Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Bauchi town was agog last Saturday as Mohammed Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Badriyya Muazu, daughter of former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Muazu, were joined in holy matrimony.
The marriage contract was sealed at the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rulwanu Suleiman, after the payment of N1million and a flashy car as bride price by the groom.
Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa represented the groom, while the Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda, represented the bride.
The Chief Imam of Bauchi Central mosque, Alhaji Bala Baba-inna, who presided over the religious aspect of the ceremony, urged the couple to have the fear of God and live in peace.
The ceremony was attended by prominent personalities, among them, business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Head of State Abdusalami Abubakar as well as Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger.
Borno
The Borno Government said on Sunday that it trained 37,000 youths in various trades to fight the current security challenges facing the state.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Hajiya Zainab Gimba, announced in Maiduguri that the training was carried out under the skill acquisition programme of the ministry.
Gimba said the objective was to engage the youths in meaningful ventures and prevent them from joining bad groups.
She said that the state government was also collaborating with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) office to implement a conditional cash transfer to 2,337 poor households in the state.
“We are collaborating with the MDG to begin immediate cash transfer to 2,337 poor households in five local government areas of the state. “The households are located in Kaga, Nganzai, Gubio, Guzamala and Magumeri,” Gimba said.
FCT
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, said he would assign lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice to re-investigate cases handled by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to ensure transparency.
A statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Public Relations Officer of PCC, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwosu, said the efforts would help the commission to fight injustice.
It said the attorney-general would host a stakeholders’ conference with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Crimes Commission in that regard.
According to the statement, the National Human Rights Commission and PCC will also feature in the conference to form the desired synergy for fighting criminality and corruption.
It said such cooperation would help the commission to handle cases where an offence had been committed against the state.
Jigawa
An estimated two million Muslim faithful in Dutse, Jigawa, participated in a special prayer session for peace, unity and prosperity in the country, newsmen reports.
The prayer session, held on Saturday, was part of the five-day activity organised for the 27th Maulaud celebration to commemorate the birth of Sheik Ibrahim Nyass, a famous leader of the Tijjaniya Islamic movement.
Malam Ahmad Inyass, who led the congregation, prayed for peaceful co-existence among the people for sustainable social and economic development.
Inyass admonished Muslims to be upright, honest and dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
Kaduna
Hundreds of refugees displaced by gunmen who attacked three villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government area of Kaduna State, are now taking shelter at Kamfanin Doka Primary School.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Idris Alhassan, who visited the displaced persons, pledged to provide relief materials and security to the camp. He said that several of the villagers, including women and children, were injured in the attack.
The chairman gave the names of the affected villages as Goron Dutse, Gwaska and Unguwar Nabango located on the border with Zamfara.
Lagos
The Founder of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasheun, on Sunday said that President Goodluck Jonathan had a constitutional right to run for a second term in office.
Fasheun said that the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly only recently acknowledged the right of Jonathan to seek two terms in Office, as provided for in the Constitution.
Controversy had trailed the third conference of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) held on May 20, at the Eko Hotels in Lagos, as a the leaders had been accused of endorsing Jonathan for the 2015 presidential polls.
Fasheun said that the issue of Jonathan running in 2015 was a matter of the right granted to all Nigerian citizens by the constitution.
Niger
Senator Ibrahim Musa (CPC-Niger) on Sunday said he had sunk 82 bore holes, including two motorised ones, to improve water supply in his constituency.
Musa said that he decided to intervene to end the suffering of the communities by executing the project to complement the efforts of the government.
He said the projects were undertaken with the assistance Sen. Mohammed Maigoro (PDP) and some members of the House of Representatives.
“The road is expected to be completed within three years, which include the expansion of the bridges. This would end the suffering of commuters and open up the area for economic activities, “ he said.
Ogun
Ogun Government has declared June 12 a public holiday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election believed to have been won by late Chief MKO Abiola.
The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta said the holiday would enable people to further appreciate the watershed that the annulled election represented, particularly as it served as the forebear of the current democracy which the country now enjoyed.
It said that during the anniversary, now known as Democracy Day, the government would host a Democracy Walk and rally in Abeokuta.
Osun
The Osun Government has commenced arrangements to relocate traders from the popular Alekuwodo Road in Osogbo, the state capital.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, gave this indication while speaking in Osogbo on Saturday.
Akere said the government had begun to pull down illegal structures around the new Orisunmbare market, to create room for the street traders.
The information commissioner said the Osun Government would move the street traders as soon as all illegal structures around new Orisunmbare market had been pulled down, adding that it was wrong for anybody to have put up a permanent structure on a piece of land owned by government.
Oyo
The former Director-General of NTA, Tony Iredia, said on Saturday said that the Nigeria Police Force would achieve its goals only through effective coordination of resources and communication.
Iredia said at the Police South-West Zone Intelligence Sensitisation and Community Partnership workshop held in Ibadan, that effective communication would go a long way in improving the police by helping the force to maintain a cordial relationship with the public.
He also implored members of the force to always conduct themselves appropriately in public as people would address them as they were perceived.
Iredia criticised acts of intolerance by some members of the police force against the media, adding that it constitutes a hinderance to their public relations efforts.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has directed the state Ministry of Environment to conduct a special sanitation within Sokoto and its environs.
The Commissioner for Environment , Dr Jabbi Kilgori, said in Sokoto on Sunday that it was sequel to presence of several heaps of refuse in the town.
According to Kilgori, the special sanitation is to make the town cleaner, healthy and more conducive for living.
He said public enlightenment had been intensified to sensitise the residents on the need to properly dispose refuse .The commissioner also said that the state government was making arrangements to provide more incinerators.
Kilgori urged residents of the town to support and cooperate with the government to ensure the success of the exercise.
Taraba
Taraba Justice Forum, a political pressure group, has asked Taraba Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, to make the medical report of Gov. Danbaba Suntai public.
In a statement, signed by its General Secretary, Mr Ambulus John, and issued in Abuja on Saturday, the group said that producing the medical report had become necessary in order to clear the air on conflicting reports about the true state of Suntai’s health.
“The people deserve to know the true state of the Gov. Suntai’ s health because in the past eight months the government has been spending public fund to foot his medical expenses abroad,’’ the statement said.
The group said that Taraba was facing the most critical challenge in its history and urged the acting governor to do the right thing.
“He must strike a balance between loyalty to his boss and the Taraba people.
“It is time for Umar to demand for and make public the governor’s medical records,’’ it said.
Nation
NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.
He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.
Nation
Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum
A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.
Nation
Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics
The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.
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