Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

March 1, 2013

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government said last Wednesday that it would provide 40,000 doses of Misoprostol tablets and Chlorhexidine tubes in all the primary health centres in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the state’s Primary Health Development Agency (BSPHDCA), made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.

He said that this would reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in the state.

According to him, research findings have confirmed that bleeding after child birth is a major cause of maternal mortality in pregnant women, while infant deaths are mostly caused by infections through their cords.

Benue

A 26-year-old man, Mohammed Sani, was last Wednesday convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court for theft of motorcycle.

The Magistrate, Franca Yuwa, invoked Section 157(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) to convict Sani for theft punishable under Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The police prosecutor, Mike Eweh, told the court that one Johnson Imeh, of Nyiman Makurdi, reported the case.

He said that the complainant had reported that he parked his motorcycle in front of his house but was later stolen.

FCT

The Deputy Director, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), last Wednesday urged the corps members in Kuje, FCT, to comply with electoral laws during the Area Council Election.

She made this call in an interview with newsmen at an awareness campaign on elections for corps members in Kuje.

Iloebe said the exercise was to sensitise the NYSC Corps members on the dangers of violating electoral laws during the forth-coming Area Council election on the March 16.

“The awareness is a clarion call for the corps members to contribute their quota towards national development through free and fair elections.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government last Wednesday announced the establishment of a new state university.

The Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, made this known when he briefed newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting in Dutse.

He said that the new university would be situated in Kafin-Hausa town, Kafin-Hausa Local Government area of the state.

Ibrahim said that the School of Remedial Studies established in 2011 and sited in that area, would be part of the programmes that would be run in the university.

Kano

The Kano State Government says it will rehabilitate 35 out of the existing 198 kilometres of shelter belt in the state this year.

Acting Coordinator, Kano State Afforestation Project, Alhaji Musa Shu’aibu, told newsmen last Wednesday in Kano that the government earmarked certain amount of money in this year’s budget for the project.

He said that rehabilitation of the shelter belt was part of efforts being made by the government to control desert encroachment.

“A similar project was carried out last year in which the government expended N15 million on the rehabilitation of 50 kilometres of shelter belt in four local government areas of the state,’’ he said.

Kogi

The Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, last Wednesday approved the appointment of Prince Ndakwo Ameh Oboni as the new Attah Igala.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy.

The statement said that the appointment of Oboni followed due process and was in accordance with Igala tradition and native laws guiding succession to the throne.

It added that the appointment was with immediate effect.

The Kwara State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the removal of the Chairman, Governing Council of the Kwara State College of Education, IIorin, Alhaji Musa Yeketi. This resolution followed the report of its joint Committee on Education and Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary on the facts surrounding the suspension of the chairman.

Lagos

A 24-year-old woman, Maria Nwanche, has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve her seven-year-old marriage over battery and threat to life.

The petitioner, who lives at 27, Market Road, Agege, told the court that her marriage broke down when she realised that her husband, Emmanuel Nwanche, had “faked’’ love for her.

“My seven years has been hell living with this man. He has made life unbearable for me, if I continue with Emmanuel; he might end up taking my life.

“My husband beats me at every slight argument, he does not respect my feelings, he took me for granted because he married me when I was still in secondary school.

Niger

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Minna had said it is being owed N8.6 billion by consumers in Minna and its environs.

The Business Manager, Minna Business Unit, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Minna.

Garba said that the PHCN had commenced the authentication of all bills owed by each consumer so as to remove over estimation and over billing to enable them pay their electricity bills.

Oyo

The police in Ibadan last Wednesday arraigned two men, Muyideen Nurudeen and Akeem Salami, before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly snatching bag containing valuable items.

The Prosecutor, Mrs Olookoba Bola, told the court that the accused persons snatched a bag belonging to one Seriki Folake.

The bag allegedly contained N15, 000 cash, Starcom OTS valued at N3, 500, a cell Phone valued at N6, 000, a driving licence and a GTbank ATM card.

The prosecutor said that the accused also stole a Nokia 305 valued at N13, 000 belonging to one Ekunseyitan Victoria.

Plateau

The Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital, has challenged patients to promptly report any “unprofessional conduct’’ by medical personnel to the hospital authorities.

“I have always said it and will always repeat it. We have a SERVICOM unit ready to listen to complaints from patients that have not been well served. It is your right to be served. It is not a privilege. So, report any abuse by medical doctors or any other personnel here.

“Sometimes, some of them can complain, but when you ask them to tell you the defaulting medical doctor, they will tell you they do not want any one to lose his job. This is bad and certainly not helpful,’’ he said.

While noting that Nigeria’s law allowed its medical doctors, like their counterparts worldwide, to own private medical outfits, added that such laws also regulated the practice.

Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday called for inter-agency collaboration to reduce poverty and unemployment in the country.

Abubakar III, specifically advocated the synergy between the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), to further combat poverty.

“Not that I am calling for their scrapping or merger rather they should work hand-in-glove as they have similar mandates.

“They should have an efficient inter-link among themselves. They all have the same aims of engaging more Nigerians meaningfully.

Nation

Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuaholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing levelled against it, describing recent media reports as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.

The family made its position known during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Dr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke in Rumuaholu. The briefing was attended by community leaders, stakeholders, and family representatives.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Eke dismissed claims attributed to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, which allegedly labelled the family as land grabbers. He described the allegations as baseless, frivolous, and lacking any factual foundation.

According to Dr. Eke, the Ekeanyanwu family remains the legitimate owner of the parcel of land known as Ohia Agbada, comprising approximately 6,000 plots situated along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road corridor. He further maintained that Victory Estate, located within the disputed area, belongs exclusively to the Ekeanyanwu family and not to the Rumuosi Community as claimed by the council chairman.

Dr. Eke stated that ownership of the land had been affirmed by the courts, citing Case No. CCC/22/2015 at the Choba Customary Court. He explained that while the suit was instituted against another family in Rumuaholu, the Rumuosi Community sought to be joined in the matter but their application was rejected by the court.

He further disclosed that the family currently holds 15 subsisting court judgments in its favour relating to the disputed land, including judgments from the Customary Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

The family spokesman alleged that the Obio/Akpor council chairman, in collaboration with the local Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, was attempting to undermine the court decisions and dispossess the family of its land through what he described as “backdoor means.”

Dr. Eke accused the chairman of assuming the role of an appellate authority over matters that had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.

Expressing concern over recent developments, he alleged that individuals acting under the influence of the council chairman had destroyed properties worth millions of naira within Victory Estate. He described the action as a direct affront to existing court judgments and the rule of law.

Displaying copies of court judgments during the briefing, Dr. Eke questioned the rationale behind branding judgment creditors as land grabbers, insisting that those challenging the court rulings were the real offenders.

He called on members of the public to disregard what he termed misleading radio announcements purportedly made by the council chairman and urged government institutions and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of court judgments.

Also speaking at the briefing, Elder Prince Ndaokani, Principal Oji Owhor of Rumuaholu Community, supported the Ekeanyanwu family’s claims. He maintained that the disputed land originally belonged to Dr. Eke’s late father, who, according to Ikwerre native customary law, acquired ownership through the clearing and development of the land.

However, the allegations were dismissed by the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, Chief Alex Wali, who responded on behalf of the local government council.

Chief Wali declined to engage directly with the claims made by Dr. Eke, stating: “That man cannot be gifted with our valued response to his tirades. People like that should not be in public but should be rotting in jail for heinous crimes against humanity.”

He maintained that nothing would prevent the council chairman from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the chief executive and chief security officer of the local government area.

According to him, the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels, and the council would continue to discharge its duties in that regard.

The dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running land ownership controversy in the area, with both sides maintaining opposing claims over the disputed property.

By Akujobi Amadi

Nation

Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Asarama General Assembly in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some identified criminal elements in the community.

It would be recalled that on Thursday the 28th of May 2026, the kingdom was thrown into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some criminal elements

The Assembly which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also called for the establishment of a Mobile police and police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division.

The Okangh Ama /Paramount Ruler of Asarama kingdom HRM king Appolus J Nteijaewaye who read the text for the briefing onbehalf of The Asarama General Assembly at the briefing said the community condemned in totality the gruesome incident.

He said the kingdom also extends its condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered driver, stressing that as a kingdom it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such an incident never occur within it’s territorial space again.

The General Assembly also commended the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police Force which led to the arrest of some members of the criminal gang, adding that even though the crime was committed at Asarama, some of those allegedly involved were not indigenes of Asarama kingdom.

“As a kingdom we use the sober moment of this unfortunate incident to further commend the prompt reaction of the leadership and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers state that led to their effective results aimed at eliminating criminality and deterring the evil ones in our society “

The Community also described the incident as a pointer to the level of vulnerability of not only Asarama kingdom but the entire society, against the background that the sanctity of life ought to be sacred and protected by individuals, groups, communities and governmental institutions”

Meanwhile ,The Asarama General Assembly has called for the establishment of a Mobile Police as well as police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division

It said this has become necessary inview of the strategic location of the kingdom as a gateway to the rest of Andoni communities and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Area.

“Owing to the peculiarity of our geographical location especially the amphibious nature of Asarama kingdom, intricately linked with its neighbouring inter ethnic Ogoni and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Areas in general and intra Andoni communities in particular, the relevant authorities should urgently approved special mobile police force,Anti cultism and Marin units to be attached to the Asarama Divisional headquarters”

The kingdom also decried the continuous neglect of the Asarama police Division, since it’s establishment adding that the division up till date,does not have a single firearm as well as enough personnel

It said this situation has exposed the community to activities of criminal elements.

“The sordid state of the only security outfit that ought to police our territory and beyond now seems to complicate the delicate insecurity that we are already exposed to, first as a nation and second as a people inhabiting an intricate amphibious gateway kingdom

“Consequently we hereby cry to the appropriate authorities to urgently equip the Asarama Divisional Police headquarters with adequate men arms and ammunition “the Community said.

John Bibor

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

2 weeks ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.