Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

February 3, 2016

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

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

21 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.