Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Borno State Government plans to create a special task force to ensure timely completion of various projects in this year’s budget, an official said in Maiduguri last Wednesday.
In a statement he issued, a Special Adviser to the state governor, Malam Isa Gusau, said Governor Kashim Shettima announced the plans while presenting the state’s 2014 budget proposal.
Shettima had presented to the State House of Assembly in Maiduguri, last Tuesday, a budget proposal of N178.5 billion.
“Shettima announced that a special task force, with extant powers, is likely to be created. “The task force is to have the mandate of accelerating the speed of projects to ensure timely completion in 2014,’’ Gusau said in the statement.
Gombe
Gombe State Police Command has confirmed that a gang killed two persons and injured one in Ceceniya quarters of Gombe.
Spokesman of the command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, said in Gombe that the attack took place last Tuesday at about 11.45 p.m.
Atajiri said that a group of criminals attacked and killed their victims in Gombe Wednesday, metropolis with various dangerous weapons.
He described the incident as unfortunate, calling on the public to always report suspicious movements and promised a handsome reward for any one that could feed the police with information about the criminals.
Jigawa
As Nigerians celebrate the new year, farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa, have expressed hope for bumper harvest in the next cropping season.
A cross section of farmers in Hadejia last Wednesday, also hoped that the country would experience total peace and prosperity in 2014.
A farmer, Malam Ali Makintari, expressed optimism that farmers would record high yields in 2014 “in view of the application of new farming techniques and farmers’ support programmes initiated by the federal and state governments.’’
Makintari said he recorded a bumper harvest in 2013 due to prompt availability of fertiliser and other inputs, adding “we hope that the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme initiated by Federal Government will be expanded to include other farmers.”
Katsina
About 4,000 patients with various eye diseases from 11 local government areas of Katsina South Senatorial District have received free eye treatment in Funtua.
Special Assistant to Katsina State Deputy Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Qassim Muhammad, said last Thursday in Funtua that the exercise, tagged “Free Eye Camp’’, took place from December 26 to December 31, 2013.
Muhammad said the treatment was conducted by a team of 14 doctors from Abasar Foundation in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Ihsan Yardam Vakfi Foundation from Turkey.
He said the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, facilitated the exercise and sponsored all the required logistics used for the exercise and disclosed that the six day exercise was a milestone that enhanced the health of the people, especially the elderly from the rural communities in the state.
Kebbi
The Gwandu Local Government Area in Kebbi State last Thursday, said it had earmarked N35.7 million to boost water supply in the area.
Chairman of the area, Alhaji Juli Dangi, said in Gwandu that the council would drill 30 additional boreholes in Gwandu, Dalijan and Kambaza districts.
Dangi said the council had drilled 20 open wells in remote areas to augment the existing water projects initiated by the state government.
He said the council would continue to provide social services to improve the living condition of the people “in line with our mandate as representatives of the people” and
commended the state government for constructing one of the best health facilities in the area.
Kwara
Some religious leaders in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, last Wednesday, urged Nigerians to reflect on the significance of the New Year celebration and collectively proffer solutions to the nation’s challenges.
The Bishop of The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, urged Nigerians to embrace love, peace and unity in the New Year and he appealed to citizens to check their shortcomings in the previous year and re-dedicate themselves to God in the New Year.
Adeyemo urged politicians and civil servants to shun corrupt practices, ungodliness and other acts capable of retarding the growth of the nation.
The President of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Kwara Chapter, Prophetess Bosede Adimabua,urged wealthy Nigerians to extend their assistance to the poor and those with disabilities.
Lagos
A Muslim cleric in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Haroon Daya-Biu, has urged Muslims and Christians to embrace the peace and live in unity in 2014.
Daya-Biu, who is the Head of “Ratibi Imam” in Epe, gave the advice last Tuesday night at a special prayer, tagged “Tahajjud Night’’, to mark the end of 2013.
In his message, Daya-Biu appealed to both Christians and Muslims to live in unity and embrace the peace to enhance progress in the country and urged adherents of both religions to show love to one another.
“Muslims love peace, Islam does not preach violence and we are peaceful people. “That is why we are going to use this prayer to pray for the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and our Christian brothers and sisters,” he said.
Nasarawa
No fewer than seven persons have died from cholera at Badawa-Galadima ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, an official of the council has said.
The Head of Health Department of the local government, Alhaji Ma’azu Doka, said in Kano on Wednesday that 68 patients were now receiving treatment.
Doka said 29 of them were at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Kano, while the remaining 39 were outpatients.
“The outbreak, which started five days ago, has so far claimed seven lives. “We have also treated more than 71 persons, particularly those with cases that are not severe,’’ he said.
Ogun
For the umpteenth time, Iwoye-Ketu community leaders in Yewa North area of Ogun State have called on Federal and Ogun governments to intervene in the provision of road and other infrastructure in the border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
The traditional ruler, Oba Ademola Aremu, made the appeal last Tuesday, while conducting newsmen and leaders round the road and parts of the 20,000-strong community.
He decried what he called abject neglect of the community by previous administrations in the state, saying, “the neglect is dehumanising and unfortunate.’’
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to five condemned prisoners, total release and state pardon for four convicts who are on life imprisonment as well as amnesty to 12 convicts who are on various terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors.
In a statement issued by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ojo Adebayo , the amnesty was in commemoration of the New Year.
According to the Attorney-General, the amnesty was an exercise of the governor’s power to grant prerogative of mercy to convicts as conferred by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 under section 212(1) of the Constitution.
The State Attorney-General said the governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute a severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for convicts, and by sub-section (2) of that section, can exercise that power on the advice of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Plateau
Two officers in the Plateau State Police Command, Usman Adamu and Saad Ibrahim, both Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) last Wednesday in Jos, received the State Commissioner of Police awards for dedication to duties and excellence in crime prevention.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Olakpe who decorated the officers, said they were honoured for their consistency in high performance in their line of duties.
Olakpe, who described Adamu as the engine room of the command’s administration department, extolled him for discharging his duties without complaining.
The commissioner also said Ibrahim, who is the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Laranto Police Station, had consistently and tenaciously been fighting crime in his area.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Adamu said they were ready to work tirelessly for the progress of the command.
Taraba
Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, last Wednesday, said his loyalty to his ailing boss, Governor Danbaba Suntai, was consistent and unshakable.
Umar, who made the disclosure in his New Year broadcast in Jalingo, said he was only holding brief for his principal, pending the time the governor would fully recover and capable of resuming full duties as governor.
The acting governor listed some of his achievements to include the completion of work on Jalingo-Sunkani-Garba Chede Road and the completion and inauguration of Takum General Hospital.
Others, he added, include the connection of Suntai Village, the governor’s country home, to the national grid, as well as the state’s House of Assembly Service Commission Complex.
L-R: Former Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Adamu Muazu; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr Johnkennedy Opara and Commissioner, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ambassador Abdullahi Bage, during arrival of the last batch of Christian pilgrims in Abuja, last Friday. Photo: NAN
Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.
The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.
In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.
“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.
She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.
“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.
Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.
While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.
The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.
Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.
As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.
In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.
Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.
He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.
According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.
Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.
The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.
Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.
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