Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

January 11, 2013

Adamawa

The Adamawa Local Government Election Petitions

Tribunal has received 38 petitions from the November 24, 2012 council election conducted in the state. The Secretary of the Tribunal, Mr Hashimu Suleiman, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola. Suleiman said the National Conscience Party (NCP) filed 12 petitions while the rest were filed by Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

He said further that the petitions comprised 23 for chairmanship and 15 for councillorship.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government said it spent more than

N30 million on the vaccination of 1.7 million cows in 2012.

Dr Bala Musa, the Director of Veterinary in the state Ministry for Animal Health and Nomadic Settlement, said this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Bauchi.

“In the 2011/2012 vaccination period, we spent a little more than N30 million on vaccines, equipment, and personnel allowances; and we actually covered the 20 local government areas of the state. “We vaccinated more than 1.7 million cattle; this year, we are targeting the same figure and even more.

Benue

A 27-year old politician, Terfa Ankyo of Gboko Lo

cal Government Area of Benue, has been remanded at the Federal Prisons, Makurdi, for alleged terrorism.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Gabriel Ebonyi, told the court that one Yandev Amaabai, also of Gboko, reported the case at the Gboko Police Station.

Ebonyi said Amaabai told the police that the accused, on Nov. 24, 2012, while driving in two Hilux vans with six unidentified armed men in army uniform, shot at his Jeep on sighting him.

The prosecutor said the complainant sped off, but the suspects pursued him (Amaabai) for more than two kilometres before he managed to escape.

FCT

The FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil

Defence Corps, has sealed up three illegal private guard companies in the territory.

They are Vault Security Company Ltd, Bright Star Security Ltd and E-Control Security Ltd.

Mr Abdullahi Kofaroro, the FCT Commandant of the Corps, said the defaulting companies failed to honour several invitations requiring them to make amend.

Kofaroro, who was represented by the command’s Officer-in-Charge of private guard companies, Mrs Florence Akalawu, said the companies had been operating without meeting the requirements for setting up security companies.

Gombe

No fewer than 430 people are undergoing training

on various skills organised by the National Directorate of Employee (NDE) in Gombe state .

Alhaji Abdulkadir Mabudi, the state Coordinator of NDE, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Monday.

He said out of the 430 trainees, 100 youths were undergoing vocational training in Basic National Open Apprentices (BNOA) in each of the three senatorial zones of the state. “We sent 300 unemployed youths to various fields across the state to be trained in welding, metal fabrication, GSM repairs and maintenances, computer operation and maintenance, food processing and tailoring.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government said it has concluded ar

rangement to recruit 3,044 workers in 2013.

The state Head of Service, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Tuesday. Aminu said that 1,670 workers were also approved for promotion, saying that the recruitment and promotion would be spread across all sectors as captured in 2013 appropriation bill.

He explained that 1,200 teachers would be recruited under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to teach in primary and junior secondary schools.

Kano

The Kano State Government has budgetted N200 million

for the establishment of two Information Technology (IT) secondary schools in 2013.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Bala Gwagwarwa, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano.

According to him, the schools are meant to boost the study of computer science in the state.

Gwagwarwa said the decision was borne out of the government’s effort to encourage more students to go into the study of computer science and other IT programmes.

Kwara

The Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Isa Aremu,

has urged the Federal Government to revive the nation’s textile industry.

Aremu told newsmen in Ilorin that reviving the industry would reduce unemployment rate in the country.

He said if such industries were in full production, Nigeria would have no business in importing textile materials.

Aremu said Nigeria was the third largest producer of textile in frica, adding that the sector employed close to 1.5 million persons in the past, with about 250 industries across the country.

Lagos

An Ojokoro Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has sen

tenced two commercial motorcycle operators to 80 hours of community service each, for violating traffic laws.

The duo, in separate cases, had pleaded guilty to four-count charges bordering on violation of the laws.

Magistrate A.F. Adeeyo sentenced the accused, Ismaila Oyelowo, who resides at No. 11, Oyeyemi St. Igando and Solomon Rafiu, of 48, Adelakun Close, Igando, to 20 hours on each of the four counts of their charges. She ordered that the community service should be carried out within Ijaye/Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.

Nasarawa

Edward Collins, 24, of Behind City Rock Hotel, Mararaba

has been arraigned before a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for allegedly receiving stolen property.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr. Joseph Ahwo, told the court that Anayo Chukwu of Building materials market, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on December 18.

Ahwo said Emmanuel Madu of Aliada Road, Gboko, Benue burgled the shop of one Chibuike at the building material market, Mararaba, on November 13, and stole some electrical materials valued at N22,000.

He sold the electrical materials to the accused person.

Niger

The Niger government has received the N400 million do

nated by the Federal Government to flood victims in the state.

Ahaji Mohammed Shaba, the Director general, Niger State Disaster management Agency, announced this at a news conference in Minna.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had also fulfilled its pledge of N25 million to victims of the Madalla bomb blast.

Shaba said the donations, which were recently posted into the account of the agency, would soon be disbursed to the affected persons.

Ogun

An Abeokuta High Court has dismissed an application

filed by the former governor of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, seeking its leave to reduce and quash some of the charges leveled against him by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency had on April 2, 2012 instituted a 38-count charge against the former governor bordering on fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public funds.

Daniel, through his counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, had last October filed an application to strike out counts 1-13 of the 38 charges which related to fraudulent conversion of various plots of land belonging to the state.

Oyo

A property developer, Mr. Richard Adeogun has criticized

successive administrations in Oyo State for lacking foresight in mapping out a comprehensive master plan for Ibadan, the capital city.

Adeogun, the Business Development manager at Zilt Consulting Firm, said this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

He said that such neglect was reflective of the poor housing layout and difficulties encountered in acquiring land by prospective buyers.

Adeogun said that proper planning was needed if the state was to compete favourably with Lagos State as a real estate giant.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.