Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

August 1, 2011

Adamawa

The Bank of Agriculture has dragged more than 200 farmers in Adamawa to court for allegedly defaulting in the repayment of loan given to them by the bank.

The Branch Manager of the bank, Hajiya Asabe Gurama, made this known in Yola on Thursday.

“It is true that we have taken some of our customers numbering over 200 to court for defaulting in the repayment of loan disbursed to them since 2004”, Asabe said.

Asabe explained that the outstanding loan was about N100 million, adding that the bank had no option than to take all necessary legal action to recover the loan.

She decried the lukewarm attitude of some farmers in repaying loan.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Saleh, has warned border communities in the state against any act of upheaval that will cause a breach of the peace.

Saleh issued the warning Thursday in Bauchi during a meeting with traditional rulers living along borders of Bauchi and Jigawa states.

He announced that the meeting was to enable them review resolutions earlier arrived at between the two states presided over by officials of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

Saleh urged the rulers to embrace peace and dialogue for peaceful co-existence among the communities living along the border.

According to the deputy governor, doing so will pave way for the development of the areas.

FCT

A 43-year old trader, Felix Okafor, of Dagbanna village, has been sentenced to three weeks imprisonment by an Abuja Upper Area Court for causing grievous harm to his co-tenant.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Pascal Ujoko, told the court that the matter was reported on July 20 at the Jikwoyi Police Station by one Mrs Oteeto Ngozi of the same address.

Ujoko said that the convict sent his child on an errand but the child refused to go because his mother supported him. This action annoyed the convict, the prosecutor said.

He said the convict brought out a stick from the burning firewood to beat the child, but as he was chasing him, the convict unfortunately hit the complainant on her face, injuring her on the left eye.

Kaduna

A university teacher, Prof. Yahaya Bambale says the appointment of Local Government Interim Management Committees by some state governors in the country is a clear violation of the nation’s constitution.

Bambale, a Professor of Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, told journalists in Zaria last Thursday that there was no such provision in the Nigerian Constitution.

“What is enshrined in the constitution is an elected chairman and a particular time is being specified for him after which another election is supposed to be conducted.

“But I think what some of the state governors are doing is that the same constitution gave them a leeway that where a leadership vacuum exists it could be filled before election is conducted.

Kano

Niger Republic Nationals resident in Kano, have donated assorted relief materials and money to the victims of the recent flood disaster at Fage in Kano Municipal Area Council.

The materials included 40 bags of rice, 20 bags of maize, 10 bags of salt, 30 mattresses, 30 bundles of roofing sheets, and N200,000 cash.

Presenting the items, the country’s consul in Kano,Hajiya Rabi Dodo, said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the victims, who, she described, as “our brothers and sisters”, to cushion the effects of the flood.

She said it was also aimed at sympathising with the victims, because “whatever affects the people of Nigeria affects us also, as we are from the same roots’’.

Kebbi

The Kebbi government has called on NAPEP to partner with the state for the expansion of its poverty reduction investment programme in rural areas.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, made the call in Birnin Kebbi last Wednesday when the NAPEP Director of Coordination and Programme, Mrs Godiya Yohanna, led a delegation of officials to visit him.

“We will fulfil any conditionalities with NAPEP for the expansion of the programme that will enhance the living conditions of our rural dwellers,” Aliyu said.

He said the first phase of the programme reduced the poverty level of many households in 2009, stressing that expansion of the programme would assist in the rapid development of the state.

Yohanna, on her part, said the launch of the second phase of the poverty reduction investment would benefit 1,000 households and that 60 per cent of the beneficiaries would be women.

Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Government says it has so far evacuated a total of 150 of its citizens from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, following increasing threat posed by the Boko Haram.

Malam Mahmud Zubairu, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on efforts the government was making to evacuate its citizens from Borno.

He said that there had been growing concerns by many people in the state “who are worried about the safety of their relations and friends in Maiduguri since the crisis in the state began’’.

Zubairu said the state governor had directed that all indigenes of the state still trapped in Maiduguri should be evacuated without further delay.

He said this was part of the government’s efforts to protect the lives and property of its citizens wherever they might be.

Ogun

Goveronor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has set up a six-member committee to review the cases of 2,000 workers whose appointments were recently terminated by the state government. The workers, employed at the twilight of the Gbenga Daniel administration, were sacked because the government claimed that their appointments did not follow due process.

The affected workers had staged a protest march to the Governor’s Office, the House of Assembly, the NUJ Secretariat and major streets in Abeokuta.

The state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had also intervened on their behalf, by appealing to the state government to reinstate them.

Plateau

The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in Plateau has debunked claims that members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had invaded Jos.

“No Boko Haram member has invaded Jos or anywhere in Plateau; the rumours are simply baseless,” STF spokesman Charles Ekeocha said in Jos.

The STF was reacting to rumours that members of the sect were in Jos and could attack anytime.

Ekeocha, in a statement, advised the people to go about their normal activities as the STF and other security agencies were fully prepared to keep the peace.

Taraba

The Taraba Government has released N200 million for the payment of pensions and gratuities of retired civil servants in the 16 local government areas of the state.

Alhaji Marafa Bashir, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said 76 pensioners and relations of 136 dead pensioners would benefit.

Bashir explained that the money would be paid to all retired local government staff while the entitlements of the deceased pensioners would be paid to their next of kin on presentation of relevant documents.

He told newsmen that a list of another batch of beneficiaries was being compiled as government intended to set aside funds for the settlement of pension and gratuity of pensioners based on a time table.

Bashir described pension and gratuities as a social security that should not be denied the retirees, pointing out that the state government would continue to work round the clock to ensure immediate payment of such funds to pensioners.

Yobe

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said last Thursday it would create five zonal distribution centres in Yobe for easy distribution of relief materials to persons displaced by the Boko Haram crisis in Maiduguri. The North-East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Aliyu Sambo, made the announcement in Damaturu while answering questions from newsmen.

According to him, the centres will be established in the Potiskum, Jakusko, Nangere Fika, Gashua and Nguru Local Government Areas.

“We learnt there are not less than 200 fleeing persons in each of these areas,” he said.

Sambo said that materials had been distributed to more than 250 displaced persons in Potiskum under the supervision of security personnel while the remaining four centres would soon receive materials for distribution.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

14 hours 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

23 hours 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.