THE STATES

Bauchi

The Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU),
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital branch, Mr Babangida Bingis, has apologised to Nigerians over the three-month strike embarked upon by the union.
Bingis offered the apology when he spoke with newsmen in Bauchi recently.
He said that the union had directed the suspension of the action, adding that members of the union had since resumed work as directed.
“We apologise for the inconvenience the action might have caused and hope that all our issues will be addressed,” he said.

Gombe

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to generate
power from Dadin-Kowa Dam in Yamaltu/Deba local government area of Gombe state, in addition to assisting farmers, if re-elected.
Jonathan made the pledge when he visited the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, in his palace in Gombe.
“We are looking at Dadin-Kowa Dam for provision of steady power supply to Gombe State, in addition to assisting farmers in the state,’’ he said.
He said Federal Government’s commitment to farmers in the state could be seen from the provision of fertiliser and other inputs directly to them through the e-wallet system.
Jonathan urged youths in the state to key in to the commercial farming system.
“I also re-assure you that this government will continue to work with the people of Gombe state on how we can continue to move our country forward and move the state forward,’’ he said.
He said that they were at the Emir’s palace to seek for royal blessing and prayers before embarking on their re-election campaign rally in the state.

Kano

The Progressives Youth Wing of the People’s Demo
cratic Movement (PDM) in Kano State has called on the electorate to vote for APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, during the February 14 election.
The chairman of the group, Alhaji Ghali Abdallah, made the call while briefing newsmen in Kano.
He said the group had resolved to support Buhari to enable him bring the desired change in the country.
“’Buhari possesses all the qualities required from a leader as he was tested and trusted,’’ he said.
He, however, urged people to vote for PDM’s gubernatorial candidate, Bashir Ishaq, during the February 28 elections.
“Ishaq is the best among the candidates contesting for the governorship position in view of his good leadership qualities.

Lagos

The police have arraigned a 43-year-old woman, Hajiya
Safiya Yakubu at the Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly receiving stolen wrappers worth N3 million.
The accused, a resident of No. 1, Poultry Road, New Layout, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, is standing trial on a charge of receiving stolen property.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Mohammed Garba told the court that one Sanusi Mohammed, of Shop 57, Garki Ultra Modern Market, reported a case of theft of wrappers from his shop by one Amina Ali of Masaka, Nasarawa State on January 21.
Garba said that police investigation in the matter revealed that the accused bought the wrappers from Amina.
According to him, in the course of interrogation, seven pieces of Hollandais wrappers were recovered from the accused person.

Nasarawa

National Coordinator, “Goodluck Jonathan Fulani Sup
port Group” has said Alhaji Hussaini Muhammad, said that Fulani herdsmen would give Jonathan 70 per cent of their votes in the February election.
Muhammad stated this at the interactive session with newsmen at the sideline of the PDP governorship campaign in Kokona local government area of Nasarawa state.
He said that the Fulanis were the highest beneficiary of the Jonathan administration and would reciprocate the goodwill by voting massively for his re-election bid.
Muhammad said that the Fulanis had never had it so good since the return of democratic governance.

Niger

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial
candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Umaru Nasko, has urged youths across the country to shun violence during and after the February elections.
He made the call when he received a Grand Peace Ambassador award by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) in Minna.
He said youths should not be seen as inexperienced people, rather, they should be given the opportunity to participate in all facets of governance.
He added that, “I accept this Grand Peace award with all sense of humility, responsibility and I pledge not to let Nigerian youths down.
“Today, I stand to advocate that youths should not be seen as inexperienced people, they should be given the opportunity to participate in government activities to gain the needed experience.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has prom
ised to declare public holiday to enable the people collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Amosun made the promise at Ajebo ward 11 in Obafemi/Owode local government area of the state during his re-election campaign rally.
“We can’t just declare holiday when the cards are not ready; we are doing everything to sensitise our people on the importance of the cards,” Amosun said.
The governor promised to commence work on the OGTV- Kajola – Obafe- Ajebo road if re-elected.
He commended the former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who constructed the road during his tenure.

Oyo

The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odugade,
has stressed the need for Ibadan indigenes in Oyo State to promote the tradition, culture and heritage of Ibadan land.
He made the remark in Ibadan at a press briefing to unveil the logo of Oke’Badan festival.
Represented by high Chief Eddie Oyewole, the Ekerin Olubadan, the monarch declared that recognising the culture and tradition of Ibadan land does not translate to paganism.
He said that the Oke’Badan festival, celebrated annually serve as reminder of the historical antecedents of Ibadan people.
According to him, the festival also serves as ‘social melting pot’ where divergent issues affecting the lives of the people are discussed.

Plateau

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
says it will sponsor additional 200 victims of violent conflicts in Plateau to acquire vocational skills, under its Livelihood Support Scheme.
UNDP’s Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst Mr Mathew Alao, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Alao said that the organisation had just sponsored 149 victims in the state to acquire training in seven vocational skill areas.
The areas the skill covered were on hair dressing, tailoring, knitting, catering and decorations as well as GSM repair, shoe-making, leather works and computer studies.
The official said that the scheme was being supported financially by the government of Norway.

Yobe

Over 30 families who fled Boko Haram attacks in Borno,
Adamawa and Yobe State without contact for several months have reunited at a HIV/AIDS screening centre in Nguru, Yobe State.
Spokesman of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Malam Ibrahim Dankanawa, disclosed this to newsmen in Nguru recently.
Our correspondent reports that the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) organised a one-week HIV/AIDS screening exercise for the IDPs to ascertain their HIV status and curb spread of the virus.
“The families fled Baga in Borno, Mubi in Adamawa and Buni-Yadi in Yobe, and we lost contact for several months but this screening center has reunited us,” Dankanawa said.