THE STATES

Kwara

Police in Kwara State have arrested five suspects in con

            nection with severance of a human head allegedly for ritual purpose.

Among the suspects is a septuagenarian who is alleged to be a herbalist.

It was clamed that the planned ritual was meant to make one of the suspects (name with held) become a rich man.

The police said its team of detective acting on information, found the severed head with another of the suspects (name withheld also) in his residence at Igbonna in Oyun Local Government Area of the state.

They said confession of the suspect on interrogation led to the arrest of the others.

The suspect, during an interaction with newsmen at the police head quarters in Ilorin, however, claimed that he was innocent.

Edo

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, on Tuesday sent

            three names of commissioners designate to the Edo State House of Assembly for approval to replace the three commissioners who resigned last year.

The nominees, who are expected to be in charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, as well as that of Transport, are Anstem Ojezua, Dr. Cordelia Aiyowieren-Awize and Lucas Okojie respectively.

Three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were serving as commissioners in Oshiomole’s administration resigned their appointment in September last year over irreconciliable differences.

They are Vincent Akhere, who was in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Fedelis Oriafo, who was in the Ministry of Transport and Mrs. Sera Adetugboboh, who was in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. they had cited personal reasons for their resignation.

Bayelsa

Embattled contractor, Joseph Ajuwa, who is handling the

            installation of the floodlights and electronic scoreboard at the Yenegoa Sport Complex, said the decision of the Bayelsa State Government to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest him over the uncompleted project is an act of victimisation aimed at discrediting him.

Ajuwa, who is the Managing Director of Yarbek & Company, denied claims that the project was abandoned as alleged by the state government.

In an interview with The Tide’s source on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the contractor said there was an agreement between him and the state government on November 4, last year, that the manufacturer of the floodlights would take 10 to 14 weeks in France before shipment, which takes a maximum of 30 days.

The state government had alleged that the contractor abandoned that N450 million project since 2006, despite several appeals that funds collected to complete the work.

Consequently, the governor directed the sports ministry to invite the EFCC to arrest the contractor for breach of contract agreement.

Niger

Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has

            cautioned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inherent danger of imposing candidates on Niger and during the fourthcoming 2011 general election.

He also advised the nation’s traditional rulers, as custodians of the peoples’ culture and tradition, on the need to be conscious of their actions and inactions in order not to send the wrong signals to their subjects of their roles in politics and the next years’ election.

Aliyu gave the warning at Agaie headquarters of Agaie Local Government Area of the state, during the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) official in council areas within the Niger South Senatorial Zone.

He told the traditional rulers not to do anything that would be detrimental to their position but to act in compliance with the country’s constitution, which provides that they remain non-partisan.

Aliyu was responding to a comment by the Emir of Lapai, Umaru Bago, who said that with the presence of traditional rulers at the Agaie event, they were at liberty to attend similar functions put together by any other political party.

Lagos

Nigerians have been urged to make sacrifices to move the

            nation forward.

The call was made by Venerable Igeni Isemede during the solemnisation of holy matrimony between Nkem Oyindamola Dike, daughter of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Paul Dike and Ikechukwu Ebube Obianyor.

Ven. Isemede also said the nation could be improved if leaders eschewed corruption and other social vices, which he said, is “the bane of all developing countries”.   

Rivers State Deputy Governor Engr. Tele Ikuru, represented Governor Chibike Rotimi Amaechi at the event, which took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Ven. Isemede said “he regretted the attitude of some citizens, noting that such were detrimental to the progress and development of the country, urging such people to have a rethink of God’s will in their lives”.

He also urged citizens to make their ways right before God. Isemede further enjoined the couples to provide succour from the vissitides of life to their spouses, saying “You are the umbrella  your spouse has from the troubles of this world and prayed for the sustenance of the godly virtues in families.

Abuja

The Federal Government has assured members of the dip

            lomatic corps of its readiness to combat crime and unrest.

Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan gave the assurance recently when he hosted head of diplomatic missions and international organisations at his Aguda residence, Abuja.

Governors and Ministers also attended the dinner.

Jonathan said peace and security formed a key area which would receive the government’s attention.

He spoke on the December 25 botched terror attack by Umar Farouk Abdumuttatalab on a US plane, urging the diplomats to see the incident in its proper perspective.

Jonathan said “Nigerians are peace loving people and responsible members of the international community.

“This incident must, therefore, not become an excuse to single out Nigerians for undeserved profiling and the application of restrictive measures which unduely impinge on our dignity, freedom and fundamental rights”.

Anambra

The state House of Assembly and Executive of the Peoples

            Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo were at daggers drawn on Tuesday following indications that 12 of its members may be expelled for alleged anti-party activities.

Giving the indication, PDC Caretaker Committee Secretary, Tony Muobike, and its Publicity Secretary, Joseph Ofokansi, said the party is considering expelling the members who they claim are supporting Andy Uba, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate.

They had already written to the lawmakers mandating them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them, adding that the de-registration of Uba, Mrs Uche Ekwunife and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the LP, Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) and HDP from PDP has commenced at their respective ward levels.

Delta

Delta State House of Assembly has warned on the delay

            in competing the Asaba International Airport and the new Government House.

Its committee on Finance and Appropriation also ordered stabilini Visionmi, the contractor handling the Asaba Township Stadium and its chairman, Wale Babalaki, to appear before the committee next week Tuesday.

Chairman of the committee, Daniel Mayuku, gave the order last Tuesday at the commencement of inspection of some mega projects across the state.

According to him, most of the projects ought to have been completed last year, particularly that of the Asaba Township Stadium for which the contractor has collected over 90% of the contract sum.

Abia

Demolition of illegal structures is billed to commence in

            Aba and Umuahia in February, according to the Abia State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Emeka Nwachukwu.

The Commissioner said this in Umuahia recently while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry.

According to The Tide source, Nwachukwu said some of the building blocked drainages, while others, which did not comply with the town planning laws would also be affected in the exercise.

The commissioner explained that the essence of the demolition is to accommodate the lapses noticed in the planning of the two towns when the digital mapping of the two towns begins.

He noted that many landlords have vacated the town planning laws by using their buildings for purposes other than what is contained in their certificate of occupancy.