Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Some private hospitals in Bauchi State have stopped rendering service to civil servants under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Our correspondent gathers that the stoppage followed the inability of the state government to pay for such services on behalf of the civil servants who enrolled into the programme.
Some of the Chief Medical Directors of the affected private hospitals told newsmen that they were being owed amounts ranging from N5 million to N25 million.
‘’The Bauchi State Government has yet to pay us for the services we have rendered to its enrollees between April 2009 and September 2009 as well as between November 2010 and February 2011.
Benue
The effective implementation of the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) will ensure the success of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, a director has said.
The Benue State Director Cooperatives, Mr David Bauchi, said this in an interview with the newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday.
“If well implemented, RUFIN can serve as a catalyst that will ensure the success of government transformation programme, especially in the rural areas in the country.’’
Borno
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has advised the people of Borno State to clean up drains and culverts to prevent flooding this rainy season.
Malam Zakariya Darazo, the North East Manager of the agency, who gave the advice on Tuesday in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen said the state would experience heavy rainfall this year.
According to him, rainfall might cause flooding just as he predicted bumper harvest.
Darazo also advised the people and traders to always remain indoors whenever they observed dark clouds.
FCT
A cross-section of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents have called on the Federal Government to employ the use of modern security devices to check the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.
Some of them, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja decried the time wasted at some check-points across the metropolis.
Mr Sylvester Fayemiwo, an employee of Ecoscan, Garki, Abuja expressed discomfort over some of the measures used by security operatives at some check-points.
“I believe there are modern devices they can use that can be more effective than the current stop and search system,’’ Fayemiwo said.
Kaduna
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former governor of old Kaduna State, has advised the Federal Government to dialogue with members of the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
He told newsmen in Kaduna last Tuesday that government should adopt “practical strategies aimed at ending the crisis by engaging the members politically”.
Musa advised government to accept making mistakes in the way it handled the problem initially.
“I am canvassing for the use of dialogue and political resolution for two reasons. Firstly, the world over, such crises are resolved through dialogue and secondly, the use of force doesn’t solve crisis.’’
Katsina
A former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has blamed the current security challenges in the country on the lack of accurate intelligence by security agencies.
Coomassie told newsmen in Katsina that the security situation was worrisome and called for urgent solution.
He noted that the sporadic bomb blasts, threats of the Boko Haram militants and other security lapses were all traceable to the lack of effective and accurate intelligence by security agencies.
“We have dealt with groups such as Maitatsine sect in Kano and similar cases in other parts of the country with the help of efficient intelligence.’’
Lagos
To achieve success in “rolling back’’ malaria, the cycle of infection must be broken, the National Professional Officer (Malaria) with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo has urged.
The Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. It forges consensus among key actors in malaria control, harmonises action and mobilises resources to fight malaria in endemic countries.
In an interview with newsmen Arowolo listed the cycle to include unkempt environment, incomplete treatment and the attitude of not using the Long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLIN).
She explained that if an individual did not complete malaria treatment, mosquitoes could transmit the malaria parasite from the individual with malaria to another person.
“And how can you break the cycle? It is either by treatment, either by prevention, by having a barrier or causing a barrier between human and mosquitoes.
Niger
The presidential panel on post-election violence has urged the people of Niger to provide useful information that will assist the panel to deliver on its terms of reference.
Justice Samson Uwaifo (rtd), sub-committee ‘A’ Chairman of the panel, made the call in Minna on Tuesday.
Uwaifo was speaking when he led his team on a courtesy visit on the acting Governor of Niger, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto.
He said that his sub-committee was in the state on a fact-finding mission with regard to the post-election violence that took place in the state.
“If there is anybody with useful information, which will help us meet the terms of reference given by the Federal Government let him come up with it.”
Ogun
Female staff of Ijebu-Ode Local Government of Ogun failed to come to work last Tuesday, while market women also closed their shops over the observance of a traditional festival, “Agemo”.
“Agemo’, a traditional masquerade of Ijebu-Ode people, is believed to come to town with other deities after three days of traditional rituals during the festival and must not be seen by women.
The belief is that a woman, who mistakenly comes across Agemo will die.
Based on the assumption, the palace of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, issued a statement last week and posted it in strategic places in the town advising women to keep off from the streets.
Ondo
The Chairman, ad- hoc Committee on Local Government Creation in Ondo State, Mr Lawrence Ajetumobi, says that states are vested with powers to create new local governments.
Ajetunmobi made this known in Akure while receiving memorandum on creation of the proposed Ogbese Local Council from the present Akure North Local Government.
He said, however, that states’s constitutional provision to create more councils was subject to approval of State Assembly and final enlistment by the National Assembly.
According to him, the committee will strictly follow all constitutional procedures to ensure the success of the exercise in the state without acrimony.
At the presentation of the memorandum were traditional rulers including Oloba of Oba- Ile, Oba Joseph Agunbiade, Alayede of Ayede- Ogbese, Oba(Prof) Iseoluwa Oluyide, Olu of Owode, Chief Samuel Fapohunda and Chief Olu of Ilado, Chief Johnson Ajomale.
Oyo
The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has graduated 99,379 students since its inception 40 years ago, the Rector, Prof. Olusegun Odunola, said.
Odunola made the fact known in Ibadan at a news conference to mark the institution’s 40th anniversary celebration.
He said the polytechnic had become a citadel of learning for Nigerians with 51 accredited programmes at both the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
“The institution since establishment has distinguished herself from its peers through brilliant performance in both academic and extra-curricular activities.
Plateau
Retired Col. Fidelis Attahiru , running mate to Plateau Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship candidate in the April 26, 2011 election, has been suspended from the party.
Mr Amos Gizo, the party chairman, who announced the action in Jos, said that four other top shots of the party had also been suspended over alleged “gross misconduct”.
The others included Gizo’s Deputy, John Haruna, Mr Philip Samci, Vice-Chairman, Central Zone, as well as Sen. Silas Janfa and Moses Atan.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, has urged PDP supporters in the state to ignore acts of provocation by the opposition during the campaigns for the local government elections.
Tureta, who was the Director-General of the Wamakko/Shagari Campaign Organisation, said “we should not engage in any form of violence as it is not in our character’’.
He told newsmen in Sokoto that all the candidates fielded were credible, sincere and committed party members who would work towards the successful implementation of the party’s manifestoes.
He said as democrats, PDP members should exhibit high sense of political maturity at all times.
Tureta said the party had already taken measure to promote its “lofty ideals” for the overall political development of 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