Nation
THE STATES
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (3rd left), his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule (2nd left), Chairman, Lagos Civil Service Commission, Mrs Adeyinka Oyemade (3rd right), Commissioner I, Pastor Israel Alagba and other members of the commission, at the inauguration of the commission by Governor Ambode in Lagos, yesterday.
Bauchi
Acting Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic,
Bauchi, Dr Suleiman Lame, said that the institution had secured the accreditation of 39 courses within nine months.
Lame, said in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi that before May 2015, only five courses run by the 27-year-old school were accredited.
“Unfortunately, even the five courses that we have then, the accreditation of four expired in February 2011 leaving only one, which is computer science.
The rector said five of the accredited courses were for Higher National Diploma.
Lame said that the state government and TETFUND had improved the school’s infrastructure, including laboratories, workshops, hostels and construction of new school of general studies, engineering, vocational and technical studies.
Benue
The Benue State Government said it had commenced
the rehabilitation of both federal and state roads across the state.
The Commissioner for Works, Transport and Power, Mr Emmanuel Manger, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
He said the rehabilitation became necessary due to the frequent road crashes they caused, leading to loss of lives and destruction of food and cash crops.
Manger added that both the state government would also repair its roads simultaneously with the federal government roads.
The commissioner said that the federal roads would be rehabilitated in consultation and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
“The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, during his visit to the state, gave the assurance that federal roads fixed by states government would be duly reimbursed,’’ he added.
FCT
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minis
try of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, to negotiate with Saudi authorities on improved terms and conditions for Nigerian pilgrims performing Hajj.
This,is contained in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Mr Garba Shehu, on Saturday in Abuja.
According to it, the decision followed the completion of talks with rulers of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom after the acceptance by its government to freely and openly discuss outstanding issues with Nigeria.
The statement said President Buhari, among others, also requested the Saudis to conclude all issues with the Nigerian Hajj Commission.
Such issues it said, included the undetermined outcome of Saudi’s investigation into the stampede at Muna in 2015 where it was believed that 274 Nigerians died.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, said
recently that the state was intensifying the campaign on breast feeding.
Dankwambo said this in Dukku during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Dukku, Alhahi Haruna Rasheed in Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF, Mr Argan Dewagt, said that Gombe State “is doing very poorly in the area of exclusive breast feeding.’’
The governor made an appeal to Dukku monarch to speak to his subject on the need for every mother to breast feed her child exclusively.
“It is important for every woman to breast feed her child for the maximum period of 18 months.
“It is important because the breast has all the nutrients needed by a child.
“I want the traditional and religious leaders to carry out this campaign among the people,” he said.
Lagos
A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Olushola Shokunle has urged
both the Federal and State governments to be more committed to youths development to secure a future for the nation.
Shokunle, representing Oshodi/Isolo I at the Lagos State House of Assembly made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
According to him, Nigerian youths have all it takes to change the image and fortunes of the country.
He said, “The government should take the responsibility to make our youths productive and channel their youthful energy to developmental activities.
“Government must give the youths the proper attention to make them positively productive and engaged.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has announced the re
lease of 19 inmates of Birnin-Gwari Prisons, as part of ongoing efforts to decongest prisons in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna by Mr Barau Emmanuel, Technical Assistant on Media to the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ruth Dyeris-Sijuwade.
It said that the prisoners were released after evaluation of their cases by the Committee on Prisons Decongestion, headed by the commissioner.
According to the statement, those released were mainly first time offenders for non-capital offences and those held for offences not found in law.
Kogi
Residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital have ex
pressed shock and anger over the demolition of five popular landmarks and monuments in the city on the orders of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Also affected are the Lugard Roundabout in front of the Government House, erected in memory of Nigeria’s former Governor-General, Lord Fredrick Lugard, and the popular Kogi Circle, erected to mark the creation of the state in 1995.
Also demolished are the Welcome to Lokoja Roundabout, built at the entrance of the city to welcome visitors from South Western Nigeria.
The popular NTA Roundabout and the one adjoining the Government House and the Government Reserved Area were also demolished.
Niger
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that investment
in education by his administration would begin to manifest with the passage of the 2016 budget.
The president made the remark in a message to the 25th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna.
He said that the administration would bring about massive changes in the education sector to provide qualitative education to majority of Nigerians.
“This administration is placing high premium on education and agriculture.
Ogun
A former member of Ogun State House of Assembly,
Mrs Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, says knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can curb unemployment in the country.
Adeleye-Oladapo, a two term member of the Assembly, said this on Saturday while addressing the Batch nine graduands of the Motunrayo-Adeleye Free ICT Centre at Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
She urged the youths, irrespective of their socio-economic background, to embrace the principles and practices of ICT to further reduce unemployment rate in the country to its minimum level.
The former lawmaker said that the establishment of the centre was part of her efforts towards ensuring that everyone in Ifo II constituency, especially indigent citizens, acquired necessary information and communication technology skills.
Osun
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II has
officially declared Ile-Ife as a tourism zone and called on individuals, groups, government and entire Africans to support him translate the dream into reality.
Oba Ogunwusi made the declaration during a summit at the Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
He said Ile-Ife was blessed with natural and mineral resources and endowed with tourist attractions, “and that is why I planned to use the sites to create wealth and improve infrastructure for Ile-Ife and the Yoruba land.
Sokoto
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to
bridging the gender gap in education.
The Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, said this in Sokoto at the second steering committee meeting of the forthcoming Girls’ Education Conference.
The conference, whose date was yet to be fixed, is being jointly organised by the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, UNICEF and the 19 Northern state governments.
Adamu said: “The federal government will do everything humanly possible to bridge the gap between boys and girls across the nation.
“The federal government places greater emphasis on education and it is on the front burner of its policies and programmes.”
Yobe
Rep. Sabo Garbu (PDP-Potiskum/Nangere), has distrib
uted various items aimed at empowering 100 women divorcees and widows toward self reliance.
Our correspondent reports that items presented at a ceremony in Potiskum included raw materials for soap, cream and detergent making, tailoring and knitting machines as well as other complementary items.
Speaking at the occasion, Garbu advised the beneficiaries against selling the items.
The legislator said that the items were in addition to tricycles and grinding machines he had earlier distributed to youths in the area.
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