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Abuja

 

Expressing disappointment over the recent action of the govt of the United States of America, listing Nigeria on the its watch list of terrorist nations  the upper legislative arm of the National Assembly said the position highly unacceptable.

The Senate therefore gave the US government a –one- week ultimatum to delist Nigerians from this  list for extra-security screening.

  Briefing Senate correspondents the chairman of the Senate committee on media and Information,  Senator Ayogu Eze  said the Senate would on resumption tomorrow take a holistic look on the issue and would not hesitate to  take a definite position in case  the American authorities refuse to retract its decision.

  The Senate’s spokes person pointed out that the decision of the US authorities was rather too harsh as the alleged aborted terrorist attempt by Nigerian born Umar Abdulmutallab was an exception that should not have been generalised.

He  also noted  that there was yet no evidence to blame the security lapse on the Nigerian authorities.

  Senator Eze has maintained that given the relationship that has existed between America and Nigeria, it is most unfair  for America to take such hasty conclusion without even adequate consultations with the authorities in Nigeria.

He affirmed “This is not acceptable to us and we are going to do whatever we can as a nation to prove to America that we will not take this.

 

Lagos

 

The overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministers, (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya has rewarded 20 first class graduates from Nigerian universities with car gifts.

The gesture was aimed at “improving academic excellence and reward “diligence,” Olukoya said, adding that it was also to stimulate similar performances four undergraduates and dissuade youths from negative influences.

The new car owners are Adesanya Abosede from Department of English, UNILAG, Alabi Olakunle, Bio-Chemistry, Ambrose Ali University, Aluko Damilola, French, Unilag, Anifowose Abiodun, Chemistry, Unilag, Dosunmu Olakunle, Chemical Engineering, UMLAG, Edaogbogun Blessing, Accounting, OAU; Ezeji Maxwell, Mechanical Engineering, FUTO, Owerri, Iwoatan Temidayo, Botany, UNILAG, Jegede Bolaji, Chemical Engineering, UNILAG and Nwachukwu Hope, Physics, Nasarawa State University. Others are Ogiri Kingsley, Sociology, UNILAG, Okafor Chiweoke, Economics, UNN, Olabatunyi Oluwole Isaac, Plant Science, OAU, Oyindamola Tolu, Computer Science, UI, and Sonubi Adeyemi, Mathematics, UNAAB.

Presenting the keys to the first class products, wife of the General Overseer, Pastor (Mrs) Shade Olukoya said it was to motivate them to always remain focused in life.

 

Oyo

 

An Oyo based group, G23 has advised the political elites in Oyo State against fanning embers of negative sentiments, recrimination and destructive tendencies in assessing governance. Rather, it said they should be guided by  values such as objectivity thoroughness and sincerity of purposes, which are hallmarks of decent articulate and thoroughly bred elites.

At a news conference jointly addressed by both president and general secretary of the group, respectively, Comrade Isiaka Emeka and Prince Oluwakayode Afonju, the group commended Otuba Adebayo Alao-Akala for imparting positively on the socio-economic lives of the people of the state, especially Oyo town and its environs.

According to the group, some of their unprecedented achievements of the state government within the last two years in Oyo town and its environs alone is the rehabilitating asphalt overlay of township roads, covering over 30 kilometres.

Similarly, the chairman of Oyo West Local Government, Mr Wale Ogunmole has rehabilitated and tarred 18 kilometres road, constructed three classrooms in each of the 13 primary and secondary schools, provided potable water and upgraded 10 health centres.

 

Kaduna

 

Concerned by mounting intrigues and speculations over President Umar Yar’Adua’s health and rumours of succession plots, Northern elders have summoned a special extra-ordinary meeting.

Dependable sources in Kaduna informed The Tide that the meeting summoned under the auspices of the ACE’s National Working Committee is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

It was also gathered that a political committee has been set up by ACF leaders to draw up an action plan in addition to making recommendation about major political issues and steps to be taken by Northern leaders.

Insider in ATC insist that while several groups and individuals are plotting various schemes regarding the presidency  and the vice presidency, despite recent information that President Musa Yar’Adua’s health is improving, the ACF is still determined to ensure that all appropriate constitutional process are followed.

 

Ekiti

 

A federal lawmaker, Iyiola Omisore, has called on the judiciary to brace up and save democracy from collapse.

Omisore said the judiciary is now on trial as the nation witnesses full blown democracy.

The two-term Senator made the appeal as the new Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Aloysius Kastina-Alu emerged as successor to Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi.

His swearing-in by the outgoing CJN, following the absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua now hospitalised in King Faisal Hospital, Saudi Arabia, has however, heralded serious controversies.

Omisore, who made the remark in a chat with newsmen at the governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti on New Year’s eve, also disclosed that all the democratic institutions in the country including the citizenry are on trial.

 

Plateau

 

The Plateau State Police Command has initiated an investigation of the state Moslem Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (MPWB) officials over allegations that some intending pilgrims who paid go on hajj last year were excluded from the exercise.

Public Relations Officer of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammed Lerama, disclosed yesterday that the Police had invited officials of the board based on the petitions received from the affected people.

However, Lerama declined further comments on the matter.

Chairman of the board, Alhaji Awwalu Dankurma, was seen yesterday at the Police Headquarters being questioned by a team of Police investigators.

 

 

Edo

 

The Edo State Police Command yesterday said it lost 20 of its men in various confrontations with criminals while 17 policemen in the state were dismissed for various offences last year.

The Commissioner of Police, Danlami Yar’Adua, while briefing journalists on activities of the command last year, said there was no case of bank robbery in Benin City, the state capital and other major towns in the state, except in Sabongida-Ora, Aganebode and Ibillo, which were foiled by his men.

Yar’Adua also said that attacks on billion vans, which became rampant in the first quarter of last year, reduced drastically later in the year.

He added that the command recorded a total of 1,025 cases of robbery, murder, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, burglary, house breaking and store breaking.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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