Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) in Bauchi
State has confirmed that four people
died in auto crash at Gubi village on Bauchi-Kano Road last Tuesday.
Mr Henry Olatunji, the state Sector Commander, told our
correspondnet in Bauchi that the accident, involving two vehicles, occurred in
the morning.
He said that a Honda Accord car with registration AE108 MSA
and a Peugeot J5 with number SA 804 DKU collided, adding that the collision
resulted in fire, which led to the death of the passengers.
Olatunji said that the passengers were burnt beyond
recognition.
He noted that five
other passengers sustained injuries and that both the dead and the injured ones
were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.
Benue
A community leader at Ochama in Okpokwu Local Government
area of Benue State, Mr Joseph Aba, has appealed to the state government to
provide relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in the area.
Aba, in a statement
made available to The Tide in Makurdi, appealed to the State Emergency
Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to
send the relief materials urgently to the victims of the disaster.
The statement claimed that hundreds of houses and farm lands
were swept away by flood, adding that Madikpo clan was the most affected area.
The statement also noted that most children in the area had
been exposed to cold and were sleeping in the open alongside their parents due
to the lack of shelter.
FCT
The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, last Tuesday
called on the media to play active roles in Nigeria’s transformation by paying
more attention to developmental issues.
Maku made the call in Abuja at an interactive session with
journalists on the forthcoming good governance tour, jointly organised by the
ministry and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
He urged
journalists to desist from overheating the polity through their reportage of
the impending 2015 elections, and urged them to use the opportunity of the
forthcoming tour to redirect the focus of their reports and features to
developmental issues.
Maku said that the nation would benefit more if journalists
and media organisations re-examined the direction and philosophy of their
operations.
The minister said the tour would be unique in approach,
content and composition, adding that other stakeholders, apart from the media,
had been incorporated to give the exercise the desired credibility.
Jos
The Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, has said
in Jos that the Federal Government had commenced assessment of areas hit by the
flood that swept through many states of the federation.
The minister disclosed this when she led a team, constituted
to carry out the assessment, on a courtesy call on Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.
According to the minister, the team is expected to tour all
states affected by the disaster and, recommend ways to assist the victims and
to avoid a recurrence, pointing out that the team was in the state to see the
level of devastation caused there and to make recommendations to the
government.
“Over the last few months there had been series of flooding
across the country, including Plateau. We hope to recommend and implement
stringent measures to end the trend.
Kaduna
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on
Tuesday awarded the Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment and Natural
Resources, Mr Zakaria Shamaki, the ‘Best Performing Commissioner in Nigeria
2012’ award.
Presenting the award in Kaduna, Mr Kolawole Olaoluwa, the
President of the association, said that the honour was in recognition of the
commissioner’s commitment to education in the state.
Olaoluwa remarked that Shamaki’s contribution towards
promoting best environmental practice earned him the “National Merit Award of
the Nigerian Students’’.
Katsina
The Community-Based Agricultural and Rural Development
Programme (CBARDP) has received N2.1 billion of the N2.7 billion approved
budget for the 2012 projects implementation, Alhaji, Abu Kankia, the National
Programme Coordinator, has disclosed.
Kankia told The
Tide in Katsina that the money was received from the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD), the major financier of the programme, as well
as the participating states and local governments.
The money, he said, covered the period January to August
2012 and represented 78 per cent financial performance.
He spoke on the sidelines of the 16th Supervision Mission of
the programme led by the IFAD Country Programme Manager, Ms Atsuko Toda, with
other IFAD and Federal Government officials, IFAD consultants and
journalists as members of the team.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Command of Nigerian Immigration Service
(NIS) has concluded arrangements to deport 70 suspected illegal immigrants, the
Comptroller, Alhaji Sule Momoh, said.
Momoh told our correspondent
in Birnin Kebbi that the immigrants were arrested during routine checks.
He said the arrests
indicated an increase of entry by illegal immigrants into the state from
neighbouring countries, namely Niger Republic and Republic of Benin.
“The apprehended immigrants had no legal documents that
would guarantee them to conveniently stay within Nigeria.
“But we would expand our vigilance and deport such illegal
immigrants,” Momoh stressed.
Kogi
Displaced residents of Lokoja and its environs in Kogi State
have appealed to the state government for assistance as flood continued to
ravage the areas.
The victims, in
separate interviews with our correspondent in Lokoja, pleaded with the
government to urgently provide temporary accommodation for them.
The appeal followed the flooding of houses on the banks of
the River Niger, which had displaced hundreds of people, including women and
children.
Our correspondent who visited the affected areas, observed
that the river had overflowed its banks, submerging houses and washing away
property worth millions of naira.
Kwara
A bill to establish Kwara State Urban Regional Planning
Board has scaled through first reading at the House of Assembly.
Majority Leader Abdulkareem AbdulGaniyu moved the motion for the first reading of the bill,
while Hajiya Raliat Aremu Adifa, the member representing Lanwa-Ejidongari
constituency, seconded the motion.
Speaker Rasaz Atunwa
directed the House Committees on Land and Housing and Business Rules to work on
the bill to ensure proper passage.
Meanwhile, the
Assembly has rejected the report of its Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban
Development on a petition written by Atari community in Offa over the taking
over of their parcel of land.
Lagos
Wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, has said
3,500 students participated in the 2012 summer school programme, organised by
Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), her initiative.
Speaking at the closing ceremony last Tuesday, Fashola said
the students were taught core subjects, vocational skills and recreation,
adding that the programme took place in seven centres in Agidingbi, Ketu,
Ibeju-Lekki, Mushin, Surulere, Egbeda and Ojo.
“Five years ago, when we initiated this programme, our
objective was to engage students positively during the long summer vacation. It
was to first and foremost make them responsible and secondly, keep them safe
and from the streets.
Nasarawa
Five officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State
Police Command have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of
Police.
The Tide reports that the officers, Umar Mohammed,
Tarfa Ibrahim, Monday Bala-Kurya, Mohammed Bosso-Barje and Aliyu Haruna, were
promoted for being hard-working and committed to duty.
Mr Micheal Zuokumor, the AIG in-charge of Zone 4, decorated
the officers at a brief ceremony at the police officers’ mess in Lafia.
Decorating the officers, Zuokumor said the promotion was part of the
Inspector-General of Police’s on-going reforms in the force, adding that the
gesture would serve as motivation for better performance.
Ogun
The Ogun State
government says it had spent N783.1
million on the construction of flyover bridge at Ibara roundabout in
Abeokuta. The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Works, Mr Kayode Ademolake, disclosed this during an oversight
visit to the ministry by the State House of Assembly Committee on Housing and
Infrastructure.
Ademolake, who put the total cost of the project at N1.5
billion, said that the government had released N783.1 million, adding that the bridge construction in Amolaso in
Abeokuta South Local Government area was 60 per cent completed, while the state government had released N60.5
million out of the N89.5 million cost of the project.
“I also want you to know that the cost of the construction
of Quarry-Surulere, Ita-Eko road was N59.1 million. Just as the construction of
Ibara, Ita-Eko, Sokori, Totoro road which is ongoing will cost N1.3 billion,’’
he said.
Oyo
In its effort to reduce the shortage of teachers, the Oyo
State Government has commenced a one- week training for 3,000 YES-O education
cadets in the three senatorial districts.
The cadets, who are graduates of education, will be deployed
to public primary and secondary schools immediately after completing the
training.
Mrs Adetokunbo Fayokun, the Commissioner for Education,
announced the plan in Ibadan at the opening of the training, adding that the
training was aimed at ensuring that the cadets were equipped with requisite
skills and knowledge to function in their places of assignment.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state
The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.
Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.
According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.
Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”
The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”
He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.
“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”
The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.
“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”
He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.
Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.
He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.
Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.
Nation
RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”
The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.
He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.
“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,
He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.
Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).
He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.
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