Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

May 11, 2010

Adamawa

The Mubi North Local Education Authority (LEA) has distributed 630 economic tree seedlings for planting in primary schools in the area.

Presenting the seedlings to headmasters of primary schools in the area, Malam Danrimi Ahmed , the Secretary of Education in the local government, advised that mango seedlings should be planted within the premises of schools or in school gardens.

He tasked the headmasters to ensure that the trees were nurtured to maturity in view of their importance to humans and the environment.

“All things necessary must be done to nurture the trees to maturity for maximum benefit to humans and the environment,’’ Danrimi stressed.

Ekiti

The Ekiti State Sector Command of the FRSC says it arrested 728 cyclists in the state in the last four months, for offences ranging from overloading to non-compliance with the us e of safety helmets.

The Sector Command, Mr. Francis Udoma, made this known in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during an enlightenment campaign tagged, “Child Safety on the road always”, organised by the command chapter of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA).

The Tide’s source reports that members of ROSOWA, led by its chairperson, Mrs. Francisca Fanola, used the opportunity offered by the campaign to distribute stickers and flyers to both motorists and pedestrians.

Udoma explained that an average of 182 cyclists, were arrested monthly for various traffic offences.

FCT

The International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO) honoured the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on Friday by observing a moment of silence at its conference in Uganda.

The Nigeria’s Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director-General, Ms Arunma Oteh, who is attending the conference, said the capital market regulators were touched by the president’s demise.

“They were kind enough to give President Yar’Adua a moment of silence at the beginning of the event,’’ she said, in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source from Kampala.

Oteh said news of the president’s passing away was greeted with shock at the conference.

Yar’Adua passed away on May 5, after a protracted illness.

She said the late president would be remembered for his efforts in stabilising the capital market after the global financial shock.

The Nigerian capital market was shaken by the rippling effects of the global financial crisis in 2008, sending stock prices to crumble and revealing fault lines in the operations of the market.

The director-general said the reforms instituted to stabilise the market by the Yar’Adua administration was beginning to yield results.

Kano

Full commercial activities have now resumed in Kano, four days after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The ancient city noted for its burstling economic activity, witnessed a lull following the announcement of Yar’Adua’s death on Wednesday,as shops and other business outfits closed, to mourn the death of the departed leader.

The Tide’s source who went round the commercial town on Sunday, observed that trading activities were going on in full swing, with people trooping in and out of the city with vehicles loaded with various types of goods.

A visit to the Sabon Gari and Kantin Kwari markets showed that people were gradually getting over the shock of the president’s demise and continuing with their daily activities.

A trader, Malam Shehu Talata, told the source that he closed his shop for two days, to mourn the death of the president, “but now, I am back to business.”

Katsina

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan to enable him to move the country forward.

Abubakar made the call in a chart with newsmen shortly after attending the third day prayer for the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in Katsina.

He said the call had become necessary in view of the circumstances leading to his emergence as president of the country.

“I pray that Nigerians will give him the needed support to continue with all the good legacies the late President Umaru Yar’Adua left behind,” he said.

The former head of state, who described the death of President Yar’Adua as a great loss to the country, prayed God to reward him with “the best of Paradise’’.

Lagos

Independent candidacy recommended by the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee is not practicable in the 2011 elections, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has said.

Mr Emma Eneukwu, the ANPP National Publicity Secretary, told newsmen in Lagos that independent candidacy could be practicable only where there were two or three parties.

“Independent candidate is one of the things we advocated for, but where we differ a little is that where you have about 57 political parties, there is no need for an independent candidate,” he said.

The Tide’s source reports that the House of Representatives had earlier in the week approved the committee’s recommendation on independent candidacy.

The candidate, however, will have to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 90 days before the election date.

Niger

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo, says the reform in the Nigeria Police Force was expected to gulp N400 billion.

The former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Lame, had told newsmen that the three tiers of government had agreed to contribute N450 billion annually in the next five years to fund the Nigeria Police Force.

Onovo made the disclosure in Minna during the opening of the first policing executive forum, organised by CLEEN Foundation, an NGO.

He said it was heart-warming that all three tiers of government were working toward providing the needed funds.

“The good thing about this reform is that when fully implemented, it will give Nigeria a befitting police force.”

“It is my hope that the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission will work assiduously with the management team of the Nigeria Police Force to make these police reforms a reality,’’ he said.

Oyo

A former Judge at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Mr. Bola Ajibola, has said that injustice in Nigeria is among the causes of terrorist acts.

Abjibola said this in Ibadan recently in a lecture entitled, “Towards a Terror Free Society: The need for Mental Transformation”, delivered at the 2010 Dawah Week of the Muslim Students Society of Lead City University (LCU).

He said that the same factor bred international terrorism and urged the federal government to spread development evenly to give every part of the country a sense of belonging.

“Those who subject others to inhuman or degrading living conditions will most likely end up as recipients of such people’s uncivil tendencies”, he said.

Ajibola, whose paper was delivered by Mr. Saheed Aweda, said Nigerian youths had great roles to play, especially in mental transformation to change their perception of terrorism and their orientation toward nation building.

He said the government must work sincerely and assiduously to eradicate poverty and not just reducing the subject to a campaign slogun.

Sokoto

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, the Sultan of Sokoto, has described the late President Umaru Yar’Adua as a consummate and an affable personality imbued with humility, a high sense of dignity and poise.

This was contained in a condolence letter he sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Sokoto.

In the letter, the Sultan said: “His incisive vision, his selflessness and dedication, his exemplary leadership qualities and his unalloyed commitment to the promotion of the rule of law have all contributed immensely in moving this nation forward in the last few years.

“The late President Yar’Adua was, above all, a man of peace who worked tirelessly and assiduously in promoting peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding not only in the Niger Delta but also in all parts of the country.

“We write with a heavy heart and with sadness and sorrow to condole Your Excellency over the passing away of His Excellency President Umaru Yar’Adua”.

Nation

MOSIEND Calls For RSG, NDDC, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Obolo Nation

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region

MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent

The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.

MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans

“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.

According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.

They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.

The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities

Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.

He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.

Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.

” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.

The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area

While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .

“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.

“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.

“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.

Chinedu Wosu

Nation

Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF

Published

1 day ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

Prominent academics and industry players have called on government at all levels to partner with the Rivers State International Film Festival (RIFF) to unlock the hidden potentials of the film industry and market the State to the international community.

The appeal was made at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the festival, held recently at Ezewali Event Centre in Port Harcourt.

The festival, which featured film screenings, workshops, and discussions, aimed to promote Nigerian culture and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work.

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Femi Shaka; Mr Tobechukwu Daniel: and the Chief Executive Officer of Down Town Cinema, Mrs Nneka Clareth commended the Chief Executive Officer of RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo for her efforts in promoting the culture of the Niger Delta and Nigeria through film.

According to Prof Shaka, “They are telling our stories the way nobody else will tell it. It gives them the opportunity to show the world what we have.”

He urged the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and other Governors from the Niger Delta States to support RIFF, describing it as a marketplace where upcoming stars can showcase their talents.

Mr Tobechukwu Daniel, one of the founding fathers of RIFF, expressed satisfaction with the four-day programme, which was jam-packed with activities that had a direct impact on the participants and the industry.

He emphasised the need for government partnership, stating that funding from governments, multinationals, and captains of industries is crucial for the growth of the film industry.

“The international participation in RIFF programmes will boost our economy, as they will watch our cinema, buy our films, and give our youths opportunities to showcase their talent,” Daniel said, advising actors and actresses to focus on professionalism rather than godfatherism.

Mrs Nneka Clareth, who has been in the business for 12 years, noted that lack of funding is a setback to the nation.

“I want the government to support Nollywood in totality, because Nollywood covers visibility, sustainability, culture, tourism, storytelling, and a whole lot,” she said.

The festival, which featured free medical treatment, film production, scriptwriting, and discussions on various topics by professionals, drew participants from different parts of the world.

The organisers commended Kate Ezeigbo and her team for putting together a wonderful event, urging participants to make proper use of the opportunity.

Nation

Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach

Published

1 day ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Hausa Butchers Association in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Hamisu Jika, has commended the Chairman of the local government council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma for organising a successful free medical outreach programme that benefited thousands of people in the area.

The outreach, which was organised by the local government council provided free medical services to thousands of people, including the elderly, women, and children, healing many with different ailments.

Alhaji Jika described Hon Abuba as a visionary leader, who has the welfare of his people at heart, noting that he is a de-tribalised Nigerian citizen who is determined to run an all-inclusive government.

He pledged the total support of the Hausa community to the administration of the council chairman in all its programmes and policies.

According to Alhaji Jika, the Hausa community in Ahoada East is law-abiding and will continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.

“Honestly, I want to tell you that we are peace-loving people and we are solidly behind the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ahoada East in all his programmes and policies in the local government,” he said.

The chairman revealed that the Hausas and their hosts, the Ahoada people, have been enjoying a cordial relationship since they started settling in the area, stressing that the council chairman has been a good leader who does not condone evil.

He expressed optimism that Hon Abuba will improve the comfort and wellbeing of the people and transform the council area, noting that the chairman has his people at heart.

He, therefore, called on both indigenes and non-indigenes of the local government to rally round the chairman, as he needs their support to take the local government to another level.

He appealed to the chairman to look into the welfare of Hausa people and help them with soft loans to boost their businesses, noting that some of the Hausas were born and brought up in Ahoada and have married there, and there is understanding and cordiality amongst them in the area.

Alhaji Jika also called on the youths to be law-abiding and stay away from trouble, stressing that where there is no peace, there will not be any meaningful development.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma has indeed started well and is working hard to fulfill his electioneering promises, making him a charismatic leader and the man of the people.