Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

May 6, 2016

L-R: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife, Bolanle, join the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and his wife, Onari on stage as Duke performs at “An Evening of Jazz” with Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos on Saturday night.

Adamawa

Sen. Abdul-Azeez Nyako (APC-Adamawa Central) has
introduced a soft loan programme for petty women traders in his constituency.
Flagging-off the programme in collaboration with Ideal Woman Loans and Saving Limited on Yola, Nyako said the measure was to enable the women boost their businesses.
He advised women in his constituency to form groups and liaise with the handlers (Loans and Saving Ltd) of the programme for a bigger assistance. The lawmaker also said he had obtained fertiliser and seedlings which would soon be distributed to farmer groups in the constituency.
“I also have a special youth empowerment programme coming up in September,’’ Nyako said.
The Head of Ideal Woman Loans and Saving Limited, Hajiya Hauwa Abdullahi, said more than 500 women from 29 women groups had benefitted from the first phase of the programme.

Benue

Workers in Benue have called on the state govern
ment to lift the embargo on employment and to pay workers all their outstanding salary arrears.
The workers made their demands through the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) in the state, Godwin Anya.
The NLC boss spoke at the May Day rally in Makurdi.
He restated workers’ dedication to duty and hard work in the implementation of government policies and programmes.
Anya, however, urged government not to shy away from the issue of workers welfare which he said had been neglected.

Borno

The Nigerian Army said that it had commenced large
scale operations to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists from their Sambisa forest hideout in Borno.
Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander Operation Lafiya Dole said this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri. “I want to inform you that troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole are conducting operations in the heart of Sambisa as we speak. “The troops are deep into the forest to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists,” Irabor said.
He said that the troops were led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division of the Nigerian Army Maiduguri Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu.
“In fact the GOC 7 division is leading the operations,” Irabor said declining to give further details.

FCT

The Federal Government has restated its commitment
to the exploration of oil and gas in the Inland Basins, especially Chad Basin and the Benue Trough.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe kachikwu said this in a statement issued by Malam Garba Deen Muhammad, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division in Abuja.
It said the NNPC through its Frontier Exploration Services and Renewable Energy Division (FESRED) had progressed reasonably with seismic acquisition activities in the Chad Basin frontier area.

Gombe

No fewer than 7,000 patients, including children, have
benefited from a free medical service provided by Rep. Inusa Abubakar.
Abubakar, who represents Deba Federal Constituency, disclosed this to journalists while fielding questions on his constituency project in Gombe.
The lawmaker said the gesture was part of the dividends of democracy he promised his constituents.
Abubakar, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Road Safety (FRSC), said: “We invited an NGO to provide free medical treatment to about five to seven thousand patients.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) said
it confiscated 49 fake standard measures (Mudus) from grains sellers in the state.
Its Chairman, Alhaji Farouk Abdallah, disclosed this via telephone interview with our correspondent in Dutse.
Abdullahi said the items were seized from the traders when members of the committee paid an unexpected visit to Guri market in Guri Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that the action was to check lack of uniformity of mesures in all the markets in the state, adding that “the action would also provide consumer protection”.
The chairman added that it was also to sanitise the business environment and ensure accuracy in all commercial transactions in the state.

Kogi

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved N20
billion as bailout for the Kogi Government.
The state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, announced this in Lokoja while addressing a rally held by Organised Labour to mark this year’s May Day celebration.
Bello explained that the N20 billion was the first tranche of the N50 billion applied for to clear salary arrears of the state and local government workers.
He blamed the delay in the release of the fund on the last administration, saying that the application submitted by his predecessor was shoddily done and fraught with irregularities.
“We had to start from scratch. We are glad to announce that our efforts have paid off. This week, we received approval to draw down on the first tranche of our Bailout Funds from the Federal Government”.

Kano

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Ni
geria (NARD) has shifted its planned nationwide strike by two weeks. The strike that was to commence on April 25 will now begin on May 9.
The National President of the association, Dr Muhammad Askira, made the disclosure while addressing a news conference in Kano recently.
Askira said the decision to shift the date of the strike was taken after the extraordinary meeting of the National Executive Council of the association held on April 26 in Sokoto.
He said after deliberations on the progress made so far, the NEC decided to shift the strike by two weeks.
According to him, the decision to shift the strike followed the prompt intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with NMA National leadership as contained in a statement released by his SSA on media.
Osun

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has com
miserated with the government and people of Edo over the demise of the late Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa.
A condolence message signed by the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, said that Edo, Ile-Ife ,Oduduwa race, Nigeria and the entire African continent would greatly miss the late monarch. Ogunwusi described the deceased as a respecter and manager of African culture as well as an embodiment of values, respect, peace, discipline and honesty. He also said the highly respectable monarch was blessed with an uncommon and enviable character.

Oyo

A new political group seeking registration, All
Grassroots Alliance (AGA), says it will sponsor an executive bill advocating a five-year single term for political office holders if voted into power in 2019. Mr Yekini Salimanu, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, stated this at its public presentation in Ibadan. He said the four- year term, with opportunity for a second term, often promoted bad governance.

Sokoto

A death has occurred of a veteran diplomat and former
permanent secretary Alahji Hamzat Ahmadu. According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media to Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Imam Imam, Ahmadu, who held the traditional title of Walin Sokotod, died at a private hospital in Lagos on Sunday, aged 92. An accomplished diplomat and technocrat, the deceased served as Personal Secretary to two Nigerian military leaders, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi and Gen. Yakubu Gowon. He had also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to U.S., Germany, France and the former Soviet Union (USSR). Responding to the news of his death Tambuwal, described the deceased as peace-loving and committed family man who gave valuable contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria.

Taraba

Catholic Bishops in Benue and Taraba have converged
on Kashimbila in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba to pray for God’s intervention over insecurity in parts of the country. The prayer pilgrimage for reconciliation, peace and unity was held at the St. Edward De Confessor Catholic Parish, Kashimbila in Takum. In attendance were the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa; Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Adoboh and Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. Williams Avenya who is also the Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

Nation

PH based Ibadan indigenes vow commitment To Rules of law

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Indigenes of Ibadan residing in Port Harcourt under the aegis of Oluyole progressive Union have vowed to remain law-abiding and support government efforts towards the development of the state.

The Association said this during its 30th anniversary in Port Harcourt.

President of the Association , Pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel said members of the Association have never been indicted for any criminal activities in the state, stressing that they are ready to work and support the government towards the development of the state if given the opportunity.

He listed some achievements of the association within the last 30 years to include, promoting unity among its members , encouraging members development efforts , while over 24 plots of land have been acquired by the association in Ibadan Oyo state for onward distribution to members.

Emmanuel said the anniversary was not only to thank God for the continuous existence of the group, but recognize some individuals who have contributed towards its growth and sustenance.

Meanwhile in an address, the Public Relations Officer of the Association Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulwaheed said Oluyole progressive Union was borned out of the need to unite the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes resident in Port Harcourt city and environs.

“When we saw the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes residing in Port Harcourt,it was felt that a need existed for this wards to come together and know each other, but more importantly to see if we can collectively and work together as brothers and sisters”

Abdulwaheed use the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the club, some of who are late and mentioned their names as, late Pa,R. A. Arulogun, late Alhaja Hamzat Olalekan, High Chief Kola Babalola (SAN), late Ismail Onifade Sonbe and Elder Biodun Popoola who is alive.

Also some of the founding members according to him, are,Mr Sikiru Fakunle,Akeem Azeez Oyeranmi who is l and Adedeji Taofeek who is late.

Also are,Mr Mansur Adegoke amongst other

He also listed past and present presidents of the club as ,Mr Fakunle O Sikiru, Oyeranmi Azeez,Adekunle Hakeem,Mr Popoola M Taiwo , Alhaji Rasheed A Olawoore ,Olubadan Rasheed and pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel Kamaru the current president of the club.

Some of those who spoke to newsmen including Alhaji Moshood Ola Ogundijo,Engr Abiodun Popoola, Fakunle Sikiru,Taye Popoola, Alhaji Rasheed Olawore and Deacon Sunday Ezekiel Atoyebi thanked the members for sustaining the club in the last 30 years.

They prayed for the continuous unity of members, while also calling on them to avoid anything that will put the association in disrepute.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving members of the club as well as others who contributed to the development of the club and the launching of the club’s almanac.

By: John Bibor

Nation

LECAN Plans Free Electrical Installation Training Program in Rivers, Honors Veterans

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, (LECAN) Rivers State chapter has announced its preparedness to organize free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State in 2026 as part of its social responsibility policy and commitment to grooming professionals in the electricity industry.

Chairman of LECAN in Rivers State, Engr Lekia Emmanuel who disclosed this during a special end of year event of the association held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the move was aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring sanity in the energy sector.

He explained that the training will be conducted under the supervision and certification of, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, the parent and regulatory body of LECAN.

Engr Lekia Emmanuel further hinted that the association will embark on intensive sensitization of the public on safety standards and enforcements through the mass media while strengthening stakeholders collaboration.

He explained that, ” We in LECAN has resolved to promote professionalism in the electricity sector by carrying out free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State, this will enable young Nigerians to develop great potentials in this important sector of the Nigeria economy.”

“It will also help in checking the infiltration of quacks, we’ll also engage critical stakeholders to enhance safety standards and enforcement in the electricity related activities and contracts.”

The association also used the event to honor veterans and other personalities that have contributed immensely to the development of the association with Excellence Service Awards.

These include; Engr Jamila Yusuf, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office, Elder Igwe Worli, Patron, Chief Afuedeli Moses, LECAN Zonal Coordinator, Mr Friday Deetam Kor, Comrade Valentine Nwigwe, Elder Mission Saagbara and Mr Austine Obilor.

In her remarks, the Area Inspecting Engineer Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office of NEMSA, who was represented by Engr Josephine Ekpo commended LECAN for its commitment to safety standards and professionalism and assured a robust collaboration with the association.

On his part, the Secretary of Rivers State chapter of LECAN, Engr Nornubari Kor expressed gratitude to God for making the association to carry through the 2025 fiscal year with remarkable achievements.

He urged members of the LECAN to key into the activities of the association in 2026 with renewed zeal and deep sense of commitments to achieve desired objectives.

Nation

Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”

The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.

The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.

The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.

According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.

“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said

She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.

The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.

“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.

Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”

However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.

Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.