Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The aid group of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has begun a one-week disaster management training of its disaster relief officers.
The training currently ongoing in Yola, Adamawa, is being organised by the national headquarters of JNI for its officials from all the states of the federation.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Yola, the Secretary-General of the JNI in the state, Alhaji Gambo Jika, said the training was to equip the trainees with modern skills to handle disasters effectively.
“This workshop is purposely organised for disaster relief officers.
“The reason is to equip disaster relief supervisors and coordinating officers from all the states of the federation and some from local governments here in Adamawa.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has inaugurated a Community Radio Station in Kafin-Madaki, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
Yuguda at the ceremony pledged to complete nine other stations before the end of the year.
He said that the radio stations were established to improve the relationship between the government and the rural dwellers, adding that they would promote effective communication with the people.
The governor said community radio broadcasting was an age-long system already in practice in most parts of the world, including developing countries.
He said the stations were designed to disseminate information on weather, agriculture, politics and other socio-economic issues, particularly those in rural areas.
FCT
The Federal Ministry of Transportation has called for the full utilisation of the dredged River Niger to enhance economic activities in the country.
The Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, made the call in Abuja on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
Oladunjoye recalled that the contract for the dredging of the Lower River Niger from Baro in Niger to Warri in Delta, a distance of 572 km, was awarded in December 2008 and completed in 2011.
Oladunjoye noted that some companies, including NINON Nigeria Ltd, manufacturers of ceramic tiles, started using the channel shortly after the dredging started to transport goods from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.
Gombe
The Gombe Coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs Grace Samuel, has appealed to parents to ensure that their children were given good training to become responsible citizens.
She stated this in Gombe when she led the network on a visit to the State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki, to mark the International Day for Street Children.
Samuel quoted a UNICEF report in May 2005 which stated that over 7.3 million Nigerian children of school age were not in school.
“These street children are exposed to untold dangers of molestation, abuse, loneliness and lack of care.
Jigawa
The residents of Dutse, the Jigawa capital, have expressed worry over excessive heat.
A cross section of the residents who spoke to newsmen in Dutse, said that both inside and outside of their homes were no longer comfortable for them.
Malam Sanusi Adamu said that the intensive heat had made life miserable for them.
Adamu explained that in the last three weeks, he had been sleeping outside his home with his family to prevent cerebro-spinal meningitis.
Also speaking, Alhaji Ali Makama, , a resident of Fagoji in Dutse, said he had pitched his tent under the tree near his house due to the excessive heat.
“I am always under a tree especially during the day after I return from farm; I eat and do some domestic works under the tree because there is no comfort in my house.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed the amended the Prerogative of Mercy Bill into law to make it more inclusive and effective.
The passage followed the adoption of a report submitted by the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Irmiya Kantiok, at the plenary session in Kaduna.
The committee was mandated by the House to study and review the Kaduna State Cap No: 4 of 1991, otherwise known as the Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Committee Law of 1991.
Presenting the report, Kantiok told his colleagues that the law called for a review to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the state.
He explained that the review was necessitated by an executive bill submitted to the House by Gov. Patrick Yakowa.
Lagos
The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has called for the deployment of members of the State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to Agunfoye-Igbogbo community in Ikorodu.
The call followed a protest by residents of the community to the House during which they submitted a petition on the activities of land speculators in the area.
According to the protesters, hoodlums have taken laws into their hands and destroyed properties, valued millions of naira.
The protesters alleged that the attacks and destruction of properties were carried out by a faction of Adeyoruwa’s family, claiming ownership of the disputed land.
Nasarawa
Governor of Nasarawa StateUmar Almakura has stressed the need for people in the state and all Nigerians to be united and to live in peace with one another.
Almakura spoke on Wednesday in Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, when he paid an on the spot assessment visit to the crises areas in the state.
“We strongly need this unity if we are to continue to forge ahead as a united and indivisible entity,” he said.
According to the governor, without peace and unity, socioeconomic development will continue to elude any society.
Almakura said that there was the need for all Nigerians to continue to learn to live in peace with each other, irrespective of religious, tribal, political or ethnic differences.
Ogun
The Ogun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has intercepted 40,000 litres of petrol from vandals around Arepo Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Kareem Olanrewaju, told newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday that the products concealed in 800 kegs of 50 litres were intercepted in the early hours of Wednesday.
Olanrewaju said that the perpetrators had vandalised petroleum pipes in the waterways near Beach Estate, in Arepo Village.
Plateau
To elicit support for peace efforts in the North Central, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it will organise a special workshop for wives of serving military men serving in that zone.
“The workshop is next week and will sensitise women to the need to join the peace effort in the North Central states,” NEMA Zonal Coordinator for the zone, Alhassan Aliyu, told newsmen in Jos on Wednesday.
According to him, wives of paramilitary officers and women NGOs will also participate in the workshop scheduled for Jos.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has donated 60 vehicles and one thousand motor cycles to the state police command to enhance productivity among the force.
Wamakko presented the vehicles to the visiting Inspector General of Police Mohammad Abubakar at Government House in Sokoto.
He said that modern communication facilities would be attached to all the vehicles to ensure effective policing.
Wamakko said the administration would continue to support the police to enable the officers and men of the command discharge their primary assignment without hindrance.
He said that already the state government had also directed local government chairmen to work hand in hand with their respective divisional police to ensure peace in their respective areas.
Yobe
Vegetable farmers in Yobe have decried lack of preservation facilities for newly harvested tomatoes, pepper, onions and melon.
A vegetable farmer in Garin Alkali told Alhaji Usman Bukar, newsmen that vegetable farmers in Jakusko, Bade and Nguru local government areas were faced with the challenge of storage.
Usman said that the price of onions in the market was not encouraging while they were no facilities to preserve the harvest.
Zamfara
Bungudu Local Government Council of Zamfara State has directed the closure of the Gidan Daji well which claimed the lives of six persons last week.
The council’s Sole Administrator, Alhaji Sa’idu Ma’aji, said in Gidan Daji that: “it is not medically advisable to allow people to continue to draw and drink water from it,”hence the directive to seal up the well.
Ma’aji said that although the well had been the major water source for the Gidan Daji community, a hand pump provided by the state government in the nearby village of Marke, could serve them temporarily.
He said that plans were under way to sink a borehole for the Gidan Daji people, adding: “And this, I assure you, will be done very soon.”
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor