Nation

THE STATES

Published

8 years ago

April 18, 2016

L-R: Representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Brig.-Gen. Lym Hassan, Representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. Ams Anyalechi, Representative of Defence College Commandant, Brid-Gen. MM Mshelia and Representative of I-G, DIG Mamman Tsafe, at the strategic stakeholders meeting on Pastoralist and Sedentary Farmers Conflict in Nigeria, in Abuja, recently.

Bauchi

National President of Diabetes Association of Nigeria
(DAN), Dr Mohammed Alkali, has urged government at all levels to check the activities of traditional medicine sellers who claim to have cure for diabetes ailment.
Making the call in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi, Alkali noted that some of these sellers had been doing incalculable damage to diabetic patients.
He said that the claim by some of them that they had cure for diabetes was misleading and amounted to gambling with the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, apart from giving concoctions that compound the condition of their victims, the claim of having cure also encourages the patients to abandon their drugs.
Alkali, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, observed that most patients that had fallen victims of such deceit were often rushed to hospitals when their condition had become hopeless.

FCT

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Olusegun
Odebunmi (Oyo-PDP) has assured Nigerians that the legislature would ensure effective implementation of the 2016 budget through its oversight function.
Odebunmi, who is Chairman, Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values of the house, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the 8th National Assembly would synergise with the executive in the implementation of the budget.
“The leadership did its best to make sure that the budget was passed as planned.
“The delay in the budget is affecting us economically and I believe once it is signed by the President, most of our challenges will be addressed.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Government has inaugurated a 15-member
advisory council to advise the governor on the exercise of prerogative of mercy.
The Public Relations Officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Isma’il Ibrahim, said that the council was inaugurated by the SSG, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir.
Ibrahim told newsmen in Dutse that members of the council were advised to discharge their duties with probity and fear of God.
The spokesman quoted Abdulkadir as saying that the council’s function was to advise the state governor on the exercise of his prerogative of mercy as conferred on him by section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Kaduna

A total of 500 people have benefited from the free medical
services offered by the Nigeria Air Force in Kaduna to mark its 52 years anniversary.
Our correspondent reports the free medical outreach project targeted the Afaka community in Kaduna metropolis.
Air Officer Commanding the NAF Base in Kaduna, AVM Ahmed Alkali, said the gesture was to enhance civil/military relations through mutual interaction.
Alkali, who was represented by Air Cmdr. Bello Garba, noted that the relationship between the Air Force and the host community had been very cordial for years.

Kano

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has again called on Nigerians
to exercise patience as the Federal Government is doing everything possible to address the current economic situation in the country.
Osinbajo made the call when he visited the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II in his palace.
Our correspondent reports that the vice president was on a working visit to the state.
Osinbajo stressed that the Buhari-led administration was committed to transforming the living standard of Nigerians.
According to him, the Federal Government is doing everything possible to overcome the challenge soon.
Katsina

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said six
primary school teachers died in a road accident on Dutsinma- Katsina road.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Alhaji Abdu Bagadawa, said that the accident victims were from Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He stated that the accident, which involved 12 passengers, claimed the lives of six on the spot.
The sector commander said five people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Dutsinma General Hospital.

Lagos

A 31-year-old man, Emmanuel Joel, who allegedly obtained
N370,000 from one Timothy Akpan on the pretext of assisting him to buy a tricycle, has appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Joel, a resident of Ajegunle area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Tony Etibeh, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in September 2015 at No. 60, Ile Film, Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos.
He said that the accused collected N370,000 from the complainant, with a promise to purchase a tricycle for him.
Elibeh said that the accused, instead of buying the tricycle, converted the money to his personal use.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command, said it had arrested
members of a six-member ‘one chance’ syndicate, that use commercial vehicles to rob passengers around the Mararaba-Keffi axis of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawal Shehu, told newsmen in Lafia that the suspects, including a nursing mother, were arrested on April 3, following a report by a victim, one Ibrahim Yelwa.
Shehu said the victim had boarded a Golf III car with registration number BR 170 RSH from Area One junction in the FCT en-route Keffi with five occupants on board.
According to him, as they continued the journey, one of the passengers, whom he later discovered to be a member of the gang, started complaining that the space in the vehicle was too tight.

Ogun

The Ogun House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment
to initiate relevant legislative bills that would lead to sustained collaboration between government and relevant stakeholders to promote healthy society.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the state’s chapter of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) in Abeokuta, led by its Chairman, Rev. Christopher Ogunupebi.
Adekunbi assured that genuine non-governmental organisations would continue to enjoy the support of the state legislature.
Osun

The Osun Government has directed the closure of all
unregistered private hospitals and related health institutions across the state until they are properly updated and registered.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr Akinyinka Esho.
Esho also directed all registered clinics and convalescent homes to report at the ministry to re-affirm their status within seven days.
He said that the state government had resolved to review the activities of all private hospitals and other health facilities in order to ensure proper health care service delivery in the area.

Plateau

The Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on
Works and Housing is to sanction erring contractors handling road projects in the state.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Salleh Shehu, made the announcement after inspecting the construction work on the Katako-Jingre road in the Bases local government area of the state.
Shehu expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the 31-kilometre road.
“It is disappointing that this road project, contracted over three years ago, has not yet been completed.
“Government saw the need to cushion the suffering of the people within this locality because they are mostly farmers.

Sokoto

The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the decision
of the Kebbi High Court which reinstated the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo.
The appellate court also ordered that all his salaries and entitlements for the 10 years that he was not on the throne be paid to him.
The incumbent Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, had appealed against the judgment of the lower court, which reinstated Jokolo.
In a unanimous judgment, the three judges of the court led by Justice Tunde Awotoye, held that the deposition of Jokolo by the then governor contravened Sections 6 and 7 of the Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of the state.
“It was because the governor neither made an inquiry into the allegation against the emir nor consulted the state’s council of chiefs before arriving at his decision.
“The former governor’s action had contradicted Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The deposed emir was not given a fair hearing before he was dethroned and as such the decision was null and void,’’ the court held.

Nation

Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

The Tide

Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

Nation

1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

The Tide

As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

Nation

Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

The Tide

As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.