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Abuja

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, says that she has no plan to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State.

A statement signed by Dr Levi Ajuonuma, the Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of NNPC, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the speculation about the minister’s intention to contest in the polls in some quarters as baseless.

“The publication is not only misleading but it is 360 degrees different from the reality on ground.

“The fact is that Alison-Madueke is seriously occupied with the ongoing reform agenda in the oil and gas industry, which is an integral part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation programme,’’ the statement said.

Jigawa

The National Association of Jigawa State Students (NAJISS) has concluded arrangements to begin extra lessons for secondary school students to halt mass failure in examinations in the state.

The President of NAJISS, Malam Ibrahim Sule, said during a courtesy call on the Chairman, Yankwashi Local Government, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, that the association was worried by the failures recorded by the students, especially in WAEC and NECO examinations.

Sule said the gesture would complement the efforts of the Jigawa Government and other stakeholders in reducing examination failures and revamping the education sector in general.

Kaduna

National and State Assembly Election and Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna has concluded the recounting of votes for seven local government areas under Kaduna North Senatorial District.

Makarfi, the immediate former senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial District, is challenging the return of Sen Yusuf Datti by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the April polls for the district.

Makarfi is alleging electoral malpractice which included ballot boxes stuffing by the CPC and other criminal activities which were a violation of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

To prove the allegations of ballot box stuffing contained in his petition, Makarfi tendered 53 ballot boxes for the seven local government areas.

Kano

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain in Kano State Gambo Dan-Pass on Tuesday called on governors in the northern part of the country to focus on youth empowerment to check the growing rate of unemployment in the region.

He said: “There is an urgent need for governors in the north to concentrate on job creation to reduce redundancy, frustration, restiveness and poverty among our youths.”

Dan-Pass told newsmen in Kano that empowering the youth was necessary if the region was to make any appreciable progress in economic growth and development.

“If the north is to make significant progress in economic development, our leaders must empower the teeming number of unemployed youth that are parading our streets,” he said.

Kebbi

The Bagudo Local Government in Kebbi has earmarked N45.6 million for the construction of a veterinary clinic to curtail animal diseases.

The Sole Administrator, Alhaji Samaila Bagudo, told newsmen in Bagudo on Monday that the large concentration of herdsmen in the area had exposed 20,000 livestock to various diseases.

He added that when completed the centre would also facilitate rapid response to outbreak of animal diseases.

Bagudo reiterated the determination of the council to provide adequate livestock drugs for the health of the animals, pointing out that the council would embark on awareness campaign to educate herdsmen on symptoms of livestock diseases and how to prevent them.

Kwara

The Kwara Government says it has started payment of compensation to more than 700 people, whose land were acquired for the new Government Reservation Area at Budo-Osho, Ilorin.

The Director-General of the state Bureau of Lands, Mr Tope Daramola, told newsmen in Ilorin that payment would commence on Wednesday at the premises of the Bureau for Lands in Ilorin.

Daramola pointed out that those to be compensated included customary land owners, landed property owners, developers and other interest on the plots of land acquired.

He said, “A breakdown of the list of beneficiaries as contained in the list shows that 17 customary land owners, 21 plantation owners, 46 property owners and 143 land purchasers are to benefit.

“Prominent families on the list of beneficiaries include the Budo Osho, Awesu Adepoju,Alagbon, Agbaje, Budo Tapa, Bayero and Dikko families.”

Lagos

Dr Ish-aq Akintola, an Islamic scholar and university lecturer, says the Federal Government’s devotion of “a meagre six per cent” of the nation’s budget to education in the country is not encouraging.

Akintola told newsmen in Lagos that the government as well as school owners, needed to show more commitment to the provision of qualitative education.

“What do you expect from a human developing sector of the economy to which only six percent of the budget was allocated?‘’

Akintola urged the government to accede to the UNESCO’s recommendation that developing countries should devote 26 per cent of their budget to education.

“Acceding to the UNESCO’S recommendation would allow proper training of teachers, provision of basic educational facilities, funding of research programmes and other basic necessities required for educational development.’’

Nasarawa

The Osana of Keana in Nasarawa, Sen. Emmanuel Oyatikpo- Elayo on Tuesday honoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman, North Central, Mr Yusuf Ayitogo and six illustrious sons of the area with traditional titles.

Our correspondent reports that Ayitogo was honoured with the title of Ubangarin Keana, while Amese Ogiri and Sabo Ari were given the titles of Bunu and Majin of Keana Kingdom respectively.

Other sons honoured include Mr Amegwa Aritogo as the Okinawe Kha-Keana, Mr Idi Orume-Sabo as the Magajin-Gari Karama of Keana, Mr Jerry Woziri-Elayo as Oyiahosa Kha of Keana and Abiri Owuntoshi as the Leke Kha of Keana.

Speaking at a brief ceremony, the Osana of Keana said that the traditional institution honoured those who had contributed to the Keana Kingdom, the state and country and indeed humanity.

Sokoto

Sheik Yusuf Alibawa, a Sokoto State based Islamic scholar, on Monday tasked politicians to eschew violence in their activities, to maintain the state’s peaceful environment.

Alibawa told newsmen in Sokoto that there was a need for politicians to always exhibit high sense of political maturity during and after the 2012 governorship election in the state.

He urged political leaders to evolve methods that would end violence and thuggery among the political class.

“They must sensitise their followers to realise that seeking elective positions must not be seen as a do-or-die affair.”

Aliwaba also called on parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs during and after the polls.

Zamfara

A total of 1,007 prospective pilgrims from Zamfara have been transported to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

Alhaji Yakubu Mafara, spokesman of the state pilgrims Welfare Agency, announced this in Gusau in an interview with newsmen.

He said the pilgrims were from Anka, Maradun and Gummi Local Government Areas.

He urged the next batch to depart on Wednesday to arrive at the airport on time for necessary procedure.

Mafara expressed the hope that the 5,857 pilgrims from the state would be transported without any hitch.

He urged them to be law abiding and ensure that their conduct in Saudi Arabia was guided by the country’s laws.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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