Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Bauchi State Government, Thursday had warned leaders and elders of communities in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Area to desist from destroying the peace they have all agreed upon to reign in the state.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Abdu Aliyu Ilelah on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibahim Dandija.
The statement revealed that government was taking steps to avoid frequent crisis in the two councils pointing out that security operatives and representatives of elders would tour the councils to recover animals either stolen or lost during the crisis.
It said the government would soon rebuild the palace of the District Head of Lere in Tafawa Balewa Local Government, which was destroyed during the crisis and urged those who fled the area to return and assist in the building.
The statement further warned that anybody who obstructs the building team in the area would be punished and called on the people of the area to partner with the government in bringing lasting peace to the area.
Ekiti
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State had assured its citizenry that the state government would raise money from the capital market to subsidize its low revenue base.
The governor gave the assurance last Friday during the hosting of the Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Ladi Balogun and other members of the bank’s management in his office in Ado-Ekiti.
Governor Fayemi said his administration would go to the capital market to raise bonds in view of what he called the ‘precarious financial situation’ of the state.
Fayemi noted that his administration was poised to develop sectors such as agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, health, education, urban renewal initiative and job creation, maintaining that it would build an enduring, long-term and mutually benefiting relationships with financial institutions in the country to strengthen the state’s economy.
On its part, the MD, FCMB, Ladi Balogun said his bank was interested in helping Ekiti raise the intended bond as one of the issuing houses.
Balogun revealed that civil servants in the state could also benefit from the direct credit system being operated by FCMB which he said would help them obtain loans within 24 hours even when they do not operate accounts with the bank.
FCT
Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to improve the lot of Nigerian children.
The MoU was endorsed by the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki and signed at the forum’s secretariat, Abuja by Mr. Asishana Okauru, on behalf of the governors and Suomi Sukai, the country representative of UNICEF.
Saraki revealed that the Mou was aimed at promoting child-friendly government systems and values, exploration of opportunities of leverage resources and translation of politics into results for children.
The partnership he said would also ensure the recognition and realization of children’s rights in the country as part of efforts at achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Saraki maintained that the signing marks another milestone for he governors’ forum, pointing out that it had earlier successfully partnerships with the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNDP and DFID.
“The initiative are in furtherance of NGF’s mission of fostering national unity and development” he said.
Jos
Mushin Women in Jos, the Plateau State capital, have appealed to warring factions in the state go put an end to the killings and destruction of properties in the state.
The Mushim women leader, Hajiya Khadjat Gambo Hawaja made the appeal in a peaceful protest against the recent killings in the state.
Clad in white, the women said the protest became necessary following the sufferings of women and children in the state.
Hajiya Hawaja said “we have lost our husbands and children. Some of them are in prison for the reason having being arrested in their homes.”
She appealed that the Special Task Force (STF), Operation Safe Haven and other security agencies to remain in the state to prevent further violence.
Receiving the protesting women at the Jos Central Mosque, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ibrahim Baba Hassan promised to deliver the women’s letter to governor Jonah David Jang.
While nothing that lawmakers have done all they could to stop the violence, Jang said “it is all about carrying everybody along. We cannot live in isolation. We must co-exist, Muslims, Christians, Hausas, Berom, Afizeres and Anagutas.”
no
Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has inaugurated a multi-million information and technology centre built and equipped by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for Rumfa College, Kano.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Abdulkareem Hassan, Sheharau expressed appreciation to Shell for the gigantic project expressing hopes that it would be maximally utilized for the benefit of the students by making them computer literate which is the global phenomenon.
According to him, the project was the first of its kind in the state, urging he school to ensure that they provide maximum protection of the ICT facilities.
The project he stated was an important one, which he believes would impact positively on the acquisition of computer skills by the students of the college in meeting up with the Millennium Development Goals.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Shell Exploration and Production Company, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe, explained that the donation of the ICT centre was part of the oil firm’s corporate responsibility in contributing to the development of computer literacy among secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.
Kogi
The governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Idris Maiyanga had threatened to sue the party if it decided to substitute him.
Maiyanga who wont he CPC’s governorship primary in the state alleged that the national leadership of the party was making moves to replace him with an unpopular candidate.
Describing the purported moves as a departure from the party’s rules Maiyanga stated that he would contest the substitution even in court.
He said “I have worked and sponsored this party with my money. The entire congresses held in the state were sponsored by me. I don’t understand why the party would want to repay me this way.”
Maiyanga urged the party leadership at the state and national levels to concentrate on the party’s victory instead of going contrary to its rules.
Lagos
The Lagos State government, had announced a new salary structure for public servants under it employ, effective from January 1, 2011.
Addressing newsmen last Thursday, at the Government House, Lagos, the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, said the decision was reached during a special session by the State Executive Council.
Sanwo-Olu stated that workers of the state government would be paid one month salary arrears.
While noting that the state government was yet to reveal the details of the package, the commissioner said however, that details will come before the end of this week.
He said “details will come by next week. We don’t want to do it all by ourselves but will allow the union members to see it before announcing it.”
Sanwo-Olu further urged all civil servants in the state to double their efforts in the discharge of their duties in order for their efforts to commensurate with the new salary structure adding that the government would not condone any laxity in the state civil service.
Oyo
Doctors in Oyo State have lamented what they called the ‘progressive decline of healthcare services’ in the state owned hospitals.
They said their strike would subsist until their demand are met by the government.
The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Millicent Obajimi, who spoke with reporters in Ibadan said the NMA was demanding the implementation of CONMESS and the recruitment of more doctors in the state and local government hospitals across the state.
Obajimi said the 30-year-old Adeoye Maternity Hospital, which is the largest state hospital was a shadow of itself due to insufficient doctors.
She said “the Department of Surgery alone in this hospital used to boost of four general surgeons, three orthopaedic surgeons two plastic surgeons, two urologists among others but now had only one elderly and retired general surgeon employed on contact as the only one serving the whole of Oyo State.
Obajimi also revealed that the department of Internal Medicine which used to have at least four specialist physicians, no longer have any adding that it is now being runned by young medical officers.
Osun
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) have been called upon to intervene in the crisis between Osun and Oyo States over the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho.
The Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola made the call last Friday while receiving he YCE members led by it national chairman, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo in his office.
Aregbesola who expressed concern over the huge toll which the crisis has taken on the university said Yoruba people have a traditional norm which guides joint ownership of property and stressed the need for the Oyo State government to take such consideration to allow peace to resign.
He commended the YCE for its maintenance of peace and unity among Yoruba communities and appealed to the council to be in the vanguard of social re-orientation, which he said his administration was embarking upon.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government had launched concerted efforts towards the improvement of Agriculture and Agro business in the state.
Through the Zamfara State Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Programme (ZACAREP), farmers have been registered and given incentives in terms of Agricultural imput such as fertilizers, agro chemicals, pesticides, tractors and other mechanized farm implements, as well as improved seedlings.
Addressing Zamfara State Government House correspondent on the state of agriculture in the state, Governor Shinkafi disclosed that the state government had offered free tractor services to the farmers as a pragmatic approach to promoting mechanized agriculture and increasing agricultural yields in the state.
He stated that apart from providing incentives to the farmers, it had also put in place a policy to buy excess agricultural produce from farmers during harvest seasons at good prices in order to give the farmers value for their labour.
In is words “the state is also producing about 10,000 tones of cash crops such as ground nuts, cotton, soyabeans among others each year in recent years.”
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