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THE STATES

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Adamawa

Focal Point Officer, United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in Adamawa State Mr Marcus Kwaghe, has commended  Governor Murtala Nyako for his commitment to ensure accountability in governance.
Kwaghe made the commendation Tuesday in Yola at a news conference while assessing the implementation of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in the state.
Kwaghe also spoke the contributions of UNDAF in facilitating the recent passage of Bureau for Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Bills.

Benue

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Benue chapter,
has  commenced the verification of its members.
Chairman of the union in the state, Mr Godwin Anya, said in Makurdi that the exercise was to enable the union to know the exact number of teachers.
Anya said the staff audit was a pre-requisite for the inclusion of teachers in the new minimum wage being enjoyed by other workers in the state.
According to him, it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of primary school teachers in the state due to the sharp practices inherent in the recruitment of teachers.
“Teachers are supposed to be recruited by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), but what happens is that the Local Government Education Authorities also recruit teachers’’, he said.

Borno

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
said on Tuesday that it would hold a grassroots emergency training for youth volunteers in Maiduguri, Borno.
Malam AbdulKadir Ibrahim, NEMA North East Information Officer, said in Maiduguri that NEMA was organising the programme in pursuit of its mandate on advocacy and in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative of the agency.
He said that the object was to train youth volunteers on emergency evacuation drill, adding that the programme would be flagged off by NEMA North East Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar.

Ekiti

The crisis rocking the  PDP  in Ekiti worsened on
Tuesday as the party announced the  suspension of   Mr Ayo Fayose, a former governor in the state.
The  Chairman of  the party, Chief  Makanjuola Ogundipe, who announced the suspension  in Ado-Ekiti said Fayose’s suspension followed the  roles he allegedly  played in the   invasion of the state secretariat by hoodlums last week.
Also suspended with Fayose, he said, were the state Secretary of the party, Dr  Tope Aluko, state Women Leader, Mrs  Busola Oyebode as well as state Public Relations Officer,  Kola Oluwole.
Ogundipe said investigations conducted by the party indicated that the suspended persons were connected to the crisis in the party.

FCT

A 29-year old Ibrahim Rashid of Gwarimpa Village, Abuja,
on Tuesday appeared before an Abuja High Court for alleged kidnap and raping a four-year-old minor.
At the resumed hearing of the case, prosecution witness, Mr Francis Joe-Okpa, being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr Obeka Chris, told the court that the case was reported by one Mr Bello.
Joe-Okpa said that the complainant reported the matter at the Civil Defence office in Ushafa, Bwari, on March 14.
In his testimony, Joe-Okpa said that after receiving the report “I went to the scene of the incident and I saw a large crowd of people beating up the accused, which I rescued him.”
Kaduna

A man, Zaiyanu Muhammad of Ibadan Street in Kaduna,
has urged the Magajin Gari Sharia Court to recover the N80,000 bride and other expenses he paid in Saliha Abdulsalam as wife.
He told the court that the request became necessary because Saliha left the matrimonial home two days after marrying him.
According to him, when he married Saliha, her parents pleaded with him to give them time to prepare dowry for her before moving into the matrimonial home, adding that he had not seen Saliha since then until they met in the court on July 22.
“Since she is not interested in the marriage, she should return my bride price. I used every possible means to see her back but to no avail.’’
Kano

The Kano State Government on Monday shutdown a health
facility, Green World Centre in Zakirai town, Gabasawa Local Government Area, for illegal operation.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Health, Malam Isma’il Gwammaja, in Kano,  noted that the facility belonging to a Cameroonians national, who had no permission or registration when he began operation in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Private Health Institution, Dr Salisu Ibrahim, said that the government would not condom negative attitudes that could affect the lives of the people.

Katsina

The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil
defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two persons for allegedly stealing a cow.
The State Commander, Alhaji Ibrahim Mai’Zabura, said this while briefing newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday.
The commander also said that the suspects allegedly conspired and stole the cow in Charanchi town of the state, and attempted to take it to Kafur town to sale.
He said that the duo was arrested by the corps on their way to Kafur on Sunday, adding that the suspects would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government said on Tuesday it
had constructed 20 nomadic primary schools aimed at promoting the educational pursuits of the children of nomads.
The Senior Special  Assistance to the Governor on Fulani Matters,  Alhaji  Nasiru Masama, told news in Birnin Kebbi, that five schools were sited in each of the four emirates of Argungu,Gwandu,Yauri and Zuru.
He said that support would be provided for the educational pursuit of the children of the Nomads as the children also deserved equal opportunities in education and other social services, adding that 35 bore holes had been drilled at various nomadic communities as part of social services provided in the rural areas.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government is to establish fire ser
vice stations in all local government headquarters and other strategic towns for quick responses to fire disasters in the state.
Commissioner for Works, Transport and Housing, Mr Mohammed Wada, said in an interview Tuesday in Lafia that five computerised fire fighting vehicles had already been procured for the project.
Wada said that two of the new fire fighting vehicles had computerised monitors that could detect and quench fire from a distance while the other three had fire resistant Dunlop that could handle intense fire outbreaks.

Ogun

The Executive Secretary, Border Communities Develop
ment Agency (BCDA), Mr Numoipre Wills, has called for increased funding of  institutions  concerned with developing  border communities.
Wills  made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta at a one-day sensitisation workshop on “ Border Security and Challenges for Integration and Development,’’  organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking on the theme:  “ Mechanisms for Harnessing the Strategic Potentials of Border Communities for National Development,’’ Wills said that being the gateways  into the country, border communities were of  strategic importance, adding that international  markets could also thrive in border communities.

Osun

Governor Rauf  Aregbesola of  Osun State  has vowed to
continue the demolition exercise in Osogbo in order to give it a befitting status.
Speaking at a forum to break the fast with journalists, politicians and government functionaries at  Government House, the governor said  no distraction would deter him from executing the state’s  beautification programme to which he was irrevocably committed.
The governor was responding to a suggestion by a journalist that the demolition exercise should have a human face.
Aregbesola, who  dismissed the  speculations that  discontent  in certain quarters might deny him a second term,  said he was more concerned with development.”Leave election to God and let’s face the assignment I am here to do,” he said.
Sokoto

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) in Sokoto State has warned members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) against lifting suspicious products.
The Commandant, Mr Muhammad Yusha’u, who gave the warning at a meeting with IPMAN members in Sokoto Stateon Monday, said the command was committed to fighting the menace of oil bunkering as some products emanated from oil thieves or illegal refineries.
“We are aware that there is a great concern about loss of revenue in the federation which is occasioned by what oil theft. And when you talk about oil theft, it concerns both the crude and refined petroleum products,: he said.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By: John Bibor
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Group Advocates Indigenous Language Sustainability, Calls for Policy Action

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A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.

The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.

Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.

“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.

He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.

Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.

According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.

The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.

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Diri Approves N200m Monthly Grant for Bayelsa Farmers, Targets Increased Local Rice Production

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved a monthly support scheme of ?200 million for farmers in the state as part of efforts to boost food security and expand agricultural production.

The governor announced the approval on Tuesday at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 dry season farming programme held at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the volume of rice harvested during the last farming season, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure a significant increase in the production of homegrown rice in Bayelsa State by the end of 2026.

He stressed that despite the government’s provision of necessary support to the ministry and farmers, it was unacceptable that the state still had to procure rice from outside during the last Yuletide period.

The governor charged the Ministry of Agriculture to take food security seriously, noting that Bayelsa has a comparative advantage in several crop areas, with fertile soil that does not require fertiliser to produce organic crops.

While commending the Commissioner for Agriculture and other stakeholders for organising the event, Governor Diri urged the ministry to ensure that such initiatives go beyond yearly ceremonies and translate into tangible benefits for the people.

According to him, agriculture remains a key pillar of the state’s economic diversification drive, which his administration has prioritised through heavy investments. He also called on civil servants and residents to embrace agriculture as a way of life.

“Let it not be that we come here for a yearly ritual. This is something that affects us as a people and so we must all take it seriously. Food security will continue to be a top priority of my administration,” he said.

He added that agriculture strengthens the economy and highlighted the importance of transportation infrastructure in moving farm produce from rural communities to the state capital.

“We are investing in agriculture and connecting communities. The roads and bridges support agriculture. We have developed partnerships and collaborations and will continue to partner with other agencies to ensure Bayelsa attains the expected food security,” the governor stated.

Governor Diri further directed that by the end of 2026, the state should record a minimum production of 300,000 kilogrammes of rice, stressing that government would patronise local farmers rather than sourcing rice from outside the state.

On security concerns, he reiterated that the state’s anti-grazing law remains in force, warning herdsmen against destroying farmlands and urging farmers to report such incidents to security agencies instead of resorting to social media.

He also cautioned traditional rulers against allocating land in forest areas to herdsmen, warning that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned.

“For our farmers, we will always support you. Honourable Commissioner, identify the genuine farmers in the state. What we did for MSMEs will also be done for farmers. Henceforth, ?200 million will be set aside monthly to support farmers in Bayelsa State,” he added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, described the event as a reaffirmation of the state government’s unwavering commitment to food security.

He commended Governor Diri for his substantial investment in the agricultural sector, noting that it has been the driving force behind the progress recorded so far.

Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, also lauded the governor’s sustained support for farmers, which they said has significantly improved the agricultural sector in the state.

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