Nation
THE STATES
Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi (right) presenting souvenir to Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, during a visit to the Governor in Gombe on Monday.
Adamawa
An Abuja based NGO, Wakiliyan Mata Empowerment Initia
tive, has distributed N1 million to 100 internally displaced women in Yola, Adamawa State.
Speaking during the presentation of the grant at the IDPs camp, Bajabure , Mrs Sharon Ikeazor , the chairman of the organisation, said that the gesture was to help women who were affected by insurgency to financially recover.
Ikeazor, who was the former Interim National Women Leader of the APC, said that more than 100 women would be empowered under the programme.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has said that it arrested
five suspected rapists and four other persons for alleged criminal conspiracy, theft and vandalism.
The command’s spokesman Mr Zubairu Abubakar, said in Kaduna that the rape suspects carried out the act in Rigasa area of Kaduna metropolis.
He said the suspects were arrested on August 19 following complaints by the victim’s parents, adding that the other four suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft.
He said that the Regional Manager of Forlknox, Mr Musa Usman, had lodged a complaint with the police on August 13, that some unknown persons were vandalising the company’s property.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has purchased 26,000 metric
tons of fertiliser for sale to farmers at a subsidised rate of N1,780 per bag, Governor Aminu Masari said in Kankia.
The governor, who disclosed this while launching the sale of the commodity, said that 100 bags would be given to each polling unit in the 34 local government areas of the state.
Masari said that the subsidy was to reduce the hardship farmers encountered in obtaining fertiliser and that the commodity would be sold only to genuine farmers irrespective of their political affiliations.
He said that government had retrieved 1,000 tons of fertiliser that were given to individuals by the former administration in the state, and warned against the diversion of the commodity.
Kogi
The Kogi House of Assembly has decried the absence of
motorable roads in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state and urged the federal and state governments to address the problem.
The Assembly made the call during plenary in Lokoja, following the adoption of a motion presented by Mr John Abah, (PDP-Ibaji), and called on government to provide at least, one major link road in the area.
Presenting the motion, Abah said the local government that was created in 1996 with an area of 13,375 square kilometers with a projected population of over 200,000 and a total of 97 towns and villages, had no link road at all.
He said that the area presently desired to have a road constructed from headquarters of the council, Onyedega to Ujeh and two others from Odogwu to Echeno and Odeke through Ubale to Affa.
Kwara
Federal Government’s N5billion bailout loan is meant for the
payment of salary arrears and allowances to primary school teachers and local government workers.
This explanation is contained in a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media to Kwara State Governor, Dr. Muideen Akorede, in Ilorin.
It will be recalled that Peoples Democratic Party had challenged Governor Ahmed to justify the need to borrow the money.
PDP spokesman, Chief Rex Olawoye, argued that the N3.5 billion federal allocation to the 16 local governments in June was enough to offset backlog of salaries.
Lagos
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)
has in Lagos urged the Federal Government to rescind its decision to stop funding universities’ staff schools.
SSANU’s National Vice-President, Western Zone, Mr Alfred Jimoh, said that the association might go ahead with its planned strike should the Federal Government privatise the schools.
Jimoh said that the association, which had in June carried out a peaceful protest over the issue, disclosed that it had received a circular to the proposed privatisation.
Nasarawa
A member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr
Abubakar Kana, has appealed to the Police Service Commission (PSC) to deploy more policemen to rural communities in the state. to curb crime.
Kana, representing Kokona West Constituency, made the call in an interview in Kokona, near Lafia.
He said that deployment of additional policemen to the area would help to check criminal activities, advising the PSC to take advantage of the planned recruitment of additional 10,000 people into the police force.
The assemblyman said that deployment of additional policemen to the area had become imperative to curtail armed robbers in the area.
Niger
The Niger Independent Electoral Commission has said it would
recruit 14,000 ad hoc staff for the November Local Government Polls in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, who disclosed this in an interview in Minna, said the ad hoc staff to be recruited include supervisors, returning officers and presiding officers, adding that enough fund had been budgeted for the exercise.
Abubakar said card readers would also be used in conducting the exercise, adding that training was already on for the officers to address challenges of the process.
The chairman said the commission was collaborating with security agencies for a free and fair elections, adding that three armed men would be attached to each polling unit.
Ondo
A former Caretaker Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government
Council of Ondo State, Femi Aju, has been buried in his home town, Ilutitun, amidst tributes.
A funeral service was held at the Ebenezer Cathedral Church, Ilutitun, for Aju who slumped and died on August 14 in Okitipupa.
In his sermon, a cleric, Rev. Folurunso Akintunde, said that every human being must ensure that they lived a fulfilled and exemplary life in Jesus Christ and affect positively their fellow human beings.
He said there was no repentance in the grave, adding that every dead person would face judgment based on deeds while alive.
Osun
For the umpteenth time, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
has retained its rating as the best Nigerian University in academic, administrative, research and community service.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, in Ile-Ife, noted that the rating emanated from the latest web ranking of world universities conducted by a research group called Cybermetrics Lab of Spain.
He said Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the latest ranking, which was released last Monday beat Universities of Lagos and Ilorin to 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Oyo
The governorship candidate of Accord Party in the April 11
election, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has called no fewer than 29 witnesses in supporting his petition before the Oyo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan.
Ladoja is challenging the victory of Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship poll.
Also joined as co-respondents in the petition are APC, Dr Rufus Akeju, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner and the commission.
Earlier, the respondent had objected to the admissibility of 39 original documents and materials used in the election.
Plateau
A philantropist, Chief Samuel Pukat, has trained 500 Plateau
youth as drivers, as part of efforts to reduce joblessness in the state.
Pukat told newsmen in Jos, that 300 youth were trained in Mangu, while 200 others were trained in Bokkos.
He said that most of the drivers he trained had secured jobs in the Nigeria Army, NSCDC, banks and other reputable organisations.
Pukat said that he had also trained 500 youths and women in 37 different tràdes in Bokkos.
Sokoto
A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yusuf Alibawa has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to spare corrupt public officers found wanting.
He called for ‘thorough and comprehensive’ investigation into the ‘mind-boggling’ sums of money carted away in foreign banks by corrupt public officials.
Alibawa urged the President not to be dissuaded in his commitment to fight corruption, adding that the war against graft would only be won if indicted corrupt officials were prosecuted.
Taraba
The Taraba State Police Command said in Jalingo that uniden
tified gunmen shot dead two farmers on their farms in Kortse village in Gassol Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Kwaji, told newsmen that dozen others were injured in the attack.
He said that the gunmen also attacked six families, who were fishing in Kortse village, near Dan-Anacha, killed two persons, while others ran for their lives.
He said that when the news of the attack got to the police, they combed the area but could not arrest any suspect.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Government said it would screen traders wishing
to sell their wares and products at the state’s Hajj Camp in Gusau to avoid any security breach.
Secretary of the sub-committee on security for the Hajj in the state, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed this in an interview in Tsafe in Zamfara.
Abubakar said the government took the measure to protect the lives and property of the intending pilgrims and those of the officials.
He said the state government was partnering with security agencies in the state to carry out the assignment.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor