Nation
THE STATES
Sokoto
The Minister of State for Information, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis has commissioned 100 computers and ICT facilities undertaken by USPF in Sokoto.
Bilbis disclosed that no fewer than 73 tertiary institutions and 500 schools across the country have benefited from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) school access project while another set of 400 are ongoing.
Bilibis who spoke at the commissioning of 100 computers and ICT facilities at Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto said the programme was in line with 7-point agenda of the federal government aimed at providing concrete development to citizens.
He further explained that apart from this project, it has also embarked on similar projects in Usman Danfodio University Sokoto and 10 secondary schools across the state, adding that more secondary schools and two tertiary institutions would also benefit before the end of the year.
Borno
Borno state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Vangaurd (NAYV) has kicked against the swearing in of Party chairmen and their executives in the state, as directed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Members of the NAYV are not only kicking against the swearing-in of the local council party executives, they condemned the action in its entirety, saying it is null and void and against the rule of law and the constitution of the party.
Protesting the swearing-in at a press conference at the PDP headquarters Monday in Maiduguri, NAYV state co-ordinator, Ali Alhaji Modu, said the youths and women in Borno would not allow an individual politician in Abuja to rob them of their mandate in order to fulfill the political selfish interests of some politicians.
He disclosed that the planned swearing-in of the council party executive is a plot to connive with some unpatriotic politicians to disunite the PDP in the state and cause disaffection among the members.
Warning against the swearing-in, Mdou said: “As members of NAYV in Borno state are against the swearing-in of council party executives, the disunity being created by the directives of the national secretariat to swear in a parallel party executive at the local council level will give chances for the opposition parties to win the 2011 general election.”
Lagos
The Redeemed and Restored ministries int’l (more than conqueror arena), 80 Oloto Ring road, Otto, Ijanikin Lagos is set to hold its annual Shekinah song of praise/love feast beginning on Thursday 26th November at the church auditorium.
The events tagged; “The glory of his presence,” the 2009 edition of the feast which is schedule to hold from 26th to 29th November, promises God’s presence.
The church minister, Pastor Mrs. Nonye Egbujo, said the highlight of the event include: Shekinah Night of songs, Evangelism, revival, exchange of gifts and thanksgiving service among others.
Kwara
Towards making the fight against corruption in Nigeria more effective, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Justice Ammanuel Ayoola, has canvassed a minimum of 15-years jail term without an option of fine for any public office caught in the act.
Besides Ayoola, while proposing the speedy inculcation of the penalty in the nation’s criminal code with the severity it deserved, added that illegally acquired assets from such crime be confiscated into the state’s coffer.
The ICPC boss made the call in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at this year’s edition of the National Conference of anti-corruption committees in Nigeria legislatures and head of anti-corruption units in government establishment organized by the commission.
Adamawa
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has opposed the application brought before the Federal High court, Maitama, Abuja, by former governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna.
He is facing a 28-court amended charges, which border on money laundering and stealing of public Funda totaling N161 million.
According to a release signed by the commission’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, Boni Haruna is speaking the leave of the course to travel to the United States of America for medical treatment.
But counsel to EFCC, Paul Erokoro (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application as it lacked merit.
According to the prosecution counsel, the accused person has failed woefully in providing substantial evidence before the court on why he should be granted his travel document.
Kano
British High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr, Bob Dewan has said that British government is supporting the current reform in the baking sector initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying the problems revealed in the nations banking sector can be addressed squarely.
Dewan, while speaking as guest speaker on British and Nigeria working transparently at the centre for democratic studies in Kano noted that the reforms will cultivate better supervision, regulations and transparency. He said Nigeria is blessed with resources particularly oil, gas and agriculture which according to him, pave way for more revenue which can be invested to develop other sectors, noting that a clean baking sector is therefore necessary.
The High Commissioner said each citizen in each country deserves public money for their benefits in terms of services such as education health, and infrastructure, stressing that as such transparency and healthy banking environment are necessary, Dewan said the precise priorities of such spending are decided through dialogue.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State government has explained that the on-going renovation of the theatre and maternity centre at the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital accounted for the stoppage of emergency services at the hospital.
The State government’s explanation followed criticisms by the Action Congress (AC) that the Governor Segun Oni administration had failed to deliver on his electoral promises.
Chief press secretary to the governor, Wale Ojo Lanre, said that the state government embarked on the renovation of the theatre and maternity centre to improve on the facilities.
He stressed that it was untrue that medical personnel in the hospital were on strike over alleged deplorable facilities.
Ojo-Lanre said the renovation would be completed by tomorrow and normal medical services would resume immediately at the theatre, as the state government’s motive in carrying out the works was to provide functional facilities at the hospital.
The hospital had been rejecting patients, including pregnant women due for delivery, over its alleged deplorable facilities.
Katsina
An International based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Pan African Development on Education and Advocacy Programme (PADAP), has decried the rising rate of poverty, gender in-equality maternal and infant mortality in the country; calling on stakeholders to rise up to their challenges.
Programme Director of PADAP, Dr. Tominke Olaniyan, whose organization is spear heading an awareness campaign towards proper and timely execution of MDG programmes in the worth west states of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states made the call in Katsina.
Olaniyan said the task before the organisation is to deal with eradication of poverty, gender inequality, maternal and infant mortality, desertification and desert encroachment that endanger farms and people of North-West zone in relation to income generation.
She maintained that until governmental all levels recognize and do something about monies being diverted from MDGS and capital being wasted on elephant projects, much cannot be achieved in combating Maternal and infant morality, gender inequality, and the like.
She averred that inequality is not peculiar to Africa alone, but that when left unchecked, could lead to conflicts, continued injustice, and other hydra-headed problems, hence the need for stakeholders to rise up to the task of fighting poverty and injustices in their domain.
Ogun
The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has paid an inspection visit to Abeokuta where the Deputy Committee chairman Abubakar Abubakar, disclosed that the N100 million project would be completed in a few weeks time.
Kayode Amusan, a member of the committee, who spoke with journalists after the inspection, stated that the two projects are part of government’s effort to ensure free and fair elections.
Petitioners have been complaining that electoral materials were being tampered with. So these projects are part of the measure by the government to ensure free and fair elections in the state, he said.
Admusan said that when completed the I.C.T strategic data storage project would serve as storage centre for all electoral records so that nobody can tamper with them.
Abubakar corroborated Amusan’s statement by explaining that all sensitive electoral materials be kept there for security reason. He expressed displeasure about the quality of work on the N100 million project and urged the contractor, Bonny Rose Investment to effect a change. The 14 member committee had earlier paid a courtesy call on Ogun State Governor.
Abuja
The Nigerian Army has described Lt. Col. S.S Jock’s suit against president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and minister of Defence challenging his trial by court marital by the Nigerian Army as a calculated attempt to rubbish the Army.
A statement signed by director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said the only response the Army has for Jock is that they will meet in court.
“In relation to the law suit in the various court, the legal department of the ministry of Defence is handling the matter on behalf at the defendants. So we are ready to meet Lt. Col. Jock in court. Thus, our advice to Lt. Col. Jock and only response for his petitions and publications in meet us in court!!!”, the statement said.
Olukolade said Jock’s suit was an attempt to harass and intimidate the Nigerian Army and the judiciary to accede to his requests which have no merit in law.
He also said available record show that Jock was never fine by court marital and that he had been lawfully retired from the Nigerian Army in accordance with the extant terms and conditions of service (TACOS) applicable to the Nigerian Army.
“first, there is no record anywhere that Lt. col. Jock was tired by court martial. Additionally, our records show that Lt Col. Jock has been lawfully retired from the Nigerian Army in accordance with the extant Terms and Conditions of Service.
Kebbi
Federal Government is to wade into the incessant clashes between farmers and cattle rearers in the North Western of the country by creating another international stock route in the zone.
Kebbi state officer of the federal ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Mahmud Balarabe, who disclosed this at a sensitization meeting in Binnin Kebbi, said government had discovered that farmers in the North-West are encroaching on the present international stock route.
According to Balarabe, the survey and demarcation which will be carried out under the National Livestock Project Division (NLPD), will run in the zone from the borders of Niger Republic and Sokoto State through Kebbi and Niger States down to Cudan Majajiya reserve in Kwara state. He said the NLPD, management has proposed a one-day workshop with all stakeholders in the state which include local governments, mujetti Allah cattle breeders, All Farmers Association at Nigeria (AFAN), traditional rulers, security agents and the state land and survey department.
Balarabe said in Kebbi state, the route will pass through zuru, Danko-Wazagu, Fakai and Sakaba local government areas.
According to him, “there is the need for another international stock route in the North West because farmers are encroaching on the present route. This international route will also prevent frequent clashes between farmers and cattle rearers and at the same time reduce loss at lives.”
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.
Members of the Association of Community Health practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN),Rivers state Chapter have marked the 2025 Community Health week with a call for the state government to employ more community health practitioners to mann the various health centres across the 23 local government areas of the state .
The theme of one week event “strengthening the Nigerian healthcare system,the role of community health practitioners in reducing maternal and under _five mortality in line with sustainable development goals”attracted community health practitioners across the state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event held at the conference hall of the state primary healthcare office in port Harcourt, the state chairman of the Association,Dr Justina Onuwa appeal to the state governor,Sir Siminalayi Fubara to approve the employment of more community health practitioners in other to effectively mann the primary health centres in the state.
Onuwa stated that the call become imperative following the decline in community health practitioners in the civil service and the need to ensure that the people in rural communities have more access to primary healthcare services in their localities.
The state chairman of ACHPN averred members of the association were not captured in the employment scheme during last employment of medical health workers by the state government.”our people need to be employed like other health care service providers”
She appeal to the state government to provide vehicles and office secretariat for its association and as well ensure that their members are promoted as at when due.
Also speaking,the state Health Educator,Dr Babbo Diana who represented the commissioner for health and Executive secretary RSPHCMB while congratulating them on their celebrations called them to partner with the state government to build more efficient healthcare services in the state.
She urge them to be passionate with their work, stressing that all hands must be on deck and everyone must play their roles in other to ensure the success of government primary healthcare services in the state.
In his good will message,the representative of the state Director of Health planning Research and statistics, Dietician Buduzhi Gift Oguzor described members of the association as foot soldiers of health services care providers in the state.
He called on them to be more dedicated in their responsibilities especially in the areas of infrastructure development, noting that the state of infrastructure under their custody are in a detoriating conditions despite the huge of resources released to them by the state government.
Earlier in her lecture on the theme “strengthening the Nigerian healthcare system,the role of the community practitioners in reducing the under _five mortality in line with the sustainable development goals”prof Alice Nte urge them to review their association curriculum in other to upgrade their profile and become more relevant and attend to the optimum value in the profession.
She opined that the WHO according to the Nigerian Demography survey didn’t included members of the association as stillbirth attendant, adding that they should restrategise and look into their curriculum and see where it can be updated.
The climax of the week long celebrations ended with road work,free medical care services and church thanks service.
Akujobi Amadi
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Bldr. Daniel Abimbola Kolade, FNIOB, has called on Nigerian builders to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers for addressing the nation’s housing deficit.
Speaking at the inaugural council meeting of the Institute held at its National Secretariat in Abuja in his speech themed, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Key Driver to Housing Delivery,” the NIOB President said the Institute is poised to lead transformative change in the nation’s housing delivery system.
Bldr. Kolade described the meeting as a strategic platform for redefining NIOB’s policy direction for the next two years, stressing that the housing challenge presents both a national problem and a professional opportunity.
“We, as custodians of building production management, must reposition ourselves not only as technical experts but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and national solution providers,” he stated.
He emphasized that innovation must now be embedded in the professional DNA of builders, urging practitioners to embrace sustainable technologies, research-based construction methods, and digital project management tools.
According to him, the Institute will promote innovation through research collaborations, innovation labs, and pilot projects that showcase emerging construction techniques.
On entrepreneurship, Bldr. Kolade noted that competence alone was no longer sufficient, and that builders must evolve into enterprise creators capable of driving employment and economic growth through construction-based ventures.
He further outlined the Institute’s five key policy pillars for the next two years, to include innovation
and research; entrepreneurial
development; professional regulation and ethics; advocacy
and policy influence;
capacity building and youth empowerment.
The NIOB President also paid tribute to past leaders of the Institute for laying the foundation upon which the current administration will build, saying leadership must go beyond preservation to purposeful expansion.
“If we can harness innovation, embrace entrepreneurship, and strengthen our professional unity, we will not only close the housing gap — we will redefine the standards of housing delivery in Africa,” he affirmed.
He called on builders nationwide to view themselves as not only craftsmen but nation builders, visionaries, and entrepreneurs committed to delivering sustainable housing and national development.
The NIOB President earlier led the National Council members to a site visit to the NIOB construction site at Idu, Abuja.