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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), has been urged to work towards promoting religious tolerance among communities in the country.

Mr Bitrus Habzhi, the Chairman, Mubi South Local Government Council of Adamawa, made the call while inaugurating a 13-member committee of the local chapter of NIREC in Mubi on Saturday.

The chairman said the council should adopt effective campaign strategies to promote religious tolerance among the people.

Habzhi said the measure was imperative in order to promote unity and peaceful coexistence among various religious communities.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has placed a ban on public display of political posters, banners and billboards.

This is contained in a statement issued recently and signed by Malam Sanusi Muhammed, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Gov. Isa Yuguda.

The statement stated that the ban became necessary because such displays were threatening security.

It said that any politician who wanted such displays could do so 20km away from the state capital as well as headquarters of the local government councils.

The statement, however, said that politicians could also display or paste such items in their residential areas and shops.

It stated that violators would be handed over for prosecution.

FCT

Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) says that lack of funds has continued to stall the development of its international trade fair complex in the FCT.

Mr Joe Wenegieme, the the Director-General of the chamber, made the observation in an interview with newsmen yesterday.

He said the development of the complex had remained impossible because it was capital Intensive.

Wenegieme solicited the support of the Federal Government and other development partners in the realisation of the organisation’s dream.

He said that several attempts by the chamber to collaborate with private developers had been futile due to lack of funds.

Gombe

The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says it is considering relocating communities in flood-prone areas to safer places.

Hajiya Zainab Idris, the Director of Administration and Finance in the agency, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday.

Idris said the measure was one of the proactive steps toward averting casualties in case of flood disaster this year.

She said that the entire state was prone to flooding but identified the most vulnerable areas to include Yamaltu-Deba, Balanga, Dukku, Nafada and Funakaye which are close to rivers.

“Our major problem is that the residents of such areas are always reluctant to leave.

“In the recent past, we tried to relocate the survivors of a flood disaster in Hinna village of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area

Kaduna

Security operatives on Saturday cordoned off major streets connecting the Kaduna Township Stadium where Gov. Patrick Yakowa commenced his gubernatorial campaign.

A combined detachment of a special security outfit of the state code named “Operation Yaki” took over the streets.

Some of the streets that were closed to motorists were Bida road and Independence way which all led to Lugard Hall and stadium junction.

The security measures caused heavy traffic congestion within Kaduna metropolis as most motorists were forced to use only the Ahmadu Bello Way.

The traffic situation in the state was further worsened because of the Kaduna International Trade Fair that began on Saturday.

Kano

The Federal Government yesterday reiterated its commitment to ensuring adequate enforcement of laws and regulations on illegal trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora across the country.

Dr Ngeri Benebo, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), gave the commitment in Kano.

Benebo spoke at the opening of the three-day national training workshop on the enforcement of the statndards of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).

CITES is an international agreement signed by 175 countries, including Nigeria, to protect trade in endangered species globally.

She said that adequate enforcement of the convention entailed training and development of the capacity of relevant agencies to check the illegal trade.

Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan recently called for ethnic dilution in Nigeria to move the country forward.

Speaking in Lagos at the“ Celebration of Igbo unity, Culture and Transformation’’ organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo and Aka Ikenga, Jonathan said that “all ethnic societies in Nigeria must become one to move forward.

“Even in the USA, people know where they come from, but that does not hinder their ambition,’’ he said.

He said that the occasion was very unique and should be entitled, “Nigeria, an ethnic society without border’’

Ogun

Ogun The PDP in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, has urged its candidates for the next local government election to start campaigning by displaying posters of their programmes in their wards.

Chairman of the party in the area, Alhaji Razak Arowolo, said this was part of strategies to ensure victory in the election.

Arowolo gave the directive while addressing party members in Ijebu-Ode yesterday.

He expressed the belief that the ancient town is a strong hold of the PDP; hence the party should work hard to avoid losing to the opposition.

Ondo

Three men were yesterday arraigned in Akure on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The accused, Lemamu Habib (22), Rotimi Akadiri (34) Owagbemi Odimayo (24) and two others at large were alleged to have killed a 70-year-old man, Jayeola Abodunwa.

Police Prosecutor Insp Richard Salawu said the offence was committed on Dec. 21, 2010 at about 5 am at Owanikun Street, Ikun-Akoko, Ondo State.

The accused were alleged to have killed the septuagenarian by beating him and forcing him to drink poisonous substances.

Salawu informed the court that the case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, and asked for an adjournment.

He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody till the next adjournment.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Zacckhaeus Egbunu, adjourned the case till May 20, and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Plateau

The West of Mines Chief Magistrates’ Court Two in Jos yesterday Tuesday sentenced one Daniel Musaka and four others to eight months imprisonment each for causing public disturbance.

Chief Magistrate Talatu Gada, who handed down the judgment, declared that the convicts were also guilty of conspiracy, smoking hemp and belonging to a gang of thieves.

The convicts were, however, given the option of N2,000 fine each.

Gada, who said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the youths committed the offence, said the prosecution proved that the convicts actually committed the four charges against them.

Sokoto

The President of the Albino Foundation of Nigeria, Mr Jake Epele, says more than 600,000 persons living with skin pigmentation problem in the country suffer discrimination

Epele spoke to newsmen in Sokoto recently.

“Some families abandon newly born children with albinism. Due to this, an albino has a slim chance to make it in life with most parents reluctant to invest in the education of albino children, ” he said.

He said statistics indicated that more than 1.5 million Nigerian albinos were among the poorest, least educated and marginalised persons.

Epele said these persons were also the most susceptible to skin cancer due to frequent exposure of their skin to the sun.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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