Nation
THE STATES
Ijesha Land
Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ijesha land have resolved to champion the course of re-electing Senator Iyiola Omisore as the Senator representing Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District at National Assembly in the forthcoming re-run in the zone.
Towards matching their words with action, Hon. Oluwole Oke representing the same constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Dosu Fatokun, a chieftain of the party from the state have raised an initial donation of about N5 million in their commitment to mobilize support for Omisore in all nooks and crannies of his senatorial district.
Financial support for Omisore’s re-election moves also came from Ifeland with Chief Mrs Olu Awope donating a total sum of N250,000.
PDP Director of publicity, Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, who made this known to The Tide source in the area stated that the commitment was made at a well attended meeting with the leadership of the party in Osogbo.
Kwara
14 rural communities across three existing 16 in Kwara State had in the last one month been connected to the National Grid.
The development formed part of the state government’s plan to electrify 105 rural communities in the state before the end of this year.
The 14 beneficiary communities are Odone, Budo Oba/Aikojo, Ile Apa, Isokun/Oloyin and Onikoko all in Ilorin East Local Council.
Others are Ayedum, Ilale, Igosi/Igba, and Erinmope, in Oke Ero council.
From Ifelodun local government area are; Omi-Aro, Ita Olomo, Alomi Laya/Amoyo, Sango/Tayo Atada Aja Ali and Okaka/Ajibowo.
The state commissioner for energy, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed Tuesday at a press briefing in Ilorin, said work in 60 other communities had reached to 70 per cent completion.
Besides, 10 others have been completed between 40 and 50 per cent level mile 10 others with poor terrain would be completed by the first week in December.
The state government under a joint project endeavour with the councils, has earmarked a sum of N1.2 billion for the project.
While the state will pay 60 per cent of the total fund, the council swill contribute 40 per cent.
The commissioner said that the government’s plan was aimed at reducing the high rate of rural/urban migration and encourage the establishment of cottage industries across the state.
Ekiti
Following expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to government by leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State, within which to pay the workers September and October Salaries workers in the state Thursday embarked on a two-day warning strike to press home their demand.
However, there was a twist as the Public Service Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) immediately dissociated itself from the strike.
In its reaction to the development the state government, which denied owning the workers, described the leadership of the labour union as agents of destabilization.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, queried the rationale behind the warning strike, saying that the salaries had been paid up to date.
The Ekiti State chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Messrs Joseph Arogundade and Raph Kolawole, respectively, in a statement Wednesday, alleged that their demands had not been met by the state government.
Ojo-Lanre described the labour leaders as agents of destabilization, adding that in some states, they are owing seven months, if they go on strike, government may down size, saying that the labour leaders should come and discuss.
Osun
Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, has officially declared the seat of Osogbo state constituency vacant following the Monday judgement of Appeal Court that ordered the nullification of the election.
The Court of Apeal sitting in Ibadan had in a judgement read by Justice Dauda Bagge, ordered a re-run in state constituency within 60 days.
The court also ordered Akintude Adegboye of AC representing the constituency to vacate the seat immediately.
The Progress Peoples Alliance (PPA) had challenged the validity of the election on the ground that it was excluded from the polls by INEC.
In his comments, Bello charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, in no distant time, fix a date for a re-run that will afford the Osogbo State Constituency representation in the state parliament.
The speaker said with the current arrangement, the state parliament now has its members reduced to 25 from 26, until there is an election to produce a representative of Osogbo in the Assembly.
Abuja
The first step towards implementating the health sector component of vision 20:20:20 through a Presidential Health Summit is being taken by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
At a media briefing in Abuja, Minister of Health, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, announced that the summit scheduled for yesterday and today is entitled, accepting Collective Responsibility for improving our health in Nigeria. It is aimed at engaging the governors towards obtaining their commitment in the on-going efforts to meet the health needs of the people and the achievement of the seven-point Agenda of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
According to Osotimehin, the summit which will be in two parts, will feature a draft agreement on the health agenda and the way forward.
This will undoubtedly position the state and the local councils to achieving participate in the delivery of healthcare at their various levels.
As part of the expected out come, Osotimehin said, a partnership agreement known as National Health partnership declaration and mutual Accounting, for measurable Results which will reflect key and measurable deliverables within the health sector that will benefit the majority of our people in the short, medium and long term, will be developed.”
Ondo
The rank of Labour Party (LP) members in Ondo state swelled at the weekend in Ofon, headquarters of Ose Local Council, when hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithfuls defected to the ruling party.
Led by former Chairman of the Board for Technical and Vocational Education during the last PDP administration of Dr Olusegun Agagu, Elder Samuel Aborowa, the decampees, at an impressive rally, said they decided to join the LP because of the leadership style of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The Aborowa group in the PDP, which claimed to have thousands of supporters at the grassroots, said its movement out of the party has sounded its death knell in Ose, reputed to be one of the councils with high voter population.
Justifying the movement at the rally which was attended by a colorful array of LP chieftains led by Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olamusi, Aborowa said, “The Labour Party is made up of progressives, peace-loving and caring people. With the few months they have governed the state under the leadership of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, they have embarked on many projects that are people-oriented.”
Taraba
Both the Taraba State radio and television have not been functioning for over a month due to use of obsolete equipment.
Unlike the television which still manages to transmit for about three hours daily, the radio station has totally been out of transmission.
The reasons according to the General Manager, Sani Sule Sale, are connected with lack of equipment which include power generating sets, transmitters, etc.
“There are other problems which we have been reporting. Personally, I know that a radio station needs additional back up. You cannot have a station where only one transmitter will be working daily without a back up,” he said.
Saleh, who spoke Tuesday with pressmen at the station’s premise, described the transmitter as “the heath of the radio that can fail at anytime.”
Oyo
Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Muruf Atilola has declared the seat for Akinyele Constituency One, hitherto occupied by his deputy, Jelili Adeleke, vacant following the nullification of his election by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal, by unanimous decision on October 29, 2009, nullified Adeleke’s election, owing to unlawful exclusion of the Labour Party (LP) Logo from the ballot paper, and ordered a re-run within 60 days.
LP’s candidate in the election, Mukaila Akinrinade, had petitioned the tribunal on the unlawful exclusion whose decision the appellate court upheld.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed November 14, as the re-run day in the constituency, as well as the Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency where the election of Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, had also been nullified by the same appellate court.
However, as the speaker declared the seat vacant, attempt for and election into the vacant deputy speaker seat in the Assembly was resisted by Atilola Ajekiigbe, of the action congress (AC).
Middle Belt
In response to the on-going clamour for constitutional reform, the middle belt forum has demanded for the implementation of true federalism in the country, insisting that every state in Nigeria should take total control of their resources and pay 75 per cent tax to the federal government while developing and controlling the resources.
The forum also called on the federal government to create a special savings fund through which the effects of the proposed deregulation could be cushioned.
In a statement signed Wednesday by the National Chairman of the Forum, Mr Williams Juta, and National Publicity Secretary. George Ohemu, the forum said the proposed 10 per cent stake in the oil industry for the oil producing states will become unnecessary once this fundamental issue is addressed through constitutional amendments.
Kaduna
Legal practitioners from all over the federation have converged in Kaduna for the third yearly conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, are expected to speak at the event.
In a statement issued yesterday, NBA National Publicity Secretary, Murtala Abdulrasheed and Chris Nnoli, secretary publicity sub-committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the theme of the two-day conference, “legal practice” changing times, changing strategies,” will feature Bernard Sullivan as the keynote speaker.
The Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola will be the session chairman with the topic, “when financial transactions become financial crime the powers of regulatory bodies and judicial institutions.”
Other lead speakers include Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Prof. Joe Goldface-Orokalibe, former president of the association, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Ganiyu Ogunlaye.
Niger
Crisis of confidence rocking Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a turn for the worse Wednesday, as the former National Vice Chairman, North Central, Alahji Abubakar Magaji, resigned his membership from the party in a letter addressed to his ward chairman, dated October 22, 2009.
“I here tender my resignation as a member of the PDP. Consequently, I am also withdrawing my membership of the party. Also I no longer wish to belong,” he said.
Magaji was one of the three founding fathers of the PDP in the state. “I pray to God to give our leaders the fear of God and conscience to do right,” he said.
Another party stalwart who is equally a founding father of the party in the state and also served as the chief political adviser of the immediate past administration, Alhaji Mokwa has also resigned his membership from PDP.
In is letter dated November 3, 2009, he said “I have the singular honour to inform you that I wish to tender my resignation from the PDP. “It is worthy to note that this is without prejudice to any ulterior motive or bad feelings against anybody or other members of the PDP family in general,” he said.
“I still remain a good friend and brother to you and other good people of Niger State in general,” he concluded.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
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