Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, wife of the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Melva Perez De Trejo, Ambassador of Cuba, Carios Trejo Sosa and Deputy Ambassador, Miriam Morales Palmero, during a reception organised by the Ooni for African Ambassadors and other countries that claim Yoruba Descent, at the Cuban Embassy in Abuja on Thursday.
Bauchi
Eighty inmates of Bauchi Prison have completed a train
ing programme on preparation of detergents and cap washing, organised by a corps member, Mr Sani Imam.
Speaking with newsmen at a ceremony organised for the inmates to display their new-found talent, Imam said the aim of the skills acquisition programme was to make the inmates productive upon release from prison.
“It is not easy for even graduates to secure employment now, talk-less of those released from prison.
“The little skills acquired here can make them to be self-reliant and they can also impart same knowledge on others after leaving the prison.
“Cap washing is a flourishing trade, especially in the far North, where the mode of dressing of most people is gown and cap,” he said.
In his remarks at the occasion, Bauchi State Co-ordinator of NYSC, Malam Musa Abubakar, noted that the trades were not capital intensive for any beginner and as such affordable to delve into.
FCT
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Com
mission (NCPC), Mr John-Kennedy Opara, said that the commission recorded an increase of 65 per cent in pilgrimage self-sponsorship in 2015.
Opara said this when he featured the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, the flagship programme of the agency in Abuja.
He said that Christian pilgrimage operations had hitherto been sponsored 100 per cent by the Federal and State Governments, adding that the withdrawal of government sponsorship made the commission to emphasise self-sponsorship.
According to him, even though there has been a steady decrease in terms of the total number of pilgrims, the commission has been recording increase in terms of the number of self-sponsored pilgrims.
Kaduna
The United States of America has commenced training
exercise of at least 750 soldiers selected from various units of the Nigerian Army, battling Boko Haram.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 145 Battalion training, at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, the U.S. Ambassador James Entwistle, emphasised the need for other nations to join Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
He said the training was a right step and the best approach to addressing the prolonged Boko Haram attacks in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.
”Nigeria, U.S. partnership extends beyond immediate gains, we need to work together to rebuild the North-East. We are two great democracies and we do many great things together,” he stressed.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, said “the excellent relationship has led to several joint initiatives one of which is the commitment of the United States and her military to assist Nigeria in professionalising our security forces.K
Kebbi
The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kebbi State has
announced the suspension of a member of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Sani Idris (Zuru constituency).
The APC Public Relations Officer in the state, Alhaji Sani Dododo, made this known to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently. Dododo said that the suspension was for alleged insubordination and disrespect to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe. Dododo, who is also a member of the Central Working Committee of the state APC, said the suspension was sequel to a report of the Zuru Local Government executive council on the incident.
He said the party would not tolerate any incident bordering on disrespect to leaders and elders of the party in the state.
“The party will not condone indiscipline and disrespect to leaders and duly constituted authority”, he said.
Lagos
Two Eko Hotel and Suites staff and a cab driver, have
been charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos over alleged theft of chickens worth N55, 000.
The accused were, however, granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.
Olabode Jacob, 40, a steward, Sunday Ossoua, a gardener, 40 and Rapheal Addoho, a cab drive, 42 are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Ingobo Emby, told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 12, at Eko Hotel and Suites, No. 14/15, Adetokunbo Ademola St., Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said that the accused allegedly conspired and stole the chicken, property of Eko Hotel and Suites.
“The accused were nearly lynched when they were caught and that would have been breach of peace,” he said.
Emby said that the offences contravened Sections 285 (7), 166 (d) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
“The Magistrate, Mr W. A. Balogun, ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and their addresses verified.
He adjourned the case to March 10 for mention.
Oyo
A total of 4,117 students have matriculated at The Poly
technic, Ibadan, for the 2015/2016 academic session.
A breakdown of the figure indicated that 2,500 were admitted for the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) while 1,617 were admitted for the Higher National Diploma (HND) in the five faculties. The Faculties are Engineering, Communication Studies, Environmental Studies, Financial Management Studies and Sciences. The Rector of the institution, Prof. Olatunde Fawole, said that 59, 254, candidates made the polytechnic either their first or second choice for the OND while 6, 379, sought admission for HND. “ Out of this staggering number of applicants, only very few candidates were admitted, “ he said. Fawole admonished the newly admitted students to keep away from associations that would tarnish their image and that of their families.
Ogun
The Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) has called on the Fed
eral Government to rescue the nation’s economy from collapse, due to the dwindling revenues of government.
The Chairman of the YUF, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Gbonigi, made the call at a meeting of the group, held at the country-home of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Ikenne-Remo in Ogun.
Gbonigi said that the unofficial devaluation of the naira at the foreign exchange market was a pointer to the urgent attention the economy needed to arrest projected inflation.
He said that millions of jobs were already under threat, due to forex downturn and fall in crude oil price.
The chairman, therefore, urged the Federal Government to formulate policies to restore investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.
Plateau
Fire has gutted the female section of the Jos Central Mosque.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the inci
dent, observed that large flames had swallowed most parts of the entire Mosque.
The flames and smoke also covered houses and shops in the vicinities.
Mr Emmanuel Abu, spokesman of the Plateau Police Command, described the fire as “very serious and unfortunate”.
He said that a vehicle parked beside the Mosque caught fire and it spread to the Mosque.
“For now, we can confirm that no one was caught in the fire, but we have despatched our men to the scene to protect property.
“Once an incident like this happens, there are miscreants always taking that as an advantage to steal.
“We want to make sure that such did not happen,” he said.
Sokoto
The World Bank has earmarked over 100 million dollars
for girl child education in five northern states in Nigeria, Dr Tunji Adekola, an official of the bank, said.
Adekola disclosed this in Sokoto at the inauguration of the state chapter of the Nigeria Partnership for Education Project.
He listed the benefitting states as Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna.
Adekola said that the four-year project was aimed aimed at improving access to and quality of basic education, especially for the girl-child in the states.
“The project is also aimed at improving the issue of equity in education as well as ensuring uniformity in access for all to education.
“This is the bring back the out of school children to schools and also improve gender parity between boys and girls,” he said.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State says he has never spent public funds on any foreign trip, challenging critics to prove him wrong.
The governor, who spoke through his Information and
Culture Commissioner, Ahaji Umar Jibo Bukkuyum, also explained that what he had done and was still doing, was to move the state forward developmentally.
He said instead of spreading unfounded rumours, people, should pray for the leaders to succeed in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The commissioner added that contracts for a number of roads to be constructed in the state had been awarded by the government in addition to the ones that had been completed, stressing that recently over N1 billion was released for payment of WAEC and NECO for students.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.
As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.
HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.
According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.
He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.
To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.
He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.
According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.
She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.
Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.
She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.
She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.
Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.
While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.
On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.
According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.
He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.
Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.