Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

July 9, 2012

Bauchi

Bauchi State Agency for the Control of AIDS, has paid the dowry of 152 couples living with HIV/AIDS who were married from 2008 to date.

Malam Usman Zico, Chairman of the state chapter of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria said this in Bauchi. He spoke at the inauguration of the second phase of the HIV/AIDS Programme Development Project (HPDP-2).

Zico said that the agency paid between N20, 000 and N30, 000 as dowry for each couple who got married during the period.

He said that the effort was not in vain as the marriages had, according to him, “produced an impressive number of babies that tested negative to the HIV virus”.

The chairman urged the agency to continue the good work and called on other organisations to emulate the gesture.

Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has ordered queries to be issued to workers of Ilejemeje Local Government Council who were absent during his unscheduled visit to the council.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said the state’s Local Government Service Commission had been directed to issue the queries.

The statement said the governor gave the directive when he discovered that only 42 of the entire staff of the council were at work when he visited the secretariat.

Also absent during the governor’s visit were the Director of Administration, the Treasurer as well as majority of the staff.

Kano

The Kano State Chapter of the NLC, is to declare its stand soon on the alleged plan by the state government to stop payment of ‘Ram Bonus’ to civil servants.

The Chairman of the NLC in the state, Mr Isa Danguguwa, made the disclosure in an interview in Kano on Thursday.

A law was enacted by the state’s House of Assembly during the immediate-past administration to pay workers 50 per cent of their basic salaries every year before Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The bonus is to enable workers to buy rams for the festival.

The state government recently sent a bill to the state’s assembly, seeking an amendment of the law to make it optional for the government to pay the bonus.

He said the NLC was yet to be communicated officially on the issue and “as soon as we do, we shall take the appropriate step ’’.

Kebbi

The World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project in Kebbi has spent N573.7 million to execute 260 projects in rural communities, the General Manager, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, said.

Abubakar told the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Habibu Aminu, in Birnin Kebbi that the communities contributed 10 per cent of the cost of each project.

He said that the programme was introduced in 2009 to address development issues in the areas of education, electricity supply, health, water, environment and sanitation.

Abubakar explained that 103 of the projects had been completed while 90 others were in various stages of execution.

Kwara

Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara says his administration will partner with the World Bank to tackle unemployment in the state.

Ahmed said this in Ilorin while declaring open a meeting with a World Bank group, Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO).

The governor was represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Kisira.

Ahmed said 2,730 youths had been placed in the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) for one year and would be offered permanent employment.

He also said that his administration had designed numerous programmes to tackle unemployment in the state.

Kogi

The Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, has urged members of the House to shun corrupt practice and guard against being lured into taking bribes during their oversight functions.

Bello made the call in Lokoja at the plenary when the House resumed from a four-week recess to commence the second legislative session of the Fifth Assembly.

The speaker said: “I urge you to learn from the recent happenings in our political environment and guard against any conduct that could portray the House in bad light.’’

Bello enjoined them to discharge their assignments with all sense of commitment and responsibility.

Niger

The Niger Government has appointed a 40-man committee to plan the fund raising for the construction of a church and a mosque in the Three Arms Zone in Minna.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Hamidu Kuta, made the disclosure to newsmen after the state executive council’s meeting.

He said that designs for the two places of worship had been completed and that the appeal fund, which the government would support would ensure the prompt completion of projects.

Kuta said that government had also planned to assist Muslims to break their fast during the 2012 Ramadan.

Ondo

A chieftain of the Labour Party in Ondo State, Chief Yemi Adetoyinbo, has advised youths in the state to shun violence during the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Adetoyinbo said in Akure that youths in the state must reject any call to cause trouble during the election.

“As future leaders of the state and the country, youths have a stake in the Nigeria project.

“ They must not allow any politician in whatever garb to lure them into violence,” he said.

Plateau

The General Manager, Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), Mr Mathias Hata, said that the 1974 Jos master-plan as been reviewed.

Hata said in Jos that the review, completed last month, would prepare the city to fit into the current wave of infrastructural developmental strides.

According to him, reviewing the plan became imperative to enable the JMDB to meet its statutory mandate.

He said that the master-plan would be reviewed regularly “to meet up with the development and growth of the city’’.

Sokoto

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ado Muhammad, has said that the agency has procured vaccines worth N6 billion to ensure effective immunisation of children nationwide.

Muhammad told newsmen in Sokoto that the vaccines would be distributed to the 36 states and the FCT for routing immunisation.

According to him, the Federal Government has made adequate provision for the immunisation of over six million children nationwide, annually.

“So the recent reports in some media that there was a vaccine stock out was untrue, unfounded and baseless,’’ he stressed.

He said that over two million vaccines were distributed across the country for the fifth round of the National Immunisation Plus-Days which commenced on Wednesday.

Taraba

Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, president of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has described the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the apex of the print media.

Abdullahi said this in Jalingo when the national executives of the institute paid a courtesy call on the Jalingo station of NAN.

“I wish to state without mincing words that NAN is the apex of the print media. Most media organisations in the country depend largely on news and news materials from you (NAN).

“No print media has the strength and capacity of covering events in the country and beyond like NAN. If NAN is down, majority of Nigerian media organisations will be down,’’ he said.

Zamfara

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara last Wednesday warned the new local council chairmen in the state against truancy.

The governor gave the warning in Gusau at the inauguration of the 13 local government chairmen elected on June 23.

Yari advised the new chairmen to brace up for the challenges of making life better for their people, adding that the victory of the ANPP in the elections showed that the people had confidence in the political leadership of the state.

He said that the government would continue to support the autonomy of the local government councils through prompt release of their statutory allocations.

The governor, however, said that the state government would closely monitor the utilisation of the funds and would deal with any council official found guilty of financial impropriety.

Nation

PH based Ibadan indigenes vow commitment To Rules of law

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Indigenes of Ibadan residing in Port Harcourt under the aegis of Oluyole progressive Union have vowed to remain law-abiding and support government efforts towards the development of the state.

The Association said this during its 30th anniversary in Port Harcourt.

President of the Association , Pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel said members of the Association have never been indicted for any criminal activities in the state, stressing that they are ready to work and support the government towards the development of the state if given the opportunity.

He listed some achievements of the association within the last 30 years to include, promoting unity among its members , encouraging members development efforts , while over 24 plots of land have been acquired by the association in Ibadan Oyo state for onward distribution to members.

Emmanuel said the anniversary was not only to thank God for the continuous existence of the group, but recognize some individuals who have contributed towards its growth and sustenance.

Meanwhile in an address, the Public Relations Officer of the Association Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulwaheed said Oluyole progressive Union was borned out of the need to unite the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes resident in Port Harcourt city and environs.

“When we saw the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes residing in Port Harcourt,it was felt that a need existed for this wards to come together and know each other, but more importantly to see if we can collectively and work together as brothers and sisters”

Abdulwaheed use the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the club, some of who are late and mentioned their names as, late Pa,R. A. Arulogun, late Alhaja Hamzat Olalekan, High Chief Kola Babalola (SAN), late Ismail Onifade Sonbe and Elder Biodun Popoola who is alive.

Also some of the founding members according to him, are,Mr Sikiru Fakunle,Akeem Azeez Oyeranmi who is l and Adedeji Taofeek who is late.

Also are,Mr Mansur Adegoke amongst other

He also listed past and present presidents of the club as ,Mr Fakunle O Sikiru, Oyeranmi Azeez,Adekunle Hakeem,Mr Popoola M Taiwo , Alhaji Rasheed A Olawoore ,Olubadan Rasheed and pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel Kamaru the current president of the club.

Some of those who spoke to newsmen including Alhaji Moshood Ola Ogundijo,Engr Abiodun Popoola, Fakunle Sikiru,Taye Popoola, Alhaji Rasheed Olawore and Deacon Sunday Ezekiel Atoyebi thanked the members for sustaining the club in the last 30 years.

They prayed for the continuous unity of members, while also calling on them to avoid anything that will put the association in disrepute.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving members of the club as well as others who contributed to the development of the club and the launching of the club’s almanac.

By: John Bibor

Nation

LECAN Plans Free Electrical Installation Training Program in Rivers, Honors Veterans

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, (LECAN) Rivers State chapter has announced its preparedness to organize free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State in 2026 as part of its social responsibility policy and commitment to grooming professionals in the electricity industry.

Chairman of LECAN in Rivers State, Engr Lekia Emmanuel who disclosed this during a special end of year event of the association held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the move was aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring sanity in the energy sector.

He explained that the training will be conducted under the supervision and certification of, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, the parent and regulatory body of LECAN.

Engr Lekia Emmanuel further hinted that the association will embark on intensive sensitization of the public on safety standards and enforcements through the mass media while strengthening stakeholders collaboration.

He explained that, ” We in LECAN has resolved to promote professionalism in the electricity sector by carrying out free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State, this will enable young Nigerians to develop great potentials in this important sector of the Nigeria economy.”

“It will also help in checking the infiltration of quacks, we’ll also engage critical stakeholders to enhance safety standards and enforcement in the electricity related activities and contracts.”

The association also used the event to honor veterans and other personalities that have contributed immensely to the development of the association with Excellence Service Awards.

These include; Engr Jamila Yusuf, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office, Elder Igwe Worli, Patron, Chief Afuedeli Moses, LECAN Zonal Coordinator, Mr Friday Deetam Kor, Comrade Valentine Nwigwe, Elder Mission Saagbara and Mr Austine Obilor.

In her remarks, the Area Inspecting Engineer Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office of NEMSA, who was represented by Engr Josephine Ekpo commended LECAN for its commitment to safety standards and professionalism and assured a robust collaboration with the association.

On his part, the Secretary of Rivers State chapter of LECAN, Engr Nornubari Kor expressed gratitude to God for making the association to carry through the 2025 fiscal year with remarkable achievements.

He urged members of the LECAN to key into the activities of the association in 2026 with renewed zeal and deep sense of commitments to achieve desired objectives.

Nation

Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”

The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.

The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.

The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.

According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.

“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said

She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.

The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.

“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.

Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”

However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.

Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.