Adamawa

The Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), has been urged to work towards promoting religious tolerance among communities in the country.

Mr Bitrus Habzhi, the Chairman, Mubi South Local Government Council of Adamawa, made the call while inaugurating a 13-member committee of the local chapter of NIREC in Mubi on Saturday.

The chairman said the council should adopt effective campaign strategies to promote religious tolerance among the people.

Habzhi said the measure was imperative in order to promote unity and peaceful coexistence among various religious communities.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has placed a ban on public display of political posters, banners and billboards.

This is contained in a statement issued recently and signed by Malam Sanusi Muhammed, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Gov. Isa Yuguda.

The statement stated that the ban became necessary because such displays were threatening security.

It said that any politician who wanted such displays could do so 20km away from the state capital as well as headquarters of the local government councils.

The statement, however, said that politicians could also display or paste such items in their residential areas and shops.

It stated that violators would be handed over for prosecution.

FCT

Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) says that lack of funds has continued to stall the development of its international trade fair complex in the FCT.

Mr Joe Wenegieme, the the Director-General of the chamber, made the observation in an interview with newsmen yesterday.

He said the development of the complex had remained impossible because it was capital Intensive.

Wenegieme solicited the support of the Federal Government and other development partners in the realisation of the organisation’s dream.

He said that several attempts by the chamber to collaborate with private developers had been futile due to lack of funds.

Gombe

The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says it is considering relocating communities in flood-prone areas to safer places.

Hajiya Zainab Idris, the Director of Administration and Finance in the agency, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday.

Idris said the measure was one of the proactive steps toward averting casualties in case of flood disaster this year.

She said that the entire state was prone to flooding but identified the most vulnerable areas to include Yamaltu-Deba, Balanga, Dukku, Nafada and Funakaye which are close to rivers.

“Our major problem is that the residents of such areas are always reluctant to leave.

“In the recent past, we tried to relocate the survivors of a flood disaster in Hinna village of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area

Kaduna

Security operatives on Saturday cordoned off major streets connecting the Kaduna Township Stadium where Gov. Patrick Yakowa commenced his gubernatorial campaign.

A combined detachment of a special security outfit of the state code named “Operation Yaki” took over the streets.

Some of the streets that were closed to motorists were Bida road and Independence way which all led to Lugard Hall and stadium junction.

The security measures caused heavy traffic congestion within Kaduna metropolis as most motorists were forced to use only the Ahmadu Bello Way.

The traffic situation in the state was further worsened because of the Kaduna International Trade Fair that began on Saturday.

Kano

The Federal Government yesterday reiterated its commitment to ensuring adequate enforcement of laws and regulations on illegal trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora across the country.

Dr Ngeri Benebo, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), gave the commitment in Kano.

Benebo spoke at the opening of the three-day national training workshop on the enforcement of the statndards of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).

CITES is an international agreement signed by 175 countries, including Nigeria, to protect trade in endangered species globally.

She said that adequate enforcement of the convention entailed training and development of the capacity of relevant agencies to check the illegal trade.

Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan recently called for ethnic dilution in Nigeria to move the country forward.

Speaking in Lagos at the“ Celebration of Igbo unity, Culture and Transformation’’ organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo and Aka Ikenga, Jonathan said that “all ethnic societies in Nigeria must become one to move forward.

“Even in the USA, people know where they come from, but that does not hinder their ambition,’’ he said.

He said that the occasion was very unique and should be entitled, “Nigeria, an ethnic society without border’’

Ogun

Ogun The PDP in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, has urged its candidates for the next local government election to start campaigning by displaying posters of their programmes in their wards.

Chairman of the party in the area, Alhaji Razak Arowolo, said this was part of strategies to ensure victory in the election.

Arowolo gave the directive while addressing party members in Ijebu-Ode yesterday.

He expressed the belief that the ancient town is a strong hold of the PDP; hence the party should work hard to avoid losing to the opposition.

Ondo

Three men were yesterday arraigned in Akure on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The accused, Lemamu Habib (22), Rotimi Akadiri (34) Owagbemi Odimayo (24) and two others at large were alleged to have killed a 70-year-old man, Jayeola Abodunwa.

Police Prosecutor Insp Richard Salawu said the offence was committed on Dec. 21, 2010 at about 5 am at Owanikun Street, Ikun-Akoko, Ondo State.

The accused were alleged to have killed the septuagenarian by beating him and forcing him to drink poisonous substances.

Salawu informed the court that the case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, and asked for an adjournment.

He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody till the next adjournment.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Zacckhaeus Egbunu, adjourned the case till May 20, and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Plateau

The West of Mines Chief Magistrates’ Court Two in Jos yesterday Tuesday sentenced one Daniel Musaka and four others to eight months imprisonment each for causing public disturbance.

Chief Magistrate Talatu Gada, who handed down the judgment, declared that the convicts were also guilty of conspiracy, smoking hemp and belonging to a gang of thieves.

The convicts were, however, given the option of N2,000 fine each.

Gada, who said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the youths committed the offence, said the prosecution proved that the convicts actually committed the four charges against them.

Sokoto

The President of the Albino Foundation of Nigeria, Mr Jake Epele, says more than 600,000 persons living with skin pigmentation problem in the country suffer discrimination

Epele spoke to newsmen in Sokoto recently.

“Some families abandon newly born children with albinism. Due to this, an albino has a slim chance to make it in life with most parents reluctant to invest in the education of albino children, ” he said.

He said statistics indicated that more than 1.5 million Nigerian albinos were among the poorest, least educated and marginalised persons.

Epele said these persons were also the most susceptible to skin cancer due to frequent exposure of their skin to the sun.