Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

September 6, 2013

Bauchi

The Director-General of Bauchi State Christians Pilgrim
Board, Pastor Zakka Magaji, said the state government sponsored 400 Christian Pilgrims to Israel in 2012.
Magaji made this known in Bauchi last Tuesday, when he embarked on sensitisation tour of communities in Bauchi Southern Senatorial District in preparation for the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel.
He said that Bauchi State Government was the only government that sponsored 400 pilgrims to Israel during 2012 Pilgrimage and explained that the aim of the tour was to encourage the Christian communities to sponsor themselves to Israel in order to complement government’s efforts toward such venture.
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said his ad
ministration would soon commence implementing the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) to strengthen the state’s accounting standards.
Speaking at Makurdi, Tuesday, at a sensitisation workshop on IPSAS, Suswam stated that such a step would bring about transparency and accountability in the system
The governor, represented by the Head of Service, Dr David Salifu, said all local governments in the state would be directed to adopt the standards in line with global best practices.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, said IPSAS would be entrenched in all the tiers of government in the state.
“This will also bring about transparency and adherence to accounting standards in all sectors,’’ he said.
FCT

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria says it will not rest on
its oars in developing new strategies to tackle prison congestion across the country.
The Director-General of the council, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, said in an interview last Tuesday in Abuja that as part of its mandate, the council had begun to work closely with relevant stakeholders to speed up the criminal justice system by decongesting the prisons.
Bob-Manuel said that the council was working hard to ensure that all indigent Nigerians had access to justice and called on lawyers to contribute their quota to the speedy delivery of justice and prison decongestion by offering free legal services.
Kaduna
A member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mrs
Esther Habu has advised women in the state to take more active interest in politics, by vying for elective positions.
Habu said in an interview last Tuesday in Kaduna that women had the capacity to appreciate the problems of the society and proffer better solutions to them.
She said as mothers, the women would also use their positions to mentor young people and guide them into becoming responsible citizens.
According to her, politics was about leadership, which women could also offer as enshrined in the Holy Books, and appealed to the various political parties and the government to accord concessions to women contesting elections.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it has procured
a mobile ambulance and drugs for the Almajiri model schools in Daura.
The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Hussaini Garba, disclosed this to newsmen during the presentation of the items to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar, at his palace in Daura, Tuesday.
He said the items were procured for Daura Senatorial District under its Free-Medical-Care programme for the Almajiris, adding that the new ambulance was procured to replace the one damaged during the recent robbery attack in the town.
The commissioner said the state government had purchased three ambulances under the Almajiri model schools to provide free medical services to the pupils across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Ministry of Environment is to send 19 unemployed
youths to Kano State to be trained as forestry guards under the Great Green Wall Programme of the Federal Government.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ishaku Daudu, said this while supervising the programme at the two designated local government areas of Dandi and Arewa last Tuesday in Dandi. Daudu said the youths would be selected from four communities in Unguwar Hassan and Marina in Dand Local Government Areas and Garun Ango and Bachaka in Arewa Local Government Areas.
“These communities were selected considering their proximity to Niger Republic and also desert-prone zones that pose a great challenge to afforestation in the state.
“The youths will be sent to Kano for three months training on forestry guarding from September to November,’’ he said.

Kogi
Acting Managing Director of Kogi State Sanitation and Waste
Management Board (SWMB), Mrs Florence Joseph, has appealed to residents of the state to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Joseph, who spoke with newsmen in Lokoja last Tuesday, appealed to the people to dump their refuse in waste disposal bins provided by the government.
The managing director said the government had provided all the necessary materials like trucks and waste containers for public use and declared that the government sanitation programme had provided jobs for unemployed graduates in the state.
She thanked the government for approving more comprehensive recycling sites meant for the conversion of waste after collection from different parts of Lokoja, stating also that very soon, government would provide more waste disposal trucks as promised in order for other parts of the state to benefit.
Kwara
No fewer than 1,950 people have registered for family planning
services at the Okelele Primary Healthcare Centre in Ilorin between January and August, following the intervention of the Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI).
Head of Health Department, Ilorin East Local Government Council, Hajiya Fatima Kuranga, disclosed last Tuesday in Ilorin, that the number of beneficiaries during the eight month period under review increased considerably when compared with the about 680 recorded in 2012.
Kuranga explained that NURHI had helped in training and retraining of health care personnel and family planning supervisors.
She also stressed that NURHI had created awareness at the community level, adding that this had made residents of the area to embrace the free service being provided.
Lagos
Educationists have urged the governors of states in the South-
West geopolitical zone to be cautious in adopting Yoruba as the official language of instruction in primary schools.
Some educationists told newsmen in Lagos that implementation of the proposed policy would face some challenges.
The governors had on August 30 proposed that primary schools in the region would soon begin to use Yoruba as the language of instruction.
This was parts of their decisions at a meeting on the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in Ibadan.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has concluded plans with a Chinese
firm to build a five-star hotel at Farin-Ruwa in the Wamba Local Government Area of the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Adamu Adogi, made the disclosure last Tuesday at the inauguration of a hotel in Keffi, near Lafia.
Adogi said that the construction of the hotel would boost the state’s revenue base and improve its tourism potential.
He stated that the Chinese partner, who recently visited the site of the proposed hotel, would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Government for the commencement of the project.
The commissioner assured that the government would explore ways to to ensure the development of the state’s natural resources for the benefit of the people.
Sokoto
The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Alhaji Shaibu
Gambo, has solicited the support of members of the public in the fight against crime in the state.
Gambo said in Sokoto, Tuesday that the officers and men of the command were determined to give their best to protect lives and property in the state, noting however, that this would not be possible without the cooperation of members of the public.
He said the personnel in the state command had received operational order on how to tackle insecurity in the state, adding that they were doing their best to ensure full compliance.
The commissioner, also solicited the support of traditional leaders in the fight against crime, pointing out that they play strategic role in mobilising their subjects for public policing.

Taraba
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) fact-finding Committee on the
health condition of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State has affirmed Alhaji Garba Umar as the Acting Governor of the state.
Briefing journalists after about a two-hour close door meeting, the Committee Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodima, stated that the impasse had been resolved with all stakeholders including Suntai’s wife, Hauwa.
He said the Ag. Governor should from time-to-time consult with Suntai on major political issues in the state, while he (Suntai) continued to recuperate, and further stressed that the issue was a purely PDP in-house problem which, as a family, could be sorted out amicably.
Suntai returned to the state on Sunday, Aug. 25, after 10 months of medical treatment abroad, following his involvement in a plane crash in October, 2012.

Zamfara
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Musa
Sada, has urged miners in Zamfara State to form cooperative groups in order to attract Federal Government support.
Sada said last Tuesday at the opening of three-day training on health and safety issues on miners’s operations in Gusau that formation of cooperatives by the miners would also promote safety in their operations.
The minister, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Policy Analysis and Monitoring, Mr John Mshelia, pointed out that the Federal Government was concerned about mining operations in the state.
He said the outbreak of lead poisoning in the state and subsequent death of victims since 2010 was worrisome.

Nation

MOSIEND URGE NDDC TO EMBARK ON WATER PROJECTS IN BUGUMA …TASK RSG TO REVAMP BUGUMA FISH FARM

Published

2 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state

The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent

Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status

He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths

“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”

Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity

There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city

He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional

“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”

Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area

Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives

The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area

“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”

On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water

She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community

On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community

CHINEDU WOSU

Nation

EFCC Holds Stakeholders Engagement Party With Media, CSOs

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state

The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.

Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.

According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.

“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.

Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”

The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”

He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.

“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”

The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.

“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”

He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.

“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.

Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.

He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.

Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.

Nation

RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.

He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.

“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,

He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.

Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).

He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.