Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Tenants, occupying the 52 low-cost housing units at Mubi in Adamawa, have pleaded with the State Government to reconsider the quit notice issued them by government in the interest of justice and fairness.
A spokesman for the tenants, Malam Umar Belel, told newsmen that the quit notice came as a surprise and a shock to the residents who over the years were hoping that the government’s policy of owner-occupier applied to all residents of government housing estates in the state.
“In Yola and Numan towns, the houses were given out on owner-occupier basis but to our surprise the good gesture was denied us and instead we were served quit notices, saying we should vacate the houses we live in for more than a decade with immediate effect”, Umar lamented.
Bauchi
Alhaji Yahaya Jalam, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, says the State Government has set up a committee to redesign urban centres in the state.
Jalam told newsmen in Bauchi on Saturday that the committee was set up, following the expiration of an earlier master plan for the development of urban centres in 1998.
He said the committee would draw a renewed urban planning for Bauchi, Misau, Azare, Ningi, Jama’are and Dass townships, considering recent environmental challenges being faced by the state.
He disclosed further that structures that were constructed on either public drains or water ways in the areas marked for development would be demolished after the committee might have submitted its reports.
Borno
There was another bomb explosion on Saturday morning at the Ruwan Zafi area of Maiduguri metropolis, the second explosion in four days, an eyewitness has said.
The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity to newsmen in Maiduguri, said that the bomb was planted on the highway leading to Gamboru-Ngala.
“The bomb detonated when a truck driver drove on it but we thank God that nobody died,” the eyewitness said.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Mr Simeon Medenda, said that the bomb was set on a tree branch before it was detonated and that there was no casualty.
FCT
Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, said in Abuja that Nigerian women were looking forward to attain 50 per cent gender equality in appointments.
She spoke when the African Women Leaders Think Tank, led by the Regional Director, Dr Remi Aribisala, paid her a courtesy visit.
Obada said the 50 per cent gender equality was welcome, adding that the women were looking forward to that, “and one day, we will get there.’’
“Never in the history of this nation that any president has done so much for women like President Goodluck Jonathan.’’
She said that the President promised women 35 per cent, “ he must have surpassed that by now and appointments are still coming.’’
Kaduna
Mr Dogo Makama, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, says the State Government has spent N138 million on fire-fighting vehicles.
Makama told newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday that the vehicles were capable of fighting fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings.
He said the agency had also begun rehabilitation of fire-fighting machines at fire service stations in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan for effective disaster management.
The executive secretary said the agency would develop a contingency plan for future disaster management in response to series of disasters that had affected the Kaduna metropolis and its environs in the past.
Katsina
Some farmers involved in the IFAD-assisted Community-Based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme (IFAD-CBARDP) in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina, have called for the expansion of the seed multiplication strategy.
Alhaji Sule Yusuf, the Chairman of the groundnut and soya beans association, told newsmen on Saturday in Bakori, Katsina State, that farmers recorded increased harvest and profit using improved seeds.
Yusuf explained that the improved seed was farmer-friendly and stressed the need to expand the programme to enable more farmers, especially those in the rural areas to benefit.
“Farmers recorded increased gain by using improved soya beans and groundnut seeds supplied by the programme,’’ Yusuf said.
Lagos
Some university lecturers on Saturday in Lagos expressed concern over the continued security challenges in the country.
The lecturers told newsmen that the level of insecurity had become worrisome in recent times and appealed to the Federal Government to urgently proffer a solution.
Dr Kazeem Bello, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan said that the bombing of the United Nations building, Abuja, showed that the government should do more on security.
Bello said that Nigeria had an image deficit which needed to be redeemed if the country must move forward, adding that the fundamental problem of national security has not been addressed.
Niger
The Anglican Bishop of Minna Diocese, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yisa, has charged the nine newly ordained priests and a deacon to fashion their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
This charge was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna and signed by Mr George Fashe, the Diocesan Communicator.
“You should fashion your lives in accordance with the precepts as you love and serve the people,” Yisa was quoted as saying.
He also advised them to work with members of their churches, caring for the young and the old, the strong and the weak, as well as the rich and the poor.
He admonished them to preach God’s forgiveness to the penitent sinners as they pronounce God’s blessings and perform other duties entrusted to them in the church diligently.
Nasarawa
Local government workers in Nasarawa State will soon receive the new N18,000 minimum wage, Alhaji Abdullahi Oji, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, has said.
Oji told newsmen in Lafia on Friday that local government and development area workers were not excluded from receiving the new wage by the state government.
He said that 12 local government councils had already prepared and submitted their payment vouchers and allied documents, adding that the ministry had given the remaining local government councils up to the end of this week to submit their payment vouchers.
The permanent secretary said that “once the relevant documents are properly sorted out, the ministry will commence payment within the next few weeks.”
Plateau
The Plateau caucus in the House of Representatives has opposed calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, following incessant conflicts in Jos and its environs.
The caucus, which comprised of Reps Jonathan Aminu, Bitrus Kaze, Emmanuel Goar, Peter Akujah and Beni Lar, expressed its position at a news conference in Jos on Friday, saying that such advocates of emergency rule were misguided.
“It is highly suspicious that they singled out Plateau State for persecution notwithstanding the precarious security situation in many parts of the country, including post-election violence and bombings.
“We make bold to state in unmistaken and unequivocal terms our determination to resist any attempt to plunge our state into another round of confusion; Plateau State cannot be treated as a scapegoat,” the lawmakers said.
Sokoto
Sen. Jibril Gada, a former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, has urged the Federal Government to evolve concrete measures to assist Nigerian farmers.
Gada, who made the call in Sokoto on Saturday in an interview with newsmen said the measures should include agricultural programmes and the provision of adequate fertiliser and other inputs.
“The measures should include plausible agricultural programmes and policies as well as loans.
“The loans should be given only to genuine farmers nationwide,” he said.
Gada underscored the need for the involvement of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in programmes meant for farmers, noting that the association had been recognised by all levels of government as the apex farmers’ body.
According to him, agricultural schemes and loan packages were often “messed up by bureaucrats and politicians”.
The former minister also stressed the need for a conducive environment for Nigerian farmers to produce more food and encourage foreign direct investment in the sector.
Zamfara
A Zamfara Local Shari’ah Court has ordered the amputation of the right hand of two men for stealing a farm bull.
The convicts are Auwalu Abubukar Tsaure, 23, and Lawali Musa Tsaure, 22.
They were convicted for stealing the bull valued at N130,000 and which belonged to one Bawa Maiguru in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state.
Alhaji Muhammadu Gusau, a Higher Sharia Court Judge of Nasarawa Mailayi, said that the prosecutor proved beyond doubt that the two accused were guilty of the offence.
He said the accused persons would be punished according to the Sharia Law.
“The court arrived at the amputation sentence after careful consideration of the fact that the convicts are mature and stole the bull from a confined place.
“The cost of the stolen item exceeds one-quarter of gold gramme and their consistent plea of guilt.”
Gusau ordered that the amputation would be done in public on October 8 , the local market day of Nasarawan Mailayi for people to witness and to serve as deterrent to others.
The judge said that the offence was contrary to Section 144 of the Zamfara State Shari’ah Penal Code Law.
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