Nation
THE STATES
Niger
The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar has said that “the death of former First Lady, Maryam Babangida has created a wide vacuum which will be too difficult to fill”.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Bida, Niger State, on the tenise of Maryam, the royal father described her as a very courageous woman whose main focus was the Nigerian woman. He said her pet project; the “Better Life For Rural Women” touched all spheres of women endeavour in the country. Through the programme, the Etsu Nupe added, “the ever elegant Maryam made Nigerian women to know their rights better, just as it empowered them fully.
Ekiti
The wife of Human Rights Activist, Falana, Mrs Funmu Falona has commended the Ekiti State government for giving the Evelu Angela Adebayo Motherless Babies Home, Iyin-Ekiti, a face lift, saying the government’s gesture is encouraging.
Mrs Falana also awarded scholarships to over 60 indigent students of IIawe-Ekiti, her country home, in various tertiary institutions across the country.
She said this would enable them to have equal access to education, like their counterparts from wealthy homes.
The scholarship scheme and the presentation of gifts to the orphanage are annual events being mid-wifed by Femi and Funmi Falana Foundation.
Plateau
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sarah Yusuf on Tuesday declared that no fewer than 492 retired military men in the state died in 2009.
The Commissioner who disclosed this at a press conference to mark 2010 Armed Forces Remembrance Day stated that 58 of them died during the last Jos crisis while the others, as a result of various diseases.
According to her, based on available data on the retired soldiers, there are 975 Ex-military men in the state adding that in 2009, 89 migrated from the state for one reason or the other.
On the significance of the day, Yusuf said it has been specially dedicated by government to commemorate the nation’s fallen heroes and to also show appreciation to those still living.
Kwara
Former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Samuel Kolawole on Monday died in his hotel room at the Kwara Hotels, Ilorin.
Kolawole, who was also a former managing director of the defunct Trade Bank Plc, was said to have died moments after he developed some health related complications in his room.
The bank guru who hailed from Etan in Osi local government area of Kwara state was said to have checked in the hotel room on Sunday.
Borno
House of Representatives Minority Leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume has said that only civil revolution can wrest power from the Peoples Democratic party , PDP, back to Nigerian masses in 2011.
Ndume also dubbed the President Yar’Adua’s seven point agenda as “a complete nonsense that was unilaterally designed by one man to achieve nothing.”
According to him, ‘It is not going to be an issue of the opposition taking over government in 2011, power will be taken away from the PDP through a massive revolution – a civil revolution, a political revolution, because people are fed up with the way PDP is ruling this country with impunity without recourse to the yearnings and aspiration of the Nigerian masses.”
He said the revolution might not be realised on party lines but will surely come through the revolt of the short changed masses who are going to go to the polls to vote out the PDP government.
Kano
New Leadership of Kano Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to probe the attack of its chieftain Halipu Ahmed Goso in Gwarro Local Government in Kano.
Goso is former Managing Director of Federal Radio Corporation, Kaduna Office.
Party leader in the state, Faruk Iya on Tuesday led the executive members on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Plice, Mammau Ibrahim Chafe and told the Commissioner that there was need for him to take the attack seriously so as to prevent a recurrevence.
The new Exco of PDP is happy with Kano State police Command and would do every thing possible to assist efforts of the command in maintaining a peaceful political atmosphere in the state.
“So far we have no reason to accuse the Police of any wrong droing or bias in their assignment”, Iya said.
Osun
Following the death of one of its lawyers Pa Jonathan Ogundere, Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offered the award of N5 million as reward for any member of the public with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the killers.
State Deputy Chairman of the Party Chief Ojo Williams who disclosed this at a Press Conference in Osogbo, also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ogbonna Onovo to set up a special panel to investigate the remote issues of the lawyer’s death.
Besides, the Nigerian Bar Assocation (NBA) Osogbo state branch has petitioned the Director of state Security Services (SSS) and the Inspector General of Police, demanding thorough investigation into Ogundere’s murder.
Kwara
Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed has called for a measure to check incessant violence by religious sects in the country.
Muhammed made the call, Tuesday, while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on activities of the House and other national issues.
He described the fresh sectarian crises in Bauchi State as unfortunate adding that frequent outbreak of such crises in recent times was worrisome.
He also said the crises were inimical to democracy and development of the country and urged the appropriate authorities to find a way out of the problem.
FCT
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Adamu Aliero has said the FCT administration will not compromise the standard of education in the territory.
The Minister who threatened to shutdown 124 schools charged education administrators to proffer concrete solutions to the problems confronting the sector.
Aliero also directed 124 primary schools to upgrade their facilities and infrastructure in line with the standard set by the education secretariat or be closed down. Aliero spoke on Tuesday, while awarding certificates of accreditation to (9) FCT schools at the second Ministerial Town Hall meeting for private schools in the FCT.
Oyo
Governor Alao Akala of Oyo State has warned this year’s intending pilgrims to Jerusalem not to make any attempt to abscond or engage in drug trafficking.
Akala handed down the warning, Tuesday, while addressing the pilgrims at the Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing) Complex, Total Garden, Ibadan.
The Governor urged them not to see their trip to the holy land as a jamboree, but as one that would enhance spiritual rebirth and moral reform of society.
“You should see yourselves not only as ambassadors of the state, but also as architects of spiritual rebirth and moral reforms of the society,” he declared.
He reminded them of the theme of this year’s pilgrimage as “Pilgrimage as a tool for national change,” which, he said, called for fervent prayer for the fatherland, their state and their family.
Adamawa
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Jibril has said that Nigeria needs to amend some provisions of the 1999 constitution if the country must move forward.
Aminu, noted that the constitution is full of flaws and technicalities that have negated the process of nation building and smooth democratic governance.
The lawmaker, who represents Adamawa Central in the National Assembly, pointed out that in as much as the constitution is weak in certain sensitive areas that border on the country’s socio-economic and political advancement, there is need for Nigerians to learn how to follow and obey provisions of the constitution of the country.
Speaking to selected journalists in his Yola residence, Monday night, Aminu said that the problems of the country should not only be blamed on the inadequacies of the 1999 constitution, but on Nigerians whom he accused of not obeying the laws of the land.
Nation
NCSU Hails Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the political rift between Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing the move as timely, strategic and crucial to restoring stability in the State.
The union also urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reciprocate the President’s peace efforts by working harmoniously with Governor Fubara to promote good governance and political stability.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, said President Tinubu’s intervention has demonstrated responsible national leadership and reaffirmed his role as a unifying figure.
According to Osumah, the President’s action followed a formal appeal by the union calling for federal intervention in the protracted political crisis, a response he said clearly showed Tinubu’s concern for peace and development in Rivers State.
“By intervening at this critical moment, Mr President has done what was long expected of him as the father of the nation. His action has laid to rest doubts and speculations about his commitment to restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State,” Osumah said.
He expressed satisfaction that the intervention had effectively halted impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, noting that the development provides an opportunity for sober reflection and a renewed focus on governance.
Osumah said the resolution of the dispute would allow the governor to concentrate fully on delivering dividends of democracy and advancing development across the oil-rich State.
While acknowledging the political realities in Rivers State, the NCSU chairman said he had no objections to the recognition of Chief Wike as the political leader in the State, while Governor Fubara remains the constitutionally elected governor.
“The most important thing is peace. All parties must sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the overall interest of Rivers people,” he said.
He appealed to lawmakers, particularly those aligned with Wike, to act in good faith by complying with the presidential directive to drop all impeachment plots and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government.
According to him, a harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive would create opportunities for effective lawmaking, smooth execution of constituency projects and improved service delivery to citizens.
Osumah further advised the lawmakers to set aside emotions and sentiments and conduct themselves in line with democratic norms and legislative rules of engagement, warning that actions capable of destabilising governance would no longer be tolerated by the President.
He also noted that the President’s peace initiative has paved the way for lawmakers to fully relocate to the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, commending Governor Fubara for completing and equipping the facility to support effective legislative work.
Expressing optimism about the future, Osumah said Governor Fubara was disposed to reconciliation and would readily respond to genuine peace overtures from the lawmakers in the interest of the collective wellbeing of the State.
He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for once again demonstrating his commitment to Rivers State, urging all political actors to align with the presidential directive and prioritise stability, good governance and public service.
Nation
Group Tasks Rivers Govt To Establish Foundation In Honour Of Onyeishi Etche, Oche ENB Opurum
A sociocultural group in the Etche ethnic nationality of Rivers State, the ELGA Committee of Friends, has called on the Rivers State Government to establish a foundation in honour of His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, the Onyeishi Etche and the only surviving member of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
The call was made by the Mayor of the group, Eze Charles Nweke, during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt. Nweke described Oche ENB Opurum as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the struggle that led to the creation of Rivers State, stressing that such historic contributions should not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
According to him, honouring Oche ENB Opurum would amount to honouring the collective sacrifices of the founding fathers of the state, while also serving as motivation to younger generations that selfless service to society is valued and remembered.
“To keep the memories of the founding fathers alive, the only surviving member needs to be properly honoured. That is why we are calling on the state government to set up a foundation in honour of Oche ENB Opurum,” Nweke said.
He added that beyond symbolic recognition, the government should also consider incentives and welfare support for families of the founding fathers of Rivers State, noting that some of them are currently living in difficult conditions.
Nweke warned that neglecting the families of those who fought for the state’s creation could discourage future generations from making similar sacrifices for society and the nation at large. He urged both government and non-governmental organisations to take practical steps to preserve the legacy of the state’s founders through institutional support, scholarships, and historical documentation.
Meanwhile, the ELGA Committee of Friends has commended the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, for what it described as proactive and people-oriented leadership. Nweke noted that Njoku is the first chairman since the creation of the council to embark on comprehensive assessment tours across communities in the local government area.
He said the tour reflects the chairman’s commitment to grassroots development, adding that communities across Etche are already feeling the impact of his administration, particularly in the ongoing grading and rehabilitation of roads across Etcheland.
The group also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Uchechukwu Obasi, praising his developmental strides and governance style.
According to Nweke, the leadership of both council chairmen has brought pride to the Etche nation, assuring them of the continued support of the group as they work to deliver dividends of democracy to their people.
Nation
Registrar Bags Award Of Honour Urges Students To Prioritise Academics
The Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Dr Ajie Chinonye, has charged Nigerian students, particularly those at the postgraduate level, to remain focused on academic excellence and eschew all forms of violence, cultism and social vices that undermine scholarship and societal development.
Dr. Ajie gave the charge while receiving an Award of Honour from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, led by its President, Barrister Chidi Enyi, during a courtesy visit to him in his office.
He stressed that the primary purpose of studentship is the pursuit of knowledge, noting that academic excellence must be pursued with vigour and commitment. According to him, involvement in cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices poses serious danger not only to the university system but to society at large.
The Registrar reaffirmed that IAUE, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, maintains zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice and all acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
Dr. Ajie further urged postgraduate students to see themselves as role models, saying they have a responsibility to lead by example for undergraduates and younger scholars to emulate.
“As postgraduate students, you are expected to prove yourselves as the best in character, conduct and academics. Society looks up to you to demonstrate excellence in all standards,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr. Ajie disclosed that his background as a student unionist contributed significantly to his leadership journey, encouraging the students to leverage their positions to make positive impacts in society.
He also advised the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union to strengthen collaboration with Deans of Graduate Studies across institutions in the state, noting that such partnerships would enhance effective administration and help the union achieve its objectives.
While commending the union for its unity and commitment to promoting students’ welfare and scholarship, the Registrar assured them of the university management’s continued support towards initiatives that advance academic growth and student wellbeing.
In his remarks, the President of the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union, Barrister Chidi Enyi, said the award was conferred on Dr. Ajie in recognition of his outstanding track record, commitment to educational development and exemplary service to humanity.
He expressed appreciation to the Registrar for his support for postgraduate students and promotion of academic excellence, adding that the union was proud to identify and work with leaders who prioritize education and student welfare.
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