Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) recently commenced the reconstruction and rehabilitation of public structures damaged by insurgents in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark the commencement of the exercise, Executive Director of the fund, Prof. Sunday Ochoche said the sum of N390 million would be expended on 13 structures in the area.
Ochoche said that the fund would work closely with the state government technical team to ensure quality job.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa State lauded the Federal Government for its intervention through VSF and other agencies in bringing succour to the people of areas affected by the insurgency.
Benue
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom said last Monday that the state was committed to building a strong and indivisible Nigerian nation and would never support any secessionist agitation.
Ortom, who spoke at a meeting with Benue State Council of Chiefs, also restated government’s readiness to protect the rights of Nigerians resident in the state, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
The meeting, held in Makurdi and attended by various stakeholders and the leadership of tribal and religious groups resident in Benue, was a proactive measure against reprisal violence over skirmishes in some parts of the country.
“Benue is not in support of any secessionist agitation and will not want mischief makers to cause violence in the state. People with such plans are advised to leave in their own interest,” he said.
Borno
The Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole’’, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru has admonished troops to show discipline and professionalism in the counter-insurgency operations of the armed forces.
Attahiru made the call during a visit to 8 Task Force Division at Mongonu, near Maiduguri in Borno State.
His call was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu in Maiduguri last Wednesday.
Attahiru told the troops to shun vices and to stay away from nefarious activities that would go against the mandate and goals of the operation.
“Discipline is the bedrock of every army and therefore, essential to fast-track total and outright defeat of Boko Haram insurgents.
Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his government’s commitment to reforming the civil service to enable it attain global standards.
El-Rufai expressed the commitment at the opening ceremony of Stream 2 of the National Capacity Building Conference on mainstreaming best practices in public service examinations held in Kaduna.
Reports said that the conference was organised by the Kaduna State Civil Service Commission in collaboration with the Examinations Ethics Marshals International.
The conference had the theme: Towards High Performance Workforce in MDAs, LGAs, Parastatals, and Institutions in a Season of Resource Scarcity.
Kogi
Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, has appealed to residents of the state whose houses were located in flood plains to vacate those areas.
Osikoya told newsmen that in spite of warning on the dangers of living in such areas, some of the inhabitants had refused to relocate
According to her, those who refused to heed to the advice are arguing that “flood is seasonal” and that it will “come and go”.
“We want to plead with everybody in flood prone areas, including businessmen and women, to move out of the area to uplands; this is the time for proactive action,” she said.
Kwara
An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Abdullahi Suleman has warned parents against denying their children food as form of punishment.
He gave the warning in Ilorin in an interview with newsmen, describing it as “wicked and inhuman.”
He said some parents were fond of starving their wards as punishment for doing wrong, stressing that “such an act is against humanity and dangerous to health.
“Children should never be denied food for whatever reason. It can drive them to stealing as alternative to solve their hunger.
“That is why some children can easily be lured into bad acts, as they will be enticed with things as little as sweets as food, to do what they are not supposed to do.
Lagos
The National Conscience Party (NCP) says it will not participate in the bye-election, slated for September 30 in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
According to reports, indicate the election is to fill the vacant seat, arising from the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Kazeem Alimi who died on July 18.
The Lagos State Chairman of the NCP, Mr Fatai Ibu-Owo, told newsmen that the NCP was not interested in the election and therefore, had no candidate.
He explained the party was currently pre-occupied with strategising for the 2019 elections and so had no time for the bye-election.
Nasarawa
An Islamic cleric in Nasarawa State, Malam Ishaq Adudu has sued for peace and tolerance in the country, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations, despite agitation by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Adudu who is the Chief Imam of Gidi Magoro, Lafia Mosque made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said peace was a necessary requirement for the development of any nation, hence the need for agitators and other Nigerians to embrace peace and be law abiding at all times in the interest of development.
The cleric urged youths not to take the law into their hands but to report unlawful activities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Niger
A cross section of Minna residents have commended Governor Abubakar Bello for prompt deployment of armed security personnel in and outside the metropolis.
A resident of Saukahuta Mr Innocent James, told newsmen in Minna that the quick intervention of the governor has prevented unnecessary tension.
“Miscreants have started looting shops and threatening residents at Chanchaga, Saukahuta, Bosso and city gates.
He said that the deployment of security personnel in strategic locations in the metropolis had calmed nerves.
Ogun
An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court at Agodi in Ibadan last Tuesday dissolved a seven-year-old marriage between Samuel Adeboye and his wife,Temitope over the woman’s battering by the second wife.
The President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, leading other assessors — Aare Samotu and Ganiyu Alao — gave the verdict, saying both parties can no longer live together peacefully as husband and wife.
“Evidence of parties have proved that love does not exist between them; moreover, the respondent has agreed to the dissolution of the union as requested by his estranged wife.
“Based on this evidence, the marriage is thereby dissolved and the custody of the two children of the union is to remain with the plaintiff (Temitope).
Ondo
A socio-political group, Ondo State Peoples’ Assembly (OSPA), has lauded the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola, for facilitating the first Niger-Delta Summit in the state.
The group in a communiqué in Lagos recently commended Daramola who hails from Ode-Aye in Okitipupa Local Government of the state for his unsung achievements, especially in Ilaje/EseOdo oil producing communities, for enabling peace.
The communiqué was jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Chief Niyi Netufo and Pastor Ishola Omoyele, respectively.
The second National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) summit and first in Ondo State in collaboration with the state government was held in Akure between September 7 and September 14.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on September 12, addressed the meeting with the theme “Fast-tracking the Development and Peace of the Niger-Delta Region: Options and Prospects.”
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has approved the relaxation of dusk to dawn curfew imposed in the state following violent clashes.
The governor relaxed the curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 6 am.
It would be recalled that following last Thursday’s clashes that resulted in the death of two persons, the state government imposed the curfew in Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
A statement last Sunday by Lalong’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, said that the decision to relax the curfew was due to improved security.
“The governor of Plateau, having considered the improvement in security, has approved the relaxation of the curfew to now start 10p.m. to 6a.m. with effect from Sunday, September 17 till further notice.”
The governor in the statement appreciated the swift response of security personnel to contain the situation.
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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