Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

May 13, 2016

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie (middle), addressing members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (Nans), protesting over sacked Vice Chancellors, at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja yesterday

Bauchi

Bauchi State Police command has arrested a suspected
female child kidnapper, while trying to escape with the victim.
The spokesman of the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect, Maryam Mohammed, 22, of Gabi in Soro town was arrested on May 6 by the police detectives attached to Soro Division.
Mohammed said that the suspect allegedly kidnapped an eight-year-old girl, Azizah Shitu of Soro town, who had been declared missing since May 4.
He said that the suspect was arrested at Kamfanin Kutare on Bauchi – Maiduguri Road, while trying to board a car with the victim to an unknown destination.

Borno

The Shehu of Dikwa, Borno State, Alhaji Muhammad
Masta II, has appealed to the Victims Support Fund (VSF) to assist in rebuilding his palace in Dikwa.
Masta made the call at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Borno Government and the VSF on the rebuilding of some public structures in Dikwa.
He said the rebuilding of the palace would enable him return home after staying in Maiduguri for three years.
“I want to remind the VSF that my palace also needs urgent attention. ‘My subjects came to my abode in Maiduguri last week urging me to request for the rebuilding of the palace as soon as we arrive here for the ceremony.”

FCT

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has
expressed support for the amendment of the Civil Aviation Acts in order to enhance performance in the nation’s aviation industry.
Sirika disclosed this while receiving reports from the Ministerial Committee on the Review and Amendment of Civil Aviation Acts and the Committee on the Assessment of Aviation Security in Abuja.
He said that the existing Civil Aviation Acts in Nigeria was first enacted in 1964 and first reviewed in 2006, adding that the amendment was done in a rush which made it inefficient.
The minister added that for the aviation industry in Nigeria to achieve the needed change, efficient laws must be in place.

Kano

Kano State Government said it would construct six
feeder roads in the three senatorial districts of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Garba said two feeder roads would be constructed in each of the senatorial districts to facilitate movement of people and to boost economic activities in the rural areas.
The commissioner said the council had also approved N8 million for the conduct of second round of training for traditional birth attendants in the state.
“The council has approved N12 million for the implementation of May and October round of Immunisation Plus Days.

Katsina

A Non Governmental Organisation, Emeka Offor Foun
dation, has donated 60,000 books worth N1.5 billion to tertiary institutions in Katsina State.
Presenting the books to Governor Aminu Masari in Katsina, the chairman of the foundation, Chief Emeka Offor, said the gesture would enhance growth of education in the state.
“We are here to support Katsina State with these books having seen its giant strides in the education sector.
“We expect the state Ministry of Education to coordinate and supervise the distribution of the books to the targeted institutions in the state”.
Earlier, a board member of the Foundation, Mr Howard Letters, said the foundation had donated books, reading materials and computers worth 22 million Dollars to some African countries.

Kebbi

The National Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders As
sociation, Alhaji Kiruwa Zuru, has declared support for Federal Government’s efforts to find a permanent solution to the recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
Zuru made the declaration in an interactive session with Journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
He was responding to the recent violence that occurred in some parts of the country that affected peaceful co-existence among communities.
He said the recent Presidential directive for security agencies to deal with perpetrators of the violence was a positive development and laudable.
Zuru asserted that it was alien for the Fulani herdsmen to be carrying weapons in the country and called for the prosecution of those carrying arms.

Lagos

The United State Under Secretary of State for Civilian Se
curity, Democracy and Human Rights, Ms Sarah Sewall, has urged Africans to realise that genital cutting was harmful to girls and women’s health.
Sewall, who made the appeal in a teleconference with journalists from across Africa, said it was time for Africans to shun such practice and “move into modern world.’’
According to her, about 95 per cent of African girls and women have been subjected to some form of cuttings and genital mutilations.
“We believe that girls and women have to be able to live their lives as beings, just like boys and men in our communities.
“That means that, they need to have their health and physical integrity”.

Niger

Endwell Model Science School, Minna has inaugurated a
vocational centre and home economics laboratory to boost early development of children.
The Chairperson, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Hajiya Dije Bala, Endwell Scheme Board of Trustees while inaugurating the centre and laboratory, said the centre would help in empowering the students.
She said that Endwell Model Science School, Minna “is the school built by the Niger chapter of NUT.
“The idea behind the establishment of this vocational centre and home economics laboratory is to equip the children for future development.’’
Bala said that it was better to equip the children with vocational skills and home economics study to ensure their early development.

Ogun

Former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo
Anisulowo, has lauded Ogun and Federal Governments for providing platform for inter agencies collaboration in the security sector.
Anisulowo made the commendation when she received a delegation from the State House of Assembly in her residence at Ilaro.
She said such collaboration among various security outfits led to her release from captivity.
She said her release was a divine grace arising from inter-agency collaboration which included the Local Vigilante Service in Yewa North.

Ondo

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said that
the ministry embarked on Vitamin A food bio-fortification to reduce death rate and boost nutrition in the country.
Adewole, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition, Dr Chris Isukpunwu, disclosed this at the launching of 2016 planting season for bio-fortified vitamin A cassava and maize.
Our correspondent reports the programme was organised by Harvestplus Nigeria, at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.
HarvestPlus is an international organisation leading a global effort to improve nutrition by developing and disseminating staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
The theme of the programme is ‘Scaling Up Bio fortification Investment in Nigeria.’
Adewole noted that vitamin A was one of the five major nutrients of the body, adding that many children under the age of five die due to measles, which is caused by lack of vitamin A.

Plateau

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Pla
teau State has trained 25 youths on digging of concrete wells to boost water supply to curb perennial water scarcity in the state.
The Plateau NDE Coordinator, Mr Stephen Ndaks, while briefing newsmen in Jos, said that the trainees were the first to be trained in Concrete Well and Water Catchment Training Scheme (CWWCTS) by NDE.
“The scheme involves digging and excavation of the earth crust, casting of concrete to case the well and to prevent collapse of the well.
“The scheme creates employment by training youths in the techniques of digging and casing of the well with concrete.
“The scheme in addition, is to provide sustainable job creation by facilitating the provision of portable water in our communities or households,” he said.
The coordinator explained that the trainees were taught both theory and practical aspects of digging a concrete well.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State command of the National Drugs Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a female youth corps member currently serving in Zamfara State with 9 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto.
Idris said the suspect was serving in Gumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and was arrested along Sokoto-Gusau road in Sokoto State.
He said that the suspect had confessed to being initiated into the business by a fellow corps member.
He said the suspect had boarded a luxury bus from Onitsha in Anambra State to Sokoto, from where she would board another bus to Gumi in Zamfara State, when she was arrested at a check point in Sokoto.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

59 minutes 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

10 hours 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.