Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Igbo community in Adamawa State says agitations for Biafra Republic is unnecessary.
The leader of the community in the state Chief Godwin Onemaka, said this in an interview with newsmen in Yola last Thursday.
Onemaka urged the agitators to consider the consequences of plunging Nigeria into chaos by divisive activities, citing the devastating impact of the civil war.
“Biafra agitation has failed and there is no need to restart it; the agitators should consider the interests of the Igbo in other parts of the country.
“We, the Igbo in Adamawa, kick against the agitations for Biafra and we view it as unnecessary capable of plunging the nation into crisis.
Ekiti
Six middle-aged men were last Thursday brought before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged membership of a secret cult.
They were however, released on N1.2 million bail.
The accused are Adewale Akosile, 30; Jimoh Lukman, 25; Amusa Jamiu, 25; and Timothy Thomas,23.
Others are Sefun Akinola, 26 and Ojo Akinola 20.
Police Prosecutor, Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence at 10.00 a.m. in Omuo Ekiti.
According to him, the men paraded themselves openly as members of Ashanti secret society, a platform they used in terrorising the community.
The offence contravened Section 4(1) of the Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) Laws of Ekiti State 2006.
FCT
A Federal Capital Territary (FCT) Area Court in Karmo has sentenced a 36 year-old driver, Obum Nwokoro to six months in prison for concealing a crime.
Nwokoro of Dako village in Abuja was convicted after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.
The court however gave him an option of N20, 000-fine after he pleaded for leniency.
The judge, Abubakar Sadiq, who gave the judgment last Thursday, said the conviction would serve as a deterrent to others.
The prosecutor, Mr Dalhatu Zannah, had earlier told the court that on September 12, one Olusegun Olusola of Shippers Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, reported the incident at the Utako Police Station.
Kaduna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged the media to support ongoing efforts to contain alarming substance abuse in the North-West.
NAFDAC’s North West Coordinator, Mr Sabo Adamu made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Zonal Manager, Kaduna, Malam Maharazu Ahmed.
“We are concerned about the alarming rate of drug abuse in the zone and will require the support of the media to drastically reduce the menace.
“North-West zone has high rate of drug addiction that even housewives are not left out.
“Our youths are getting more and more into drugs everyday and we must stop it, as it portends great danger to the survival of our society,” he said.
Kano
Kano State Government, says it has uncovered a salary fraud amounting to N12.7 million in two parastatals in the state.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, office of the state Head of Service, Malam Mustapha Fagge, said the fraud was uncovered in the State Hospital Management Board and Senior Secondary Schools Management Board.
According to the statement, the discovery followed an investigation ordered by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya.
“As a result of the investigation, a case of alleged connivance involving some Computer Centre staff and two others on posting from the office of the Auditor-General was discovered”, he said.
Kebbi
Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has called on stakeholders in the education sector to come up with new solutions to address illiteracy in the country.
Bagudu made the call when he received the stakeholders, led by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his office last Thursday.
The stakeholders were in Kebbi State to commemorate the 2017 International Literacy Day.
The day is celebrated every September 8. In Nigeria, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formation Education said.
Kogi
Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah has advocated cordial working relationship between the Police and the Judiciary to ensure effective prosecution of the fight against crime in the state.
Ajanah who disclosed this when the new Commissioner of Police for Kogi State command, Mr Ali Janga, paid him a courtesy visit last Wednesday in Lokoja described the fight against crime as a herculean task.
He said that the fight required the cooperation of all stakeholders, adding that there was need for the police and Judiciary to collaborate in the fight against crime in the county.
“We have always had a robust relationship and have always cooperated with the police because we know that the fight against crime is a herculean task,” Ajanah said.
Kwara
Offa Local Government Catholic Relief Services (CRS) says it will distribute 64,000 long lasting insecticidal nets to residents of the community.
The CRS, Social Mobilisation Officer, Mrs Jemilat Yusuf told newsmen last Thursday in Ilorin that cards had been distributed to recipients.
Yusuf said that the exercise would commence on September 29, adding that all residents cooperate with the service to ensure a successful outing.
She said the residents should come out en masse for collection of the nets to eradicate malaria and other related diseases in the society.
Lagos
A 61-year-old man, Solomon Atuegbu who allegedly drove his vehicle recklessly and killed a 29-year-old pedestrian, John Odufele was last Thursday in Lagos granted a N500,000 bail.
Atuegbu who resides at Mile 2 area of Lagos State is facing a two-count charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
An Apapa Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling said Atuegbu should provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Nasarawa
FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello has urged judges and magistrates in the territory to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
He gave the charge during an assessment visit to the Medium Security Prison, Keffi Unit, Nasarawa State last Wednesday.
He said judges and magistrates must be diligent to preserve the integrity of the justice system, adding that it must be done to repose public confidence in the system.
He added that he was aware of 27 inmates who had been in prison custody without proper signing of their detention warrant, noting that there should be proper warrant for detention before anybody was detained.
Bello said he had been ordered by the Controller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Prison, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed to investigate the matter.
Niger
The Child Rights Protection Agency in Niger State last Thursday vowed to uncover the killers of three children during an attack on Yakpa village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo, who visited families of the deceased at Gwada Hospital where one survivor was receiving treatment, described the killing as “wicked and heartless”.
Our correspondent reports that unidentified gunmen attacked a Fulani community in Yakpa on September 15 and killed three children aged between three and five.
Kolo said that the agency would work with relevant security agencies and volunteers to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.
She directed the immediate transfer of the survivor to Minna General Hospital for proper medical care, pledging that the agency would settle the medical bill.
Plateau
The Plateau State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) last Thursday promised to support young people to run for various offices in the forthcoming local government polls in the state.
Chairman of the party in the state, Latep Dabang, said this at a three-day town hall meeting with political parties in Jos.
Our correspondent reports that the forum is organised by the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Good Governance (PLASCER).
The meeting was supported by the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), Actionaid Nigeria, UKaid and BBC Media Action.
PLASCER is a coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs), among others.
The meeting had representatives from the PDP, APC, ADP, INEC, CBOs, NOA, among others.
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