Nation
THE STATES
From Left: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Ibrahim, Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs ,Mr Didier Burktialter, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama during the courtesy visit to Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Tuesday
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Health Care Development Agency has
trained 50 public and private health workers in Bauchi Local Government Area of the state on haemorrhagic fevers.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Adamu Gamawa, said this in Bauchi at the opening of the training.
Gamawa said that the agency explained that it was government desire to train front line health care providers as they were the first contacts in communities.
He said the exercise would further expose them to the clinical methods of identifying suspected cases at the community level.
According to him, the training would be conducted in four local government areas that were endemic to the disease.
“The agency will not relent in its efforts to continue the war against Lassa fever in order to wipe out the outbreak in the state.
“Similar training will be conducted in four local government areas of Bauchi, Toro, Dass and Alkaleri,’’ he said.
Borno
A High Court Judge in Borno, Justice Fadawu Umar, has
charged the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to fight corruption within the judicial system.
Fadawu gave the charge while presenting a paper in Maiduguri at the annual NBA annual law week of 2016.
He said that some legal practitioners had desecrated the revered judiciary and violated the ethics of the profession.
He explained that some lawyers go into Judge’s Chambers either before or after every court sitting to greet the judges with the aim of obtaining favour.
“These crops of lawyers commit this act in the full glare of litigants and the members of the public.
“It is not unusual to find lawyers calling Judges on phone in the comfort of their chambers when their phones are on hands free so as to give impression to clients that they are very close to the Judge.
“Lawyers must desist from paying homage to judges and magistrates at their chambers shortly before the court’s sitting as it is a breach of the rules of professional conduct”
FCT
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World
Book Day, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has urged the Federal Government to review the nation’s book policy.
The President of the association, Mr Denja Abdullahi,made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Abdullahi urged the government to institute a working book policy plan to encourage the citizenry and imbue in them the culture of reading.
He expressed worry at the attitude of some Nigerians to reading, adding that the government must do all within it powers to inculcate in Nigerians a flair for reading.
According to him, the government has yet to put in place activities that can encourage Nigerians to read.
Jigawa
Some farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa have called on Jigawa
government to distribute fertilisers using the Short Message Service (SMS), to guard against diversion of the commodities.
A cross section of the farmers made the call in separate interviews with newsmen in Hadejia.
It would be recalled that the state government had announced plans to distribute about 5, 000 metric tons of assorted fertilisers to farmers for dry season farming.
Malam Hadi Aina, a farmer, said the call was imperative to ensure that the commodity got to the genuine farmers.
Aina alleged that they did not receive fertilisers and other inputs distributed by the government during the past rainy season due to diversion of the commodity.
He noted that distribution of the commodity through committees was making it difficult for genuine farmers to benefit from the exercise.
Kaduna
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has sentenced
one Gambo Ado, 42, to four years in prison for unlawful possession of 270.1 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.
Ado of Dutsen-Wai in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Counsel to NDLEA, Mr T.J. Atserhgh told the court that the accused committed the offence in 2015.
Kano
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would deploy additional
forces to Kano to secure the state’s airfield, the Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, said.
He made the disclosure in Kano when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House.
He said that the additional forces was to boost NAF’s operations and other internal security operations across the country.
He added that “we are going to expand the infrastructure in the state and bring in additional force to secure our base, airfield and assist other security agencies’.
Abubakar said that the NAF base defence forces would serve as a standby force to assist other security agencies in the event of any security problem.
The air chief said that the force was committed to discharging its responsibilities and working with the Nigerian Army to end the insurgency.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has given two months to
motorcyclists and tricycle operators to register their vehicles or be arrested and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Salisu Dandume, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
He explained that the decision was aimed at improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue due to the decrease in the price of crude oil in the international market.
The commissioner said that the registration would also assist in detecting the bad eggs among them and protect the lives of people in the state.
“Commercial motorcycle owners will pay N6,650, while the private ones will pay N6,200 each. The amount is for number plate registration fees, vehicle licence, road worthiness and learners permit.
“In the same vein, tricycle operators will pay N7,500 as licence fees annually. The amount was reduced by 50 per cent to encourage people to register after which the normal rate will be restored”.
Niger
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has said that he
would prioritise electrification of rural communities for socio-economic development of the state.
He stated this during his visits to some communities in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
Bello said that this would improve the living standard of the people as well as reduce rural-urban migration among youths.
He expressed concern about the neglect of infrastructural facilities in some communities by the past administrations.
“For the past 16 years, major communities such as Gusasa, Beji in Bosso, Banji under Mariga, Gulu under Lapai, Katcha, Agware,
Mashegu were under-developed due to lack of electricity supply.
“These communities are linked to each other and they are business-saturated areas.
“Providing electricity to the people of such communities will go a long way to attract more investors and generate more revenue for the state”
Osun
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osun says
that the mobile court in the state has convicted 68 motorists for various road traffic offences.
The FRSC‘s Public Relations Officer, Mr Komolafe Noah, told newsmen in Osogbo that the offenders were convicted by the mobile court for various traffic-related offences.
Noah said that the initiative was to engender best road practices among motorists.
He added that some traffic offences attracted jail terms, especially when the offender failed to fulfill the compulsory fines.
“Details of the convictions indicated: speed limit violation, dangerous driving, overloading, tyre and seat belt rules violations. “
Noah advised motorists to always ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Sokoto State Independent Electoral Com
mission (SIEC), Alhaji Usman Abubakar, says the commission will employ 15,000 ad hoc staff for the conduct of March12 Local Government elections in the state.
Our correspondent reports that Abubakar made the disclosure when the state House of Assembly committee on Public Service Matters visited the commission’s headquarters.
He said that the commission was fully equipped and prepared to conduct the elections across the 23 local governments in the state on March 12.
‘’We are ready with all the necessary materials provided by both the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We have made all the necessary arrangements at our own level to employ 15, 000 ad hoc staff for the smooth conduct of the elections.
“Moreover, our staff and security agencies are fully committed in ensuring free, fair and credible election processes across the local governments in the state,” he said.
Abubakar disclosed that the commission had borrowed 4,000 card readers from INEC.
Zamfara
A Gusau Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the
remand of a motorcyclist, Salisu Abubakar for allegedly raping a passenger.
Though the accused pleaded not guilty, Chief Magistrate Bello Kucheri, ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till March 15 for mention.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Ibrahim Aliyu, had told the court that on February 22, one Salina Saidu of Kwari village, Shinkafi Local Government Area, reported the case at Kaura Namoda Police Station.
Aliyu said that on February 21,Saidu boarded the accused motorcycle, to convey her from Dauran to Birnin Magaji.
The prosecutor said that the accused diverted and entered a bush where he allegedly raped the complaint.
He alleged that the accused beat up the complainant, tied her hands before committing the crime.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
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 Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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”
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.
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