Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, last Wednesday urged the state’s Christian pilgrims going on pilgrimage to Israel and Rome to pray for peaceful conduct of the 2011 elections.
Yuguda, who gave the charge while addressing the intending pilgrims in Bauchi, said that 2011, being an election year, was crucial in the history of the nation and therefore, required special prayers.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Babayo Gamawa, charged the intending pilgrims to imbibe the virtues of peace, love, understanding and tolerance as exemplified by the life style of Jesus Christ.
Appealing to the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress in the state and the country as a whole Yuguda said “Jesus Christ taught love, sacrifice and service to mankind.
Borno
The National Insurance Commission (NIC) is planing a road show in Maiduguri to sensitise the people to the need to embrace the culture of taking insurance policy.
The commission’s Director of Research and Statistics, Alhaji Adamu Balanti, told newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri after a stakeholders meeting that the event, slated for December, would hold in major streets in Maiduguri and environs.
“The road show is part of the strategies to sensitise the people to the need to imbibe the culture of taking insurance policy.
“The objective is to let the people know that the 2003 Insurance Act has made third party insurance policy mandatory for all Nigerians,” he said.
FCT
Participants at the ongoing Regional Deepwater Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday described the attendance as impressive.
Some participants, who spoke to newsmen at the forum in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the quality of participation.
Mr Ofordile Okoye, the managing director of an indigenous firm which manufactures safety work wears, said the exhibition was a platform for Nigerian companies to showcase their progress following the recent enactment of the Nigerian Content Law.
He said the industry was anxiously awaiting the passage of the PIB which he said would address the concerns of all the stakeholders and provide the legal framework for the growth and development of the oil and gas sectors.
Kano
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya A’isha Isiyaku, has cautioned the public against “over consumption” of meat during the Sallah festival to avoid stomack disorders.
She gave the warning on Thursday in Kano in an interview with newsmen when the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, paid the traditional Sallah homage to Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
Isiyaku also urged the people to avoid taking too much animal fats during the festival to avoid heart problems and arthritis.
She advised the people to take a lot of fruits and vegetable during the festival for improved good health.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has awarded a N3.9 billion contract for the completion of the first and second phases of the state’s stadium.
The deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Sirajo Damari, said this last Wednesday in Katsina during the traditional “Hawan Bariki, “ a programme held to mark the Sallah celebration.
He said the decision to complete the abandoned multi-million Naira stadium was borne out of the state government’s commitment toward boosting sporting activities.
Damari, who represented Governor Ibrahim Shema, also said the state government had within the last three and half years rehabilitated all the mini-stadia in the state.
“It is known that sporting activities play a significant role in politics of the world today, hence the decision by government to give the sector the attention it deserves,” he said.
Kebbi
Some children in Birnin Kebbi metropolis last Wednesday urged the state government to build an amusement park for their leisure.
Musa Ahmadu told newsmen that lack of an amusement park has denied children a special arena to mark the Sallah celebration.
“I have played with friends but a modern amusement park is required here,” he said.
Abbati Ali, who came with his parents from Abuja, also lamented the absence of a park.
“I miss the fun in Abuja, though I have made new friends here,” he said.
Kogi
The reconstruction of the 200-year old Odogi traditional market in Kabba-Bunu Local Government of Kogi has commenced.
The project, being executed under the World Bank assisted Fadama III programme, will be completed soon.
Chairman of the Fadama Community Association (FCA), Mr Samuel Olobatoke made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kabba last Tuesday.
Olobatoke said the project of 24 cubicles and VIP latrines would cost N1.83 million provided by the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the community and the Federal and State Governments.
He said the market had historical and traditional significance having served the fore fathers of the community and its neighbouring towns and villages for more than 200 years.
Kwara
One policeman was killed and fifteen others seriously injured in a community clash at Ganmo Muslim Prayer Ground in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Tuesday.
The palace of the Olu of Ganmo, Oba Atanda Kolawole and some vehicles were damaged in the fracas by irate youths.
The crisis started in the morning at the Ganmo prayer ground over who should lead the prayer following an age long chieftaincy dispute.
Police spokesman, Mr Ezekiel Dabo, said the Command received a distress call from the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Kolawole.
“The command mobilised its anti-riot policemen to restore peace, but suddenly, some soldiers, numbering about eight, appeared and engaged the policemen in a gun battle.
He pointed out that one faction in the chieftaincy dispute had mobilised some youths to prevent the other faction from leading them at the prayer. “That was how the crisis started.’’
Lagos
The inauguration of the Customs Examination Bay at Seme border earlier scheduled for this month has been postponed to June 2011.
Mr Fred Udechukwu, Managing Director of Global SCAN SYSTEM Ltd., the firm handling the project, told newsmen last Wednesday in Lagos that the date was no longer feasible.
“The commissioning of the Bay has been postponed till June next year because some important aspects of the contract have not been concluded,’’ he said.
Udechukwu also said the delay in concluding the job was caused by the swampy nature of the area which called for sand filling.
The firm had during an inspection visit by officials of the Ministry of Finance in August promised that the Bay would be ready in November.
Ogun
Former Commonwealth scribe, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Monday suggested that traditional rulers should be enlisted into the country’s governance under the current presidential system.
Delivering a lecture to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Anyaoku said the role of traditional rulers in the nation could not be over-emphasised.
He described traditional rulers as the custodians of their people’s culture and the embodiment of their collective conscience.
He noted that the traditional rulers played an important role in the sustenance of the cohesion of societies, thereby maintaining law and order, especially in the rural setting.
Osun
The Osun chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) last Wednesday again took up the state government over the N18.4 billion loan it took in April.
It would be recalls that the loan was approved by the House of Assembly on April 27 in spite of criticisms by opposition parties.
The state government had said the loan was to boost development projects which had already been captured in the 2010 budget.
But ACN in a statement by its Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, expressed concern over what the loan had been used for since it was obtained in April.
Plateau
Plateau United FC Technical Adviser, Ndubusi Nduka, says the players will blend with each other by the end of Week Five of the current season.
Nduka told newsmen last Wednesday in Jos that perfect understanding in the team was crucial to picking the continental ticket.
He said just two weeks into the league, the NPL was showing remarkable improvement in form and content and attributed this to the revolution in Nigerian football.
The former Dolphins FC Coach said ace midfielder, Olaniyi Olayinka, had resumed light training after suffering from a groin injury which sidelined him since the commencement of the league.
On the standard of officiating, he said referees and other match officials had lived up to expectations and appealed to them to maintain this.
Sokoto
An international conference on climate change and desertification is scheduled to take place at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9, 2010, a statement said.
The statement signed by Prof. Saka Yusuf, a consultant to the university, was made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.
It said that one of the objectives of the conference was to identify areas of human endeavour most at risk to climate change and desertification in Nigeria.
The statement said the conference would be organised by the university in conjuction with the Ilorin-based consultancy firm, Saka Yusuf and Associates.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.
As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.
HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.
According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.
He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.
To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.
He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.
According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.
She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.
Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.
She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.
She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.
Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.
While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.
On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.
According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.
He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.
Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.