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THE STATES

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Benue

The Benue State House of Assembly has directed former Chairman, Ukum Local Government Area, Mr David Sevav to refund N25 million, following an audit report which indicted some officials in local government councils in the state..

Sevav is to pay the money into the treasury of the council’s cooperative thrift within one month with evidence of payment to be submitted to the Committee on Public Accounts.

The House also directed the Sports Officer of Apa LGA, Mr Matthew Ofenkwu to refund N2 million to the coffers of the local government within one month.

The House gave the directive during a debate of the report of the Auditor-General on activities of Local Government Counclis from 2008 to 2010.

 

Borno

Borno State Police Command has denied media reports on alleged killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gwoza Local Government Area by suspected terrorists.

Some media organisations had reported that the DPO and his deputy were killed during an attack by suspected terrorists recently.

But Mr Dideon Jibrin, the spokesman of the command, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the story was untrue.

“I wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that at no time was the DPO or his deputy killed by suspected terrorists.

“The story is absolutely untrue,” Jibrin said.

 

FCT

An Abuja Grade 2 Area Court has sentenced a labourer, Abbah Lawal, to two months imprisonment for stealing a generator under the guise of assisting a trader to salvage his property from fire.

The trial judge, Ahmed Ado, sentenced Lawal, after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of theft.

Ado said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in such act.

He, however, gave the convict an option of N2000 fine.

 

Gombe

Gombe State Government has acquired and installed equipment worth N200 million for the full take-off of Gombe State University Medical College.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Isa Wade, made the information known in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.

“The equipment which we bought for N200 million have been delivered and some of them are being put into use for the training of students,” he said.

According to Wade, the governor has approved another N50 million for the purchase of furniture, laboratory equipment and other facilities for the college.

 

Kaduna

The Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, has lauded the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for developing and reviewing its 87 curricular and 356 instructional materials in engineering, science, business and technology.

Alhaji Adamu Aliyu-Shika, the Institute’s Rector, said this at a one day training workshop on curriculum and instructional materials organised for technical and vocational education teachers by the institute.

He said that without the support of NBTE, being the supervisory body of polytechnics and other similar institutions, the success achieved would not have been possible.

Aliyu-Shika explained that the workshop was primarily designed to enhance the curricular of technical and vocational education teachers’ programmes.

 

Kebbi

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission says it has embarked on inspection of the ongoing Federal Government projects in the six geo-political zones.

It’s Commissioner, Alhaji Zakari Sada, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

Sada said that the inspection was part of measures to ensure strict compliance to budget implementation.

He said the commission embarked on tour of Federal Government projects in the six geo-political zones “to obtain assess compliance to financial commitment of the government.

 

Kwara

The newly appointed Secretary, Board of Fountain University, Osogbo, Mr Yinka Yahaya has called for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria.

Yahaya made the call in Ilorin while speaking with journalists.

He said that the establishment of more universities would ease the difficulty Nigerian students faced in seeking admission for higher education.

According to him, more universities will enhance the development of human capital and accelerate national development and technological breakthroughs.

 

Lagos

The China Machinery Engineering Corporation, managers of Phase 2, Omotosho Power Plant, Ondo State, says it has completed the 500mw plant.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Liu Zhao-Long, told newsmen in Lagos that all the four turbines were functioning.

“The project had been completed but the official commissioning will take place later this month. It will be commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We have finished work on Omotosho Phase 2. The four turbines are contributing 500 Mega Watts to the national grid.”

 

Nasarawa

The House Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Nasarawa State House of Assembly says it increased the 2013 budget of N107 billion by N3 billion.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Philip Gyunka, made this known while presenting its report on 2013 budget in Lafia.

Gyunka said the addition would facilitate the conduct of local government election, provide infrastructure for rapid development and fertilisers to boost food production in the state.

“The committee has added N3 billion to the budget of N107 billion earlier presented by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, to ensure adequate provision of infrastructural facilities across the state.

 

Niger

The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo, has said that inadequate funding of the judiciary by the federal and state governments was responsible for delays in justice delivery.

Ndajiwo made the statement in Minna at the opening of the 39th Joint Conference of Chief Judges, Grand Kadis and Presidents, Customary Courts of Appeal of the Northern States and FCT.

According to him, there is no compliance with Section 121(3) of the 1999 constitution.

The section states: “Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned.’’

 

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Wednesday urged Nigerians to take advantage of public institutions that were established for their benefits.

Obasanjo said this in Abeokuta while playing host to the Commissioner, Public Complaint, Commission in Ogun State, Mr Wale Banjo and his team.

He said that one of such institutions was the Public Complaints Commission established to intervene and investigate acts of injustice and victimisation of any citizen free of charge.

“Most citizens do not make use of this opportunity probably because they do not know enough about the commission,” he said.

 

Oyo

A 25-year-old, Tijani Bilia, was remanded in prison custody for stealing an iron rod valued at N150,000.

The defendant was arraigned on a one- count charge of stealing before a Senior Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Insp. Aliu Samad, told the court that the defendant stole the iron rod belonging to one Babatunde Oladele.

Samad said the incident occurred last Friday at 10:00am at Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, adding that the offence contravened section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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