Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Many victims of last year’s flood disaster in Benue State have returned to the flood-affected areas, in spite of the State Government’s warning for people to stay away from the areas.
The victims, who are yet to benefit from the N500 million approved by the Federal Government for the flood victims, said they had no alternative than to return to the flood-affected areas.
One of the victims, Mr Dennis Igbana, said that the victims had no other option than to return to the areas affected by floods.
“Our situation is that of the abandoned child, we are treated as if we do not belong to this state or country, we are being abandoned as if we choose to be affected by flood. We cannot question God why we are citizens of Benue State, other states in the country such as Edo State, had released additional funds and shared to the victims, but government officials have decided to take away even the little, Mr President had given us,” he lamented.
Another victim, Mr Tyoyame Torkula, said that he had already completed planting his yam along the banks of the River Benue.
FCT
Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), last Sunday urged opposition political parties involved in merger talks to evolve a new political ideology that would satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
The General-Secretary of AEC, Mr Emma Ezeazu, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.
He said that Nigerians expected the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) to use its manifesto to address the challenges facing the country such as distribution of national resources, poverty and unemployment.
“ It is important that the APC demonstrates convincingly to Nigerians that it is not just interested in grabbing power but in effecting real transformation in the quality of lives of ordinary Nigerians. “The APC must, therefore, show that it is not only offering superior value but that its idea of progressive politics unambiguously cuts an image distinct from the current dysfunction in Nigeria’s political arena,’’ he said.
Ezeazu also stressed the need for the APC to draft a constitution that would be issue-based with ideological orientation, and also strive to accommodate the concerns of vulnerable people, including women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
Gombe
The Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Church in Gombe State, Rev. Fr John Keane, has enjoined women to show love and care to their families and those outside their homes.
Speaking on Sunday, Keane also urged women to support their husbands to ensure a good upbringing of their children.
According to the cleric, they should also play their roles as mothers, as defined by the church and their traditions, so that society would develop.
Also speaking, President of the church’s Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Mrs Eunice George, said the day was a unique one in the lives of women in the Christian faith.
George said mothers played significant roles in the church, and that was why the day was set aside to celebrate them as mothers of the society.
Kano
The Kano State Government plans to immunize about 6 million children against polio in the current round of the exercise.
The Public Relations Officer of the state’s Ministry of Health, Alhaji Isma’il Gwammaja, disclosed this last Sunday in Kano.
He stressed that the exercise had so far been successful, as it did not record any form of resistance in any part of the state.
Gwammaja also said that a state monitoring team, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, had visited Ungogo and Minjibir Local Government Areas to monitor the exercise.
He conveyed the team’s satisfaction with the conduct of the immunisation in the two local government areas that were toured since the onset of the exercise on Saturday.
The Information Officer of Fagge Local Government Council, Malam Salisu Kassim, also commended the manner in which the exercise was being handled in the area.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (KARDA), has cautioned farmers on the application of insecticides and chemicals, to prevent environmental degradation and human health hazards.
The Programme Manager in the agency, Alhaji Yahaya Haruna, gave the caution while speaking in Kalgo, Kebbi, recently.
Haruna observed that farmers engaged in the application of insecticides and chemicals without consulting extension workers from the agency.
He observed that some farmers had failed to realise the disparity between herbicides and insecticides to apply on the farmland, stressing that the extension workers would properly guide the farmers.
He, therefore, urged farmers to seek support and guidance from the agency, especially as collaborative efforts were being made with seed firms for the supply of sundry seeds, to ensure maximum yield.
Kogi
The National President, Old Boys Association, Our Lady of Apostles (OLS), Anyingba, Fidel Ogwuche, has commended a House of Representatives’ member, Tom Zakari, for donating educational materials to the school.
Egwuche made the commendation while receiving the items on behalf of the school last Sunday in Anyigba, Kogi State.
The items include, 20 computer sets, desks and chairs, a photocopy machine and two printers. Other items are two sets of split air conditioners, an internet dish, a 5 KV gasoline generator, a scanning machine, one spiral binding system, two standing fans and solar energy facilities.
He said with the digitisation of educational system in the country, the aid would immensely assist the students in updating their knowledge through research and e-learning.
Lagos
The Information Officer, South-West Zone of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, on Sunday advised motorists to be more cautious while driving.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, he stressed that every driver on the highway had a responsibility to protect the road, the environment and his or her own life.
“There are traffic laws to be obeyed on the roads but it will interest you to know that many people still violate these laws to their own detriment,’’ he said.
Farinloye underscored the need for road users to obey all the traffic laws, as part of efforts to reduce accidents on the roads.
“We still have cases of people driving at night without headlight and people driving without the driver’s licence, such acts are not right,’’ he said.
He also urged all motorists and other road users to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy and in good condition, particularly as the rainy season was fast approaching.
Niger
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Global Foundation, says it has expended N150 million in collaboration with the Niger Government to procure NECO exams scratch cards for extra-mural students.
The Secretary-General of the foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussaini said in Minna that the amount was expended in the last five years.
He said the state government procured the scratch cards while the foundation distributed them to its committed extra-mural students attending lectures and tutorials in 53 lesson centres spread across the state.
According to the secretary-general, the programme would also enable the state meet its manpower requirement for growth and development.
He said the foundation started operating its lesson centres in 1997 through donations and the goodwill of wealthy individuals in the state, and disclosed that the foundation was also collaborating with individuals at the lesson centres which are named after them.
Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command says no student was killed by its men during a protest by students of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu on April 10.
The Command’s spokesperson, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said in Abeokuta last Friday that the protest took place and ended with no life lost.
Leaders of the institution’s students union had on Friday alleged at the state’s House of Assembly that police killed five of their colleagues during the protest.
Adejobi however said “the Command was taken aback to hear such a disgusting rumour.
“We hereby reiterate that no single student was killed by the police during the protest.
“The allegations by the students at the House of Assembly were just to appeal to sentiment and for other reasons known to them.’’
Plateau
The Plateau State Government has resolved to cushion the effects of the ongoing biometric capturing of workers by shelving the issue of variation in the interim and making blanket payment.
The state’s Head of Service, Mr Ezekiel Dalyop said in Jos last Friday that the issue of variation would still be tackled while officials found to have played a role in the delays would be penalised.
He said that the government had also given 15th of every month as deadline to all government MDAs to submit their variations and vouchers to the ICT unit of the supervising ministry, for timely payment of salaries.
The Head of Service said that more than 11,000 workers had been cleared and paid their salaries after undergoing the recent biometric exercise and that an additional 2,000 workers cleared by the Appeal Panel, would soon be paid.
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