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Borno
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has pledged to provide an ambulance and other vital equipment at the medical clinic at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Bama, Borno, to enhance the welfare of the IDPs.
NCFRMI’s Federal Commissioner, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Umar-Farouq commended the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) for setting up the clinic, saying it had lived up to expectations.
“We have seen the clinic provided by NAF and they are doing well; we are going to augment their activities by providing some support.
“The clinic requires an ambulance as well as some few equipment at the radiography department, we will provide support in these areas,” she said.

Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has laid the foundation stone for the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 2 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia Local Government Area of the state had been the military formation in Southern Kaduna.
Speaking at the occasion, Buratai said the army was committed to peace and security in all parts of Nigeria.
He said the need to find lasting solution to incessant herdsmen/farmers crises rocking Southern Kaduna in recent times necessitated the setting up of the base.
Buratai urged Nigerians to learn to co-exist peacefully, adding “we need each other”.

Kano
Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, last Saturday conferred degree on 3,212 undergraduates and 31 post-graduate students during its 4th combined convocation.
Prof. Shehu Musa, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, who announced this at the ceremony said 3, 212 students, comprising three sets of students from 2012 to 2015 graduated at the convocation.
“It is gratifying to inform you that the university graduated three sets of students from 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 academic sessions.,’’ Musa said.
He urged the new graduates to use the knowledge acquired from the university to make significant imprints on the country and the world.
“We urge the graduates to be good ambassadors of the university wherever they find themselves,’’ he said.

Kebbi
The 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Kebbi State has celebrated the 2016 annual West African Social Activities (WASA) to mark the end of year successful end of training and operational activities.
The Tide source reports that the event was marked by officers, soldiers and their families with varieties of activities that included tug of war, cooking, cultural dances, songs as well as mini Durbar by the Gwandu emirate horsemen.
The colourful event, sponsored by the Diamond Bank, also featured cultural dances by the Tiv, Yoruba and Kalagu musicians, the NYSC cultural dance troupe as well as presentation of awards of honour to distinguished friends and well wishers of the soldiers.
The debate with the topic “Public Schools are Better Managed than Private Schools”, was won by Miss Jamila Usman of the Nigerian Army Primary School, Dukku Barracks in Birnin Kebbi.

Kogi
Rev. Sunday Oladeji of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lokoja, has urged Nigerians to stop making inflammatory statements that could jeopardise the peace of the nation.
Oladeji, who spoke in his sermon “Peace of a Nation” in Lokoja last Sunday, said peace brings unity among nations.
He noted that most of the crises among Christians and Muslims in the country was as a result of preachings amongst religious leaders and urged leaders to always watch and guard their utterances.
Oladeji noted that if there was love among religious faith, the nation would be more at peace with each other and there won’t be room for any form of crisis among faith.
He prayed God to help Nigeria move stronger out of every challenge it was facing, stressing that with prayers and supplication peace would return to the nation at large.
Oladeji said  the church had been praying for the nation so that every agitation for breakup would seize and God himself would intervene in the affairs of the nation.

Kwara
The traditional ruler of Isanlu-Isin, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Solomon Oloyede, has appealed to his people to ensure prompt payment of their taxes to accelerate development of the area.
Oloyede, who is also the chairman of Isin Traditional Council, made the appeal during a stakeholders meeting in Oke-onigbin, a nearby town to the council.
The Tide source reports that the periodic meeting organised to foster development within the council areas, attracted traditional rulers and community leaders from within and outside the council.
Oloyede said the call for prompt payment of taxes was to assist the government in its developmental programmes, especially at the grassroots.
He noted that most of the communities were in dire need of development in the areas of health, education, rural road network and human capital development.

Nasarawa
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) , says it has trained 1,977 unemployed persons in Nasarawa State to become self-reliant since the inception of the programme in the state in 2012.
The state NDE Coordinator, Alhaji Dauda Idris-Wase, disclosed this last Saturday to The Tide source in Lafia.
He said that the beneficiaries had been trained and graduated in different skills acquisition programmes.
Idris-Wase said that the agency organised different skills acquisition training free of charge in order to empower unemployed persons and enable them to contribute their quota to national development.
“NDE came into existence in 1986, saddled with the responsibilities of training people, especially the youth and women, in different skills acquisition programmes in the country.

Niger
The Niger State Coordinator, Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Control, of the  State Ministry of Health, Dr Hauwa Kolo, has advised youths and adults to steer clear of non-organic diets to avoid cancer.
Kolo, who is also the Head of Accident and Emergency Unit at the General Hospital Minna, gave the advice in an interview with The Tide source in Minna on Saturday on the sideline  of the World Cancer Day with the theme: “We can, I can’’.
She said that though the cause of cancer was not known but had associated factors with genetically-made foods.
“Some foods such as processed red meat and salt-preserved foods can increase the risk of developing cancer. Vegetables, fruits and food high in fibre can reduce the risk of cancer,’’ she said
Kolo said there were many kinds of cancer and advised women should to endeavour  to do breast examination every month..

Ondo
Gunmen last Sunday morning shot dead Corporal Michael Olujimi, a policeman attached to the Okitipupa Police Division in Ondo State.
The Tide source reports that the policeman, who was still battling for his life, was found in a pool of blood around 5:30 am, gasping for breath, before he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the town.
It was also gathered that the policeman left his home early to resume duty but the gunmen opened fire on him and took off immediately.
One of the sympathisers, who preferred anonymity, told The Tide source that the gunmen mistook the policeman for someone else and opened fire on him.

Osun
Osun State Police Command, has arrested four suspected armed robbers and recovered two locally made pistols from them.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Folashade Odoro, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Osogbo last Sunday.
According to the statement, the police arrested a suspect, Anibi Kabiru, at 2:40am, on Saturday in Ile-Ife, on a black spot.
Odoro said the suspect had confessed to have sold three locally made pistols to members of a robbery syndicate during interrogation.
She explained that the police further arrested three members of the robbery syndicate, namely: Waheed Oladipupo, Adeyeye Ojo and Yemi a.k.a Small, following the information given by the first suspect, Kabiru.
The PPRO said the police had begun investigating the suspects and recovered two locally made pistols.

Plateau
The Parish Priest, of Church of Assumption, Chongo Pyongyang, Jos, Rev. Fr. Philip Jamang, has urged Christians to be light of the world.
Jamang gave the advice in a homily in Jos last Sunday.
He said that Christians should live lifestyles worthy of emulation, lifestyle that would portray a positive difference in the society.
“As followers of Christ who is light himself, we must let this light shine anywhere we go. The world is full of darkness with less value for human lives and evil being the order of the day.
“So, we are called upon, as Christians to shine our light in the society so as to save the world from decay and total collapse.
“If we shine our light, violence and killings in our society will be a thing of the past. Let us transform the world with our Christian values,” he said.

Taraba
The Permanent Secretary, Taraba  State  Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero, has called on traditional rulers to support the state government’s initiative to restore peace in the state.
Several communities in the state were embroiled in clashes early in the year and several deaths are recorded with loss of property.
Yero told newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday that the royal father’s active role was crucial to government’s resolve to tackle the current insecurity.
“I want to call on our traditional rulers who are the custodians of peace, culture and general way of life to support Governor Darius Ishaku’s peace move for a better society.
“I want our royal fathers to revert to the old ways of monitoring strangers in their communities so as to check criminality,” he said.

Yobe
Yobe State Police Commissioner, Abdulmalik Sunmnu, has confirmed that 2,000 Policemen would be deployed to the 17 local government areas of the state to maintain law and order during the forthcoming LG polls in the State.
Sunmonu told newsmen in his office arrangements had been concluded for the deployment of the 2000 Policemen to provide security for the polls scheduled to hold by February 11th.
He said the deployment was  in line with standard which says “at least three security agencies per polling unit”.
The Police boss said arrangements were in top gear by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

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Youths Vow To Continue Protest Over Dilapidated Highway

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Youths from five local government areas in Northern Cross River State have concluded a one-week warning protest and blockade of the dilapidated Ikom-Wula-Obudu federal highway over the weekend.
They have vowed to resume the road blocks if by this week the authorities do not intervene to fix the road.
More than five thousand locals, mostly youths from Obanliku, Etung, Obudu, Ikom and Boki LGAs trooped out everyday for one week, used palm trees to block the highway to draw state and federal government’s attention to their plights, requesting the repair of a road has has been unmotorable for about 40 years.
They warned that if they do not see any actions from the state or federal governments, they will resume their Plan B protest, stop revenue collections and make governance unpalatable.
The youths also warned that without interventions on the road which has claimed several lives, including that of last week when a pregnant woman died with her baby in the full glare of the protesters because of the terrible road, no election can hold in the area next year.
One of the leaders of the No Road , No Election protest, who is also the Abo Youths in Boki LGA, Dr Martins Assam said both the federal and state governments have neglected the region, which generates more than 70 percent state revenue from agriculture.
He said if machinery is not deployed by next week, they will not have any option than to embark on unpalatable and disastrous protest, and stop revenue collections in the area.
“Last week we had only a warning strike for one good week. We’ll embark on a more elaborate, disastrous one-month blockade of this highway until they intervene. We call on our Governor and representatives in the National Assembly to act now by impressing on the federal government to immediately fix this road else. We’re not asking for two much but to be treated as human beings.”
Another protester, Clinton Obi from the Etung axis said, “We’ve been neglected for 40 years. This Ikom-Obudu federal highway had been impassable. The government has removed its concentration from our plights. By this one week protest, we want action on this road otherwise the next phase of protest will be costly.”
Reverend Father Francis Amaozo, priest in charge of St. Nicholas parish in Nashua, Boki LGA said, “I have also been a victim of this very deplorable road. Enough is now enough. We’ve been betrayed by our representatives and other leaders, so that we in this axis have become endangered species on this road. I have lost some many members on this road.”
Member, representing the Boki-Ikom federal constituency of the state in the House of Representatives, Bisong Victor Abang had pleaded with the locals to be a bit more patient with the government as action will commence shortly.

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UNIPORT VC Receives Inaugural Lecture Brochure As Professor Highlights Urgent Need For Drug Repurposing In Malaria Fight

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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof Owunari Georgewill, last Thursday received the inaugural lecture brochure from the Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Udeme Georgewill, during a ceremony at the university’s Centre of Excellence attended by academics, researchers, students, and distinguished guests.
Delivering her lecture, Professor Udeme Georgewill described the occasion as the culmination of years of dedicated research, teaching, and service to humanity. He explained that his work as a pharmacologist has consistently focused on finding practical, affordable, and scientifically sound solutions to health challenges that disproportionately affect developing countries, particularly malaria, which remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health concerns.
She noted that Nigeria continues to bear one of the heaviest malaria burdens globally, accounting for a significant percentage of worldwide cases and deaths. The disease, largely caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite and transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes, remains especially dangerous for children under five years and pregnant women, threatening not only present populations but unborn generations. Despite years of intervention efforts, malaria continues to strain families, health systems, and the national economy.
Prof Georgewill empha-sised that while Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies such as Artemether-Lumefantrine remain the gold standard for malaria treatment, emerging resistance patterns pose a serious challenge. He explained that drug resistance is a survival mechanism of the parasite, enabling it to adapt and reduce the effectiveness of medications designed to eliminate it. According to her, instances where patients do not feel better after initial treatment sometimes lead to repeated dosing or the search for injectable alternatives, practices that can worsen resistance and complicate treatment outcomes.
Against this backdrop, she advocated strongly for drug repurposing as a strategic and urgent response. Drug repurposing, he explained, involves identifying new therapeutic uses for already approved and widely available medications. He likened the concept to “old wine in new wineskins,” stressing that medicines already proven safe for certain conditions can be carefully re-evaluated and optimised for new roles in malaria management. This approach, she argued, offers advantages such as reduced research timelines, lower development costs, and faster clinical application compared to developing entirely new drugs from scratch.
She disclosed that her research had progressed from laboratory investigations to clinical evaluations, where his team is studying combinations involving Artemether-Lumefantrine and Ivermectin to determine their effectiveness in improving treatment outcomes and possibly reducing transmission. Clinical trials are ongoing, and findings will be communicated upon completion of regulatory processes. However, he cautioned strongly against self-medication, warning that misuse of drugs without proper diagnosis and prescription can lead to organ damage, treatment failure, and increased resistance.
Referencing global health commitments, Prof Georgewill highlighted Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which seeks to end epidemics of malaria and other major infectious diseases by 2030. She questioned whether the goal remains attainable under current realities, especially with growing resistance and funding gaps. He also referred to strategies of the World Health Organisation aimed at drastically reducing malaria incidence and mortality while pushing toward elimination in several countries.
Looking ahead, she revealed that her team is building comprehensive research databases to support artificial intelligence-driven drug repurposing. He stressed that the integration of artificial intelligence, molecular docking, and advanced screening technologies is transforming global drug discovery, and Nigerian researchers must be equipped to participate competitively in this evolving scientific landscape.
In her recommendations, she called for the establishment of a National Centre for Drug Repurposing to coordinate research efforts and leverage artificial intelligence in identifying new indications for existing medicines. He urged policymakers to simplify and accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical application, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs benefit the public more efficiently. She also appealed to the university and relevant authorities to increase funding and modernise laboratory infrastructure, including high-throughput screening facilities, to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global biomedical research.
The lecture concluded with expressions of gratitude to God, the university leadership, colleagues, students, and guests, as the event underscored the University of Port Harcourt’s commitment to research excellence and its role in addressing critical public health challenges facing Nigeria and the wider world.

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Niger CAN Rejects Proposed Hisbah Bill, Urges Gov Bago Not To Assent

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State Chapter, has rejected the proposed Niger State Hisbah Directorates Bill, describing it as controversial and capable of deepening religious division in the state.
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, and made available to The Tide’s source yesterday, the association urged Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago not to assent to the bill if it is passed by the State House of Assembly.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar, seeks to establish a Hisbah Directorate in Niger State.
CAN warned that the legislation could be perceived as discriminatory against Christians and may heighten tension in the religiously diverse state.
“Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, we, the entire Christendom in the state, wish to draw your attention to what could easily create division among the people you govern,” the statement read in part.
The association questioned the necessity and benefits of the proposed law, asking what economic or social value it would add to the state.
It further argued that existing security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, already have constitutional mandates to maintain law and order.
The Christian body also faulted the legislative process, disputing claims that it was consulted during a public hearing on the bill.
It insisted that it was neither invited nor notified of any such engagement, despite being a critical stakeholder in the state.

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