Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it distributed over 7,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State in the past two months.
The NEMA Coordinator of Emergency Food Intervention for the Northeast, Mr E. Umesi, made the disclosure last Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Umesi said that the agency distributed the food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and other liberated communities.
“We went to do enumeration of liberated areas; we have virtually done that everywhere, even in areas where people find it difficult to live we went there.
‘’We have gone to Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Benishiek and Jekana”, he said.
Ekiti
A former Governor of Ekiti State and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in 2018 governorship election, Mr Segun Oni, says he has always been a stickler for probity and accountability in public service.
Oni, also the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC said this in a statement signed by Mr Steve Alabi, the Director, Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, (SOCO).
SOCO was reacting to critics that described Oni as being “tight-fisted’’.
Oni said, “if it is my money; I can spend it the way I like, but if it is government’s money or public fund, I cannot do that.
“I was able to achieve much because I cut down on waste and conserved money for the state during my tenure. I’m not uncharitable, no. Government in a state like Ekiti does not have the latitude to spend money recklessly”.
FCT
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Israel Famurewa (Osun-APC) last Wednesday said there was need for a law to check the increasing rate of hate speech among Nigerians.
Famurewa, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja advocated stringent penalties against offenders.
“Honestly I will support that because most of these things we are witnessing today started from peoples’ misguided utterances.
“Someone staying somewhere wishing another person, your brother, your sister whatever, wishing such person something bad.
“We are supposed to have a law written clearly in the constitution and state penalty for such violators”, he said.
Jigawa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had arrested two suspects in connection with drug-peddling in Jigawa State.
The Commander of the agency in the state, Mrs Josephine Obi made the disclosure last Thursday in Dutse while briefing newsmen.
She said that the command also recovered one locally-made double-barrel gun and some drugs from the suspects.
Obi said the suspects were arrested recently at about 8 p.m. by officers on routine patrol along Kano-Ringim road.
She said two tablets of Tramadol, one wrap of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, two daggers and several charms were also recovered from the suspects.
“These suspects were arrested by our men last Sunday along Kano-Ringim road during a random stop-and-search on commercial vehicles.
Kaduna
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin last Thursday challenged officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) to remain loyal, disciplined, dedicated and patriotic in their assignments.
Olonisakin gave the challenge during the graduation of 106 direct short service cadets held at the Military Training Centre, NAF Base, Kaduna.
He particularly told the cadets that the service would not compromise on discipline and patriotism, adding that they must gear up to be part of the efforts to restore peace in parts of the country.
“You must at all times, subordinate yourself to constituted civil authority and protect democracy.
“Indeed, you must remain absolutely loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Kogi
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kogi State, Mrs Bolanle Amupitan last Thursday said the state government would collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) to control drug abuse in the state.
Amupitan who disclosed this while receiving NDLEA officials in Lokoja said the state government would participate in this year’s commemoration of the international drug abuse day in the state.
She also said that the state government would support drug addicts to overcome their challenges.
She described poverty, marital problems and lack of parental care as some of the causes of drug abuse and called for support to rehabilitate the addicts.
Lagos
A new Resident Electoral Commissioner has been appointed for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State. He is Mr Sam Olumekun.
Olumekun assumed duty last Wednesday at the state headquarters of the commission in Yaba.
His appointment followed the retirement from service by Mr Akin Orebiyi, the immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner.
The commission has successively been led by two Administrative Secretaries — Mr Clement Oha and Dr Mudashiru Mustapha.
The Head of Public Affairs Department at the commission, Mr Femi Akinbiyi confirmed to newsmen that the new commissioner had reported for duty.
Nasarawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa State has arrested an ex-soldier for allegedly defrauding a pastor and 27 job seekers of N4.3 million.
The NSCDC’s Commandant in the state, Mr Lawan Bashir-Kano, told newsmen last Thursday in Lafia that the suspect was arrested in Doma last Monday following complaints by the victims.
Bashir-Kano said that investigation revealed that the suspect was dismissed from the Army in 2014 and had been going around defrauding unsuspecting citizens.
He said the suspect collected the money from the job seekers in the pretext of securing employment for them in military and paramilitary agencies.
Niger
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State last Wednesday said it had deployed 57 security personnel to Minna-Suleja federal highway to curb kidnapping and cattle rustling in the area.
The Corps’ Commandant in the state, Mr Philip Ayuba made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Ayuba said that the deployment became necessary because of the high rate of kidnapping, which had become the order of the day on the route.
“We have armed our personnel with the required working facilities to enable them to pursue men of the underworld vigorously,’’ he said.
Ondo
Labour unions in Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa last Tuesday urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to reverse the decision slashing the institution’s monthly subvention.
The unions made up of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) made the appeal in a communiqué.
The communiqué was jointly signed by leaders of the unions–Temidayo Temola, Peter Akindehinde and Bobola Bamigbola for SSANU, NASU and NAAT respectively.
The unions said that the institution’s monthly subvention was slashed from N60million to N42million, adding that this was not enough to pay staff salaries let alone maintenance and other overhead costs.
They said that the administration had promised to make the university a world class institution.
Oyo
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, has advised insurance firms to enlighten Nigerians on benefits of insurance policies.
He gave the advice when a delegation from NEM Insurance led by its Chairman, Dr Fidelis Ayebae paid him a courtesy visit in Ibadan.
Report says that the delegation was in Ibadan for the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold in Ibadan last Thursday.
Adeyemo said that insurance firms were important sector of the economy whose significance Nigerians were yet to appreciate.
“Insurance policies are useful and accepted instruments in the developed nations. Insurance policies give succour to loss of lives and properties”, Adeyemo said.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency says it has completed the transportation of 4, 859 pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj.
Report says that the last batch of 474 pilgrims was transported by Max Airline at about 3 a.m. last Thursday.
Speaking to newsmen at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto, the Director General of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar said the pilgrims were transported in nine consecutive flights.
Umar, who described the exercise as successful, commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal, airline operators, individuals and voluntary groups that facilitated the success of the exercise.
The official disclosed that some individuals and organisation had distributed printed and audio copies of Hajj guide to the pilgrims to facilitate understanding of the process.
Umar confirmed that some of the intending pilgrims were substituted due to ill health, pregnancy, accidents and deaths, adding that the figure for the total number of those affected was being compiled.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
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