Nation
THE STATES
L-R: National Secretary of apc, Mr Fidelis Tumza, National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, a party stewart, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, former governor Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, President-elect, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, at Buhari’s post-election speech in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN
Bauchi
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday
thanked electorate in Bauchi State for supporting him during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Addressing APC supporters in Bauchi, Buhari also solicited for more votes on behalf of the party candidates in the April 11 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections.
“I am here to thank you and ask you to elect APC candidates during the exercise.
“This is because you voted for me and members of the National Assembly during the presiderntial elections.
“I urge you to do same during gubernatorial polls on April 11.”
Buhari condoled with the families of those who lost their lives during the polls and called on party supporters to cast and protect their votes.
Borno
The Borno State Government last Wednesday said it
had awarded a N3.6 billion contract for the construction of five faculties and senate building at the proposed state University in Maiduguri.
Gov. Kashim Shettima stated this at an interactive session with stakeholders in Maiduguri.
Shettima said the project was expected to be completed before the end of the year, adding that the aim was to provide world class structure that would enable the university to take off smoothly.
“We are not in a haste to start the university because we believe that certain fundamental issues must be addressed before its take-off.
“Our plan is to establish a world class university that can stand the test of time in all ramifications because anything worth doing is worth doing well.
“We are not interested in establishing a glorified secondary school as the case in most state universities.
Ekiti
An octogenarian, Pa Owoeye Ajayi, has urged politi
cians in Ekiti against creating chaos in the state in the bid to impeach Gov. Ayodele Fayose.
Our correspondent reports that supporters of the governor had on Tuesday disrupted human and vehicular movement in the state while protesting the impeachment bid.
But Ajayi told newsmen in Ikole-Ekiti that many right thinking indigenes of the state were disappointed with the actions and utterances of the politicians irrespective of party affiliation.
“The performances of these politicians, in terms of constituency projects and poverty alleviation programmes since 1999 are not encouraging and is proof that they are not concerned about the welfare of the people.
“Ekiti people should be careful and caution themselves to avoid being used to cause violence by these politicians who might abandon them and stay away from the state when things get out of hand,’’ he said.
FCT
The Federal Government said that reclaiming territo
ries held by insurgents in the North-East and establishment of an atmosphere of peace and safety in them remained its top priority.
Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, stated this while giving update on the security situation in the zone at a news conference.
Omeri said that the successes recorded by troops in regaining control of Boko Haram strongholds in Borno were testimony of the unwavering commitment in defeating the insurgents.
He said recent recapture of Alagarno in Borno, a well-known strategic stronghold of Boko Haram, had dealt a severe blow on their capacity to carry out surprise attacks on communities in the state.
“In a situation such as presently exists in the area, there is a high tendency for the insurgent group to suddenly aim at soft targets to destabilise communities which are regaining normalcy.
Kebbi
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kebbi
State, Alhaji Jibril Zarewa, says the commission has received sensitive materials for Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Zarewa told journalists in Birnin-Kebbi last Wednesday that the materials included ballot papers and result sheets.
He said representatives of security agencies and political party officials witnessed the presentation at INEC office.
Zarewa said the commission would ensure timely distribution of the materials as well as early arrival at polling stations on Saturday.
He said non-sensitive materials had been distributed to local government areas while the sensitive materials would be distributed on time.
The INEC boss urged voters to ensure that they voted peacefully as they did during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Lagos
The Managing Director of Kora Farms, Mr Adebola
Adebusuyi, recently advocated for increased investment in tomato processing, to stem post-harvest wastages.
Adebusuyi, who is also a tomato farmer, told newsmen, in Lagos that such investment would also enhance the tomato value chain.
According to him, many tomato farmers incurred losses every year due to wastages that could have been prevented through processing them into tomato puree.
He said that the nation was blessed with abundant capacity to produce tomatoes, but that the demand for it could not be met as a result of wastages.
“Nigeria is the second largest producer of tomatoes in Africa, after Egypt.
“We produce about 1.4 million metric tonnes of tomatoes annually, yet we spend almost N11 billion to import tomatoes and tomato puree every year.
Oyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA), Oyo State Command, has paraded a 45-year-old unemployed graduate, Sam Oladiti and four others, for document forgery.
The State Commander, Mrs Omolade Faboyede, told newsmen in Ibadan that the individuals had collected the sum of N20,000 from one Kafayat Mustapha under the false pretence of obtaining an NDLEA Visa Clearance for her.
Our correspondent reports that the other suspects included Olawale Lawal (38), Yusuf Kazeem (28), Olusina Adewale (39) and Bolaji Kayode (35).
Faboyede said that the complainant, Mustapha, discovered she was issued a forged document because it was signed with the name of a past NDLEA chairman.
Plateau
Street sweepers in Plateau State have in Jos appealed
to the government to pay their six months’ salary arrears.
The sweepers, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the development had turned them into destitutes.
“We are paid N8, 000 each on monthly basis and we are surprised that our salary was stopped while we are still engaged by the government.
“Since last year September we have not received our monthly stipend that we are entitled to due to the job that we do, “ one of them said.
Another sweeper, while calling on the government to come to their rescue, said the money was her only means of livelihood.
“ I am a widow with three children and this is what I use in feeding and training them, “ she said.
Sokoto
The Independent National Electoral Commission (
INEC) says it has reconfigured over 4,000 Smart Card Readers for use in the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Sokoto State.
The Head of Voter Education and Publicity Unit of the commission in the state, Alhaji Musa Muhammad, disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto while commenting on the preparations for the polls.
‘’Over 4,000 card readers were deployed to the state for the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly polls, while 3,518 were actually deployed in the 3,035 polling units across the 23 local governments of the state.
‘’ All the 4,000 card readers had, therefore, been totally reconfigured and they are now being charged, while they are perfectly functional.’’
Zamfara
A Magistrates’ Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, has re
manded one Abduljalal Muhammad of Sabuwar Haya Area, Tudun Wada, Gusau, in prison custody over alleged armed robbery.
The prosecutor, Insp. Yakubu Abuga, told the court that sometime in Feburary 2015, the accused boarded a commercial motorcycle of one Shafiu Shehu of Hayin Mallam Sani Area, Tudun Wada, Gusau.
Abuga said that the accused told Shehu to take him to Garajin Mailena, along Magami road, Gusau but at a point behind Water Board, Gusau, he asked the motorcyclist to stop, after which he stabbed him on the back with a sharp knife.
He said that the accused robbed the motorcyclist of all the money he had and a handset, valued at N4,500.00, including his Bajaj motorcycle with registration number EKY090QB, valued at N115,000.00.
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