Nation
THE STATES
Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari (middle), wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo (4th –left) With Some of the wives of the heads of mission in Nigeria at the cocktail organized in their honour by Mrs Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last Sunday
Adamawa
The Citizen Service Officer, U.S. Embassy, Abuja Ms Emily
Enright, has urged the media to mobilise Nigerians with dual citizenship on their right to vote in the November U.S. Presidential election.
Enright made the call in Yola in an interactive session with newsmen in Yola.
Enright said that such Nigerians who must be 18 years and above could vote from Nigeria through the Voting Absentee System that make room for U.S. citizens outside the country to vote.
“We want the media to take the message to Nigerian-Americans living in your society that they do have the right to vote.
“We want as many people as possible to turn out and vote in the election,” Enright said.
Bauchi
Bauchi State has recorded 21 cases of Lassa fever since
November ,2015, Dr Adamu Gamawa, Chairman, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), has said.
Gamawa made the disclosure in Bauchi, saying 11 victims had died and 10 on admission at the Exclusive Unit of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
He said the cases occurred in 12 communities of Bauchi, Alkaleri, Toro, Tafawa Balewa and Dass local government areas of the state.
Gamawa said the most recent case was in Ja’eh hamlet of Bal village in Tafawa Balewa local government area where a 78 years-old-man who was infected had nine members of the family infested.
FCT
The Ministry of Budget and National Planning in col
laboration with stakeholders reviewed the Draft National Policy on Food and Nutrition to eradicate malnutrition in the country.
At a stakeholder’s dialogue in Abuja, the Minister of State for the ministry, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said that Nigeria had the highest burden of malnutrition in Africa.
Mohammed said this necessitated the review of the policy to address emerging concerns in the science, practice and programme of food and nutrition activities in the country.
She said the review was done with a view to scaling up high impact and cost effective nutrition interventions to stem the upsurge of malnutrition, especially among vulnerable groups.
“The NPFN is a 10-year blueprint for eradicating malnutrition for sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria. It is a plan for the future we desire for our country.
“We are here to add value to the draft NFPN; our idea, perspective and criticisms would be invaluable,’’ the minister said.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Fatima Mede, said the policy had potential to address malnutrition and extreme hunger among children, pregnant and lactating mothers.
Mede said that the policy would address emerging concerns in the science of food and nutrition programming.
Gombe
The Gombe State House of Assembly has passed a bud
get of N76.80 billion for the 2016 fiscal year.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Information Officer of the Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, in Gombe.
The statement said that the budget was passed following the adoption of the recommendations of the House Committee on Appropriation during the plenary.
It stated that the budget reflected an increase of N257.19 million compared to the initial proposal presented to the Assembly.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Solomon Jisimah, said that the budget was made up of capital expenditure of N34 .57 billion and recurrent expenditure of N42.60 billion.
Jigawa
No fewer than 48, 047 children in Malammadori local
government council in Jigawa were immunised against polio virus during the February 2016 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs).
Mr Muhammad Yusuf, the Immunisation’s Focal Person in the area, made the disclosure in Malammadori while reviewing the report of the February round of immunisation exercise.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government said it has commenced
discussion with private investors to construct rail lines in Kaduna metropolis.
The State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mr Mahmud Hassan, disclosed this in Kaduna at a meeting with companies that bided for the project.
Hassan said that the government expects to receive authentic designs and good business proposals from companies interested in the rail project.
He explained that the metro would cover: Narayi-Refinery; Airport-Mando; Ahamdu Bello Stadium-Sabon Tasha; Kawo station-Kachia station; and Kawo fly over bridge-Nnamdi Azikiwe bye-pass-Sabon Tasha.
The commissioner said that the project would be executed through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and would compliment government’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Kwara
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara, has insti
tuted a stakeholders’ forum and constituted 10 committees as part of efforts to reposition the party.
The Chairman of the party in the state, Akogun Oyedepo inaugurated the forum and the committees at the party secretariat, Ilorin, recently.
He said that the move was also to strengthen the party ahead of the local councils election in the state and bye- election in Oke Ero constituency.
Oyedepo explained that the stakeholders forum was made up of one representative from each of the 193 electoral wards in the state.
“Stakeholders’ forum is the creation of the executive of the party as an instrument of providing for all inclusive administration in our party.
“There are so many men and women of wisdom outside the executive that we can leverage upon to provide for a strong party that can win elections,” he added.
Lagos
A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed April 20 for
continuation of trial of 11 fishermen charged with pipeline vandalism and scooping of petrol valued at N5.3 million.
The accused are Sidi Egbayelo, 29; Sunday Shadrach, 39; Edem Okon, 30; Godwin Kofa, 28; Rosemon Neito, 30; Ejona Kpamkpam, 23; and Moses Victor, 28.
Others are Chris Sunday, 29; Peter Gay, 21; Remo Uchugwu, 23; and Mike Sabato, 29.
These men are standing trial for conspiracy, vandalism, stealing, and unlawful possession of petroleum products.
The court adjourned sitting to April 20 following the transfer of the trial judge, Justice Musa Kurya, out of Lagos Division.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government said that it had earmarked
N40 million for the construction of a permanent orphanage in Lafia.
Mrs Eunice Kerb, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, made this known in Lafia while defending her ministry’s 2016 budget at the state House of Assembly.
Kerb told the House Committee on Women Affairs that the ministry was determined to improve on the welfare and standard of living of women, orphans and the less-privileged.
Plateau
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Small Scale Women
Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), has urged the Federal Government to provide power tillers for women to enhance agricultural production.
The President of the Organisation in Plateau, Mrs Mary Afan, made the call in Jos during an interview with newsmen.
She explained that the power tillers would reduce the hardship women are facing in tilling the soil before planting their crops.
SWOFON‘s president expressed regret that women do not own large hectares of land like their male counterparts, stressing that this had been an impediment toward accessing tractors for land cultivation.
“Unlike a man, a woman own less than one hectare of land, no tractor would come to till the land because of this size.
Ondo
An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded seven
men for alleged robbery of a truck loaded with 45,000 litres Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) valued at N6m.
The accused are: Alaba Oke, 36; Omonugba Omosule, 30; Igbekele Nejo, 25; Arowojolu Seun, 27; Akinjole Kayode, 28; Samuel Adeoye, 29 and Kayode Alade, 29.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, ordered the accused be remanded in Olokuta prisons after they pleaded not guilty to a two-count-charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
She declined the appeal and request by their lawyer, Mr Kehinde Adegun, that they should be granted bail.
The Magistrate ordered that the accused should remain behind bars pending the receipt of legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
She also directed that the original copy of the case file be sent to the state chief registrar for safe keeping.
Oyo
A consultant gynaecologist, Dr Fatima Akinlusi, has
described Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) as a major cause of unnecessary and avoidable suffering in women.
Akinlusi of the College of Medicine, Lagos State University (LASU), told newsmen that the condition was preventable, if people would adhere to the best practices and medical advice.
She said vaginal fistula was an abnormal opening of the tract that connects the vagina to the bladder that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of the urine into the vaginal vault.
“VVF is a condition that creates a hole in the vagina that allows stool or urine to pass through the vagina vault.
“It is caused mostly by complications during childbirth, like prolonged and obstructed labour, and it happens mostly where women have no access to quality healthcare.
The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on the lives of the average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the forests across the nation are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him and other leaders to assist the youths who are interested in jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka, praised the determination and sacrifices made by the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF); the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for his sacrifices and untiring efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.
Rivers-born business mogul, Chief Clement Anele, has pledged his determination to partner with student groups and other relevant bodies, to reach the unreached and the vulnerable in the society.
Chief Anele, who gave this indication while receiving an Award of Education Ambassador from the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Association in his office in Port Harcourt, said he has a covenant with God to give succour to the needy, especially widows, ,students, clerics and the vulnerable in the society.
Chief Anele ,the Managing Director of Anele Good Heart Foundation,
vowed to continue to partner with student groups and other relevant bodies to reach the unreached, and the vulnerable by providing basic necessities of life to them.
He said, “I cannot be everywhere. I need to partner with students to reach the unreached in the society. The sole aim is to improve the living standard of the vulnerable among us .
It is important we touch lives through the little resources God has made available to us .We don’t expect reward from human beings, but from God.
I feel happy and joyful seeing widows, students and the less- privileged benefiting from the foundation .It was a dream God gave me to assist making the society better. I don’t need anyone to praise me for doing it .It is a divine calling to put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable.”
In his speech, the Secretary of the group, Mr Ken Itari, described Chief Anele as an extraordinary individual, who has impacted on humanity, especially the students and widows through his foundation.
He said the honour done to the business mogul by the students was borne out of their desire to partner with him to build a better future for the youths.
He said the students would continue to stand with the philanthropist in his vision to reduce hunger and change the society for the good of all.
He noted that Chief Anele’s scholarships to the students and providing food on the tables of the widows and many vulnerable persons, using his hard-earned resources, show his immense love for humanity, stressing that his reward for the good works he is doing can only come from God.
A 56-year-old suspected drug dealer, Bode Akinsiku has been killed in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo Local Government Area of Ondo State by unknown assailants.
Akinsiku, who was murdered at about 6:15 am on Tuesday, at a popular joint in Loro street, Odosida axis of the town was known as a prominent drug dealer in the area.
According to sources, the deceased was shot at close range after he was trailed to a bar by his yet to be identified killers.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity, revealed that Akinsiku arrived at the joint to meet with some people in the early hours of Tuesday.
“He arrived at the bar and met with some people. While he was talking with them, his phone rang and he received a call.
“It was while he was receiving the call that some boys arrived on a motorcycle. One of the boys approached him and asked if he could identify himself.
“They both engaged in a heated shouting match for some seconds before he was shot several times at close range.”
“The gunman, after shooting Bode, crossed to the other side of the road and shot sporadically to scare residents. He later hopped on a getaway motorcycle.
Meanwhile, the death of Akinsiku created panic in the area with shops and businesses horridly closed while the area was deserted over fear of arrest.
Police operatives from Enuowa Divisional Police Station later arrived at the scene and evacuated the lifeless body to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital.
The Police spokesman in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, who confirmed the incident, stated that it was a cult related killing.
Ayanlade, who stressed that cult clashes have been rampant in the area, said efforts are ongoing to apprehend those behind the killing.
He also urged residents to be law-abiding and report any information which could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
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