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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Bala Ngilari, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for approving N17 for the flood-ravaged states.

Ngilari told newsmen in Yola on Thursday that the fund would go a long way in assisting the affected states to address some of the challenges facing the internally-displaced persons .

Ngilari who is also the Chairman, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said:”We are happy with the inclusion of Adamawa in category “A” states which are to receive N500 million each.”

While also commending the president for embarking on visits to the affected states, Ngilari said:” This step taken by the president is a pointer to his show of concern and appreciation of the magnitude of the problem.”

 

Benue

President Goodluck Jonathan last week in Makurdi said the Federal Government would distribute a variety of improved seedlings to farmers displaced by flood in Benue State.

The President stated that in Makurdi during an assessment tour of the flooded areas in Benue.

Saying funds for the purchase of the seedlings would be released to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by the coming week to enable the displaced farmers get back to their farms as quickly as possible.

The president regretted that some of the seedlings that were distributed to farmers failed to produce the desired yields because they were incompatible with the soil texture

 

FCT

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says only peaceful co-existence, selflessness and obedience to Allah and the laws will take Nigeria to the promised land.

This is contained in a message signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir.

Ekweremadu noted that “the essence of life is obedience to Allah as well as service and love to both Allah and humanity’’.

He observed that corruption, greed, and willful disobedience to Allah and the teachings of the prophets were largely responsible for the many challenges facing the nation.

 

Kano

Fagge Local Government in Kano State has emerged the best council out of the 44 councils in the just concluded 5th Round of Polio Immunisation in the state.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Communication to the Governor, Malam Halilu Dantiye, and made available to newsmen in Kano, Kura Local Government came second.

The third position went to Dawakin Kudu Local Government while Doguwa Local Government took the fourth position.

Governor  Rabiu Kwankwaso, who presented trophies to the councils, said that the measure was aimed at encouraging the local governments to give special attention to polio eradication.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has earmarked N85 million for the construction of additional nomadic primary schools to encourage education among the children of the nomads.

Alhaji Nasiru Masama, the Senior Special Assistant on Fulani Matters to Governor Saidu Dakingari, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the schools would be strategically located.

He said that additional primary schools would be established this year in collaboration with the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), adding that qualified teachers would also be recruited for the new schools for early commencement of learning as well as supply learning materials in consonance with current school curriculum.

 

Kaduna

Governor  Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has advised the beneficiaries of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) on judicious utilisation of their funds.

Yakowa gave this advise through his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, when the beneficiaries of the programme, paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.

He commended them for emerging as winners in the first batch of the programme among the 24,000 applicants nationwide.

The governor cautioned them on proper investment of their funds for improvement in economic status of the nation, as well as creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and women.

 

Katsina

Prices of rams went down in Katsina State, two days to Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.

This is the outcome of market survey conducted in Kaita, Katsina, Dankama, Mai’adua, Jibia, Charanchi, Mashi and Kafur markets, in the state last Wednesday.

The survey revealed that this year, prices of the animals ranged from N19, 000 to N50, 000 as against N25, 000 to N60, 000 last year.

Many of the ram sellers, who spoke, on the issue attributed the development to the general cash crunch in the country.

 

Lagos

Against the background of the recent devastating flood in parts of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states to develop their respective flood preventive, mitigation and response strategies.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-west Zonal Information Officer of NEMA, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

Farinloye observed that the South-west Zone of the country was partially flood-free this year due to the positive response of the respective state governments to early warning issued by the agency.

 

Niger

The Chairman, ‘Miyetti Allah’ in Niger State has appealed to Governor Babangida Aliyu of the state to provide cattle rearers in the state with properly gazetted lands.

Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed, the Chairman of the association, said that if grazing lands were provided for their cattle, clashes between nomads and farmers would be prevented.

Ahmed who made the call during the launch of the livestock and pets vaccination campaign in Minna  noted that farmers had taken over the land promised Fulani cattle rearers for pasture.

“Providing us with a permanent and properly gazetted pastoral land for rearing and grazing our herds will forestall future dispute between Fulanis and farmers in the state“.

 

Ogun

Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has compensated the families of the five slain policemen in the October 22 robbery attacks in Abeokuta and Ibafo with N2.5 million.

Represented by Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Amosun disbursed N500, 000 cash to each of the widows.

According to him, the money is to take care of the burial expenses, and pledged additional N1 million to each of the widows after the burial.

“We commend and salute the bravery of these gallant officers. Even in death, we remain grateful and indebted to them and to the Ogun State Police Command.

“At this point in time, our thoughts and prayers are with the widows, the children and immediate families of these fallen heroes.

 

Osun

The Osun State Police Command has assured Osun residents adequate security, during and after the Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, on Thursday in Osogbo.

The statement said that the public had nothing to fear because men of the command were up to the task of protecting lives and property.

The statement also appealed to residents to always give prompt information that could aid the police in tracking down suspected criminals.

 

Plateau

Governor  Jonah Jang of Plateau on Wednesday advised the military to concentrate on its duties and “stay totally away from politics’’.

Jang gave the advice when he received members of the national good governance tour team, led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in Jos.

He said he had experienced leadership under civilian and military regimes and had found civilian leadership as ideal for the country.

“Nigerians will benefit more from a democratic dispensation and that is why I have always advised my younger colleagues in the army that governance is not for the military,’’ he said.

 

Zamfara

Floods destroyed food and cash crops estimated at more than N1billion in seven local government areas of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Na-Allah, Director of Information of Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), has said.

Na-Allah told newsmen in Gusau on Thursday that the destruction occurred between August and October in Gummi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Maru, Kauran Namoda and Anka local government areas.

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Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

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Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love  has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

 

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

 

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

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We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout

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Rivers State Governor , Sir Siminialayi Fubara says the industrialization of the state remains a key drive of his administration.
Speaking through Director General of the Rivers  State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside at the Shell Gas Limited and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) Investors Forum held in Port Harcourt, Fubara stressed that public /private partnership is key to revive production in the state.
“We are ready to partner Shell Gas Limited to revive manufacturing in Rivers State at Ahoada Industrial Park, and the new Port City project, including the proposed Bonny Industrial Park which will grow industries along the Bonny corridor” he declared.
Part of the scheme, he further stated is to collaborate with Shell Gas Limited and the private sector to transform Rivers State into a major manufacturing hub in the South of Nigeria.
Commending Shell and MAN for leading the frontline, Sir. Fubara said,” the time to act is now  and thank God Shell is taking the lead to prioritize gas.”
The governor opined that the gas sector provides huge investment opportunities to drive the state economy as the world is gradually shifting towards gas and other environment friendly energy, while urging stakeholders to evolve an actionable gas policy for the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Shell Gas Limited Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi said it is high time the state utilized its huge gas resource.
“Today gas offers investors opportunities and raises the value chain as it boosts production for industry users,” Amos-Ejesi said.
The Shell Gas Distribution executive said the company seeks to support manufacturing by adopting a user friendly approach that allows manufacturers to grow profitably with affordable cheaper energy.
He explained that natural gas provides huge potentials and aligns with federal government  policy of gas utilization.
Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okugu described gas as the backbone of manufacturing.
He said the forum has become timely and key to address the pressing energy provision to boost production in the sector, as he lamented the high costs borne by manufacturers in sourcing energy alternatives.
In her remarks, Chairperson of  the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga commended Shell for the forum which she described as a bridge to reduce gap of energy provision for manufacturers.
Ngozi Nwoga said the transition to natural gas has become imperative, stressing that pipeline gas offers cheaper and smooth energy provision for industries.
Former MAN chairperson for Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs Emilia Akpan was of the view that the quest to provide cheap energy should be driven with technical manpower, as she emphasized  need for Rivers State to recreate its economy.
By Kevin Nengia
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SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

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First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.
The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB),  Yemisi Edun,  said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.

Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.

 

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