Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

January 6, 2014

Borno

The Borno State Government plans to create a special task force to ensure timely completion of various projects in this year’s budget, an official said in Maiduguri last Wednesday.

In a statement he issued, a Special Adviser to the state governor, Malam Isa Gusau, said Governor Kashim Shettima announced the plans while presenting the state’s 2014 budget proposal.

Shettima had presented to the State House of Assembly in Maiduguri, last Tuesday, a budget proposal of N178.5 billion.

“Shettima announced that a special task force, with extant powers, is likely to be created. “The task force is to have the mandate of accelerating the speed of projects to ensure timely completion in 2014,’’ Gusau said in the statement.

Gombe

Gombe State Police Command has confirmed that a gang killed two persons and injured one in Ceceniya quarters of Gombe.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, said in Gombe that the attack took place last Tuesday at about 11.45 p.m.

Atajiri said that a group of criminals attacked and killed their victims in Gombe Wednesday, metropolis with various dangerous weapons.

He described the incident as unfortunate, calling on the public to always report suspicious movements and promised a handsome reward for any one that could feed the police with information about the criminals.

Jigawa

As Nigerians celebrate the new year, farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa, have expressed hope for bumper harvest in the next cropping season.

A cross section of farmers in Hadejia last Wednesday, also hoped that the country would experience total peace and prosperity in 2014.

A farmer, Malam Ali Makintari, expressed optimism that farmers would record high yields in 2014 “in view of the application of new farming techniques and farmers’ support programmes initiated by the federal and state governments.’’

Makintari said he recorded a bumper harvest in 2013 due to prompt availability of fertiliser and other inputs, adding “we hope that the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme initiated by Federal Government will be expanded to include other farmers.”

Katsina

About 4,000 patients with various eye diseases from 11 local government areas of Katsina South Senatorial District have received free eye treatment in Funtua.

Special Assistant to Katsina State Deputy Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Qassim Muhammad, said last Thursday in Funtua that the exercise, tagged “Free Eye Camp’’, took place from December 26 to December 31, 2013.

Muhammad said the treatment was conducted by a team of 14 doctors from Abasar Foundation in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Ihsan Yardam Vakfi Foundation from Turkey.

He said the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, facilitated the exercise and sponsored all the required logistics used for the exercise and disclosed that the six day exercise was a milestone that enhanced the health of the people, especially the elderly from the rural communities in the state.

Kebbi

The Gwandu Local Government Area in Kebbi State last Thursday, said it had earmarked N35.7 million to boost water supply in the area.

Chairman of the area, Alhaji Juli Dangi, said in Gwandu that the council would drill 30 additional boreholes in Gwandu, Dalijan and Kambaza districts.

Dangi said the council had drilled 20 open wells in remote areas to augment the existing water projects initiated by the state government.

He said the council would continue to provide social services to improve the living condition of the people “in line with our mandate as representatives of the people” and

commended the state government for constructing one of the best health facilities in the area.

Kwara

Some religious leaders in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, last Wednesday, urged Nigerians to reflect on the significance of the New Year celebration and collectively proffer solutions to the nation’s challenges.

The Bishop of The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, urged Nigerians to embrace love, peace and unity in the New Year and he appealed to citizens to check their shortcomings in the previous year and re-dedicate themselves to God in the New Year.

Adeyemo urged politicians and civil servants to shun corrupt practices, ungodliness and other acts capable of retarding the growth of the nation.

The President of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Kwara Chapter, Prophetess Bosede Adimabua,urged wealthy Nigerians to extend their assistance to the poor and those with disabilities.

Lagos

A Muslim cleric in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Haroon Daya-Biu, has urged Muslims and Christians to embrace the peace and live in unity in 2014.

Daya-Biu, who is the Head of “Ratibi Imam” in Epe, gave the advice last Tuesday night at a special prayer, tagged “Tahajjud Night’’, to mark the end of 2013.

In his message, Daya-Biu appealed to both Christians and Muslims to live in unity and embrace the peace to enhance progress in the country and urged adherents of both religions to show love to one another.

“Muslims love peace, Islam does not preach violence and we are peaceful people. “That is why we are going to use this prayer to pray for the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and our Christian brothers and sisters,” he said.

Nasarawa

No fewer than seven persons have died from cholera at Badawa-Galadima ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, an official of the council has said.

The Head of Health Department of the local government, Alhaji Ma’azu Doka, said in Kano on Wednesday that 68 patients were now receiving treatment.

Doka said 29 of them were at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Kano, while the remaining 39 were outpatients.

“The outbreak, which started five days ago, has so far claimed seven lives. “We have also treated more than 71 persons, particularly those with cases that are not severe,’’ he said.

Ogun

For the umpteenth time, Iwoye-Ketu community leaders in Yewa North area of Ogun State have called on Federal and Ogun governments to intervene in the provision of road and other infrastructure in the border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

The traditional ruler, Oba Ademola Aremu, made the appeal last Tuesday, while conducting newsmen and leaders round the road and parts of the 20,000-strong community.

He decried what he called abject neglect of the community by previous administrations in the state, saying, “the neglect is dehumanising and unfortunate.’’

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to five condemned prisoners, total release and state pardon for four convicts who are on life imprisonment as well as amnesty to 12 convicts who are on various terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors.

In a statement issued by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ojo Adebayo , the amnesty was in commemoration of the New Year.

According to the Attorney-General, the amnesty was an exercise of the governor’s power to grant prerogative of mercy to convicts as conferred by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 under section 212(1) of the Constitution.

The State Attorney-General said the governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute a severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for convicts, and by sub-section (2) of that section, can exercise that power on the advice of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

Plateau

Two officers in the Plateau State Police Command, Usman Adamu and Saad Ibrahim, both Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) last Wednesday in Jos, received the State Commissioner of Police awards for dedication to duties and excellence in crime prevention.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Olakpe who decorated the officers, said they were honoured for their consistency in high performance in their line of duties.

Olakpe, who described Adamu as the engine room of the command’s administration department, extolled him for discharging his duties without complaining.

The commissioner also said Ibrahim, who is the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Laranto Police Station, had consistently and tenaciously been fighting crime in his area.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Adamu said they were ready to work tirelessly for the progress of the command.

Taraba

Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, last Wednesday, said his loyalty to his ailing boss, Governor Danbaba Suntai, was consistent and unshakable.

Umar, who made the disclosure in his New Year broadcast in Jalingo, said he was only holding brief for his principal, pending the time the governor would fully recover and capable of resuming full duties as governor.

The acting governor listed some of his achievements to include the completion of work on Jalingo-Sunkani-Garba Chede Road and the completion and inauguration of Takum General Hospital.

Others, he added, include the connection of Suntai Village, the governor’s country home, to the national grid, as well as the state’s House of Assembly Service Commission Complex.

L-R: Former Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Adamu Muazu; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr Johnkennedy Opara and Commissioner, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ambassador Abdullahi Bage, during arrival of the last batch of Christian pilgrims in Abuja, last Friday. Photo: NAN

Nation

Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

Nation

Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to temporary chambers, the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in their newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments, appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September 2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors; handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

Nation

Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.