Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Malami, has warned rural dwellers against drying food items by the roadside, to guard against Lassa fever.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi, Malami said that the common practice of drying foodstuffs on the shoulders of highways could result in rodents that carried the Lassa fever disease contaminating the food items.
The commissioner stated that the warning became necessary as part of educating the people on the dangers of the disease, which has already affected about 397 people and claimed more than 40 lives in 12 states across the country.
“The Health Ministry is requesting the Ministry of Information as well as the media, to pursue a vigorous enlightenment campaign in collaboration with the State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA).
“The campaign is to discourage farmers and rural dwellers from the practice of drying grains on road shoulders on the highways because they could easily get contaminated by rodents,” he said.
He advised rural dwellers to find other suitable methods of drying their foodstuffs to avert disaster as Lassa fever is spreading fast in the country
Malami also solicited for the support of religious and traditional leaders in educating the people on safe methods of preserving food items.
Benue
The Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, on Saturday matriculated 3,562 students into six faculties of the university for the 2011/2012 academic session.
The matriculating students were selected from the 17,433 candidates who sat for the last UTME and 3,280 direct entry candidates who applied to study at the university.
Tthere was no intake at the College of Health Sciences for the session due to the non-completion of the priority areas at the Teaching Hospital.
In her address at the 20th matriculation ceremony, Prof. Charity Angya, the vice chancellor of the university, told the students that Gov. Gabriel Suswam had promised to complete the hospital within two weeks.
“This will pave way for admission into the MBBS programme in the 2012/2013 academic year and ensure that our medical students do not continue to stagnate at the clinical level.’’
She urged the students to dedicate themselves to promoting academic excellence.
The don noted that many educational institutions had been plagued with social problems such as cultism, noting that BSU also had its share of the menace.
She appealed to them to shun all social vices that could impede their progress in life, warning that the consequence of indulging in social vices was expulsion.
Our correspondent reports that the matriculation oath was administered by Dr Timothy Utile, the registrar of the university.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has expressed shock over last week’s killing of Alhaji Adamu Ahmadu, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in charge of Yobe and Borno State.
Ahmadu was killed on Tuesday at his residence in Potiskum, Yobe, by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.
Shettima, who was exchanging views with journalists in Maiduguri, described the killing as sad.
The governor condoled with the NCS and family of the late comptroller over the incident.
Shettima said that from his brief encounter with the late comptroller, it was clear that he was a professional gentleman that had a vision to transform the service.
The governor prayed to God to grant his family and the NCS the fortitude to bear the loss.
FCT
President Goodluck Jonathan has formally written to commiserate with the families, people and governments of the two expatriates killed by their captors in Sokoto State last Thursday.
A statement in Abuja said the two separate letters were addressed to the Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron and his Italian counterpart, Mario Monti.
The statement, signed by President’s spokesperson Reuben Abati, said the letters were delivered through diplomatic channels.
Jonathan said that the hearts of the people and government of Nigeria went out to members of the immediate families of the victims in their moment of grief.
He prayed that the Almighty God imbues them with the fortitude to cope with painful tragedy.
The President assured the leaders of both countries that “the Nigerian Government remains resolutely committed to facing up squarely the challenge of terrorism on our shores and in the international community.’’
Gombe
The Federal College of Education (FCE), Gombe, has matriculated 456 students into degree programmes for the 2011/2012 academic session.
The college is an affiliate of the University of Maiduguri and the Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
The provost of the college, Dr Adamu Abbas, said that out of the 456 matriculating students, 330 were undergraduate students in various programmes of the University of Maiduguri, while 126 were undergraduate students of ATBU, Bauchi.
He said the occasion was the second matriculation for degree programmes in the school, noting that the first was in July 2010.
The provost advised the students to be serious with their studies, stressing that “anti-social behaviours such as indiscipline, refusal to attend lectures and cultism would not be tolerated.”
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Prof. Malah Daura, said the institution would maintain high quality staffing and improve its infrastructure to produce quality graduates and maintain the standards set by the National Universities Commission.
Kano
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) will in April commence the re-certification of all registered sachet water factories in Kano state.
The state NAFDAC Coordinator, Akinwomi Adedeji, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano. He said the exercise would also audit available facilities in the factories to ensure that they meet the set standards.
“During the re-certification, those who meet our requirements will be re-certificated, while those who do not will be given time to adjust or be deregistered,’’ Adedeji said. The coordinator said NAFDAC officials would inspect facilities in all the registered factories in the 44 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the agency plans to hold a meeting with the registered water producers and organise a workshop to sensitise them on the proposed exercise.
Kebbi
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has donated relief materials worth N10 million to victims of rainstorm in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi.
Two people lost their lives while six others were injured in the incident which also left several structures destroyed.
The incident occurred a fortnight ago when the area witnessed its first rainfall of the year.
The North West Acting Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Musa Ilelah, presented the relief materials to the victims in Yauri last Tuesday.
Kogi
Kogi House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to urgently review and re-award contract for the completion of the abandoned maximum security prison in Koton-Karfe, first awarded in 1983.
The call was made in a resolution of the house reached at a plenary sitting, following the adoption of the motion by Chief Saidu Akawu-Salihu, representing Kogi-Koton/Karfi constituency.
Lagos
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has produced a film on the management of the ecosystem, as parts of its advocacy on sustainable environment.
The film, which would be shown on local television stations, was produced in collaboration with Adams Paul Film Production (APFP).
Paul Adams, Director of APFP told newsmen in Lagos that the film was aimed at enlightening Nigerians to be eco-friendly, and manage waste and climate change.
“Managing waste and climate change is encompassing. It is about managing power, water pollution, controlling how we throw dirt anyhow especially pure water sachet and other things that affect the environment.
Plateau
A member of Plateau House of Assembly, Daniel Deng says the state of emergency imposed on four local government areas is causing hardship in the councils.
The Federal Government imposed the state of emergency on Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos North and Jos South in December due to the persistent crises in the areas.
Deng told newsmen in Jos Saturday that since the imposition of the emergency rule, funds meant for the four councils had been withdrawn.
He said the withdrawal of the councils’ allocation had exposed workers to hunger.
The said development was worrisome and had created more challenges.
Sokoto
A Sokoto-based legal practitioner, Nasiru Binji, on Saturday urged the Federal Government to equip the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), with all the necessary facilities to train unemployed youths in various trades.
Binji told newsmen in Sokoto that it would enable the teeming youths to be self reliant, thereby developing the economy.
He said the Federal Government needed to focus on creating job opportunities for Nigeriams.
“Thousand of unemployed youths roam our major streets in search of job and is not doing good to our nation’s security.”
He explained that provision of learning materials at the various NDE offices would help the youth in learning various skilled trades.
Taraba
The Federal Government, Taraba and a Kenya-based, American rice farmer, Mr Calvin Burgess, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the production of rice in Gassol village of the state.
Mr Anthony Jellason, the Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, made the plan known in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo on Tuesday.
Jellason said the agreement would serve as an instrument that would enable each party “to swing into action” to ensure that the project, which would cover about 30,000 hectares, was leased to the investor to cultivate rice.
The commissioner explained that by the agreement, the Federal Government would encourage the Taraba Government and the investor to enter into a partnership.
Nation
Gombe Opens Bid For Construction Of Three-Arm Zone Project
Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation has opened bids for the construction of three arms zone complexes within the Gombe Capital Special Development Zone which held at the Ministry’s conference hall.
Speaking while presiding over the bid opening proceedings, the Commissioner, Engr. . Usman Maijama’a Kallamu assured the bidders that the bid opening would be carried out using procurement process which is based on specific regulations that are credible, fair, and transparent.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Idris Yambiu Buba said that the Ministry will continue to align itself for optimal results in the implementation of government policies and projects in line with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to bringing development to the State.
While assuring the bidders of a transparent process, the SSA to the Governor on Special Project, Arch. Yakubu Mamman thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his foresight in infrastructural development of the State, adding that government is committed to ensuring that all bidders had an equal chance to participate and compete based on merit to maintain standards and specifications.
Nation
Gov Mbah Signs Bill To Establish Teaching Hospital In Enugu
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, yesterday, signed the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Teaching Hospital Bill 2024 into Law, promising to expedite action to actualise the teaching hospital immediately to provide quality training and healthcare services in the Enugu North part of the State and the State in general.
Mbah, while commending the Enugu State House of Assembly for accelerating action on the processing and passage of the Executive Bill, said that establishing SUMAS Teaching Hospital was in line with his manifesto.
He said, “What we have done by signing into law the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital Bill is that we now have in place a legal framework to immediately begin to put in place all that is required to upgrade SUMAS to a teaching hospital. This is part of our campaign promises and we are committed to delivering on that expeditiously.
“We believe that the importance and significance of siting a teaching hospital in our Enugu North zone can never be lost on us. So, we are not going to spend any time in making sure that everything that is necessary and required to upgrade and get the teaching hospital operational is put in place. With this Law, we are going to redouble our commitment and our efforts to achieve that.”
He assured the Governing Council and the Management of SUMAS of his continued support, adding that his administration would equally be counting on their pedigree and contacts to bring the teaching hospital to fruition in record time.
“We are going to continue to support you and we are also going to continue to count on your experience, network, and profile in raising resources to actualize the project.
“This year alone, we are going to spend 33 per cent of our budget on education. This underscores the importance of education to this administration. So, be sure to come to us whenever there is a need. We are going to support you because we are interested in education and we are investing heavily in it,” he said.
On his part, the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, who also spoke at the Bill signing witnessed by the Chairman of SUMAS Governing Council, Msgr. Obiora Ike, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Ogbonna, and top hierarchies of the institution, commended Governor Mbah’s speed and faithfulness in delivering on his campaign promises. He assured that the House of Assembly was ever ready to fast-track every executive bill that would impact positively on the state and its people.
“We promised we are going to support this administration by doing our job expeditiously to ensure that there is no delay in your delivery of democracy dividends to our people. Therefore, the SUMAS Teaching Hospital Bill received expedited hearing and today you have the signing of the bill into law,” he stated.
Nation
Ododo Applauds Security Agencies Over Rescue Of 43 Bus Passengers
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has applauded security agencies in the State for their efforts in the rescue of 43 bus passengers.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
The statement noted that the governor welcomed the news of the release of the abducted bus passengers in Okehi Local Government Area of the State and called for sustained collaboration between security agencies and local communities to improve intelligence gathering and prevent crime and criminality in all parts of the state.
Ododo commended the caretaker chairman of Okehi LGA, Mr Amoka Eneji, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Professional Hunters, Ebira Local Hunters Group and other security agencies for their intervention, which led to the rescue of the passengers who were abducted outside the state.
“Governor Ododo also commends the response of security agencies to the robbery incidence in Felele area of Lokoja and called for more urgency in addressing cases of insecurity in any part of the state.
“The Governor reassured the people of the state that his administration will not relent in its efforts in deploying maximum resources to ensure that all communities in the state remain unsafe for criminal elements.”
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The European Union (EU) says it will end its five-year Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, on April 14. Mr Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, ACT, said this on Tuesday at a brief event in Port Harcourt. Babalola said that the conclusion of the programme would automatically mean an end for the 21 CSOs based in Rivers. He stated that the EU-funded programme, valued at 13.1 million euros, was executed by the British Council across 10 states, with a presence in the 36 states of the federation. “The programmes’ goals are to assist CSOs in becoming more credible, accountable and effective agents of change, for sustainable development in Nigeria. “The implementation focussed on providing capacity-building skills, referred to as capacity development support to CSOs, to enhance their effectiveness. “Additionally, it aimed to evaluate the regulatory environment for CSOs and promote strategic coordination among them and other key stakeholders in terms of collaboration and advocate, for appropriate legislation and regulations,” he explained. Babalola identified the benefitting states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The ACT programme commenced in 2019 and will officially conclude on April 14, marking the end of five-years of active implementation in the country. “Rivers was among the states where we initiated the programme during our phase two launch in 2020, and we are here to formally close the ACT programme in the state. “ACT has addressed significant challenges affecting the effectiveness and impact of civil societies, especially in creating an enabling regulatory environment,” he added. He expressed confidence that in spite of ACT’s departure from the country, civil society groups have gained sufficient capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in their respective focus areas within the communities. The programme manager noted that 273 CSOs benefitted from the programme across the country, with 233 CSOs receiving capacity-building training and 40 others trained to enhance regulatory conditions. In his remark, ACT Rivers Focal Person, Mr Temple Oraeki, emphasised the importance of CSOs collaborating with the state government and international donor agencies to advance their programmes and projects within the communities. “The 21 CSOs, comprising of eight community-based organisations and three network coalitions in Rivers, now serve as our ambassadors, equipped to make positive impact in society. “Therefore, we are leaving behind organisations that are credible partners for the government and international donor agencies to execute their programmes in communities,” he said. Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers, expressed the state’s readiness to engage with CSOs to implement government policies and programmes in the various communities where they operate. Represented by Diokuma Ismael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fubara lauded the EU and British Council for their interventions in the state. “The success of the ACT programme has undoubtedly enhanced the value of civil society organisations in the state and nationwide. “We are prepared to partner with the CSOs that have impacted communities, once all necessary documentations are concluded. “However, it is crucial for CSOs to adhere to proper regulations, to enable the government to identify with them for sustainable development,” he said. Fubara urged the civil society groups to align with the state government’s policy to drive positive change in the communities.
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