THE STATES

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.