Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has reiterated its commit
ment to establish science and technology park in an effort to boost technological development in the state.
The state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Bala Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Abdullahi said that the park, when established, would be devoted to scientific and technological activities, where all science and technology related enterprises would be located.
He said that the idea was to enhance a synergy among relevant stakeholders investing in science and technology for better nurturing to ensure steady growth.

Benue
Catholic Bishops in Benue State have urged the Federal
Government to find a lasting solution to the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in parts of the state.
In a communiqué issued in Makurdi at the end of their meeting, the bishops said that the conflicts had resulted in loss of lives and property and displacement of families from their ancestral lands.
Our correspondent reports that the communiqué was signed by Bishop Athanasius Usuh of Makurdi, Bishop Michael Apochi of Otukpo, Bishop William Avenya of Gboko and Peter Adoboh of Katsina-Ala.
The communiqué said that Tiv, Idoma and Agatu farmers had been affected by the conflicts, which had also resulted in termination of farming, deterioration of health conditions and disruption of education and religious activities.

Ekitii
Ahead of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State,
an octogenarian, Rufus Olakanmi, has advised eligible voters to vote for a candidates who will ensure the rapid transformation of the state.
Olakanmi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ikole Ekiti.
He urged residents to vote for a candidate who had a demonstrable record of impacting positively on the people of the state.
The octogenarian also advised the people not to allow themselves to be unduly influenced by the take promises of politicians who would not remember them after elections.

FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Commission (ICPC) says it will strengthen its collaboration with international and local agencies to fight corruption in the country.
Mr Ekpo Nta, ICPC Chairman, said this in Abuja when he received the UN Peer Review Team on Implementation of Anti-corruption Convention.
He said the setting up of the ICPC in 2000, ahead of the UN recommendation for countries to establish anti-corruption agencies, was a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to fight corruption.
Nta said the ICPC had recorded “tremendous achievements” in experience sharing with the visit of the peer review team.
“The peer reviewers’ visitation team has thrown light on what is happening in other countries because they have had opportunity to serve in more than one review team,” he said.
Jigawa
The Malammadori Local Government Council of Jigawa
last Thursday said it would award prizes to communities with highest record of birth and death documentation.
The Council’s Sole Administrator, Alhaji Lawan Abdu, stated this when the Birth and Death Registration Mobilisation Committee paid him a courtesy visit in Malammadori.
Abdu said that the council would award prizes to any ward head or community leader who mobilised his people and recorded highest number of registration in his respective area.
He noted that the gesture was to promote competition and encourage participation in the exercise.
Kaduna
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commis
sion (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, recently said the commission would commence its continuous voter registration in May ahead of the 2015 elections.
Jega said this at the opening ceremony of INEC/State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) Experience Sharing Conference, organised by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kaduna.
He said that more polling units would be created in the next year general election to decongest large polling units.
“The continuous registration exercise is to ensure those that have turned 18 years between 2011 and now are registered before the 2015 general elections.

Kano
The Kano State Police Command said it had arrested the
two suspects it earlier declared wanted in connection with the recent wedding party tragedy in Kano metropolis.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Magaji Majiya, in Kano.
It said the suspects were arrested in Bauchi State while the third suspect was caught at Unguwa Uku quarters where the wedding party took place.
“The suspects conspired and adulterated the Zobo juice (locally made drink) with poisonous substances (Zakami) which was served to guests.
“After drinking the juice, two of the guests died while one other was treated and discharged.

Kogi
Sixty one rural women graduated from the information
and technology skills acquisition programme organised by the Kogi State Government at Dekina Local Government Area in its drive to bring ICT closer to the rural dwellers.
Our correspondent reports that the governor’s wife presented certificates to the 61 women and empowered 10 outstanding trainees with laptops at the maiden graduation ceremony of ICT Women Empowerment Programme, recently.
Governor Idris Wada in a speech at the occasion said the ICT skills acquisition programmes organised by the state government were meant to encourage women to acquire ICT skills for computer literacy and empower them to explore opportunities for self employment.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris Omede, the governor enjoined the people of the area and the graduates to use the opportunity to develop themselves and ensure that the ICT facilities at the centre were used without being vandalised.

Kwara
A Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru
Musdapher, last Wednesday said it was an aberration for lawyers to lobby for appointment as judges.
Musdapher made the assertion at a public lecture and journal launch in honour of Chief Bola Ajibola, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, at the University of Ilorin.
The lecture was organised by the Law Students’ Society of the university to honour the achievements of Ajibola
He said it was an act of corruption to lobby to become a judge, adding that “the fact that you asked to be appointed a judge, you have disqualified yourself.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has urged monarchs
and parents to monitor schools in their communities to ensure the delivery of quality education.
The Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made the call when he addressed monarchs and community leaders after an inspection tour.
Abdullahi, who inspected primary schools in Bakin Rijiya, Lafia Local Government Area, said the call became imperative considering the critical role they play in the society.
He also called on community leaders to properly and consistently monitor schools within their domain to ensure that children attended classes regularly and teachers performed their duties effectively.

Ogun
The Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun
branch, Mr Olalekan Odunsi, has said that the inability to access loan facilities has discouraged small-scale poultry farmers involved in bird production.
Odunsi told newsmen in Abeokuta that small-scale farmers had not been able to contribute much to bird production because of the handicap.
He said most small-scale farmers could not access loans from banks because the banks claimed that their farming standards did not meet the standards required by the banks

Plateau
The Police Command in Plateau State has condemned
the worsening spate of killing and selling of children by unscrupulous people for ritual purposes in Plateau.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Chris Olakpe, told newsmen in Jos that killing and selling of minors in the state had become a source of concern to the command.
“The killing and selling of minors must be condemned by all reasonable human beings.
“The command has arrested a man that attempted to sell his baby at a cost of N350, 000.