Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
Nigeria spends about 120 billion Naira to print security documents and other sensitive materials outside the country.
This was made known by the CEO of International Institute for Training Research and Economic Development, Sani Dawop in Abuja Monday.
He observed that, “Nigeria spends N120 billion to print security documents abroad due to insecure local environment. Fraud related to cash and non-cash financial papers in the region of N300 billion occurs annually in both the public and private sectors of the economy through local and foreign collaborators.”
To this end, the body in conjunction with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc is organising a two day conference to underscore the importance of document protection in order to prevent cash and non-cash paper related fraud. Due to the poor level of printing and insecurity in important document corporations and even individuals.
Dawop also maintained that, the continuous printing of security documents abroad also put the country at risk and in national insecurity, stressing that, the ‘activities of fraudster involved in these nefarious activities have impacted negatively on the image of the country and the economy. We believe therefore, there is need for concerted efforts to put a stop to the menace.’
Adamawa
Former Director-General of Strategy and Research for Dr. Peter Odili Presidential Campaign organisation and a governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umaru Ardo has said hat he does not recognise PDP leadership under Kugama because he is a product of illegality.
On his purported suspension from the PDP, he told journalists in Yola Tuesday that both the state and national secretariats lacked the constitutional powers to suspend or remove him from the party.
The governorship aspirant (Ardo) pointed out that he did not recognise the PDP leadership under Kugama, because he is a product of illegality.
Ardo disclosed that after exhausting all the procedures to address the unconstitutionalities in Adamawa PDP failed, he maintained that article 14 sub-section 5 of the PDP constitution stated that when a vacancy exists as a result of resignation or death, another member of the party from the same area with the former officer should be appointed to take over the vacant office, citing the case of the former National Chairman of PDP, Solomon Lar, he said.
Barnabas Gemade, replaced him because the office was for North Central and that Dr. Ahmadu Ali, also took over from Gemade and because of the party’s constitution the position remained in the North Central throughout President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government.
ONDO
The Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has received a vote of confidence from Akure branch of the association, which described it as toeing the path of honour in handling Nigeria’s legal matters.
At the commencement of the association’s law week in Akure Tueday, the NBA chairman, Kayode Ogundana, said lawyers in Akure shared the view of Akeredolu on matters involving the association at the national level.
According to him, “we encourage him to continue in the spirit with which he has so far conducted the affairs of the NBA realising the fact that being constructively critical of government policies, actions and individuals in authority does not automatically translate to partisanship.
“We have the privilege of knowing Akeredolu’s disposition to oppression, disobedience to the rule of law, arbitrariness and high-handedness way back when he was the Attorney-General of Ondo State under a government headed by a military man.
“We, on this note, pass a vote of confidence on him and appeal to those on the other side to cooperate with him bearing in mind that in unity, we stand and divided we fall. It is potentially perilous and portentous for anybody to attempt to derail the NBA at this critical stage of our democratic experience,” he said.
Ogundana however stressed the need to end the strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers in the interest of justice in the country.
The association, which also endorsed the overhauling of the judiciary, however cautioned stakeholders that the prolonged strike was not the solution to the problem.
He said the situation in the various police stations was appalling with a lot of detainees languishing in police custody because they could not be taken to court because of the strike.
Borno
The re-branding of Nigeria can only be achieved and sustained when there is an attitudinal change, re-orientation, imbibing positive cultural values and instilling the virtues of pride and patriotism among citizens, minister of information and communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili has declared
The minister made the observation Tuesday in Maiduguri, while presenting a keynote address at a three-day National Conference at the Elkanemi hall of University of Maiduguri.
She said that the re-branding project uses both the print and electronic media to effectively and efficiently communicate the positive aspects of influencing Nigeria’s image within and outside the country for the better.
She added: – Enhancing Nigeria’s image will encourage foreign investors to come and join other local investors in building the country, while the re-branding processes could be translated into the establishment and development of the critical infrastructures required for rapid growth and development of the country.
Kogi
Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi has called on the federal government to establish a federal university of technology and an ICT centre in the state.
Idris made the call on Monday at the inauguration of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Prime FM 101.5 station at Jimgbe, Lokoja.
He said that the call became necessary in view of the state’s technological advancement and the need to fast-track effective information management.
Idris also urged the federal government to either reconstruct or rehabilitate federal roads in the state in view of their bad condition.
He said his administration would provide conducive environment for federal establishments in the state to operate without hitches.
Idris acknowledged the role of the road as an effective channel of information dissemination due to its reach and in moulding and shaping of public opinion for socio-economic and political development.
As part of efforts to enhance information dissemination, he said that more than N2 million had been expended on the digitalisation of the state radio corporation while local stations were being serviced to enable optimal performance.
Speaking at the occasion, information and communications minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to providing infrastructural facilities for Nigerians.
She said that information was crucial and critical to national development and attainment of the seven point agenda of the present administration.
Akunyili added that the station brought to 27, the number of such stations across the country.
She commended Kogi State government for its moral and financial support to federal establishments in the state and pleaded for the sustenance of such support.
The Director-General of FRCN, Mr. Yusuf Nuhu in his address, urged the management of the station to encourage the practice of responsible journalism by ensuring balanced and objective reporting.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (JSUBEB) has released N200 million for disbursement as revolving loans to 3,853 teaching and non-teaching staff across the state.
This gesture was in fulilment of the pledge by the board to ensure that teachers are well catered for to boost their moral and get the best of them.
The chairman of the board, Alhaji Sani Abdullahib stated this in a statement signed by the public relations officer of the Board, Mallam Mati Ali, copies of which were made available to journalists in Dutse on Monday, while briefing Education Secretaries and officials of the Nigeria Union of teachers (NUT) about the criteria of the loan disbursement in his office.
He said permanent and pensionable staff of junior and primary school teachers would benefit from the loan. Abdullahi explained that officers with less than 12 months to retire and those with queries would not benefit from the facility, adding that the process of disbursing the loan is tossing.
According to him, officers on grade level 13 would receive N100,000 each, while those from seven to 12 and grade level 01-07 would receive motorcycle loan of N80,000 and N20,000 respectively.
The chairman said the fund disbursement would commence next week, warning education secretaries to adhere strictly to the guideline. The state chairman of NUT, Comrade, Usman Ya’u Dutse canvassed the formation of a committee to handle the disbursement of the fund to ensure transparency.
Taraba
The police in Taraba State are disturbed by the deplorable condition of detention camps at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The Tide learnt that several detainees in the two-room detention camp had been there for several months without trial in the law court.
Each of the rooms, which ought to accommodate eight to 10 suspects now hosts over 25 suspects.
Some of the suspects languishing in the cells, according to police sources are yet to be located by their families or relatives, who do not know their whereabouts.
A suspect, who recently regained his freedom, wondered why the federal government had not deemed it relevant to improve on the dilapidating condition of the detention camps and prison custody in the state.
The suspect, who sought anonymity for fear of being re-arrested, said: “Over 25 of us were kept in each of the two rooms without any form of respect to human dignity.
More heart-rending according to him, is that detainees are not allowed to take their bath until after one month in the camp. The food there, he adds, “is an eyesore.”
Detainees at the camp, as further learnt, have no access to any form of medication. The vicinity as observed by The Tide is unsuitable for habitation.
An Investigation Police Officer (IPO) who spoke on the bad condition of living in the camp, accused government of indifference to the conditions of detention camps.
He said it was sad that no steps had been taken by the government to improve the living conditions of detainees.
Ondo
About 3,000 policemen, consisting of four officers per each of the 244 polling units and several patrol teams would be deployed by the Ondo State Police Command for next Saturday’s by-election to fill the vacant seat of Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency.
Commissioner of Police, Donald Iroham, who disclosed this Tuesday at a meeting with representatives of participating political parties, said Force Headquarters in Abuja had also put commands of neighbouring states on alert in case of any need for reinforcement.
The constituency seat became vacant following the death of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator at the House of Representatives, Col. Joe Ariota barely six months after the April 21, 2007 election that produced him.
At yesterday’s parley, Iroham, who expressed the readiness of his command to deal with trouble-makers, called on politicians to play the game according to the rule and avoid anything that may cause breakdown of law and order.
Ogun
Crisis rocking Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) echoed last weekend in Ago Iwoye, when speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, declared that the control of the party by the state governor, Gbenga Daniel, would soon come to an end.
Bankole, who led other top PDP chieftains in the state to the country home of former minister of state for finance, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, accused the state governor of acting God in the control of PDP in the state and cautioned him to stop playing God with the politics of the state, saying “Only Almighty God is in control of power and will decide who becomes what today or in 2011.”
He lamented that it has become the norm in the state for an individual and others to say that they are behind those who occupy elective offices, noting that only the Almighty has the exclusive right to make such claims.
Also, Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, who in August this year, was allegedly harassed by Daniel’s top cabinet member, said she was wondering why the Governor loves” to bring somebody up and ensure that such person is again brought down.”
She said the intolerable attitude of the governor was a great disappointment to the party in the state, accusing him of always carrying the toga of “it’s me.”
In his speech, top PDP stalwart in the state and chairman of Omo Ilu Group, Prince Buruji Kashamu said his new political group “is open for all positive advice and support from our cherished elders and loyal members, in order for us to achieve peace, which is necessary for the development of our state,” alleging that some people have deliberately chosen to disorganise the mechanism that drives progress in our state.
Lagos
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Segun Ayobolu, has announced his intention to quit the State Executive Council, following his health problems which he has been battling with since 1974, when he was a student in the University of Ibadan.
Ayobolu disclosed his plan to quit the Fashola cabinet during a state valedictory session of the State Executive Council meeting held in the Governor’s Office yesterday, adding that he has to resign because his state of health has been impacting negatively on his productivity, which he said had become a clog in the state’s development process.
During the session, secretary to the state government, Princess Aderenle Adeniran – Ogusanya, Commissioner for tourism and Inter-government Relations, Senator Tokunbo Afikoyomi and his counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire were absent.
Speaking at the session Ayobolu, who said his resignation took effect from today, said he could no longer stand the pressure of the office due to chronic ulcers and high blood pressure he has been battling with for more than two decades.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor