News

Flooding : Declare Bayelsa, Other States National Emergency – Diri Tells FG

Published

3 years ago

October 16, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on the rampaging flood that has devastated lives and property in the state and other states in the country.

Senator Diri made the call at an emergency security council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa on Sunday.

He said the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm with heads of various security agencies to assess the situation holistically and seek ways to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, quoted the governor as lamenting the magnitude of this year’s flooding, which he noted had surpassed that of 2012.

His words: “This year’s flooding has surpassed that of 2012, which is the highest we have witnessed so far. It has become a security emergency.”

According to Senator Diri, “Bayelsa is below sea level and when the flood comes, virtually everywhere is flooded. Even the Government House is being threatened.”

The state’s helmsman also noted that the flooding had severely impacted communities, homes and road infrastructure, which had resulted in the state being cut off from neighbouring states of Rivers and Delta states.

“As we speak, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off its strike. But as universities are opening, our own state university cannot open because the only road linking the university has been broken into three parts.

“The only road that links Opokuma and Sabagreia in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area and the only one also connecting Sagbama to Ekeremor that is still under construction has been broken. There is hunger and palpable tension in the state.”

Diri cautioned those peddling false information and protesting over a water channel project undertaken by the state government at the Okutukutu and Opolo axis of Yenagoa, the state capital, to desist from the act.

He explained that the project was undertaken to mitigate the plight of residents around that area who were being affected by flood annually and not to satisfy any other interest.

“Let me also use this opportunity to clear the air on the issue of the Okutukutu and Opolo water channel project that was done last year by the state government to check flooding in that area.

“There is some ignorant narrative out there that it was done to protect the property of some people. The state government did not take that action for any particular interest. This is not the time to settle political scores but a time to be our brother’s keeper. We must all join hands to tackle this problem.”

Speaking at the end of the security council meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Ben Okolo, said the council resolved that all security agencies be co-opted into the state flood committee to ensure that the relief materials get to the victims.

Mr. Okolo noted that security would be provided for displaced persons at their camps.

He also issued a travel advisory to travellers from Bayelsa to Rivers and Delta states to wait till the flood recedes as the road to both states had been cut off.

He said council advised petroleum marketers not to take undue advantage of the situation to make arbitrary increase in the price of their products just as he warned criminal elements not to cause more pain for people that are already displaced from their homes.

News

Full Job List: INEC Begins Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment Ahead Of Anambra Guber

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has started online registration for ad-hoc staff in preparation for the Anambra State Governorship Election.

According to a release monitored on its website on Friday, INEC stated that the recruitment includes various categories of temporary staff who will play essential roles in conducting the elections.

According to INEC, the application portal opened on Monday, September 15, and will close on Sunday, October 5.

News

FULL LIST: FJSC Releases Names Of 62 Candidates Shortlisted For Judicial Positions

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has released the names of 62 candidates shortlisted for appointment to the Federal High Court bench. These candidates shortlisted for judicial positions are under consideration.

Contents:

Shortlisted Candidates by State
Abia
Akwa Ibom
Cross River
Enugu
Imo
Kaduna
Kwara
Nasarawa
Plateau
Sokoto
Oyo
Taraba
Zamfara
FCT

The announcement, carried in national newspapers on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and sighted by TRIBUNE ONLINE invites public comments on the integrity, reputation, and suitability of the nominees within 14 days.

The FJSC, headquartered at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone, emphasized that the candidates were shortlisted following a rigorous computer-based test conducted by the Federal High Court.

While the publication specifies appointments for 14 judges, the larger list of 62 nominees, organised by state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reflects a competitive selection process from diverse professional backgrounds, including private practice, government ministries, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and state judiciaries. These candidates shortlisted for judicial positions reflect the diversity and rigor of the selection process.

This initiative aligns with an existing policy by the FJSC, State Judicial Service Commissions, and the FCT Judicial Service Committee to publicise candidate shortlists in national newspapers, soliciting feedback to ensure only qualified and unimpeachable individuals ascend to the bench.

Shortlisted Candidates by State

Abia

1) Esowe-Osunwa Nneka Marilyn – Federal High Court, Abuja
2) Igboko Chinelo Conchita – Federal Ministry of Works (Legal Adviser’s Office), Lagos
3)Enyidiya Uma-Onwunta – High Court of Justice, Abia State
4) Uguru Eme Uguru – High Court of Justice, Abia State

Akwa Ibom

1) Kuyik Uduak Usoro – Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja
2) Ekaete Mercy Efobi – Federal High Court, Lagos Division
3) Kufre Ekpenyong Uduak – EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office
3) Mary Ukeje Emenike – High Court of Justice, Abia State

Cross River

1) Mercy Toney Ene – Cross River State Judiciary, Calabar
2) Ekeng Bassey Kooffreh – Private Practice, Calabar
3) Joy Bassey Ikpeme – Ministry of Justice, Calabar
4) Nkechi Yvonne Usani – Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal, Calabar

Enugu

1) Ifeoma Chinyere Uzoefuna – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
2) Chika Vivienne Nnamani – National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abuja
3) Nnesochi Nweze-Iloekwe – Enugu State Judiciary, Enugu
4) Osinachi Donatus Nwoye – Private Practice, Enugu

Imo

1) Blessing Nkechi Ezeala – Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja
2) Eunice Ugonma Fidelis-Iwuagwu – Private Practice, Port Harcourt
3) Chioma Angela Onuegbu – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4) Izuchukwu Obiefuna Akwazie – Private Practice, Onitsha, Anambra State

Kaduna

1) Shehu Umaru Adamu – Federal High Court, Bauchi Division
2) Fidelia Yakandi Akaahs – National Industrial Court,
3) Kaduna Division
Yakusak Aduak – Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus
4) Samson Irimiya Magaji – Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State
5) Aliyu Lamido – Kaduna State Judiciary, Kaduna

Kwara

1) Sulaiman Amida Hassan – Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja
2) Ronke Shakirat Olayide Odogun – Private Practice, Lagos
3) Ayoola Idowu Akande – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
4) Adebola Mercy Feyisayo (Mrs) – Kwara State Judiciary, Ilorin
5) Nuhu Abubakar Babatunde – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
6) Rasheed Omotayo Rasheedat – Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division

Nasarawa

1) David Nguntsu Meshi – Private Practice, Nasarawa State
2) Edward Liman Ali – Nasarawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, Lafia
3) Suleiman Jibirl – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4) Muhammed Bashiru Ramalan – National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Abuja
5) Ibrahim Vera Eneabo – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
6) Mohammed Ibrahim Buba – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
6) Shehu Othman Yakubu – Federal High Court, Sokoto Division
7) Abubakar Saidu Ibrahim – Private Practice, Bauchi State
8) Anzewu Simon Aliyu – Private Practice, Nasarawa State

Plateau

1) Peres David Mann – Private Practice, Plateau State
2) Judith Nendelmun Binjin-Eigege – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
3) Eunice Vou Dalyop – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
4) Simi Drenkat – National Industrial Court, Abuju

Sokoto

1)Muhammad Barau Saidu – Sokoto State Judicial Service Commission, Sokoto
2) Sanusi Musa Galadanchi – EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office,

Oyo

1) Muhammad Marafa – High Court of Justice, Sokoto State
2) Anas Aliyu Abbas – Private Practice, Sokoto State

Taraba

1) Ibrahim Aji Joshua – Federal High Court, Abuja
2) Mary Dynaise Gomwalk – Federal High Court, Abuja
3) Galumje Edingah – Federal High Court, Abuja
4) Punarimam Babatunde Balogun (nee Yakubu) – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja

Zamfara

1) Saidu Umar Gummi – High Court of Justice, Gusau
2) Musa Usman Abubakar – Baze University, Abuja
3) Hayatu Sani – Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company, Abuja
4) Nasiru Ahmad – Federal Inland Revenue Service, Kaduna
Federal Capital

FCT

1) Yahaya Saidu – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
2) Aisha Salihu – Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja
3) Aisha Mohammed – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
4) Suleiman Onozasi Munirat – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
Guidelines for Public Input.

News

Journalists Are Indispensable Companions, Says Osun Amotekun Commander

Published

13 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

Osun State Commander of the Western Nigeria Security Network and Amotekun Corps, Chief Adekunle Omoyele, has described journalists as indispensable companions for any organisation or individual who is poised to succeed

Dr. Omoyele, who spoke while receiving the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSBC Chapel, expressed his commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with journalists.

The Commander, who has been partnering with the union since he assumed his present position, also used the avenue to express his readiness to collaborate with men of the pen professional to ensure the forthcoming press-week of NUJ, OSBC Chapel is successful.

Omoyele, while expressing his readiness to host the Church Service ushering in the 2025 Press Week of the NUJ, OSBC Chapel, slated for September 28, 2025,
appreciated the union for maintaining and sustaining the cordiality between the two organisations.

Earlier in his remarks, chairman of the chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola, informed the Amotekun Commander that his team was in his office to renew the cordial relationship between the Amotekun Osun and the NUJ, OSBC Chapel.

Agboola felicitated with Dr Omoyele on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun, Iseyin, by the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Olayeri the third, in May this year.

Other executive members of the entourage were: Deputy Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Olawumi Olaniyi; General Secretary, Comrade Kamil Raheem and the treasurer, Comrade Bukola Osunwo.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the frame to Dr Omoyele to identify with him on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun in Iseyin.