THE STATES

Adamawa

No fewer than 20 out of the 127 inmates freed during last week’s attack on Ganye Prison in Adamawa State have returned.

Gunmen attacked about 17 places, including the prison in Ganye, headquarters of Ganye local government, set free 127 prisoners, and killed the senior officer in charge of the prison, Assistant Controller Baba Musa.

Confirming the development  in Yola, last  Saturday, nm Adamawa State  Controller of Prisons, Mr Andrew Barka, who did not give details, said some of the prisoners were re-arrested while some returned on their own.

Also giving update on the incident, the Chairman of Ganye Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Farouk, said normalcy had returned to the town and business activities had resumed in full.

FCT

The African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) has donated 16 plane-load of relief materials to victims of violent conflict in Mali.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the First Lady, Mr Ayo Osinlu, stated that the aid, which included food items, clothing, drugs, beddings and other essential items, were received at a brief ceremony in the Malian capital, Bamako.

The President of the AFLPM, Dame Patience Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, presented the aid to the First Lady of Mali, Madame Mintou Traore.

She  said: “In fulfilment of the resolve of First Ladies of Africa to contribute their quota to checking the wind of violence spreading across Africa, the Mission has taken its peace advocacy to Mali where several insurgent groups have been fighting the Malian government for independence or greater autonomy.

Gombe

The Police in Gombe State have confirmed the killing of two people when gunmen attacked Kumo Police Division in Akko local government area last Friday night.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Sule, said in Gombe, that the dead were among the attackers.

Sule said the police recovered one AK 47 rifle and two motorcycles from the attackers. “As far as I am concerned, none of my men was killed.

“What I know is that two of the attackers were killed and we recovered one AK 47 rifle and two motorcycles,” he said.

Sule, however, said he was expecting details of the incident since it occurred in the night and he decried the lack of information from the public to enable the police to prevent such attacks.

Some residents of Kumo  said they could not sleep in the night because of the exchange of fire between the police and the attackers.

Kaduna

Farmers in Zaria, Kaduna State, last Friday, jubilated as the city recorded its first rainfall of the year. The rain which started at 4.30p.m, lasted for 30 minutes.

A farmer, Malam Musa Dogara, thanked God for His blessings, and said that the rain would encourage farmers to start preparation for the farming season.

“We are happy with this rain and very soon we will get set for clearing of our farmlands as a prerequisite for crop cultivation,” he said.

Another farmer, Mutawakkilu Rafinyashi, also expressed gratitude to God for the rain and prayed for a blissful farming season.

A resident of the town, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Babbangwani said the rain was a source of succour for everyone, especially as it had lowered the temperature and relieved the people of intense heat.

Kano

Kano State Zakkat and Endowment Commission said it disbursed N16.1 million as Zakkat (alms) to 1,794 indigent persons last year.

The Director-General of the commission, Alhaji Sufiyanu Gwagwarwa in Kano last  Sunday, that N10 million was given to 1,000 needy persons in the first phase of the programme.

According to him, the sum of N2.5 million was distributed to 250 widows as assistance to enable them start small businesses.

“Each of the beneficiaries was given N10,000 as assistance to ameliorate his sufferings as well as to enable him start a business.

“The whole idea behind giving Zakkat to the poor is to use the money to establish some useful ventures which will make them self-reliant,’’ he said.

He said another N1.5 million was also distributed to another batch of 150 persons in addition to another N1.5 million disbursed to new converts to Islam and stranded travellers as assistance.

The Director- General disclosed that the commission had also offset the medical bills of 44 patients amounting to N435, 000 during the same period.

Kwara

The Federal Government has been urged to invest more in the development of libraries for the country to excel in the education sector.

A lecturer with the Department of Library and Information Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr Moses Ibeun, gave the advice in a lecture in Malete, Kwara, last Friday.

Ibeun said in the lecture, organised by the students of Library Science of the university, that the development of libraries as an integral part of educational development in the country had been neglected in favour of social media.

He described the existence of social media as detrimental to the reading culture in the society and reduced the rate at which people patronised the library.

Lagos

A Lagos State lawmaker, Mr Rotimi Olowo, has advised the Federal Government to collaborate with the states, to enhance effectiveness in road construction and maintenance.

Olowo said in Lagos,  last Sunday, that the government should explore both human and technical capacity of the states to ensure that the network of road projects fared better.

Olowo, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure in the state House of Assembly, urged the government to delegate more responsibilities to the states in road construction.

“Nigeria is a federating state and if the government should partner with the states, it is going to be a win, win situation. “We want service delivery, there is nothing the government is doing that states cannot do.

Niger

Senator Dahiru Awaisu (PDP- Niger East Senatorial District) last Sunday said he would seek re-election for a third term in 2015 “in spite of the political machinations to stop me’’.

Awaisu told newsmen in Minna during an interactive session that “nothing will deter me from contesting for re-election in 2015.

“I cannot be intimidated by anybody after being in politics for 32 years. There is nothing that I have not seen. “I have been in politics for long and for that I cannot be intimidated by anybody not only in Niger but in this country,’’ he said.

He noted that he had won most of his elective seats as representative of the opposition parties in the state, therefore, he would not be deterred by anybody.

“My people back my move to seek re-election for a third term. I will seek re-election under the PDP, even though Governor Babangida Aliyu, has shown interest in the seat,’’ he said.

Oyo

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an NGO, last Sunday, congratulated Christians in the country on the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In a statement by MURIC’s Director, Prof. Is-haq Akintola, made available to our correspondent in Ibadan, It said that in conformity with the lessons embedded in the Easter celebrations, Christians must endeavour to be tolerant and forgiving of one another, especially with adherents of other religions,” it stated.

“MURIC greets Nigerian Christians on this memorable occasion.

“We urge all Nigerians to demonstrate genuine respect for the manner of worship as well as the culture of other religions,” it stated.

Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said last Sunday, that a National Qu’ranic Centre would be established in the state.

The sultan stated this at the closing of the 27th National Qu’ranic Recitation Competition in Gusau. He said that the past winners of the competition would be employed to propagate the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran at the centre when constructed.

The sultan said in order to have a decent and peaceful society in the country, there must be justice.

“I urge all the people in charge of justice, both the legal practitioners and village heads, to be just. “We at the top are always ready and will be willing to do anything to solve the problems in this country,’’ he said.