Nation
THE STATES
L-R: United States Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, US Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Erin Clancy, during the Media Round-Table on the 2nd Regional Security Summit in Abuja on Friday.
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has ordered the
management of Benue State University to stop the implementation of the new conditional charges introduced for students of the university.Ortom made the information known in Makurdi in an interview with newsmen.
He said the decision to order the stoppage of the conditional charges had become imperative following complaints by students and parents.Our correspondent reports that the new school administration under the leadership of Prof. Msugh Kembe, had introduced different charges across faculties, ranging from 45,000 to N55,000 per student.
The conditional charges included development levy, accreditation, utility, practical, consumables and certificate.
Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command said it had arrested four
suspects for being in possession of stolen treated mosquitoes nets.
The Spokesman for the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, made this known in a statement in Bauchi.
Mohammed named one Alhaji Modu, 32, of Lawan Bukar Ward and Ibrahim Ali, 30, of Shehuri North, all in Maiduguri town in Borno State as principal suspects arrested.
He said the suspects were arrested by a combined detachment of men from Bauchi State Police command and Military men from the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi.
Mohammed said that the suspects were arrested along Azare to Kano road in Bauchi State with 42 bags of treated mosquito nets donated by the United States Agency for International Development.
Ekiti
A 38-year-old hunter, Emmanuel Lamidi, has been re
manded in Prison Custody by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly shooting his friend in the farm.
The Magistrate, Mrs Doyin Akosile ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) legal advice. She adjourned the case till June 16, for further hearing. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ikebuilo Monica, had told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 23:00 hours on May 8, at Awelewa farm, Ilawe-Ekiti. She alleged that the accused, on the said day, time and place, unlawfully killed his friend, Benjamin Patrick by shooting him with a dane gun on the chest when they went hunting together. According to her, the offence contravened Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
FCT
Two applicants, Ikechukwu Emeoka, 30 and Enejo James,
20, have appeared in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court for allegedly mobbing a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Emeoka, and James, pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge of belonging to gang of thieves, resisting arrest, obstruction of police officer on duty, assault and causing grievous hurt.
The Prosecutor, Florence Avihioboh, said the defendants were caught during a police raid at criminal hideout in Berger, Wuse Zone 6 by a team of detectives lead by the Utako DPO on May 7.
Kwara
An agriculturalist, Mr Ogirinye Innocent, has called for
increase in the volume of inter trade relationship among African countries to boost development and unlock the continent’s agricultural potential.
Innocent made the call during a workshop on agricultural entrepreneurship organised by the Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities, (ADAN) in Omu-Aran, Kwara. Our correspondent reports that the workshop was in conjunction with the College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran. He spoke on the topic: Agro-Preneurship: A Veritable Tool for Food Security and Economic Prosperity. Innocent, who is also the Coordinator of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (YISA), an NGO, said that increased trade relationship would avail farmers improved access to global market advantages.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State says he
will pursue a rapid rural and urban development pact for the people of the state with dynamism.
Al-Makura said this when he inspected the ongoing construction of Akwanga-Angwan-Zaria bridge in Akwanga local government area of the state.
“I will fulfill my covenant with the people of the state by embarking on projects that will be of benefit to the people in both rural and urban communities,” the governor said.
He promised that his administration would embark on provision of massive infrastructure to both rural and urban communities in the state.
Niger
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology
(FUT), Prof Musbau Akanji, Minna said the institution would establish solar energy to tackle inadequate power supply within the university community. Akanji stated this in Minna at a news conference where he outlined his achievements since assumption of office in December 2012. “As a university of technology we have problem of power supply.
“As I am speaking with you now, we pay average of N9 million monthly as electricity bill to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). “We purchase diesel of N16 million every month to get electricity for average of 12 hours,’’ he said. Akanji pointed out that universities all over the world must have power supply for 24 hours to be able to make progress.
Ondo
The Department of Petroleum Resources( DPR) in Ondo
State, is to sanction any filling station found diverting and hoarding petrol in the state.
The DPR Operations Controller in Ondo State, Mr Adewale Oseni, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure.
Oseni said that DPR had put machinery in place to ensure that any product coming to the state was not diverted or hoarded by retail outlets.
He decried the high level of diversion and hoarding of petroleum products by some retail outlets in the state, saying this had caused untold hardship on residents.
Ogun
Two men, Ayomide Amoo, 45, and Promise Isiramel, 23,
have appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State charged with smoking weed suspected to be Indian hemp. The accused, whose addresses were not provided, are facing charges bordering on causing the breach of peace.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 16 and April 18 at about 10.30 a.m. at Olurin Street around Power Line, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Gbesi said that the accused conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by smoking weeds suspected to be India hemp in public.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government said it generated
N2.06 billion as revenue in the first quarter of the year.
The Acting Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Mr Dashe Arlat, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Arlat described the revenue collected within the period as “very encouraging’’ compared with the N1.84 billion realised in the corresponding period in 2015.
“From the amount so far realised this first quarter of the year, it is glaring that we have improved with our revenue generation having surpassed that of last year with N219, 506, 232.
Sokoto
The traditional leader of Igbo community in Sokoto
state, Eze Ozo Nweke, has advocated cross-cultural marriages among members of the NYSC in the country.
Nweke spoke on Tuesday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wamakko, headquarters of Wamakko local government area in Sokoto State.
,Nweke spoke during the cultural fiesta and a skills acquisition exhibition by the 1,604 corps members deployed to the state, currently undergoing a three-week orientation.
According to the monarch, more of such marriages should be encouraged among the corps members nationwide.
“Such marriages also boost peace, unity and sustainable cohesion of Nigeria,” he added.
Taraba
Wife of Taraba State Governor, Mrs Anna Ishaku,
has launched a free medical treatment in Jalingo tagged: “Medical Rescue Outreach” which targets at least 80,000 patients across the state.
Ishaku said that her “Hope Afresh Foundation” was targeting 5000 people across each of the 16 local government areas of the state.
She explained that she was motivated by persistent calls to her office for assistance in settling medical bills.
Mrs Ishaku urged the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Innocent Vakkai, to look into the high bills charged by hospitals in the state to enable the less privileged people to access medical treatment.
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