Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Malam Isa Aminu, a health practitioner, has advocated proper education of communities on the use of mosquito treated nets.
“This is to enhance the malaria control programme in the country,” Aminu said on Saturday in an interview with newsmen in Mubi, Adamawa State.
He said the enlightenment was necessary to promote the malaria control programme.
Aminu said the measure would encourage the proper use of the nets and control prevalent cases of malaria in the country.
“The high prevalent rate of malaria was due to poor sanitation and lack of community education on how to use the nets effectively.
“Most families in rural settlements are wary of using the treated nets,” Aminu said.
Bauchi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged Nigerians to participate actively in environmental sanitation activities to curb water borne diseases in the country.
Hajiya Jummai Bello, the NOA Director in Bauchi State, made the call in a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Information and Publication, Malam Danmusa Muhammad, in Bauchi yesterday.
Bello said the call became necessary due to the importance of environmental sanitation to the health, social, economic and moral well-being of the people.
She added that this call was also based on the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that there would be heavy rainfall in the country this year and its implication to the environment.
Benue
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue said yesterday in Makurdi that it had set up a committee to address the issue of unpaid allowances of its ad hoc staff.
Mr Jacob Ayanda, the INEC Assistant Director, Public Affairs, announced the setting up of the committee when the ad hoc staff staged a protest over the non-payment of their allowances for election duty.
The protesters, mainly male students of higher institutions within and outside the state, had participated in the just concluded general elections as presiding officers.
They alleged that the female presiding officers were paid, while their male counterparts were left out.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said in Ado-Ekiti that it arrested 935 motorcyclists between January and April for various traffic offences.
Mr Francis Udoma, the Sector Commander, told newsmen that the command’s special patrols apprehended 210 of the traffic offenders in January, 406 in February and 222 in March, with the remaining 97 arrested in April.
He said the lawbreakers were arrested at various locations across the 16 local government areas of the state and noted that their offences ranged from number plate violation and overloading to failure to use safety helmets.
FCT
Electricity supply in the country has grown by 1,000 megawatts since President Goodluck Jonathan assumed power a year ago, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Dr Sam Amadi, Chairman of the Commission, said this in a letter to Jonathan yesterday, congratulating him on his success in the April presidential election.
Amadi attributed the level of stability in electricity supply in the country to the president’s commitment to ensure safe, stable and adequate electricity supply.
Katsina
Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has accessed the N1.2 billion year 2010 UBE intervention from the state government and UBEC for the implementation of its programmes.
Alhaji Sule Kuki, the Executive Chairman of the board, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Saturday.
Kogi
The Federal College of Education, Okene in Kogi is to commence degree programmes in education from the 2011/2012 academic session.
A lecturer at the institution, Malam Musa Jibrin, disclosed this on Friday in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.
He spoke at the end of this year’s three-day Teachers Professional Development Workshop for Universal Basic Education (UBE) Teachers and Managers in the state.
Jibrin, who also coordinated the workshop, said the degree programmes were aimed at producing quality teachers for the Basic Education Programmes.
He said that the education sector would take a nose dive if teachers were not adequately trained.
Lagos
The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted N260 million worth of unregistered pharmaceuticals and packaged food at the Seme border.
Sources close to the agency told newsmen on Saturday that acting on a tip-off, operatives at the Seme border intercepted a truck conveying a 2×20 feet container load of unregistered pharmaceuticals.
“NAFDAC operatives at the border have intercepted a large quantity of unregistered pharmaceuticals and packaged foods worth N260 million,” the NAFDAC sources said.
Niger
About 1,670 students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna have benefited from the entrepreneurship training in the university, Dr Oladiran Abubakar, the coordinator, has said.
Entrepreneurship lecture tagged ‘Competency based on Economy through the Formation of Enterprise’ (CEFE) was a sponsored programme of the university by the German Government through its GTZ project.
Abubakar, on Saturday in Minna while welcoming a delegation of German Embassy officials on a tour to review its project in the state, said that the programme had impacted positively on both staff and students.
“Till date, more than 400 students have benefited from five to seven day intensive training conducted during various coaching sessions.
“About 1,760 students have benefited from attending entrepreneurship lectures tagged CEFE integrated curriculum,’’ he said.
According to him, 23 lecturers are trained and are delivering CEFE integrated curriculum in their various departments.
He added that a staff of the university had been certified CEFE master trainer, adding that many of the beneficiaries were potential master trainers
On the benefits of the training, he said that it has helped to change the mind set of many students.
He added that six departments out of the 35 departments in the university were at present offering the entrepreneurship training in their departments.
Plateau
A Batch B corps member, Dr Francisca Ekwuruibe, has conducted free eye screening on 500 pupils of St Paul’s Township Primary School, Jos.
Ekwuruibe, who is an optometrist, told newsmen yesterday that she was moved because majority of eye patients were children.
According to her, most of the pupils with undetected eye challenges are usually labelled as unintelligent by their teachers, because they can’t read what is written on the board.
“This visual screening exercise would detect such pupils. Free eye medications and glasses will be given to those with minor eye impediments for correction.
“Pupils with severe impediments will be given referral letters to JUTH for further management,” she said.
Ekwuruibe advised parents to always feed their children and wards with food and fruits rich in Vitamin A, which helps in improving eye sight to minimise sight-related issues.
She advised them to be very observant of their wards, especially those who go very close to the television system while watching.
“Parents should also watch out for children who usually complain after walking under the sun.
“Once these defects are not identified and treated on time, most of the cases could degenerate into various complications which may lead to blindness if not properly managed,” she said.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has urged Journalists in the country to be objective and fair in their reportage.
Wamakko made the call on Saturday in Sokoto at the 2011 maiden congress meeting of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists ( NUJ), Sokoto State council.
Wamakko, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dangusau, added: “This is the only way journalists can work in line with the laid down ethics of this noble profession.
“The press can make or mar any society and those in the profession should tread with caution in order not to go astray.’’
Wamakko commended journalists in the state for their steadfastness and urged them to sustain the existing cordial relationship between them and the state government.
He also stressed the need for the journalists to give top priority to development journalism and rural reporting.
The Commissioner for Information, Malam Dahiru Maishanu, promised that the state government would implement the proposed media salary anytime it is approved by the Federal Government.
Maishanu also promised to continue to improve the working condition of journalists in state-owned media organisations.
He challenged the Nigerian media to always portray the nation to the outside world in good light.
The Zonal Director of the NTA Sokoto Network centre, Alhaji Dayo Salawu, represented by the Assistant Director of News , Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, urged members of the union to be united and disciplined .
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