Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Hama Bachama of Bachama Chiefdom in Adamawa State,
Chief Honest Irmiya, has appealed to beneficiaries of the state government micro-credit facility to repay the loan promptly.
Irimiya made the call when he received a government delegation on advocacy visit to his palace on the programme known as “Bindow for Social Change’’(BSC).
He said that the prompt payment of such loan would enable others to benefit in the long run.
The monarch commended the state government for the gesture, which he said, would promote entrepreneurship and reduce the attitude of dependency on the government.
He urged the people not to sabotage the policies of the administration, adding that the policies were aimed at positive change.
He encouraged the government to sustain such policies, noting that policy summersaults were the cause of underdevelopment.
Bauchi
A combined operation of the Bauchi and Taraba States
police command has led to the arrest of members of a gang for alleged murder and armed robbery.
The suspects were said to be members of vigilante groups from Alkaleri and Karim Lamido, two towns in Bauchi and Taraba States who conspired to perpetrate the crime.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Bauchi State police command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects allegedly abducted their victim, Alhaji Bello from his village, Garin Gambo in Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State.
He added that the victim was later taken to Taraba State where he was allegedly shot dead by the gang.
“Following a formal complaint received on the 4/12/2015 by relatives of one late Alhaji Bello of Garin Sambo in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State that on the 29/11/2015 at about 1700hrs, (a) group of armed men suspected to be vigilante from Karim Lamido in Taraba State conspired with their counterparts in Gwana District of Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State and abducted one Alhaji Bello Mai Karfi Haruna (now late) of Garin Sambo in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State to Karim Lamido in Taraba State and carted away sum of four million four hundred and seventy thousand naira (N4, 470,000),” he said.
Borno
The Borno State Government has announced its plan
to return 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities in five local government areas in February.
No fewer than 200,000 IDPs from 23 of the 27 local government areas of the state were currently staying in 22 camps in Maiduguri after the communities were sacked by the Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.
The Executive Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told newsmen in Maiduguri that “we are returning IDPs from communities in five local government areas in the state back to their homes in liberated areas.
“The communities are those located in Monguno, Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Mafa and Dikwa local government areas.’’
Ahmed said the movement of the IDPs would begin next week.
He noted that the exercise would involve about 10,000 IDPs from Gwoza, 8,000 from Monguno, 9,000 from Mafa and 500 from Askira among others.
FCT
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)
said it would start free installation of prepaid meters pilot scheme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this month.
Mr Abimbola Odubiyi, the Executive Director of the company’s Regulatory and Stakeholders Relations, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
According to him, AEDC in 2015 installed 5,000 free prepaid meters to customers in Minna, Niger State and would in February 2016, commence another installation of 1,250 free prepaid meters to customers in the FCT.
He said the installations were pilot schemes and the contractors that handled the Minna project were given 5,000 meters but that of FCT would be given 1,250 meters.
Odubiyi said the meters would be used as a test-case so as to ascertain the efficiency of the projects.
Kaduna
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigerian
universities on research breakthrough to accelerate national growth and development.
Buhari gave the charge in a message to the 38th convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Represented by Prof. Akanerem Essien of the National Universities’ Commission (NUC), the President also said Nigeria would not achieve greatness until “education is highly funded.”
He disclosed that the Federal Government, through TEDFUND, had established “institution based research and national research fund” to resuscitate research activities in Nigerian universities.
He, however, lamented that much of the funds were yet to be accessed by the nation’s public universities.
The President called on the universities to put in place tangible proposals for the purposes of research breakthrough that would make remarkable impact on national development.
Kebbi
The Extended Hands Foundation, an NGO, says it
has facilitated free surgical operation on 50 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in Kebbi State.
The organisation, established by a Nigerian actress, Mrs Stephenie Linus, said the surgery was performed at the VVF Centre, Birnin Kebbi.
The Project Manager of the organisation, Chinedu Omorie, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the organisation was established to assist women suffering from the disease and to help the victims to deal with the issue of stigma which they faced.
The project manager said the Foundation sponsored the surgery to enable the victims to live normal lives.
He added that “the founder of the organisation, who is an actress, is passionate about the issue of VVF and the trauma faced by victims and she is ready to
assist the women by producing a movie titled “DRY” to further enlighten them on the ailment.
Kwara
The Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr
Ali Ahmad, said the sudden demise of Hon. Moses Afolayan, member representing Oke-Ero Constituency in the House was a huge loss to the state.
The Speaker said this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the departed member in llorin.
Ahmad urged the family to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation.
He said “we all know that death is inevitable, but the manner it comes leaves much to be desired. We have lost a wonderful lawmaker and we are grieving
too.
“All we can say is for the family, especially the wife and children to remain strong, believing that he is resting with the Lord Almighty.
Nasarawa
The Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Raymond Tyohemba,
of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Akwanga, Nasarawa State has urged Nigerians to always stand by the truth no matter the circumstance.
Tyohemba made the call while delivering a sermon on Sunday, which he read from the books of Jeremiah 1: 4-5.17-19, First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 12: 31-13; 13 and Luke 4:21-30.
He said people should not be afraid to say the truth and do things rightly because they would be disliked by others, adding that “if people do not talk about you, then you are nobody.”
Osun
The Osun State of Osun House of Assembly has said
that it would give priority to its oversight function by strengthening its monitoring mechanisms in 2016.?
It said, this paradigm shift was necessary to ensure that the state government increases its internally generated revenue and judiciously use the same for the completion of all ongoing projects and execution of new ones.?
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye dropped the hint during an interview with journalists.
According to him, the resolution of the Assembly was borne out of the fact that what the state needs at this critical period of the economic downturn was to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, especially for the completion of ongoing projects and pending programmes in line with the policy of the state government.?
Oyo
The Head, Cassava Weed Management Project, Dr Alfred
Dixon, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, has called on Nigeria to focus more on high quality cassava flour production.
Dixon gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
He said cassava flour could generate enough income for the country as the price of crude oil continued to fall in the international market, stressing that “this is the
right time for Nigeria to diversify its economy to agriculture.
“Cassava is one of the crops that should be considered because Nigeria is a global leader in its production; the country needs to increase its production.”
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government said it earmarked N500
million for the purchase of six new ultra-modern fire fighting machines to tackle the issue of fire outbreaks in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Isa Achida, made the disclosure at a news conference in Sokoto.
Achida, who was commenting on plans by the state government to stem the tide of frequent fire disasters resulting in loss of lives and property across the state, said part of the money, which was in the 2016 budget, would be used to repair six existing fire fighting machines.
According to him, the state’s Fire Service Department currently has only six fire fighting vehicles, out of which only three are fully operational.
L-R: Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, Permanent Secretary, Wakama Belema, Paramount Ruler of Eneka, Port Harcourt, Prof. Rowland Woko, Former pdp National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ibeshi and National Chairman, National Association of Community Leaders of nine Oil Producing States, Mr Ishmael Oputu, during the visit of the members of the association to the Minister in Abuja on Monday
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