Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

January 14, 2013

Bauchi

The Bauchi State House of Assembly committee on

budget and appropriation has commended the state government for pudent budget management and spendings in the 2012 fiscal year.

Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Abdulkadir Dewu, made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.

Dewu said that his committee had specifically commended the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for the way it handled the security situation in the state and the relative peace enjoyed in 2012.

FCT

A Zuba Grade 1 Area Court has sentenced a 19-year-

old man, Salisu Magaji, to six months imprisonment for stealing 11 baskets of onions.

Police prosecutor Momoh Ibrahim told the Court that Magaji of Dankogi, Abuja, stole the onions belonging to one Abdulhamidu Lawal of Fruit Market, Zuba, in the FCT.

He said that only six of the 11 baskets were recovered from the convict, who pleaded guilty to charge and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Presiding officer, Alhassan Kusherki, sentenced Magaji to six months imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane. Kusherki, however, gave the convict an option to pay N10,000 fine and N7,000 as compensation to the complainant.

He said the sentence was not harsh because the convict, who pleaded guilty to the crime, was a first time offender.

Gombe

Gombe State Government has distributed 900 tonnes

of grains to 6,653 farmers affected by the 2012 flood disaster in the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Dahiru Buba-Biri, disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.

He said the foodstuff, comprising sorghum and millet, were delivered to the state by the Federal Government, to cushion the effects of the flooding on the victims.

“Gombe State received 900 tonnes of sorghum and millet for distribution to victims of the flood disaster. “To ensure that the grains reached the targeted beneficiaries, the ministry created five redemption centres for the 11 local government areas.” Buba-Biri announced plans by the state government to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by providing other relief materials to the victims.

Jigawaa

The Provost of Jigawa College of Education, Gumel,

Dr Dahiru Abdulkadir, said that the school would begin degree programmes in the 2013/2014 academic session.

Abdulkadir disclosed this in Gumel, Jigawa, in an interview with the newsmen.

He said the college had put all necessary facilities in place to start the programme in six courses.

According to him, the courses are Biology, Chemistry, English language, Hausa language, Agricultural Science and Physical Health Education. The provost stated that the courses would be run in conjunction with the Bayero University Kano.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Government has constructed two new

hostel blocks at the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kaduna, to ease accommodation problem.

The State Coordinator, Mrs Victoria Ango disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna.

She said that with the additional facility, the camp now has the capacity to accommodate 2,800 corps members and 300 camp officials.

On general camp development, the coordinator said it was the collective responsibility of the federal, state and local governments.

“ The responsibility of providing hostel accommodation and office is the responsibility of the state government that is why I have been pushing them’’, she said.

Kano

The Police Command in Kano State on Thursday said

it recovered 1,123 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) between January and December 2012.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, in Kano.

According to the statement, 68 IEDs were successfully defused in different parts of the state by the Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit of the command during the period.

“Even though the early part of the year 2012 was characterised by terrorists attacks, the situation was immediately brought under control through concerted efforts of the police and other security agencies.’’

and the public for their prayers which had “greatly helped the command against evil intention of criminals in the state”. The command also expressed gratitude to all those who assisted the police and other security agencies with timely information that led to successes in its operations.

Lagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded two busi

nessmen, Prince Emenike and George Egotanwa, at the Ikoyi Prisons over alleged importation of bullet proof jackets and other contraband.

Emenike, 37, and Egotanwa, 33, are facing trial on a two-count charge of unlawful importation and false declaration before Justice Okechukwu Okeke.

Okeke ordered that the men, who did not have legal representation but pleaded not guilty to the charges, be remanded in custody and adjourned the case till Feb. 1.

The judge advised the accused to secure legal representation to defend them before the next adjourned date.

The prosecutor, Mrs Salamatu Yakubu, told the court that the accused, both residents of Ilupeju in Lagos, were arrested by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service on Dec. 27, 2012, on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Nasarawa

Nasarawa state governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura inaugurated 33-member visitation panels for the four tertiary institutions in the state.

The institutions are Nasarawa State University, Keffi; College of Education (COE), Akwanga; Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia and College of Agriculture, Lafia.

Prof. Festus Ogunlade is the chairman of the nine-member panel for the university and Dr Abdullahi Liman is the chairman of the six-member panel for COE. Dr Silas Gyar, is chairman of the nine-member panel for Nasarawa polytechnic, while Prof. Musa Enna is to serve as the chairman for the nine-member panel for the College of Agriculture. Speaking at the ceremony, Al-Makura said that the gesture was to reposition the state-owned tertiary institutions for better performance.

Osun

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court last Thursday sen

tenced a 20-year old man, Dada Jimoh, to nine months imprisonment for stealing N500 telephone recharge card and N5,000 cash.

Jimoh, who pleaded guilty to the one- count charge of stealing, was convicted based on evidence presented before the court by the prosecution.

The police prosecutor, Insp. Solomon Oladele, had earlier told the court during a summary trial, that the convict on Jan. 7, at Jaleyemi area, Osogbo, “criminally unlocked a shop and carried out the act“.

According to Oladele, the convict broke into the shop of one Mrs Adetoro Eunice and stole the card and N5,000.

Oyo

A football academy based in Ibadan, New Glory Acad

emy, last Thursday said it would improve on the game’s technical skills to ensure its further development in the country. Babs Oderinde, the proprietor of the academy, newsmen in Ibadan that the academy was also to groom young talents into stardom.

“Whenever I watch some of the matches played in Ibadan, I am not always impressed by the technical approach to the game.

“Due to this, the academy, based at Loyola College, Ibadan, has concluded plans to enhance the technical know-how of the game for improved cohesion, “ he said.

Plateauu

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Plateau, says

it has begun a massive sensitisation of students against the menace of examination malpractice. Its Director, Musa Chantu, told newsmen in Jos last Thursday that the programme had begun in secondary schools and would be extended to the polytechnics and universities.

“Examination malpractice is an epidemic that can be more dangerous than the cultist groups existing in most Nigerian schools; that is why we are making a priority to create the needed awareness,’’ he said.

Chantu lamented that most students had abandoned proper reading and hard work which used to be the main path to effective growth and development in any society.

Yobe

Artisans, professionals and traders, who fled Damaturu

last year at the peak of insurgency attacks have returned to the city. Our source said that normal commercial activities in the state capital have returned as the fleeing traders have openned their shops.

In Damaturu, restaurants, furniture makers, masons, building materials and automobile spare part dealers, among others, have returned to base.

Mr Sunday Emmanuel, one of the traders, said: “I returned back to Damaturu following the relative peace recorded in the state capital. “It has not been easy since we left our businesses due to the attacks, but we thank God that everything is coming back to normal” he added.

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

1 day 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.