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Benue

Monday Ogoh, a 27-year-old driver, who resides be
hind AP Filling Station, Aliade, Benue, was on Monday arraigned before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court for allegedly robbing two of his passengers of N735,000.
Ogoh was charged with criminal conspiracy and robbery, punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Benue and section 1 (1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp. James Zungwe, the case was transferred from Aliade Divisional Police Headquarters to the State CID Makurdi through a letter dated December  31, 2015 zungwe said that the letter stated that Moses Adoh of Abulu-Ulu LGA of Delta reported the matter at Aliade Police Station in December 2015.

Borno

The Borno State Government said that it had inaugu
rated a 12-man committee to capture biometric data of its workforce.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Jidda Shuwa, who stated this in a statement in Maiduguri, said that the committee was inaugurated by Gov. Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.
He quoted the governor as saying during the inauguration that the objective of the exercise was to remove loopholes or infractions that might impede implementation of government policies and programmes.
“The biometric of the state workforce will also ensure effective and qualitative workforce and create employment opportunities as confirmed vacancies will be filled up,” the governor was further quoted as saying.

FCT

The residents of Karu Local Government Area of the
FCT has called on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to provide them with a general hospital.
Alhaji Suleiman Musa, the Sarkin Hausawa of Karu, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Musa explained that a tertiary medical facility was initiated by former FCT minister Nasir El-Rufai for the community, but suffered neglect by his successors.
According to him, the structure put in place by El-Rufai was eventually handed over to an Indian firm under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“However, the exorbitant services being offered by the Indians are beyond our means and as such most residents do not patronise the hospital.
“If this project is actually designed for the benefit of poor Karu community, the APC change government should urgently address the situation,’’ said the traditional ruler.

Jigawa

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Ni
geria (MACBAN) has urged the Federal Government on the provision of welfare services to nomads in the country.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Kirowa, made the plea while speaking with newsmen in Dutse.
Kirowa particularly urged the government to provide adequate grazing lands, watering points, cattle routes and dams for Fulani herdsmen across the country.
He recalled that President Muhammad Buhari had while heading the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), planned to address some major issues affecting the welfare of nomads including problems of grazing lands, watering points and cattle routes.
Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Moro’a
chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is to hold a-10-day consecration prayers for peace and unity in the chiefdom.
The chiefdom’s secretary of the association, Rev. Mapunu Yohanna, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Yohanna explained that the prayers, which would be held in the 10 districts of the chiefdom, were organised in collaboration with the Moro’a traditional council.
According to him, the prayer is to consecrate the people and rededicate them to God as well as strengthen the prevailing peace and unity in the land.
“This prayer has become necessary in view of the current atmosphere of insecurity, mistrust and suspicion among the people along ethnic, religious and political divide”.
Kastina

The Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, has
given 11 students, who graduated with First Class degrees, automatic employment.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Ayatse, made the disclosure in Dutsin-ma at the maiden convocation of the institution.
Ayatse said that the students graduated from 11 departments in the Arts, Management/Social Sciences and Education faculties.
‘’I am glad to inform you that the university’s Governing Council has approved that appointment letters of the First Class graduands be issued to them during this ceremony,’’ he said. Division.

Kwara

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
has constituted a committee to enlighten people in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on the signs, symptoms and prevention of Lassa fever.
Mrs Moradeyo Abidoye, Chairperson of the society in the area, said this during an interview with newsmen in Omu-Aran.
She said that the assignment would take members of the committee to markets, churches and mosques, where they would also sensitise the grassroots on other similar ailments.
The chairperson called for adequate public awareness on how to prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever, especially at the grassroots.

Lagos

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Com
mittee on Finance, Mr Yinka Ogundimu,  has said that the legislature would ensure the full implementation of 2016 budget by the executive arm of government.
Ogundimu told newsmen in Lagos that the legislature had the constitutional responsibility through its oversight functions to ensure that the executive arm implemented the budget to its letter. .
According to him, the House through its standing committees would ensure strict compliance to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the Assembly on December 31, 2015. The lawmaker said that the legislative arm would ensure that the executive arm stressing that the assembly would fulfill its statutory responsibilities to the citizens of the state without any hindrance. “If, we members of the legislative arm perform our oversight functions dutifully, there is no way the executive arm will be smarter than us.’’
Nasarawa

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has
appealed to the three tiers of government to make teaching of both Islamic and Christian Religious Knowledge to be compulsory subjects in the school curriculum.
Abubakar made the call during the closing ceremony of the 30th National Qur’anic Competition in Lafia on Saturday. “

Ogun

The Chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Commit
tee on Health, Mr Akinpelu Aina, has urged the federal and state governments to take awareness campaign against Lassa fever to rural areas.
Aina, representing Ado Odo Ota I constituency, made the call in Abeokuta in an interview with newsmen.
The lawmaker said this had become necessary following the increasing number of casualties of the disease.
He said that people living in rural areas were more prone to the disease because of their environments
Aina urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to the health of the citizens.
He, however, commended the Minister of Health, Dr Isaac Adewolu, on steps taken so far to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Ogun State Government has also taken a bold step by setting up three isolation centres in its bid to contain any case of an outbreak of the dreaded Lassa fever”.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged clubs
and associations in the state to support government policies aimed at developing the state.
He made the call at the investiture of Prof. Ezekiel Idowu as the 18th President of the Omo Aj’orosun Club, Ibadan.
Ajimobi said that the contribution of everyone in developing the state was obligatory, urging them to “ stop playing the ostrich.’’
“You all should be at the fore front of Ibadan progress. Irrespective of our status in the society, we are all responsible to the society, “he said.
He urged the people to shun character assassination, politics of bitterness while rallying for unity and peace among the citizenry.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, former president of the club and one time Secretary to the Oyo State Government, stated that the club was non-political as stipulated in its constitution.
Alli said that the club had contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan and the state at large, promising that it would continue to do more.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Government will assist the victims of the
fire that razed the tubers, vegetables and fruits market in Sokoto, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, has said.
Our correspondent reports that the market popularly called ‘’ kasuwar daji’’ was razed by fire recently.
The fire destroyed no fewer than one hundred shops, an articulated vehicle loaded with yam tubers, among others; but no life was lost and nobody sustained injury.
The State deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, who visited the market on behalf of the governor, commiserated with the affected traders.
He expressed shock at the extent of damage caused by the fire and prayed Allah to compensate and reward those who lost their shops and goods.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right), presenting an Award of the Icon of Democracy’ to former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at the 2016 Annual National Political Summit in Abuja on Monday

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right), presenting an Award of the Icon of Democracy’ to former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at the 2016 Annual National Political Summit in Abuja on Monday

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Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

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Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love  has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

 

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

 

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

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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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