Nation
THE STATES
L-R: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, widow of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mrs Amina Yakowa, chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Manir Ja’afaru and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the one year Memorial Anniversary of the former Governor in Kaduna last Saturday. Photo: NAN
Benue
The Benue State Coordinator, All Farmers Association
of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Kunti Adamu, has called on the government to provide loans and inputs to farmers, to assist them to embrace mechanised farming.
Kunti made the call in an interview with newsmen last Thursday in Makurdi.
He stated that if loans were given to farmers, this would encourage them to venture into large-scale farming, to boost food production in the country.
He also appealed to the government to organise workshops on quarterly to educate farmers on the latest developments in the agriculture sector.
Ekiti
The Director-General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and
Culture, Mrs Yetunde Fosudo, has lamented non-participation of states and low turn-out of foreign countries at the ongoing 2013 Ekiti Festival.
Fosudo told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on the sideline of the ongoing festival that only two countries and 16 local governments were at the festival.
She said that only Senegal and Mali were participating in the festival, adding that she was disappointed with the low turnout of foreign participants.
Fosudo also expressed concern about the non-participation of states.
“There is no single state that participated in this year’s edition of the festival,’’ she said.
FCT
Three drivers were arraigned before a mobile court in
Abuja, charged with various road traffic offences.
The drivers are Nurudeen Kareem of Mpape, Abuja, and Samaila Mohammed of FCDA Quarters, Garki, Abuja and Alfred Sunday, an official of Zenith Bank, Garki, Abuja.
Kareem was charged with driving an overloaded vehicle, Mohammed was charged with driving without fastening the seatbelt, while Sunday was charged with using his mobile phone while driving.
All the accused pleaded guilty to the offences and the magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Iyana, ruled that the offenders should pay N10,000, N5,000 and N4,000 fines respectively or have their cars impounded.
Kaduna
Northern artists in the country last Thursday converged
in Kaduna to celebrate creativity of the music industry in the North.
The event that was organised by Top Entertainment attracted fun-loving people from across the city.
Artists that performed at the event are, Emilly, Henzee, Marvellous, Skinny Boy, and comedian Mc Basket Mouth.
Mr Ibrahim Jika, Chief Executive Officer of Top Entertainment, told newsmen that the idea was to bring music promoters, marketers and upcoming artists together to give young artists the opportunity to exhibit their talents.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State last Thurs
day signed a law which prescribed 14 years’ imprisonment, without option of fine, for those found guilty of homosexuality, lesbianism and sexual harassment.
The State House of Assembly recently amended Sections 284 and 285 of Penal Code Law, Cap. 96, Laws of Katsina State, 1991, to provide for stiffer punishment for those found engaged in the illegal acts.
The law states: “Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 14 years’ imprisonment and liable to N10,000 fine.
“Any woman, who employs means of satisfying her sexual desire through bodily contact with another woman or otherwise, with or without her consent, shall be liable to 14 years’ imprisonment together with N10,000 fine.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Environment said last Thurs
day that it would conduct an environmental audit to ensure compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of the ministry, Alhaji Sanusi Katune, gave the hint in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Katune observed that many construction companies failed to comply with the legal requirements of conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before executing their projects.
Lagos
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association
of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says the delay in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Bill is crippling investments in the oil and gas sector.
The National Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Mr Oluseyi Gambo, made the observation in an interview with newsmen last Thursday in Lagos.
He said the inaction on the bill had limited foreign investment in the industry.
Gambo said the association was optimistic that the bill would become a law to fast track development in the oil and gas sector.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has called for support from
Lafia Emirate Council in its effort to tackle the problem of erosion and flooding in the state.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, made the call during a courtesy call on the Emir of Lafia, Dr Isa Mustapha, in Lafia last Thursday.
Muazu said the recent disaster prompted him and his management team to embark on advocacy visit to the Emir of Lafia and the affected areas, to find solution to the problem. At the emir’s palace, Muazu said he came to seek for royal blessings and support from the emirate council to curb the problem of flooding that had ravaged the metropolis.
Niger
A Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court last Thursday ordered
the remand in prison custody of a 17 year old student, Abubakar Suleiman for act of indecency.
The accused was arraigned in court on a one count charge of act of gross indecency contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Gunduma Ibrahim, had told the court that one Rabia Ibrahim, of Sani Mambo Street, Suleja, reported the matter at the station on December 1.
Ibrahim said that on November 30, the accused entered the complainant’s residence and met her three years old daughter inside the house.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State last Thurs
day said the state government had taken steps to ensure that farmers enjoyed the full benefits of cocoa production.
Mimiko made this known when he was honoured as the Nigeria Cocoa Ambassador by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN).
The association also recognised the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as a merit award recipient.
Mimiko, who thanked CFAN for the honour, said efforts were on to ensure that farmers were not short-changed in the entire cocoa chain, production to marketing levels.
Osun
An Osogbo Grade II Customary Court last Thursday
dissolved a 22-year-old marriage between Ruth Abimbola and her husband, Elijah on grounds of unfaithfulness and marital unrest.
The President of the court, Chief Bolarinwa Popoola, who dissolved the marriage, held that the respondent’s absence in court was an indication that he had no interest in the relationship.
“The marriage, is therefore, dissolved and the court grants the custody of the four children to their father as they are of age,’’ he ordered.
Oyo
An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr Muhammed Jubril, last Thursday urged the National Assembly to enact laws that would make the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) completely independent.
He made the call, while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
Jubril said that the EFCC, since its establishment in 2003, would have performed better without undue interference from the Federal Government.
“Unfortunately, the EFCC is today seen as a tool in the hands of the government to hunt a selected few who are not in the good books of the government.
Zamfara
A Base Ammunition Depot of the Nigerian Army, Gusau, said it had repatriated 226 foreign donkeys to Niger Republic.
The Commandant of the depot, Major Hamman Saleh, told journalists while loading the donkeys at the Tsafe military check point, Zamfara, that the donkeys were intercepted in the bush on Monday along with their 49 owners.
Saleh said due to the security challenges in the country, the donkeys and their owners were apprehended and searched to detect possible concealed weapons.
He, however, said that only axes and cutlasses were found in their possession, adding that the intruders, however, gained entry into the country illegally.
The Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has asked the Nigeria Police to apologise for violating the fundamental right of the protesters to freedom of expression.
A statement by the human rights group yesterday, by its Interim Chair, Femi Falana (SAN), also accused the police of deliberately contravening Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020.
The section provides that “Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.”
The group noted that Section 36 of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right of the Nigerian people to freedom of expression including the right to protest against policies of the government.
Many Nigerians in many states across the country trooped out on Saturday, June 12 to mark the day– Democracy Day – with protests against bad governance.
The protesters chanted ‘Buhari must go’ in apparent dissatisfaction with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government that has seen security, economy, youth employment rate and some other sectors and indices worsen.
However, there were arrests and harassment of peaceful protesters by the policex particularly in Abuja, Lagos and Cross River.
The group in the statement said, “For having the audacity to insist on their fundamental right to protest against unpopular policies of governments, teams of armed police personnel fired teargas to disperse the peaceful rallies. As if the unprovoked attack was not enough, the Police brutalised and arrested scores of protesters in Lagos, Abuja and Calabar (Cross River State capital).
“Since the protesters who were arrested during the peaceful rallies did not commit any offence, they have since regained their liberty. But the police authorities ought to apologise for violating the fundamental right of the protesters to freedom of expression.
“More so that the Police had deliberately contravened Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 which provides that ‘Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.’
“While commending the protesters for conducting the themselves in a matured and peaceful manner, we condemn the official lie that the protesters were teargassed to prevent hoodlums and miscreants from hijacking the peaceful rallies. Since the Police admitted that protesters committed no offence whatsoever why were some of them arrested? Why were the so-called hoodlums and miscreants who wanted to cause mayhem and unleash violence on the protesters not arrested?
“Or were they treated like sacred cows because they had been hired to disrupt the peaceful rallies of the protesters? Why were the scanty pro-government protesters who were reported to have fought openly in Abuja over their booty not arrested for breach of the peace in the Federal Capital Territory?
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has described the late Chief Moshood Abiola, widely believed to have won the June 12, 1993 presidential poll, as “the most acceptable democrat cherished by Nigerians”.
Mohammed said this in Gamawa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state during the distribution of empowerment items to youths and women under the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP).
He said the empowerment scheme historic as it coincided with Democracy Day which he described as an unforgettable day in the history of Nigeria.
The governor, who was full of praises for the late business mogul, said Abiola provided the country with a lot of empowerment programmes without considering the tribe, language and geographical location of the beneficiaries.
“Our launching of this empowerment programne today is historic and passionate; we remember today is democracy day and we decided to do it on this day.
“This is because Chief Moshood Abiola, who we are celebrating, empowered several people.
“He did that across board without considering the religion, language and origin of those that benefited from the gestures.
“Abiola will remain in our memory as the most acceptable democrat or politician in Nigeria.
“We all voted for him and that is why myself, my deputy and the government decided honour to him this day by coming to Gamawa and Zaki to empower the people,” he said.
Mohammed noted that democracy day meant remembering people who had empowered the masses, adding that the late Abiola was in that category.
The gesture, he said, was also to show appreciation to the people who brought his administration to power, adding that his government had a lot to offer to the people.
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 79th birthday, joining family members and friends to celebrate with the iconic leader.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja yesterday.
Buhari noted that Abubakar’s legacy of setting the country on the path of democracy and good governance, and passionate pursuit of peace had continued to yield results.
He congratulated the General for another age, appreciating his patriotism and visionary leadership style of always advocating unity, projecting maturity and wisdom on national discourse, and providing a rallying point for the future of the country.
The president noted the goodwill that the former Head of State had continued to attract to the country, both at national and international levels.
He particularly lauded him for sacrificing his time and resources to reach out to individuals and institutions on the need to work for the growth of Nigeria.
Buhari prayed for increase in wisdom, strength and long life for the former military leader that midwifed return of democracy to the country in 1999.
Similarly, Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has felicitated former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), on his 79th birthday.
Sani-Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, last Saturday in Minna eulogised Abubakar and described him as a “complete gentleman”.
According to him, the former head of state is a patriot who has remained “consistent and significant” in the progress and development of the country.
He said Niger and the country were indeed lucky to have an outstanding leader and statesman who had consistently remained on the path of promoting national unity and integration, as well as pursuit of global peace.
“Undoubtedly, your resolve to rededicate yourself to the service of our fatherland and humanity in general is a clear testimony of your statesmanship and influence which cuts across the length and breadth of the country,” Sani-Bello said.
He noted that at 79 years, Abdulsalami had remained a reference point for good governance, diplomacy and conflict resolution.
He prayed Allah to grant him sound health, many more years of wisdom, courage and determination to continue to offer selfless service to the nation and humanity.
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