Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, Rep. Beni Lar and Chairman, House Committee on Privatisation, Rep. Khadizah Ibrahim, during their condolence visit to Lar’s family in Abuja last Saturday.
Adamawaa
The Nigerian Air Force has expressed satisfaction with the
performance of its officers and men deployed for the operation against insurgents in the North-East.
The Commanding Officer in Charge of Tactical Command of the force, Air Vice Marshal Adeshola Amusu, told newsmen last Thursday in Yola, that the men were doing a good job.
Amusu, who was touring the zone to asses the troops, said he was satisfied with the commitment of the officers and men after the visit to Maiduguri and Yola adding that the force was working in synergy with the 7 Division, Nigerian Army to dislodge the insurgents.
Bauchi
i
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in
Bauchi State says it has trained 150 of its personnel on the handling of weapons.
The state Commandant of the Corps, Alhaji Shuayb Jibril, said in Bauchi last Thursday that the training would enhance the skills of the beneficiaries on how to protect lives and property.
He said the affected personnel, who were trained at the School of Armour, Bauchi, would start carrying arms while on duty and urged residents of Bauchi and its environs, not to panic whenever they noticed any of his men carrying weapons, especially during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Borno
Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) handset
sellers in Maiduguri last Thursday appealed to Borno Government to prevail on the relevant authorities for network services to be restored in the state.
Addressing newsmen in Maiduguri, Chairman of GSM handset sellers association in the state, Malam Usman Shehu, said that the measure had deprived members of his association of their source of livelihood.
Shehu revealed that members of the association had been forced by the situation, to resorted to begging as their wares were no longer marketable .
FCT
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says it has
contributed 345,000 dollars (about N55.2 million) to enhance and strengthen seeds production in Nigeria.
FAO Country Representative, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, made this known in Abuja last Wednesday at the workshop on ‘Strengthening National Seed Systems in Nigeria’.
The two-year project, in partnership with the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Setshwaelo said, would increase the adoption rate of improved seeds by smallholder farmers, improve income and ensure food security in the country.
Gombe
The police have assured the people of Gombe State that an
effective operational order has been made to ensure hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebrations on October 15 in the state.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Mr. Fwaje Atajiri, told newsmen in Gombe lastThursday that the plan covered all the three area commands and 23 divisional police headquarters in the state.
According to him, the police will make strategy with other sister security agencies to ensure smooth celebrations.
“The operational order will be religiously followed to ensure that the Sallah celebration in the state is hitch-free.
Jigiwa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in
Jigawa State last Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old-man for allegedly stealing a laptop computer.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Muhammad Gidado, in Dutse said that the corps had trailed the suspect after he stole the computer from a business centre in the area on September 21.
“Today, we succeeded in arresting a suspect for stealing a brand new laptop computer from a business centre in Dutse.
Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has commended
the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its contributions in tackling development challenges in the country.
Yero gave the commendation last Thursday at the passing out parade of 2012 ‘’ batch C ‘’ Corps members in Kaduna.
Represented by his deputy, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, the governor noted that the scheme had impacted positively on the lives of the people, especially in the rural areas.
“People of the state are appreciative of your efforts in the education sector, healthcare delivery in rural areas, the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDs and other national development programmes,” he said.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government recorded 80 per cent success
during the integrated measles and polio eradication immunisation exercise concluded last Wednesday.
The state Coordinator, Primary Health Care Development Agency (KPHDA), disclosed this to the newsmen last Thursday in Birnin Kebbi that Dr Abubakar Koko the exercise was successfully conducted in 225 electoral wards, but added that 65 per cent coverage was recorded in 43 of the wards.
He said 1,031 teams of 3,000 personnel were engaged to immunise 500,000 children across the state and commended the contributions of UNICEF, Rotary Club International, the state and local governments, which ensured the success of the exercise.
Kano
The Kano State Government last Wednesday sealed a pri
vate clinic, Tiga Clinic and Maternity, in Fagge Local Government Area for alleged unethical practice.
A statement from the state Ministry of Health in Kano stated that the closure was ordered by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Private Health Institutions.
The Special Assistant, Dr Salisu Ibrahim, said that the clinic lacked qualified personnel with only one nurse on duty whose service to the patients was below standard.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government has signed an agreement with
the UN Habitat and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to redevelop Lokoja into a modern city.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lokoja, the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, said that the urban renewal programme would entail structural and urban re-planning of the city.
The deputy governor stated that the agreement was preceded by series of meetings in Kenya and Nigeria and he expressed hope that the initiative would improve the quality of life of the people.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has in Ilorin
expressed concern over the 10.5 million Nigerian children said to be out-of-school.
Ahmed expressed the concern last Thursday while declaring open the 32rd Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Educational Administration and Planning.
Ahmed, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Kisira, noted that the incessant strike by lecturers of tertiary institutions had distorted academic calendars in higher institutions.
Nasarawa
A group, Youth for Peace and Development, has embarked on
peace campaign to mobilise youths in Nasarawa State to eschew chaos and embrace peace.
National President of the group, Mr Bala John, announced this last Wednesday during the group’s peace advocacy meeting at Farin-Ruwa Development Area of the state.
“The group has set the machinery in motion to create awareness amongst all the different ethnic groups and religions in the state. “The essence of the peace advocacy campaign is to uncover why communities, which were hitherto living together in peace, are now rising up against each other,” John said.
Niger
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has described the
death of Chief Solomon Lar, the first civilian governor of old Plateau State, as a devastating loss to the citizens of the state and the country.
The Forum’s Chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, said that with the death of Lar, “Nigeria has lost a patriot of uncommon courage’’.
Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Lands,
Physical Planning and Urban Development has urged the newly constituted board of the state Property Development Corporation to ensure efficient service delivery.
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Johnson Ojo (APC-Ede South), made the appeal when the board members visited the committee last Thursday in Osogbo.
Ojo, who noted that the existence of the corporation was very important to the growth and development of the state, said the board members should justify their appointment.
Earlier, the acting General Manager of the corporation, Mr Oluyemi Olanrewaju, said the visit was to seek the committee’s cooperation for the progress of the corporation.
Plateau
Prices of rams in Jos and its environs, have increased,
some days to the Eid El-Kabir celebration. A survey showed that the increase was due to inadequate supply of animals to the livestock markets in the state .
According to the survey, an average ram that sold for N20,000 last year, now costs N30,000, while that of N30,000 then, now sells for N40,000. In the same vain, a ram above average in size, that costs N50,000 some months ago, now attracts N60,000
The survey also reveals that some species of rams being imported from neighbouring countries ,are selling at prices higher than the local breed.
A three-year old Sudanese ram is selling for N120,000 and above, depending on the size, while those from Niger Republic, referred to as “parrot head“, cost between N140,000 and N150,000 each, also depending on the size.
Taraba
Fishermen in Taraba State lastThursday decried the rapid
decline in fish production and expressed worry that this might cause economic problems if not checked.
Some fishermen, who spoke with newsmen in Donga Local Government Area, called for urgent actions to address the situation.
One of the fishermen, Mr Awual Sani, said that fish production was always on higher side during September and October every year, adding that “this year is a different and sad experience’’.
Sani decried the impact of the situation on the economy of the fishermen, adding that many fish farmers were already finding it difficult to pay the school fees of their children.
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.