News
Reps Approve Bill for Federal Fisheries and Marine Engineering College in Rivers
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, in a move aimed at strengthening technical education and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy.
The bill was passed on Thursday after the House considered and adopted the report of the House Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, presented by its Chairman, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, during plenary.
The report stated: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Ocean and Fisheries on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Establish Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering, NGO, Rivers State and for Related Matters (HB. 2189) and approve recommendations therein” (Laid:13/11/2025).
Presenting the report, Rep. Amadi recalled that the House concluded debate on the general principles of the bill on 7 May 2025 before referring it to the committee for further legislative work.
He explained that the committee subsequently organised a public hearing on 14 July 2025, bringing together stakeholders from the maritime, education and fisheries sectors to examine the proposal.
According to him, the bill received overwhelming support during the hearing.
“The proposed legislation seeks to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in NGO, within the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The primary objective of the bill is to provide a statutory framework for the creation of a specialized tertiary institution focused on bolstering Nigeria’s blue economy. By embedding technical training in fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine engineering within a coastal riverine community, the bill aims to address local manpower deficits in the maritime sector, expand access to technical vocational education, and stimulate economic development across the Niger Delta region”, he stated.
The committee chairman further outlined the legal framework of the proposed legislation, noting that it contains three key clauses designed to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act.
He said: “Legislative Structure (Clauses 1 & 2): Clauses 1 and 2 establish the statutory foundation for amending the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (the Principal Act).
“Institutional Capacity & Operational Mandate (Clause 3): Clause 3 serves as the primary operative provision of the bill. It embeds the new college directly into the Third Schedule of the Principal Act, listing it alongside established federal institutions. By virtue of Clause 3, inserting the institution into the Third Schedule provides the vital legal backing and statutory recognition needed for the college to become fully operational. This legal effect formally empowers the institution to access federal funding streams and execute its specialized mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering.”
Lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations before passing the bill.
The proposed institution is expected to train skilled professionals in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine engineering while supporting research, innovation and workforce development in Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is also expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta and other coastal communities.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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