Nation
STATES
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.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor