Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
Ekiti State government has declared its intention to inject about N196 million into the resuscitation of the Ire clay products company limited, Ire Ekiti.
The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who disclosed this while addressing journalists, said the moribund Ire Burnt Bricks Company was being resuscitated by the state government in collaboration with the Odua Investment Company and a foreign technical partner, Messrs CERATEC from Belgium.
Olatunbosun said the project, estimated to cost about N350 million, has reached an advanced stage, adding that it would soon join the league of dead companies that were resurrected by the state government for the benefit of the people.
The Information Commissioner said the state government has also approved the appointment of Tajudeen Bamidele Jimoh as the new Olosan of Osan-Ekiti in Moba Local Council of the state.
According to him, the selection of Jimoh was done with strict adherence to all relevant provisions of the law to fill the stool of Olasan, which became vacant in July 2006.
Ogun
The Ogun government has denied making illegal deductions from the local councils’ statutory allocations.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, who spoke at the weekend in Abeokuta, described those spreading such rumoUr as “mischievous people.”
He said thAt at present, all the councils in the country couldn’t sustain themselves due to insufficient funds, urging the federal government to increase funds meant for the councils.
Alabi, who spoke after the state joint Allocation Committee’s meeting, said he invited traditional rulers as well as representatives from the retirees, local government and teachers union, among others, to the meeting so as to lay the card before them to know that the government has nothing to hide.
According to the commissioner, there had been insinuations concerning the local councils allocations and to prove that the government has nothing to hide, “we invited all stakeholders to convince them that no dime is being deducted from the allocation.”
Lagos
A Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from conducting a re-run election in Osun state East senatorial District.
It also restrained the electoral body from conducting polls to fill the Osogbo local council seat in the state House of Assembly slated for December 12, 2009.
The order was sequel to a motion ex parte brought before the court by the Action Congress party (AC) through its Counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to produce a current voter’s register.
Justice Liman also ordered INEC to stay all actions and avoid doing anything that is preparatory to the bye-election, pending the hearing of the motion on notice, which must be heard and determined before December 20.
The court further granted AC leave to apply for an order of mandamus in terms of the reliefs contained in the statement of reliefs and ground of the application. The Judge then fixed December 15 for the hearing of the substantive motion.
Benue
Leaders of Benue South Senatorial Districts of Benue State have resolved their difference over the agitation for the creation of Apa State out of the present Benue State.
Rising from a meeting at the weekend, the movement for the creation of Apa State resolved that paramount ruler of Idomaland Ochidoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, would lead the delegation for the creation of Apa to the National Assembly.
The weekend meeting also approved the appointment of Gen. Ebije Ikwue as chairman of the committee to reconcile all documents aimed at fast tracking the process. Several leaders of the movement called for unity of purpose in the attainment of the objective of the group, as they said there was no reason why leaders of the area should work at cross purposes.
The meeting was seen as an effort to reconcile differing opionions among the leaders of Benue South Senatorial District over the procedures being adopted in the agitation for the creation of Apa State.
The meting became necessary after certain leaders of opposition parties started sponsoring parties and media statements claiming that the agitation was being politicised and they have been left out in the scheme of things.
The resolution of the meeting presided over by the Och’Idoma is believed to have put the agitation back on track.
Agitation for creation of Apa State which dates back to the early 1980’s has always been a victim of internal squabbles between leaders of the zone.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) rose from its National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday with threats of closing down newspaper houses that default in payment of salaries of journalists on their payroll.
The union also decried poor practising journalists and called on operation of the industry to raise the standard of the wages of practitioners to be commensurate “with the enormous task and risk they face in the course of their duty”.
NUJ National president, Mallam Garba Mohammed, who made the comment after the meeting with journalists across the country in attendance, expressed concern that many journalists are being owed many months of salary arrears.
According to him, the matter is more digusting because the proprietors of these media houses are making enough profits to pay regular salaries to workers.
He said: “we have it on good authorities that not more than four newspaper houses for instance, are actually paying salaries of their workers regularly while many had not paid their workers for months.
Osun
Barring last minute hitches Osun Sate Election Petition Tribunal may resume sitting this week to continue hearing of the suit by Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the People Democratic Party (PDP).
The tribunal had been forced to adjourn sitting indefinitely due to the strike embarked upon on November 2, 2009, by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
But reprieve came Monday in a statement by the stinking onion, which indicated its readiness to waive its position and give access to members of the tribunal to the venue, located within the Osun state judiciary premises so that the panel could continue its duty.
The AC had in a statement recently accused the state government of deliberately refusing to meet the demands of the striking union in order to shut out the tribunal from continuing to hear the petition.
The party also wrote a petition to the national head quarters of JUSUN, urging the union to allow members of the tribunal to continue their assignment despite the ongoing strike to enable the panel complete its assignment in good time.
The statement by Osun State Branch Secretary of JUSUN, Mr. Iyanda Sikiru Bola and public Secretary. Oladumi Akinyemi said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union had directed that the tribunal be allowed to continue its job unhindered. “Osun State branch of JUSUN hereby directs the secretary of the election tribunal sitting in Obogbo, Osun State to re-open for continuation of the ongoing election petition on retrial,” the statement said.
Stressing that the action was taken to facilitate the rule of law, good governance and democratic principles the union noted that “the tribunal should not be disturbed by our members while the ongoing strike of JUSUN persists.
Katsina
The family of president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua said yesterday that it would not hesitate to institute legal action against any media house that continues to report the president’s health maliciously. A statement signed by the President’s. Sister,” Hajia Maro Musa Yar’Adua in Katsine on hehalf of the family said its attention has been drawn to the false, malicious and obviously sponsored media reports that suggested that the president’s mother, Hajia Dada Habib Yar’Adua asked Mr. President to resign from office on account of ill health.
The reports, according to Hajia Mairo insinuated that Hajia Yar’Adua is disagreeing with the president’s wife. Turai, who the newspapers claimed was urging the president to sit tight, saying there was no time that the president’s mother suggested so.
To put the records straight the president’s mother has never spoken to the media.
She engjoys a cordial relationshion with her daughter-inlaw, Turai The president’s mother contrary to media reports, is supportive of Mr. President’s foray into politics and had always encouraged him to render selfless services to the good people of Nigeria, the family said. The family also said that instead of the media turning itself into malleable tools of a blackmail by disgruntled politicians” it should rather “cross check facts before going to press” most especially at this critical stage of the nation’s development.
Sequel to this, Hajia Mario Yar’Adua has instructed all the media houses “responsible for these falsehoods to retract the misleading report and apologise to the family or face legal action.”
FCT
The Natioknal Working Committee (NWC) of the People Democratioc Party (PDP) has summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to discuss the health of president Umaru Yar’Adua, who is currently in hospital in Saudi Arabia. Also on the agenda of the NEC meeting expected to hold Thursday, December 10 at the National Secretariat of the Party, Abuja include deberative on the expected mid term convention by the first quarter of next year.
The party also called on the Inspector General of police to investigate the out come of the bye-election in Ondo State, where it accused the Labour Party of rigging the out come of the Akoko South-East/Akoko South West federal constituency polls.
According to a top source at the PDP National Secretariat,”the aim of the meeting is for the party to inform members of the NEC of the health of the president and urge members of the party to pray for the quick recovery of the president.” This NEC meeting is a follow up to the Session for the President. When some ones is sick, the best hyou can offer to that person in to show empathy and prayers,” the source said.
Since the admission of the president is a Saudi hospital there has been strident calls for his resignation, but both the party and the federal Executive council have opposed such calls, stating that there is no vacancy in the presidential Villa as there is nothing to suggest that the president cannot perform his official duties. But some politicians and civil society groups have called on the president to resign, claiming that the absence of the president has caused dislocations in the Nigerian economy.
Adamawa
Former Vic President, Atiku Abubakar, United Nations under-Secretary General, Prof. Ibrahaim Gambari and President, Nigerian Bar Assocation (NBA), Rotimie Akerodolu, have submitted that Nigeria must conduct credible elections in 2011 as a cardinal milestone in the country’s march towards nation hood.
Abubakar and Gambari spoke in Yola, Adamawa State, during the weekend at the founders’ Day of the American University of Nigeria, while Akeredelu delivered a paper in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at “Sanyaolu Memorial lecture” organised by the state chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in honour of their late chairman, Adefemi Sanyaolu.
In his keynote address entitled: “The persuit of excellence in the task of nation-building,” Gambari maintained that “free and fair elections are what we want to see in Nigeria next year. Anything short of that will not take us anywhere and will draw the hands of our development backward.
“Except you (the electorat) give leaders their mandate, there is no way you can tell them to be transparent.”
Kaduna
Amid persistent demand for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s exit from office on health grounds, his younger sister, Hajia Binta Kuraya, says the Nigerian leader, if given the opportunity can still rule the country for another 16 years.
Although the 1999 constitution allows a four year tenure of two terms, Mrs Kuraya told journalists in Kaduna that the health of the President was not as poor as his opponents had portrayed it to most Nigerians.
But the Minority leader of the House of Respresentatives, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has appealed to the president to make a “very sincere assessment” on his state of health before deciding whether to quit or remain in office.
To the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin, Rev. Father Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, the President’s situation requires a spiritual approach an not constitutional means while (Yar’Adua’s classmates) under the aegis of Kefi Old Boys’ Assication (KOBA) decribed calls for his exist as callous and mischievous.
Hajia Kuraya said those calling for his brother’sw resignation to have the fea of god at heart in the interest of the nation’s democracy.
Kuraya, who incidentally was a one-time woman leader for the Atiku Abubakar campaign Organisation said she was embittered with the rumoured death of the President, saying that Yar’Adua would soon bounce back and resume work.
She said no matter the pressure, Yar’Adua “cannot be removed from office by anyone,” asserting that if Yar’Adua was given the chance, “the President has the ability and capacity to lead the country for another 16 years.”
Zamfara
A slight cabinet reshuffle has been effected by the Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shikafi.
The exercise affected about six commissioners and four speciall advisers, accordint to a statement made available to journatlists and signed by the Director of Press to the governor, Adamu Sani Katuru said those affected by the development include Dr. Na’Allah Isah Mayana who was moved from Ministry of Lands and Survey to Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Isiyaka Zurmi awas moved from the finance Ministry to that of Local Government and Ehieftaincy Affairs while Engr. Kabim Marfa was moved from Water Resources Ministry to the of Education.
The statement equally indicate tht Bashir Madaro, who hold forth at the Education Ministry before the reshuffle, will now be in charge at the Ministry of lands and survey and Tukur Dangaladima has been moved from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to that of Water Resources.
It said Allassaw Shinkafi, who was recently cleared by the state house of assembly, will assume duty as the new Commissioner of Finance.
Similary, Aliyu Admau Tsafe, who was in charge at the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, will be given a new schedule of duty in due course.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
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