Nation
THE STATES
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
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