toilets.
Adamawa
Memebers of vigilance group in Mubi town, Adamawa have called for the settlement of their outstanding four months allowance by the Mubi North local government.
The leader of the group, Mallam Usman Banga , who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Mubi, lamented that the N2000 monthly allowance being paid to each member had not been forthcoming.
“I want to appeal to Mubi North local government to pay us our outstanding allowance for four months so that we will continue to contribute to security in the area.
“It is unfortunate that in spite of our contribution to fighting crime in the area we have to be subjected to this long neglect,” Usman lamented.
He said there were 50 members of the group in the area but only 35 of them were entitled to the N2000 monthly allowance.
“We, however, have to share it among all of us so that everyone would benefit,” Usman said.
When contacted, an official of Mubi North council, who preferred anonymity, said the council was aware and would do something “very soon about it”.
Bauchi
A member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Mustafa Chali (ANPP-Bauchi), has donated drugs worth more than N5 million to Tashan-Babiye Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Bauchi metropolis.
He said at the presentation of the items that the gesture was part of the constituency projects he initiated to enhance healthcare delivery to the people of the area.
Chali, represented by Alhaji Yakubu Yerima, said additional drugs would be soon distributed to all primary healthcare facilities in the area .
He announced that he had also established a skill acquisition centre at Liman-Katagum to train youths in various trades to reduce poverty, create job opportunities and enhance wealth creation.
He said he had also executed various school and other community development projects in the last two years to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the electorate.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has offered its shares in the Unity Bank for sale to interested citizens of the state.
The government on Saturday announced the divestment of 867,668,759 units of the shares in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Gov. Namadi Sambo on Media, Malam Umar Sani.
The statement stated that the offer would be through the Kaduna Investment and Finance Company (KIFC) Limited.
“The decision of the government is as a result of current regulation which does not allow for ownership of banks by government beyond 10 per cent.
“The current structure of the bank gives 70 per cent ownership to government,’’ it explained.
It recalled that commissioners of finance of owner states and the management of the bank had met and reviewed the report of the CBN and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
The government added that stakeholders also agreed that the states should renounce their rights to subscribe to the shares of the bank in favour of citizens of the respective states.
“However, Unity Bank is to wisely publicise the renunciation of the rights of the state governments to the citizens and request the citizens to take up those rights through their state investment companies.’’
Katsina
The North-West Zone of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has embarked on an enlightenment campaign to educate consumers on their rights to quality products, and safety of goods and services.
The zonal coordinator of the council, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, disclosed this to participants at a one-day interactive forum in Katsina on Thursday to mark the World Consumer Rights Day 2010.
He explained that the campaign became necessary because many people in the zone were not aware of their rights as consumers.
“Some consumers do not even know that an organisation like the CPC exists to protect their rights, hence, we resolved to embark on this aggressive campaign,” he said.
He said that the CPC would undertake visits to various stakeholders, while young consumer clubs in schools would be formed and encouraged in the zone.
Yahaya appealed to consumers in the zone who felt unsatisfied with any products to always lodge their complaints to the CPC.
Kebbi
The Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi said it had spent about N1.1 billion on rehabilitation of road and health facilities within the last two years.
The Sole Administrator of the council, Alhaji Nura Usman, made this known in Kangiwa in Kebbi on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
He said that N840 million was spent on construction of rural roads covering 32 kilometres, saying that “the roads will be completed in three months”.
He said N200 million was provided by the state government for the construction of all township roads and drainage in Kangiwa town.
“We were able to provide eight Primary Health Care Centres, 26 boreholes and five earth dams within the period and we intend to surpass past efforts,” he said.
He said N109 million was spent on the provision of the rural health care centres.
According to him, the sum of N850,000 has been set aside for each round of immunisation, in addition to accommodation, transport and welfare of personnel.
Gombe
Alhaji Mohammad Doho, Gombe State Commissioner for Water Resources, Town Planning and Environment, has called for the harnessing of the abundant solar energy in the country for cooking purposes.
In an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Thursday, the commissioner said that if properly harnessed, solar energy could serve as an alternative to firewood.
He added that solar would also help in reducing the rampant felling of trees, thereby curtailing deforestation and preserving the environment.
“Converting solar energy as alternative to firewood will contribute immensely by reducing the felling of trees, especially in the northern part of the country,” he said.
Doho said that apart from the solar energy, wind in the northern part of the country could also be easily tapped to provide energy that could be used for cooking.
He added that the problem of desert encroachment had been an issue of concern in the north and therefore needed to be addressed squarely.
“Forest reserves are being tampered with, resulting in deforestation and overgrazing of farm lands,” he added.
The commissioner said that the state government had been taking measures to arrest the situation, adding that one of such measures was the seizure of firewood generated through illegal felling of trees.
Lagos
The National Coordinator, National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Babs Animashaun, has hinged improved performance of students in national examinations on funding.
In an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Saturday, Animashaun said the poor performance of secondary school students in the last West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations was due under-funding of education.
“The under funding has resulted in the poor quality output in the nation’s educational sector.
“At no time had government invested 26 per cent of its annual budget on education as stipulated by the United Nations Education, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“The cumulative effect of this is the poor quality of education we give our children and the quality of leadership at all strata of life in the country,’’ he said.
Animashaun called for increased budgetary allocations by the Federal and State Governments to shore up the standard of education.
Mr. Olusoji Adams, the Chairman, Parents Forum Association (PFA), Lagos Mainland Local Government Chapter, also said that urgent steps should be taken to reverse the trend.
He said government should partner with the stakeholders in a bid to restore the country’s lost glory and standard of education.
Oyo
No woman lost her life in childbearing in 2009 in Igboora community of Oyo State, reputed for multiple births.
Statistics from Ibarapa Community and Primary Health Care Programme showed that a total of 601 live births were recorded in the community in 2009, out of which 18 were twins.
The statistics also showed that three still births were recorded in the community that year.
It showed further that no woman was lost to childbearing in the community in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
According to the statistics, Igboora community has 713 live births in 2006, 534 in 2007 and 617 in 2008.
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