Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

September 22, 2014

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a
banker and four others for alleged forgery and stealing a vehicle belonging to the Zamfara State government.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said one of the suspects, Dahiru Aminu, was arrested with a white Toyota Hilux, belonging to the Zamfara State Ministry of Water Resources.
He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect stole the vehicle from the compound of one Abdullahi Auta of Rijiyar Gabas,Tudun Wada ward in Zamfara State.
“They conspired with One Kawule Ahmed, a painter at Magaji Quarters in Bauchi and painted part of the vehicle. They also conspired with Ibrahim Adamu Aliyu of the Bauchi State Board of Internal Revenue to forge particulars for the vehicle,” he said. The police spokesman said investi-gation led to the arrest of two principal suspects, one Mohammed Zayyanu and Aminu Wada, who is a staff of a commercial bank in Gusau.

Benue

The Benue State House of Assembly has directed its
Committee on Commerce and Industry, to investigate the condition of the Makurdi Modern Market and submit its report within two weeks.
The directive followed a motion moved by Mr Joshua Ogbole, representing Adoka/Ugboju Constituency , urging the state government to rehabilitate the market.
Ogbole said that about 350 stalls in the market had been burnt down within the past 10 years.
He further said that the drainage channels in the market had been blocked, thereby leading to flooding of some parts of the market. The motion was seconded by Dr Adoga Onah, representing Oju I Constituency, stating that the motion was apt and timely.
FCT

The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), has advised members of the public to utilise its citizen contact centre to obtain relevant information about electoral process. INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, last Thursday.
“INEC Citizen Contact Centre is a facility allowing the general public constant access to the commission with enquiries and exchange of information.
“As a situation room, the centre offers the public opportunity for getting real time responses to enquiries, incident-reports, complaints and queries about any aspect of the electoral process.’’
Osaze-Uzi said that the centre, located at the commission’s headquarters, could be accessed via social media and hotlines.
The hotlines are 07098115257, 07098117563 and 07098110916. The social media include facebook (www.facebook.com/inecnigeria); twitter (www.twitter.com/innecnigeria); email (iccc@inec.gov.ng), and website (ww.inecnigeria.org).

Gombe
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), said on Wednesday, it planned to create 403 additional polling units in Gombe State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, told newsmen in Gombe that the addition would be distributed to the 11 local government areas on 15 per cent equality.
He added that the remaining would be shared based on the population of registered voters across the state.
According to REC, polling units in the state will increase from 2,218 to 2,621 when the additional polling units are finally approved and created.He said the units were part of the 30,000 newly-created ones nationwide by INEC. Dafwang directed the Electoral Officers in the 11 local government areas to propose the new polling units in their areas based on population.
Lagos
The governorship aspirant on the platform of All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr Leke Pitan, has promised to focus on human capital development, if elected as the state governor in 2015.
Pitan made the promise while addressing supporters at the Ikeja venue of “Dr Leke Pitan and Friends Free Medical Outreach”.
He said the programme would be enlarged to accommodate many people in the state if he became the governor.
“I can assure you to expect more of this programme, we are going to make the development of human capital our main focus,” he said.
Pitan, a former Commissioner for Healthcare Education in the state, assured the people that he would execute programmes and policies that would have positive impact on the people.

Nasarawa

Senator Suleiman Adokwe, (PDP-Nasarawa) on
Thursday, donated N2.5 million cash and food items to persons displaced during the recent communal clashes in some parts of the state.
Adokwe, who was represented by Mr Lawani Aboki, said while presenting the items in Lafia that the gesture was part of his contribution to ameliorate the hardship of the victims. He called on public-spirited individuals to support displaced persons and the entire people of the state.
He urged them to always embrace peace and dialogue as means of settling disputes.
The Coordinator, Adokwe Media Committee and Strategy, Mr Abdullahi Ladan, said that the donation was the second of its kind to the affected persons.

Osun
The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr
Najeem Salaam, has urged members of the Governorship Election Tribunal in the state to be fair and thorough in disposing petitions before them.
Salaam, in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, said members of the tribunal must be ready to protect their integrity in handling of the petitions.
A 3-man panel, chaired by Justice Sulaiman Ambrusa, is hearing election petition filed by PDP governorship candidate in the August 9 poll, Mr Iyiola Omisore.
Omisore is challenging the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the tribunal.
The Speaker urged members of the tribunal to be factual and address the issues as they appeared.
“I want to urge members of the tribunal to be honest and upright in handling the election petition before them.

Plateau

Councillors in the 17 local
government areas of Plateau State are being owed seven months salaries by the state government, our correspondent reports.
The councilors, who were elected on February 25 and sworn-in two days later, had yet to collect their take-home packages.
The state government said they must undergo its ongoing Biometric Data Capturing of all civil servants under its payroll, before enjoying their salaries.
Some of the councillors, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that they were living under the mercies of their council chairmen, who on compassionate ground, approved some stipends for them.

Yobe
About 200 trade associations in Yobe State
said they would buy nomination form for Governor Ibrahim Gaidam to re-contest in 2015 election.
Coordinator of the associations, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna, told newsmen in Damaturu that the gesture was based on Gaidam’s performance from 2009 to date.
“On behalf of the over 200 associations and groups, I wish to inform you that we have volunteered to purchase nomination form for the post of governor for Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam to contest in 2015,” Haruna said.
He said the associations had endorsed the governor to ensure continuity of the infrastructural development in the state.
“All of us here representing the 200 associations have testified that Yobe assumed the status of a state with viable socio-economic development from 2009 to date.

Minister of National Planning Commission, Mr Sulaiman Abubakar; Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the National Economic Council Meeting in Abuja, recently. 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

2 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.