Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

April 25, 2014

Benue

A Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, has ordered two
brothers, Mzuaii Uaaku and Terzungwe Uaaku, to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Makurdi, for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.
Mzuaii, 35, and Terzungwe, 25, both farmers, hail from Mondo village in Logo Local Government Area of Benue.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Adama Owoicho, told the court that Oragbai Terna of R.C.M Primary School, Oragbai, reported the case at the Oragbai police station on March 28.
He said that the complainant was at home when his son, Terso Terna, reported to him that he had been attacked.

FCT

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says
it has commenced the construction of a transmission bye-pass to temporarily replace the destroyed 132kV transmission line from Tegina to Kotangora, Niger State.
Mr Dave Ifabiyi, TCN Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja recently.
The statement said the company had mobilised to the site to construct the transmission line which was destroyed by rain on April 18.
It said that four transmission towers were destroyed as a result of the incident at Corner Mariga after Tegina, Niger state, causing power outage in the area.

Gombe

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists
(NAWOJ) has commended Hajiya Adama Dankwambo, wife of Gombe State governor, for empowering more than 7,000 women in the state.
Mrs Ruth Absolon, the Chairperson of the association in the state, made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
She said that the beneficiaries were empowered in the last three years.
“The wife of the governor had empowered more than 7,000 women across the state.
“Honestly, she (Dankwambo) has empowered women, particularly the rural dwellers and less privileged, who were hopeless.”

Jigawa

Poultry farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa State, have la
mented the high prices of chicken feeds in the area.
They also called on the state government to establish a feeds mill to encourage processing and poultry production in the state.
A cross section of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent in Hadejia, said that the measure was necessary to end scarcity and enhance access to the products.
Mrs Halima Ismail, a poultry farmer, said that high cost of feeds was making poultry farming expensive and less attractive.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has commenced the
training of 150 Sharia Courts Judges on advanced Sharia Legal System to enhance dispensation of Islamic Justice in the state.
Addressing the participants in Birnin Kebbi, the Chief Registrar, Sharia Court of Appeal, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, said the training would improve Judges’ practical knowledge and enhance their understanding and memory on Sharia legal system.
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Kaduna
Kaduna State Government said it had paid more than N100 million to the National Examination Council (NECO) as examination fee for its 15,000 candidates.
The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna, and made available to newsmen.
Ali said the settlement of the fee would alleviate the financial burden on parents and guardians of the students, encourage access to education and improve the status of education in the state.
He however said only students that obtained at least five credits, including mathematics and English language, would benefit from the programme.

Lagos

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-opera
tives in Lagos State, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, has urged Nigerians to exploit the benefits of coconut.
Lawal gave the advice at Badagry during the grand finale of the annual coconut festival, saying that its benefits were under-exploited in the country.
“Coconut is often referred to as the tree of life and a wonder crop because of its versatility as all the parts can be put to economic and social use.
“Every part of the tree including the stem, branch, fruits has significant use; it has economic, environmental, medicinal and ornamental benefits which has been grossly unexploited in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole”, he said.
Ogun

The police have arraigned two women, Remi
Odeyemi, 27, and Aishat Showunmi, 19, in a Magistrates’ Court in Ota, Ogun, for slapping a policeman.
The accused were arraigned on a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Olumide Awoleke, told the court that on April 7 at about 8.00 p.m. at Igbusi village, Ifo in Ota, the accused persons slapped Cpl. Yemi Odeniyi while on duty.
He said that the assault on Odeniyi was unprovoked, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 356(i) and 516 of the Criminal Code Revised Law of Ogun, 2006.

Osun
Dr Muritala Afolabi of Ladoke Akintola Teaching
Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, has advised that malaria should be properly diagnosed before treatment.
Afolabi gave the advice in an interview with newsme in Osogbo.
The medical practitioner said “it is wrong to embark on malaria treatment without proper diagnosis.OyoOyo
Oyo

A professor of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke
Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Prof. Taiwo Adewole, has called for a national policy on DNA-based medical diagnosis of diseases in Nigeria.
Adewole made the call in his inaugural lecture in Oshogbo recently.
“DNA in the medical terms is a popular acronym for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a double-stranded filamentous structure (molecule) found in the nucleus of every cell of higher organisms, including man.
“Every disease is about DNA while DNA is the key to the diagnosis, prognosis (disease outcome) and treatment of diseases, like cancer and malaria,” he said.

Sokoto

A delegate to the ongoing national conference,
Prof. Sambo Wali, says the conference is not only desirable, but timely.
“The conference is a welcome development to all well meaning and patriotic Nigerians who have the interest of the nation at heart,” he said.
Wali, who addressed a news conference in Sokoto, also said that it would allow Nigerians to express themselves freely.
“The conference is a forum to discuss the diverse views and feelings of the citizens about the country which has existed for over a century as a single indivisible entity.

Yobe

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Fema, says the party’s consensual procedure in the ward and local government congresses had produced most popular and acceptable officials.
Fema said this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu recently .
He said efforts were in place to produce the state executive council of the party by consensus.
“We are all putting heads together under the leadership of the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, to produce, through collective agreement, officials that will lead the party at the state level”, he said.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State 11 for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Muhammad and Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja last Wednesday.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

2 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.