Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Nigerian Army has inaugurated environmental sani
tation in Maiduguri as part of the 2016 Army Day celebration.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.- Gen. Victor Ezugwu, started the exercise at the Monday Market, Maiduguri.
Ezugwu said the objective of the exercise was to mobilise residents of the state towards cleaning their environment.
He said that the programme was launched in partnership with the State Government to ensure that all parts of the state were kept clean.
“We are here today to flag off environmental sanitation at the Maiduguri Monday Market as part of this years’ Army Day celebration.
Ekiti
Spokesman of Farmers‘ Congress in Ikole Local Govern
ment Area, Ekiti, Mr Olaolu Adeniji, has advised farmers to cultivate cocoyam in large quantities as another means of boosting their income.
Adeniji gave the advice in Odo-Oro – Ekiti during the monthly meeting of the farmers‘ congress.
While noting that demand for cocoyam had increased in recent times, Adeniji said, “there is need for our farmers to expand their cocoyam farms while others should embrace its cultivation.
“Farmlands in the state are conducive for the production of quality cocoyam, especially the red one, which nutritionists confirmed as good and beneficial for a healthy living.
“Large scale cultivation of cocoyam will no doubt increase the income of farmers at the end of the farming season and consequently change their living standard for better, “ he said.
FCT
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Chief Audu Ogbeh, has advised online media operators to endeavour to confirm their reports and ensure professionalism.
Ogbeh made the statement in Abuja while reacting to an online publication which accused him and staff of the ministry of sharing N2 billion from N20 billion meant to pay agro dealers.
The minister noted that criminality in the name of social media was unacceptable and a source of concern to the government.
The minister said the online report claimed that in paying the agro dealers, the leadership of the ministry paid N13 billion and shared N2 billion.
Gombe
Gombe State said that it would resuscitate the dormant
Manto Tomatoes Processing Company in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
Commissioner of Commerce and Industries in the state, Alhaji Bakura Mohammed, gave this indication in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said that apart from boosting commercial activities and generating revenue for the state, the company would also create employment opportunities for the people.
The Commissioner stated that Gombe government was committed to improving its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) base and reducing its dependence on Federal Allocation.
According to him, tomato farmers in the state will have a ready market whenever the company resumes production.
Kaduna
The United States Chapter of Southern Kaduna in the
Diaspora (SOKAD) on Saturday donated books and instructional materials worth N330,000 to Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School, Tunga Nok.
Tunga Nok is in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Presenting the items to the beneficiary in Kaduna, the President of SOKAD, Dr Likita Aminu, said the gesture was part of the organisation’s contribution to the state’s educational development.
Aminu said: “On May 6, 2013 our organisation, SOKAD, donated school supplies worth N158, 000 to Zack-Zawan Primary School, Sanga Local Government Area.
“On that day, SOKAD said the gesture was the beginning of series of such donations to come.
Kogi
The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS)
has given seven days ultimatum to Governor Mr Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to unconditionally reopen the state university in Anyigba.
A statement signed by the National President of NANS, Mr Tijani Shehu, and made available to the newsmen in Abuja, stated that the ultimatum would take effect from July 4.
It said that the association called on the governor to immediately address their requests bothering on the state’s economy, welfare of Nigerian students of Kogi State origin and state workers.
It said that failure of the government to do so; the students would stage a protest on the streets of the state capital, Lokoja.
It said that the position of the association was based on the preliminary report from its Joint Campus Committee, Kogi State chapter.
An environmentalist, Mr Samuel Buoye, has identified
indiscriminate felling of trees as one of the major impediments in the fight against environmental degradation and deforestation.
Buoye, who is attached to Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, said removing trees deprived the forest of portions of its canopy that was a major component of environmental protection.
“This canopy is meant to block the sun’s ray during the day and hold in heat at night.
“This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals,” he said.
According to him, fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded Janilu
Bashiru, a 24-year-old businessman, in prison custody after he pleaded guilty to allegation of drug trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had arraigned the accused on the charge.
In a short ruling, the trial judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody.
Obiozor then adjourned the case till Sept.15 for a review of facts and sentence.
The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, following the plea of the accused, had earlier urged the court to remand him in prison custody.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the accused committed the offence on May 2 at the Iyana Iba area of Lagos.
Aernan said that following a tip-off, about 350g of Cannabis Sativa was recovered from the accused.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government said that it would as
sist rice millers and farmers in the state to access loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost rice production.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Yusuf Lawee, stated this in an an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said that the measure was designed to boost rice production for local consumption and export in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.
Lawee said that as soon as the paper works were completed, the rice millers and growers would be able to access the loan and increase their production capacity.
He said the state government was also working towards expanding the scope of the pilot rice incubation plant project in the state.
Osun
The Superintendent in-charge, Christ Apostolic Church
(CAC), Modakeke District Coordinating Council (DCC), Pastor Samuel Esho, has enjoined Christians to desist from every form of immorality.
Esho gave the charge during 11th Osun State Sunday School Rally, entitled: “Going into Perfection”, held at CAC Oke-Anu, Modakeke DCC Headquarters, Ife North-East LG Area of Osun State recently.
He lamented the level of atrocities being committed among Christians today, saying that many had turned away from God.
“This was not the experience among Christians in the olden days; we all have turned away from God.”
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government says it has concluded ar
rangement to train youth in the state on all-year-round farming.
The state’s Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mannir, made this known on Saturday in Sokoto.
Mannir told newsmen that the training was aimed at creating job opportunities for unemployed youths as well as enhance food production for internal consumption and export.
He explained that the state would exploit available fertile land to produce assorted foods crops.
He said that the state government would encourage local government councils to actively participate in farming activities and food production.
The Commissioner said the ministry was partnering with the State College of Agriculture, Wurno, to train the youths on poultry, fish farming and livestock rearing.
He said that the training in farming for economic benefit would also prevent youths’ migration from rural areas to urban areas in search of white collar jobs.
He called on the people of the state, especially youths, to embrace farming for a living.
The commissioner said that government would make available modern farming inputs at subsidised rates to encourage massive participation in the agriculture sector.
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