Nation
THE STATES
Minna
The Niger State government has set aside N7.5 million to provide steady water supply for people living in Minna and its environs.
The commissioner for water resources, Dr Isah Votsa said this to newsmen in Minna shortly after inspection of facilities. Dr Vatsa said that N225 million was spent on the dredging of Tagwa Dam while an additional N190 million is being spent on dredging the Changaya Channel of the dam.
He said that an additional N300 million was spent to reinvigorate the state water board, adding that work has passed 50 per cent completion stage, in cleaning reservoirs at the place as four of the eight reservoirs are already cleaned and are in full operational state.
Vatsa said that before the end of this year more than 60 per cent of people living in Minna and its environs will have frequent water supply, saying that it will be rationed to pave way for all to get water at least 12 hours a day.
Zamfara
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has been commended for the frequent repairs on federal roads across the country.
The special adviser to the Zamfara State Governor on Local Government Projects, Alhaji Musa Garba said the repairs had not only improved qualities of transportation on the affected roads, but will go a long way to save lives.
He said the repairs, especially in the pot holes filled Gusau-Zaria road will improve socio-economic activities among people of Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states, which the road passes through.
According to him, motorists and other road users will now feel more comfortable riding the roads considering the fact that dangerous portions of the road, hitherto left unattend to, have been fixed.
Ibadan
Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Taoheed Adedaja has expressed decline in the gradual decline in the standard of education in the state.
In his address at the inauguration of Volunteer Supervisors Scheme in the state, Adedoja commented that only 30 per cent of the SSS3 students in public schools passed NECO examinations last year, while above 17 per cent passed the WAEC examination in the same year.
He said that the conduct of the students did not commensurate with the huge expenses of the government on education which included the payment of N250 million for WAEC examinations for the public schools’ students.
He stated that the idea of volunteer supervisors scheme came up in order to boost quality of education in the state and bring back the days of schools inspection which he noted had faded away.
The commissioner told the supervisors who are mainly retired school principals that the need for enduring quality of assurance stemmed from the contemporary reforms in education occasioned by the provisions of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the goals for Education For All (EFA).
Kaduna
The Chartered Instituted of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria has lost its bid to remain the sole regulatory body for the practice of purchasing and supply management in the country.
A federal high court sitting in Kaduna, Friday, dismissed a suit brought by the institute and contended that Act No 21 of 2007 which created the institute did not state that it was the only body that has the power to regulate the practice of purchasing and supply management in the country.
Delivering judgement in the matter, Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, who described the case as “mere waste of time”, said that the law does not also stipulate that one must be a member of the institute before one can be appointed to head the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“The application by the institute was a mere waste of time and an academic exercise since its existence cannot deny other bodies from existing or coming into existence,” Shuaibu said, adding that “it will be out of place to accept the application.”
The institute had gone to court seeking a declaration that no person is qualified to practice without being registered or enrolled with it in accordance with the Act.
It equally asked the court to make a declaration that it was the only body with the jurisdiction and empowered to train, educate and examine all persons in Nigeria desiring to become professional procurers and another declaration that only qualified members registered with the institute are qualified to be appointed to head the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Akure
Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has appointed some state commanders. They include Capt S. G. Jiyah (rtd), Niger State, Capt. B. Y. Golen (rtd), Plateau State and Mr Sayikanmi Titus Daisi, Ondo State. Also appointed are O. A. Yakubu, deputy commander, operations and Hassan Isa Adejo, deputy commander, admin/finance. A statement by Alhaji Abubakar Sule, public relations officer, VGN, said the appointments take immediate effect, adding “VGN group has always been part of the social, cultural and political security systems all over the world. It was formed to help the Nigerian police and other security operatives to create a better society.”
Katsina
Amalumfashi Sharia Court in Katsina has sentenced two women Aisha Abdullahi and Rashidi Musa to two months imprisonment for stealing an international passport.
The convicts were however given an option of N3000 fine each. Abdullahi, 52 and Musa 28 of Bakin-Kasuwa and Hayin Majidadi in Malam Fashi town respectively, were convicted for stealing an e-passport belonging to one Lami Abubakar in her house in the community.
The police prosecutor Capt. Garba Magaji had earlier told the court that the Abubakar kept her handbag containing to the passport.
Magaji said that Abubakar went out among the two women in the room adding that when she returned, she discovered that her passport has been stolen.
The prosecutor said that she alerted the police who arrested the women and charged them to court for criminal conspiracy and theft.
He said the alleged offences contravened sections 120 and 135 of Shariah laws of Katsina State.
Abuja
Following the kidnapping of the 78 year old father of the gubernatorial candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Fourteen governorship aspirants on the platform of the party have denied that the abduction was politically motivated.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on behalf of the fourteen aspirants, Chief Chuma Nwafor said that rather than point accusing fingers at their leader, Chief Chris Uba, Soludo should be called by the police for questioning on the whereabouts of his father.
According to him, there was no proof before Uba was accused. Other aspirants at the news briefing are Emeka Eze, Amachukwu Ezeike, Nkoli Imoh, Volt Ozigbo, Ebe Lovina and Kete Egwa.
The rest are Victoria Nwankwo, Chinyere Agagbo, Ossy Ezenwa, Mike Nkwocha, Oyigba Okoli, Bertrand Dim and Basil Iwuoba.
According to Nwafor, the aspirants find it difficult to accept the authenticity of the story, as some people have tried to politicise the incident by accusing Chief Chris Uba as being involved in the act.
Makurdi
Benue State government has released N2 billion to the 23 local government councils in the state. The money accrues to the councils, from the excess crude accounts.
Special adviser to the state governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr Sam Ode, made the disclosure in a meeting with local government council chairmen in Makudrdi.
Ode noted that government’s decision to inject the money into the councils was premised on its decision to ensure meaningful development at the tier of government.
He implored the local government council chairmen to key into the state government’s policy of fiscal discipline, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption which, according to him, has remained the guiding principle of the Government Gabriel Suswam-led administration.
Lagos
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris has said that, more than four million people die every year from pneumonia.
Dr Idris who said that at a press briefing in Lagos also said that half of the deaths are children.
The commissioner said that to effectively combat the acclaimed childhood killer disease, the policies guiding the management of pneumonia must be revitalised.
According to him, the death rate is high in Lagos, “statistics shows that pneumonia kills more than four million people every year and half of these deaths are children under five years, that is, every 15 seconds, a child is lost to pneumonia, 5,500 everyday and an unbelievable two million every year.
“An estimated 98 per cent of children die in developed countries while more than 2000 children die in developing countries.
He also said that the disease causes needless sufferings through illness and hospitalisation, while contributing significantly to the vicious cycle of poverty.
Nation
Party Chieftain Hails LG Boss’ Dev Strides
Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwuche has extolled the sterling leadership being provided by the Chairman of the council, Hon Iyeko Okporo, describing it as unprecedented.
Hon Chukwuemeka described the council chairman as God-sent, considering his achievements in just 100 days in office.
The PDP chieftain said the chairman has rekindled the hope and trust of the people in grassroots governance.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for enabling his people to have his replica at Akinima.
He explained that the solar water project, the Late Eze Ekpeye Logbo 11 palace fencing, generator house rebuilding and town hall, all in Odiereke Ubie Community can best be described as the hallmark of true leadership.
He said the projects have direct bearing on the basic needs of the people who have suffered untold hardship and bad governance until the saviour came into office.
“ It is thunderous, as you can see the organic support and show of love to the performing chairman. Our people are overwhelmed seeing one of their own touching lives in a special way. As a community ,we have been in the past years without drinking water, but just two months in office, the chairman has provided not just drinking water, but a well-treated solar water project. Okporo is God-sent, no wonder he is nicknamed such. We have compared notes with other chairmen in the past and came to the conclusion that what he is doing in 100 days is overwhelming. Governor Fubara has made us proud by allowing a level playing field that necessitated the emergency of the chairman. You can see the women, men, youths and traditional rulers all saying one thing. God bless Governor Fubara for giving us our own. We owe him prayers and unwavering support,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Ward 9 councillor, Hon Catherine Uriah showered encomiums on the chairman for addressing the basic needs of the people in just 100 days in office.
Hon Uriah also thanked the Governor for allowing the will of the people to prevail in the just concluded local government elections which produced the God fearing chairman.
She said the people of Ward 9 as well as Ahoada West are pleased with the chairman because he is doing well.
She said the people will go to length to show support to him in his determination to redefine governance at the grassroots.
Nation
Group Plans Pilot Farm Programme For 50 Schools
A community-based non-governmental organisation, The Peoples Encouragers Initiative, is planning a pilot farm project for 50 schools in both Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chukwuma Abraham disclosed this at the recent International Human Rights Day celebration at Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Abraham said the proposed programme which gulps the sum of N45million was intended to bring the youths back to the land and make them self-reliant.
“We hope to mobilise the factors of production inherent in all the schools through this programme to achieve two basic objectives of building self reliant youths and to create a viable and sustainable stream of income for our schools,” he said.
He said the programmme will also keep the youth busy and impact farming skills, stressing that each of the participating schools is expected to nominate at least two members of staff to coordinate and supervise the programme while10 students will be elected as executive members to administer the programmme on a day to day basis in their various schools.
“Every school has a sizeable portion of arable land to carry out the programme of establishing a functional farm in their chosen area of interest. We are hoping to mobilise an estimated N45 million to enable us set up the pilot farms across the 50 schools within Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas,” he said.
He said the celebration was to draw attention of both the Nigerian government and the international community to the issue of human rights violation, adding that findings by the organisation has shown that insecurity and youth unemployment worsened over the past few years as a result of the insecurity that engulfed the Orashi region of the State. We also found out that the high level of cultism and social unrest within our environment is mostly fuelled by the high use of illicit drugs among the youths. This programme will afford us the opportunity to take a tour through the universal declaration of human rights and reinforce on our youths the understanding that substance abuse can lead to crime, crime can lead to jail term and criminal record can blight their future dreams and life for ever,”he said.
Also speaking, the representative of the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ikporo Freedom urged the students to shun all forms of anti-social behaviours especially during the holiday season.
He also warned them against joining bad groups and stressed the need for the organisation to include private schools in the programme.
The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Ezu R .C . Hezekiah represented by his Deputy, Hon Ununuma Odoi pledged the support of the council to the programme.
He also urged other groups in the area to emulate The Peoples Encouragers Initiative by organizing programms that will impact on the lives of the people.
John Bibor
Nation
NCSU Flays Police Take Over Of Rivers PDP Secretariat
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has condemned the take over of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State by the police, saying the action is against the tenets and principles of the rule of law.
This is even as the union has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call to order the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for allegedly orchestrating and instigating the crisis rocking the PDP in the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the condemnation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the police have no right to take over the PDP secretariat, as a ploy to provide cover and protection for members of the state executive of the party loyal to Wike, who were recently sacked by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State.
According to him, the action of the police is in clear defiance of a court ruling sacking the party executives at all levels in the State, instead of taking steps to enforce same.
He regretted that the police have consistently been showing that they are not appreciative of the logistic support Governor SiminalayiFubara has been extending to them, by openly demonstrating their bias, loyalty and allegiance to Wike and his supporters, contrary to their rules of engagement, which uphold and recognise absolute neutrality.
He said the Minister is wasting his time if he thinks that he could destroy the State by orchestrating and instigating needless crisis that is capable of making the State ungovernable, and appealed to President Tinubu to call him and his supporters to order.
Commenting on the fate of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the State, who defected from the ruling PDP to the All Progressives Congress(APC), Osumah said their fate is apparently sealed, as the Supreme Court had already given judgment in a similar case, saying, Wike is merely wasting his time by using the lawmakers against Governor Fubara, and causing unnecessary problem in the State.
He said if the Minister and his supporters do not retrace their steps and give peace a chance, the NCSU would have no choice than to mobilise all civil servants in the State, to troop out to the streets and protest against them.
The labour leader stressed the need for the police to vacate the PDP secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, and respect the High Court ruling which declared the congresses of the party in the State null and void.
While reiterating the need for President Tinubu to call Wike to order, Osumah said the President cannot continue to fold his arms and watch the Minister continuously make frantic efforts to destroy his State.
He also carpeted those blaming Governor Fubara administration for the recent gruesome murder of a Chief Security Officer(CSO) and his son in Igwuruta Ali community, saying those making such insinuations and attributing the sad incident to security lapses on the part of the state government, are missing the point.
He noted that by empowering the police in the State with several operational vehicles and other logistics, it was expected that the police would reciprocate the gesture, by living up to their constitutional obligation of protecting lives and property in the State, contending that Governor Fubara has been playing his part of guaranteeing security in the State.
He said the State is generally peaceful and safe, and challenged those criticising the Governor to cast their minds and attention to what is happening in other parts of the country, where killings and other social vices have become the order of the day.
Osumah cited as an example the recent killings in Ebonyi State by Fulani herdsmen as well as incidences of kidnapping and banditry in several other States of the federation, and wondered if Governor Fubara could be held responsible for such anomalies.
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