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THE STATES

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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.”

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FG Sensitises Security Personnel On Revised National Gender Policy

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In a bid to deepen the gender components of the security system in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, last Monday kicked-off a three-day high level Sensitization/Capacity Building Workshop on the Revised 2021-2026 National Gender Policy.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Center Service, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Shehu Shinkafi, who declared the workshop open, recalled that Nigeria developed its first National Policy on Rights of Women in 2000.
This was replaced with the National Gender Policy in 2006 as a result of review and integration of lessons learnt from the implementation of the Women Policy 2000.
A key lesson then was the need to work from a gender perspective, even though the key purpose remains addressing Women’s rights issues.
He listed women’s rights to include the right to live free from violence and discrimination, the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the right to be educated, the right to own property, the right to vote and be voted for etc.
“But as we all know, many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. This gave rise to the review of the 2006 National Gender Policy”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary said the strategic objectives of the revised National Gender Policy are: to bridge gender/social inclusion gaps and achieve parity in all spheres of life; protect women’s human rights and mitigate sexual and gender- based violence, through appropriate buffers and related services; and explore and fully harness women’s human capital assets, as a growth driver for national development through women’s economic empowerment.
Others are to advance women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance; support women and girls’ education, lifelong health, survival and sustainable development; fnsure that gender equity concerns are integrated into social protection and complex humanitarian actions, legislation and policies and ensure that socially excluded groups (such as persons with disabilities, the elderly and the poor etc.) are mainstreamed into development projects and programmes of government.
He also stated that the 2021-2026 National Gender Policy focuses on the protection of the girl–child: addressing violence against women and girls; addressing issues of conflict, especially as it affects women and girls; and peace building; rights of women with disabilities and implementation strategies, including the institutional framework, funding and human resource for gender mainstreaming among others.

 

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CAN Condemns Resurgence Of Killings In Plateau 

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Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent resurgence of killings in some parts of Plateau State.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, described the killings as barbaric, and disheartening to see innocent citizens being killed and their properties destroyed in such a gruesome manner.
He said: “It’s with deep concern that I address the nation on the recent resurgence of mindless killings of innocent citizens in Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
“The killings which started in Mangu villages on Monday, 15th May 2023, by so-called unknown gunmen have claimed many lives and properties with many persons still missing.
“The villages affected include Fungzai, Hale, Kubwat, Bwoi and many other communities of Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area and some communities in Riyom Local Government Area.
“According to reports, about 130 people were killed, about 1000 buildings were burnt, and about 22 villages were affected. We condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest term possible.
“It is disheartening to see innocent citizens being killed and their properties destroyed in such a gruesome manner”.
He appreciated the efforts of the security forces to maintain peace,  calling on the government and law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the heinous acts to justice and ensure the protection of lives and properties of all citizens.
The CAN President implored all parties involved to embrace peace and dialogue as means of resolving their differences, stressing that violence only begets more violence, hence he advocated the breaking of the cycle so the state and Nigeria can witness peace and prosperity.
He added: “It’s also important to emphasise that the CAN unequivocally opposes any form of violence or reprisal as we strive to advance the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic background”.
He appealed to all Nigerians in Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau state and indeed, all over the country, to remain calm and law-abiding in the face of the challenges.
“We must not allow ourselves to be provoked into taking actions that will further escalate the situation”.

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Oyebanji Presents N915m Gratuity Cheques To 289 Pensioners

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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji last Monday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to programmes and policies that will enhance the quality of life of Ekiti residents, especially the pensioners.
The governor stated this during the presentation of cheques worth N915 million naira as gratuities to 289 State, local government and primary school retirees in the state at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking at the event, which was hailed as unprecedented in the state, Oyebanji said the payment of the gratuity was in fulfilment of his campaign promise of shared prosperity, adding that his administration would continue to ensure that pensioners enjoy a worthy life after their meritorious service to the state.
Oyebanji, who said he was not unaware of challenges confronting the retires as a result of a regrettable delay in accessing their gratuity benefits as and when due, assured the senior citizens that his government is irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in the payment of gratuities.
He informed the gathering that since the inception of his administration in October 2022, over N1.2 billion had been paid as a gratuity to both the State and Local government retirees while payment of monthly pensions had been regular.
He said, “As elders and critical stakeholders who occupy strategic positions in the scheme of things, our government is living no stone unturned to ensure that you all live a quality and happy life at retirement. I am aware of the many odds and challenges confronting retirees as a result of the regrettable delay in accessing your gratuity as and when due.
“I am therefore committed to ensuring that the welfare of our retirees continues to be of topmost priority. We are also irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in the payment of gratuity by our senior citizens. This is a priority for us and we will continue to explore innovative ways to support you in your retirement.
“Since we came on board, we have always paid pensions along with salaries of public servants. This, I assure you, will continue. Today, the sum of N700 million has been paid out to 192 retired civil servants as gratuity and the sum of N215 million to 79 Local Government retirees”.

Oyebanji used the opportunity to express his appreciation and to commend the management of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) at both state and local government levels for the hard work and transparency they have deployed in processing this payment with particular reference to their policy based on first-to-retire, first-to-be-paid, urging to sustain it religiously.

 

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