Nation
THE STATES
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.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor