Nation

STATES

Published

16 years ago

January 10, 2010

Abuja

Expressing disappointment over the recent action of the govt of the United States of America, listing Nigeria on the its watch list of terrorist nations the upper legislative arm of the National Assembly said the position highly unacceptable.

The Senate therefore gave the US government a –one- week ultimatum to delist Nigerians from this list for extra-security screening.

Briefing Senate correspondents the chairman of the Senate committee on media and Information, Senator Ayogu Eze said the Senate would on resumption tomorrow take a holistic look on the issue and would not hesitate to take a definite position in case the American authorities refuse to retract its decision.

The Senate’s spokes person pointed out that the decision of the US authorities was rather too harsh as the alleged aborted terrorist attempt by Nigerian born Umar Abdulmutallab was an exception that should not have been generalised.

He also noted that there was yet no evidence to blame the security lapse on the Nigerian authorities.

Senator Eze has maintained that given the relationship that has existed between America and Nigeria, it is most unfair for America to take such hasty conclusion without even adequate consultations with the authorities in Nigeria.

He affirmed “This is not acceptable to us and we are going to do whatever we can as a nation to prove to America that we will not take this.

Lagos

The overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministers, (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya has rewarded 20 first class graduates from Nigerian universities with car gifts.

The gesture was aimed at “improving academic excellence and reward “diligence,” Olukoya said, adding that it was also to stimulate similar performances four undergraduates and dissuade youths from negative influences.

The new car owners are Adesanya Abosede from Department of English, UNILAG, Alabi Olakunle, Bio-Chemistry, Ambrose Ali University, Aluko Damilola, French, Unilag, Anifowose Abiodun, Chemistry, Unilag, Dosunmu Olakunle, Chemical Engineering, UMLAG, Edaogbogun Blessing, Accounting, OAU; Ezeji Maxwell, Mechanical Engineering, FUTO, Owerri, Iwoatan Temidayo, Botany, UNILAG, Jegede Bolaji, Chemical Engineering, UNILAG and Nwachukwu Hope, Physics, Nasarawa State University. Others are Ogiri Kingsley, Sociology, UNILAG, Okafor Chiweoke, Economics, UNN, Olabatunyi Oluwole Isaac, Plant Science, OAU, Oyindamola Tolu, Computer Science, UI, and Sonubi Adeyemi, Mathematics, UNAAB.

Presenting the keys to the first class products, wife of the General Overseer, Pastor (Mrs) Shade Olukoya said it was to motivate them to always remain focused in life.

Oyo

An Oyo based group, G23 has advised the political elites in Oyo State against fanning embers of negative sentiments, recrimination and destructive tendencies in assessing governance. Rather, it said they should be guided by values such as objectivity thoroughness and sincerity of purposes, which are hallmarks of decent articulate and thoroughly bred elites.

At a news conference jointly addressed by both president and general secretary of the group, respectively, Comrade Isiaka Emeka and Prince Oluwakayode Afonju, the group commended Otuba Adebayo Alao-Akala for imparting positively on the socio-economic lives of the people of the state, especially Oyo town and its environs.

According to the group, some of their unprecedented achievements of the state government within the last two years in Oyo town and its environs alone is the rehabilitating asphalt overlay of township roads, covering over 30 kilometres.

Similarly, the chairman of Oyo West Local Government, Mr Wale Ogunmole has rehabilitated and tarred 18 kilometres road, constructed three classrooms in each of the 13 primary and secondary schools, provided potable water and upgraded 10 health centres.

Kaduna

Concerned by mounting intrigues and speculations over President Umar Yar’Adua’s health and rumours of succession plots, Northern elders have summoned a special extra-ordinary meeting.

Dependable sources in Kaduna informed The Tide that the meeting summoned under the auspices of the ACE’s National Working Committee is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

It was also gathered that a political committee has been set up by ACF leaders to draw up an action plan in addition to making recommendation about major political issues and steps to be taken by Northern leaders.

Insider in ATC insist that while several groups and individuals are plotting various schemes regarding the presidency and the vice presidency, despite recent information that President Musa Yar’Adua’s health is improving, the ACF is still determined to ensure that all appropriate constitutional process are followed.

Ekiti

A federal lawmaker, Iyiola Omisore, has called on the judiciary to brace up and save democracy from collapse.

Omisore said the judiciary is now on trial as the nation witnesses full blown democracy.

The two-term Senator made the appeal as the new Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Aloysius Kastina-Alu emerged as successor to Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi.

His swearing-in by the outgoing CJN, following the absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua now hospitalised in King Faisal Hospital, Saudi Arabia, has however, heralded serious controversies.

Omisore, who made the remark in a chat with newsmen at the governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti on New Year’s eve, also disclosed that all the democratic institutions in the country including the citizenry are on trial.

Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has initiated an investigation of the state Moslem Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (MPWB) officials over allegations that some intending pilgrims who paid go on hajj last year were excluded from the exercise.

Public Relations Officer of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammed Lerama, disclosed yesterday that the Police had invited officials of the board based on the petitions received from the affected people.

However, Lerama declined further comments on the matter.

Chairman of the board, Alhaji Awwalu Dankurma, was seen yesterday at the Police Headquarters being questioned by a team of Police investigators.

Edo

The Edo State Police Command yesterday said it lost 20 of its men in various confrontations with criminals while 17 policemen in the state were dismissed for various offences last year.

The Commissioner of Police, Danlami Yar’Adua, while briefing journalists on activities of the command last year, said there was no case of bank robbery in Benin City, the state capital and other major towns in the state, except in Sabongida-Ora, Aganebode and Ibillo, which were foiled by his men.

Yar’Adua also said that attacks on billion vans, which became rampant in the first quarter of last year, reduced drastically later in the year.

He added that the command recorded a total of 1,025 cases of robbery, murder, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, burglary, house breaking and store breaking.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.