Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

September 9, 2016

Benue
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Chief Audu Ogbe, has distributed improved variety of cassava stems to farmers in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
While distributing the stems which were developed by the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria), Ogbeh said they were enriched with Vitamin `A’ to enhance nutrition.
The minister said government’s agricultural programmes were targeted at ensuring availability of food to the people. .Ogbeh said farmers deserved all forms of support from government and Nigerians, adding that it was their efforts that had prevented food crisis in the country.

FCT
The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC),
Mr Abdullahi Candido, has called on residents of the council to cultivate the habit of protecting government’s projects in their localities.
He made the call in Abuja, while inaugurating some completed projects embarked upon by his administration as part of activities to mark his 100 days in office.
Our correspondent reports that some of the projects inaugurated were a community borehole at Karshi, blocks of classrooms at Azhata and a skills acquisition centre at karu.
The chairman also laid the foundation of a new market in Kurudu, which is to be built under a public-private-partnership arrangement to decongest the existing market.
Kaduna
The Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Ini
tiative (SAESI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has trained 97 youths in Kaduna on various environmental challenges.
The Controller-General of SAESI, Mallam Yahaya Mohammed, made this known in Kaduna recently during the passing out parade of new intakes into SAESI.
Mohammed said that the training had empowered the youths with adequate knowledge on how to tackle environmental problems in their areas.
He said that the training of the youths would complement the effort of the government as well as enhance the operation of the organisation.
Kano

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kano
State chapter, has expressed concern over late distribution of fertiliser under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme in the state.
The State’s Secretary of AFAN, Alhaji Garba Bichi, made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
Bichi said though the scheme was a pilot programme, but the commodity should have been distributed much earlier than now.
He, however, commended the mode of distribution, adding that the exercise was going on smoothly in spite of the challenges faced by farmers at the initial stage.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it will construct a
dam in Danja Local Government Area in order to boost sugarcane production and irrigation activities in the state.
Governor Aminu Masari told newsmen in Katsina that his administration had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm on the project.
“Channels will be constructed, while the existing sugarcane factory will be upgraded to boost sugar production for both domestic and foreign consumption,” he said.
Masari regretted that the Danja Sugarcane Factory, established for over 25 years ago, was neglected by previous administrations.
The governor said its revival had become imperative to hasten the diversification of the state’s economy.
He said the project would also assist to create job opportunities, since the dam would enhance all-year-round cotton and rice farming.
“Research once showed that Katsina had comparative advantage in cotton and rice production as it produced 60 per cent of cotton in the country.
Kwara
A legal practitioner in Ilorin, Kwara State capital Mr
Jude Obi, has blamed parents for indecent dressing that he describes as rampart among ladies across the country.
Obi said this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, noting that parents were the major cause of the rampant indecent dressing, especially among ladies.
He added that most parents taught their daughters indecent dressing by pampering them right from childhood.
The lawyer noted that most parents would go to the market to buy dresses that were transparent for their daughters to celebrate.
“This had changed the mentality and mode of dressing for many females on the street; the parents are only misleading them”, he added.

Lagos
The Lagos State Government says owners of build
ings recently demolished in Ikoyi area of the state were duly served with contravention, removal and quit notices before the exercise was carried out.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement that the government had noted with dismay the disobedience of building regulations and resolved to remove illegal structures.
“In our effort to maintain a sustainable and organised environment, the government will not renege on its declared stance of zero tolerance for structures and properties without development permit or approved building plans.
“We have documentary evidence of service of all statutory notices; the buildings were also marked with the X red oxide to also call the attention of the owners to physical planning contraventions,” he said.

Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State has
inaugurated a 27-member tripartite committee to re-negotiate and resolve the lingering face-off between the government and striking workers over review of workers’ salaries in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Presidential Lodge in Lafia, Al-makura said that the state government set up the committee to resolve the dispute on the salary amicably.
Our correspondent recalls that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state embarked on strike on June 28 to protest downward review of their salaries by the state government.
He said that the renegotiation was necessitated by the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to end the impasse between government and labour.Oyo
An Ibadan-based general physician, Dr Tosin
Odusanmi, says untreated worm infestation in children could lead to malnutrition, poor learning abilities and stunted physical development.
Odusanmi, who works with Alafiatayo Hospital, Ibadan, said this in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen recently.
According to him, children were more disposed to worm infestations than adults.
“Worm infestation remains a major problem in children due to poor or unhygienic conditions and practices.
“It remains one of the main problems that hinder children’s physical growth and development because worm infestation produces nutritional deficiency and anaemia in children, “ he said.

Plateau
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Plateau
State Command, has convicted 25 motorists in Jos over various road traffic offences.
The Corps Public Education Officer in the state, Mr Andrew Bala, disclosed this to newsmen in Jos.
Bala said that the offenders were apprehended via a mobile court exercise carried out by its officers and men on patrol.
He said the exercise took place on some highways within Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

Sokoto

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has
decried the reduction of the Federal Government’s allocation to the education sector from 11 per cent in 2015 to eight per cent in 2016.
The ASUU Sokoto Zonal Coordinator, Dr Lawal Argungu, made this known at a press conference in Sokoto.
“The way FGN treats the funding of education in this country makes it difficult for ASUU to believe the sincerity of the government in reforming the education sector in Nigeria.
”It is certainly quite possible for us to reposition our educational sector appropriately if we put our priorities right in this country in spite of the apparent economic hardship.

Zamfara

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has ad
vised communities in Zamfara State to join Community-Based Social Health Insurance Programme (CBSHIP), to access quality healthcare services.
The Coordinator of the scheme in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Uwais, made the call during the flag-off of the programme in Kaura town, Kaura-Namoda local government area of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the NHIS has licenced three organisations to run the programme in the state.
The organisations are Garetawa Mutual Health Intervention in Tsafe local government, Gusau Mutual Health Association for Gusau local government, and YOPA Mutual Health Association in Kaura-Namoda local government.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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.