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THE STATES

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Borno

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has
appealed to Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc (YOEDC) to restore power supply to Maiduguri and end the hardship being faced by residents.
He made the call when he received the Manager of YOEDC, Hajiya Zainab Hassan, in his palace in Maiduguri.
Electricity supply to Maiduguri had been paralyzed since May 13, following suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks on the Damboa Power line.
The Shehu said that the continued blackout in the state had crippled economic and social lives.
He added that, “we are appealing to the authorities concerned to please restore electricity supply to the state capital as soon as possible.

Gombe

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
said it arrested 60 drug suspects and seized 434.53 kg of hard drugs in Gombe State from January till date.
NDLEA State Commandant, Mr Aliyu Adole,disclosed this  in Gombe State in an interview with newsmen recently.
“We have arrested 60 people within this short period and we removed from circulation 434.53 kg of drugs.
“Out of these numbers of suspects, we got 27 convictions and 34 pending cases at the Federal High Court, Gombe,” he said.
Adole said that currently, four suspects are in the cell awaiting prosecution at the same Federal High Court.
According to him, the agency succeeded in establishing five area commands in the state.
“We have moved to interior settlements where drugs are being planted to ensure that we are able to reduce the business to the barest minimum.’’

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed
Mustapha, said 1,201 officers and men of the command had been promoted to various ranks.
Mustapha disclosed this while decorating the newly promoted officers in Dutse.
He said 11 Deputy Superintendants of Police (DSP) were promoted to Superintendents of Police (SP) and 27 Inspectors were now Assistant Superintendents of Police.
Others were 782 Corporals promoted to Sergents and 381 Police Constables elevated to Corporals, while the promotion result of Sergents to Inspectors was being awaited.

Kaduna

An agrochemical company, Vicampro Farms Ltd., has
called on the Federal Government to invest in mechanised farming to diversify the nation’s economy.
The Secretary and Legal Adviser of the company, Mrs Adediran Adeola, told newsmen in Kaduna that agriculture had gone beyond the use of hoes and cutlasses.
She advised government to invest hugely in mechanised agriculture by deploying modern techniques, to make a meaningful impact in the sector.
According to her, the country will exploit the full benefits of the sector if mechanised farming replaced the subsistence type of agriculture done with hoes and cutlasses.
“I am glad that the government and other state governments noted that agriculture is an untapped goldmine with huge potential for revenue generation and foreign exchange.
Kogi

The wife of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Mrs
Rasheedat Bello, has organised free genotype screening for youths in Kogi State to assist them in tackling the dangers of sickle-cell anemia in marriages.
The screening was done at Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja recetly.
Mrs Bello said her pet-project, KOWYEF, in collaboration with office of the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, organised the programme to celebrate the world sickle-cell day.
She appealed to the youth to know their genotypes before going into marriage, because sickle cell is an unavoidable disease in couples with wrong genotypes.
Kwara

Administrative activities at the Irepodun Local
Government Area of Kwara State  have been grounded as the sit-at-home embarked upon by the workers entered its third week.
Our correspondent gathered that the workers had joined their counterpart in other 15 councils across the state to demand payment of their outstanding salaries.
The gate to the council secretariat in Omu-Aran remained under lock and key when our correspondent  visited.
The directive for the sit-at-home was said to have emanated from the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
The development had adversely affected some applicants seeking to obtain vital official documents from the council.
Some of the applicants, who are mostly youths, were seen lamenting their difficulties outside the council secretariat.

Lagos

As countries of the world marked this year’s World
Refugees Day on Monday, the United State Government has announced its plan to host Leaders Summit  in Refugees on September, recently.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, who announced the plan in a statement, expressed his government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the problems currently being faced by refugees.
According to the statement, during the summit, the U.S. will ask nations to make concrete commitments toward expanding the humanitarian safety net and creating more long-term durable opportunities for refugees.
“This year’s commemoration comes at a time when brutal conflicts are forcing record numbers of innocent people to flee and challenging the world to find better ways to protect them.
“The U.S. is determined to find solutions. That is why on September 20, at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Obama will host a Leaders’ Summit on Refugees.

Niger

The Niger State Government has inaugurated the sale of
subsidised grains to residents of its 25 local government areas.
Governor  Sani Bello of Niger State, who performed the inauguration in Minna, said that the grains – rice, millet and maize, would only be sold in measurements in order to allow more people to access them and touch the lives of people at the grassroots.
Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said,  “we feel the pains of our people and that is why we make it a priority to embark on the sale of 1,508 tonnes of these essential food items.
“Government has invested heavily on this project and we intend to make it a continuous exercise until the economic situation improves.’’

Ogun

A 64-year-old man, Toyin Fagbenro, who allegedly
collected N1.7 million under false pretence, has been  arraigned in an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State.
The defendant, who lives at No. 14 Shilloy Estate, Onigbongbo, Atan, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 22, 2015 at about 14:00 a.m. at Shilloy Estate, Onigbongbo, Atan, Ota.
Mustapha said that the defendant collected N1.7 million under false pretence on behalf of Shilloy Estate, to supply community electrical transformer. He said that the offences contravened Sections 309, 419 and 509 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Ondo

The Rebuja of Osooro-land, Igbotako in Ondo State, Oba
Shedrack Gbadebo-Bajowa, has urged Nigerians to always pray for politicians to fulfill all their electioneering promises.
Oba Gbadebo-Bajowa, in an interview with newsmen in Igbotako, Ondo State, said that politicians needed prayers for them to do what was right, especially to the electorate.
The monarch said that no one could depend on his or her own wisdom to do anything right except with the wisdom of God.
“The economic status of the nation calls for serious prayers because whatever happens to the country indirectly affects the states, local government areas and all of us at large.
Osun

A human rights’ activist, Mrs Temitope Awe, has called
on the Federal Government to make more policy statements that will completely make child-trafficking a criminal offence in Nigeria.
She told newsmen in Osogbo, capital of the state of Osun, that such statement should make it an offence for parents to give out their children in trafficking.
Awe, the Executive Director of Girl-Child Rights Awareness Initiative in Africa, charged government to protect and save Nigerian children through proactive legislation that would serve as a deterrent to would-be-offenders. She said the rate at which Nigerian children were being trafficked within Africa and beyond was alarming and scaring.

Oyo

The Oyo State Director of the National Orientation
Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosumu, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace for the development and advancement of the country.
Dosumu told newsmen in Ibadan that without peace, democracy would be threatened and socio-economic development would be hindered.

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NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.

He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.

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Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum

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A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.

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Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics

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The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.

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