Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

September 9, 2015

Bauchi
Bauchi State Government says it has discovered an aircraft belonging to the state which is hidden in Morocco.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the state made
this known in Bauchi in a broadcast marking 100 days of his administration.
He said that the recovered aircraft would be received by the state government in few days at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi.
The governor said that the aircraft was recovered by a committee set up by the government and headed by Air commandore Ahmed Tijjani-Baba (Rtd).
“The committee will now beam its satellite on the Ministry for Local Affairs and the State Basic Education Board to see how billions of naira allocated to them were spent.

Borno
Senate Leader Ali Ndume has advised the Federal Gov
ernment to introduce preventive measures against corruption instead of waiting for individuals to steal before prosecuting them.
Ndume, who gave the advice when he addressed a news conference in Maiduguri, explained that the measure would help in curbing corruption from its roots.
“The fight against corruption in Nigeria is a big war; It is going to be tougher than that of the Boko Haram insurgency war.
“Government must begin to initiate preventive measures against corruption, instead of waiting for people to steal public wealth before taking action,’’ Ndume, who represents Borno South, said.
He suggested that part of the measures should include mechanism for questioning individuals or public officers with sudden massive wealth.

FCT
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its stand on ending
terrorism in three months as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, stated this while giving an update on the counter-insurgency operation, at a news conference in Abuja, recently.
Usman said the recent offensive operations carried out by combined forces, had decimated the central command and leadership base of the insurgents.
He said the military offensive had left the terrorists with no formidable force.
Usman said the objective of ending the reign of terror in the region in the shortest possible time, was not only feasible, but a reality that Nigerians would soon come to live with.
Jigawa
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administra
tion and Control (NAFDAC) in Jigawa State has confiscated fake and unregistered drugs worth four million naira in the last two years.
The NAFDAC State Coordinator, Mr Olaniran Olakunle, disclosed this in Dutse while presenting to newsmen some suspects allegedly arested with fake drugs in Gwaram and Malammadori Local Government areas.
Olakunle said that most of the suspects arrested with fake and counterfeit drugs during the period were in rural communities across the state.
He said that fake drugs such as mixacrip tablet, herogra, busaka, polycid and tramadol capsule were seized from some patent medicine vendors in Gwaram and Malammadori last week.
Kaduna
A Kaduna-based human rights organisation, the Cen
trum Initiative For Development and Fundamental Rights Initiative, yesterday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, to sack his Special Adviser on Investment Promotion,, Jimmy Lawal.
The group alleged that the governor’s aide was on wanted list of the United State Government.
Executive Chairman and Director of Strategy of the CEDRA, Dr. John Danfulani, while addressing a press conference in Kaduna, said the governor should expect mass protest from civil society organisations after 48 hours if the special was not removed.

Kano
Kano residents on Sunday called on the State Gov
ernment to evacuate the mounting refuse in some strategic places in the metropolis.
The residents expressed concern over the inability of the State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) to clear the heaps of filth from dump sites.
A cross section of the residents told our correspondent in Kano that the mountains of refuse were gradually taking over some of the roads in the city and its environs.
They lamented that the obnoxious situation was capable of putting the lives of the citizens in danger, especially of people living around the affected areas, if not cleared urgently.

Katsina
The Managing Director of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial
Foundation, Alhaji Shettima Ali, said the foundation had spent N275 million on training of 1,800 women and youths in 15 states in the north.
Ali made this known in Katsina during the graduation ceremony of 120 women and youths that were trained on different skills.
He said the foundation selected 120 women and youths from 15 states for training in cosmetics making, vegetable oil procession, poultry and fish farming, ICT skills and fashion designing.
Ali said that the foundation would soon conduct the training in Borno, Yobe , Jigawa and Plateau.
The managing director disclosed that the foundation had introduced the training to improve the well being of beneficiaries.
Ali said that the foundation would also assist the trainees to secure loans from different financial institutions to start their businesses.

Kebbi
The North -West Zonal Office of the Independent Pe
troleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has enjoined its members to engage unemployed youths in their activities, to reduce unemployment nationwide.
Alhaji Muhammadu Jega, the Zonal Chairman of the association, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
He said engaging the unemployed youths would provide job opportunities for them and enable them to diversify their business to other ventures.
Jega also advised members to desist from indiscriminate erection of filling stations and urged them to build small and medium scale industries.
“This would generate thousands of jobs for the teaming unemployed youths.

Lagos
A 50-year-old man, Raymond Ayoka, was yesterday
charged with defrauding a businesswoman of N540,000 at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, a trader, who lives at 22 Bako St., Shibiri, Ojo, a suburb of Lagos, is facing charges of conspiracy and stealing.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Lugard Ahonle told the court that the offences were committed on Jan.10 at Gatankowa Market, Super Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos.
According to Ahonle, the wife of the accused collected five bales of used clothes valued at N540,000 from one Francis Orodi, under false pretences.
The prosecutor said that the husband of the woman was also in the second-hand cloth business and knew of the N540,000 deal.
Ondo
A 48-year-old man, Gabriel Toluwase, was yesterday
docked at an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged unlawful assault and malicious damage to property.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the accused, on Aug. 1, at about 11:00 a.m. at No. 6, Akinfolarin St., Okitipupa, unlawfully assaulted one Adeoye Akinnusi.
Omoyeigha said that the accused had a mild misunderstanding with Akinnusi and went ahead to use a saw blade to inflict various degrees of injuries on him.
He added that the accused also maliciously damaged Akinnusi’s wooden door, valued at N10, 000 and window glasses, valued at N40, 000.
The offences were contrary to Sections 355 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Sokoto
The Commissioner representing Sokoto State on the
Federal Character Commission, Alhaji Nasiru Zarumai, says Nigeria has been put on the right track in the last one hundred days.
‘’The various tiers of government, all the agencies, both public and private, have also been striving to be more responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians,’’ he added.
Our correspondent reports that Zarumai spoke in Sokoto at a news conference to mark the first one days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and the various state governors.
“The governments have also been employing various cost saving measures and globally-accepted style of governance.
“Although one hundred days are not a realistic target within which developmental activities can be judged, they have begun to resurface the kind of change Nigerians had yearned for,’’ he said.

Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State (left), ordering road-side welders to decongest Abuja-Keffi Highway for free flow of traffic, during his tour of Mararaba recently. With him is the Project Consultant, Mr Shehu Tukur (right) and others.

Nation

EFCC Holds Stakeholders Engagement Party With Media, CSOs

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state

The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.

Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.

According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.

“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.

Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”

The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”

He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.

“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”

The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.

“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”

He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.

“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.

Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.

He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.

Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.

Nation

RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.

He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.

“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,

He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.

Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).

He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.

Nation

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

Published

3 days 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