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THE STATES

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Adamawa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
said that the commission is yet to decide on when to conduct the governorship election in Adamawa state following the recent impeachment of the governor and the resignation of his deputy.
Also, the commission said that it is yet to be formally informed of the impeachment of Muritala Nyako as governor and the resignation of James Ngilari as the deputy governor.
The constitution mandates that a governorship election should be conducted within 90 days of the impeachment of the governor.
The INEC Chairman, Prof.  Attahiru Jega, disclosed this  during a dialogue with Media Professionals in Abuja, where he justified the drafting of military to maintain peace in Ekiti state and advocated that military also be drafted to maintain peace in the August 9 governorship election in Osun state.
Borno
Eleven women have been delivered of babies at the two camps
established by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for people displaced from Damboa as a result of the capture of the town last weekend by the Boko Haram insurgents.
NEMA also revealed on Thursday that it has registered about 10000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the two camps established in Biu town, about 100 kilometres away from Damboa town.
In a statement by the Northeast zonal information officer of the agency, Mallam AbdulKadir Ibrahim, who revealed that the agency had deployed two truckloads of relief materials to Biu to take care of the IDPs, revealed that the ten of the women had normal deliveries at the camps while a lone woman had to be taken to the General Hospital, Biu where she was delivered after a Caesarean Session (CS).
Ibrahim said the newly delivered mothers were apart from the normal relief materials, also given some toys, feeding bottles and baby food for the needs of the newly delivered babies.
Ekiti
Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State has criticised the House
of Assembly for passing the bill for creation of 19 additional local governments in the state.
The Assembly on Wednesday approved the creation of 19 additional councils following the adoption of the report of the ad-hoc committee set up to work on the bill seeking the creation of the new councils.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by the State Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, said the action was illegal because there is a suit seeking to stop the LCDAs and also wondered why the Assembly increased the number of the proposed LGs from 18 to 19 when referendum was conducted for 18 LGs.
Oluwawole said, “We are still in court challenging the legality of the Ekiti State Independent  Electoral Commission and the body went ahead to organise an illegal referendum. The Assembly added more illegality to an illegal act by increasing the number of the councils. We are restating the fact that both State Independent Electoral Commission and Assembly are into illegal acts.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Government on Thursday said it earmarked N1.8
billion for the construction of senate building and Vice Chancellor’s lodge at the state university, Kafin-Hausa.
The Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that the money was approved during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday.
He said N1.6 billion was set aside for the construction of the senate building, while N128 million would be used for the construction of of the vice chancellor’s residence.

Kaduna
A former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party and
Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-Large, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described the recent bomb blasts in Kaduna State, which killed about 82 innocent Nigerians, as “most barbaric and unholy.”
Tukur, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said it was more painful that the perpetrators of such heinous crime against humanity could carry out such action during the month of Ramadan.
He said no right-thinking person would like to take the lives of innocent people away against the teaching and doctrines of Christianity and Islamic injunctions and  called on those “behind these dangerous acts against humanity” to have a re-think and return to the path of religious and social rectitude.
Tukur said, “The perpetrators of these acts are not thinking of the consequences of their actions against God and humanity. The damage they have done to human race are irreparable and condemnable. The Boko-Haram sect do not belong to any religious organization since every religion in the world clearly condemn murder of fellow human being in any form, shape or ramification.”
Kano
A non governmental organization (NGO), under
the aegis of Health Initiative Forum (HIF), yesterday in Kano, commended Resident Doctors in Kano and Kaduna states who voluntarily went back to work following the bomb blasts that rocked the two ancient cities.
Chairman of the group, Alhaji Bala Danladi, during a chat with reporters, observed the human feeling in the hearts of the doctors that participated in the rescue operations and their leadership in the affected states.
“Despite their perennial disagreement with the Federal Government, these doctors believe that the strike action should not stop them from showing love to Nigerians under such emergency situations. We also believe that Nigerian doctors are not enemies of Nigerians as some elements were trying hard to make us believe,” he stated.
While commending the widely circulated statement of the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), Dr Jibril Abdullahi, immediately after the happening of Kaduna blasts, the group urged federal government to make a second thought on her stand on the doctors’ demands.

Nasarawa
The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State Justice
Suleiman Dikko, last Friday inaugurated a seven-member panel to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against Governor Umaru Al-Makura by the state assembly.
The state lawmakers had on July 23, passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge to set up the probe panel within seven days in line with the provisions of the constitution.
Inaugurating the panel on Friday in Lafia, Dikko said that setting up of the committee was in line with the state assembly’s request to appoint a seven man panel to investigate the governor.
Those in the panel are MalamYusuf Usman (Chairman); Malam Mohammed Sabo Keana; Rev. Joel Galadima;  Alhaji Abdul Usman; Mr Samuel Chaku; Malam Mohammed Sani Usman and Pastor Daniel Chaga as members.
The chief judge urged the members to discharge their duties in line with Section 188, Sub-section 1-11 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Ondo
The remains of the late Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele
Aturu, were buried  in his hometown, Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State, last Friday.
Scores of sympathisers, including  human rights activists, legal practitioners, members of the organised labour , were in attendance to witness the burial service.
His corpse was moved into the venue of  the burial programme around 10.25 by the casket bearers and followed by a song rendered by members of the Redeemed Christain  of God (RCCG) who came to honour one of their own. Aturu  was an Assistant Pastor in the church.
The officiating minister, in his sermon, said death is an inevitable end for every human, hence, the need for people to move closer to God
He described Aturu as a dogged fighter and a fearless lawyer who stood for justice and equity,urging the younger ones to emulate his virtues.
Osun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has gone to
the courts to challenge  the powers of President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy troops to Osun State for the August 9 governorship election.
The party said it was also seeking to oust the power of the Inspector-General of Police Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, to impose a curfew on any part of the state during the election.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the actions were aimed at avoiding a repeat of the massive harassment, intimidation and arrest of opposition politicians witnessed during the Ekiti State governorship election, and to prevent any illegal lock down of Osun State, which turned out to be a ploy to pigeon-hole opposition politicians, while allowing PDP members to move around freely during the polls.
The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take concrete actions to ensure that all the candidates in the August 9 governorship election in Osun State are provided with a level playing.

Plateau
The crisis rocking the Plateau State chapter of the
All Progressives Congress deepened last Thursday as some aggrieved members locked out some executives and other stalwarts of the party who were holding a meeting at the secretariat.
The party had been enmeshed in crisis over the outcome of its state congress, especially the chairmanship position, which a former aide of the former Governor, Joshua Dariye, Mr. Latep Dabang won.
The outcome of the exercise was hotly contested by the former interim state chairman, Senator John Shagaya and another member, Amos Gombi, who had earlier petitioned the national secretariat.
However, the new twist occurred following an attempt by the Dabang-led executive to hold a meeting at the party secretariat for the nomination, but was prevented from doing so by some aggrieved members of the party.

Governor Sule Lamido (left) of Jigawa State with the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, during Sallah in Dutse, yesterday.

Governor Sule Lamido (left) of Jigawa State with the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, during Sallah in Dutse, yesterday.

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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