Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

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.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

23 hours 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

1 day 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.