Adamawa

As the people of Adamawa prepare for the governorship election, the candidate of CPC, retired Brig- Gen Buba Marwa has urged the electorate to judge candidates based on their character.

“I wish to urge Adamawa citizens to judge candidates on the basis of their character, performance, past experience and party programme,’’ Marwa said in a statement in Yola.

Marwa cautioned on the introduction of ethno religious sentiments into the politics of the state, warning that “it is very dangerous because of the diversity and complicated nature of the state”.

He said that CPC had an elaborate package for the people of Adamawa, particularly in areas of free education, free healthcare services, water, road, youth and women empowerment.

“Having gone round more than 200 wards in the state two times, having toured all local government areas three times and having noted all problems in different areas of the state, I want to assure you that we will deliver on our programmes,’’ Marwa said.

Bauchi

Despite the reduction of the Price of petrol from N141 to N97.00 after the nationwide strike, many filling stations in Bauchi metropolis  are selling the product  for between N130 and N145 as at Wednesday.

Our correspondent learnt that there are places where the commodity was sold for between N150 to N200 per litre.

This development has shot up transport fares in the metropolis.  A short trip by Okada cost between N50 and N100 while a short ride by tricycle (Keke NAPEP) was N100.

Roadside petrol dealers sold a litre for between N200 and N250. While investigation reveals that price of fuel fluctuates in Bauchi, the state capital at the NNPC  Mega in Bauchi and its environs, petrol is sold for N97 at 8a.m till later in the day and N130 from 4p.m  to 6p.m.

FCT

Governor  of Imo State Rochas Okorocha has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the nation in order for the country to overcome its present challenges.

Okorocha told newsmen in Abuja that most developed countries had passed through similar challenges.

He called for the cooperation of Imo people and other stakeholders to enable him deliver democracy dividends to them.

Our correspondent recalls that Chief Ikedi Ohakim former Governor of the state and the PDP had challenged Okorocha‘s victory, alleging that the election was not free and fair.

The judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld Okorocha‘s victory at the April 2011 governorship election.

Okorocha described the appellate court’s judgment as people’s judgment, the governor said that the outcome of the case would go a long way to deepen the nation’s democracy.

Kaduna

An auto mechanic, Adamu Bayarabe, 42, on Wednesday appeared before a Kaduna Sharia Court for allegedly trespassing on a piece of land belonging to one Kabiru Liman.

Liman had sued Bayarabe alleging that he had begun developing the land illegally.

The counsel to the complainant, Mr Adamu Ibrahim, said his client had warmed the accused several time as to cease from developing the land to no avail.

Ibrahim told the court that the accused person had committed an offence punishable under Section 174 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State 2002.

He applied for an interim injunction from the court to stop the accused from further developing the land pending the determination of the lawsuit.

The counsel assured the court that his client would withdraw the case if the accused steered clear of the land in dispute.

Kastina

The National Coordinator, National Fadama Development Programme, Mr Tayo Adewumi,  has appealed to the Katsina State Government to pay up its counterpart funding.

Adewumi made the plea in Katsina during the review meeting of the Fadama III National Communication Officers.

Adewunmi was represented at the meeting by Dr Thomas Arokoya, the Community Development Specialist.

He also urged the 20 local government councils participating in the programme to settle their counterpart funds to enhance project execution.

Adewumi noted that the government paid its last counterpart funds in 2009.

However, he said that the 20 participating local government councils paid their counterpart funds for 2009 and 2010 while that of 2011 was outstanding.

Kebbii

Alhaji Usman Buda, representing Suru constituency in Kebbi State House of Assembly, is dead.

Buda, elected under the platform of the PDP, died in Abuja recently after a brief illness.

The Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Aminu Musa Jega, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that Buda was aged 49.

“We received the news of his death as a great loss; but we remember him with nostalgia as a significant contributor to debates for the development of the state.

“Late Alhaji Buda departed at a time he was most needed and we will miss his commitment and dedication; but we regard his demise as an act of God.’’

Until his death, Buda was the Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry.

Lagos

The President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), Mr Adegboyega Adepitan, on Tuesday said that the waste accumulated during the week-long nationwide strike would be cleared promptly.

Adepitan gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that the Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators were unable to operate during the strike due to safety concerns and other unforeseen circumstances.

Adepitan said that the operators would move swiftly into residential areas to clear the backlog of heaped refuse to prevent any form of health hazard or epidemic.

“Operators will move out this morning into various residential areas to pick up refuse stored up since the beginning of the strike to avoid any messy or filthy surrounding which may cause epidemic.

Niger

Governor of Niger State Babangida Aliyu, has said he had no regrets over his support for the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Aliyu made the remark while receiving the state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abdulrahman Enagi, who paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Minna.

The national strike degenerated to a violent riot in the state on Wednesday January 11, 2012 leading to wanton destruction of public and private property.

The governor said the removal of fuel subsidy had become imperative as ordinary Nigerians were not the ones enjoying the facility.

He said the subsidy removal had also become necessary as the 36 governors have jointly sued the Federal Government over the continued deduction from their statutory earnings from the federation account to fund the subsidy.

Aliyu also said the subsidy removal was also a PDP matter, which all PDP members were expected to support and disseminate to other Nigerians to gain acceptability before the actual removal.

He, therefore, called on the state branch of the party not to hesitate to discipline any member found to be involved in the protest as such acts were tantamount to anti-party activities.

Ogun

Abeokuta Zonal Manager, Ogun Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Mr Dapo Ogunremi has identified effective pest control as a critical factor in the nation’s quest to achieve food security.

He made the observation at the Farmers’ Field Day held in Imala community, Abeokuta North Local Government Area.

Ogunremi, who spoke on the theme, “Increased Yield of Tomatoes/Pepper with Effective Integrated Pest Management,’’ urged farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices to increase farm yields.

He explained that increased farm yields would not only make the state economically viable, but also self-sufficient in food production.

Ogunremi added that it would also make the state less dependent on tomatoes and pepper produced in the northern states.

The zonal manager observed that proper soil management, seed treatment, effective storage system and timely planting, were necessary to achieve bountiful harvest.

“Tomatoes and pepper are very important farm produce in Imala community. Therefore, we must take good care of them before and after planting as well as during harvest.

Osun

Unidentified arsonists recently set a worship centre on fire at Alekuwodo area of Osogbo,Osun.

Our correspondent  reports that a crowd milled around the razed structure which was still emitting smoke as at 11:30 a.m.

our correspondent  also gathered from neighbours in the vicinity that the building was a worship centre where some important personalities were said to meet and worship at odd times.

It was learnt that each time there was a worship session, exotic vehicles were usually parked in the premises by highly placed members of the public.

“The presence of the worship centre has always been the talk of the town, more so that it is unlike the conventional worship centres which are open to all and sundry.

“One of the strange things about the place is that it has no front door as the adherents enter through the back door as if it is a cult,” a resident, who lives close to the centre said.

Plateau

The Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, has denied receiving court order in respect of the dissolution of the executives of the 17 local government areas of the state prior to last Saturdays inauguration  of management committees for the councils.

The governor stated that the council had to be dissolved because their tenure had expired.

Jang, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edward Pwajok said that allowing chairmen whose tenure had elapsed to remain in office and dissolving only the councillors would amount to making them sole administrators.

He revealed that no order of any court was served on the governor before the inauguration of the management committees maintaining that what was served on the governor was a court process instituted by two former chairmen of Bokkos and Langtang North who complained that their tenures had not expired.