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 Adamawa
The 23rd Amoured  Brigade chapter of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), last Wednesday distributed personal breast cancer examination kits to some women in the barracks after an enlightenment campaign.
The NAOWA Coordinator of the brigade, Mrs Magaret Akinroluyo, said in Yola that, the gesture was part of the association’s efforts to enhance the well being of the families of officers and soldiers as well as those of the surrounding communities.
Akinroluyo said that, the decision to concentrate on breast cancer was due to its dangers and ignorance about the dangers by many women.
“The ignorance on the effects of cancer in our society has done more harm to people due to lack of adequate awareness on the dangers of the disease.
“It is against this background that we decided to organise an enlightenment and education programme on cancer for our women in the barracks to ensure that they take preventive measures against the disease.

Borno
Brig.-Gen. Garba Audu has assumed office as the Commander of the 21 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bama, Borno State.
Audu took over from Col. Adamu Laka, who is proceeding on strategic course at the National Defence University, Pakistan.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, Lt.-Col. Samuel Kinsley said this in a statement in Maiduguri.
According to Kinsley, Audu is a member of the 37th Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy and commissioned into the Nigerian Army Amour Corps.
Until his appointment, he was Deputy Director, Safety at the Department of Standard and Evaluation, Defence Headquarters Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brig.- Gen. Victor Ezugwu has organised a farewell luncheon in honour of the former commander according to the statement.

FCT
Mr Musa Dikko, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, FCT, last Thursday, promised to increase traditional rulers’ monthly stipends by one hundred per cent.
Dikko, who led the council executive to the 10 political wards in the area, made the promise during his inspection visit to Ushafa community, in Bwari.
The wards visited were, Igu, Kawu, Usuma, Kuduru, Dutse, Ushafa, Bwari central, Kubwa, Byazim and Shere.
He said, the failure by past administrations of the area council to integrate and empower the traditional institutions, in their quest for development, was responsible for the lack of visible development in the communities.
Dikki, therefore, promised to review upwards, the monthly stipends of N10, 000 paid traditional rulers to N20, 000 with the aim of encouraging them to key into the council’s development efforts.

Gombe
The Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), has urged the Inspector General of Police, Idris Abubakar, to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the killers of Mr Famou  Giobaro, a broadcast journalist  in Bayelsa State.
The union made the request in a communiqué issued yesterday, at the end of the NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Gombe State.
The communiqué was signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Malam Shuaibu Leman.
Recall that, on April 16, some unidentified gunmen  had killed Giobaro, a staff of Bayelsa-owned Glory FM 97.1, in his residence at INEC Road, Kpasia in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State, said it had deployed 220 staff for Continued Voter Registration (CVR) commencing on Thursday.
The Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Alhaji Bala Shittu, disclosed this, at a stakeholders’ forum last Tuesday in Kano.
He said that, the meeting was to brief the stakeholders on the commission’s preparations and purpose of the exercise.
He said that, INEC had concluded all the necessary arrangements to ensure success of the exercise, adding that, five staff would be used in each of the 44 local government areas of the state.
Shittu said that, the 220 officials were presently undergoing training, stressing that, the purpose of the exercise was to enable citizens who had turned 18 years since after the last exercise in 2014, to register.

Kwara
An evangelist, Mr Olayiwola Abegunde, last Thursday advised politicians to promote tolerance and peaceful co-existence, to ensure peace, progress and political stability in the country .
Abegunde, gave the advice during a special prayer in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
He said that, tolerance and peaceful co-existence would also ensure smooth transition in 2019.
We recall that the prayer tagged: ‘Omu-Aran For Christ’, was organised by the UK/Northern Ireland chapter of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).
The prayer, third in the series, was held at the palace of the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye and was to seek divine intervention in the socio-economic development of the community.

Lagos
In a major re-jigging of the Nigeria Customs Service for effective and efficient service delivery, the Comptroller General, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), has approved the  redeployment of 48 Comptrollers.
A statement   signed  by  the service spokesman, Deputy Comptroller,  Joseph Attah and made available  to our correspondent in Lagos said, the redeployment which is inline with the ongoing  reforms moved Comptroller Madugu, M.J. from Sokoto/ Kebbi/Zamfara to Ogun State Command,  Comptroller  Udo-aka, EA from Investigation  to Oyo/Osun Commands  and Comptroller . Isiyaku K from Tariff  and Trade to Port-Harcourt  1, among  others.
Similarly, the Comptroller General’s compliance team has been disbanded and a new team reconstituted .
The new compliance team is divided into three which comprise   Team A for Western Axis, B for Northern Axis and C for Eastern Axis.
They are to complement the Federal Operations units in order to vigorously crackdown on all forms of smuggling activities  nationwide  with particular focus on the enforcement of no importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders.

Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has approved over N32 million for school feeding and other logistics for the 29 boarding secondary schools in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Malam Aliyu Tijjani, made the statement last Thursday in Lafia, at a meeting he held with principals of secondary schools from the southern senatorial district of the state.
Tijjani, who was represented by Aliyu Abdullahi-Agwai, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that, the monthly allocation for the school feeding programme was N20 million.
“However, the state government decided to increase the allocation by over N12 million due to some inadequacies and other basic needs in the schools in view of the free education policy,” he said.
The commissioner said, the gesture was in line with the government’s quest to re-position the education sector.Niger

Niger
A university teacher, Malam Bashir Yankunzu, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending two key functionaries in his administration over allegations of involvement in corrupt practices.
On April 19, Buhari suspended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachair Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayodele Oke.
Lawal, was suspended over corruption allegations in the award of contracts in the Presidential Initiative for the North East.
Oke was suspended in connection with the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The suspension of the two principal officers appears to have given a clear signal on the renewed determination of the President to stamp out corruption in the country.

Ogun
A 29-year-old man, Dotun Akande, who allegedly stole N935,000 of his employer, was on Tuesday brought before an Ota magistrates’ Court in Ogun
Akande, who lives at No. 28 Ayantunde St., Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometimes in May to August, 2016, at Orisun Microfinance Bank, Sango-Ota.
He said the accused, who was the staff of the Microfinance Bank, collected N935,000 from customers and refused to remit the money to his employer.

Plateau
Over 400 Fulani Christian converts have been tasked on preaching the gospel of peace to their kindred in order to reduce the prevailing crises in the country.
Rev. Copper Sebok, Reverend in charge of COCIN Church Panyam, gave the charge yesterday at the end of a 3-day conference organised for all Fulani converts of all denominations across the country.
Reports that, the conference was aimed at awakening the need for preaching peace to their fellow brothers and sisters across the country.
“The conference is also a re-union service for all Fulani converts regardless of their denominations and to share experiences and encourage one another in the propagation of the gospel of peace.

Yobe
Governor  Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, has appealed to the Federal Government to intensify the mop-up operations against Boko Haram remnants in the North-East to save lives and property.
Gaidam, made the appeal in Damaturu on Thursday, while declaring open a two-day National Sensitisation Workshop on the Implementation of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“I wish to make a passionate appeal to the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser to intensify the mopping up of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East in conjunction with the vigilance groups,” he said.

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Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas

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The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.

State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.

The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.

Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.

“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring

“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.

She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.

Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.

He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.

He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.

Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.

The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who  is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.

 

John Bibor

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By: John Bibor
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Rivers Crisis; CAN Seeks Divine Intervention  …Declares One Day Fasting, prayers

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.

The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.

He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in  Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.

Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”

According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering

“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”

The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said

The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state

“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”

CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.

 

John Bibor

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