Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Fadama III Office in Mubi South Local Government Council Area of Adamawa has registered 2,740 farmers, says the Desk Officer, Ms Lydia Solomon.
Solomon told Tide source in Mubi on Monday that the programme had also registered 137 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) since its inception in the area.
She said that the programme had embarked on sensitisation campaign to educate communities and promote participation in the programme.
“We embarked on grassroots mobilisation to create awareness and educate communities on how to participate in the programme.
“The campaign focuses on training the benefitting communities on how to draw up proposal for projects and ensure effective utilisation of funds,” Lydia said.
The desk officer urged communities in the area to form associations to enable them to benefit from various facilities under the programme.
Bauchi
Bauchi State Government plans to distribute 20 ambulances and 20 tri-cycles, popularly called “Keke NAPEP,” to some maternity centres, through the MDGs.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Isa Yuguda on MDGs, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu-Wanka, made the announcement on Monday while inspecting some projects in Alkaleri, Kirfi and Bauchi Local Government Areas.
She said the distribution of the items would reduce the hardship being faced by women, especially pregnant women and children while receiving anti-natal and other health care services.
Yakubu-Wanka said the items to be distributed would meet the needs of the health centres, especially the maternity centres.
FCT
Nigeria has called on member nations to support the programmes of the UNESCO to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development in the world.
A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Aliyu Othmn, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’l, noted that Vice President Namadi Shambo made the call at the ongoing 36th session of UNESCO holding in Paris, France.
Sambo, who was represented by the minister, also urged member nations to go beyond how UNESCO contributes to peace and sustainable development programme to how it could improve its performance.
He stated that the conference was an opportunity for member-states to propose and recommend appropriate guidelines on how the body could fulfill its objectives on international peace as well as the common welfare of mankind.
Gombe
Gombe State Ministry of Water Resources, Town Planning and Environment has cleared more than 2,000 hectares of land for this year’s irrigation farming.
Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry told newsmen in Gombe on Monday that the actual activities for the dry farming would begin next month.
The permanent secretary said that rice, vegetables, onions, tomatoes and pepper would be cultivated at the site.
He said that in 2010 only 250 hectares were cultivated because the irrigation canal was not properly in place.
He said that Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo had released funds to the ministry to put the irrigation canal in place and that the ministry was working tirelessly to mobilise people to engage in dry season farming.
Jigawa
Chairman of Taraba Planning Commission, Mr David Elisha has urged the Federal Government to educate Nigerians on Vision 20:2020 to enable them participate in its implementation.
Elisha spoke to newsmen in Dutse, Jigawa, on the sidelines of a meeting of the National Council on Development Planning and Joint Planning Board.
“Nigeria’s Vision 20:20:20 should be brought down to a level where an ordinary Nigerian on the street will understand what we are talking about.
“ I believe an average Nigerian doesn’t understand it and that’s why there is the need for more enlightenment,’’ he said.
Kaduna
Kaduna chapter of NLC says it will soon dialogue with the state government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.
The NLC Chairman, Malam Adamu Ango, told newsmen in Kaduna that the meeting was aimed at sorting out some grey areas in the agreement on the contents of the new table for the implementation of the new wage which now included grade levels 9 to 17.
He said the meeting would take place when Gov. Patrick Yakowa and the Finance Commissioner, Mr John Ayuba, returned from their foreign trip.
Kebbi
The World Bank-assisted Kebbi Social and Community Development Project embedded environmental protection measures in 151 projects executed in the past two years at the cost of N277.1 million.
The General Manager of the project, Mr Usman Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the construction of toilets and incinerators was compulsory for all the micro-projects executed.
He said that benefitting communities provided 10 per cent of the cost of the projects in their localities while 90 per cent comprised World Bank grant for projects in health, education and water supply.
He said that as a pre-condition for approval, benefitting communities were required to plant trees, build toilets and incinerators around their projects to protect the environment.
Lagos
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged smallholder farmers to form cooperatives to tackle global food security challenges.
In a statement in Lagos on Monday, FAO said that the development would boost poverty reduction globally, improve farmers’ income, bargaining power and resource sharing.
According to the statement, the decision was taken at the launching of the International Year of Cooperatives in New York.
It said that the role of agricultural cooperatives was imperative in improving the living standard of smallholder farmers and their families.
Oyo
The University of Ibadan (U.I) has dismissed six officials from two departments of the institution for various offences.
According to a statement in Ibadan on Monday, three of the affected persons were in the Security Department, while the others were from the Works Department.
The statement, which was signed by the Registrar of the university, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, stated that the officers were disengaged in various offences, including “gross misconduct, theft and negligence”.
Ikotun said the Governing Council of the university had approved their dismissal.
Sokoto
A female politician, Hajiya Luba Hassan, says women will vote for Governor Aliyu Wamakko in the March 2012 gubernatorial election because of the many programmes executed to uplift them.
Hasan, the Secretary of the PDP in Gagi Ward, Sokoto South Local Government Area, spoke to newsmen on Monday.
She said for the first time in the history of the state, women were given the opportunity to contribute toward the political growth of the state.
According to her, the skills acquisition centres set up by the state government have enabled women and youths to be self-reliant.
“We will forever remain grateful to the Wamakko administration for giving us the opportunity to learn various grades and for giving us incentives to start our business.
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