Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

March 12, 2014

Adamawa
The Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS in Adamawa
State (ADSACA) has presented foodstuffs to members of the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in the state.
Presenting the items comprising grains, cooking oil, sugar and salt in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, the Chairperson of ADSACA, Dr Halima Nyako, said the gesture was part of the agency’s effort to ameliorate the challenges facing the patients.
Nyako said the agency was collaborating with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Special Project Unit under the office of the state governor, to train people living with HIV/AIDS to enhance their living standard.
Nyako, who said that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS had dropped from 3.8 per cent to 1.9 per cent in the state, urged members of the public to know their status, in order to control the scourge of the disease.

Benue

Some internally displaced persons in Benue State have
called on the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide them with shelter.
The displaced persons from Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas, said they fled their homes after an attack by suspected herdsmen.
Some of them told newsmen in Makurdi that they had been living on the street since the incident.
One of them, Mr Aho Alexander, a resident of Daudu, in Guma Local Government urged the authorities to provide them with a camp to ease their hardship.

FCT
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women Com
mission has appealed to the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to stop insurgents from killing students in the northern part of the country.
The Chairperson of the commission, Mrs Lucy Offiong, made the appeal at the International Women’s Day 2014 celebration in Abuja.
She said, “we are saddened by the spate of killings in our dear country Nigeria, especially recent dimension of targeting young people in schools and colleges.
“Those innocent children were murdered in cold blood while pursuing their education. As mothers, we are greatly disturbed and condemn such cruel, inhuman and senseless killings.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) said it had concluded plans to supply furniture worth N100 million to primary and junior secondary schools in the state.
Its Chairman, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, told newsmen in Dutse that the measure was to address the dearth of the materials in the schools.
According to him, the board is conducting census of schools that require renovation, provision of additional classrooms and teaching materials.
Abdullahi said new schools would be opened in more villages to make education accessible to children across the state.
Kano
The Kano State Government has released N6.4 mil
lion for the treatment abroad of two children who were involved in a motor accident recently in the state.
The Interim Management Chairman of Madobi Local Government (LG), Alhaji Auwalu Tudunwada, disclosed this at a press briefing in Kano, recently.
Our correspondent reports that the children are Jamilu Ahmed and Idris Yunusa from the Madobi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The LG chairman said the money had since been handed over to the children’s parents to enable them travel immediately to India for the treatment of their wards.
Katsina

No fewer than 324 persons, received free medical
treatment during separate health awareness campaigns organised by some Cotton Farmers Cooperative Societies in Katsina State.
Our correspondent reports that the exercise, which began on March 6, ended on Sunday and was conducted in collaboration with West African Cotton Company Ltd., (WACOT).
The free healthcare programmes, were held at Babara village in Malumfashi and Unguwa Makera in Funtua local government areas, respectively.
Our correspondent reports that patients drawn from farming families and other rural settlements were offered free medical services and quality drugs during the exercise.

Kwara

The Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government Area
of Kwara State, Mrs Aminat Yusuf, said that traditional rulers should be given more constitutional recognition through the national conference.
Yusuf made this known while addressing APC members in Ilofa ward, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara.
She urged the conference to deliberate on assigning specific roles to traditional rulers to assist government in solving the socio-economic and security challenges at the grassroots.
The chairman said most of the communities in the country were witnessing development and increase in population due to influx of job-seeking youths into cities.

Lagos

Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with
Disabilities (CCD), Mr David Anyaele, has lamented the exclusion of hearing impaired persons as delegates to the forthcoming national conference.
Anyaele made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He noted that although six slots had been provided for persons with disabilities, none of those selected has hearing impairment.
“The list of delegates showed that Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria has six slots, which presuppose the six major cluster groups.
Ogun
A lawmaker in Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr
Joseph Adegbesan, has in Abeokuta expressed support for Federal Government’s plan to involve forest guards in combating Boko Haram insurgents in the country’s North-East geo-political zone.
Adegbesan, who is a member of the Ogun House of Assembly, told newsmen that he was optimistic that the plan would work.
He said the recruitment of forest guards would help uncover routes where arms were being smuggled into the country.

Osun
The Osun State Commissioner for Women Affairs,
Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega, has called for gender equality in political representation in the country.
Adegboyega made the call at a symposium organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs to mark the 2014 International Women‘s Day in Osogbo.
The theme of the symposium is ‘’ Challenges and Achievements in the Implementation of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) for Women and Girls.’’
The commissioner said to achieve the MDGs, adequate recognition and representation must be given to women in the nation’s political setting .

Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has
urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use presidential powers to stop the killing of innocent people in North East and Benue State.
Our correspondent reports that Abubakar spoke in Sokoto when Jonathan paid him a courtesy visit recently.
“Human life is sacred. I always express sadness over the insurgency in North East and the most worrisome of it is the killing of innocent school children in Yobe.
“This is the height of madness of the insurgency and the killing must be stopped immediately’’, the Sultan said.

Taraba
The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr
Josiah Kente has urged the people of Southern Taraba to forget about their differences and work toward the development of the area.
Kente made the call at the 3rd Southern Taraba Christian Youth for Peace and Unity Summit in Donga.
He said “God put the Jukuns, the Chamba, Tiv, Kuteb, Hausa/Fulani and Ichen tribes in Southern Taraba to live peacefully and develop the area.
“It is not by mistake that God put the various tribes in the same area.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Managing Director, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Stella Okoli, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and Mrs Glory Opusunju-Nene, at an exhibition stand, during the Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage in Abuja, last Monday.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

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.