Nation
THE STATES
Victims of flood disaster and insurgency in Bauchi State
presently have cause to smile and temporarily forget their pains and distress. The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation recently came to their aid after it flagged off the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood, insurgency and communal clashes in the state.
The beneficiaries who hail from 10 Northern states of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Nasarawa, Plateau and Yobe profusely expressed appreciation to the committee for the timely intervention in cushioning their hardship through the donation of relief materials such as rice, soaps, wrappers, blankets, noodles, salts, palm oil amongst other items.
Shortly after the flag off of the ceremony, the Chairman of the committee, Dr Sani Abubakar Lugga, led a delegation of the committee members on a courtesy visit to Governor Isa Yuguda, at the Government House in Bauchi.
He said the committee decided to extend its humanitarian gesture not only to victims of flood disaster, but also those of insurgency, communal clashes and cattle rustlers adding that the committee went beyond the scope of its mandate to purchase food and non-food items worth N750m to cushion the losses of victims of insurgency and communal clashes in the 10 states.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State last Monday as
sured non-indigenes living in the state that their rights as Nigerian citizens would be protected.
Lamido who gave the assurance when he received the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, who paid him Sallah homage in Dutse explained that all non- indigenes living in the state were there as a matter of ‘right’ not ‘privilege,’ hence would not be discriminated against.
The governor said that Nigerians were free to live wherever they chose without any undue harassment by any individual or government, stating that those asking Nigerians to register in their own country were sending a wrong signal that was not healthy for the unity of the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the Emir of Dutse, Sunusi, had thanked the governor for transforming the state in the past seven years of his administration. He said that both indigenes and non-indigenes had been living peacefully in the state, promising that efforts would be made to sustain the status-quo.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido, has urged Mus
lims in the state to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and sacrifice.
The emir who made the call last Sunday while addressing Muslims after the Eid-El-Fitr prayer at the Kofar Mata ground in Kano, appealed to them to emulate Prophet Muhammed’s life, stressing that the one month fasting should be seen as a period of cleansing and atonement.
“After the Ramadan, we should be more determined to live in the path of Allah as true believers. We should also continue to emulate the exemplary attributes of Islam which are love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence”, he said.
The monarch also called on the people to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress of the state and the country.
Earlier in his sermon, Sanusi, who led the prayer, stressed the need for Muslims to fear God and continue to use all the lessons of the Ramadan to foster unity in the state and country.
Kwara
Former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, urged
Nigerians yesterday to pray for the peace and stability of the country ahead of next year’s general elections. Dr Saraki made the call in his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians.
Saraki, the senator representing Kwara Central, said: “Ahead of 2015, I want to use this annual occasion to implore Nigerians not to give up in the quest for a better nation. Let’s not give in for a leadership based on sympathy and the monetary value we stand to gain but on the ground of competence and a strong will to take Nigeria to a greater height.
“Let’s ensure we stay very united and indivisible by religious, ethnic, moral or political lines, because unity is a strong weapon for a better nation. Even as I urge Islamic leaders – from the Emirs to Sheiks and Imams – to further emphasise the core themes of Islam to their followers after Ramadan. I also urge us to let our fervent prayers for Nigeria exceed Ramadan season. Let’s continue to pray for peace, restoration and stability in Nigeria, particularly as 2015 is approaching.
“The holy month of Ramadan affords us the golden opportunity of renewal in thoughts and deeds towards our creator and humanity by prioritising core themes of Islam, which include peace, boundless love for one another, sincerity, holiness and respect for humanity.
“Importantly, the aforementioned themes should not end with the month of Ramadan. They should be effortlessly demonstrated after Ramadan to ameliorate Nigeria’s plight and make her into a better society where her current challenges of insecurity, disrespect for rule of law, corruption among others will become things of the past.”
Lagos
History will be made in Lagos State next month when
Justice Funmilayo Atilade succeeds her sister Justice Ayotunde Pillips as the new Chief Judge. Justice Phillips bowed out last Saturday on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65. Justice Phillips and Justice Atilade are daughters of the late Justice James Williams, who was a judge in Lagos.
It was learnt that Justice Atilade may be sworn in before the new legal year 2014, which begins on September 2, to mark her first major official assignment and outing. Justice Atilade will become the 15th Chief Judge of Lagos State and the fifth woman to occupy the post.
Justice Atilade was born in London on September 24, 1952. She attended Ladi-Lak Institute in Yaba, Lagos Mainland; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere, 1965 and 1969 and Queens College, 1970 and 1971. She proceeded to the University of Lagos in 1972 and graduated in 1975 with a Law degree. She passed out of the Nigerian Law School in 1976.
Justice Atilade was State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice between 1977 and 1979; Principal Legal Officer, Nigerian Ports Authority 1979 to 1981; and a Senior Magistrate Grade 1, 1981 to 1996. She was appointed a judge on July 19, 1996.
She became the Head Judge in June 2012, also occupied by her sister, Justice Phillips before her elevation as the chief judge. She is a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), International Bar Association (IBA) and Ikoyi Club 1938.
.
Nasarawa
Associates of Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa
State, have, said the governor has put together a seven-man team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to defend him at the investigative panel set up by the state’s Chief Judge, Umaru Dikko, to probe allegations of fraud and gross misconduct against him.
Speaking with newsmen on the development, Professor Gyewadu noted that Al-Makura’s travails are as a result of bad leadership, even as he insisted that the impeachment process was a right step in the right direction. “The law makers are the true representatives of the people and whatever they do is in the collective interest of all and sundry,” he said.
Before the panel on Al-Makura was set up last Friday, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Affairs, Abdulhamid Kwara, who addressed a press conference in Lafia last Tuesday, said the governor was putting everything together to appear before the panel at the appropriate time to exonerate himself. The panel is scheduled to commence sitting on Wednesday after the Eid-e-Fitri celebrations.
In the wake of the impeachment process against his friend, a former deputy governor of the state and professor of Law, Onje Gyewadu, had asked the governor to toe the path of resignation, which he said would be more honourable.
Niger
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
in Niger State, has announced that political parties, civil societies organisations and security agencies in the state have agreed that the commission should conduct the bye-election for Niger East senatorial district on Saturday, August 16, 2014.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, stated this last Friday, during a stakeholders meeting, where the commission proposed the date.
Onucheyo further explained that by law, notice of the election would be made public not later than 14 days to the election, adding that the National Assembly informed the commission of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta’s death on July 17, 2014.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner said the tenure of the current Assembly expires in June, 2015, saying that “Section 76 of 1999 constitution mandates the commission to conduct bye election to fill this vacant seat, within one month, from date of formal notification”
Ogun
Five persons suspected to be robbers were killed in a
shoot-out by the Police Anti Crime Team attached to Agbado Division of Ogun State, on Saturday.
The police were said to have responded to a distress call from residents of Oluke, Okegbolu and Onireke areas, when the robbers, numbering 12, unleashed terror on them.
One of the suspected robbers was arrested with weapons, while other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds.
Items recovered from the robbers included five locally made guns, 30 live cartridges, 12 expended cartridges, three laptops, a cash sum of N85,000, jewelries, five unregistered motorcycles, cutlasses and charms.
The arrested suspect, 26-year-old Oladeinde Rasheed, is a resident of Ijoko Ota area of the state.
Oyo
Former Oyo State Governor Senator Rashidi Ladoja has
dissociated Accord Party from the purported plan by the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The former governor, who was fielding questions from journalists shortly after observing the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, said the party had instructed its members in the Assembly to distance themselves from any attempt at plunging the state into crisis and chaos.
He noted that there was no reason for the House to wake up suddenly with accusation against the governor over any misconduct towards the end of his administration and challenged the House to publish whatever was the misconduct of the governor for people to see.
The former governor said he had suffered impeachment as a person before and got justice from the Supreme Court and would never support any such plan.
He said, “I cannot understand the basis of anybody in the House of Assembly suddenly waking up to nurse any impeachment ambition against Governor Ajimobi. In any case, Accord is not a party to it. I cannot understand why they will wake up and say there is misconduct. Let them publish it for people to see. But as far as I am concerned, our party is not part of any purported plan to impeach Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
L-R: Alhaji Lamidi Ajadi, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his SSG, Alhaji Ismael Olalekan-Alli, at the Agodi Eid prayer ground during the Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Ibadan last Monday. 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