Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Stakeholders in Mubi, Adamawa, on Monday urged INEC to ensure prompt and adequate distribution of election materials for the April 9 National Assembly elections.
The elections could not hold last Saturday due to the non-delivery of election materials, forcing the electoral commission to shift the polls to April 9.
The stakeholders, including voters, political parties and their candidates, called for effective measures to ensure early distribution of election materials across the country.
A cross-section of the stakeholders told the newsmen in separate interviews that the need for adequate preparation was imperative to forestall any recurrence.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi on Monday expressed confidence in the ability of the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC to conduct credible elections in spite of the initial hitches that led to the rescheduling of the polls.
In a statement in Bauchi signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Malam Sanusi Muhammad, said the postponement would give INEC enough time to perfect its ‘’strategies’’.
“INEC was faced with some teething problems, which forced it to readjust the various dates for the elections to enable it, strategise and restore the confidence of the international community in the country’s electoral process.
“The postponement of the elections should be seen as part of the strategy by INEC to give Nigerians a credible election,” it said.
FCT
The police in Gwagwalada on Monday said 34 persons were arrested in Dobi, Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, over a clash between PDP and ANPP supporters in the area.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, CSP Charles Mozie, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Gwagwalada, expressed dismay over the persistent political violence in the community.
Mozie said dangerous weapons like machetes, axes, daggers as well as bows and arrows were recovered.
The dangerous weapons, he said, were recovered from five of the suspects whose cases would be referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
He warned residents against involvement in political violence, noting that the police would no longer tolerate lawlessness in the community..
Gombe
Mr Godfrey Miri, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Gombe, has debunked speculations that a prominent personality in the state was caught with ballot papers during the botched National Assembly election.
Miri told newsmen on Monday in Gombe that the unfounded rumour had circulated widely within and outside the state.
He said, “There is no way a politician will tamper with the ballot papers because they have serial numbers.
“I am appealing to people to please ignore such rumours because the same people tomorrow will say there was rigging during the election.
“INEC of today is different from the one you knew in 1991, 2003 and 2007. This time around it is a different game.”
The commissioner also said that during the botched election, some people refused to be accredited before the exercise because they believed that it was a waste of time.
Kaduna
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kaduna State says it has retrieved the electoral materials that were distributed for the botched National Assembly polls.
The INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Alhaji Musa Adamu, said in Kaduna on Monday that all the sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been recovered from the local government areas.
Adamu told mewsmen that INEC was taking stock “to ascertain what had either been used or lost” during the aborted poll and to get them replenished.
He said that the commission and its staff were on top of the situation, and gave the assurance that “a credible poll will be conducted with the cooperation of the political parties, candidates, supporters and observers’’.
Adamu said that it was untrue that the commission’s office at Anchau in Kubau Local Government Area was burnt down because of the postponed election.
Kebbi
The CPC governorship candidate in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Mallam, has welcomed the shift in election dates, saying the party would consolidate on its strength.
Alhaji Addullahi Zuru, who spoke on behalf of the candidate, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the CPC had mobliised its voters for the elections.
The candidate said the party was fully prepared for the governorship election as it had conducted adequate campaign.
He called on voters not to be discouraged by the change in election as it had conucted adequate campaign.
He called on voters not to be discouraged by the change in relection dates, adding: “We have shown the people in the state that what is required for rapdid development is a change in leadership.
Nasarawa
Mr Baba Ayiwulu, the President, Nasarawa State Law Students, Nigerian Law School 2009/2010 set, on Monday in Lafia, urged beneficiaries of the bursary and Law School allowances to be prudent.
Ayiwulu, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen, said that the advice became necessary to enable the students to enhance their academic pursuit and for the over all development of the state.
He expressed delight that the financial assistance would enable the students to service their debts especially those who borrowed to pay their Law School fees..
The president said that the students had passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mr Suleiman Ubam, and the Chairman, Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, Mr Joseph Umaru.
Niger
Ustaz Mustapha Umaru-Edota, former Chairman of Bida Local Government Council of Niger, has described the call for INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega to step down as misplaced.
Reacting to INEC’s postponement of the April general elections in an interview with the newsmen in Bida on Monday, Umaru-Edota said Jega should be given time to fine-tune his programme.
“The decision is a step in the right direction as long as it will give him time to conduct credible, peaceful, free and fair elections that Nigerians have been yearning for,” he said.
He further observed that because of his desire to carry everyone along, the INEC chairman had consulted with all the stakeholders before taking the decision.
“They all agreed and were on a common ground, unlike what we use to witness in the past,” the former chairman said.
Umaru-Edota said that rather than criticise Jega, Nigerians should commend him for the arrangement he was making for the elections.
He observed that with Jega in charge at INEC, Nigerians should be confident that they would get the best.
Umaru-Edota, however, advised the INEC chairman to rise to the challenge of holding credible elections and deliver acceptable results at the end of the exercise.
Oyo
A 26-year-old driver/mechanic, Saheed Raji, on Monday in Ibadan, committed suicide by hanging himself in his one room apartment at Oke-Sapati, Beere.
The father of the deceased, Mr Lasisi Raji, told our correspondent that the late driver was last seen at 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Raji that his son, until his death, had four children and a wife who left him two years ago.
He described the deceased as a gentle man who never fought with anybody, but quickly added that his son was fond of taking beer after the day’s work.
He confirmed that policemen from Mapo Police Station had visited the scene and removed the lifeless body from the ceiling of the room.
Raji told the police that he did not suspect any foul play but expressed surprise that his son commit suicide.
An officer at the Mapo Police Station who did not want his name mentioned confirmed the incident.
Plateau
Plateau Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has commenced the collection of Hajj deposits people prospective to perform the 2011 Hajj exercise.
Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Salisu Musa, told newsmen in Jos on Monday that the board was receiving N350, 000 each from intending pilgrimsas initial deposit pending the final announcement of the fare by the National Commission.
“What we doing is to receive the monies gradually to give intending pilgrims ample time to pay up.
“The early payment of the deposits will assist the board to make adequate arrangement for the pilgrim at home and in the Holy land,’’ he declared, stressing that the step would guard against any fire brigade approach as was done in the past.
Yobe
Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar Ali says the free drugs programme for pregnant women and children initiated two years ago has reduced the rate of maternal and infant mortality in the state.
Ali, who is also Commissioner for Health, stated this in an interview with the newsmen in Damaturu on Monday.
“There has been gross increase in women patronising hospitals for ante and post natal check-ups, which has tremendously reduced complications in childbirth.
“The Federal Government intervention of posting 124 midwives to the state under the National Midwifery Service Scheme (MSS) has tremendously boosted our strength in health personnel to tackle maternal and child related issues,” the Deputy Governor said.
He explained that government procured drugs and consumables worth N20 million monthly for the free drug programme.
According to him, the free drugs are available in all government hospitals and clinics across the state.
“To ensure sustainability and availability of the free drugs, government is constructing a store for the programme within the Ministry of Health in the state.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor