Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

February 14, 2011

Adamawa

A National Transformation Party (NTP) Senatorial candidate in Adamawa North, Alhaji Musa Bulama, has pledged to address the problems of unemployment and water scarcity, if elected in April.

Bulama told newsmen in Mubi, Adamawa, that he intended to tackle the challenges in health and infrastructure through proactive legislation.

He commended INEC for the successful conduct of the voter registration.

INEC had registered more than 63 million voters for the April general elections in the country.

Bulama said the Commission had displayed high sense of political acumen and professionalism in the conduct of the exercise.

“The high participation and coverage recorded in rural areas is a clear indication of the Commission’s readiness to conduct free and fair polls,” Bulama said.

Benue

Succair is on the way for many orphans in Benue State as the Rose of Sharon Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is set to establish schools in the state.

The founder of the NGO, Mrs Folorunso Alakija, disclosed this last Thursday while addressing newsmen in Makurdi said adequate arrangement had been made to ensure that widows in the state were given the needed support that would better their lives and that of their children who often suffer as a result of the lost of their bread winners.

Alakija explained that in view of the challenges widows face, Rose of Sharon foundation would train two children of each widow from primary school up till tertiary institution in order to lessen their burden.

She said “we take two children from every family and train them from whatever level they begin like from primary to tertiary level with the hope that those people that we train will goback to help their families.

Alakija said the foundation has 18 Orphans which it currently caters for, 21 students who are receiving university education and empowered about 2000 others in the state.

Ekiti

The Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim had blamed politicians in Ekiti State over the location of a federal university in which three persons were reportedly dead and several others injured.

Ringim passed the blame last Friday expressing displeasure over a burnt police post and two operational vehicles of the force at Ido-Osi.

The police chief said that the incident was sequel to the death of three persons who lost their lives at Ikole-Ekiti when demonstrators against the location of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, attacked the Federal Government College Ikole-Ekiti, injured four students of the College and vandalised the school.

In his words “the demonstration was against the rumoured relocation of the Federal University from Ikole to Oye-Ekiti. Information from the Ministry of Education however confirmed that the federal university was originally located at Oye-Ekiti, with Prof. Chonedu Nebo as the Vice-Chancellor.

FCT

Community Emergency Response Initiative (CERI), an Abuja-based NGO, has trained more than 70 residents of Karu and Jikwoyi communities in the FCT on Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach and effective management of solid waste.

Mr. Benson Attah, CERI’s Executive Director, disclosed this on Wednesday in Karu during a training workshop.

He said the workshop was organised for the people of Karu and Jikwoyi due to lack of effective management of solid waste in the two communities.

He expressed the hope that the training would help the people imbibe the practice of safe hygiene and proper management of solid waste.

Kwara

Students under the aegis of the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS) and the police on Friday clashed in Ilorin.

Scores of the students staged a Peaceful Protest over non-payment of their 2009/2010 annual bursary allowance but the protest turned violent as the students in the early hours of Friday Prevented free flow of traffic in parts of Uorin town, particularly, the ever busy Murtala Mehammed Way and Ahmadu Bello Bourlevard, the road leading to the State Government House.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Spokesperson, Ezekiel Dabo revealed that 16 students have been arrested adding that about three police officers were wounded in the process.

Lagos

Students of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday raised alarm over growing cases of ritual killing and armed robbery along LASU/Iba road and other communities around its main campus at Ojo, Lagos. Some of the students told the newsmen that the frequent killings and robberies posed great threat to their lives and their academic pursuit.

Mr Senapon Ajasa, speaker of the institution‘ Students Union Government, told reporters that no fewer than 10 people have been killed in LASU area in the last two months by suspected ritual killers.

The student leader said that the development had thrown the entire university community into panic as students and other people around the campus now live in fear.

“Everybody, particularly the students, is afraid. Ritual killers who remove body parts of their victims after killing them have made LASU/Iba expressway and adjoining communities unsafe.

Niger

A Maiduguri High Court last Wednesday granted bail to 65 suspected Boko Haram members arrested over the recent killings in Borno.

The suspects were charged with holding unlawful assemblies in Bolori, London Cikin, Gwange and Dala wards in Maiduguri the Niger State Capital and its environs and breaching public peace. The prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Izge, told the court presided over by Justice Wokil Gana that the action contravened the penal code.

Izge urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to produce additional charges against the suspects.

The counsel to the accused persons, Baba Waziri, opposed the prayer, saying the case could only be adjourned if the suspects were granted bail.

Ondo

Ondo State Government said it has injected over N3.9 billion into its community development programme, in two years.

Disclosing this to journalists, the state commissioner for Community Development and Cooperative Services, Mr Clement Faboyede said the projects include classrooms, community health centres, Solar Power, borcholes, markets among others.

He said the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko would be commissioning over 308 “Quick Win Projects’ to mark his second tenure and commended the administration for the creation of the ministry, which he said was meant to cater for people in the rural communities.

Oyo

Eight men were arrested in Ogbere Onilanta area of Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, in connection with the stampede caused by the rumour of poisoned food allegedly served by the agents of Governor Adebayo AkoAkala to School Children.

Although residents of the community protested at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan last Thursday evening, alleging that policemen raided their children at Elekuro High School, Ogbere. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adisa Bolanta, said eight adults were arrested for vandalizing a car belonging to a woman conveying food to a school to serve teachers at a meeting.

The police boss said the women narrowly escaped being lynched for no just cause pledging that the suspects would be prosecuted.

Plateau

Five people were killed and nine others injured last Friday night in a fresh attack suspected to have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen, who made away with about 30 cows at the quarters of the federal College of Land Resources Technology Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area of Platean State.

It was gathered that the stolen cattles belonged to the Chief Security Officer of the institution, haruna Danjuma, who was among the five victims.

Others who lost their lives in the incident include the Sccountant of the school, Mr Audu Chube, his wife and a four-year-old daughter and the electrician of the institution.

Yobe

Despite the flamboyant launch of its campaign in the three geo-political zones in the North, there are probably fears among the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it might lose Yobe State and a few others to the opposition.

Also, there might be a battle to the finish between the PDP and the opposition in Nasarawa, Kwara, Yigawa and Kaduna State.

Investigation showed that out of the 19 state in the North, 16 are being controlled by the oppositions including Kano and Borno by the All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) and Banchi, Katsina and Kebbi States where the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has gained tremendous acceptance by the populace.

Zamfara

The Zamfara Government has said that it would soon set up an incinerating plant for the conversion of waste to wealth.

Alhaji Sada Ibrahim, the Director-General, Zamfara Environmental Health Sanitation Agency, said this on Thursday in an interview with journalists in Gusau.

Ibrahim said that the government had already built a “waste transfer loading centre’’ in Gusau, where waste products would be separated for recycling.

According to him, Zamfara generates 5,000 tonnes of waste daily, which will be converted into fertiliser, plastics and other products for domestic uses.

He also said that the government had procured four additional trucks for the evacuation of refuse to the site.

Ibrahim said that the project was aimed toward industrialising the state and creating employment opportunities for unemployed youths.

He also said that it would help improve the revenue base of the state and check the spread of diseases such as typhoid, malaria and cholera.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

9 hours 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

18 hours 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.