Abuja

Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto on Thursday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to stand against instability in the country.

Abubakar made the call in a seminar organised by Nigeria Women of Faith Network on “The Role of Women of Faith in Peace Building in our Community”.

Our correspondent reports that the seminar was organised by both Muslim and Christian women towards building peace and unity among members of the two religious bodies.

Represented by Alhaji Mohammed Liman, Magajin Garin Nupe, the Sultan said that the traditional institution in Nigeria was always in the fore front in any war against violence and social insecurity.

“We recognise that government cannot bring about any social or economic development in a situation of social instability; we must therefore, individually and collectively fight this menace.

“All hands must therefore be on deck, Federal Government, state governments, local governments, civil societies, and NGOs.

Abuja

The International Institute for Coordinated Research (IICR) says it is collaborating with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to introduce organically grown crops in the country.

Prof. Agnes Onyeagba, the Director of the Institute stated this on Thursday in Abuja.

She said the introduction of the organic crops became necessary as it was observed that many people in the country were not feeding properly.

The director identified sweet corn as one of the organically grown crops and said it was different from other species of corn.

“What we are collaborating with NABDA here is to produce those organic things like, right now on the farm, we have a small demonstration farm here, growing sweet corn off-season, using gravity BP irrigation to grow sweet corn.

“It’s the first organically grown sweet corn in this country and we intend to grow other things like wheat organically.”

Kaduna

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has charged this year’s Polo Organising Committee to preach peace and engage youths in sporting activities.

The governor made the call Thursday while receiving Alhaji Hassan Hadejia, the Life President of Kaduna Polo Club, who led the management committee of the club on a visit.

“You are all men of influence, clout in your various places of living and can play influential role in bringing peace and normalcy to Kaduna so that the state can grow.”

Yakowa said peace and security were needed for the fans to enjoy the tournament in the state.

He advised the club to engage the youths in polo competitions and other sporting activities to reduce youth restiveness.

Kwara

Worried by the intake of illicit drugs by youths in Kwara, the State Assembly has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and security operatives to clamp down on sellers and users.

The House in a resolution, which followed a motion sponsored by the Majority Leader, Abraham Asaolu, stated that the move was imperative in view of the health and social implications of consuming illicit drugs.

It frowned at the availability of illicit drugs such as marijuana, saying they were capable of threatening the security of the state.

According to the House, the consumption of illicit drugs has detrimental effect on the health and well being of users.

Lagos

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, has said that effective family planning can reduce maternal and child mortality by as much as 30 per cent.

He spoke at the launch of an initiative on “Strengthening Private Sector Family Planning and Reproductive Health”, on Thursday in Lagos.

Pate, who said that the provision of family planning services was key to promoting maternal and child health, noted that over the years such services had received little attention because of competing priorities.

However, Pate said that the Federal Government’s 2010 – 2015 National Strategic Health Development Plan prioritised integrated health service delivery, included family planning.

He was represented by an aide, Dr Labaran Ibrahim.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, said the low use of family planning methods needed the private sector’s involvement to complement the government’s efforts to provide quality family planning and reproductive health services.

Nasarawa

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of “A” Division at Mararaba in Nasarawa State, Mr Aliyu Haruna, has expressed his disappointment over “undue delays” in convening the division’s Police/Community Relations Committee (PCRC) meetings.

Haruna, who was speaking with newsmen recently on Thursday, described the situation as “unhealthy.”

“The community meeting was last held sometime in 2011 and since the beginning of this year, stakeholders have not made any appreciable move to convene the joint community meeting.

“There is need for regular meetings of the committee because without the interractions, how do we review the crime and security situations of the area and plan ahead?” the DPO asked.

Osun

The Osun Government on Thursday charged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) to intensify efforts in curbing human trafficking.

The State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Wefare, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega gave the charge in Osogbo while playing host to Mr Tunde Odetunde, Head, NAPTIP South West.

The commissioner expressed worry that cases of human trafficking as well as child abuse and labour had become rampant, especially in Ejigbo and Kajola Local Government Areas.

Oyo

The President, Jericho Business Club (JBC), Chief Tunde Aboderin, has called on NGOs and social clubs in the country to assist rural communities.

Aboderin said this on Thursday at Elekuro area of Ibadan while inaugurating borehole projects donated by JBC at Apabiekun and Sagbe communities.

He said the assistance should be through the provision of basic facilities that would improve the standard of living of the people.

Aboderin stated that the borehole initiative was aimed at providing comfort for rural communities and to complement government’s efforts.

According to him, the provision of social amenities in areas where there is absence of government presence is rewarding and necessary.

Our correspondent reports that the JBC, which was established 10 years ago, comprises 80 businessmen who are indigenes of Ibadan.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has re-appointed Alhaji Sahabi Gada as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The Tide source reports that Gada was the immediate past Secretary to the State Government.

Wamakko, who also swore in the new government scribe on Thursday, described Gada as “honest and hard working.”

“His office is very crucial to the daily operations of the state government and he has been discharging his duties diligently and honestly in the last five years.’’

Wamakko said that Gada was required by the new administration to further move the state forward.

The governor said that Gada’s re-appointment was in line with the provisions of the constitution of the nation, and promised that “other appointments will follow suit.’’

Meanwhile, Wamakko has promised that the three arms of the government in the state would continue to cooperate with each other with a view to moving the state forward.

He spoke on Thursday in Sokoto when he received the members of the State House of Assembly who paid him a congratulatory visit.

Wamakko said that the “rosy relationship” which he enjoys with the state lawmakers “is for the good of all the people of the state.’’

The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Aliyu Tureta, who led the lawmakers on the visit, said he would sustain the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of the government.