Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Coordinator, Adamawa/Taraba National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Friday, Mr Sa’ad Bello,said there were currently less than 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa camps.
Bello told newsmen in Yola that there were, however, about
170,000 IDPs residing in host communities across the state.
He said that “there is significant reduction of IDPs living in camps in the state; the number reduced from over 60,000 to less than 10,000.
“At the peak of the insurgency, the agency recorded over 480,000 IDPs residing in host communities but now, there are about 170,000 IDPs living within the host communities.”
The coordinator explained that the departure of many IDPs from camps led to closure of four camps out of the nine in the state.
On IDPs feeding and accommodation, he said it was being handled by NEMA, in collaboration with other humanitarian agencies.
He said each camp also had a clinic, where the IDPs were being attended to, while those with serious ailments were being referred to Yola Specialist Hospital or the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.
He said “we also provide children with educational centres such as primary and Junior Secondary Schools.”
Bauchi
Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, in Bauchi on Monday called for synergy between his agency and the media in tackling some of the security challenges of the country.
Making the call when he visited the Bauchi Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abari said joint effort in sensitizing members on the need to shun acts that could jeopardize the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, was desirable now, than ever before.
According to him, the roles of the media have gone beyond the traditional “education, entertainment and enlightenment”, but have encompassed a greater challenge of “agenda setting” for the people.
He said that security challenges resulting from disagreements among people on issues that could otherwise be peacefully resolved, to other wider security issues, had made it paramount to intensify sensitization efforts, not only for people to embrace dialogue, but also become security conscious.
Borno
Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday donated relief materials for the upkeep of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno.
Speaking while presenting the materials, Managing Director of NPA, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, said that the gesture was aimed at bringing succour to the IDPs who were in need of help.
“The presentation of these items is aimed at supporting the Borno State Government in taking care of the IDPs.
“The NPA believes that there is the need to sustain its corporate and social responsible to the society,”
” We have noted with concern, the situation in the North-East and we are here to provide support to the State Government towards the upkeep of the displaced persons,” she said.
Bala-Usman, who is also a member of the ‘Bring-Back-Our-Girls’ group, commended the military for rescuing some of the Chibok school girls abducted by insurgents.
She expressed optimism that the remaining 195 students of the school still held in captivity, would also be rescued.
“I am an advocate for the rescue of the Chibok girls and I believe that the military has the capability to rescue our girls.
FCT
National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, said outcome of Thursday’s stakeholders’ meeting revealed that National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, lacked capacity to lead the party.
Ogidi stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, last Sunday
He said that walking out on former President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, Board of Trustees (BoT) members and other prominent party leaders at the Abuja meeting “revealed the character of Sheriff and spoke a lot about him”.
According to him, Sheriff’s conduct on that occasion was not just disrespect for Jonathan but a proof that he cannot be trusted.
Sheriff had told newsmen that he walked out of the meeting convened by Jonathan to find solution to the party’s leadership crisis because he was not allowed to address the session in his capacity as national chairman.
Kaduna
Sourthern Kaduna Muslim Umma Development Association, has called on the Federal and Kaduna State Government to compensate victims of the 2011 post election violence.
The group is also pushing for fair treatment on issues affecting Southern Kaduna.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Kagarko, said in Kaduna on Sunday, while inaugurating sub-committees for the 30th anniversary of the association, the people have suffered long years of neglect.
He said that the association would push for the compensation and protection of all people in the area.
“We should get fair treatment on issues affecting our people,” he said, adding that in spite of the committees set up on the 2011 crisis and other conflicts in the area, “we have not been getting fair share in terms of reward and punishment.”
Kogi
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to establish a comprehensive health centre in the assembly premises for legislators and staff.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Alfa Rabiu (APC-Ankpa II), at plenary session in Lokoja on Friday.
The assembly, through the motion adopted by a voice vote, urged the state government to properly equip and post enough and qualified manpower to the health centre.
Soliciting support for the motion, Rabiu said the existing clinic in the assembly established by the 5th Assembly was incapacitated by dearth of equipment, medical and health personnel.
He said the clinic, in its present condition, lacked good facilities and equipment to provide the basic health needs of the legislators and staff.
Kwara
A group, The Concerned Citizens of Kwara State Yoruba (TCCKSY), has called on Gov.ernor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, to send a bill to the House of Assembly that would curtail the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state.
The group in a communiqué issued on Sunday, in Ilorin, at the end of its quarterly meeting, decried destruction of farms by cattle of the herdsmen.
The communiqué was signed by the group’s Chairman, Mr Michael Ologunde.
Ologunde said the bill was necessary in order to cut the wings of herdsmen that use their cattle to destroy crops during grazing.
Ologunde advised the state government to curb the activities of the herdsmen before they escalate and result to killings.
He also appealed to the state government to quickly address the suffering and hunger the people were passing through.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State last weekend said celebrating the state at 50 years amounted to celebrating Nigeria’s unity as Lagos provided the platform that kept the nation together.
Ambode stated this in Lagos at the opening of a drama exhibition entitled, “Wakaa the Musical” as part of 50-day activities heralding the May 27 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Lagos State was created on May 27, 1967 via State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a federation of 12 states from former four regions.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor said Lagos was a land of opportunities which offered Nigerians the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours, and deserved to be fittingly celebrated.
Oyo
Rev. EmmanueI Agboola of the Faith Baptist Church, Ibadan, has urged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the leadership style of humility and service that Jesus Christ portrayed while on earth.
Agboola made the appeal while delivering a sermon at a church service to mark the celebration of the Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday is celebrated by Christians across the world to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Agboola said that Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a young donkey.
“This was the Messiah that the Jews were anxiously waiting for, saviour that would bring back the glory of Israel.
“They expected him to rid their nation of oppressors, restore the kingdom of Israel and rule benevolently.
Plateau
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Friday, urged communities in Riyom local government area of Plateau to maintain the prevailing peace in the area by living in harmony.
Buratai gave the advice, while inaugurating a medical centre built by the army for troops of the Operation Safe Haven at Tigi in the local government and civilians in the community.
He said the centre was cited in the village as part of army efforts to enhance good relations between the people, communities in neighboring Kaduna State bordering the town and troops keeping the peace in those areas.
Communities in the area had witnessed ethno-religious and herdsmen/farmers clashes in the recent past.
“We must learn to live in peace and be our brother’s keeper, ” he said and urged the people to take advantage of the centre in addressing some of their health challenges.
Sokoto
A member of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State (APC-Soskoto),Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki, on Sunday, distributed empowerment materials to no fewer than 1,000 women and youths.
The materials distributed to one hundred groups, each with ten members include: sewing and grinding machines, as well as generators.
Similarly, the lawmaker donated N 30,000 to each of the groups, amounting to N3million.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dasuki, who is representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of some of the members of his constituency.
He said: “The gesture is part of efforts to fulfill our promises to the electorate.
“This is to reduce poverty, curb unemployment and youths’ restiveness, among other socioeconomic malaise.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has urged the national assembly to expedite action on passage of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill 2021.
The Secretary-General of NUT, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, made the appeal in an interview with The Tide yesterday in Abuja.
He said the passage of the bill and its eventual signing into law by the President would go a long way in giving teachers the hope that their profession was being given the needed attention.
Ike-Ene said the hope of passage of the bill on June 30, having been mentioned on the Order Paper, was dashed because of the controversy that followed the debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill, now an Act.
“We are expecting that as the national assembly has resumed, the bill will be one of the first few bills to be passed.
“We expected the bill to be passed on June 30 concurrently by the two houses having been mentioned on the Order Paper but the debate of the Petroleum Industry Act and debate of the Electoral Reform Bill took the day.’’
The Secretary-General commended the National Assembly for its commitment to ensuring conclusion of work on the bill.
He expressed optimism that when passed, President Buhari would not hesitate in signing it into law.
He thanked the President for the effort to reposition the teaching profession, saying the union had been in the forefront in the struggle for elongation of tenure for teachers, among other things.
According to him, we have actually been fighting for some of the things the President promised to do for teachers, for instance, the elongation of years.
“We have been agitating for 65 years retirement age or 40 years by service and one of the reasons for the agitation is that we discovered that about 26 states did not recruit a single teacher for over 20 years.
“Yet teachers were retiring in their dozens, in hundreds and more deaths were being recorded as a result of the growing insecurity, particularly in schools.
“Some died naturally, others were resigning, yet teachers were not being employed.”
He further said, “We have also been agitating for Teachers Special Salary Structure (TSS) but hazard allowance was granted instead.
“The hazard allowance accumulated to 27.5 per cent of the basic of teachers’ salaries which were not what we were agitating for.
“We thank God that the Buhari’s administration has promised to implement the TSS and since that pronouncement, NUT, government and other stakeholders have been working to ensure implementation.’’
Ike-Ene disclosed that the promise made to teachers by the president would be implemented at different levels, stressing that while some would be passed into law, others would be implemented as policies.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in June, transmitted a letter on a Bill to increase the retirement age for teachers from 60 years to 65 years.
The Bill also seeks to extend the years of service for teachers from 35years to 40 years.
Meanwhile, the president at the commemoration of the World Teachers Day on October 5, 2020, approved a special salary scale for teachers and special pension scheme.
He also said the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) will begin to fund teaching practice in universities and colleges of education.
He further promised to ensure provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance.
The president also promised sponsorship of at least one refresher training, construction of low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas and reintroduction of bursary award.
Other promises are, expansion of the annual Presidential Teachers and Schools Awards and payment of stipends to Bachelor of Education students and automatic employment after graduation.
The Federal Government is collaborating with Ogun State Government to secure the Right of Way (RoW) for the construction of three bridges and an interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this during an inspection of the highway last Wednesday.
Fashola, who was joined by Gov. Dapo Abiodun at the Lotto Bridge under construction, said the highway accommodated over 40,000 vehicles daily, hence the urgent need for additional flyovers and interchanges for decongestion.
The bridges are under construction at Makun, MFM and Lotto (Mowe) areas on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“We are trying to execute an interchange that will separate the main carriageway and give commuters choice, especially those going to religious places to worship, those going to universities and so on and so forth.
“So that what used to cause the congestion is limited to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated when the road is finished.
“So, we now require additional land to build the interchange, that is why I called the governor (Dapo Abiodun),” he said.
He said that the Buhari administration inherited several stalled projects which he was committed to completing by adequately funding the projects
Fashola expressed satisfaction with progress of work on the ongoing reconstruction/rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
On his part, Gov. Abiodun assured that the state government would give all the land and support needed.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, gave the measurements and dimensions needed for the bridges and interchange.
Popoola also gave details on the number of buildings and services on the Right of Way of the bridges which, without paying compensations, would stall the project.
He said that section one of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, which spans from Ojota in Lagos to Sagamu Interchange, “has achieved 56 per cent completion”.
Also, during inspection of section two of the project, which spans from the Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan, the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun, Mr Umar Bakare, said that the section was 63 per cent completed.
North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government has commenced the construction of 500 mass housing units in Bauchi, to address housing deficit in the state.
NEDC’s Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Goni-Alkali, stated this at the ground breaking ceremony of the project yesterday in Bauchi.
Goni-Alkali said that 300 houses would be built in Bauchi metropolis while 200 others would be spread across the 20 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the project is to ease the accommodation problems as well as fast track the rapid social and economic development of the state, to mitigate the devastation caused by the insurgency.
Goni-Alkali said that the commission had so far constructed 1,000 housing units in Marte LGA of Borno, adding that the houses had been handed over to the state government.
He said that the commission would also construct one primary school in each of the senatorial districts across the six states in the region, to promote educational development.
The managing director said that the commission had presented food and non-food items to the Bauchi State Government for distribution to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He listed the items to include 10,000 bags of rice; 2,000 bags of sugar; 10,000 gallons of palm oil; 3,000 cartons of pasta; 2,000 blankets; 2,000 plastic mats and 1,000 mosquito nets.
In his remarks, Gov. Bala Mohammed, lauded the impact of the commission in the North-East with regard to the construction of schools and roads.
Mohammed also commended NEDC for the provision of other essential services since inception in 2019.
He said that the commission had constructed one block of six classrooms each across the 20 local government areas of the state.
“We have recieved the intervention of the commission in health and agriculture,” he said.
Mohammed promised to distribute the donated items judiciously to the deserving families.
The Goni-Alkali and other officials of the commission would inspect road projects in Alkaleri and Kirfi, and Visco Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Ningi
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