Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The presidential committee on relief materials has
initiated the distribution of relief materials to persons displaced by attacks in Adamawa State.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okwonjo-Eweala, who presented the materials, said they were meant to cushion the effect of insurgency on the victims.
The event took place at Bajabure displaced peoples camp in Girei Local Government Area of the state.
The minister said the gesture had no political undertone as being insinuated, adding that the victims were Nigerians and that government had the obligation to ease their suffering.
In his address, Mr Boni Haruna, Minister of Youth Development, said government was concerned about the victims.
“Government is very concerned and is bound to respond on issues in the North-East region of the country. It is making progress in the war against insurgency,” he said.
Borno
The Borno State chapter of the Christian Associa
tion of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday advised political and religious leaders in the country to examine their conduct and lead with the fear of God.
This is contained in a message delivered by Bishop Naga Mohammed at the October 1, Unity Prayer organised by the association in Maiduguri.
The association said God had freed Nigeria and Nigerians from the clutches of under-development, corruption and endemic poverty but expressed regret that the nation’s leaders had repeatedly held the country in captivity.
“God has given us freedom but the devil is usually out to snatch it from us through our act, especially most of our leaders. Nigeria got independence from the British colonial masters but we are not free from poverty and many problems,’’ CAN stated. It urged Nigerian leaders to purge themselves of selfish interest and seek truth so that the nation could be set free.
Ekiti
Former Head of State and All Progressives Con
gress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), has urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the 2015 general election to stop what he referred to as “the tyranny of the Peoples Democratic Party in the country.”
Buhari, who was in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, to inaugurate the newly-constructed Ekiti Parapo Square built by Governor Kayode Fayemi, said it was time for Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands “and rescue themselves from bad governance and oppression.”
Buhari, who was a special guest of honour at ceremonies to mark the 18th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, lamented that Nigerians had “been traumatised by the PDP reign in the country,” saying it was time for them to make a change.
FCT
Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday, cau
tioned politicians against inflammatory and treasonable statements, ahead the 2015 elections.
Mark, at a special church service to mark Nigeria’s 54th Independent anniversary at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, added that unguarded statements could overheat the polity and create avoidable tension.
He insisted that ambitions of individuals were subordinate to national interest, adding that “Nigeria must exist as a nation first before we could pursue our individual ambitions.”
Mark also stated that those who had been seen fanning the embers of war must immediately desist as, according to him, Nigerians had a lot to gain by being united.
Kaduna
All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the
Kaduna State House of Assembly have endorsed General Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2015 presidential election.
The APC members that constituted the opposition at the Assembly said they endorsed Buhari on behalf of their constituencies.
Minority Leader in the Assembly, Mohammed Ali, in company of other members of opposition, said many people fear General Buhari because they are beholden to corruption and greed, adding that many adore him because they believed he has the ability to turn things around.
“Never in the history of this nation have we come close to a failed state as it is presently experienced owing to the ineptitude of those charged with the responsibility of leading the nation but history has it that when General Buhari was the Military head of state, Nigeria blossomed as a nation while discipline was restored and Nigeria was respected worldwide, “ he said.
Kwara
The Project Director, Ambico Sendivian Limited, Mr.
Idowu Salawu, has said that the cause of the floods which had destroyed properties worth millions of Naira in Illorin, the Kwara State capital, was not because the federal government had abandoned the channelisation of the Asa River in Kwara State.
In an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin yesterday, he stated that it is incorrect that the Federal Government had abandoned the project, adding that the project is still on course and that the Federal Government had mobilized the company for the channelisation of the Asa River.
He blamed the flood on the heavy rains currently being witnessed as a result of climate change.
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday de
scribed the death of Dame Remi Oyo, the former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as painful.
Oyo, who was the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Obasanjo when he was president between 1999 and 2007, died in a London hospital on Wednesday at the age of 61.
Reacting to the death, Obasanjo said in a statement in Abeokuta that: “The sudden death of this thorough-bread journalist left a very sour taste in our mouths.”
He noted that Oyo, through her public service as his media aide, earned the recognition and admiration of many of her compatriots across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“She was a dutiful and hardworking woman and did her very best to the end in the service of her fatherland.
Osun
In its quest to eradicate corruption in Nigeria, the Secre
tary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Akinsola Okebukola has tasked educationists to fight against corruption in the education sector.
The call was made at the 2014 Foundation Day Lecture of the Osun State University, with the theme: When will the Glory days of Nigerian Universities be here?
In his lecture, he stressed the importance of operating and maintaining a standard academic atmosphere. According to him, “the practical way of handling corruption is by including reward and sanction and rewarding good behaviour and punishing bad behaviour.”
Lagos
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday said
the implementation of the minimum standards for haulage at the ports would commence on October 2.
The Apapa Port Manager, Mr Anas Nasir, told newsmen in Lagos that the new haulage policy would be inaugurated at Lagos ports with an awareness campaign for truck drivers.
The NPA had earlier informed the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) of its intention to implement the policy.
“We are going to adopt a gradual approach in enforcing the minimum standards for operational trucks at the port following the association’s appeal. Being the last quarter of the year, there may be high demand for their services and it may harm their business if a number of them cannot operate, ’’Nasir said.
The port manager, however, noted that adopting a mild approach for now did not mean safety standards would be compromised.
Taraba
A Taraba group, DSK Project 2015, yesterday faulted
General TY Danjuma over his reported endorsement of the minister of state for Niger Delta, Architect Ishaku Darius as consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Southern Taraba.
Director General of DSK Project 2015, Senator Abdulaziz Ibrahim, at a press conference in Jalingo said Gen. Danjuma was ‘misinformed’ by ‘Abuja-based politicians’ into endorsing Ishaku as against the earlier decision of the southern zone which chose Chief David Sabo Kente as its consensus candidate.
“While we respect General TY Danjuma as a national elder-statesman and distinguished military general of Taraba State extraction, we fear he has faulted as he allowed himself to be misdirected-through misinformation-by a group of politicians who are based in Abuja, who have no direct contact with the grassroots-our local populace in Taraba”, he said.
Nation
HYPREP Reaffirms Support For Ogoni Youths …Organises Workshop For Undergraduates

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.
He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.
He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.
”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.
Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.
The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.
The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.
Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.
Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.
At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.
Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.
HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.
Nation
NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions
The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.
In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.
He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.
The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.
Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.
Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.
” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.
In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.
Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”
Nation
FG Restates Commitment To Seafarers’ Welfare, Safety
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.
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