Adamawa

As part of efforts to revitalise the agriculture sector, the Adamawa State Government, has procured 210 tonnes of improved rice seeds to be distributed to farmers across the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Lucy Ishaku, made this known in Yola during an interactive meeting between government and private agricultural sector in the state.

She said that farmers, students and other professionals were being trained on basic techniques for enhanced crops production with the aim to boost food security production.

“We initiated the farming skills acquisition programme where farmers received training for all aspects of agricultural production covering crop sub sector, livestock, fisheries, irrigation among others,’’ she said.

The commissioner said that the aim of the interactive meeting was to share ideas and look at the way forward, stating that this would enable the state government examine the various problems affecting modern farming techniques to ensure that government improved on its commitment.

Bauchi

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Bauchi has warned parents against allowing their under-age children to drive.

Issuing the warning in an interview in Bauchi, the commission’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam said that children must attain 18 years before having the right to drive a vehicle.

He said that the commission had arrested some of the drivers and impounded their vehicles thus compelling them to pay N4, 000 fine.

“Under-age driving is an offence and we have been arresting under-age drivers and riders of motorcycles. “They are fined N4, 000 for the offence and we do not release the vehicles until their parents come to us and we enlighten them and the children over the matter,’’ he said.

Gaidam said that the problem was rampant in Bauchi metropolis, adding that parents must understand that they were not doing any favour to the children.

He said that anything could happen to the child due to inexperience and their reasoning capacity and called on drivers and motorcyclists to desist from driving.

Benue

The youth wing of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Benue has pledged its support to  the flagbearer of ACN for October, 14 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Olarotimi Akeredolu.

The Deputy Youth Leader, Mr Austin Agada said that ACN’s choice of Akeredolu was a wise one and “a welcome development’’.

Agada in Makurdi said that Akeredolu was a man of integrity and a legal luminary who had contributed to the democratic practice in Nigeria.

“The youths in Benue are confident that Akeredolu’s candidature was the only way to remove the Labour Party (LP) government in Ondo State.  “The Benue youths are very happy about the choice of Akeredolu. It is a good omen and we know that ACN would not have made a better choice,’’ he stressed.

Agada pointed out that the Ondo State ACN governorship flag bearer was a seasoned lawyer who would embrace the rule of law in the state.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government, has established a cassava processing plant to accelerate cassava production in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, disclosed this in an interview in Dutse.

Isa, who is also overseeing the Ministry of Economic Empowerment, said the plant was set up at Kila village in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state, adding that the project was progressing in accordance with the contract specifications, adding that it would soon be completed.

The commissioner added that part of the plant’s operational guidelines was to mop up excess produce from the farmers to check wastages and protect them from losses during harvest.

“The plant will encourage cassava processing and effective utilisation of cassava by-product as well as create market for the produce. “We are geared toward encouraging cassava production and developing farmers’ entrepreneurial skill,” Isa said.

He emphasised the state government’s commitment to ensure completion of the project on schedule and urged farmers to take advantage of the services provided by the plant to increase their production capacities.

Kano

The Kano State Government has spent N46.6 million to buy essential items for distribution to the second batch of 250 new couples, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso has said.

He said this in Kano when he presented the items to some of the couples at the Government House.

The governor said the items included sleeping materials such as mattresses, pillows, bed clothes and others, as well as food items, among others, adding that each bride would also be given N20,000 as initial capital to enable them establish their own businesses.

The governor also said the state government had commenced the recruitment of the third batch of 1,003 fresh graduates as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment in the state.

He advised youths in the state to make good use of the various empowerment programmes initiated by the state government to enable them have a bright future.

In his remarks, Sheik Aminu Daurawa, the Commander-General of the State Hisba Board, commended the state government for its continued support to the board.

He also praised some wealthy individuals in the state for donating various sum of money and other items to the board.

Kogi

Two persons were feared dead and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a road crash on Lokoja-Abuja highway, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said.

The victims were among the 12 passengers travelling in an Abuja-bound Toyota Hiace bus with registration number Abuja SE 277 KWL.

Confirming the incident, the Koton Karfe Unit Head of the FRSC, Mr Ezekiel Yonannah, said the bus was on high speed when one of its front tyres got burst, forcing the vehicle to veer off the highway and crashed on a nearby tree.

He said that the impact of the crash caused a fire that engulfed the bus and its occupants.

Yonannah said that two male occupants were burnt beyond recognition, while 10 others, including six adult males and four adult female sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Kwara

Thirteen people were arrested last month at different locations in Ilorin for violating Kwara’s environmental sanitation laws, the Director of Environment in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Alhaji Sikiru Olanipekun, has said.

Olanipekun disclosed this in Ilorin. He reaffirmed the determination of the ministry to continue enforcing sanitation laws to ensure clean environment at all times, and advised residents of the state to always clear bushes and wastes in their areas or face the wrath of the law.

The director warned against encroachment on major roads and cautioned shop owners against dumping refuse into canals to avoid flooding..

Olanipekun directed educational institutions in the state to provide sanitary facilities in their premises to provide healthy environment for learning.

He directed authorities of all institutions of higher learning to provide first aid boxes and fire extinguishers in their buildings, warning that those who failed to comply with the directive would be prosecuted in accordance with sanitation laws.

Nasarawa

The President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’t, Abuja, an NGO, Dr Abdullatif Busari, has urged the Federal Government to provide social amenities for rural dwellers.

Busari gave the advice at a ceremony organised by the association to provide free medical services and drugs to Uke community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa.

“Government should focus more on these services, not only in health but also in the areas of power, roads, water and sanitation. “All these things have impact on the health of the people and they help to improve people’s living standard, ’’ he said.

He said the organisation’s services were aimed at ensuring that Muslims and Christians who lacked access to health facilities were given the opportunity to address their medical challenges.

“You know diseases and health challenges have no religious barrier; it affects everybody equally. “We believe that by involving everybody we would present a different picture of religion not necessarily Islam or Christianity. I know that some Christian groups also do it and they do not discriminate either”,  he said.

Ondo

The  Chairman, League of Imam and Alfas in Ondo State, Alhaji Olagoke Aladesawe, has called on Muslim faithfuls to intensify their acts of worship during Ramadan.

Speaking in Akure, Aladesawe explained that the month of Ramadan provided Muslims with special opportunity to earn rewards from Allah in manifolds.

He described Ramadan as a month full of blessings, forgiveness and redemption and urged the Muslims to enhance their goodness during the month of Ramadan.

“It is worthwhile for every Muslim to strive to do more good deeds, more acts of worship and more recitation of the Holy Qu’ran. The Qur’an is full of glad tidings for the pious Muslims who make the worship of Allah the cornerstone of both their private and public lives, he said.

“They will be successful in this life and the hereafter. “Allah rewards a good deed 100 times in the month of Ramadan more than other months when a good deed attracts only a single reward. “That is why it is advisable for Muslims to strive to earn more rewards in the exalted month by giving alms and remembering Allah both day and night,’’ the Chief Imam stressed.

Plateau

The Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), has lauded the appointment of Justice Mariam Aloama as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

President Jonathan confirmed Alaoma as the new CJN after the senate confirmed her nomination. She replaces Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who retired early this month.

The NBA Chairman Mr Tobias Kekemeke, said in Jos that the appointment was “well deserved and on merit“.

He said that the appointment was a plus to the judiciary because the new CJN “is a firm and fair jurist who has been able to extricate herself from prejudices and biases in determination of matters.’’

Kekemeke described Aloama as “industrious and reform minded’’, adding that she would be a big gain to the judiciary.

The Chairman called for more Judges to cope with the huge litigations in the country and urged lawyers to support the CJN to succeed.