Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

October 29, 2014

The police in Benue State have charged two
members of a suspected syndicate of kidnappers with conspiracy, kidnapping and causing hurt, before a Makurdi Upper Area Court.
The accused, Sunday Ogbole, 24, and Emmanuel Alphonsus, 20-were arraigned on a three-count charge.
According to the prosecutor, Cpl Omaye Ujata, Ogbole a Nigerian, and Alphonsus, a native of Cotonou, Benin Republic, conspired and attempted to kidnap Mrs Ogwa Agada in her house at Ehaji Owukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
“When the victim raised alarm, the accused persons stabbed her with a knife and took to their heels,’’ Ujata submitted.

Kaduna

A lecturer at the Department of History, Kaduna
State University, Malam Sulaiman Shehu, has called on political parties to always allow internal democracy to prevail in their electoral processes.
Shehu told newsmen in Kaduna that applying internal democracy would make the political parties stronger and more reliable.
The lecturer said democracy within the political parties would always produce the best candidates for the electorate.
According to him, political parties should desist from hand picking candidates because such practice will breed contempt among the electorate.

Kwara

An aspirant to the House of Representatives from
Kwara State, Chief Rex Olawoye, said yesterday that the proposed autonomy for local governments in the country would give them a new lease of life.
Olawoye, a two-time Chairman, Ifelodun Local Government in Kwara, said this on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
“By this autonomy, a new lease of life has come to the local government councils in the country and will make them perform better,” Olawoye added.
He commended the National Assembly for the bold move, saying it would truly make the councils the third arm of government as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

Kano

The Presiding Pastor of Shalom Evangelical
Assembly, Sabon-Gari, Kano, Mr Kehinde Babatunde, has expressed optimism that the 2015 elections in Nigeria will be peaceful.
Babatunde told newsmen in Kano that: “The forthcoming general election is going to be the most peaceful election people have ever seen or witnessed in this country.
“Let everybody in the country be calm because the election will be conducted peacefully.’’
Babatunde also expressed hope that the security challenges bedevilling the country would be a thing of the past.
“The country will also witness economic growth and prosperity in the year 2015 and people will have peace.

Lagos

Two students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos,
who allegedly threatened to kill their lecturer, yesterday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused – Tayo Ogunyomi, 24, and Kehinde Olaoye, 28, – reside at Yaba and Gbagada areas of Lagos respectively.
They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of public peace and membership of an unlawful society.
The prosecutor, Inspector, Rita Momah, told the court that the offences were committed on October16 at 9 p.m. on the school campus.
She said the students sent text messages to the phone of their lecturer, one Mrs Abraham Ibe, threatening to kill her.

Nasarawa

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has
appointed Mr Yakubu Lamai as his new Chief Press Secretary following a minor cabinet reshuffle.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Zainab Ahmed, and made available to newsmen in Lafia yesterday
It said Al-Makura also made minor cabinet reshuffle by reassigning commissioners to oversee some ministries following the sack of eight commissioners last month.
According to the statement, Mr Hussaini Abubakar, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, has been moved to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Ondo

A teenager, Segun Temi and a man,Tunde Akinagbe –
were yesterday brought before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged break-in and theft of mobile phone and N20,000.
The accused -Temi, 16, and Akinagbe, 21 -whose addresses and occupations are unknown, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, felony, burglary and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused had committed the offences on Sept. 19 at about 9.00 a.m. at 19, Kajola St., Ode Aye near Okitipupa.
Orogbemi said the accused broke into the house of one Bolanle Samson and stole a Samsung phone valued at N6, 000 and a wallet containing N20, 000.
He said the accused broke Sections 390(9), 411, 430(1) and 516 Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State 2006.The duo pleaded not guilty.

Osun

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun
State says 10 persons died from road accidents in the state in September.
The state Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Muhammad Husaini, disclosed this to newsmen in Osogbo yesterday0.
According to Husaini, 26 crashes involving 126 persons occurred during the month.
He attributed the crashes to speeding, deplorable roads and failure by motorists to comply with road traffic rules and regulations.
He lauded the efforts of the state government for complementing activities of the commission through its road construction and rehabilitation projects.

Oyo

Oyo State Government says it has set aside N125
million to boost cocoa production for the 2014/2015 Planting Season.
General Manager, Cocoa Development Unit, Oyo State, Mr Gabriel Kehinde, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
He said, “While N110 million is for the commencement of Youth Empowerment Programmes in Cocoa Production, N15 million is for one million cocoa seedlings for free distribution to farmers.
The General Manager said that government distributed 640,000 and 350,000 metric tonnes of free seedlings to farmers in all the 33 Local Government areas of the state in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Sokoto

The District Head of Gagi, Sokoto South Local
Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Umar, said residents of the area have raised N500,000 for enrolment in the community health insurance scheme.
He also said that the people of the area had already opened a dedicated bank account for their monthly donations meant for the execution of the scheme.
Umar told newsmen in Sokoto that the fund would be used for the execution of other self-help development projects across the community, which is located some few kilometres east of Sokoto city.
“We have to take our destiny into our own hands. The three tiers of government are trying their best in terms of the provision of social amenities to the people.
“However, there are so many social needs of the people requiring the attention of the government and its efforts must have to be complemented by Nigerians,” said the monarch.

Gov. Sule Lamido( right) of Jigawa State, Receiving the Chairman, Governing Council of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare in Dutse, recently. Photo: NAN

Nation

Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

Nation

We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor , Sir Siminialayi Fubara says the industrialization of the state remains a key drive of his administration.

Speaking through Director General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside at the Shell Gas Limited and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) Investors Forum held in Port Harcourt, Fubara stressed that public /private partnership is key to revive production in the state.

“We are ready to partner Shell Gas Limited to revive manufacturing in Rivers State at Ahoada Industrial Park, and the new Port City project, including the proposed Bonny Industrial Park which will grow industries along the Bonny corridor” he declared.

Part of the scheme, he further stated is to collaborate with Shell Gas Limited and the private sector to transform Rivers State into a major manufacturing hub in the South of Nigeria.

Commending Shell and MAN for leading the frontline, Sir. Fubara said,” the time to act is now and thank God Shell is taking the lead to prioritize gas.”

The governor opined that the gas sector provides huge investment opportunities to drive the state economy as the world is gradually shifting towards gas and other environment friendly energy, while urging stakeholders to evolve an actionable gas policy for the state.

Earlier in his remarks, Shell Gas Limited Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi said it is high time the state utilized its huge gas resource.

“Today gas offers investors opportunities and raises the value chain as it boosts production for industry users,” Amos-Ejesi said.

The Shell Gas Distribution executive said the company seeks to support manufacturing by adopting a user friendly approach that allows manufacturers to grow profitably with affordable cheaper energy.

He explained that natural gas provides huge potentials and aligns with federal government policy of gas utilization.

Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okugu described gas as the backbone of manufacturing.

He said the forum has become timely and key to address the pressing energy provision to boost production in the sector, as he lamented the high costs borne by manufacturers in sourcing energy alternatives.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga commended Shell for the forum which she described as a bridge to reduce gap of energy provision for manufacturers.

Ngozi Nwoga said the transition to natural gas has become imperative, stressing that pipeline gas offers cheaper and smooth energy provision for industries.

Former MAN chairperson for Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs Emilia Akpan was of the view that the quest to provide cheap energy should be driven with technical manpower, as she emphasized need for Rivers State to recreate its economy.

By Kevin Nengia

Nation

SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun, said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.

Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.