Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

June 29, 2016

Borno

The Nigerian Army says it will not be distracted in its
resolve to end Boko Haram terrorism in the North East.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Irabor was reacting to an online publication alleging diversion of money meant for the prosecution of the war by the military high command.
“The attention of Theatre Command has been drawn to some issues in the online Sahara Reporters of June 24, with a story line alleging that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and his wives own some properties in Dubai.
“The report among other vicious and smear campaign issues, impugned that some `concerned officers and soldiers in the North East’ allegedly wrote a petition on the state of affairs in the Operation Lafiya Dole,’’ he said.
Irabor described the reports as baseless, unfounded and wicked insinuation.

FCT

National President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ),
Waheed Odushile, has described the late Chuks Ehirim, the former Chairman of the FCT Council of the union as “a detribalised, fearless and patriotic Nigerian.’’
Late Ehirim, died on June 16 after a brief illness.
Speaking at a valedictory congress in Abuja in honour of the late Ehirim, Odushile said that the deceased stood for the profession, adding “he was a pillar of journalism.’’
The NUJ president stressed the need for the institution of life insurance, as well as health insurance scheme for journalists in the country.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the FCT Council, Mr Paul Ella, said that the late Ehirim, his predecessor, led the council well.
He said the council was shocked by Ehirim’s death, adding that the deceased would be remembered for his commitment to establish a befitting secretariat for the secretariat for the council.
Gombe

The wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, has do
nated food items to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State.
Presenting the items on her behalf in Gombe State, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the last general elections, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, said the items included 2,200 bags of semolina, 100 cartons of macaroni, 300 cartoons of spaghetti and 1,300 cartoons of noodles.
Yahaya said the food items which would be distributed to the less privileged was to cushion the effects of the current Ramadan.
“People should not look at the quantity of the items but the spirit behind the gesture,’’ he said.
In his speech, Mr Karu Ishaya, the Chairman of APC in the state, thanked the president’s wife for the gesture.

Jigawa

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in Jigawa State said it arrested 91 drug suspects between January and June 25, this year, in the state.
The state Commandant of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen to commemorate the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Dutse.
Abdul explained that within the period, a total of 1.296.078.9 tonnes of hard drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from the suspects in the state.
He said cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp alone, measured 1.286.226.5 tonnes, while psychotropic substance which weighed 9.852.4kgs was recovered.
Abdul said that 51 of the suspects had been prosecuted in competent court of law in the state.
The commandant added that other suspects were standing trial at the Federal High Court in Dutse .
Abdul stated that in the last six months, 62 drug addicts were counselled and rehabilitated by the command.

Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has concluded arrange
ment to acquire 10 super mesh training aircraft from Pakistan Air Force to boost the country’s security.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made the disclosure at the graduation of Student Pilot Course (SPC) 41B in Kaduna.
He said that the aircraft would be inducted into the 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna. He said that Pakistani pilots would soon arrive in the country to train Nigerian pilots at the 310 Flying Training School.
He said that the induction of the super mesh aircraft would enhance the capability of student pilots to the full spectrum of military flying training.

Kano

The Kano State Government says it is ready to allow work
ing journalists in the state to visit and assess projects it executed within the last one year.
The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, disclosed this while distributing food items to the executive members of various chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano.
He said the state government had considered the move as an opportunity to, not only partner but, also give journalists and the public a chance to scrutinise the projects so far executed by the administration in the last one year.
He said the Ganduje administration was prepared to support journalists with necessary logistics to assess the projects.
Katsina

Healthcare and Education Support Initiative (HESI), an
NGO has intensified awareness campaign against the spread and management of tuberculosis in communities in Katsina State.
The Coordinator of the NGO, Dr Halima Yalwa-Adamu, made this known at a four-day sensitisation lecture and interactive session in Malumfashi.
She also called for collective efforts to create awareness and prevention of the disease. Yalwa-Adamu said the NGO had conducted a sample survey in 2,500 households in Malumfashi Local Government Area.

Kwara

The Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local
Government Employees (NULGE), has rejected the distribution of the June allocation to agencies and councils by the state government.
A statement from Mr Afolabi Abayomi, the Secretary of the union, in llorin described the distribution as “unfair”.
The statement was issued after the Joint Account Allocation Account Committee meeting held on June 23 and June 24 in llorin.
Osun

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris
has reiterated the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to recover the Mobile Police Training School at Gwoza, Borno State.
Idris disclosed this at the Passing-Out of the Squadron Commanders Seminar/Combat Operation Course 02/2016 at Ila-Orogun in Osun.
He reiterated the determination of the police under his watch to accord more attention to special police unit.
According to him, the training school deserted due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents will be recovered.
The Acting IGP added that due to enormous security challenges facing the country, the police would go through total restructuring and reforms to ensure the stability of the nation.
Sokoto

The Association for the Welfare of Indigent Women and
Children in Sokoto State, has donated assorted food items, worth about N500,000 to 95 needy persons in Sokoto.
Wife of the state governor, Hajiya Mariya Aminu, represented by the State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Fatima ‘ Yar-Kangiwa, presented the food items to the beneficiaries.
Aminu commended the association for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the beneficiaries. “Those who are more endowed with wealth should assist the less-privileged ones, especially during the ongoing Ramadan fast,” she said. The state Chairperson of the association Hajiya Amina Yusuf-Yabo, commended the wife of the governor for donating N200,000 to the association.
Taraba

Senator Yusuf Abubakar (APC-Taraba Central), has dis
tributed about N10 million worth of empowerment items to his constituents.
Our correspondent who monitored the distribution exercise said the items include 165 motor cycles, 60 electricity generators and 51 wheel chairs.
No fewer than 300 youths, women and people living with disabilities from across the zone, comprising five local government areas, benefited from the empowerment initiative.
Distributing the items in Bali, the lawmaker said the exercise was aimed at empowering youths and women of the area to be self-reliant.

Zamfara

Dansadau Community in Maru Local Government Area
of Zamfara State, has commended the Federal Government for combating cattle rustlers and other criminals in the area.
Sen. Saidu Dansadau, in a statement in Gusau on behalf of the community, lamented that Dansadau Community had, in the past two years, come under series of attack by unknown gunmen and cattle rustlers.
According to him, those attackers had killed hundreds of people, destroyed several houses and other property.
“The criminals had defied many security efforts to stop their activities and continued to come in different guises.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

14 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

23 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.