Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

November 7, 2011

Adamawa

The Fadama III Office in Mubi South Local Government Council Area of Adamawa has registered 2,740 farmers, says the Desk Officer, Ms Lydia Solomon.

Solomon told Tide source in Mubi on Monday that the programme had also registered 137 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) since its inception in the area.

She said that the programme had embarked on sensitisation campaign to educate communities and promote participation in the programme.

“We embarked on grassroots mobilisation to create awareness and educate communities on how to participate in the programme.

“The campaign focuses on training the benefitting communities on how to draw up proposal for projects and ensure effective utilisation of funds,” Lydia said.

The desk officer urged communities in the area to form associations to enable them to benefit from various facilities under the programme.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government plans to distribute 20 ambulances and 20 tri-cycles, popularly called “Keke NAPEP,” to some maternity centres, through the MDGs.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Isa Yuguda on MDGs, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu-Wanka, made the announcement on Monday while inspecting some projects in Alkaleri, Kirfi and Bauchi Local Government Areas.

She said the distribution of the items would reduce the hardship being faced by women, especially pregnant women and children while receiving anti-natal and other health care services.

Yakubu-Wanka said the items to be distributed would meet the needs of the health centres, especially the maternity centres.

FCT

Nigeria has called on member nations to support the programmes of the UNESCO to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development in the world.

A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Aliyu Othmn, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’l, noted that Vice President Namadi Shambo made the call at the ongoing 36th session of UNESCO holding in Paris, France.

Sambo, who was represented by the minister, also urged member nations to go beyond how UNESCO contributes to peace and sustainable development programme to how it could improve its performance.

He stated that the conference was an opportunity for member-states to propose and recommend appropriate guidelines on how the body could fulfill its objectives on international peace as well as the common welfare of mankind.

Gombe

Gombe State Ministry of Water Resources, Town Planning and Environment has cleared more than 2,000 hectares of land for this year’s irrigation farming.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry told newsmen in Gombe on Monday that the actual activities for the dry farming would begin next month.

The permanent secretary said that rice, vegetables, onions, tomatoes and pepper would be cultivated at the site.

He said that in 2010 only 250 hectares were cultivated because the irrigation canal was not properly in place.

He said that Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo had released funds to the ministry to put the irrigation canal in place and that the ministry was working tirelessly to mobilise people to engage in dry season farming.

Jigawa

Chairman of Taraba Planning Commission, Mr David Elisha has urged the Federal Government to educate Nigerians on Vision 20:2020 to enable them participate in its implementation.

Elisha spoke to newsmen in Dutse, Jigawa, on the sidelines of a meeting of the National Council on Development Planning and Joint Planning Board.

“Nigeria’s Vision 20:20:20 should be brought down to a level where an ordinary Nigerian on the street will understand what we are talking about.

“ I believe an average Nigerian doesn’t understand it and that’s why there is the need for more enlightenment,’’ he said.

Kaduna

Kaduna chapter of NLC says it will soon dialogue with the state government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

The NLC Chairman, Malam Adamu Ango, told newsmen in Kaduna that the meeting was aimed at sorting out some grey areas in the agreement on the contents of the new table for the implementation of the new wage which now included grade levels 9 to 17.

He said the meeting would take place when Gov. Patrick Yakowa and the Finance Commissioner, Mr John Ayuba, returned from their foreign trip.

Kebbi

The World Bank-assisted Kebbi Social and Community Development Project embedded environmental protection measures in 151 projects executed in the past two years at the cost of N277.1 million.

The General Manager of the project, Mr Usman Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the construction of toilets and incinerators was compulsory for all the micro-projects executed.

He said that benefitting communities provided 10 per cent of the cost of the projects in their localities while 90 per cent comprised World Bank grant for projects in health, education and water supply.

He said that as a pre-condition for approval, benefitting communities were required to plant trees, build toilets and incinerators around their projects to protect the environment.

Lagos

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged smallholder farmers to form cooperatives to tackle global food security challenges.

In a statement in Lagos on Monday, FAO said that the development would boost poverty reduction globally, improve farmers’ income, bargaining power and resource sharing.

According to the statement, the decision was taken at the launching of the International Year of Cooperatives in New York.

It said that the role of agricultural cooperatives was imperative in improving the living standard of smallholder farmers and their families.

Oyo

The University of Ibadan (U.I) has dismissed six officials from two departments of the institution for various offences.

According to a statement in Ibadan on Monday, three of the affected persons were in the Security Department, while the others were from the Works Department.

The statement, which was signed by the Registrar of the university, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, stated that the officers were disengaged in various offences, including “gross misconduct, theft and negligence”.

Ikotun said the Governing Council of the university had approved their dismissal.

Sokoto

A female politician, Hajiya Luba Hassan, says women will vote for Governor Aliyu Wamakko in the March 2012 gubernatorial election because of the many programmes executed to uplift them.

Hasan, the Secretary of the PDP in Gagi Ward, Sokoto South Local Government Area, spoke to newsmen on Monday.

She said for the first time in the history of the state, women were given the opportunity to contribute toward the political growth of the state.

According to her, the skills acquisition centres set up by the state government have enabled women and youths to be self-reliant.

“We will forever remain grateful to the Wamakko administration for giving us the opportunity to learn various grades and for giving us incentives to start our business.

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.