Nation
THE STATES
Governor Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State (left), welcoming the unicef Country Representative to Nigeria and Ecowas, Ms Jean Gough, during her courtesy visit to Government House in Bauchi, recently.
Adamawa
Some staff of Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, have
petitioned the state House of Assembly accusing the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joshua Shall, of misconduct.
The petition, which receipt was acknowledged by the House of Assembly Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, at the plenary was referred to the House Committee on Public Complaint, for consideration and advise.
The petitioners, Dr Umar Jongur, Dr Idris Atadashi, Dr Kamkwis Markus, Mr Moses Mairabo and Mallam Khalid Bello, accused the vice chancellor of some wrongdoings, among which were administrative high handedness and violation of established rules.
Reacting to the development, the vice chancellor, Prof Joshua Shall, said he was just hearing about the petition, and that the petitioners did not give him a copy as expected.
Bauchi
Chairman of the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Dahiru Mohammed, has assumed duty as the new General Manager of Radio Nigeria Globe FM, Bauchi.
Mohammed took over from Malam Aminu Goggo, who acted as the manager of the station, following the redeployment of the substantive General Manager, Malam Zakari Nadabo, to the Presidency.
Until his recent appointment, the new manager was the head of News and Current Affairs Unit of Bauchi State Television (BATV) and currently serving his second term as the chairman of Bauchi Council of the NUJ.
In an interview shortly after assumption of office, Mohammed said that his target was to make the station a “pacesetter among its peers”.
Benue
The Save-Our-Women and Youth Initiative in Benue State, an
NGO, has called for an urgent assessment of the numbers and locations of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The group’s state Coordinator, Mrs Erdoo Iber, said in Makurdi that the group also wants basic social amenities made available in camps when properly identified.
She said the IDPs require clinics, security posts, movable camps or tents, food and water to save lives and make life more meaningful for them in the camps.
Iber appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency to, as a matter of urgency, provide relief materials to such camps.
Ekiti
Ekiti State Government has issued a three-week ultimatum to
contractors handling the 2013 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects to complete and hand over or face the consequences.
The Chairman, MDGs State Implementation Committee, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, gave the ultimatum during a review meeting of the second phase of MDGs projects held with the contractors in Ado-Ekiti.
He warned that government would not hesitate to sanction erring contractors, stressing that the era of abandoned projects was over.
In his remarks, Mr Idowu Popoola Special Assistant to the Governor on MDGs, stressed the importance of quality and timely job delivery by contractors.
Jigawa
The Jahun Local Government Council of Jigawa State, says it has
purchased spare parts worth N2.8 million to repair broken and damaged hand pumps in the area.
The Area’s Information Officer, Malam Muhammad Umar, who made this known in Dutse.
Umar, who said the items had been handed over to the 11 wards of the local government, stressing that the aim was to ensure safe drinking water in the area.
He said that the items were handed over to members of wards committees who would supervise the exercise.
Kaduna
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has said that
the Air Force Institute of Technology, (AFIT) had been repositioned to contribute more effectively in tackling the current security challenges facing the country.
The Air Cheif, who made the remark at the 44th Convacation Ceremony of the institution in Kaduna, said training of technical personnel would impact positively in dealing with the dreaded Boko Haram and other security challenges facing the nation.
Abubakar said the institution was doing well in research and development and charged them to sustain the effort to enable the country address the current Boko Haram menace.
On his part, the Commandant of AFIT, Air Cmdr Misbau Soladoye, said that the institution had made steady progress in both its academic curricular, research and development.
Kano
The Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, says
it is ready to begin the conversion of wastes to wealth before the end of 2015.
The Managing Director of the board, Retired Group Capt. Mohammed Kura, said in Kano that investors from England and India had sent proposals to start converting scrap tiles into powder, fabrics and wares.
Kura said the board had sent the organic fertiliser to different laboratories, including Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ibadan where it was tested and confirmed to be good and useful.
He further explained that the state government would also recruit more sanitary inspectors, who would be given the power to enforce and monitor sachet water sellers, biscuit sellers and bottle water traders.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Committee on Information for the 2015
Hajj is to embark on an awareness campaign to ensure to enlighten the 4,116 intending pilgrims, says the Chairman, Alhaji Umar Babuga.
Babuga told newsmen in Brinin-Kebbi that the essence of the campaign was to ensure effective guidance of the 4,116 intending pilgrims.
He said that pregnant women had been advised to defer undertaking the exercise, to avoid sanctions.
The chairman also requested Journalists to ensure adequate dissemination of information on the 2015 Hajj exercise.
Lagos
Nigerians have urged the Nigeria Police Force to enlist
only men and women of good character when it recruits the 10,000 personnel promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.
They made the call in an interview with newsmen against the backdrop of President Muhammedu Buhari’s promise to offer 10,000 jobs in the force.
The recruitment is to beef up the Police workforce which currently stands at less than 400,000 for a population of 170 million.
The United Nations’ recommendation is a minimum of 222 policemen per 100,000 people, a number that the current 400,000 does not cover.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government is to use the N25 billion
loan approved by the state House of Assembly in servicing the Contributory Pension Scheme for state civil servants and addressing some development needs.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Tanko Al-makura, Alhaji Ahmed Tukur,who disclosed this in an interview in Lafia, said explaining to the people what the bailout fund would be utilized for, was aimed at ensuring prudence and accountability.
He said that the fund, if accessed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would help in the settling some pending issues for the growth of the state.
According to him, the state government will utilise N12 billion while the 13 local government councils in the state will share N13 billion.
Ogun
An Economist, Mr Toyin Taiwo, has urged local manufacturers
to show more commitment in developing their marketing strategies for enduring economic benefits and job creation.
He told newsmen in Ijebu-Ode, that the manufacturers could enhance their businesses by developing their marketing strategies themselves, rather than outsourcing the process.
Taiwo, who is the president, Ijebu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), said this would help them set good records of market penetration and increase the value chain of end products.
The economist, who also operates a food technology consultancy firm, said in order to achieve sustainable success, manufacturers must repeatedly re-examine their company’s sense of purpose.
Oyo
The Oyo State Government would no longer pay the West African
Examinations Council (WAEC) registration fees for students, the state Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade, has said.
Eniade also said that from the 2015/2016 Academic Session, students would pay annual Education Development Levy of N3,000.
In a statement titled: “Efforts of Oyo State Government to Address Poor Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools,” issued in Ibadan, Eniade said that government took the decision in order to guard against poor performances of students in public schools.
According to the statement, the state government has stopped further payment of WAEC registration fees with effect from 2015/2016 academic session.
Plateau
As the world marks this year’s Mosquito Day, PTA Chairman in
Plateau State, Mr Sylvester Yakubu, has advised governments to provide treated nets to schools to curb the spread of malaria.
The PTA boss said in Jos that the use of treated nets was particularly effective in preventing the spread of mosquitoes, the carriers of the malaria parasite.
He explained that the World Malaria Day was aimed at reminding the public that malaria remained one of the killer diseases in Africa because of the humid condition of its environment.
Yakubu, however, said that guidelines for using the nets must be observed to avoid complications, and advised government to pay more attention to public schools to lessen the burden of less privileged parents.
Yobe
Some women in Yobe State have commended ‘Waka Rural
Development Initiative’’ a Non-Governmenal Organisation (NGO) for restoring their psychological and physical stability after insurgents’ attacks on their communities.
The Internally Displaced women, who made the commendation in interview in Damaturu said that the entrepreneurship programme initiated by the NGO had trained 300 internally displaced women in various trades.
It assists internally displaced women to engage in productive livelihood in their new communities for economic self reliance.
A displaced mother from Gujba, Mrs Aisa Bukar, said the programme had assisted her and other women to look into the future and begin a new life.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State House of Assembly has called on security agencies in the state to intensify efforts to curb cattle rustling and other crimes in the area.
The Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Sunusi Rikiji, made the call in Gusau at the house plenary while reacting to a complaint about cases of cattle rustling.
Rikiji commended the partnership between security agencies and the state government in checking cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the state.
A member representing Anka constituency, Alhaji Bello Sarkin-Fagon (APC) had earlier informed the House about cattle rustling activities in his constituency, adding that gunmen had recently attacked Wuya Ward in Anka Local Government Area and seized 200 cows and 200 sheep.
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