Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Population Commission (NPC) in collabo
ration with UNICEF and European Union has commenced a one-week massive birth registration exercise in Adamawa State.
Flagging-off the exercise in Yola, Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla, assured of the state government’s commitment to the success of the exercise in the state.
Jibrilla, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Fatima Atiku, urged parents to come out en mass to register their children.
“The daily registration of our children is indeed very essential as it provides data needed for population estimation, projection and other analytical studies useful for all demographic planning and research in the state and nation as a whole.
Borno
No fewer than 50 children orphaned by the Boko Haram
insurgence have been awarded scholarships in commemoration of the 50th birthday of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communication Isa Gusau announced this at a ceremony marking the governor’s birthday in Maiduguri today.
According to him, the scholarship will be funded from donations made by Shettima’s associates at a birthday reception held in honour of the governor.
“The award was sponsored by a group of 30 friends and political associates of Shettima,’’ he said
“Two schools, the Maiduguri Capital School and Bara’Imul Iman Integrated School, both in Maiduguri, were selected for the programme.
FCT
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Garba Abari, has cautioned Nigerians to stop activities that can lead to the blockage of drainage and water ways.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Fidel Agu, the Deputy Director, Press Unit of the agency in Abuja, recently.
According to Abari, the State Directorate and Local Government formations of the agency have been directed to commence public sensitisation to stop the trend.
“The agency is making efforts for massive sensitisation to mobilise Nigerians away from flood prone areas, thereby minimising casualties both at local and state levels.
Kaduna
A medical practitioner, Dr Nuhu Yusuf, has advised Ni
gerians to check their blood pressure regularly to reduce the risk of sudden death.
Yusuf of the Jamik Medical Center gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
He said that regular checking of blood pressure was important to avoid stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and sudden death.
“High blood pressure is a silent killer because it often has no symptoms and goes undetected in a high percentage of people.
“Untreated high blood pressure can damage and weaken your arteries. “Regular checking of blood pressure gives you accurate idea of the typical pressure.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it would create an
industrial park to boost small and medium scale businesses in the state.
Governor Aminu Masari made the disclosure at a press briefing in Katsina. Masari said the Park would be established along Katsina-Jibia road in Katsina metropolis.
He said the area, when fully developed, would house all industries in the state.
According to him, the government has commenced talks with Skippers Transformers, one of the leading producers of transformers in the world to design a special transformer for the area for electricity transmission.
Kogi
The police said that they had deployed more person
nel to the nine entry points into Kogi State to secure it against kidnapping and robbery during the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir festival.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Chafe, told newsmen in Lokoja that policemen would also take strategic positions in towns, villages and highways in the state during the period.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has deployed additional 300 policemen to the state to ensure effective policing during the period.
He said that the 25 security patrol vans donated to the state police command by the Kogi State Government had been deployed for joint patrol and stop-and-search operations.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has com
miserated with the General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide, Kayode Abiara, on the death of his wife, Christiana.
The governor, in a condolence message, described the deceased as a woman of virtue who lived her life with the fear of God and was devoted to humanity.
The condolence message was signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, and made available to the newsmen in Ilorin.
According to Ahmed, the prayers of the deceased will be missed given the challenges confronting the country.
Lagos
A 23-year old man allegedly caught with a gun has
been arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, alongside a friend he claimed gave him the weapon.
Tobechukwu Igwe and his friend, Henry Njoku, 20, both unemployed, are charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of arms.
They both live at Ebute Meta area of Lagos State. The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the offences were committed on August 8, at Ilaje area of Ebute Meta, Lagos. Perezi said that a security guard caught Tobechukwu with the gun and arrested him.
Osun
A security expert, Alhaji Ridwan Hussein, has called
for caution over statements made on sensitive security issues. Hussein, who is the Head of Harmonised Vigilante Group in Osun State, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo.
He spoke against the backdrop of statements made by some individuals on security issues in recent times.
Hussein said that such statements were capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country and could hamper socio-economic progress.Oyo
Oyo
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, and no fewer than 5,000 participants would attend the 2016 Ministers’ Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso.
The President of NBTS, Dr Emiola Nihinola, said this in Ogbomoso at a press conference to herald the programme.
Our correspondent reports that this year’s edition, billed for between Sept. 12 and Sept. 15, would focus on praying for Nigeria’s prosperity and spiritual renewal of Christians.
“In this year 2016, we expect participants in the neighbourhood of 5,000.
“ We expect church pastors and musicians, Christian educators, evangelists, missionaries as well as denominational and interdenominational workers and officers.
“It is an international conference with participants expected from the 36 states of the country and beyond,” he said.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it has procured and
distributed 777 trucks of fertilisers to farmers for the 2016 farming season, in a bid to boost production.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malam Nazif Muhammad, made the disclosure at a monthly news briefing in Jos.
Muhammad said that the figure translated to over 400, 000 bags that were sold to farmers at a subsidised rate.
The commissioner also said that apart from the fertiliser, the state government was committed to assisting farmers with farm inputs.
“Government has sustained this gesture in a variety of ways; for instance, improve seedlings of tomatoes and Irish potatoes were purchased and distributed to farmers at subsidised rates,” he said.
He further said that the state government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Greenlands Integrated Agribusiness Limited to set up processing and storage facilities.
Yobe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)
in Yobe State says it has fully established its presence in liberated communities in the state to encourage internally displaced persons to return home.
Dr Muhammad Fari, Commandant of the corps in the state, told newsmen in Damaturu that his men established their presence after visiting the communities and assessing the situation on ground.
“The NSCDC had already deployed staff to the liberated local government areas of Gujba, Gulani and Yunusari to enhance the return of civil authority in the areas.
“We have a huge responsibility of ensuring the attainment of the mandate of this administration of building peaceful and secured communities across the country”, he said.
Nation
Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF
Prominent academics and industry players have called on government at all levels to partner with the Rivers State International Film Festival (RIFF) to unlock the hidden potentials of the film industry and market the State to the international community.
The appeal was made at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the festival, held recently at Ezewali Event Centre in Port Harcourt.
The festival, which featured film screenings, workshops, and discussions, aimed to promote Nigerian culture and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work.
A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Femi Shaka; Mr Tobechukwu Daniel: and the Chief Executive Officer of Down Town Cinema, Mrs Nneka Clareth commended the Chief Executive Officer of RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo for her efforts in promoting the culture of the Niger Delta and Nigeria through film.
According to Prof Shaka, “They are telling our stories the way nobody else will tell it. It gives them the opportunity to show the world what we have.”
He urged the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and other Governors from the Niger Delta States to support RIFF, describing it as a marketplace where upcoming stars can showcase their talents.
Mr Tobechukwu Daniel, one of the founding fathers of RIFF, expressed satisfaction with the four-day programme, which was jam-packed with activities that had a direct impact on the participants and the industry.
He emphasised the need for government partnership, stating that funding from governments, multinationals, and captains of industries is crucial for the growth of the film industry.
“The international participation in RIFF programmes will boost our economy, as they will watch our cinema, buy our films, and give our youths opportunities to showcase their talent,” Daniel said, advising actors and actresses to focus on professionalism rather than godfatherism.
Mrs Nneka Clareth, who has been in the business for 12 years, noted that lack of funding is a setback to the nation.
“I want the government to support Nollywood in totality, because Nollywood covers visibility, sustainability, culture, tourism, storytelling, and a whole lot,” she said.
The festival, which featured free medical treatment, film production, scriptwriting, and discussions on various topics by professionals, drew participants from different parts of the world.
The organisers commended Kate Ezeigbo and her team for putting together a wonderful event, urging participants to make proper use of the opportunity.
Nation
Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach
The Chairman of Hausa Butchers Association in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Hamisu Jika, has commended the Chairman of the local government council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma for organising a successful free medical outreach programme that benefited thousands of people in the area.
The outreach, which was organised by the local government council provided free medical services to thousands of people, including the elderly, women, and children, healing many with different ailments.
Alhaji Jika described Hon Abuba as a visionary leader, who has the welfare of his people at heart, noting that he is a de-tribalised Nigerian citizen who is determined to run an all-inclusive government.
He pledged the total support of the Hausa community to the administration of the council chairman in all its programmes and policies.
According to Alhaji Jika, the Hausa community in Ahoada East is law-abiding and will continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.
“Honestly, I want to tell you that we are peace-loving people and we are solidly behind the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ahoada East in all his programmes and policies in the local government,” he said.
The chairman revealed that the Hausas and their hosts, the Ahoada people, have been enjoying a cordial relationship since they started settling in the area, stressing that the council chairman has been a good leader who does not condone evil.
He expressed optimism that Hon Abuba will improve the comfort and wellbeing of the people and transform the council area, noting that the chairman has his people at heart.
He, therefore, called on both indigenes and non-indigenes of the local government to rally round the chairman, as he needs their support to take the local government to another level.
He appealed to the chairman to look into the welfare of Hausa people and help them with soft loans to boost their businesses, noting that some of the Hausas were born and brought up in Ahoada and have married there, and there is understanding and cordiality amongst them in the area.
Alhaji Jika also called on the youths to be law-abiding and stay away from trouble, stressing that where there is no peace, there will not be any meaningful development.
It was gathered that the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma has indeed started well and is working hard to fulfill his electioneering promises, making him a charismatic leader and the man of the people.
Nation
Association Hails Rivers LG Chairmen, Urges Expansion Of Dev Projects
A prominent advocacy women group in Rivers State, the Royal Ladies Association of Port Harcourt(ROLAPH), has commended Local Government Chairmen across Rivers State for what it described as exceptional grassroots governance and notable infrastructural achievements and performance recorded so far since their few months ago.
Speaking with newsmen recently at Mirinwanyi- Asa, in Oyigbo Local Government Area, President of the group, Mrs Franca Dave Ollawa, praised the Chairmen for implementing projects aimed at improving community life, strengthening local economies, and enhancing public services.
According to her, several Local Government Areas have recorded improvements in road rehabilitation, market expansion, health-care revitalization, and community electrification, curbing the excesses of flood menace in their various Local Government Areas, and regular payment of workers salaries, retirees’ entitlements, and fringe benefits, among other welfare packages.
The Association through its National President, Mrs Franca Ollawa, noted that such efforts reflect a clear commitment to public accountability, inclusive leadership, and development-focused governance.
While acknowledging the achievements, the Association urged the Chairmen to intensity development initiatives, especially in areas, such as, youth empowerment, security collaboration, and rural infrastructure expansion.
Ollawa stressed that sustained investment in community- based programmes would ensure long-term growth and stability across the state.
She maintained that from the coastal communities of Bonny to the inland stretches of Ahoada, Rivers State’s Local Government Chairmen deserves uncommon praise for their repositioning grassroots development mantra for the betterment of the masses in their respective domains.
Ollawa added that the group’s commendation reflects a broader trend of evolving governance, where local councils increasingly, take initiative, to implement tangible, people- centered projects.
“In many Local Government Areas, newly rehabilitated roads are easing transportation difficulties, while solar streetlights, illuminate previously dark neighborhoods, improving safety and extending economic activity into late hours. Markets have been renovated to accommodate expanding commercial activity, and health-care centres are receiving essential upgrades.
“But beyond the physical structures lies a more profound narrative renewed public trust.”
Meanwhile, residents in several communities say they are beginning to feel the presence of government in a way that was once elusive.
Mrs Franca Ollawa, however, emphasized the importance of continuity, pointing out that the Association’s call for more developmental projects is not merely a demand, it is a roadmap for accelerating local prosperity.
“With rising youth unemployment and persistent infrastructure gaps, Local Government Areas have a central role to play in achieving lasting progress”, Mrs Franca Ollawa submitted.
-Bethel Toby
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