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THE STATES
Adamawa
The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, has
given Abdul’Aziz Nyako, the eldest son of Governor. Murala Nyako the traditional title of “Sarkin Matasa”, meaning the leader of youths in Adamawa.
Speaking at the ceremony in his palace recently in Yola, Barkindo said the title was given to Nyako based on his contribution to youth mobilisation and development in the state.
The traditional ruler said that Nyako was expected to continue to mobilise youths in the area to realise their potential for the socio-economic development of the emirate.
He added that the youth leader would also serve as security adviser to the emirate.
Barkindo, also made his son, Alhaji Mohammed Barkindo, “Kauran Adamawa” at the ceremony, and called on the new title holders to see their recognition as a challenge to live up to the expectation of the emirate.
FCT
The FCT Police Command has arrested 60 commercial mo
torcycle operators for operating within the city centre.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, who led the operation, said the suspects violated the ban on operating in the metropolis.
Shinaba said that 50 of the operators were arrested at Area 1, while 10 were picked up at AYA roundabout in Asokoro.
The commissioner said the raid was part of efforts to rid the city of hoodlums and criminals during the yuletide.
Gombe
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gombe command, Mr
Nyat Jatau, has urged security agencies to bury their differences and unite to promote peace and security of lives and property.
He made the call on Saturday during an end-of-year party for security agents working in Gombe State.
Jatau noted that without cooperation, unity and the spirit of understanding, individual efforts aimed at ensuring law and order would be fruitless.
He said the Federal Government established the various security agencies and paramilitary organisations to ensure division of labour.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State last Saturday in
Hadejia commended traditional rulers for ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people of the state.
Lamido made the commendation at the celebration of the 10th anniversary on the throne of the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje.
He said that the traditional institution had been playing significant roles in maintaining peace and stability in the state.
“Our monarchs have been supportive and cooperative with my government for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Kano
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano State chapter, has called on
Christians to use this Christmas season to pray for peace and development in the country in 2013.
This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Kano by the president of the association, Chief Tobias Idika.
“We felicitate with Christians all over the world in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
“We call on all Christians and, indeed, Nigerians to use this season to reflect on the series of crises and calamities that befell Nigeria in 2012,’’ the statement stated.
Kaduna
A lecturer, Mr Usman Alhassan, has called on President
Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the National Bio-safety bill passed by the Senate.
Alhassan, who lectures at the Institute for Agriculture Research (IAR), Zaria, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The bill provides a framework to ensure the development and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) do not negatively affect plants, animals and human health or the environment.
It would be recalled that recalls that the senate had on June 1, 2012, agreed that the bill should be harmonised with a version passed by the House of Representatives in July 2009 and sent to the president for assent.
Kebbi
The Legal Aid Council in Kebbi State has donated
relief materials to the state’s remand home to support the inmates.
The state coordinator of the council, Salisu Alhassan, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the materials included, mattresses, blankets, soap and provisions.
He said the decision to donate the materials to the remand home was to ensure comfort and to give the inmates a sense of belonging.
He said the council would ensure improvement on the donation with the collaboration of other stakeholders.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government in Ilorin has reaf-
firmed its determination to develop rural communities to curb rural-urban migration among the people.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold made the reaffirmation while declaring open a workshop organised for liaison officers and youth empowerment coordinators from the 16 local governments of the state.
The workshop was at the instance of the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Aro Yahya.
Gold said the government had perfected arrangements to construct more roads in rural areas, provide portable water, electricity and other social amenities and infrastructure for the people.
Niger
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike
Ihejirika says the Nigerian Army would channel resources toward providing first class training for its personnel to meet contemporary challenges.
Ihejirika, made the statement during the graduation ceremony of the 8th Basic Counter Terrorism Training conducted by the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, for junior officers.
He said the training would enhance the capacity of the personnel to discharge their professional duties.
He explained that the training was organised for junior officers because of the deficiency in professional conduct bordering on indiscipline, negligence in performance of duties and illegal duties.
Ondo
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr
Danladi Mshelbuala, has assured the people of the state of adequate security before, during and after the yuletide.
Mshelbuala, who gave the assurance in Akure told newsmen that the people had no cause to express fear of insecurity as they celebrate the yuletide.
He advised the people go about their lawful activities during the period.
He said the police had put in some security measures in compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police to check criminal activities in the country during the celebrations.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State says peace
ful coexistence among Nigerians irrespective of their religion and ethnic groups is vital for national development.
Aregbesola who made this known on Saturday at the grand finale of the 2012 Iwude festival in Ilesha, urged Nigerians to live in peace and harmony for the country to witness rapid development.
He expressed regrets over the insecurity and chaos in some parts of the country and called on community, religious leaders and all stakeholders in the affairs of the nation to preach peace.
He, however, commended the Yorubas for allowing peace to reign in the region, urging the people to continue to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and love for one another.
Plateau
The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining peace in
Plateau State, says it has put in place some security measures to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
In a statement by its media officer, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, the task force said security operatives would be deployed to churches and strategic areas throughout the period.
“STF would increase the temporary checkpoints throughout the festive period as well as intensify vehicular search at checkpoints,’’ it said.
It said vehicles had been banned from entering premises of recreation centres during the period, adding that STF men would be posted to the centres to complement efforts of local security operatives.
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.
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.”
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”.
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