Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that 22
state legislators have started refunding car loans they collected for personal vehicles to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
Ortom, who said this when he received youths of Turan in Kwande local government, said they were expected to refund N317million to the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
He said the refund was necessitated by the shoddy manner in which the loans were disbursed to the lawmakers.
The governor said that the process fell short of best practices required in such financial transactions.
Ortom explained that out of the number, 12 legislators were from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while 10 were from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
FCT
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has ar
rested 23 suspects between July and August in furtherance of its ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade capabilities of criminal gangs/syndicates nationwide.
This is contained in a statement signed by one of its Operatives, Tony Opuiyo, in Abuja.
Giving the breakdown, Opuiyo said that the service arrested one Mudaisiru Jibrin a.k.a. Namakele/Alarama, a leader of a newly-uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano on July 17.
“Preliminary investigation so far conducted revealed that he was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School (GSS), Mamudo village near Potiskum, Yobe State, in 2013,” he said.
Gombe
The Child Protection Advocates in Gombe State have
expressed “deep concern” over the rising number of rape cases in the state.
One of them, Malam Yaya Hamman, Adviser, Child Protection Network (CPN), told newsmen in Gombe that the situation was becoming “scary and frightening”.
“Rape is becoming too incessant and persistent; it is certainly not good for the girl-child.
“Even when the perpetrators are apprehended, no punishment is meted out on them; that encourages them to do even worse things,” he said.
He blamed the situation on parents’ attitude and observed that most parents would rather keep quiet about it.
“Most parents think that the victim will be an object a subject of ridicule if exposed and will prefer that no one is told.
Kaduna
The Katsina State Government says it has received de
livery of 50 out of the 400 tractors to be supplied by an Indian firm through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to boost agricultural mechanization in the state.
Our correspondent recalled that was sequel to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the State Government and Indian firm about six months ago for the supply of the tractors to the farmers.
Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, the state Deputy Governor, who disclosed this while inspecting the 50 tractors in Katsina, said that the decision would encourage commercialization of agriculture through mechanisation.
Yabubu, also the Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the tractors would be given on hire basis to farmers through the Tractor Owners and Operators Association at subsidised rate.
`Kano
The Kano State Government will employ 1,000 sanita
tion workers as part of efforts to provide direct employment for its youths.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made this known when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Kano recently.
Garba, who is also the Chairman of the Employment Committee, said apart from creating job opportunities, the scheme would also improve the sanitary condition of communities in the state.
The commissioner said that each of the worker would be paid N15, 000 monthly.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government, has alleged that the
immediate past administration in the state diverted N11.1 billion from the State Joint Account to the accounts of Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON).
The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Banking and Finance Alhaji Farouk Jobe, made the allegation while presenting a memo before the State Commission of inquiry investigating missing funds.
Jobe alleged that the money was diverted for personal use from various accounts between January 2011 and May 2015.
Kebbi
The Argungu Local Government Area in Kebbi State,
has registered 200 unemployed youths for skills acquisition to promote self-reliance.
The Sole Administrator of the local government, Alhaji Bashar Matawalle, stated this on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Argungu.
He said that the second phase of the skills acquisition training would focus on vocations which include: welding, carpentry, bids making, tailoring, weaving, and automobile mechanic.
The sole administrator said that the beneficiaries were drawn from 11 electoral wards in the area, adding that 200 trainees were registered, out of which 100 were women.
Kogi
The Kogi State Governmentsays that it has acquired
acres of land In Lokoja for the development of housing schemes for political appointees and civil servants.
The State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, told newsmen of the development at a media conference in Lokoja to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Bello, who was represented at the briefing by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Alhaji Abulkarim Abdulmalik, said the housing schemes would be developed on a Public/Private Partnership arrangement.
Kwara
An Ilorin-based lawyer, Mr Afolayan Moses, has im
plored the Federal Government to expand the number of judicial divisions to decongest the courts and reduce the rate of adjourned cases in the country.
Afolayan made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday.
He said that only expansion of judicial divisions would reduce persistent cases of adjournments in the court.
According to him, if government can expand the number of judicial divisions, it will expedite dispensation of justice and minimise adjournments.
The lawyer, however, condemned unnecessary adjournment of cases, saying, it was frustrating not only the clients, but the counsel.
`Lagos
An ICT expert, Mr Kola Samuel, has appealed to
the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the sector to contribute to economic growth of the country.
Samuel who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Technology Masters Company told newsmen in Lagos that technology sector had the potentials of improving the economy and lives of the citizens.
He said that ICT was one of the main driving forces behind organisational competitiveness in the present day business environment.
“We need to be encouraged with improvement on some basic social infrastructures like high speed internet, hotspots, lower internet rates and technology hub centres.
Niger
A member of NYSC, Dr Uwaezuoke Ikesinachi,
has set up an eye clinic for the Nigerian Police Force in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facility, Ikesinachi said that the project was part of his personal community development services.
He said that the project would serve as a follow- up to the free eye surgery he had conducted on 30 indigent persons earlier this month.
“The idea behind this community development programme is to create a system that can keep running with or without the presence of the initiator.
”After providing free eye-screening, I don’t want to just leave without setting up a platform that will run as a follow up on the patients.”
Oyo
Federal Government has reactivated the construc
tion of the new Oyo-Ogbomoso expressway with the sum of N6 billion.
Our correspondent reports that the road, the second section of the Ibadan-Ilorin expressway, had been abandoned by past administrations.
The flag-off ceremony was performed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State which was attended by members of the National Assembly, top government officials and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said the road project would be completed in compliance with the Federal Government ‘s specification.
Fashola, who was represented by Mr Anya Omoregbe, the Federal Controller of Works in Oyo State, said that the ministry would ensure that Nigerians got good value for their money.
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