Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 18, 2016

L-R: Representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Brig.-Gen. Lym Hassan, Representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. Ams Anyalechi, Representative of Defence College Commandant, Brid-Gen. MM Mshelia and Representative of I-G, DIG Mamman Tsafe, at the strategic stakeholders meeting on Pastoralist and Sedentary Farmers Conflict in Nigeria, in Abuja, recently.

Bauchi

National President of Diabetes Association of Nigeria
(DAN), Dr Mohammed Alkali, has urged government at all levels to check the activities of traditional medicine sellers who claim to have cure for diabetes ailment.
Making the call in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi, Alkali noted that some of these sellers had been doing incalculable damage to diabetic patients.
He said that the claim by some of them that they had cure for diabetes was misleading and amounted to gambling with the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, apart from giving concoctions that compound the condition of their victims, the claim of having cure also encourages the patients to abandon their drugs.
Alkali, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, observed that most patients that had fallen victims of such deceit were often rushed to hospitals when their condition had become hopeless.

FCT

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Olusegun
Odebunmi (Oyo-PDP) has assured Nigerians that the legislature would ensure effective implementation of the 2016 budget through its oversight function.
Odebunmi, who is Chairman, Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values of the house, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the 8th National Assembly would synergise with the executive in the implementation of the budget.
“The leadership did its best to make sure that the budget was passed as planned.
“The delay in the budget is affecting us economically and I believe once it is signed by the President, most of our challenges will be addressed.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Government has inaugurated a 15-member
advisory council to advise the governor on the exercise of prerogative of mercy.
The Public Relations Officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Isma’il Ibrahim, said that the council was inaugurated by the SSG, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir.
Ibrahim told newsmen in Dutse that members of the council were advised to discharge their duties with probity and fear of God.
The spokesman quoted Abdulkadir as saying that the council’s function was to advise the state governor on the exercise of his prerogative of mercy as conferred on him by section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Kaduna

A total of 500 people have benefited from the free medical
services offered by the Nigeria Air Force in Kaduna to mark its 52 years anniversary.
Our correspondent reports the free medical outreach project targeted the Afaka community in Kaduna metropolis.
Air Officer Commanding the NAF Base in Kaduna, AVM Ahmed Alkali, said the gesture was to enhance civil/military relations through mutual interaction.
Alkali, who was represented by Air Cmdr. Bello Garba, noted that the relationship between the Air Force and the host community had been very cordial for years.

Kano

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has again called on Nigerians
to exercise patience as the Federal Government is doing everything possible to address the current economic situation in the country.
Osinbajo made the call when he visited the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II in his palace.
Our correspondent reports that the vice president was on a working visit to the state.
Osinbajo stressed that the Buhari-led administration was committed to transforming the living standard of Nigerians.
According to him, the Federal Government is doing everything possible to overcome the challenge soon.
Katsina

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said six
primary school teachers died in a road accident on Dutsinma- Katsina road.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Alhaji Abdu Bagadawa, said that the accident victims were from Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He stated that the accident, which involved 12 passengers, claimed the lives of six on the spot.
The sector commander said five people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Dutsinma General Hospital.

Lagos

A 31-year-old man, Emmanuel Joel, who allegedly obtained
N370,000 from one Timothy Akpan on the pretext of assisting him to buy a tricycle, has appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Joel, a resident of Ajegunle area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Tony Etibeh, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in September 2015 at No. 60, Ile Film, Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos.
He said that the accused collected N370,000 from the complainant, with a promise to purchase a tricycle for him.
Elibeh said that the accused, instead of buying the tricycle, converted the money to his personal use.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command, said it had arrested
members of a six-member ‘one chance’ syndicate, that use commercial vehicles to rob passengers around the Mararaba-Keffi axis of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawal Shehu, told newsmen in Lafia that the suspects, including a nursing mother, were arrested on April 3, following a report by a victim, one Ibrahim Yelwa.
Shehu said the victim had boarded a Golf III car with registration number BR 170 RSH from Area One junction in the FCT en-route Keffi with five occupants on board.
According to him, as they continued the journey, one of the passengers, whom he later discovered to be a member of the gang, started complaining that the space in the vehicle was too tight.

Ogun

The Ogun House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment
to initiate relevant legislative bills that would lead to sustained collaboration between government and relevant stakeholders to promote healthy society.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the state’s chapter of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) in Abeokuta, led by its Chairman, Rev. Christopher Ogunupebi.
Adekunbi assured that genuine non-governmental organisations would continue to enjoy the support of the state legislature.
Osun

The Osun Government has directed the closure of all
unregistered private hospitals and related health institutions across the state until they are properly updated and registered.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr Akinyinka Esho.
Esho also directed all registered clinics and convalescent homes to report at the ministry to re-affirm their status within seven days.
He said that the state government had resolved to review the activities of all private hospitals and other health facilities in order to ensure proper health care service delivery in the area.

Plateau

The Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on
Works and Housing is to sanction erring contractors handling road projects in the state.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Salleh Shehu, made the announcement after inspecting the construction work on the Katako-Jingre road in the Bases local government area of the state.
Shehu expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the 31-kilometre road.
“It is disappointing that this road project, contracted over three years ago, has not yet been completed.
“Government saw the need to cushion the suffering of the people within this locality because they are mostly farmers.

Sokoto

The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the decision
of the Kebbi High Court which reinstated the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo.
The appellate court also ordered that all his salaries and entitlements for the 10 years that he was not on the throne be paid to him.
The incumbent Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, had appealed against the judgment of the lower court, which reinstated Jokolo.
In a unanimous judgment, the three judges of the court led by Justice Tunde Awotoye, held that the deposition of Jokolo by the then governor contravened Sections 6 and 7 of the Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of the state.
“It was because the governor neither made an inquiry into the allegation against the emir nor consulted the state’s council of chiefs before arriving at his decision.
“The former governor’s action had contradicted Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The deposed emir was not given a fair hearing before he was dethroned and as such the decision was null and void,’’ the court held.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

2 days 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

3 days 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.