Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

August 29, 2016

Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that 22
state legislators have started refunding car loans they collected for personal vehicles to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
Ortom, who said this when he received youths of Turan in Kwande local government, said they were expected to refund N317million to the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
He said the refund was necessitated by the shoddy manner in which the loans were disbursed to the lawmakers.
The governor said that the process fell short of best practices required in such financial transactions.
Ortom explained that out of the number, 12 legislators were from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while 10 were from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

FCT
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has ar
rested 23 suspects between July and August in furtherance of its ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade capabilities of criminal gangs/syndicates nationwide.
This is contained in a statement signed by one of its Operatives, Tony Opuiyo, in Abuja.
Giving the breakdown, Opuiyo said that the service arrested one Mudaisiru Jibrin a.k.a. Namakele/Alarama, a leader of a newly-uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano on July 17.
“Preliminary investigation so far conducted revealed that he was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School (GSS), Mamudo village near Potiskum, Yobe State, in 2013,” he said.

Gombe
The Child Protection Advocates in Gombe State have
expressed “deep concern” over the rising number of rape cases in the state.
One of them, Malam Yaya Hamman, Adviser, Child Protection Network (CPN), told newsmen in Gombe that the situation was becoming “scary and frightening”.
“Rape is becoming too incessant and persistent; it is certainly not good for the girl-child.
“Even when the perpetrators are apprehended, no punishment is meted out on them; that encourages them to do even worse things,” he said.
He blamed the situation on parents’ attitude and observed that most parents would rather keep quiet about it.
“Most parents think that the victim will be an object a subject of ridicule if exposed and will prefer that no one is told.
Kaduna

The Katsina State Government says it has received de
livery of 50 out of the 400 tractors to be supplied by an Indian firm through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to boost agricultural mechanization in the state.
Our correspondent recalled that was sequel to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the State Government and Indian firm about six months ago for the supply of the tractors to the farmers.
Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, the state Deputy Governor, who disclosed this while inspecting the 50 tractors in Katsina, said that the decision would encourage commercialization of agriculture through mechanisation.
Yabubu, also the Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the tractors would be given on hire basis to farmers through the Tractor Owners and Operators Association at subsidised rate.
`Kano

The Kano State Government will employ 1,000 sanita
tion workers as part of efforts to provide direct employment for its youths.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made this known when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Kano recently.
Garba, who is also the Chairman of the Employment Committee, said apart from creating job opportunities, the scheme would also improve the sanitary condition of communities in the state.
The commissioner said that each of the worker would be paid N15, 000 monthly.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government, has alleged that the
immediate past administration in the state diverted N11.1 billion from the State Joint Account to the accounts of Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON).
The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Banking and Finance Alhaji Farouk Jobe, made the allegation while presenting a memo before the State Commission of inquiry investigating missing funds.
Jobe alleged that the money was diverted for personal use from various accounts between January 2011 and May 2015.

Kebbi
The Argungu Local Government Area in Kebbi State,
has registered 200 unemployed youths for skills acquisition to promote self-reliance.
The Sole Administrator of the local government, Alhaji Bashar Matawalle, stated this on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Argungu.
He said that the second phase of the skills acquisition training would focus on vocations which include: welding, carpentry, bids making, tailoring, weaving, and automobile mechanic.
The sole administrator said that the beneficiaries were drawn from 11 electoral wards in the area, adding that 200 trainees were registered, out of which 100 were women.

Kogi
The Kogi State Governmentsays that it has acquired
acres of land In Lokoja for the development of housing schemes for political appointees and civil servants.
The State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, told newsmen of the development at a media conference in Lokoja to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Bello, who was represented at the briefing by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Alhaji Abulkarim Abdulmalik, said the housing schemes would be developed on a Public/Private Partnership arrangement.
Kwara
An Ilorin-based lawyer, Mr Afolayan Moses, has im
plored the Federal Government to expand the number of judicial divisions to decongest the courts and reduce the rate of adjourned cases in the country.
Afolayan made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday.
He said that only expansion of judicial divisions would reduce persistent cases of adjournments in the court.
According to him, if government can expand the number of judicial divisions, it will expedite dispensation of justice and minimise adjournments.
The lawyer, however, condemned unnecessary adjournment of cases, saying, it was frustrating not only the clients, but the counsel.
`Lagos

An ICT expert, Mr Kola Samuel, has appealed to
the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the sector to contribute to economic growth of the country.
Samuel who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Technology Masters Company told newsmen in Lagos that technology sector had the potentials of improving the economy and lives of the citizens.
He said that ICT was one of the main driving forces behind organisational competitiveness in the present day business environment.
“We need to be encouraged with improvement on some basic social infrastructures like high speed internet, hotspots, lower internet rates and technology hub centres.

Niger

A member of NYSC, Dr Uwaezuoke Ikesinachi,
has set up an eye clinic for the Nigerian Police Force in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facility, Ikesinachi said that the project was part of his personal community development services.
He said that the project would serve as a follow- up to the free eye surgery he had conducted on 30 indigent persons earlier this month.
“The idea behind this community development programme is to create a system that can keep running with or without the presence of the initiator.
”After providing free eye-screening, I don’t want to just leave without setting up a platform that will run as a follow up on the patients.”

Oyo

Federal Government has reactivated the construc
tion of the new Oyo-Ogbomoso expressway with the sum of N6 billion.
Our correspondent reports that the road, the second section of the Ibadan-Ilorin expressway, had been abandoned by past administrations.
The flag-off ceremony was performed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State which was attended by members of the National Assembly, top government officials and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said the road project would be completed in compliance with the Federal Government ‘s specification.
Fashola, who was represented by Mr Anya Omoregbe, the Federal Controller of Works in Oyo State, said that the ministry would ensure that Nigerians got good value for their money.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

2 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

11 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.