Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Gunmen have killed a cleric Rev. Gideon Adoor at his residence in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The late Adoor who was an uncle to former chief of Army Staff Gen. Victor Malu (rtd), was allegedly shot around 2.am by the suspected killers.
The murder of the cleric who is an Assistant Pastor with NKST Church Gboka road Markurdi, and an employee in the ministry of land and survey, was received with shock by his congregation.
The Late Adoor’s son Kenneth who narrated the incident in an interview with newsmen said that three gunmen stormed their residence around 2a.m and went to his room and forced the door opened.
“They forced me to take them to my father’s room, on getting there, they asked me to tell my father to open the door, when my father opened the door, the gunmen shot him twice in the chest.”
Kenneth who wept profusely said the killers did not take anything when they were learning.
He however regretted that his father was taken to the federal medical centre for treatment, where doctors requested for police report before he could be treated.
“We have to run to the police headquarters to get a policeman but before he arrived, my father gave up the ghost” he said.
Benue state police commissioner Ibrahim Mohammed confirmed the incident.
Ogun
A Head of the 2011 elections, an Action Congress (AC) chieftain in Ogun State, Prince Kayode Tejuoso, has declared his intention to run for the governorship.
He described the AC as the party that can restore the lost glory of the Gateway State and make it realise its potentials.
Tejuoso, son of the Osile of the Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, told reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, that he would return the state to its glorious era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bisi Onabanjo and Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
“What we need in Ogun State are free education, free health care centre, full employment, affordable housing, rural development and women empowerment”, he said.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has earmarked N12 million for the sponsorship of 13 indigenes for post-graduate diploma in Geo-Informatics and Environmental Management respectively at the prestigious Reginal Centre for Training in Aerospace Survey (RECTAS), Ile-Ife in Osun State.
The amount also covers the cost of training six others who earlier completed 18-month Technician Diploma in Geo-information Management and production programme at the cetnre. Four other indigenes from the state are currently at the meteorological and Research Training Centre, Oshodi Lagos on the sponsorship of the state government to study meteorological Assistant course.
Special Adviser to Governor Wamakko on scholarship and students’ matters, Dr. Muhammed Ali Iwiama said in a press release signed by the Department’s PRO, Mallam Isah Abubakar Shuni that the training is aimed at meeting the manpower demands of the state particularly in related areas.
He said those for the post graduate training in Geo-Informatics and Environmental Management included members of staff drawn from the state ministry of Lands and Survey and Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
He explained that government is doing this to improve the standard of education in the state and ensure adequate representation of the state in specialised tertiary institutions.
Iwaiame said further that his department was committed to discouraging the notion that the state is educationally disadvantaged.
“We will ensure that our students are every where to study relevant and critical courses which the state is lacking and needs.”
Ekiti
Suspected armed robbers yesterday stormed Isaki-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State where they reportedly killed two persons during a raid on a first generation bank.
The victims included a mobile policeman and a priest. Source in the community said two members of the gang died in an accident as they made to escape. They were pursued by policemen after leaving the scene. The bandits, who were said to be seven, stormed the bank very close to the town’s roundabout at about 10.00 a.m. one of them, who was suspected to be the leader of the gang, drove into the banks premises in a sport utility vehicle (SUV).
An eyewitness said the robbers dispossessed a traditional ruler of his vehicle which they rode into the bank.
When the hoodlums opened fire, bank workers, customers and bystanders reportedly scampered for safety to avoid being hit by stray bullet.
The gang leader reportedly shot in the air to signal their arrival.
The robbers escaped after operating unhindered for several minutes.
It could not be ascertained whether they went away with any cash from the banks vault.
The robbers were said to have fled the scene on learning that the operatives of the special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were on their trail. They escaped through Isaki-oye-Ikole Road. In their escape bid, they were also said to have snatched a kia mini-bus owned by a former chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government Area.
The Mini-bus somer-saulted on the cutskirts of Ikole, with two of the robbers killed on the spot. One member of the gang was injured.
Police spokesman Mohammed Jimch said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Kwara
An Action Congress (AC) Chieftain in Kwara State, Alhaji Bolaji Edun, has opposed capital punishment being recommended by the Governors’ Forum for kidnappers.
Edun, a former commissioner for Special Duties also decried the invitation of Ghanaian electoral chief by the National Assembly to educate the lawmakers on what helped Ghana to conduct a free and fair election.
He said that Nigeria should embrace the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee report on electoral reform.
Edun, who was the former AC secretary, was the guest on a radio Kwara programme. “The platform”, in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.
The party chieftain said instead of inviting Ghanaian electoral chief, voters should be encouraged to monitor collation of election results.
On the injection of N300 billion by the National Economic Council (NEC) to nation’s economy, Edun doubted the sincerity of the council, stressing that such move would not brighten the economy.
The development, according to him, would also increase capital flight since the money was not anchored on any specific project.
Bauchi
A Bauchi High Court has adjourned for hearing the 10-count charge levelled against the former Alkaleri Local Government Area chairman, Mr. Bello Arabi, for allegedly defrauding the council of over N10 million.
He was the council chairman between 2003 and 2007.
Arabi was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of misappropriating and transferring the council’s funds to private bank account in 2006.
According to the EFCC counsel, Mr. Faruk Abdallah, various sums ranging from N1.5 million to N4.8 million which amounted to over N10 million were transferred to the defunct Bank of the North account number 000500112 said to belong to one Bello Gidado.
The charges were brought under section 309 of the penal code.
When the case came up yesterday for hearing, Arabi’s lawyer, victor Dalbata told the court that he was not ready for the case because the prosecution had not provided statements of witnesses scheduled to testify as prescribed by law to enable him prepare his defence.
But Abdullah insisted that the accused was duly served.
Justice Rabi Mustapha urged the EFCC counsel to provide prove of service to the accused person.
He adjourned the case till November 10
Osun
The Action Congress (AC) has accused the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of persecuting one of its chieftains, Senator Felix Ogunwale.
He is being held by the police over his alleged involvement in the killing of hunchback for ritual purposes in Iragbiji. In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Ogunwale’s real offence is that he dared to defect from the PDP to the AC in July, 2009.
The fact that the killing of the hunchback, Mrs Taibat Oseni, was allegedly carried out in a building which Ogunwale abandoned over five years ago does not make him liable for the murder. It is like finding a dead body in a car which someone has taken to the mechanic for repair and then blaming the owner,” AC said.
The party said while it supports police investigation into the murder of the hunchback. It calls on the inspector-General of police to direct that the case be transferred to the force CID, instead of leaving it in the hand of “the clearly partisan Osun police, who are only doing the bidding of Governor Olagunsaye Oyinlola”. “This is nothing short of political persecution of senator Ogunwale for daring to abandon the sinking PDP ship in Osun”, the party said.
Kano
Despite the unfavourable economic climate that characterised the global financial meltdown and other variables affecting business operations, the Nationakl Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) has returned a turnover of N9,8 billion for the 2008 financial year.
The company also made a profit after tax of N1.298 billion, while its profit before tax stood at N1.89 billion, representing a growth of 26 per cent NASCON chairman, Alhaji Alike Dangote, however lamented that the wonderful result achieved was below its expectation for the year. He said: “The economy performed below expectation in 2008.”
The world economic crises witnessed towards the end of the year, coupled with increased crises in the Niger Delta, saw to the continued decline in crude oil exploration and production by the country”.
Dangote who was represented by one of the directors, Mr. Olakunle Alaki, said: “This meant that National finances deteriorated in the year. In addition, the poor state of the country’s infrastructure and the devaluation of the Naira in the last quarter of 2008, further worsened the economic environment –this devaluation, led to higher cost of production, which impacted negatively on businesses in general within the country” he stated.
Dangote, who equally revealed that NASCON financial target was also affected because it imports its major raw materials from Brazil, nevertheless announced that, “the challenges of the business of the year under review notwithstanding, our company posted a turnover of N9.8 billion reflecting a percentage growth of 26 over the previous year.
He stated: “Operating profit before tax was N1.896 billion, while our after tax profit was N1.298 billion, showing a modest growth over the past year”. He said the performance reflected the impact of the operating environment and the company’s response by way of measures and policies put in place to ensure that it remained profitable.
Speaking on the 2009 prospect, Dangote, told shareholders that NASCON is committed to maintaining its leadership position in the salt industry, adding that two sachet of salt production lines with a rate capacity of 180,000 tonnes per annum have been installed.
He said plans are underway to establish tomotoe packing operations outfit in Nigeria following the two years of importation of the petti brand into the country.
“We believe that our plans should come to fruition in 2010 when we introduce the locally packed Dangote brand into the Nigerian market,” he added.
Plateau
As the legal battle between Prof. Dakum Shown-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, and the national headquarters of the party is pending in the court, former factional leaders in the state have alleged that Prof. Dakum Shown, State Chairman, seized the existing party membership registers.
Prof. Shown had gone to court to stop the inauguration of Chief Abu King Shuluwa-headed state caretaker committee, set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The committee was expected to oversee the affairs of the party in the state, pending the conduct of the state congresses.
Besides, the Chief Emmanuel Mangni-led group further alleged that Shown was secretly registering only those loyal to governor Jonah Jang, formerly All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) members. Jonah Jang, himself had in 2003 contested the governorship on ANPP platform.
In a petition to the party’s national chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, titled “Redissolution of State, Local Government and ward executives of PDP in Plateau State “, the petitioners lamented that Prof. Shown was still parading himself as the State Chairman.
The group lamented that Prof. Shown was registering former ANPP members at the detriment of former Action Congress (AC) members, who according to them were willing to be registered PDP members.
The ex-factional leaders noted that while the two factions subsisted, the party witnessed a massive return of its members, who had earlier been deregistered in the 2006 controversial registration exercise.
Stressing the need for a level playing ground for all the members, the Chief Mangni-Ied group, called for fresh and genuine registration exercise in order to have authentic membership registers. It commended the Chief Ogbulafor-led National PDP for its courage in dissolving the state, local and ward executive councils. Besides, it gave the PDP leadership a pat on the back for the “inauguration” of Chief Shaluwa-headed caretaker committee.
According to the group, the emergence of the committee has brought peace and confidence within the party in the state. Consequently, it advised that everything should be done to ensure that the achieved peace did not suffer a set back
Lagos
The Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Chairman, Monsurudeen Asamu Ola, has narrowly escaped death following an attempt on his life by unidentified gunmen.
Our Sources revealed that the incident was the third on his life and that two supervisory Councilors (names withheld), have been accused of being the masterminds of the attack.
The Source further revealed that, the chairman, after Consulting with the security committee of the LCDA, which include royal fathers and community leaders, reported the case to the police.
The Tide learnt that the case was reported to the lkotun Police Station on Saturday, after the Supervisor for Environment, Hon Salako Adams was attacked in Similar Circumstance and injured two weeks earlier.
A Senior police Officer at the lkotun Police Station who does not want his name in print confirmed that the case is still under investigation while another source close to the Council Chairman also confirmed the assassination plot on the chairman, stressing that the official vehicle assigned to the suspected supervisory councilors had been withdrawn by the LCDA.
In recent times the rate of assassins and robbery incident in Lagos state has given the police authority a sleepless night as lagosians slept with one eye’s open.
A professor of English linguistics at the Rivers State University (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Enyi Ngulube, has advocated for better and improved funding for language centres in Nigeria, such as NINLAN Aba and Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, for optimum value and effective local languages development.
He also called for funded research on the development of orthographies and language documents across the country to rescue local languages from extinction, as well as having a well-planned and implemented mother tongue education in all institutions in the country, from primary to tertiary.
Prof. Ngulube made with these assertions while presenting his inaugural lecture at the university’s 121st inaugural lecture with the topic “The Career of Rough Beats: Language, Literature and the Development of our Common Humanity” held in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The erudite scholar, in the lecture, stressed that the study of English language, linguistics, and literature is very broad, large, and difficult, adding that he overcame the rough roads through resilience and determination.
He described language as “a purely human and non-instinctive means of communicating ideas and emotions,” noting that “the word is a fundamental need in language; you cannot study language without the use of language.”
He urged parents to be cautious with their utterances, warning that “what they refer to their children as is what they will automatically end up becoming.”
He recommended a branded English language for every profession or course of study, stressing that embedding oral literature in the teaching of students from primary to tertiary level will enable them to know their traditions and roots of origin.
“Tell them the folk stories and moonlight tales; you are sending them back to their people. You must be a human being first before becoming a medical doctor, engineer, or anything else,” Ngulube said.
He also called for better and improved production of quality language and literature teachers, provision of modern teaching/instructional materials, improved welfare packages for teachers, and provision of better infrastructure at both primary and secondary school levels.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for the approval of the Department of English Language and Literature, adding that it had been his long-held dream for the university.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, while highlighting the lecture, opined that the lecturer x-rayed the lecturer’s journey into the study of English language, linguistics, and literature, describing the field as broad, large, and difficult, but with determination and focus, he was able to defeat the beasts he encountered on his way.
Zeb-Obipi agreed with the lecturer’s recommendations on ways to improve indigenous languages in the country and directed that modalities be worked out for the university to have the Department of English Language and Literature, among others.
He highlighted RSU’s recent victory in the Bilingual Community Project organized by the French Embassy, describing it as proof of the university’s rising excellence in language studies.
The Federal Government through the implementation of the various projects of the Ogoni cleanup programme is demonstrating a strong commitment to national peace and the development of Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made this assertion at a two-day training on Mechanism for Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) and other Peacebuilding Techniques for Community Leaders In Ogoni, held in Port Harcourt, said through the ongoing environmental restoration effort, potable water provision, livelihood restoration, public health interventions, and the Ogoni Power Project, HYPREP is contributing to national peace and development.
He explained that by improving the living conditions in communities and creating new opportunities for young people, the Project is also reducing the social pressure that often fuels conflict, stressing that the Project is proud of this service to the Ogoni people and the nation.
Describing traditional leaders and stakeholders as peacebuilders and guardians of community harmony, Zabbey noted that the workshop would strengthen their capacities and reinforce the Ogoni dialogue process, which HYPREP continues to support in line with its mandate on peacebuilding.
He said HYPREP is actively promoting ADR alongside other mechanisms across its project sites and other areas of operation aimed at fostering unity, fairness, mutual respect and faster dispute resolution, stressing that these are qualities necessary for the future of Ogoni people and their communities.
He further indicated that the Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal is disposed to promoting peace and stability across Ogoni communities and HYPREP project sites.
The Project Coordinator, therefore, charged Ogoni leaders to be mindful of their actions, words and body language, as what they say or do can either promote peace or fan the embers of conflict.
Continuing, he stated thus,”We must always ask ourselves: Is my position on this matter in the people’s interest? Does it promote unity and progress? Will it enhance development?”
The Project Coordinator assured the participants that HYPREP is working tirelessly in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme and ensure that its benefits reach the grassroots where they are needed most.
Stressing the need for Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to explore communication and trust options to prevent disputes from degenerating into violence, the Project Coordinator noted that it was time for all Ogonis to be united for development, leaving behind perceptions that do not serve collective progress.
Similarly, the Director of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Chioma Daisy Onyige, said the workshop is a strategic platform aimed at strengthening the capacity of traditional institutions and community leaders to sustain peace, foster dialogue and promote non-adversarial engagements in the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Prof Onyige noted that the Ogoni leadership structure commands deep respect and legitimacy, and strengthening their capacity in ADR methods such as mediation, negotiation, dialogue, facilitation, and consensus building means strengthening the foundation of peace in the region.
Participants, comprising traditional rulers and key stakeholders in Ogoni, commended HYPREP for the initiative, and assured it of their continuous support to the Project by providing an enabling atmosphere for the smooth implementation of the cleanup project in Ogoniland.
Resource persons who presented thought-provoking lectures at the workshop included the Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Kinikanwo Anele; Prof Olariwanju Lawal; Prof Chioma Daisy Onyige; and Dr Gbenemene Kpae; among others.
With significant achievements recorded across thematic areas of the Ogoni cleanup programme being executed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), the Project Coordinator of the Project, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has said that all these are enabling pathways to the development of Ogoniland.
This is coming on the heels of milestone achievements in the following areas and their impact on Ogoni communities. They are mangrove restoration which is 94 percent complete; shoreline remediation which stands at 67.1 percent; and the phase 2 land remediation progressing to 36.55 percent.
Moreso, HYPREP has constructed 14 water facilities, providing potable water to 40 communities. With the commissioning of the water schemes in Bane and Gwara communities, the number of communities with access to clean and safe drinking water will be 45. The process of operationalising the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) which is at 92 percent complete, is ongoing. The same for the Ogoni Power Project which is progressing with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakaara substations ongoing
Similarly, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital are at 76.8 percent and 98.7 percent respectively.
This is alongside other public health interventions and the Human BioMonitoring Survey also in progress.
Under the livelihood
programme, over 7,000 direct jobs have been created for Ogoni women and youths, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up kits, workshops, education grants, scholarships and other empowerment programmes. This quarter, training will commence in other demand-driven skill areas, such as cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, commercial diving, and underwater welding.
Zabbey had reeled out these achievements, during the third quarter interactive session between the Project Coordination Office engagement with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt on Friday, in line with HYPREP’s strategic stakeholders policy to provide an interface opportunity to abreast Ogoni youths on the Project’s activities, while garnering their feedback.
Zabbey noted that, “This
quarterly engagement was,therefore, designed as an inclusive strategy to ensure that youth voices are heard, concerns are addressed, and progress updates are provided transparently. Also, it reflects our firm belief that a project of this magnitude must be people-centred, accountable, and participatory”.
” I am delighted to inform you that the Project remains on course to achieve its mandate as outlined in the UNEP Report on the Ogoni environment and the official gazette establishing HYPREP. HYPREP is committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of the cleanup projects and activities”, he said.
He stressed that HYPREP’s achievements are pathways to a better Ogoniland, assuring that the Project’s goals are aimed at benefiting all categories of Ogoni youths, whether in business, farming, advocacy, education, entrepreneurship or community development.
”This Project belongs to all of you, and its success depends mainly on your participation, unity and constructive engagement. And with your support, we are confident that all challenges will be addressed in the overall public interest,” Zabbey said.
The Project Coordinator urged Ogoni youths to continue to support the Project by promoting peace, discouraging misinformation, and collaborating with project teams working in the communities, and address challenges through dialogue, rather than confrontation.
Prof Dinebari Badey, a Professor of Development Sociology in the University of Port Harcourt, delivered the keynote address, linking the nexus between HYPREP and youths in the development of Ogoniland through unity of purpose while Engr Solomon Akere, gave a talk on Ogoni youths in business.
Participants raised questions concerning the maintenance of the water projects, remediation efforts, and compensation for the Right of Way (RoW), among others.
In attendance were management staff of HYPREP who provided responses to the interventions.