Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Justice Theresa Igoche of Makurdi High Court in Benue State
has sentenced two students, Vershima Kaachi and Akaazua Akpen, to death by
firing squad for armed robbery.
The convicts were arrested on the eve of Christmas in 2007
for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, contrary to Sections 5(b) and 1(2)
of the Robbery and Firearms Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.
In his testimony, the victim of the offence, Jonathan
Usenge, told the court that five armed men came to his house, attacked and
robbed him of some valuable items on that day.
He stated that the robbers collected his Nokia 1600 phone
valued N12,700.00, two torch lights valued N350.00 and a sum of N16,500.
Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo has urged the 2,555
intending Muslim pilgrims from the state to shun vices and be good ambassadors
of the country while in Saudi Arabia.
Dankwambo made the call in his farewell address to the
pilgrims at the Hajj camp, Lawanti in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The governor enjoined them to exhibit exemplary character
and cooperate with Hajj officials to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
“As usual, government has subsidised Hajj fares for all
intending pilgrims from the state.
Jigawa
A lawmaker, Abdullahi Sarki, says he has set up an
enlightenment committee in Miga Local Government Council of Jigawa State to
sensitise communities on flood disaster.
Sarki (PDP-Miga constituency) told newsmen in Dutse that the
committee was gathering data on weather predictions by the Nigeria Metrological
Agency (NIMET) and would disseminate the information to rural communities.
He said that the exercise was aimed at educating the
communities on the and precautionary measures to be taken to mitigate the
effects of flood disaster.
The legislator added that he had also distributed relief
materials to displaced persons in the affected communities in his constituency.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has evacuated 118 Kaduna State
students from Mubi, following the recent killing of some students at the
Federal Polytechnic, Mubi in Adamawa.
The Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs to Governor
Patrick Yakowa, Mr Bagudu Joseph, said the evacuation followed a Save-Our-Souls
(SOS) message by the students over a 14-hours ultimatum by the school
authorities for students to vacate the campus.
Joseph said the government had employed the services of the
Adamawa Sunshine Transport Company to move the students out of the state.
He said that 82 of the students returned to Kaduna while the
others alighted in Jos, Saminaka and other places where their families resided.
Kano
The Kano State Police Command Have Arrested Eight Suspected
Gunmen In Connection With The Killing Of The Two Policemen.
The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, confirmed
the arrest of the suspects to newsmen in Kano, saying that they were in an
uncompleted building at Kofar Dawanau quarters in Dala local government area of
the state.
“The area was condoned off by the security operatives and we
succeeded in arresting eight suspects.
‘’Three AK 47 rifles were recovered from the uncompleted
building where the suspects were arrested.’’
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has said it would ensure a
successful hosting of the 26th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST)
billed for between October 13 and October 20 in Ilorin.
The state’s Commissioner for Social Development, Culture and
Tourism, Mrs Rahmat Adeshina-Abaya, said this in an interview with newsmen.
She said everything was being put in place, especially the
provision of accommodation for more than 7,000 people coming from different
parts of the country.
“ As you know that Kwara is a state of harmony, peaceful and
accommodating, we are hosting NAFEST in which we are ready for about 7,000
people that are coming from different parts of the country.
Kogi
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yomi AwoniyI, has said
that the state has now come to terms with the reality of the level of damage
done to it by the flood.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Press
Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, in Lokoja.
It stated that Awoniyi made the observation when he made
another round of visit to flooded areas in the state.
He said that the process of rebuilding the washed-away
roads, providing nets, fishing boats among other items to enable the displaced
persons to resettle after the flood remained enormous.
According to him, Ibaji Local Government Area has been
completely cut off from the other parts of the state.
Lagos
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has
urged members of the public in Niger to report criminals to security agencies.
Abubakar made the call in Lapai, Niger, after the Board of
Trustees meeting of foundation endowment fund for the Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida University.
The former Head of state is the chairman of the board.
The call followed the recent killing of three policemen by
unknown persons in Minna, the Niger State capital.
“It is unfortunate that we have decided to go and start
killing ourselves unnecessarily; all the criminals are among us.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has expressed its commitment to
restore water supply to Keffi Local Government Area and environs.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural
Development, Mr Samuel Alu, said this in Garaku during an inspection visit to
the site of the ongoing rehabilitation of pipes.
He said that the state government had awarded contract for
the rehabilitation of the pipes to SCC Nigeria Limited and that the company was
given one week to complete the work.
While assuring the people of the government’s commitment to
fulfil its campaign promises, Alu said that the work would be completed within
one week.
Ogun
The management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY),
Abeokuta, Ogun State has absolved itself of complicity in the N1.1billion
alleged scam reported in the institution’s branch of Non Academic Staff Union
(NASU).
The institution’s spokesman, Mr Sulaimon Adebiyi, said in a
statement in Abeokuta that no member of the institution’s management was linked
to the alleged scam.
He said three executive members of the school’s branch of
NASU were arrested by EFCC operatives for allegedly mismanaging N1.1billion.
The money, which was secured as loan from a consortium of
banks by the union, was to be given as loans to members.
Osun
A 28-year-old man, Suleiman Hasssan, has appeared before an
Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court in Osun State, charged with inflicting teeth
bites on two police officers, who were discharging their duties.
The police Prosecutor, Insp. Solomon Oladele, told the court
that the accused on October 4, at about 5 p.m. at Oluode Area of Osogbo
assaulted Sergeant Afolabi Taofeek and Corporal Adetula Samuel, while resisting
arrest.
Oladele said the officers were on assignment to arrest the
accused when he was reported for being in possession of hard drugs, but that he
turned violent and in his bid to resist arrest bit the officers thereby
inflicted injuries on them.
He added that the accused was also found in possession of
weeds, suspected to be Indian hemp when he was finally arrested.
He said the offence committed was contrary to and punishable
under section 356 and 430(1) of the Criminal Code cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun
2003.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Federal
Government to increase its education intervention fund to accommodate the large
number of pupils in the state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Moses Adeyemo made the
appeal in Ibadan while receiving the Senate Committee on Education led by Sen.
Uche Chuckwumerije.
“The state appeals for the raising of the education
intervention fund given to us so as to accommodate our large number of
pupils,’’ Adeyemo said.
He said the appeal was necessary for development to thrive,
adding that education was the bedrock of meaningful development in any society.
Plateau
Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has approved the
appointment of Mr Francis Bot as his Chief of Staff.
The Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Mr James
Manok, said in a statement in Jos that
Bot’s appointment was with immediate effect.
Our correspondent reports that Bot replaced Mr Gyang Pwajok,
who resigned in September to contest the Plateau North Senate seat.
Pwajok won the election held on Saturday.
Until his appointment, Bot was the state Coordinator,
Millennium Development Goals.
Sokoto
The Chairman Of The Nigeria Bar Association (Nba), Sokoto
State Chapter, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar, Has Called On The Federal Government
to identify the sources of arms importation in the country.
He told newsmen in Sokoto that this would serve as a measure
to checkmate illegal possession of arms as well as put an end to the senseless
killings going on in parts of the country.
“ I strongly suggest that a high powered committee of
seasoned security personnel should be constituted to find out all those
involved in illegal arms importation.”
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