Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

November 29, 2013

Cross section of federal civil servants in Rivers State during an interactive session in Port Harcourt last.
Photo: NAN

Benue

A Makurdi High Court has sentenced Jacob Atongo,
a 100-level Sociology student of Benue State University, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
In his judgment, Justice Adam Onum, held that he was satisfied with the confession of the accused to the charges and therefore, found him guilty.
Onum sentenced the accused to death by hanging, insisting that the sentence prescribed under the law for the offence must be followed.
Atongo conspired with two others and robbed Stephen Akuma, and several others at gun point on June 26, 2012.

FCT

The Federal Government has been urged to set up
Inter-Ministerial ICT project clearance desk to address duplication of projects and programmes among Ministries, Department and Agencies in the country.
The President, Abuja Chapter, Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Mr Ikani Yunusa, made the call at the 5th Annual International Conference in Abuja recently.
Yunusa said the desk was important to eliminate duplication of projects, waste of public funds and unnecessary financial burden on the tax payers.
“I was worried when I learnt of the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigeria Police Force competing for who should set up a central Database for Vehicle registration for the country. That shouldn’t be.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Government says it will train 7,600
youths and women in various skills under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
Governor Mukhtar Yero, who stated this at the beginning of the training in Kaduna, explained that the programme would improve the welfare of Nigerians via the provision of infrastructure, jobs and wealth creation.
“We have a total of 7,600 youths and women drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state. 1,500 will be trained under women empowerment, 2,300 under youth development and 2,300 under agriculture,’’ he said.
Yero said that the youth empowerment training would cost the government N42.9 million, while its women empowerment component would cost N39.9 million.

Kano

Kano State Commissioner for Special Duties Mr Idris
Dambazau, says government has completed the construction of 1,500 houses for flood victims in 2012.
Dambazau told newsmen in Kano that the figure was out of the 3,000 houses it was building for victims in three local government areas.
He said the houses were constructed at the cost of N2.4 billion in Warawa, Kunci and Makoda local government areas.
Dambazau said the state government found it necessary to construct the houses so as to relocate the victims from the river banks and other flood prone areas.

Katsina

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, has
approved the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Danbaba, as Executive Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
This is contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Alhaji Rabi’u Rumah, in Katsina.
Until his appointment, Danbaba was the executive director of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board.
He replaces Dr Suleman Dikko, who was recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Kwara

The Fadama III Project has empowered more than
50,000 farmers in Kwara State, the Project’s Coordinator in the state, Mr Yusuf Agbabiaka, said.
Agbabiaka told newsmen in Ilorin that about 1, 228 Fadama user groups had been registered under the project in the state.
He said the beneficiaries had benefited from various agricultural support facilities at subsidised rate, including assorted agricultural inputs.
“They (Fadama user groups) have benefited so much in terms of access to fertiliser, agro chemicals, improved seeds, agric equipment and implements, among others.

Lagos

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in
Lagos recently organised a retreat for its officers with the aim of reviewing road safety strategies for improved performance.
The commission organised the one-day retreat for its officers in Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun.
The commission used the opportunity to review the zone’s performance in the third quarter of this year.
The Zonal Commander, Mr Ademola Lawal, charged the officers to be determined to drastically reduce road accidents at the end of the year.

Ondo

Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, has
advised the youth, especially those who were unemployed, to embrace entrepreneurial skills that would make them to become self-reliant.
The governor gave the advice in Ise-Ekiti at the closing ceremony of the Batch “C’’ NYSC Orientation Programme in the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp.
Fayemi said that the youth, particularly corps members, should take advantage of available training and skills development programmes that would make them productive.
“I urge you to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the NYSC and prepare for your future.

Osun

The Osun State Government has approved N4.5
billion as car refurbishing loan for the 9,435 workers in the state civil service, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Wale Bolorunduro, has said.
Bolorunduro, who made the disclosure in Osogbo at a press conference, said that officials of labour unions in the civil service would determine the number of workers that would benefit from the loan.
He said the officials would also manage the account where the loan is domiciled and its disbursement.
Bolorunduro said that N1.2 billion would be needed to pay the first batch of beneficiaries of the loan adding that N1.4 billion had been reserved for payment of the second batch of beneficiaries.

Oyo

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has adjourned the
case between the Oyo Government and Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, the ex-chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to January 15, 2014.
The government had filed an appeal against the judgment of a federal high court to reinstate Akinsola, also known as “Tokyo’’, as the union’s chairman.
Mr M.A. Ganiyu, counsel to the state government, told the court that he had filed and served an application, dated November 26, just before the court commenced sitting.
“The application, which was filed today, is for an extension of time to appeal,” he said.
However, Mr Abiodun Amole, counsel to Akinsola, did not raise any objection.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed
the stealing of 20 camels by suspected gunmen at Kawaye village of Anka local government area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Lawal Abdullahi, said this in Gusau while addressing newsmen in Gusau.
He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area had been instructed to arrest the suspects.
The police spokesman gave assurance that the police would continue to ensure the continuous protection of persons and their property.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.