Nation
THE STATES
Gombe
Kwami Local Government Council of Gombe State says it will plant one million different varieties of drought-resistant trees in each of the 10 wards of the local government.
Alhaji Ya’u Marafa, Chairman of council disclosed this in an interview in Kwami last Monday.
Marafa who spoke through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Adamu Usman, said the decision to plant the trees was to guard against environmental challenges such as windstorms.
“As a permanent measure, the local government intends to plant one million seedlings – different varieties of drought-resistant trees, at least not less than 100 seedlings in each of the 10 wards of the local government.’’
A heavy windstorm destroyed houses, mosques and many public infrastructures in Mallam Sidi village, the headquarters of local government area a fortnight ago.
At least 200 houses were reportedly destroyed by the windstorm which also damaged shops and blew off the roof of the NYSC orientation camp.
He said the trees, which would be planted in three phases – in May, June and July – would serve as wind breakers.
Jigawa
Jigawa State Ministry of Education has banned the use of mobile phones by students in secondary schools across the state.
Prof. Haruna Wakili, the state Commissioner for Education, announced this on Monday at a meeting with Principals and Zonal Directors of Education at the Government Unity Secondary School, Ringim.
The commissioner also announced a ban on the use of vernacular during school hours.
Wakili charged principals to ensure compliance with the ban by their students at all time.
He said that any student found using mobile phone or speaking the mother-tongue should be sanctioned by the school authority.
Wakili said the introduction of French language and entrepreneurship subjects had also posed challenges to the education sector.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Malam Abdullahi Hudu, expressed satisfaction with the turn out of the principals at the meeting.
In his remarks the, the Chairman of the state chapter of All Nigeria Principals of Secondary Schools Conference, Malam Hussaini Abdullahi, commended the ministry for the decisions.
Kaduna
Malam Garba Ibrahim, the Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kudan Local Government of Kaduna State, Malam Garba Ibrahim has called for the separation of local government and state joint accounts for accountability.
Ibrahim made the call in an interview with our correspondent at Hunkuyi, the headquarters of the local government.
He said the joint account was not in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people as majority of the people were not happy with the way local government funds were being managed through the joint account.
“There is no autonomy in project execution because people have no right to request from their chairmen the kind of projects they need.
“Projects are supposed to be in line with needs and aspirations of beneficiaries; however, the state governors decide whatever they like for the people,’’ Ibrahim said.
He said when such joint account was separated, there would be proper accountability because each chairman would be accountable for the money allocated to his council.
Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has pledge his administration’ s resolve to ensure good governance by adhering to the principle of separation of powers and rule of law.
Wada made the pledge on Monday at the official inauguration of the newly constructed Judicial Service Commission (JSC)Secretariat extension in Lokoja.
The governor said he would not interfere in the affairs of other arms of government as they are equal partners.
“I will do my best to accord respect to the three arms. I will be a law-abiding governor.”
Wada commended the Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, for taking the state judiciary to greater heights in the administration of justice and provision of infrastructure.
He assured that things would soon change for better in all sectors of the state’s economy as his administration was doing all it could to improve the financial position of the state.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge described the JSC as the “Engine room” of the Judiciary as it is saddled with the responsibility of appointments and recommendations for appointment of High Court Judges.
Kwara
A suspect awaiting trial, Stephen Okon, has expressed disappointment with members of his family for their failure to pursue his bail since he was arrested a year ago.
Okon was pardoned on Friday by the Kwara Criminal Justice Committee in Ilorin.
Okon, awaiting trial since March 17, 2011, told our source that he was punished for offences he knew nothing about.
Our source reports that the accused was arraigned for alleged mischief by fire and causing grievous hurt, before he was released by the committee headed by Kwara Chief Judge, Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb.
Okon, a father of two, was alleged to have burnt a shop beside his own at Eyenkorin, where he sold petrol as a black marketer.
The accused, according to the police prosecutor in the case, Insp. Abdulkareem Jimoh, was not caught in the act, but was arrested on suspicion that there was an impending misunderstanding between him and the owner of the burnt shop.
The pardoned inmate, who claimed to have his nuclear family in Ibadan and a brother in Sierra Leone, told newsmen after he was released that he was shocked that none of his family members bothered to secure him bail.
“I’m very disappointed in my family because this is the first time I would be arrested by the police and nobody showed up.
“I prayed to God to save me and my family because I’m a family man. I have two children and a wife. They are in Ibadan.
“I have not been detained like this before. This is the first time I would have a case with police and I ended up in prison”, he said.
He explained that a friend who was coming from Rivers to secure his bail was involved in an accident in which he broke his leg.
“He has been in the hospital for more than four months now. When I communicated with him, he told me that his situation could not allow him to pursue my freedom”, Okon said.
Lagos
The Chief Executive, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, on Tuesday in Lagos advised members of the public to shun the temptation of raising money from illicit drugs.
He said this was necessary in order to avoid problems as the long arm of the law would not spare any offender when caught.
Giade was reacting to the agency’s arrest of a 43-year-old trader.
The trader was arrested for allegedly being in possession of substances suspected to be heroin and weighing 500 grammes, and said to be worth N2 million.
“It is morally wrong for anyone to turn to drug trafficking as a means of getting capital to start business.
“The agency will continue to invoke relevant sections of the NDLEA Act against offenders,’’ Giade said.
He said it was worrisome that the suspect actually invested the sum of N 2 million in the ill-fated illicit drug transaction.
“It would have been better for him to have put his money into something that will be legitimate and more profitable than this kind of illegal business.
“I urge others that may be having such thoughts or plans to have a re-think,’’ Giade said.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed an attack on its mobile base in Akwanga by unknown gunmen in which one corporal was shot dead.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Cornelius Ocholi , told newsmen on Monday in Lafia that the incident took place on Sunday night.
Ocholi said that the gunmen, whose numbers could not be ascertained, stormed the Mobile Police 38 Base in Akwanga through a bush path at about 1: 00 a.m. and started shooting sporadically.
He said that policemen on duty quickly responded by engaging the attackers in a gun battle which resulted in the death of one officer whose name Ocholi gave as CPL. Madaki Yusuf.
The police spokesman explained that the late officer was hit by a bullet during the gun battle and all efforts to save him by medical personnel at the Ola Hospital in Akwanga failed.
He said that normalcy had been restored in the area saying, “the Squadron Commander,CSP. Reuben Abibo, has put men on alert at the base.
“Even the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, is on his way to Akwanga now to assess the situation. ’’
Taraba
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state with immediate effect.
The governor announced the curfew on Monday evening after visiting the Ministry of Finance in Jalingo, scene of an explosion in which 11 people were killed and scores injured.
Suntai said the curfew, which will be on from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday, would be in force until further notice.
Our correspondent reports that law enforcement agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the curfew.
The governor condemned the blast and expressed condolence to the bereaved.
He also visited the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, where he expressed sympathy with the victims receiving treatment there.
He said the government would pay all their hospital bills and directed the management of the hospital to forward bills to the Government House for payment.
He said that government and other law enforcement agencies were on red alert to stop further loss of lives and property.
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