Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has de
nied reports on alleged attempted jailbreak by some convicted soldiers in Yola Prison in Adamawa State.
The spokesperson of the NPS, Mr Ope Fatinukun made the denial in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja last Saturday.
“There was no pandemonium, commotion nor gun shot fired into the air in Yola prison as reported.
“What really happened was argument among inmates around 7.30 pm after prayers last Thursday, Nov. 27.
“The argument was quickly brought under control,” he added.
Bauchi
Two Bauchi State House of Assembly aspir
ants, Alhaji Uba Boris and Malam Danladi Kawule from Bauchi Central and Zungur/Galambi/Miri Constituencies, last Saturday won the PDP primaries.
Our correspondent reports that the primaries, which were held late Saturday night, were delayed for several hours due to logistics problems.
Aspirants from Bauchi Central constituency included Alhaji Uba Boris, Ahmed Mohammed, Jamilu Barde, Bashir Baba, and Mustafa Kobi.
Other contestants from Zungur/Galambi/Miri constituency were Malam Danladi Kawule, Zanna Galambi, and Malan Abdurahman.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the PDP, state chapter, Malam Shehu Aliyu, told newsmen that the party was happy with the peaceful conduct of the event and the good manners displayed by the party faithful.
Ekiti
Farmers in Ekiti State have been urged to spend
the money realised from the sale of their farm produce wisely.
Mr Durojaye Omole, an agriculture extension officer, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Odo-Ayedun, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti.
Omole noted that most farmers recorded bumper harvest which would lead to improvement in their living standards if the money realised from the sale of their produce was spent wisely.
He appealed to farmers not to follow the paths of some of them who marry more wives whenever they had bumper harvest.
“They should use the money on valuable projects and the education of their children.’’
He also called on farmers to plan for the next farming season by securing seeds and other planting items ahead of the season.
The agriculturist cautioned them against falling victim to fraudsters who might want to dupe them of their money on the pretence of assisting them.
Gombe
Former Vice President and APC presidential
aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has solicited the support of party delegates for his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in 2015.
Abubakar called for the support while addressing the delegates of Gombe and Yobe States in Gombe yesterday.
He expressed the desire for their votes during the party’s primaries, to enable him to succeed during the exercise.
According to him, he has spent over 30 years in politics and he deserves to be the president of Nigeria, “being the person who knows Nigeria’s problems”.
Kano
The Kano State Government has commended the Na
tional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its prompt response and support to the victims of last Friday’s bomb blast in a mosque.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, gave the commendation in Kano when NEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, visited victims of the blast at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.
“I thank you for the support we have received from you so far.
“We still have many victims on admission in our hospitals, but essentially we need emergency drugs and other consumables, which have since been exhausted.
“We have 48 victims in this hospital. We have some at Nasarawa, Dala Orthopaedic and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospitals.
Katsina
Eleven PDP candidates contesting election into Katsina
State House of Assembly, were last Saturday returned unopposed in the primaries conducted in the 11 local government areas of Katsina South senatorial zone.
Our correspondent reports that the candidates got their endorsement through affirmation by delegates in the presence of INEC officials, security personnel and party representatives.
In the election conducted in Matazu LGA, Alhaji Yusuf Fele, former local government chairman on the platform of the PDP won through affirmation.
He defeated the incumbent, Alhaji Abdu Danshehu.
In Danja LGA, the former Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Tijjani Lawal, was elected as the party’s candidate in the state Assembly.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has
scaled the screening of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a promise to make life more meaningful if re-elected.
Ahmed made the promise yesterday after he was screened by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led screening committee at the APC state secretariat in Ilorin.
The governor assured the people of the state that the tempo of governance would be enhanced if re- elected for a second term as the governor of the state.
Governor Ahmed later received his certificate of eligibility from the party’s North-Central Zone Screening Committee Chairman, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“We want to give assurance that we will be carrying out activities that will be premised on continuity of on-going projects , especially in infrastructure, “ he said.
Lagos
The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplain Services (Protes
tant), Col. (Rev.) Dawuk Danfulani, yesterday said that proper nurturing of the youths would build a greater Nigeria.
Danfulani spoke during a public presentation of a book entitled: “Youth Restiveness in Nigeria: A theological Reflection’’.
“The event held at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State.
Our correspondent reports that Danfulani co-authored the book with Rev. (Dr) Ayo Atowoju.
Danfulani also used the occasion to thank God for healing him of injuries he sustained from a road accident.
“There is dire need for everyone to focus on the development of our youths because they determine the success or failure of any nation,” he said.
Plateau
The Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Titus
Alams, and Mr Daniel Dem, the Majority Leader, have won their PDP primaries to contest in next year’s general elections.
Declaring the results of Saturday’s primaries in Jos, Alhaji Danjuma Musa, the Chairman, PDP Primaries Committee in Plateau, said Alams defeated seven opponents to win in Bokkos constituency.
He said also that Dem, on his part, defeated one contestant in the Riyom constituency of the State House of Assembly for next year’s elections.
Other members of the current Assembly, who were returned by the party’s primaries include, Mr Diket Plang, representing Pankshin North, and Mr Yakubu Choji, representing Jos North West Constituency.
The Assembly’s former Speaker, Istifanus Mwansat, representing Pankshin South, also defeated other aspirants to emerge as the party’s flagbearer, while Zainab Dogo, member representing Quan’Pan South, also scaled through.
Jigawa
A former Special Assistant to Governor Sule Lamido of
Jigawa State, Malam Umar Danjani has emerged winner of the Hadejia constituency at the PDP primary election for the PDP state House of of Assembly.
Our correspondent reports that Danjani, who was the sole candidate in the election, scored 71 votes.
Alhaji Abdullahi Buama, the Chairman, Election Committee, who announced the result, said the delegates had unanimously voted for Danjani to represent the party in the 2015 election.
Alhaji Abubakar Danyaro, the Chairman of the PDP in Hadejia, called for unity among its members to ensure victory of the party in the 2015 general elections.
Danyaro also enjoined members of the party to support its leadership to move it forward.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 (left), with former Mininister of Education, Alhaji Yarima Abubakar, who paid him a visit in Sokoto recently.
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