Nation

THE STATES

Published

8 years ago

October 12, 2016

Adamawa

The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) has opened new operation offices in Adamawa, Edo and Kano states in its efforts to bring disaster management closer to communities and reduce response time, its Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi, announced.
Sidi made the announcement in a statement issued by Mr Sani Datti, the Media and Public Relations Officer of the agency in Yola.
He stated that “as the agency saddled with responsibility of coordinating disaster management and related matters, NEMA is making efforts to build stakeholders’ capacity and appropriate mechanism to address various facets of disaster risk reduction.”
He explained that the mechanisms being put in place to reduce disaster risks were prevention, mitigation, preparedness, quick response and recovery.

FCT

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe
Kachikwu, has urged parastatal agencies under the ministry to develop a roadmap for self funding of their activities within the next three to four years.
A statement by Head of Press, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Kalu Otisi in Abuja yesterday, stated that Kachikwu gave the charge while inspecting PTDF’s upgraded projects in PTI Effurum Delta-State.
“ According to the statement, facilities inspected by the minister included an ultra-modern laboratory complex, a one- stop laboratory for research and training in diverse areas of onshore and offshore operations.
Other projects are facilities for exploration, drilling and production provided by PTDF, a demonstration training land rig with flow station rehabilitated and made functional by PTDF and the latest drilling simulators, welding and mechanical workshops.
Kachikwu, accompanied by some senior officials of the ministry including the new Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, commended the Fund for the rigorous implementation of its capacity building programmes.

Ibadan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office has arraigned in a Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti an illegal polytechnic operator.
The alleged illegal operator, Johnson Babatola was arraigned before Justice Taiwo Taiwo on a 7-count charge bordering on Advance fee fraud and operation of illegal Polytechnic.
Babatola, a former Principal Manager of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ado-Ekiti branch pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The EFCC said that the suspect was arrested following a petition from the National Board for Technical Education in Kaduna, alleging that he was operating an illegal Polytechnic named Teedek Polytechnic at Ilogbo, Ekiti State.
The board said that the accused had allegedly extorted gullible students, who were not aware of the status of the institution.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Board of Internal Revenue has ad
vised vehicles owners in the state whose number plates had faded and no longer identifiable, to replace them.
The Coordinator of Road Taxes of the board, Alhaji Salisu Sani, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Dutse yesterday.
Sani said that vehicles with such faded number plates could be used to commit crimes since the information on them was no longer visible.
“We want to urge such vehicle owners to, as quickly as possible, replace the faded numbers.
“This is because such numbers are no longer identifiable, and as such, some criminals can hide under that and commit certain crimes.
“And the replacement can also help the board to generate more revenue for our dear state,” Sani said.
Kaduna

The Provost, College of Agriculture and Animal Sci
ence, Mondo, Dr Balarabe Jahun, says diversification to agriculture by government is the right direction to pull Nigeria out of economic rot.
Jahun told newsmen in Kaduna that, if Nigeria can produce over 50 per cent of its agricultural needs, it would reduce the country’s challenges and ensure stability.
According to him, self sufficiency in food production and export of the excess will boost the economy, increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product and create employment.
The provost said that Nigeria has the capacity to produce all it required and export the surplus.

Kano

The authorities of Bayero University, Kano, have con
firmed the release of its lecturer, Mr Saminu Aliyu-Kiri, who was kidnapped in Kaduna State on Thursday night.
The Director, Public Affairs of the university, Malam Ahmed Shehu, confirmed the release of the abducted lecturer in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
Shehu said the lecturer, who regained his freedom on October 7, had since been reunited with his family in Kano.
“As I am talking to you now, the lecturer has regained his freedom since Friday, October 7, and reunited with his family,” he said.
Shehu, who, did not state whether ramson was paid before the release, said it was by the miracle of God that the lecturer regained his freedom.

Kebbi
The Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy yesterday
began training of 500 youths on skill acquisition, digital media and enterprise in Kebbi.
Our correspondent reports that the academy is carrying out the exercise in Birnin Kebbi in collaboration with the Gazzalle Academy Vocational Centre.
The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said at the commencement of the training that the five-day programme was part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Okonkwo, represented by an official of the bank, Malam Abdulrahman Ibrahim, said that the initiative would produce a new breed of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has
ordered the immediate demolition of all shanties around the creeks and on the waterways.
Ambode gave the order when he visited the Ilubirin LagosHomes project during an inspection tour of some parts of the state.
He asked all illegal occupants of the shanties to leave within seven days and stressed that the safety of citizens was paramount, hence the government’s zero tolerance for kidnapping and other crimes.
Ambode assured residents that government would review the laws on kidnapping and promised prompt and quick rescue of the students and teachers of Igbonla Model College, Epe, kidnapped on Thursday in their school.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Judiciary yesterday constituted
five appeal panels to review 127 judgments delivered by lower courts in the state.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, announced this at the inauguration of 2016 Second Call-Over Special Appeal Session at the State High Court in Keffi.
“The 127 cases to be reviewed include; 81 civil cases and 46 criminal cases,” Dikko said.
He added that out of the 127 cases, 102 were old cases, while 39 were new.

Niger
Niger State government said it will discontinue the
payment of West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), fees for its students in Secondary Schools in the state.
Governor Sani Bello of Niger, disclosed this yesterday when he visited Justice Legbo Kutigi Secondary School to inspect the ongoing renovation of the school in Lavun local government areas of the state.
Bello said that government can not continue to pay N800 million every year for students that only 5 per cent of them are able to pass with four credits.
Ogun

The Ogun State government has urged residents liv
ing in areas severely affected by flood to relocate in order to guide against loss of lives and property.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, made the plea in a statement yesterday in Abeokuta.
According to him, some of the affected areas include: Kara, Isheri, Denro, Akute, Wawa and Warewa, all in Ifo and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas of the state.

Sokoto
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has called
on the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Zari’a-Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto highway.
The governor made the call in Sokoto when he received the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that the call became necessary in view of the importance of the highway which links almost all the states in the North-west geopolitical zone.
He thanked the Federal Government for the on-going rehabilitation of Sokoto-Jega-Kontagora road.

Yobe

The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija
Ibrahim, donated 5,136 (50kg) bags of rice to Yobe Government as intervention to Internally Displaced Personss in Gujba Local Government Area and it environs to improve standard of living.
Ibrahim handed over the commodity in Gujba area of Yobe.
She said the the aim of the intervention was to alleviate the plight of the people affected by the activities of insurgents in the Northeast.

Nation

Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

Published

17 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Nation

Senate Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

Published

17 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Worried over the latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has stated that the Legislature is exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

Nation

WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

Published

17 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.