Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop
ment on Tuesday, said over 135,000 dry season rice farmers were assisted by Federal Government in Adamawa.
The state Director in the ministry, Dr Walia Hamman, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Yola said the development, which was a special programme under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, was aimed at improving local rice production.
He said under the programme, government provided over 1,500 metric tonnes of improved rice varieties which was distributed free to the farmers.
FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
on Tuesday arraigned a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Margret Onoja , before an FCT High Court for alleged fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Onoja lied to officers of the ICPC on the number of bank accounts she was operating.
The prosecutor, Mr Paul Bassi, told the court that the accused actions violated Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused was alleged to have concealed the ownership and operation of a Zenith Bank Account with number 6216501714 in her company’s name, Shekina Glory Cooperation Society Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the accused was a sole signatory to the Zenith Bank account with a N75 million balance and that the accused also concealed the existence of a First Bank account with the balance of N40 million.
Jigawa
The Executive Secretary, Jigawa Rehabilitation Board,
Alhaji Abubakar Raba-Kaya, said on Tuesday, that the Albino Foundation (TAF) would build a skin hospital in the state.
He said that the state government had donated a piece of land for the construction of the proposed hospital which would be sited in Dutse.
The scribe said the hospital would be accessible to albinos and other members of the public and he described the establishment of the hospital as a “great achievement’’.
Raba-Kaya urged albinos and other citizens of the state to patronise the facility to cater for their skin.
Kaduna
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on
Tuesday condemned Monday’s college bombing in Kano that killed eight students of the School of Hygiene.
Its President, Malam Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, said in Kano that the attack on the school was “satanic and devilish’’.
He urged the Federal and Kano state governments to set up investigative panel to fish out and prosecute all those behind the blast and also to beef up security across the state and other parts of the country, especially in the North-East to curtail the activities of the insurgents.
Arrigasiyyu said that members of the Boko Haram sect were not Muslims and did not represent Muslims and appealed to parents not to allow the bombings to distract them from sending their children and wards to school.
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Katsina
Manager of Rural Development Animation Programme
(RUDAP), an NGO, Rev. Sister Regina Onyegbule, has called for more spending on sanitation and literacy campaigns in rural areas.
Onyegbule, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Funtua, Katsina State, on Tuesday urged governments at all levels, individuals and community groups to redouble efforts on economic empowerment schemes, sanitation and literacy programmes in rural communities.
The manager said this effort was capable of uplifting the living conditions of the citizenry and appealed to the communities to cultivate the habit of clean environment and ensure good hygiene at all times.
Kwara
The new Coordinator of the NYSC in Kwara, Mr
Adebayo Amusa, has called on employers in the state to improve the welfare of corps members.
Amusa made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin when he visited the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) office as part of his familiarisation tour of media houses.
The coordinator said the welfare of corps members would be his priority while serving in the state and enjoined employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare, especially issues concerning their accommodation and allowances, healthcare and security.
Amusa also appealed to host communities and local government councils to build Corpers’ Lodges for corps members.
“ The NYSC is not a baby of the Federal Government alone, it belongs to states, local government, organisations and host communities,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on
Public Account on Tuesday, urged the Management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi , to ensure proper audit of the institution’s finances to ensure accountability.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Francis Orogu, who gave the advice during the defence of the institution’s finances by its management said that the advice become imperative in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of funds in the institution.
Orogu called on the management of the institution to be up and doing in ensuring proper utilisation of funds budgeted for the institution to ensure academic excellence.
In his remarks, the State Auditor-General, Mr Lamus Alhassan, said that the account of the university had not been audited since 2012, adding that it was the responsibility of the university to submit its audited account to his office for record purpose.
Niger
A Minna Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, sentenced a
labourer, Ndagi Mohammed, 31, to three years imprisonment for impregnating a 12-year-old pupil.
Mohammed, who was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenager, was convicted after he had confessed to the offence as charged.
In her ruling, Magistrate Amina Musa, sentenced Mohammed to three years in prison without an option of fine.
The prosecutor, Insp. Alfred Auta, had told the court that one Ahmed Zakariya of Okada Road, Minna, reported the case to the police on June 22.
He said that the complainant on June 20, discovered that his younger sister was pregnant adding that the convict impregnated the girl, who is a primary school pupil, after having sex with her three times in his house.
Osun
A physician at Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital
(LAUTECH), Dr Segun Babatunde, on Tuesday, advocated inter-disciplinary patient management in health-related institutions.
Babatunde, a member of the palliative care unit at the hospital, said this in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen ading that with the development of palliative care in modern medical practice, there was the need for medical trainees to be grounded in inter-disciplinary patient management.
“At many professional workshops, we have come across nurses and physiotherapists alleging doctors of being indisposed to release patients for specialised treatment.
“There are a lot of contemporary developments in the medical world that are in the interest of improved health care delivery, he said.
“However, if entrants into these new departments in the medical world are not well indoctrinated, there may be cases of protecting territories while treating patients and “There are times when a general practitioner is taking care of patients, even those with terminal illnesses.
“A trained palliative giver may however think he is more appropriate to see that such patients are given specialised handling.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it will spend N5.5 bil
lion for contracts variation, including new ones this year.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Olivia Dazyam, said this at news briefing on the outcome of the state executive council’s meeting in Jos.
She said that the approval for the variation and execution of new projects was given at the council meeting chaired by Governor Jonah Jang.
The commissioner said that the variation on one of the roads would gulp N1.8 billion due to increase in the scope of work on the construction of Bisichi-Koro-Fan-Mangu Halle road with six new spurs.
Dazyam said that additional works were also considered on the ongoing construction of the new Government House.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto
state, Alhaji Shehu Badau, said the council had completed the construction of five mosques in the area.
Badau in Bondinga on Tuesday, said that the mosques were built at the cost of N42 million, adding that they were located in Bangi Rafi, Kauran Hanya, Bunazawa, Darhela and Bodinga communities.
He called on the people in the communities to reciprocate the council’s gesture by praying for God’s intervention in the socio-economic and political activities of the area.
The chairman restated his administration’s commitment to providing basic infrastructure that would improve the living condition of the people.
From 2nd left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and fct Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, at the scene of Emab Shopping Mall bomb blast on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 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