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L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, University  of  Lagos, Prof. Babajide Alao; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Anya O. Anya and a former Minister of  Finance, Dr Kalu  Idika  Kalu, at the 2nd Prof. Eni Njoku Memorial Lecture in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Babajide Alao; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Anya O. Anya and a former Minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, at the 2nd Prof. Eni Njoku Memorial Lecture in Lagos, yesterday.

Adamawa

Staff of Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency
have  staged a peaceful protest in Yola, demanding the payment of their outstanding salaries.
The protesting staff carried placards calling for the removal of the Executive Chairman of the agency, Dr Abdullahi Belel, and the state branch Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Mr Jeremiah Ngwakwar, for allegedly neglecting their welfare.
Spokesman of the protesters, Malam Halilu Ahmed, said since the upgrading of the state primary healthcare department to an agency, the staff had been left in a limbo, and called for Governor Bindow Jibrilla’s personal intervention to address their plight.
Reacting to the development, Belel said the workers were being owed two months’ salaries, and that the problem was caused by the dwindling monthly allocation for local government councils who are responsible for paying the agency workers.

Bauchi
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State says his
administration will be labour-friendly to enable workers carry out their responsibilities with ease.
Abubakar gave the assurance when he received the state officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its Chairman, Comrade Hashimu Gital in Bauchi.
The NLC delegation was in Government House to present a letter of commendation to the governor from its national secretariat.
He assured that he would pay the outstanding salary arrears inherited from the last administration to ease the hardship being experienced by workers.

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in
Jigawa has said that it arrested a 23-year-old man for alleged motorcycle theft.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, who made this known in an interview with in Dutse said that the suspect, a resident of Gamayin village in Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area was arrested at Kaban village, in Auyo Local Government Area with the stolen motorcycle.
He said one Usman Hussaini had complained that his Haojeu motorcycle and Gionee cell phone were stolen by suspected thief on August 8 at about 3:30 a.m. at Khandahar Quarters, Hadejia.
The commandant said that investigation revealed that the motorcycle belonged to Hussaini, and added that  the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Kano
The Kano State Government says it is doing everything pos
sible to ensure that its newspaper company, Triumph, is revived to embark on its normal publications.
The state Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammed Garba, announced this when he received the state assembly’s committee on information who came on a familiarisation visit to his office.
According to the Garba, the issue of reviving the state-owned newspaper is a priority of the state Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
He said that the priority placed on the issue led the governor to set up a special committee with the responsibility of finding a lasting solution to challenges facing the company.

Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has urged citizens
to desist from constructing houses on waterways to prevent flood disaster. Masari made the call in an interview with newsmen in Katsina after inspecting some local governments affected by flood disaster, and added that houses constructed along the waterways in Funtua, Malumfashi, Dutsin-ma, Katsina and Daura, would be demolished.
The governor called on district heads and local government chairmen to identify sites where people would be resettled after the demolition of their houses.
Masari maintained that government would not allow its citizens to risk their lives by building houses on waterways, and appealed individuals and corporate organisations to assist flood victims in the state.
Kogi

The Imam of Felele Central Mosque, Malam Abdulla Tahir, has
admonished Nigerians to embrace natural family planning as a potent tool to overcoming unplanned children.
Tahir gave the advice while fielding questions from newsmen in Lokoja on the need for Nigerians to align their lives with economic realities. He enjoined people to only bear children they can adequately cater for, and stated that Nigerians’ greatest undoing was the lack of birth control mechanism in place that has led to the population rise. According to him, without enough job opportunities to match the growing population, the idle mind would become the devil’s workshop.

Lagos
Three men, who allegedly broke into an office and carted away
items valued at N180,000, have been charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The men — Atunrase oluwaseun, 27; Gabriel Mell, 42; and Segun Kolapo, 41 — are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ajebe, told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 5 at about 11.00 p.m. at Biggs Woltop Ventures Ltd, No. 123, Ogba Road.
He noted that the offences contravened Sections 285, 307 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, but the trio pleaded innocence of the offences.

Nasarawa

The Aren Eggon of Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa State, Dr
Bala Angbazo, has called on all Nigerians to work genuinely toward achieving peace in troubled parts of the country.
The monarch made the call while playing host to a delegation of the Eggon Muslims Ummah Forum which visited his palace.
The traditional ruler said the call was imperative as the security challenges in the country was festering due to divisive tendencies.
Earlier, the Chairman of the body in the state, Alhaji Zakari Idde, said the visit was to intimate the monarch with the activities of the group which were aimed at promoting peace.

Niger
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and
Control (NAFDAC), has advised mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months and more for healthy development of their children.
Unit Head of NAFDAC in Niger State, Mr Dadi Mullah,made the call at a one-day workshop for 23 staff of the agency on code of marketing of breast milk substitute in Minna.
Mullah said that scientific research has shown that infancy is the peak age for faltering deficiencies of certain micronutrients and common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea.
He said that in the long term, early nutritional deficits are linked to impairments in intellectual performance, work capacity, reproductive outcomes and overall health during adolescence and childhood.

Ondo

Some residents of Okitipupa in Ondo State, have criticised the
enforcement of the state’s Residency Card tagged “Kaadi Igbeayo’’ imposed by Governor  Olusegun Mimiko-led government.
The state government introduced the cards to store the biometric data of all residents of the state to access social services, and last week announced that all residents in the state must possess the card to access health care, education, electricity, good roads and others.
Some of the residents said that the card was a mere extortion, adding that all social services were obligations of the governments.
They also decried the retrogressive trend of the state in spite of its huge allocations as oil producing state, saying that they had not benefitted enough from the present administration.

Osun

The General Manager, Osun Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga
Owojuyigbe, says the 180 million litre capacity water works at Ede is now ready for the use of the community.
Owojuyigbe, who made the disclosure in an interview with nesmen in Osogbo on Tuesday, assured the people of the state of adequate water supply.
He said the present administration met only one pumping plant at its inception in 2010, and awarded contracts for the immediate rehabilitation of the treatment plant in the community, adding that there is also an order for new pumping plants to make the head works function at its full capacity.
He, however, appealed to the people to reciprocate government’s gesture by paying up their bills at all times.

Oyo

A Soil Microbiologist at the Institute of Agricultural Research
and Training (IAR &T), Ibadan, Prof. Lateef Taiwo,  says that application of untreated waste to the soil can lead to its infertility. Taiwo told newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday that agricultural, industrial and domestic wastes were dangerous to farmers’ productivity.
He said that agricultural and domestic wastes should be processed before their application to the soil.
According to him, industrial wastes must pass through the treatment plants before being discharged.

Plateau

The Rotary Club District 9125, has donated various items to
the Open Doors Special Education Centre, Jos.
The centre is one of the special schools in Jos providing special education for children and youths with intellectual disability.
The District Governor, Dr Mike Omotosho, said the donation, was aimed at touching the lives of the needy in the society, adding that the supplies comprised of tissue papers, detergents, hand-gloves, antiseptic, diapers, thermometer, among others.
According to him, the objective of the club is to render selfless service to the needy in the society, adding that Rotary Club is not an elitist club. The President of Rotary Club of Jos Central, Mrs Laide Lawal, earlier in her remarks, said the supplies were based on a request from the authorities of the school.

Sokoto

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto
State, Alhaji Abdullahi Bafarawa, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to set up special courts to handle cases of treasury looting. He also urged the president to appoint God-fearing judges to try the cases, and added that prosecuting those who stole public funds would serve as lesson for others with similar motives. He advised that only fearless and courageous judges should be given the responsibility to try persons that would be indicted for looting the nation’s funds.
Bafarawa commended Buhari for the bold steps being taken to recover the nation’s money from corrupt public officers.

Yobe

The Yobe State Government said it had rehabilitated over 300
classrooms and provided infrastructure in schools destroyed by insurgents across the state “to avoid gaps in the system”.
The Director of Press to the state Governor, Mr Abdullahi Bego, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu, added that the state government had made education and health care a priority.
He said the College of Education, Gashua, had received similar support and was producing over 1,000 NCE and 100 degree graduates fully qualified for teaching in schools.

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

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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
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SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

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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.

 

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Akwa-Ibom Launches Mega 64 Seaters Ferry Boat  June

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The Akwa Ibom State Government has confirmed that its 64-seat passenger and cargo ferry under construction at the Nigerian Navy Shipyard in Port Harcourt will be ready for delivery and test run before the end of June 2026.
The ferry project, initiated by Governor Umo Eno, is part of the state government’s drive to revive marine transportation and expand the blue economy through improved coastal transport infrastructure.
This was made known during the inspection visit to the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt by the State’s delivery adviser on the project, Mr. Orman Esin recently.
The project adviser said the vessel had reached about 80 per cent completion, expressing satisfaction with the pace of work and assurance from the Nigerian Navy.
Esin, accompanied by Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Major General Koko Essien (Rtd), and other government officials, described the project as a major milestone in the governor’s transportation development agenda.
The delegation said the visit formed part of efforts to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness of the vessel for deployment at the Oron Marine Terminal.
Conducting the team round the facility, Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani, confirmed that adequate funding had been secured to accelerate the remaining phase of the project.
He expressed confidence that the ferry would be ready for test operations in June.
“All the major installations on the vessel have been fixed and only minor finishing touches are currently being carried out,” Ubani stated.
He added that the vessel would undergo final checks before sailing to Akwa Ibom State before the end of June.
Technical briefings during the inspection showed that critical components of the vessel had already been completed, including installation of zinc anodes, reinforcement of the car deck for vehicular loading, and correction of structural weldings.
Officials also disclosed that construction of the loading ramp, bridge control console, electrical wiring, navigation and communication systems, solar facilities, plumbing, and ventilation systems were progressing according to schedule.
The inspection team further reviewed plans for integrating the ferry operations with the Oron jetty infrastructure currently under development to ensure smooth deployment upon delivery.
The project also includes a manpower development component, with the state government training personnel to manage marine operations.
One of the beneficiaries of the marine training programme, Aniebiet Brendan from Ekpene Ukpa in Etinan Local Government Area, said he emerged among 20 successful candidates selected through the state’s Arise Portal after a competitive screening process involving about 200 applicants.
Brendan commended Governor Umo Eno for giving him the opportunity to pursue his ambition of becoming a marine engineer.
The ferry, which will operate from the Oron Marine Terminal, is designed to transport 64 passengers and seven vehicles, boosting commerce, tourism, and coastal connectivity within the state.
The state government also disclosed that a second ferry being constructed in Lagos by Hydromarine Boat Services Limited would soon be completed for deployment at the Oron Marine Terminal.

Enoch Epelle

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