Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

October 15, 2014

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi (left) of Oyo State Congratulating Acting Chief Judge of Oyo State, Mr Mukhtair Abimbola, during his swearing-in in Ibadan recently. Photo: NAN

Bauchi

The Bauchi State chapter of the Buhari Cam
paign Organisation has pledged to buy nomination form for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Coordinator of the Nigerian Solution Network Group, Dr Danjuma Dabo, made the disclosure in Bauchi during a solidarity rally in support of Buhari.
Dabo said whether Buhari was willing to contest in the 2015 polls or not, the organisation would source for fund to foot both the campaign bills and purchase the nomination form for him.
The coordinator of the group, who said that the N27 million fee for the purchase of nomination form was too high, added that it was above Buhari’s financial capability.

Borno

The Borno State Government has appealed to
West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) to release the results of its candidates who sat for the 2014 examinations.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Kauji, made the appeal in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen recently.
Kauji said that the state had cleared all the outstanding registration fees for the candidates who sat for the examinations in the state.
He expressed dismay over the inability of the candidates to access their results since it was released.
“I want to plead with both WAEC and NECO to release the result of Borno candidates who sat for the 2014 examinations.

FCT

The wife of the Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican
Communion), Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, has said that women of the church will participate fully in the 2015 general elections.
Okoh, who is also the President of the Mothers’ Union/Women’s Guild, the women’s organisations of the church said this in Abuja in an interview at the end of a two-day conference of the Abuja Diocese during which the maiden edition of the women’s magazine was launched.
She said that the women had been duly sensitised on the importance of participating in the elections and that they were poised to take active part in the exercise.
She said that the women had also been admonished to also ensure that all members of their families who were of age, exercised their franchise.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State
has expressed satisfaction with his performance in the last three and a half years of administering the state.
Dankwambo stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after his return from Hajj.
He said that his administration had delivered a lot of democracy dividends in the state as it was testified by people in the state.
According to him, at the time of his electioneering campaign in 2011, he did not promise anything to the people of the state.
He said, however, having reviewed his performances so far; he was satisfied with his achievements.

Kabbi

The Kebbi State Government has approved the
release of N144 million for the revival of the state-owned Neem Tree processing and transformer manufacturing companies. Governor Saidu Dakingari stated this when he received a delegation of the state’s elders’ consultative forum, led by Justice Usman Mohammed, in Birnin Kebbi State. Earlier, Mohammed said the body called for the revival of the ailing industries to provide employment, attract investors, generate revenue, and promote industrial development of the state.
He said findings by the forum showed that N90 million was required to revive the transformer manufacturing company while Neem Tree processing industry needed N54 million.

Kwara

An economist, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, has urged gov
ernment to give more attention to the welfare of teachers to improve learning. Oyinloye told newsmen in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, that adequate incentives would spur the teachers to give their best to improve students’ performance. Oyinloye, also the Managing Director, The Infrastructure Bank, Abuja, said such incentive became necessary so as to give the teachers a sense of belonging to do more. The banker described the teaching profession in the yesteryears as one of the respected within the public service, especially at the grassroots, saying that the contrary was the case nowadays. The issue of improving the capacity of Nigerian teachers to me has become a kind of misnomer priority to both the government and communities.

Niger

Senator Zainab Kure (PDP-Niger South) and other as
pirants have picked expression of forms to contest various positions in the 2015 general election.
Mr Tanko Beji, the state PDP Deputy Chairman, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Beji said that those interested to run for the polls under the party have purchased their forms, adding “many aspirants are still coming forward.”
“It is a general law that those aspiring for a position either at federal or state level must purchase a form and must meet the requirement for such position ahead the slated date for the election.
“Let this also be a notice to those with ambition to run for any seat either at federal or state level to come and purchase their forms because time is not on their side.
“As you can see, quite a number of people are here to collect their forms, and more are still coming,” he said.
Ogun

The Ogun State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has
commenced screening of candidates for the 2014 Holy Pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome.
The screening took place at the board’s secretariat in Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta.
The Chairman of the board, Bishop Julius Ogunseye, said at the venue of the screeming that the exercise was to ensure a hitch- free pilgrimage.
He explained that the board needed to ascertain the health status of the intending pilgrims so as to prevent any medical challenge.

Sokoto

GovernorAliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, has said
that more than 1,500 students were sponsored by his administration to undergo various training in universities abroad.
Wamakko made the disclosure in Sokoto at the end of the annual national leadership training course of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
He said his administration had trained more than 20,000 unemployed youths in various vocational skills between 2007 and 2014.
The governor, who was represented by Alhaji Harande Mahe, the Special Adviser to Wamakko on Security Matters, said the students would be part of the human capital for repositioning of the state.
He added that “the more than 20,000 youths were trained in various forms of vocational skills to make them productive to themselves and to the society.

Taraba

Taraba State Acting Governor Garba Umar said that
he never declared ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai missing.
Umar offered the clarification in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kefas Sule, and issued to newsmen in Jalingo.
The statement explained that Umar simply told journalists that he was yet to set his eyes on Suntai since he returned from the medical trip abroad.
“The attention of the acting governor has been drawn to the screaming news headlines purporting that he has declared Suntai missing.
“Umar hereby places on record that at no time did he declare his boss missing, he simply said he was yet to see him since he returned from medical trip to London,” the statement read in part.

Nation

MOSIEND URGE NDDC TO EMBARK ON WATER PROJECTS IN BUGUMA …TASK RSG TO REVAMP BUGUMA FISH FARM

Published

2 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state

The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent

Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status

He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths

“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”

Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity

There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city

He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional

“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”

Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area

Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives

The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area

“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”

On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water

She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community

On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community

CHINEDU WOSU

Nation

EFCC Holds Stakeholders Engagement Party With Media, CSOs

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state

The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.

Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.

According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.

“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.

Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”

The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”

He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.

“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”

The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.

“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”

He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.

“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.

Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.

He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.

Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.

Nation

RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.

He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.

“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,

He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.

Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).

He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.