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Adamawa

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, says the
state has diamond in commercial quantity awaiting exploitation.
Nyako made the disclosure in Yola while fielding questions from newsmen on resource control.
He said the state also has coal and other natural resources, quoting a recent survey conducted by foreign experts which confirmed the availability of the mineral resources.
The governor added that “in fact, the recent survey by Russians in Adamawa showed we have commercial quantity of diamond. We also have lots of coal and you know that where there is coal, there is gas.’’
He noted that the gas could be used to produce sufficient fertiliser not only for farmers in the country, but also for export.

Bauchi

The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rulwanu Suleiman, on
Saturday called on the state government to enact a law on polio immunisation to curb its spread.
Suleiman made the call in Bauchi at a roundtable on ways to curb polio organised by the Voice of America (VOA) and the Centre for Disease Control.
Represented by the Dam Amar Bauchi, Alhaji Hassan Bayero, the monarch said such a law would take care of parents who refused to bring out their children and wards for immunisation.
In his contribution, a cleric with the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission, Uztaz Hadi Abubakar, disabused the minds of the people that the administration of polio vaccine was un-Islamic.
Abubakar explained that it was wrong for parents and guardians to prevent their children and wards from being immunised.

Benue

The Coordinator, First Step Action for Children, Mrs Rose
mary Hua, said the NGO was sponsoring 4,600 children who were victims of HIV/AIDS in various schools in Benue and Nasarawa states.
Hua told newsmen in Makurdi that some of the children were orphans living with the virus.
She said: “we started this assistance in 2011 and the numbers of beneficiaries kept on increasing every year.
“We have also enrolled vulnerable children in various schools and offered preventive healthcare services, psychological, and financial support to their parents where necessary.
“Our primary aim is to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities through the establishment of Early Child Care Centres in areas where schools are not handily accessible for children.

Borno

The Borno State Government has denied allegation by
the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that healthcare services have collapsed in the North-East, due to the activities of insurgents.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, told newsmen in Maiduguri, that the allegation was untrue.
Kolo said that no health facility had been closed down in the state due to the Boko Haram insurgency.
“I wish to state categorically that no healthcare facility had been closed down in the state, in spite of the insurgency.
“All the four general hospitals at the state capital are working effectively, so also are the public health facilities in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.’’

FCT

Governor Lyel Imoke of Cross River State has urged
the Federal Government to introduce appropriate policy that would enhance the development and utilisation of the potential of tourism industry.
Imoke made this call at the Abuja Bantaba, an annual travel event organised by Akwaaba Travel Market in Abuja to celebrate Nigerian centenary.
“Federal Government should make policy that will make Calabar in Cross River and other places in the country to compete with other tourist cities of the world,” he said.
He said that there was need for the Federal Government to give the travel and tourism sector necessary support that would make the nation exploit the full potential embedded in the sector.
Jigawa

The Jigawa  State Urban Development Board said it had
concluded arrangements to remove all illegal structures in Hadejia town.
The board’s Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Tahir, made the disclosure when members of the board paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, in Hadejia.
Tahir said the board would remove all illegal structures on roads and other strategic locations in Hadejia and other major towns in the state.
He added that the exercise was designed to ensure compliance with the principles of urban settlement in creating befitting residences for the people.

Kano

The Kano State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) has commenced massive enlightenment campaign on girl-child education through the use of film shows.
Hajiya Amina Umar, the board’s Deputy Director in charge of Communication unit, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
She said that the campaign, which started last Friday, was being carried out by the board in collaboration with the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), a UK funded programme.
She added that the campaign was aimed at sensitising the public, particularly parents, on the importance of girl-child education and the need for them to enroll their daughters in primary schools.

Kebbi

The Zuru Emirate Council in Kebbi State has
mobilised indigenes for the annual Uhola Agriculture Show and Cultural Festival.
The Chairman of the 2014 Uhola Festival Central Organising Committee, Alhaji Isah Sani, told newsmen in Zuru that the two-day festival was an avenue for indigenes to meet and celebrate their traditions.
Sani, who is also the Head of the Dabai Chiefdom, said events lined up for the festival include traditional wrestling, bicycle race, archery, cultural dances, livestock display and the famous Golmo.
Mr Benjamin Dikki, the Chairman of the festival sub-committee, said the committee had mobilised communities to display their farm and livestock products.
Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has pledged to investigate and
prosecute any of its personnel involved in acts capable of tarnishing the image and reputation of the service.
This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Way Olabisi, Spokesman, Western Naval Command, Lagos.
The statement promised to punish the naval personnel alleged to have shot at a tanker driver at Ibafo/Trinity area of Apapa in the early hours of Friday, if found guilty.
“Nigerian Navy has a reputation of not covering offenders and this case will not be an exception, especially if the suspect is found to be Nigerian Navy personnel.

Ondo

Ondo State Government said it would soon reno
vate all public schools in Owo Local Government Area.
Mr Jide Adejuyigbe, the state Commissioner for Education, made this known while monitoring the conduct of on-going WAEC examinations in the area.
He said this would be in line with policy of the current administration to make the school environment conducive for teaching and learning.
Adejuyigbe, who inspected facilities in some schools, said that the efforts of the state government in monitoring examination had started yielding positive results as cases of examination malpractices had drastically reduced in the state.

Oyo
Rev. Ademola Ishola, the immediate past president,
Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC), has admonished Nigerian Youths to shun immoral activities and embrace God.
Ishola made the call while delivering a sermon at the solemnisation of Hadiza Okoya and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala held at the Molete Baptist Church, Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that Hadiza is the daughter of the Lagos businessman, Alhaji Rasak Okoya while Olamijuwonlo is the son of a former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Ishola, in his sermon entitled “Commitment to Enduring Marriage,” said immoral activities such as homosexuality and others should be condemned in their entirety.

L-R: NUJ National Secretary, Mr Shuaibu Usman-Leman, Coordinator, WAJA Capacity Building Project, Mrs Ndey Tapha-Sussen, out-going President, West African Journalists Association (WAJA)/NUJ National President,  Alhaji Mohammed Garba; out-going Treasurer of Waja, Mr Peter Quaqua and National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Asabe Baba-nahaya, at the 8th Ordinary Congress of West African Journalists Association (WAJA) in Abuja, recently.

L-R: NUJ National Secretary, Mr Shuaibu Usman-Leman, Coordinator, WAJA Capacity Building Project, Mrs Ndey Tapha-Sussen, out-going President, West African Journalists Association (WAJA)/NUJ National President, Alhaji Mohammed Garba; out-going Treasurer of Waja, Mr Peter Quaqua and National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Asabe Baba-nahaya, at the 8th Ordinary Congress of West African Journalists Association (WAJA) in Abuja, recently.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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