THE STATES

FCT

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar,
in Abuja described the late jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, as a legal legend who was larger than life.
Mukhtar last Thursday  at a valedictory session of the Supreme Court held in Oputa’s honour, described the occasion as bitter-sweet, saying it was bitter because of the reality of his death but sweet because of the opportunity to reminisce about it.
Mukhtar said that Oputa was most revered for the balanced handling of the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.
She said that Oputa chaired the commission, popularly called the Oputa Panel, and charged with the task of investigating abuses during 15 years of military rule, with professional applause.

Gombe

The Gombe State Government last Thursday inaugurated
a committee on food and nutrition, to tackle severe acute malnutrition affecting children and mothers in the state.
Inaugurating the committee in Gombe, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Alhaji Danladi Pantami, said data on the scourge of malnutrition in children in the 11 local government areas of the state, informed the government’s efforts to address it.
According to him, the government has accorded top priority to education in the state because of the relationship between education and nutrition of children.

Jigawa

The Controller of Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and
Urban Development  in Jigawa,  Mr Ohiambe Felix, has directed federal civil servants in Dutse to ensure cleanliness in their offices.
Speaking  in Dutse last Thursday, Felix said he would not hesitate to eject officials of any Ministry, Department, or Agency who failed to keep their offices or environments clean.
He said that it was in view of that, that he instituted Thursday of every month for general sanitation at the secretariat.
“We cannot work and live in a dirty place; we must keep our environment clean and tidy to look neat and attractive.”
The controller urged directors and heads of department at the secretariat to make sure that workers complied with the directive.

Kaduna

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has expressed
concern over the prevalence  of rape cases against children and women in Kaduna State.
Yero, who made the remark while receiving members of the state branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) last Thursday,  stressed the importance of protecting women and children against abuse and maltreatment and urged the association and other stakeholders to protect them from abuse.
The governor also urged female lawyers to ensure the prosecution of suspects to address the menace and restore dignity of women in the society.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the association in the state, Sidikat Adeboye, said the association was established to protect the rights and uplift the status of women and children.

Kwara

The Environmental Health Registration Council of Nige
ria (EHORECON) has called for the review of the country’s health policy to encourage preventive health practice.
The council’s Registrar, Mr Augustine Ebisike, who made the call on Thursday in Ilorin observed that the current policy placed premium on curative practice.
He said the call for a change in policy had become imperative as the country was wasting its enormous resources to sustain the curative practice.

Lagos

One of the nation’s foremost designers, Frank Osodi,
has criticised the dress sense of some artistes in the entertainment sector,  saying that it was often at variance with their outings.
Osodi said   in Lagos last Thursday that as public figures, they should strive to uphold values that could impact positively on budding artistes, through the way they dressed.
“We need to know the events we go for. We have to know what makes up our skin colour. Where you are going  matters as well, what the event is for, as well as if there is need to be subtle.
“Look at your skin colour and pick tones of colours that can enhance the skin as certain colours project and speak about the skin.’’ he said.

Nasarawa

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State,   Alhaji
Ibrahim Idris , has urged the Eggon and Gwandara communities in the state to resolve their lingering communal crises through dialogue.
He gave the advice  at a peace and reconciliation meeting with the warring communities on Thursday in Iggah, Nasarawa local government area of the state.
Idris said that the meeting was  part of  the peace measures mapped out by the command to ensure peaceful coexistence among the warring communities.
The police boss condemned the senseless killings of innocent citizens in the state over issues that could be resolved  amicably and  stressed the need for the people to live in peace with one another in spite of their differences.

Ondo

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has de
scribed the death of  the Aare Muslumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji AbdulAzeez  Arisekola-Alao,  as a great loss to the country.
According to a statement issued in Akure by  the NUJ Vice-President in the zone,Mr Dele Atunbi,  the late Aare Muslumi of Yoruba land, was a kindhearted Nigerian, who used his affluence for the good of  others.
“As a religious leader, Arisekola-Alao  contributed immensely to the religious tolerance that pervades in the South West geo-political zone of the country. “The Aare Muslumi of Yoruba land will be remembered for his philanthropic gestures to both the old and the young, especially the less privileged in the society,” the statement said.

Ogun

The Ogun  State House of Assembly has passed  a bill
for an Act  prohibiting all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination against  persons living with  HIV/AIDS in the state.
House Majority Leader, Mr Israel Jolaosho,  moved the motion for the third reading of the bill while the motion was seconded by Mr Edunjobi Babatunde.
Chairman, House Committee on Health, Mr Akinpelu Aina, said the passage of the bill would go a long way in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of people living with the virus in the state.
The lawmaker said  the bill was a step toward  controlling the pandemic and addressing human rights issues concerning  people living with the virus.
The House also passed into law a bill to provide for Community Development Programmes in Ogun.

Oyo

Acting Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora,
Prof. Gbemiga Adewale, has commended the  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its contributions to  nation building.
Adewale gave the commendation in Igboora on Thursdayduring the send forth organised for the corps members posted to the school.
“The NYSC scheme is a viable tool for  fostering national unity, peaceful co-existence  as well as the provision of skilled manpower in  some parts  of the country which are manpower deficient. “It also enhances social acculturation,” he said.
He also singled out some of the corps members for commendation due to their performance during the service year.

Plateau

The Federal High Court in Jos, last Thursday, sentenced
a 21 year old man, William Solomon, to  three years imprisonment for unlawful possession of hard drugs.
The court later commuted Solomon’s sentence to one month because of his ill health report. The convict, William Solomon, was charged with two-count of unlawful possession and dealing in hard drugs, contrary to section 19 of NDLEA Cap 35.
The presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Allagoa, in his judgement after hearing the counsel to NDLEA, Mrs Ramatu Aketula,  sentenced Solomon to three years imprisonment.
But Aketula quickly alerted the judge of the critical health condition of the convict, whom she said had a deep cut on his abdomen and was operated upon.
Allagoa then asked: “Why then did you bring him to me? You are the one that crucified him and like Pontius Pilate, my hands are clean.

Former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, at the wedding of Gov. Wamakko’s son in Sokoto last Saturday. Photo: NAN