Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

June 25, 2014

Adamawa

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) last Saturday
said decisive measures were being taken to stop the cases of building collapse in the country.
The National President of the society, Mr Ademola Olurunfemi, made the pledge at the ground breaking and foundation laying of NSE branch office in Yola.
The president, who was in Yola for a two day visit, was represented by the National Vice President of the society, Mr Kunle Mokolo
Olurunfemi said the society was disturbed by the cases of building collapse in the country, adding “the society is taking decisive measures.”
He said among the measures being taken was effort to bring out the intellectual capacity of Nigerian engineers to eradicate the syndrome.

Bauchi

Darazo Local Government in Bauchi State and the state
Basic Universal Education Board (SUBEB) have donated 21 bicycles to disabled primary school pupils to ease their transportation to schools.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Kabiru Sade presented the items to the beneficiaries on Sunday in Darazo, headquarters of the area.
Sade, represented by the Head of Administration of the council, Alhaji Yusuf Ningi, said it would reduce the transportation problems being faced by the pupils and he commended SUBEB for its initiative and commitments by alleviating the plight of the beneficiaries.
The Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Alhaji Adamu Disina, explained that SUBEB procured 11 of the bicycles while the council had the rest and called on the beneficiaries to ensure that the items were properly maintained.

Borno

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Borno
State last Saturday said it would train 25 graduates on industrial attachment to enable them to acquire skills to be self-employed.
State Coordinator, NDE, Alhaji Wakil Kalanga, said in Maiduguri that the graduates would be trained under the Industrial Attachment Programme of the Agency.
Kalanga said that the selected beneficiaries were state indigenes who graduated last year and had not yet secured job adding that said the programme was designed to train them to showcase their potentials, so that they could be gainfully employed and also be employer of labours.
The coordinator said the gesture was in line with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda to create job opportunities and reduce unemployment.
Kalanga said last year, NDE trained 50 graduates, saying that most of them were now gainfully employed or self-employed.

Jigawa

The Chairman of Gwaram Local Government in Jigawa
State, Alhaji Hanafi Yakubu, has advised new councillors in the area to protect the interest of the people that voted them into office.
Yakubu who gave the advice during the swearing-in of the councillors on Saturday in Gwaram, urged them to make laws that would bring about development and positive impact on the lives of the people.
The chairman emphasised the need for the councillors to take the oath they took seriously and not to do anything contrary to their oath of office.
Yakubu enjoined the people to be loyal to their leaders and support them to facilitate rapid development of the area.

Kaduna

The Director, Public Affairs, Kaduna State Muslim Pil
grims Welfare Board, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad, said government had established a committee for practical demonstration of Hajj operations to enhance success of 2014 Hajj.
Speaking shortly after the flag-off of the practical demonstration of the exercise in Zaria last Saturday. Muhammad lauded Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State for establishing the committee, assuring that it wiIl go a long way in keeping the state intending pilgrims well informed for successful Hajj.
The director said the committee would visit all the 23 local government areas of the state to practically educate them for enhanced and better result.
In an interview, Alhaji Adda’u Muhammad, Pilgrims Officer, Zaria Local Government, appealed to intending pilgrims to cooperate with the tutors for the good of all.
Muhammad said the practical demonstration would not interfere with the normal weekly Hajj training.

Lagos

An educationist, Mrs Rose Omonubi, last Saturday
called on Nigerian universities to adopt new courses that would make their graduates employable and entrepreneurs.
Omonubi, Executive Director, Nubi Educational Counselling Ltd.,who spoke on the sideline of the 2014 Nubi Education Fair in Lagos, advised universities to restructure their courses to meet the needs of the nation’s industry.
She said that courses like accounting, marketing, banking, engineering and pharmacy were no longer competitive in the labour market.
“If you go to the University of London Library, the best theses there were written by Nigerians”, she said.

Niger

President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday said the Fed
eral Government would comprehensively tackle challenges facing all sectors of the country’s education.
Jonathan said this at the combined 21st, 22nd and 23rd convocation of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna.
He stressed the need for reorientation of our value system with increased emphasis on conduct, character and competence.
The president who was represented by Dr John Mack, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education enjoined educated elite in the society not to see people who did not have university degree as second class citizens.

Ogun

The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta
(FUNAAB), last Saturday graduated 81first class students at its 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 convocation.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said in Abeokuta that of the 3,859 graduating students, 3,555 were for first degrees, while 304 were post-graduate students.
Oyewole said the Colleges of Animal Sciences, Livestock Production and Natural Sciences had 20 first class graduates each.
He said the institution was committed to the provision of visionary leadership, sustainable management of resources and committed to providing world-class future leaders.

Oyo

The Sultan of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has
appealed to Oyo State government to immortalise the late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao.
Abubakar, who was in Ibadan Saturday to commiserate with the family and the state government, said though Arisekola-Alao was dead his legacies should not be forgotten.
The Sultan, who is the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Nigeria had lost a prominent son but not lost his spirit. He said the deceased would be difficult to replace in Nigeria because he dedicated his life in the service of his creator and mankind.
Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has urged Nige
rians to observe regular exercise to enable them to stay fit, healthy and live longer.
Jang, who gave the advice last Saturday at the 25th edition of Olympic Day Run in Jos, said exercise was crucial for the body.
Represented by Mr Agwom Sani-Zandi, Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Jang advised people to know their health conditions before embarking on strenuous exercise, stating that his administration embarked on massive projects in the sports sector in recognition of its importance.
Zamfara

Top government officials in the Gov. Abdulaziz Yari-led
All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Zamfara are gradually resigning their appointments and leaving the party.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Malami Yandoto and three directors-general had resigned their appointments in the last one month.
The DGs included that of Governor’s Office, Alhaji Mustapha Bukkuyum; Alhaji Shehu Yanware of the Directorate of Inter-Party Relations and Alhaji Haruna Jangebe of the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organisations.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe,at the National Economic Council Meeting in Abuja yesterday Photo: NAN

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.