Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal High Court, Yola, has discharged and acquitted former Adamawa State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emmanuel Vahyla, on corruption charged involving N30 million filed against him by ICPC.
The presiding Judge, Justice S. M Musa, said the prosecutor failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused violated section 14 (1) of the money laundry Act.
Vahyla, who is presently the Commissioner representing Adamawa State in Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) was dragged to court by ICPC for allegedly using seven different cheques to withdraw the money from government’s account in Diamond Bank in December 2007 while serving as commissioner.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, has called for a law prohibiting the consumption of dogs and selected domestic animals.
Ibrahim told newsmen in Bauchi that the law should also prohibit the consumption of donkeys, and horses.
He said that the law became necessary because of the pivotal roles played by the animals in human life.
The commissioner said that the animals due to their cultural heritage had played pivotal roles either as means of transportation or security.
He expressed concern over the extinction of such animals, and said, “their numbers have reduced to a negligible level in spite of their importance to human life”.
FCT
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has presented N171 million life insurance benefits to the 41 nearest relatives of military personnel killed in various operations.
Petinrin presented the cheques to the beneficiaries of the military personnel killed between March, 2010 and November 2011 on Wednesday in Abuja.
He urged them to desist from fraud and spend the money judiciously to improve the welfare of their families.
He promised that the Nigerian Armed Forces would stand behind the deceased’s next of kin by ensuring that the payment of their benefits was given priority.
The defence chief commended the leadership of the Budget Office, Standard Alliance Insurance and Leverage Insurance Broker, for making Nigerian Armed Forces realise its dream in terms of the staff welfare.
Gombe
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Gombe state has trained more than 582 youths in various skills since January, the state Co-ordinator, Mr Abdulkadir Mabudi disclosed on Thursday in Gombe.
He told newsmen that 168 other youths were currently receiving training in various skills in the vocational institutions in the state.
Mabudi said that the directorate, in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office in the state, established a training centre in each of the three senatorial zones in the state where the beneficiaries received their training.
Kaduna
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) branch has urged understanding among parents and students over the ongoing nationwide strike by the union.
The branch Chairman, Dr Mohammed Kabir-Aliyu, told newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State that “the union was pushed to the wall.”
He said that the essence of the industrial action was to press home the union’s demand for adequate funding to pave way for favourable learning atmosphere in Nigerian universities.
Kano
The students of Bayero University, Kano, on Wednesday pleaded for a quick resolution of disagreement between Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government.
Speaking with newsmen Amar Idris, a 200 level student, noted that ASUU’s decision to embark on the indefinite strike was unfortunate.
He said the strike came at the time the students were already preparing for their examinations.
Also speaking, a 300 level student, Malama Sadiya Balarabe, also argued that the strike should have begun after the examinations so as not to disrupt the academic calendar.
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has reconstituted the state’s security committee to address more effectively some of the security challenges posed by commercial motorcycle operators.
Inaugurating the committee in Ikeja, the governor said the number of lives lost to motorcycle accidents in the state was unacceptable, saying that the committee also had the mandate to check the problem.
The 32-man committee, chaired by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr Waheed Olusegun, had three weeks to submit its recommendations to the state government.
Niger
President of the Association of Fish Farmers of Nigeria (AFFAM), Mr Gogwim Shiumang, says the country can produce two million tonnes of fish for local consumption, if the fish industry is properly harnessed.
Shiumang told newsmen in Minna that the industry was also capable of producing fish for export.
He said that a meeting would be held to create awareness among members on ways to improve their production techniques to achieve maximum production.
Osun
No fewer than 2,000 patients suffering from various diseases are to benefit from the free surgery programme of the Osun Government.
The state’s Commissioner for Health Dr Temitope Ilori, made the disclosure in Osogbo on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen.
The programme was organised by the Oranmiyan Group Worldwide, an interest group, in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Health and Hospitals Management Board.
Plateau
A group of the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) and Keffi Old Boys Association (KOBA) is organising a campaign against same-sex marriage in the country.
In a statement signed on Thursday in Jos, the organising committee said that the campaign, tagged: “Trek against Same-sex Marriage”, was aimed at commemorating the 2011 International Human Rights.
It said the trek was aimed at expressing solidarity with African leaders, who were against legalising and celebrating same-sex marriage as part of the fundamental human rights declaration by the UN General Assembly.
“The trek will mobilise those, who are against same-sex marriage to use this year’s International Human Rights Day to express dismay over Western countries concepts of human rights, which allows same-sex marriage.”
Taraba
An educationist, Dr Gambo Matudi, said in Jalingo on Wednesday that 45 per cent of teachers in Taraba’s primary schools have not obtained the required minimum qualifications to teach.
Matudi, the leader of a team charged with the responsibility of developing a new development plan in the education sector in the state, made this known at a one-day education stakeholder’s sensitisation meeting.
He explained that some problems confronting the education sector were identified by the team.
According to him, almost half of those teaching in the Taraba’s primary schools are not trained teachers and are just there because they have no other job opportunities.
Yobe
The Secretary Gashua Vegetables Farmers Union in Yobe Alhaji Mohammed Kaku has warned of an impending scarcity of vegetables because of poor storage facilities in the country.
Kaku told newsmen in Gashua in Yobe that the situation was forcing farmers to abandon the cultivation of vegetables.
“It is the same predicament facing vegetable farmers in Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Jigawa, Kano and all other states in the country,” he said.
Kaku said that there was gross decline in the number of irrigation farmers growing tomatoes, onion and pepper now, when compared to previous years.
He said, “The farmers had in the previous years been forced to sell their produce at give-away prices at the peak of harvests and, therefore, operating at a loss.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
-
Business3 days agoCBN Revises Cash Withdrawal Rules January 2026, Ends Special Authorisation
-
Business3 days ago
Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports
-
Business3 days agoNigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN
-
Business3 days agoFIRS Clarifies New Tax Laws, Debunks Levy Misconceptions
-
Sports3 days ago
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
-
Politics3 days agoTinubu Increases Ambassador-nominees to 65, Seeks Senate’s Confirmation
-
Business3 days ago
NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace
-
Sports3 days agoFOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa