Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

July 4, 2011

Ekiti

The 26 member Ekiti State House of Assembly last week unanimously passed the state’s Freedom of Information (FOI) and three other bills.

The passage of the bill, sponsored by Governor Kayode Fayemi, makes Ekiti the first state to pass an FOI bill.

The lawmakers also passed the “Ekiti State Bonds, Votes and Securiteis bill 2011” and Ekiti State Transport and Special Projects Bill 2011.

Also passed was the Ekiti State Local Government Adminstration Amended Bill 2011.

Debating the merit of the FOI bill, many members of the assembly commended the governor’s courage in personally championing the cause of the bill.

They said the fact that the governor sponsored and pushed for the passage showed that he was ready to run an open government.

FCT

Dr Idris Omede, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), says breast-feeding can reduce the incidence of breast cancer.

Omede told newsmen last Friday, in Abuja, that breast feeding could reduce the incidence of breast cancer because of a hormone inside the blood stream.

“Once you have a break in hormonal interplay, the tendency is that the stimulus that would cause breast cancer is a bit suppressed,’’ he said.

He explained that the longer a mother breast feeds, the more her chances of not having breast cancer.

“One that breast feeds for one or one-and-half year has less chances of having cancer than someone that breast feeds for six months,’’ he added.

Gombe

Dr Abubakar Joshua, the epidemiologist in the Gombe State Ministry of Health, says some communities are still rejecting the polio vaccine in spite of the aggressive awareness campaign by the authorities.

He told newsmen in Gombe, last Friday, that some communities had held to their belief that the vaccine could cause infertility.

He named Kuri, Zambuk, Dadinkowa and Doso towns in Yamaltu-Deba local government area as the places where the rate of rejection was high.

Joshua, however, lauded the efforts of traditional rulers, whom he said had shown a lot of commitment in seeing to the success of the polio immunisation.

Kano

A group, the Joint Association of the Physically Challenged, on Saturday, called on the Kano State Government to renovate the three rehabilitation centres in the state.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Kano.

Ahmed also urged the government to expand the rehabilitation centres located at Mariri, Bela and Tudun Maliki.

“The facilities at the centres are gradually becoming inadequate for our members largely due to the increasing number of inmates as well as shortage of rooms and facilities”.

Lagos

The Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos has spent over N350 million on capital projects in the last three years.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Sabiu Omolaja-Adelaja, told newsmen last Saturday, in Lagos that the sum was spent on the provision of health facilities, education, infrastructure and empowerment of farmers.

He said the council, which generates less than N500,000 as internally generated revenue, would ensure improvement in the socio-economic development of the area.

The council boss, who commended the state government for its financial support, added that investments had been made in youth empowerment, education, health care, infrastructural development, scholarship and rural projects.

Omolaja-Adelaja said that the council has also provided free school uniforms and exercise books to schools in the area in addition to the free primary health care service put in place.

Niger

The Niger Government is to collaborate with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to revive the train service between Minna and Kaduna.

The Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Transport, Malam Umar Bawa, said this last Friday in Minna while speaking to newsmen.

Under the arrangement, he said the train would take off from Minna to Kaduna on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 a.m.

“We have commenced the rail service with a view to identifying the problems on the route and correcting them to ease the transportation needs of our people.

“The state government has released over N100 million to the Nigeria Railway Corporation to enable it revive the local train service to exclusively serve communities on the Minna-Kaduna route,’’ he said.

Osun

Oba Adebukola Alli, Alowa of Ilowa in Osun, standing trial for raping a 23-year-old NYSC member, was on Friday remanded in prison custody.

When the case came up at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, the lead defence counsel, Mr Victor Opara, sought for the vacation of an earlier order of June 24, which placed his client on house arrest.

Opara argued that the court’s order that a government doctor should attend to the monarch at his palace had not been complied with as no doctor came to treat him.

He expressed fear that the life of the traditional ruler might be in danger in view of his poor health condition.

Oyo

No fewer than 28 officers and 267 men of the 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, last Saturday participated in a sanitation exercise to mark the Army Week.

The Division’s General Officer Commanding (GOC) , Maj.- Gen. Muhammed Abubakar, said the exercise was aimed at sensitising residents on the need to maintain a clean environment.

Represented by Col Thomas Eze, the Garrison Commander, Abubakar said the army had over the years enhanced civil-military relations through social interaction and public-oriented projects.

He said the army regarded the civil communities around the barracks as next door neighbours and would continue to maintain cordial relationship with them.

The GOC, who said this year’s celebration was significant because it had various sporting events for youths, added that this was a reassurance that there was a future for the country.

Plateau

Mr Jacob Wongdem, the Permanent Secretary in the Plateau State Ministry of Health, has announced the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state.

Wongdem, who earlier denied the outbreak of the disease, told newsmen in Jos last Thursday that it had killed 10 people.

He added that 370 people had also been infected by the disease, reported in Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Shendam, Barkin Ladi and Pankshin local government areas.

“It is a bad situation, but the ministry is already doing everything to control and stem the ailment”, the permanent secretary said.

He attributed the outbreak to poor sanitary conditions and the consumption of contaminated fruits and unwashed vegetables.

“The state government is worried that lives have been lost in the unfortunate cholera outbreak. We have dispatched surveillance teams to every nook and cranny of the state to contain the outbreak”.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Governemnt said on Friday that it had purchased 14,000 tonnes of fertilizers worth about N1.5 billion for this year’s farming season.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Jabbi Kilgore, told newsmen in Sokoto that already, various committees had been inaugurated to ensure smooth sale of the product to deserving farmers.

He said that 9,000 tonnes of NPK brand would be sold at N1,800 per bag while 5,000 tonnes of UREA would be sold to farmers at N1,700 per bag.

He explained that the secretaries of the 23 local government of the state would serve as chairmen of the distribution committees in their various areas.

Kilgore explained that effective measures had been taken to ensure the commodity got to rural farmers.

Yobe

The Yobe Government has engaged the services of 20 consultants for the Damaturu Specialist Hospital.

The state’s deputy governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ali, told newsmen on Saturday in Damaturu, that the consultants were engaged from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

“We engaged consultants in the critical areas of General Surgery, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, reflecting the clinical needs of our people”.

Abubakar said that there would be five consultants in all the medical fields to meet the medical needs of the people.

“Government is worried about the rigours of our people in moving their sick relations to seek medical attention and services in Maiduguri, Gombe and Abuja,’’ he said.

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.