Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The District Head of Bakaro in Bauchi State, Alhaji Nura
Jumba, has commended an advocacy group, Journalists Against Polio (JAP), over their proactive initiatives which led to reduction of polio cases in the state.
Jumba, who made the commendation on Saturday in Bauchi said the activities of JAP in the state had in the last five years led to eradication of the scourge, especially in 2012, when it was declared free of polio.
He said, “I want to thank JAP for being very proactive in their contributions that ensured that the problem of polio eradication in Bauchi State was successful. “The district and village heads were all under the directive that we should do anything within our powers to see that this programme of eradicating polio in Bauchi State succeeds. The international donors brought in money to see that we eradicate polio not only in Bauchi State but in Nigeria as whole,” he said.
Borno
The Borno State Government said last Saturday, that it
would maintain its status of a polio-free state this year.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, stated this at the launching of the Polio Immunisation Plus Day campaign in Maiduguri.
Kolo said that government would also strive to enhance the quality of life of women and children through its free Maternal and Child Health Care Services.
She also said that the state government had in the last two years laid a solid foundation for enhancing health care delivery. Speaking at the launch, Mrs Shettima advised women in the state to take advantage of the free health care services by visiting hospitals regularly.
Shettima, was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Inna Galadima.
FCT
The Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, has assured Nigerians that the ongoing electoral reform by the National Assembly would yield an improved electoral system.
A statement issued by Special Adviser (Media) to Ekweremadu, Mr Uche Anichukwu, said in Abuja on Wednesday that the assurance was given in his democracy day message to Nigerians.
Ekweremadu said the the ongoing reforms would soon be concluded to further consolidate the country’s democracy and prepare the nation adequately for the 2015 general election.
“Fifteen years of unbroken democratic rule is something to be proud of, especially for a country with our kind of history. “We also have every reason to be proud of what we were able to achieve in the 2011 general election following the widely applauded electoral reforms,” it said.
Gombe
Vice President Namadi Sambo and House of Representa
tives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, last Saturday, urged Muslims to live in peace with one another and adherents of other faith.
Sambo and Tambuwal, who made the call at the 28th Maulud (birthday) of the late Senegalese Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, in Gombe, urged Muslims to continue to pray for peace, unity and development of the country in particular and the world in general.
He urged Muslims to emulate the good virtues of the late Islamic scholar as well as those of Prophet Mohammed.
Also, Tambuwal said peace was inevitable for the development of any society, adding that Muslims should pray for peace, unity and development of Nigeria.
Kano
Fage local government council of Kano State has
pledged to eradicate all child killer diseases in the area. The Interim Management Officer of the council, Alhaji Hayatu Musa, made the pledge last Saturday at the launching of the 2014 4th round of polio immunisation in the area.
Musa said that the council would not relent in its efforts at ensuring healthy children and mothers in the council area and commended traditional rulers in the area for their contribution to the polio eradication campaign.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has expressed its readi
ness to collaborate with the Federal Government to fight insurgency.
Governor Tanko Al-makura, who made this known at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai, in Lafia, on Saturday, said the collaboration became imperative because of the security challenges facing the state and some parts of the country.
According to him, the activities of insurgents have negatively affected our lives and the socio-economic development of the country.
“Peace is the panacea required for the development of any society. No society or nation can experience meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor, violence and confusion. I want to assure the people of my administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government, security agencies, traditional and religion leaders to fight insurgency in the country for the benefit of all,” Al-Makura said.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger last Saturday urged
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), to prevail on past leaders of the country to help curb insurgency rocking the Northern region.
Aliyu, who is the Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), made the call at the maiden convocation of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger.
He expressed the hope that security challenges in the Northern states could be surmounted in the next three months and insisted that with concerted efforts from prominent Nigerians, the unbearable situation in the North would soon be a thing of the past.
The governor, who is also the visitor to the university, urged tertiary institutions in the country not to limit instructions of students to academics alone.
The Chairman of the university endowment fund, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, announced that the fund was yielding results.
Ondo
The Ondo State House of Assembly last Wednesday, ex
tended the tenure of 18 local government caretaker chairmen by six months.
The motion for the extension was moved at plenary by the Majority Leader in the Assembly, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu. Akinsoyinu also represents Ondo West Constituency II in the Assembly.
The motion was seconded by Mr Banso Adeyinka, who represents Akoko North-West Constituency I.
Akinsoyinu said the motion for the extension followed the request from the governor for the extension of the tenure of interim caretaker chairmen in the state.
He said the extension of the tenure of the chairmen became imperative given its expiration on Wednesday.
Oyo
A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof.
Taoheed Adedoja has suspended his 63rd birthday anniversary celebration because of the continued abduction of some school girls in Chibok, Borno.
In a statement, he issued in Ibadan on Saturday, the former minister said that he would focus on prayers for the release of the students.
“As I turn 63, it is very disturbing that some of the children from Chibok that we are supposed to be celebrating with are still being held captive by the Boko Haram group. “In view of the agony and pains being experienced by the girls’ parents, guardians and Nigerians in general, I have suspended the usual activities relating to my birthday.
Plateau
Women and children were worst hit by the twin explo
sions that rocked Terminus Market in Jos, on Tuesday afternoon, the wife of Plateau governor, Mrs Talatu Jang, has said.
Jang, in a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Akila Kasham, said she was deeply saddened by the incident noting that the incident took place at a time considerable progress had been made in the peace building process.
She described the incident as “a heartless, evil minded attack by agents of darkness,’’ saying their action was a clear demonstration of the height of man’s inhumanity to man.
Jang condoled with the families that had lost loved ones and wished the injured a quick recovery and also appealed to Plateau residents to cooperate with the authorities and law enforcement agents by providing any useful information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.
Yobe
The Yobe State Government said on Friday, that it raised
one million assorted tree seedlings for the establishment of shelter-belts across the state to combat desertification.
The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Idi Gubana, announced in an interview in Damaturu, the state capital, that the shelter-belts are to serve as wind breakers to reduce the effects of winds that cause erosion, leading to the desert moving further into the hinterlands.
He said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to implement the Great Green Wall Programme aimed at establishing orchards and tree plantations to serve as shelter-belts, adding that government has provided land for the Green Wall project.
Gubana said the ministry had evacuated refuse dumps in the five major towns to check water stagnation and outbreak of diseases, and intensified sensitisation campaigns against illegal felling of trees, bush burning and arbitrary disposal of refuse, adding that the efforts were yielding positive results.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (left), discussing with President Goodluck Jonathan at the funeral service of former Lagos Governor, Sir Michael Otedola in Lagos last Friday. Photo: NAN
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