Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

February 2, 2015

Benue
Former Benue State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Jo
seph Orkar, who was detained for eighteen months by the then military regime of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that the APC presidential candidate sent corrupt politicals to jail to demonstrate his high sense of moral discipline.
Orkar stated this at an APC rallty in Aliade, Benue.
Admitting that they could have have been cases of miscarriage of justice, the few cases did not undermine the intergrity of the process. He said Buhari was working towards establishing probity and accountability in the system by desciplining erring politicians. Orkar, who is the APC Vice Chairman in the state, said he was an ardent supporter of Buhari despite his inmprisonment and called on other Nigerians to support the APC presidential candidate.

Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has offered to
provide scholarships to nine primary school pupils up to university level based on their exceptional academic performance.The Governor made the announcement during campaign in Jaba local government Area of the state.
He described the presentation made by the pupils as classic, saying it was a testimony that government’s efforts aimed at transforming the education sector was yielding fruits.
“It is better to invest in the education of our children now to secure their future. Parents should invest in the education of their children,” he said. He called on the people of the area to remain united and support the government to deliver more dividends of democracy to them.

Kwara
Traditional rulers in Kwara South Senatorial District on
Thursday, pledged their support for the re-election of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The Olupo Ajase-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Sanni; the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Rafiu Ajiboye; and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, all separately pledged to support Ahmad’s re-election bid when the APC campaign team visited their respective palaces.
Sanni said the call for the support toward the re-election bid of Governor Ahmed was to give the administration the opportunity to complete its ongoing projects across nooks and crannies of the state. He expressed the desire of the people of the community to support government at all levels toward ensuring the sustenance of the nation’s democratic system.
“We want to assure the government of our continuous support, including the re-election bid of our governor at the poll, he said.

Kano
The Kano State Government said on Thursday, it had spent
N10 million on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were camped in Dawakin Kudu Local Government area of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SARERA), Alhaji Aliyu Bashir, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano. According to him, over 3,000 IDPs were assisted with the fund during their stay at the camp. He said the agency also collaborated with the United Nations to get relief materials for the displaced persons who were mostly from Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba. Bashir added that the displaced persons left their various homes and trooped into the state due to insecurity in their areas.

Katsina

Victims of 2011 post-election violence in Funtua, Katsina
State, on Thursday sought for assistance from the state and Federal Government to enable them rebuild their lives.
The chairman of the victims committee in the area, Mr Billy Okbegboro, made the call at a press briefing in Funtua. He explained that the assistance provided by government was only given to landlords, leaving out tenants particularly shop owners whose properties were destroyed. He said that about 233 tenants affected by the violence were left roaming the streets with no means of livelihood, adding that some of them had died of trauma.
Lagos
An Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a
six-year-old marriage over heavy drinking and adultery.
The President of the court, Mr Rasak Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile Samuel Ajibode, a businessman and his wife Rebecca had proved futile.
He said the court had no option than to dissolve the union for them to go their separate ways.
“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” Adeyeri ruled.
The Petitioner, Samuel Ajibode (53), had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of the marriage over wife’s infidelity and excessive alcoholic consumption.

Nasarawa
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi,
Nasarawa State, Dr Joshua Giyan, has appealed to striking health workers nationwide to resume work in the interest of humanity. Giyan made the call in Keffi in an interview with newsmen. He observed that the industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had affected the lives of many Nigerians, particularly the poor who have no means to patronise private hospitals. Giyan said the Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, had met with chief medical directors and assured them that the Federal Government was doing its best to implement the white paper submitted to it by the presidential committee. The director commended the federal government for its sustained efforts in funding the health sector, calling for support and understanding from stakeholders.

Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has prom
ised to continue to commit the resources of the state for the development of the rural areas across the state, if re-elected.
Amosun gave the promise in Coker, a town in Ifo local Government of the state during his re-election campaign tour. He said his administration would focus on the construction of rural roads, electricity supply, and create employment opportunities in rural communities.
“I want to thank you for your support and perseverance in the last three and half years. “It is not that we neglect you; our concentration during the first term was on urban renewal which we intend to attract investors into the state. “You can see that many companies have sprung up in the state and many investors are still interested in doing their businesses in Ogun”, he said.

Sokoto
Gwabadawa Local Government Council, Sokoto
State, says it spends N6 million on the payment of monthly allowances to 1,200 regular vigilantes it has recruited. The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Aminu Aya, said this in Sokoto during an interview with newsmen recently. Aya said that the council had also engaged 2,436 non-regular vigilantes.
“The local government council is making arrangements to regularise the engagement of the vigilantes who are yet to start receiving the monthly allowances of N5,000 each,” he explained. Aya said that the vigilantes were engaged to complement the efforts of the security agencies in protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the area. He said the vigilantes were deployed to various towns and villages in the 11 political wards of the local government area.

Zamfara

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on
Thursday, said the state government has fulfilled the promises it made to people of Maru local government area in 2011. Yari, who was on campaign tour of the local government said in Maru that the multi-million naira projects executed by the government had transformed the area from what it used to be.
“Now if you compare Maru town before the coming of this administration, you will see that it has improved in terms of town planning and socio-economic development.
“Our administration has fulfilled all the promises it made in 2011 during the last election campaigns; our great party, the APC has good mission for Nigerians,” he said.
The governor listed some of the projects executed in the area to include township roads, expansion and upgrading of Maru General Hospital, completion of Government Secondary School Maru, as well as renovation and construction of new primary schools.

L-R: Govenor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Abimbola at the closing ceremony of a 3-Day Conference by Committee of Wives of Lagos State officials in Lagos.

Nation

MOSIEND Calls For RSG, NDDC, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Obolo Nation

Published

8 hours ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region

MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent

The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.

MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans

“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.

According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.

They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.

The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities

Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.

He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.

Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.

” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.

The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area

While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .

“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.

“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.

“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.

Chinedu Wosu

Nation

Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF

Published

14 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

Prominent academics and industry players have called on government at all levels to partner with the Rivers State International Film Festival (RIFF) to unlock the hidden potentials of the film industry and market the State to the international community.

The appeal was made at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the festival, held recently at Ezewali Event Centre in Port Harcourt.

The festival, which featured film screenings, workshops, and discussions, aimed to promote Nigerian culture and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work.

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Femi Shaka; Mr Tobechukwu Daniel: and the Chief Executive Officer of Down Town Cinema, Mrs Nneka Clareth commended the Chief Executive Officer of RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo for her efforts in promoting the culture of the Niger Delta and Nigeria through film.

According to Prof Shaka, “They are telling our stories the way nobody else will tell it. It gives them the opportunity to show the world what we have.”

He urged the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and other Governors from the Niger Delta States to support RIFF, describing it as a marketplace where upcoming stars can showcase their talents.

Mr Tobechukwu Daniel, one of the founding fathers of RIFF, expressed satisfaction with the four-day programme, which was jam-packed with activities that had a direct impact on the participants and the industry.

He emphasised the need for government partnership, stating that funding from governments, multinationals, and captains of industries is crucial for the growth of the film industry.

“The international participation in RIFF programmes will boost our economy, as they will watch our cinema, buy our films, and give our youths opportunities to showcase their talent,” Daniel said, advising actors and actresses to focus on professionalism rather than godfatherism.

Mrs Nneka Clareth, who has been in the business for 12 years, noted that lack of funding is a setback to the nation.

“I want the government to support Nollywood in totality, because Nollywood covers visibility, sustainability, culture, tourism, storytelling, and a whole lot,” she said.

The festival, which featured free medical treatment, film production, scriptwriting, and discussions on various topics by professionals, drew participants from different parts of the world.

The organisers commended Kate Ezeigbo and her team for putting together a wonderful event, urging participants to make proper use of the opportunity.

Nation

Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach

Published

14 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Hausa Butchers Association in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Hamisu Jika, has commended the Chairman of the local government council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma for organising a successful free medical outreach programme that benefited thousands of people in the area.

The outreach, which was organised by the local government council provided free medical services to thousands of people, including the elderly, women, and children, healing many with different ailments.

Alhaji Jika described Hon Abuba as a visionary leader, who has the welfare of his people at heart, noting that he is a de-tribalised Nigerian citizen who is determined to run an all-inclusive government.

He pledged the total support of the Hausa community to the administration of the council chairman in all its programmes and policies.

According to Alhaji Jika, the Hausa community in Ahoada East is law-abiding and will continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.

“Honestly, I want to tell you that we are peace-loving people and we are solidly behind the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ahoada East in all his programmes and policies in the local government,” he said.

The chairman revealed that the Hausas and their hosts, the Ahoada people, have been enjoying a cordial relationship since they started settling in the area, stressing that the council chairman has been a good leader who does not condone evil.

He expressed optimism that Hon Abuba will improve the comfort and wellbeing of the people and transform the council area, noting that the chairman has his people at heart.

He, therefore, called on both indigenes and non-indigenes of the local government to rally round the chairman, as he needs their support to take the local government to another level.

He appealed to the chairman to look into the welfare of Hausa people and help them with soft loans to boost their businesses, noting that some of the Hausas were born and brought up in Ahoada and have married there, and there is understanding and cordiality amongst them in the area.

Alhaji Jika also called on the youths to be law-abiding and stay away from trouble, stressing that where there is no peace, there will not be any meaningful development.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma has indeed started well and is working hard to fulfill his electioneering promises, making him a charismatic leader and the man of the people.