Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

September 12, 2012

Bauchi

A former Acting National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Musa Babayo, in Azare town, Bauchi, gave the hand of his daughter in marriage to the son of Governor Isa Yuguda of the state.

Our correspondent reports that the occasion, which attracted a mammoth crowd, had in attendance Governors Ibrahim Dan-Kwambo of Gombe, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe and Sule Lamido of Jigawa.

Also present were the immediate-past Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Muazu and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed; Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Yahaya Miya, Senator Babayo Gamawa representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and some prominent traditional rulers.

The marriage between bride, Bilkisu Babayo and the groom, Idris Yuguda, attracted a dowry of N50,000 and 10 cows.

Benue

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has inaugurated two water projects at Katsina Ala and Anyiin in Benue State to boost potable water supply to residents.

Ochekpe described water as a major source of life, and urged the people to form committees to protect the facilities, saying that the water projects would curtail incidences of water borne diseases and enhance the general well-being of the people.

The minister said the Federal Government would continue to partner with state governments in providing safe potable water to Nigerians.

She said that the government had worked with the Benue State Government in the reticulation project for Makurdi, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan last year.

In his speech, Governor Gabriel Suswam appealed to the residents of Katsina Ala and Anyiin to make good use of the facilities and ensure their safety.

FCT

Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke says the Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) can be revived in two years.

Duke said this in Abuja at a presentation of an all-female dance troupe from Cuba.

Our correspondent reports that the event featured the presentation of dances from the Cuban troupe, Obini Bata and the Jukun dancers from Taraba, Nigeria.

The minister said replicating FESTAC ‘77 was a challenge the country faced, and urged stakeholders and the different heads of missions in Nigeria to work towards realising the vision.

“Nigeria has been handed with a challenge and that challenge is to replicate FESTAC ‘77.

“I see it as a possibility, and the only limitation to this is the will and desire of the stakeholders who will make this happen.

We will engage with the various governments, stakeholders in the private sector and the culture community to ensure that this can happen.

“I want to plead with the heads of missions. Let us put in our plans the possibility of replicating FESTAC ‘77”, he said.

Gombe

The Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), Gombe State, has urged parents to ensure proper education and upbringing of their children, to enable them to be good leaders.

TheTraining Secretary of the association, Mr. Akin Gbadero, made the call in Gombe during the closing ceremony of a one-month holiday school organised by the FCS for children in Gombe.

Gbadero said that the programme, organised under the “Aids For Aid and Family Life Development (AFAAFLD)” section of the FCS, was aimed at inculcating in the students the virtues of obedience, punctuality and attendance to school.

The secretary stressed that as gifts from God, parents must ensure that children were brought up in the way of the Lord so that they would not depart from it when they grew up.

Gbadero said that the participants, comprising primary and secondary school children, were taught life skill education, gender issues in the Bible as well as seminars to tackle some academic subjects.

The Coordinator of the fellowship, Mr. Pile Gaius, also noted that parents had the responsibility of bringing children to Christ in their youthful ages as ordained by God.

Jigawa

The Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sidi, has urged state governments to enforce physical planning regulations as part of measures to prevent flooding.

He gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on the Jigawa Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud, in Dutse.

Sani-Sidi explained that most of the incidents of flooding which occurred in some parts of the country this year were due to the building of structures on the waterways.

“Rapid urbanisation, occasioned by natural population growth and rural-urban migration, has given rise to land use pressure and weak adherence to physical planning regulations in towns and cities,’’ he said.

Kano

Kano State Government has sponsored 25 indigenes of the state to study Marine Engineering in India and the United States.

A statement issued in Kano by the Director of Press to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Alhaji Baba Dantiye, said the four year course would cost the government $80 million annually.

According to the statement, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said this during the graduation of over 1,000 youths under the government’s youth empowerment programme, tagged “Lafiya Jari.”

It said that the governor emphasised on the resolve of the administration to give priority to human capital development, adding “We are doing all this because we need to see our youth everywhere in the world and reduce unemployment facing the state’’.

It noted that Kwankwaso further revealed that the government had concluded plans to sponsor 100 students to study avionics and another 100 to study medicine abroad.

Kwara

The University of Ilorin Alumni Association in Ilorin presented the first ‘Leading Lights’ award to Governor Ahmed and three others.

The other recipients were Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, the Vice- hancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University and Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, the Managing Director, United African Company (UAC) Nigeria Limited.

In an opening remark at the ceremony, the National President, Univeristy of Ilorin Alumni Association, Mr. Taoreed Odedele, said that the award was organised to showcase the high calibre manpower that the university had produced.

Odedele noted that the university had maintained the lead among Nigerian universities, adding that it was the only institution that could boast of 15 years of unbroken academic session in the country.

Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has approved the appointments of Mrs Ganiyat Afun and Dr Francis Williams, as Acting Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State Public Service.

The appointment of the two secretaries took effect July 2, and September, respectively.

Afun, until her appointment, was the director, Conservation and Ecology and she is to oversee the Office of the Environmental Services in the Ministry of Environment.

Williams was the Chief Medical Director, Ebute Metta Health Centre and has not been assigned any portfolio.

The appointments were contained in a circular issued by Head of Service of the state, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe.

Nasawara

Governor Umar Tanko-Almakura of Nasarawa State has said that arrangements had been concluded to construct an ultra-modern cargo airport worth N7.5 billion at Karshi, Karu Local Government area of the state.

Tanko-Almakura announced this while briefing newsmen at his residence in Lafia.

He said the project would be executed under a public private partnership arrangement with some American and Chinese construction companies.

The governor said the project would boost the economic base of the state and complement the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

“Considering the proximity of the state to the FCT and the security challenges bedeviling the country, top government officials and foreign investors can have an alternative airport to travel through,’’ he said.

Osun

The Chairman of Osun House of Assembly Committee on Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Folarin Fafowora has condemned the poor condition of Ede Water Works.

Fafowora made the condemnation during a visit by the committee to the facility and urged contractors mandated to supply critical equipment to the facility to do so urgently.

He said the step was important for the people to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

The Manager of the corporation, Mr Adepoju Adegbaju, had earlier told the committee that instead of 18 distribution points pumping water to the people of the state, less than nine were functioning.

He said that most of the pumping machines had broken down, while some had yet to arrive from South- Africa and Pakistan.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised that the Ogunpa Market, gutted by fire would be pulled down to give way for an ultra-modern market.

Ajimobi made the promise in Ibadan when he visited the 70 years old market to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire. He said the new market would be equipped with modern infrastructure while the road passing through it would be reconstructed.

Our correspondent recalls that the fire destroyed a storey building and two bungalows accommodating 75 traders as well as goods. The governor was accompanied on the visit to the market by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, lawmakers and senior government officials.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has said that Nigeria would benefit from Germany’s experience in operating federalism after some governors’ visit to Germany.

Jang was among Nigerian state governors who visited Germany on a two-week investment drive.

Addressing newsmen at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, shortly after arrival, Jang said that the “trip was a successful one“, considering that it gave them exposure.

“We went to see how Germany could assist us in our economic development and how to operate our federalism.

“Germany is a country without natural resources, yet it has the best economy in the whole of Europe. We were able to see how they were able to get things done, especially how their federal system works,” he said.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the release of more than N1 billion for the payment of outstanding scholarship allowances to students from the state studying abroad.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Finance, Alhaji Abdullahi Bala, in Sokoto.

‘’In addition, other students studying in different institutions within Nigeria as well as those on higher schemes outside Nigeria would receive their payments accordingly.

‘’This gesture by governor Wamakko is aimed at ensuring that students of the state go about their academic pursuits in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere,’’ it added.

According to the statement, Wamakko expressed the hope that the students would redouble their efforts in their academic pursuits.

Nation

HYPREP Inducts 100 Ogoni Youths For Creative Arts Training

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.

As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.

HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.

Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.

According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.

He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.

Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.

To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.

He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.

Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.

On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.

According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.

She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.

Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.

According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.

She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.

She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.

Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.

While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.

On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.

According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.

He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.

Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.

Nation

Nasarawa Varsity Student Commits Suicide

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Nation

Ogun, Nike Art Gallery Set To Transform Olumo Rock

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.