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THE STATES

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Adamawa
Rep.Adamu Kamale of Madagali/Michika Federal Con
stituency has said that Madagali Local Government Area is the worst affected by insurgency in the state.
Kamale told newsmen in Yola that Madagali was now a ghost of its former self and needed urgent government attention, particularly in areas of security and relief supply.
He lauded the effort of the Presidential Committee on North East and other intervention groups for their effort in rebuilding areas affected in Adamawa, and called for priority to be given to Madagali.
The lawmaker said that sufficient funding was being expected in 2017 budget for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in North East.
Bauchi
The National President, Association of Muslim Pro
fessionals (AMP), Alhaji Zakariya Ajiboye, has advocated extending membership to non member states in order to impact positively on the larger community of the Muslims.
Ajiboye said this during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Bauchi.
He said that through expansion of chapters, more professionals would be captured on the platform, adding that this would aid the association towards spreading the knowledge of Allah.
It also agreed that Rivers and Edo states in the South as well as Lagos in the Western region would work towards achieving this extension of membership.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has called
for prosecution of persons who allegedly diverted 50 bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Shettima gave the directive in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri.
The directive followed reports that hundreds of IDPs apprehended some officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency for alleged theft of food stuff meant for their upkeep.
”Four officials were said to have been arrested by the police after IDPs held them.’’

Ekiti
A housewife, Mrs Olabosede Oke, has prayed an Ado-
Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage over alleged constant beating by her husband.
Forty-two-year –old Olabosede, a resident of Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that her husband, Segun, beat her each time she requested for feeding allowance.
She also said that Segun was not interested in the welfare of their six children.
Responding, Segun denied the allegations, saying that he had never beaten his wife.

FCT
The National Council of Women’s Societies has congratulated its own, Mrs Amina Mohammed, who was appointed the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The statement signed by the NCWS National President, Mrs Gloria Shoda, said Mohammed’s appointment should not come as a surprise to people who know her worth.
The council indicated that the appointee possesses inherent capabilities to see her through the new responsibility, adding that her record of impeccable and meritorious service to Nigeria and the United Nations also stands her out.
Shoda said that the development was a reaffirmation of the global community’s confidence in Nigeria and its commitment to enhancing the status of the female gender.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has earmarked
N14 million for the conduct of the 31st Qur’anic Recitation Competition in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Islamic Education Bureau, Dr Yakubu Abbas, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the competition in Dutse.
Abbas said that the exercise was organised by the Jigawa State Ministry of Education.
He explained that 324 students were currently participating in the competition.

Kaduna
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu,
Maj-General Adamu Babayo-Abubakar has said that the Nigerian Army will continue its high academic standard in all its institutions across the country.
Babayo-Abubakar said this in an interview with journalists shortly after he represented the Chief of Army Staff at the 75 Regular Recruits Passing Out Parade at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The GOC said: “We in the Army, have zero tolerance for indiscipline, just as you can see, here in the depot, those that we felt have not met up with our standard by way of deeds, discipline and character are shown the way out.
On insurgency in the North-East, Babayo-Abubakar said that the Army was doing very well in collaboration with neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Kano
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corrup
tion Commission, has recovered more than N1.150 billion cash, movable and immovable property between 2015 and 2016.
The Executive Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Malam Muhuyi Rimingado disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Rimingado said the commission has recovered several moveable and immovable property located in different parts of the state, adding that many individuals are under investigation by the commission.
According to him, the commission had received more than 1,486 complaints this year on different aspects of life that involve corruption, contractual and marital disputes.

Kogi
Kogi State Coordinator of Small Scale Women Farmers
Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) Hajia Safiya Yahaya, has urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security to check raping and killing of women farmers by herdsmen and militants.
Yahaya, who made the call at the 2016 Annual Women Farmers Forum in Lokoja, said there was need for government to ensure security as well as provide trauma healing programmes for women farmers in crisis affected areas.
She said that the call had become necessary now because, “any moment from now the Anchor Borrowers Programme will start but what has the government done to address the menace of herdsmen who rape and kill our women on the farms.”

Kwara
An lslamic Cleric, Shekh Muritala Agaka, has advised Nige
rians to be more prayerful so that the nation could overcome the economic recession currently being experienced in the country.
Agaka gave this advice while delivering a lecture at the Maoulud Nabbiy for Prophet Mohammed organised by Nuru Shuadahi Society of Nigeria in llorin.
The event, which took place at Salman Saruq Onilu Mosque in Oko-erin, featured special prayers for the nation, sermons and rendition of various lslamic songs.
He urged Nigerians regardless of religious inclinations, tribe or ethnicity to further intensify prayers for the country to overcome its problems.
Lagos
No fewer than 25 industrial unions have elected Mr Joe
Ajaero as President of a new labour centre, United Labour Congress (ULC).
The unions elected Ajaero, the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), at the ULC maiden delegates conference in Lagos.
The new labour centre emerged after a two-year internal crisis that split the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Ajaero, who was elected unopposed, said that ULC would fight for the interest of workers and ensure a more equitable Nigeria where workers’ dignity and the work place would become less prone to impunity.

Nasarawa
A member representing Doma South Constituency in the
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr James Dangana, has distributed clothing materials worth N1.8 million to his constituents for Christmas/New Year celebration.
Dangana (APC), who is also the chairman, House Committee on Information, said the gesture was to assist the people celebrate the two festivals.
According to him, giving arm to the people will go a long way in improving their standard of living during and after they yuletide for the overall development of the communities.
He also said that 20 cows had been bought to be slaughtered and distributed for the enjoyment of the communities during the period.
Niger
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has as
sured Nigerians of adequate security before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Idris spoke at the 8th annual Nupe Day celebration in Bida, headquarters of Bida Local Government area of Niger.
He said that already, operational order had been issued to the commissioners of police in the 36 states and FCT on how to provide protection for the citizenry during the period.
The I-G urged Nigerians to assist the police with necessary information that would help in checkmating crime during the celebrations.
Osun
Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, has freed 16
inmates of both Ile-Ife Prisons and Ilesa Prisons awaiting trial.
Three inmates regained freedom at the Ile-Ife Prisons while 13 inmates from the Ilesa Prisons on grounds of overstaying in prisons, ill-health and minor offences.
The released inmates from Ilesa Prisons were Monday Effiong, Tunde Olalekan, Adekunle Idowu, Abu Bello, Gbenga Aroko, Lateef Bamidele and Raphael Akinlabi, 80-year-old Oyedeji Aisha, Ezekiel Igwe, Adebare Monsuratu, Aliu Ishaka and Samuel Olaoye.

Oyo
An early morning fire outbreak has razed some parts of
Araromi Market at Agodi Gate, Ibadan, where used tyres and motor parts worth over N10 million were destroyed.
Mr Abdul Azeez Ojo, Chairman of the market,  said that the inferno began at about 5.30 a.m. last Sunday.
According to him, the Fire Service was alerted and they responded promptly.
Ojo, however, said a sizeable number of shops equipped with tyres and other goods were razed before the arrival of the fire fighters at about 6 a.m.

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NGOs Urge RSG To Prioritise Child Protection Funding 

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The South South Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention Info Hub, in partnership with the Child Protection Network(CPN), Rivers State and the Gender and Development Action (GADA) has called on the Rivers State Government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV), and put measures in place to facilitate transformative reforms in the State’s budgeting and planning, to prioritise children’s rights, with focus on combating SGBV.
The NGOs, which made the call during a media briefing as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Day of the African Child in Port Harcourt last Monday, said Rivers State particularly faces a severe SGBV crisis, profoundly affecting children and caregivers.
They noted that this year’s theme of the Day of the African Child, ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights:Progress Since 2010’, is apt and timely, as it urges African Union(AU) member states to assess progress in integrating children’s issues into national budgets since 2010 and adopt child rights-based budgeting approaches.
According to the media statement signed by Inyingi Irimagha of the Gender and Development Action(GADA); Darling Ogbulu Peter of the Child Protection Network (CPN); and Loretta Ahuokpeme of the South South SGBV Prevention Info Hub, in Rivers State, SGBV, inadequate funding, and political instability exacerbate vulnerabilities, leaving critical social services under-sourced.
The NGOs frowned at a situation where Rivers State is the only State in the South South without accredited Sexual Assault Referral Centres(SARCs), saying, this leaves child survivors without critical medical care, psychological support or legal aid, thus, resulting in prolonged trauma, physical injuries, and social stigmatisation, violating their rights to safety and well-being.
They, therefore, urged the state government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of SGBV, contending that as the only State in the South South region without an accredited SARC, Rivers State must act swiftly to establish explicit budget lines and engage stakeholders to address critical issues affecting children and caregivers.
To align with the African Union’s theme for this year’s Day of the African Child, they called on the State to reform her budgeting, to prioritise SGBV and child protection; and the State’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance, to prioritise funding for critical infrastructure supporting vulnerable populations.
The organisations equally urged the state government to adequately fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to protect, safeguard and rehabilitate susceptible children and persons, and harped on the need for the government to strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs to enhance its legal capacity.
They challenged the government to without further delay establish SARCs in the State and allocate funds to build and operate them; fund safe spaces and halfway homes to shelter SGBV survivors and at-risk children; strengthen child protection infrastructure by investing in shelters, counselling centres, and legal aid, to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation; as well as support caregivers by implementing vocational training, microfinance, and financial assistance to empower them, preventing child abandonment and supporting children’s right to a family.
The NGOs called on the state government to enhance law enforcement capacity by training and equipping the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) to handle SGBV cases, ensuring children’s right to justice; and also strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs by establishing a legal department within the Ministry to handle SGBV cases and refer them to courts. They also advocated for a special SGBV court, to expedite justice, ensuring swift prosecution of offenders and perpetrators.
They stressed the need for the state government to fully fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation by providing adequate resources to enable effective protection, safeguarding and rehabilitation services for vulnerable children and persons, thereby reducing the burden on NGOs, saying, the government could as well improve inter-ministerial coordination by funding regular meetings among Ministries and agencies like the police and NAPTIP, for cohesive responses.
The NGOs urged the government to promote transparent budget tracking by establishing monitoring mechanisms for child- specific allocations, ensuring accountability in accordance with AU standards.
The event also featured the presentation of a short film screening highlighting the dangers of SGBV against children and vulnerable persons.
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Oceans Exhibition Understand And Act: Raising Awareness Through French Language

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The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.

The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.

The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.

The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.

According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.

Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.

Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)

Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement

However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.

In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.

It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.

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Deputy Commandant Hails  Tinubu For Signing NFSS Bill Into Law 

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The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation  during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and  induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the  Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on  the lives of the  average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit  the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the  forests across the nation  are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him  and other leaders to assist  the youths who are interested in  jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka,  praised the determination and sacrifices made by  the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace  and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF);  the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended  the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national  assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking  officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for  his sacrifices and untiring  efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the  officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.

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