Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Nigerian Army says Boko Haram terrorists now
evade drones and aircraft surveillance by hiding in makeshift camps covered with shrubs.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, revealed this new tactic in a statement in Maiduguri.
Usman said in the statement that the discovery was made during a clearance operation in the North Eastern area of Kumshe in Borno.
“Troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B, attached to 21 Brigade have braved harsh climatic conditions to clear seven villages of Boko Haram terrorists’ presence in the North East of Kumshe village.
“The villages are Mulfuta, Baibawa, Jenere, Bembem, Maksamari, Bula Kafie and Bula Bodi”.
FCT
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), has expressed the readiness of the commission to offer the required training to officers of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), in order to enhance its operations.
The acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, gave the assurance in Abuja when he received a delegation from the FRC, led by the Chairman, Mr Victor Muruako.
Magu said that the EFCC had world class training facilities and resource persons to aid the operations of the FRC.
In his remarks, Muruako expressed the need for the two agencies to partner to eradicate economic and financial crimes among revenue generating agencies.
“ Fiscal Responsibility Commission always has to force these revenue generating agencies to submit their annual statement of account.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested four
suspected armed robbers along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer DSP Zubairu Abubakar, disclosed this in Kaduna in an interview with newsmen.
According to him, the patrol team of Sabon Tasha Division received a distress call from a woman who was robbed by armed men at the Kakau over head bridge.
“When the patrol team arrived the scene, the robbers jumped out of their vehicle and ran into the bush.
`Members of the patrol team chased them and succeeded in arresting four of them,” Abubakar said.
Kano
No fewer than 3.6 million malnourished children have
been treated in Kano State under the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme of UNICEF which started in the state in 2010.
The Nutrition Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, Hajiya Halima Musa, made the disclosure during a field trip to Sharada Primary Health Center, Kano, organized for journalists by UNICEF recently.
The trip was to acquaint journalists drawn from Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa and Jigawa, on malnutrition control in the state.
She said that 30 centers for the treatment of malnutrition had been opened in six selected local governments of the state.
Musa further revealed that 103,376 malnourished children were treated across the centers in 2015.
Kogi
Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State, has warned those
using religion and ethnicity to divide the people of the state to desist from that.
Bello gave the warning in Lokoja while speaking at the inauguration of the state chapter of the Coalition for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Support Groups.
He said that the state had witnessed dirty politics of tribalism and ethnicity and stressed the need for a complete break.
” Our plan is to usher in a better and greater Kogi where people will see themselves as one irrespective of tribe and religion and ensure that the state rank among the best in Nigeria.
“Kwara
The Olomu of Omu-Aran In Kwara State, Oba Charles
Ibitoye, has commended the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for the distribution of free prepaid meters to its customers in Omu-Aran district.
He gave the commendation while addressing members of the Artisan Congress of Nigeria, Omu-Aran chapter, in his palace in Omu-Aran on Sunday.
Our ccorespondent reports that IBEDC had, a few days ago, begun free installation of 517 meters under its Free Prepaid Meters Roll-out Scheme to customers in the district.
Omu-Aran district comprises Offa, Ajase-Ipo, Oro, Oke-Onigbin, Oko, Osi and Egbe, among others.
Lagos
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on
individuals and corporate bodies to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to improve on its rescue operations during emergencies.
The branch Chairman of the NSE, Mr Olalekan Taiwo, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Taiwo said disasters could affect everybody wherever they occurred, adding that it required cooperation from everyone to improve disaster and rescue management and reduce casualties.
“All hands should be on deck to ensure that disaster management and rescue operations are not left in the hands of government alone.
Nassarawa
Nasarawa State Chairman of All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ahmed Suleiman-Wambai, has urged the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing strike.
Sulieman-Wambai, who is also the Sole Administrator of Lafia Local Government Area (LGA), made the call shortly after a stakeholders meeting in Lafia.
He said that the teachers should call off the strike and return to their duty posts in the interest of the pupils and the state in general.
“It is not the intention of the state or the respective LGAs not to pay any worker in the state; the situation should be blamed on the state’s dwindling resources brought about by a downturn in the nation’s economy”, he said.
Niger
The Niger State Commissioner for Information, Cul
ture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, has appealed to traders in the state to reduce prices of commodities in this holy month of Ramadan.
Vatsa told journalists in Minna last Thursday that it was unfair to increase the prices of food during Ramadan.
“We are all experiencing hard times; so we should not add to it by increasing the prices of goods and services unjustly”, he said.
According to him, reducing the prices of food stuffs during Ramadan and thereafter attracts rich rewards from Allah, the Creator of the universe.
No fewer than 19 persons lost their lives in an auto
crash that occurred on Sunday along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway recently.
Our correspondent reports that the accident occurred at about 1 p.m. around Fidiwo/Ajebo axis of the road.
The Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident.
According to him, the accident involved a tanker, laden with fuel, with plate number, RAN 571 XA, and an 18-seater passenger bus with registration number LAGOS AGL 373 XR and an articulated vehicle marked AJG 40 XA.
Akinbiyi explained that the fuel truck travelling towards Ibadan rammed into the articulated vehicle conveying cement, while trying to overtake it at a diversion, and collided with commercial bus heading towards Lagos.
He said all the 19 occupants of the bus lost their lives on the spot, adding that evacuation was ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Oyo
The face-off between the Oyo State Government and
labour may soon be over as the two parties commenced reconciliatory talks in Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that workers led by the national leadership of the NLC had on June 6 declared an indefinite strike over their unpaid six months salaries.
The workers also rejected government’s controversial education initiative to involve private participation in the management of public secondary schools while also demanding the withdrawal of all charges against the labour leaders in a court of law.
A five-hour reconciliatory meeting facilitated by the State House of Assembly, however, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governors Office.
Speaking after the meeting, which ended at exactly 8.15p.m., the parties told newsmen that the reconciliatory process was on course.
Taraba
A group, Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier
(CTTYF), has donated relief materials to victims of herdsmen’s attacks currently camping in Sabon-Gida, Dan-Anacha and Korum villages of Taraba.
The Chairman of group Mr Dooior Torkula, presented the materials to the Chief of Gassol, Simon Erentsa for onward distribution to the IDPs in the three camps.
Torkula said the group decided to assist so as to reduce the effects of the economic crunch being experienced in the country, saying the IDPs were the worst hit in the period.
He urged the people not to lose faith as the Federal and State Governments were doing everything possible to ensure security of lives and property.
The chairman appealed to the displaced persons to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and criminal act to the security agencies.
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