Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

December 24, 2012

Ekiti

The location in Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area of EkitiState where the first plane crash was recorded in 1942, is to be converted to tourist centre.

The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Tourism Development, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, who inspected the crash site recently in Ikogosi-Ekiti, said the decision was to turn the state into attractive tourism destination in West Africa.

Ikogosi town is also famous for being the home to warm and cold water co-existing together on the same spot.

He said government’s determination to make the state a place where people could visit and see the relics of the airplane would complement the appeal of the warm spring in the area.

FCT

Helpline Foundation for the Needy (HFN) in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) last week in Abuja donated food items to widows and orphans in the FCT.

President of the NGO, Mrs Jummai Ahmadu, said that her desire to distribute food items to widows and orphan, particularly during Christmas motivated her to set up the foundation in 2005.

According to her, the objective of the foundation is to enhance the wellbeing, economic and human empowerment of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and vulnerable widows in the society.

“ The organisation since its inception is currently responsible for the education of more than 150 children both in primary and secondary schools.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commended the Federal Government for distributing fertiliser and other inputs to irrigation farmers in the state.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, told newsmen at Auyo in Jigawa that the gesture would assist farmers and encourage agricultural activity.

It would be recalled the Federal Government had distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rate to rice farmers in the state.

The Federal Government also distributed 2,400 tonnes of improved rice seeds free to the farmers this dry season under its agricultural palliative programme to accelerate rice production in the country.

Kaduna

The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) last Thursday in Kaduna said it had spent N11.5 billion on the training of 425,000 teachers in the last four years.

The Director General of the institute, Dr Ladan Sharehu said this at a press briefing ahead of the flag-off of the Annual Nationwide Capacity Workshop for Teachers.

Sharehu said the programme, financed by the MDGs, was for the training of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in four subjects English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies.

She explained that N3.5 billion was spent in 2009 to train 120,000 teachers, N4 billion in 2010 to train 140,000 teachers and N2 billion used in 2011 on the training of 125, 000.

Kogi

The Kogi State Government says it will soon domesticate the Child Rights Act to enhance its application for proper upbringing of children.

Mrs Patience Mameh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, told newsmen in Lokoja that government had put in place measures that would popularise the Act.

She said that the upbringing of children should be premised on their guaranteed fundamental rights to check abuse and traumatising of children.

Mameh said that it was against this backdrop that the ministry recently held its maiden sitting of the “Children’s Parliament” to develop skills for good governance and responsible citizenship among the children.

Kwara

Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to partnering community and religious bodies to eradicate poverty.

Ahmed said this at the Charity Home, Ilorin, during a special prayer to mark the 50th birthday of the former Governor of the State Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara Central).

He said that such partnership was aimed at improving the well being of the people,

He commended the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), for being a dependable ally for growth and development in the state.

Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.

He made the call at the formal commissioning of Dr Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said such partnership was very necessary.

“This will help in turning around the dwindling fortunes of education in the state,’’ saying, restating that provision of quality education was part of his administration’s 10-point agenda.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for emerging the first recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

The governor said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, in Abeokuta that Soyinka deserved the award.

He described Soyinka as an “embodiment of integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, among others.

“Soyinka has spent his entire adult life leading the crusade for a just and united society, founded on the sanctity of the rule of law and press freedom.

Osun

Two persons were killed by armed robbers while no fewer than five others sustained injuries during a bank robbery in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun.

The Tide source reports that the robbery attack lasted half an hour at the Ikirun branch of a new generation bank.

It was learnt that security agents attached to the bank and residents took to their heels on sighting the armed robbers.

Ondo

The President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), an NGO, Mr Samuel Ademola, has decried the high death rate among Nigerians due to curable diseases.

Ademola was speaking at a three- day free healthcare programme organised by the NGO at the state Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

He said the group organised the programme to reduce the death rate among indigenes of the area.

“ All of us here today belong to the same ethnic group and we have come up with this programme as a way of helping our fellow Ikale men.

Oyo

A researcher with Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Abubakar Oladeji, has advised his colleagues to disseminate research findings in simple language to make government policy implementation easier.

Oladeji, who spoke in Ibadan recently at a training for journalists on reporting research findings, said dissemination of findings to policy makers and the public was vital to any researcher.

He said, it was unfortunate that a lot of policy makers had little time for reading through technical research reports findings which they saw as academic prose.

He said because of this, it would be a fruitless exercise for researchers to be sending lot of pages of research outcome and recommendations to them.

Plateau

The Plateau Government has approved three months salary for its striking local government workers as part of efforts to placate them to end their eight months industrial action.

The state government said in a statement signed by its Director of Press Affairs, Mr James Mannok, in Jos that Gov. Jonah Jang had decided to tamper with the “no work no pay’’ policy on compassionate grounds.

“The issue is already before the National Industrial Court for interpretation, but government has approved payment of salaries to resuming workers with effect from October to December 2012,’’ the statement said.

Yobe

Yobe Assembly has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for engaging 10,000 youths under the state Special Empowerment Programme aimed at curbing unemployment.

The assembly passed the vote of confidence at its plenary session presided over by the speaker, Alhaji Dala Dogo.

The legislators said the gesture would help curb unemployment and contribute to checking insecurity.

The assembly also noted with satisfaction the ongoing training of youths, who were recently engaged as teachers in primary and secondary schools across the state.

Nation

Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

Published

16 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Nation

Senate Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

Published

16 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Worried over the latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has stated that the Legislature is exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

Nation

WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

Published

16 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.