Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The resolve of President Goodluck Jonathan to organise
a national conference was last Tuesday welcomed by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state as well as some eminent Nigerians across the country.
Fayemi, who addressed the people of the state shortly after the nationwide address of the president, called for sincerity in holding the forum.
The governor said the acceptance of dialogue as means of resolving the challenges confronting the nation was long overdue.
He, however, said that the fact that support for such a national dialogue was now coming from prominent members of the ruling PDP was a surprise.
Fayemi warned that the conference may be viewed with suspicion if no sincerity of purpose was attached to its organisation.
FCT
The Christian Association of Nigeria has extended its
goodwill to Nigerians as the country celebrates her 53rd Independence Anniversary but, however, said “as leader of the African continent, Nigeria deserved more than she has attained so far.”
The association said that the country was “yet to achieve the desired standard of conduct and performance envisaged by her founding fathers.”
President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement last Monday in Abuja expressed “a strong hope that development would come as soon as all the challenges inhibiting her progress are surmounted.”
Oritsejafor said, “We must keep hope alive. We are still together and would be together. There has been modest improvement and development. It could be better. But the atmosphere is not encouraging enough to hold those administering the country accountable, talking about the security challenges. We must all return to the path of sanity to be able to develop.” he said.
Kano
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,
said last Tuesday that he would construct a 1,000-bed hospital in Kano to improve health care delivery in the state.
Dangote announced this while laying the foundation of Mariya Sanusi Dantata Ultra-Modern Theatre and diagnostic complex at Murtala Muhammed Hospital in Kano metropolis said the project would make health care delivery easier and accessible to the people of the state.
In his remark, Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso commended, Aliko Dangote for initiating the project, which he said, would facilitate surgical operation in the hospital.
Kwankwaso said that the state government rehabilitated and equipped health training institutions to enable them to produce qualified health workers.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Labaran Yusuf, commended the governor and the president of Dangote Foundation for transforming the health sector in the state.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board has barred 21
women from performing this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Dr Ibrahim Aliyu, the Director of the state Medical Team, has said.
Aliyu said 19 of the women were dropped when they were found to be pregnant while two others were barred from performing the Hajj due to serious medical conditions.
The director disclosed this when he received the wife of the state governor, Hajia Fati Yero, who was at the state Hajj Camp for medical screening preparatory to her journey for the pilgrimage.
He said those screened out were carrying pregnancies of between three weeks to six months, adding that the screening would continue until the transportation of the pilgrims was concluded.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State last Wednes
day in Abuja called on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to link more farmers to markets for their produce.
Shema who made the call at a reception organised by USAID for the Lagos-Kano-Jibiya (LAKAJI) Agricultural Growth Corridor Investment Summit said most African farmers needed to be connected to agriculture and agro-allied markets for their produce.
The governor explained that the LAKAJI initiative, if well co-ordinated, would open more opportunities for Nigerian farmers, adding that the Katsina State Government had laid more emphasis on the growth of agriculture.
Kwara
Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara, Rev. Zacchaeus Fawenu, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over his plan to organise a national conference.
Fawenu said in Ilorin that the proposed conference was the most positive agenda unveiled by the president in his Independence Day broadcast.
He described the move for national dialogue as a welcome idea, urging that it should not be politicised.
“If it is with genuine spirit of solving the problems at hand and the right stakeholders are brought in into the conference, I think it is going to be a way forward. ”It is a right agenda that I would welcome and I will encourage Nigerians and Christians in particular to actively take part in it,’’ he said.
Lagos
Some members of the academia have described as nec
essary President Goodluck Jonathan’s constitution of an advisory committee to set up modalities for a national dialogue or conference.
Lecturer in Political Science Department at the University of Lagos, Dr Samuel Ugo, described it as a welcome development and a relief to all concerned parties.
Also, Prof. Lai Olurode, a former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, said the move was a bold step by government towards national reconciliation and nationalism.
Ondo
The former Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas,
Oba Lawrence Omowole, has urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to complete the abandoned projects started by his predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
He said it was the best way to immortalise the late Agagu.
Agagu’s remains will arrive in the state tomorrow from Lagos and will be laid-in-state at the Democracy Park in Akure, the state capital, and the Civic Centre in Iju-Odo, Okitipupa Local Government.
Oba Omowole, who is the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, described the late Agagu as a pragmatic leader, who would be missed by the people.
Speaking with reporters yesterday in Akure, the monarch said the late Agagu was a great politician, whose impact was felt in all sectors during his tenures as a minister and governor.
Osun
The second term bid of Governor Rauf Aregbesola re
ceived a boost recently as the lawmakers representing Osun State at the National Assembly and their counterparts at the House of Assembly declared their support for him to contest for the second term in 2014.
Declaring their support in Osogbo at a rally to celebrate the 53rd Independence anniversary of Nigeria, the legislators attributed their resolve to what they described as sterling performances of the governor, which they said had brought about social and economic transformation of the state.
Oyo
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Oluyole
RS 11.32 Ibadan last Tuesday handed over a 10-month-old baby, Emmanuel to his family members at the Ibadan Central Hospital, Ososami, Ibadan. The FRSC team was led by the Unit Head of operation, Francis Adejare
Ajatta, who represented the unit commander, Commander Sanya Adeoye at the event received the baby from Dr Oriola Olafeso who was on duty.
However, baby Emmanuel who had earlier been christened Emmanuel by the FRSC and the medical team was revealed to be known as Abdul Rasak Abayomi Molumo by his father, Tajudeen Molumo.
According to the birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission displayed at the ceremony, the boy was born on June 17, 2007, to Mr and Mrs Tajudeen and Fatimoh Molumo.
Abdulrasak was recovered at an accident scene which occured at the Lagos/Ibadan expressway on Sepember 22, 2013, where his mother, Fatimoh had died. The baby was then handed over to a medical team which deposited him for proper medical examination and care at the Ibadan Central Hospital, Ososami road, Ibadan.
Taraba
The Commissioner of Police in Taraba State, Mr Jibril
Adeniji, said that the command arrested 138 youths who were being conveyed from Wukari to Jalingo on a suspicious mission.
Speaking with newsmen, he said that the youths, whose ages ranged from 20 to 30, were intercepted in Mutum-Biyu on Monday as they were being conveyed to Jalingo in seven buses.
“Although no incriminating items were found on them, we suspect that they were being drafted to the headquarters for some mischievous purpose,” Adeniji said.
The commissioner explained that when interrogated by the police, the suspects said they were invited for screening in Jalingo by one emergency rescue organisation.
Yobe
The Foundation for Peace and Non-Violence in Nigeria
recently in Abuja condemned the recent killing of more than 50 students of the College of Agriculture, Gubja in Yobe.
President of the foundation, Onengiya Erekosima, made the condemnation during a rally organised by the group called on those responsible for the “barbaric act’’ to embrace peace, adding that killing innocent people would not solve any problem.
The group’s president also urged the group responsible for the killings to follow the path which brought peace and stability to the Niger-Delta region.
“Nigeria is unbreakable and no amount of killings will break up the country,’’ he said.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
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