Nation
THE STATES

L-R: Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Emir of Wase, Alhaji Mohammed Sambo and Deputy Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Gagdi, during the Eid el-Fitri traditional sallah homage to the governor in Jos last Monday. Photo: NAN
Adamawa
An Adamawa State-based non-governmental
organisation, Fombina Grassroots Development Association, has facilitated the release of 20 inmates in Jimeta and Yola Prisons.
The Project Manager of the association, Alhaji Abubakar Njidda, made this known when he presented gift items to the inmates in Yola.
Njidda said the inmates, who regained their freedom, were those sentenced to prisons on civil cases, adding that the association could only pay the fines of 20 convicts.
He said that the association would continue to follow due process to seek the release of those who were convicted on civil cases and could not pay their fines.
Benue
A former Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav,
has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to intervene to end the spate of killings in Benue state.
Tsav told newsmen in Makurdi that their intervention was imperative to prevent the state from plunging into anarchy.
A chieftain of the PDP in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Mr Atoza Ihindan, was recently gunned down by unknown assassins in broad day light near Jato Aka in the LGA.
Tsav, who bemoaned the incessant killings, noted that they occurred mostly within the Katsina-Ala axis of the state.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Sunday paraded two suspects for allegedly carrying out illegal abortion.
The suspects, according to the State Commandant of the Corps, Mr Raji Adedoyin, specialised in carrying out abortions illegally around Tiwaloluwa Resort Area, FHA Estate, Afao Road, Ado -Ekiti.
The commandant, while parading the suspects at the headquarters of the corps, reiterated the commitment of the corps to free the state of quack doctors.
According to him, no religion supports abortion and if it is inevitable that pregnant individuals should visit government or certified hospitals.
FCT
The President of Pan-African Cultural Congress
(PACC), Mr Ferdinand Anikwe, has said that Africa’s development must be based on its diverse cultures to succeed.
Anikwe made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja saying the approach was necessary for Africa to succeed.
“Africa remains in deep political, economic and cultural crises beneath which lie her aspiration, struggle, hope and commitment.
“One of the major challenges of Africa has been the inability to generate, package and implement viable and effective programmes for growth and development,’’ Anikwe said.
He said that any plan for development that failed to recognise or take into cognisance Africa’s very rich cultural potential was bound to fail.
Kaduna
Queen Amina College, Kaduna, has appealed to the
Kaduna State Government to provide the college with teachers in core science subjects and a nurse for the school sick bay.
The Principal of the College, Hajiya Balkisu Ubangari made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Ubangari said that the school was in shortage of teachers, particularly in core science subjects, namely mathematics, physics, geography, basic technology and agriculture.
Others, she said were physical and health education, religious knowledge, culture and creative art.
According to her, the subjects are very crucial in preparing students for tertiary institutions.
Lagos
Project for Human Development (PHD), a civil society
Organisation, has urged President Mohammadu Buhari not to listen to the US government on issues of Gay rights, so as to protect the laws and values of Nigeria.
The call as made at a rally in Lagos with the theme of the rally was, “Gay Marriage: Obama, Please Leave Nigeria Alone”.
Buhari is already in America where he is holding talks with President Barack Obama and other senior officials of the United States government.
Director-General of PHD, Mr Jerry Okwuosa said that the rally was to hint Buhari on the fears by Nigerians that Obama might ask him to decriminalise “the Same Sex Prohibition Law of Nigeria”.
Nasarawa
The founder of Tremas Academy in Mararaba, Nasarawa
State, Mrs Dora Iroro, has called on the three tiers of government to focus more on improving primary education in order to make the country an intellectual hub.
Iroro spoke at the school’s premises while briefing newsmen on the institution’s forthcoming graduation and prize giving day billed.
She said the call became imperative as primary education remains the building block for future societal endeavours.
Iroro advised the government to urgently provide an enabling environment for primary education and their operators to thrive.
She also said there was need to make registration of private primary schools less costly while incentives in form of tax holidays should be provided for owners.
Iroro further urged the government to ensure regular monitoring of the schools to ensure such quality service was not compromised.
Osun
A group, Women for Positive Impact Initiative, has
called for greater participation of women in the political space to contribute their quota to nation building.
The group made the call in Osogbo through its Executive Director, Mrs Tokunbo Ajayi, who described the level of women participation in politics as worrisome and discouraging
She urged women to show more interest in the decision-making process of the country and contribute their quota to nation building.
According to her, women play a very significant role in making a nation great through compassionate leadership.
“It is high time we changed our political equation and start to encourage more women to go into politics.
“Women are very sensitive and passionate than men when it comes to leadership; it is a way of making a nation great.
Oyo
Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) has appealed
to the Boko Haram insurgents to sheathe their sword and allow peace to reign in the country.
The society made the call in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muibi Adebanjo, in Ibadan recently.
It congratulated the Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan and urged the Islamic faithful worldwide to embrace the righteous ways displayed during Ramadan.
It noted that the nation cannot develop nor grow in a situation of insecurity, and charged the insurgents to sheathe their sword and make its agitation known to the government through dialogue.
The Islamic organization commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his approach to duty, and appealed to Nigerians to be patient with him.
Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has
called for the establishment of rent control boards in the country as one of the methods of curbing insecurity.
Abubakar spoke in Sokoto last Sunday when he paid Sallah homage to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of the state.
According to the sultan, the proposed boards should be charged with the responsibility of keeping a national database on all landlords and tenants.
Abubakar also urged Nigerians to take the issue of security as a collective duty and not that of the government alone.
The sultan called on the state government to introduce a state-wide schools shuttle bus service to alleviate the suffering of students.
Zamfara
The National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW), said its members had maintained their transportation fares throughout the Sallah period.
The Director of Publicity of the union, Mr Kefas Dogonyaro made this known in Gusau in an interview with newsmen.
He said that members of the union did not increase the transportation fare because they were considering the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
“Even though we knew many petrol stations sold the commodity over the approved Federal Government price of N87 per litre, we have maintained our fares so as not to add to the sufferings faced by our people.”
He said that all passengers that boarded vehicles at the motor-parks had enjoyed the regular fares without any increase.
Dogonyaro said that the union would continue to encourage passengers to board vehicles at designated motor-parks where details of passengers were usually obtained to guard against any unforeseen circumstance.
Nation
NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.
He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.
Nation
Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum
A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.
Nation
Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics
The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.
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