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THE STATES

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Adamawa

Following series of bombings in neighbouring Yobe and Borno, the Adamawa police command has intensified security measures to protect lives and property of people in the state.

The command’s spokeswoman, ASP Altine Daniel, told newsmen in Yola on Saturday that the command had taken some precautionary measures since the beginning of the Boko Haram crisis.

“Since the beginning of the crisis, we have considered ourselves as one of the states that is very close to these crisis prone states.

“And following the recent happening, we put in measures to make sure that the spillover did not affect us.”

Altine stated that the command had introduced more patrols across the state, especially in the border towns.

Benue

Mr Terhemen Tarzoor, the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly (BHA), has called on his supporters to resist the temptation of causing commotion.

“Nobody should do anything that might be tantamount to violence because if you do that, the law, which is a no respecter of persons, will catch up with you.’’

Tarzoor spoke with newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday, three days after his election was annulled by the Court of Appeal.

“Although I have lost my position as Speaker, I am not going to support violence.”

He stressed that what transpired at the court was purely an act of God and that he has no power to resist the will of God.

FCT

Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja on Sunday reassured that the Federal Government was determined to fulfil all its promises aimed at improving the socio-economic status of all Nigerians as enunciated in the Transformation Agenda.

Sambo, who gave the reassurance in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Muslim Ummah across the country, restated government’s commitment in protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.

He, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians to take advantage of this spirituality by ensuring that it served as a rallying point for the continued unity, peace and progress of the country.

Sambo also charged all citizens to always co-operate with government towards the attainment of the collective objective of a greater Nigeria.

“You should be resolute, steadfast and observe the traffic rules and regulations during and after the festivities as Nigeria needs you,” he stated.

Jigawa

As the Muslim faithful across the country celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, the Acting Chief Imam of Dutse Central Mosque in Jigawa, Sheikh Badamasi Tijjani, has called for love and tolerance among Nigerians.

Badamasi,who gave the advice in Dutse on  Sunday during his sermons to mark this year’s sallah festivities, admonished the Muslims to always show love to other fellow human beings.

He said that no nation would prosper and develop without love and tolerance among its people.

The Chief Imam also lamented the incessant maiming and killing of innocent citizens across the country and called for concerted prayers from all and sundry for divine intervention.

Badamasi urged Muslims not to consider the celebration as an occasion for merry-making only, but also for sober reflection and rededication of themselves to the service of God and humanity.

Kaduna

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has urged the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration to pray for the state and the country ..

In a Sallah message signed by the Senior Special Assistant to Yakowa on Media and publicity, Mr. Reuben Buhari, the governor called for peace and tolerance as well as a positive attitude towards issues affecting the state and the country at large.

He said that only in a congenial atmosphere could the government work toward developing the state.

He expressed optimism that the sacrificial spirit of the Sallah celebration would impact on the lives of the people and transform the state into a peaceful and habitable environment.

Kebbi

The Kebbi Government is to give more support to joint security patrol to curtail cases of armed robbery and banditry in the State.

Acting Gov. Ibrahim Aliyu, made this known in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday in his Eid-El-kabir message to the people of the state.

He said that matters related to the security, welfare and peaceful coexistence of the people would be given the priority it deserved.

Aliyu enjoined the people to assist security agencies with necessary information about the undesirable elements in the society for possible arrest and prosecution.

Lagos

The Lagos State House of Assembly is to constitute new committees after it resumes from the Eid-EL-Kabir holidays today.

The House has plans to reduce the number of its committees to ensure efficiency.

A lawmaker, who would not want to be named, told newsmen on Sunday that the House leadership decided to reduce the number of committees because in the sixth Assembly, almost all the lawmakers had their respective committees which reduced their commitment to other committees where they served as members.

Niger

Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, in Niger said on Saturday that the institution would remain closed indefinitely.

A memo signed by the Deputy Registrar (Academics), Alhaji Mohammed Ndana  frowned at the rumour circulating in Bida that the polytechnic would be reopened on Nov. 14, 2011 and described it as false.

“All students are hereby informed that the school remains indefinitely closed and they are therefore advised to stay away from the school environment in their own interest,” the statement said

It further warmed that any students caught around the school premises would have himself or herself to blame, vowing that security personnel at the school were on alert to arrest anyone violating the order,

Ogun

The Vice-Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Otta, Ogun, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, has emphasised the need for the Federal Government to encourage private initiative, saying that is to promote education in the country.

Adeyemi  said this at the 3rd Convocation ceremony of the university.

He noted that the establishment of private universities had strengthened Nigeria’s educational sector, thereby enlarging the scope of choices available to students.

Adeyemi urged the Federal Government to quicken the process of the establishment of its proposed Educational Trust Fund.

Plateau

The Plateau Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) has cautioned road users to exercise restraint and care while driving during the Sallah festivity.

The Chief Inspection Officer, Mr. Peter Dajan, told newsmen  in Jos that careful driving would reduce accidents which were common occurrences during festivities.

Dajan expressed regrets that many motorists and cyclists gave their vehicles to the under-age, pointing out that such acts encouraged recklessness and led to fatal accidents.

“Many lives have been lost due to underage and reckless driving, these accidents can be averted if extra cautions are taken and if adults desist from giving their vehicles/motorcycles to the under aged children.”

Sokoto

Alhaji Mohammed Sahabi, the Chairman of Tangaza local government in Sokoto State says the administration has earmarked N700,000 monthly for a special social welfare scheme.

Sahabi told newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday that under the scheme, which was introduced two months ago, 10 beneficiaries each were chosen from the Gongono, Gidan-Madi and Tangaza districts.

He said that assorted grains,including millet, maize and guinea corn were bought monthly and distributed to the beneficiaries.

“Part of the money is also being set aside for direct disbursement to the beneficiaries for their petty needs.

“A new set of beneficiaries are being chosen monthly and by so doing, we hope to reach majority of the indigent residents of the area.’’

Yobe

The Yobe Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Sulemon Usman, has confirmed the death of 53 people comprising of 17 security agents and 36 civilians in the bomb attacks in Damaturu on Friday.

Addressing newsmen on Saturday, the commissioner said that bomb explosives, rocket launchers and guns were used in the attack on security outfits, personnel and other public buildings.

He said that the security personnel had also killed seven of the attackers while four other security men that sustained injuries were receiving treatment.

Reports says that armed bombers attacked and destroyed the police headquarters, Anti- terrorist squad base, First bank, Secretariat complex and some churches among others in Damaturu.

Meanwhile, more soldiers have been deployed to reinforce security in the state capital just as the government had imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to curtail movement and to bring sanity back in the metropolis.

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Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

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Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love  has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

 

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

 

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

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We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout

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Rivers State Governor , Sir Siminialayi Fubara says the industrialization of the state remains a key drive of his administration.
Speaking through Director General of the Rivers  State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside at the Shell Gas Limited and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) Investors Forum held in Port Harcourt, Fubara stressed that public /private partnership is key to revive production in the state.
“We are ready to partner Shell Gas Limited to revive manufacturing in Rivers State at Ahoada Industrial Park, and the new Port City project, including the proposed Bonny Industrial Park which will grow industries along the Bonny corridor” he declared.
Part of the scheme, he further stated is to collaborate with Shell Gas Limited and the private sector to transform Rivers State into a major manufacturing hub in the South of Nigeria.
Commending Shell and MAN for leading the frontline, Sir. Fubara said,” the time to act is now  and thank God Shell is taking the lead to prioritize gas.”
The governor opined that the gas sector provides huge investment opportunities to drive the state economy as the world is gradually shifting towards gas and other environment friendly energy, while urging stakeholders to evolve an actionable gas policy for the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Shell Gas Limited Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi said it is high time the state utilized its huge gas resource.
“Today gas offers investors opportunities and raises the value chain as it boosts production for industry users,” Amos-Ejesi said.
The Shell Gas Distribution executive said the company seeks to support manufacturing by adopting a user friendly approach that allows manufacturers to grow profitably with affordable cheaper energy.
He explained that natural gas provides huge potentials and aligns with federal government  policy of gas utilization.
Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okugu described gas as the backbone of manufacturing.
He said the forum has become timely and key to address the pressing energy provision to boost production in the sector, as he lamented the high costs borne by manufacturers in sourcing energy alternatives.
In her remarks, Chairperson of  the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga commended Shell for the forum which she described as a bridge to reduce gap of energy provision for manufacturers.
Ngozi Nwoga said the transition to natural gas has become imperative, stressing that pipeline gas offers cheaper and smooth energy provision for industries.
Former MAN chairperson for Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs Emilia Akpan was of the view that the quest to provide cheap energy should be driven with technical manpower, as she emphasized  need for Rivers State to recreate its economy.
By Kevin Nengia
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SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

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First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.
The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB),  Yemisi Edun,  said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.

Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.

 

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