Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

June 13, 2011

Benue

Mr Terhemen Tarzoor, Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, has commended the Senate for re-electing Chief David Mark as its President.

Terzoor told newsmen in Makurdi that the unanimous election of Mark showed that he lived above board in the sixth National Assembly.

He declared: “For Mark to co-ordinate the activities of the Senate for four years without major challenges that could warrant any call for his impeachment showed that he displayed a high sense of maturity in handling issues”.

“It is quite challenging to co-ordinate people with divergent backgrounds without acrimony, Mark has conveniently done that and he deserves commendation”.

FCT

Mrs Mulikat Adeola-Akande has commended women for supporting her during her recent contest for speakership of the House of Representatives.

Speaking in Abuja during an event organised by the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Adeola-Akande said she was surprised at such support.

“I want to say a big thank-you to Nigerian women; they have shown that the 35 per cent affirmative action would be achieved if women support one another”.

“The development of this nation is the responsibility of all Nigerians; God has proved to us that men and women are partners in progress”, she remarked.

She explained that the event which unfolded on the day of the election showed to the world that it was not all about a gender issue but capability.

Kaduna

The newly constituted Kaduna State House of Assembly promised to enact “quality laws” that would improve the lives of the people.

Dr Mato Dogara, the Deputy Speaker, told newsmen in Kaduna that his colleagues had resolved to make a difference in legislation by writing their names in gold.

Dogara said: “We have resolved to pass quality people oriented laws and adopt motions that will fast-track development in the state and enhance the lives of our people.

“This is the covenant between us and the electorate and we pray to God to enable us succeed”.

Kogi

The Kogi State Chapter of the NLC has welcome the state government’s decision to pay the salary relativity of N14,100 to workers in the state.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Mr James Odaodu in a reaction to the government’s approval of the new salary in Lokoja, described the action as great, saying that “it portends a sign of good things to come for workers:

He said that the labour insistence on the payment of N16,000 as pay relativity was dropped when the labour leaders evaluated all options tabled before them for consideration which he said included option to sack some of the workers”.

Odaodu also stated that teachers in the state would also benefit from the new wage, which he said, had now raised the current minimum wage of N6,000 to N14,100.

He, however, called on government not to renege on its promise to commence the payment with effect from June 1.

Lagos

A 24 year man, Sunday Agboola, was in Lagos docked at an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly impersonating a naval officer.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Uche Kalu, told the court that Agboola was arrested on May 29 at about 9.30 p.m. at the railway line, Ijora-Badia, Lagos, impersonating a naval officer.

Kalu said that the accused had been parading himself as a naval officer and harassing residents.

He said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos 2003.

Our correspondent reports that the accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

She adjourned further hearing in the case till June 20.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has set up a task force to devise measures on how to combat the impending flooding in the state.

Amosun said in a statement issued in Abeokuta by Mrs Funmi Wakaka, his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Communication), that the step was a proactive measure aimed at containing the expected flooding during the rainy season.

Our correspondent reports that the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and meteorologists have predicted heavy rainfall as from June, resulting in widespread flooding.

They all warned that unless precautionary measures were taken, the resultant havoc might be greater than that of 2010.

The task force consists of permanent secretaries in the state Ministries of Works, Environment and Water Resources as well as the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning.

Osun

Mr Opeyemi Adepoju, a stalwart of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun, said that the election of Malam Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker, House of Representatives was democratic.

Adepoju told newsmen in Osogbo that the emergence of Tambuwal had shown the workings of “a true democracy”.

Our correspondent reports that the Peoples Democratic Party’s zooning formula failed with the election of Tambuwal as Speaker on Monday.

It was further recalled that the election did not favour the party’s candidate as Tambuwal defeated Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola from the South West 252 to 90 votes.

According to him, the PDP zoning arrangement might not have produced the best person for the position.

It would be recalled that Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, PDP National Publicity Secretary on Tuesday, said that the Party might revisit its zoning formula.

Oyo

Mr Gabriel Ibe, the Oyo State Co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has announced that the management of the cops will no longer post corps members to crisis prone areas in the country.

He made the announcement in Ibadan when he led top members of his staff on a courtesy visit to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

Ibe said each state coordinator had been directed by the management of the corps to post any corps member to any crisis prone area in the country, adding that the directive would make effect with the next deployment of corps members on July 7.

He noted that the security and safety of lives of corps members had been the major challenge of the scheme.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has called for the establishment of District Council Fund for the traditional institutions to effectively supervise government infrastructure in their domains.

Receiving the traditional rulers in the 19 northern states, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at Government House, he said such funds would address the pressing needs of the populace.

He explained that the rural dwellers had direct contact with the traditional institutions than local government chairmen and councilors.

Wamakko said the state government would continue to identify with the Sultanate Council, to uplift the welfare of the people.

“We have been operating like a family for the common good of our people.

“We have succeeded in being where we are today based on the support, co-operation and prayers from the royal fathers”, Wamakko said.

Yobe

The Deputy Governor of Yobe, Abubakar Ali, says the new 40-bed mother and child hospital complex will soon be ready, expected to decongest existing facilities at the Damaturu Specialist Hospital.

Ali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Yayaha Barde, explained that government was committed to boosting maternal and child health as well as to reduce mortality rate in the state.

“Government has sustained the free drug programme for expectant mothers, children and road accident victims across the state”, he said.

The deputy governor, who supervises the ministry, noted that “government has rehabilitated all hospitals and clinics and upgraded most facilities in the hospitals to meet the challenges and provide patients with psychological and medical needs”.

Zamfara

The Acting Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Dr Tajudeen Aiyedun, urged aggrieved workers of the institution to put public health above personal grudges and call off their strike.

The workers on Wednesday embarked on an indefinite strike at the end of a two-week ultimatum calling for the immediate removal of Aiyedun.

Our correspondent reports that the strike had forced patients to relocate to other public health institutions inspite of the poor services.

The Joint Health Unions (JHU) of the centre had insisted that workers would not resume duties unless Aiyedun was removed.

Aiyedun, however, told newsmen that the on-going strike by the JHU was a threat to public health.

He said the leadership of the union acted in ignorance of due process concerning the vacation of the medical director at the expiration of a four-year tenure.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.