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Benue

The Tiv Traditional Council, has honoured five of its sons who distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours.

The recipients were Dr Terkula Suswam, the immediate elder brother to Governor Gabriel Suswam, Mr J.K.I. Ugela, Dr Terhemba Shija, Terlumiun Agbutu and Godwin

Ikereve.

Suswam bagged the chieftaincy title of “Zenge Iwange U Tiv”, while Ugela bagged the “Or Uwasen Tar U Tiv, Shija. Some of the other titles were “Orfan Sev U tiv”, which went to Agbotu, a former Local Government Council Chairman, while Ikereve, a retired Journalist received the title of “Kyamegh Ki Miagh Ki Abaver A Tiv”.

The Chairman of the event, Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi, commended the Tiv Traditional Council for the honour done to the people.

He said that the ceremony depicted the rich cultural values of the Tiv people and urged them to uphold the heritage.

 

Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Joseph Daudu, have blamed the insecurity and Nigeria’s under-development on the inefficiency of laws.

Both spoke in Ado Ekiti when the NBA president, Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), paid a courtesy call on the governor.

Fayemi said that the insecurity had persisted because the laws had been rendered inactive, giving room for impunity to take over.

He said if the law was allowed to take its course, the country would not only be rid of social injustice but also give room for industrial development in an atmosphere of peace.

The NBA president, Daudu, had said that the failure to implement the law was responsible for the escalation of insecurity.

He described Fayemi’s election as a choice that would benefit the state, adding that Nigerians should make choices that would deepen the nation’s democracy.

 

FCT

A university lecturer, Dr Sheriff Ibrahim,  last Saturday cautioned the Federal Government over U.S. declaration of some Nigerians as terrorists.

Ibrahim of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja said this in an interview in Gwagwalada, FCT in reaction to the declaration by the U.S. government.

He urged the Federal Government not to allow the U.S. to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs. “The Federal Government should not allow the U.S. to interfere because their presence will further engender instability.”

The don, however, stressed that the problem was not beyond the government and it should be proactive in addressing it.

Ibrahim advocated a round table with the sect members as it was done in most parts of the world in the interest of unity, peace and development.

 

Kaduna

Christians in Kaduna State last Sunday offered special prayers in churches for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

The prayers followed June 17 attacks on three churches in Kaduna and Zaria.  The churches offered special prayers for peace, stability and unity in the country and urged the faithful to cooperate with security agents to restore law and order in the state.

Pastor Edward Isah of the Covenant Church admonished Christians to “watch, pray and not to take law into their hands’’.

Isah urged members to continue to pray for peace in the state and for God to prevail over the attacks on churches.

Similarly, Bishop Idowu Fearon of the Kaduna Anglican Diocese tasked Christians and Muslims on the need to give peace a chance and live in harmony as ordained by God.

 

Kano

The Kano State Government has released N30 million for the purchase of computers and other equipment for its newly established Kano Informatics Institute.

The Coordinator of the institute, Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir, made this known in an interview with in Kano on Saturday.

The coordinator said that the institute, which commenced academic activities in September 2011 with 200 students, now has a total of 410 students, selected from the 44 local government areas of the state.

Abdulkadir added that the management of the institute had signed an agreement with two U.S.-based computer institutes to provide the institute with lecturers.

She commended the 44 local government councils in the state for providing laptops to their students in the institute and urged the councils to ensure prompt payment of allowances to the students so as not to distract their studies.

 

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, has promised to partner with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by empowering the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to respond quickly to emergency situations.

Wada made the promise in Lokoja on Friday when he received the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Sanni Sidi.

He added that the State Government planned to formulate policies and measures aimed at reducing natural and man-made disasters in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, the governor said that disasters had become a source of worry to the state.

He said that disasters often left tales of woe in their trail when they occured by the displacement of persons, loss of property and sometimes, lives.

 

Lagos

The Federal Government, has been urged to introduce security courses in school curriculum.

The Executive Director of Changing the Face of a Nation Initiative (CFNI), Mr Olorunfemi Adedurin, made the call last Sunday in Lagos.

The CFNI is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which uses prayer to fight corruption and other spiritual enemies of Nigeria.

Adedurin said that if security courses were introduced in schools, it would go a long way in letting every one become security conscious.

He spoke against the background of the incessant bomb explosions by the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the country.

 

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has said that an end to endemic corruption and deficit leadership would help to curb violence and religious extremism in the country.

He spoke at the opening of the 5th Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Festival (RATTAFEST) for the North Central zone in Minna, Friday.

He said the north was well known for its culture of peace and hospitality, which contributed positively to the economic prosperity of the region and the country at large.

The governor called on northern states to revitalise moribund industries or those that have gone out of operation.

He said the current security problem in the north called for proactive media support and partnership with government to achieve its objective of promoting peace, development, national unity and integration.

 

Plateau

The Plateau Police Command last Sunday warned members of the public against rumour mongering and vowed to “deal decisively” with persons or groups engaged in that.

The command in a statement on Sunday, warned “all rumour millers to desist for this wicked act capable of causing security disequilibrium in the troubled state”.

The statement signed by Emmanuel Abuh, the police spokesman, particularly described as ‘untrue”, the rumour that the police were restricting the movement of vehicles in Jos metropolis, and advised people to shun it.

“The rumour is clearly an attempt to divert the attention of the security agencies and there is no iota of truth in it,” the police said.

 

Sokoto

Religious leaders should go back to their Scriptures for solution to the current state of insecurity and other related problems in the country, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana, said.

Zayyana, who is the Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, gave the advice last Friday in Sokoto.

The speaker said there was no reason why our situation in Nigeria should be different that a neighbour would want to kill his neighbour.

Zayyana urged Nigerians to collectively reassess their positions, saying: “ we all have a common God who does not want us to kill.

He urged Nigerians to be patriotic and pious citizens and expose all the bad eggs, who were bent on sowing seeds of discord and disharmony amongst Nigerians.

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NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.

He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.

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Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum

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A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.

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Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics

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The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.

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