Nation
THE STATES
Borno
No fewer than 2,000 registered rice farmers in Borno are to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Agricultural Programme in the state.
Consultant in charge of the programme in the state, Mr Abbah Kale, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, last Thursday, said, rice farming had already commenced in liberated communities.
Kale, said registration and bio-metric data capturing of beneficiaries was on-going, just as they had scaled up the exercise to cover other liberated local government areas.
He said that, the programme was introduced by the Federal Government as part of renewed effort to boost rice and wheat production in the country.
According to him, the programme is aimed at supporting farmers with agricultural inputs to enhance productivity, create job opportunities and diversify the country’s economy.
Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has confirmed four commissioner nominees presented to it by Governor Samuel Ortom.
During the screening of the nominees on Thursday at plenary, the legislators, lauded Ortom for the choice he made and moved that the nominees should be confirmed as commissioners.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr TerkimbiI Ikyange, advised the commissioners to put in their best to justify the confidence of the people who nominated them.
Ikyange, warned them not to abuse the privilege given to them but to always partner with the law makers in the overriding interest of the state.
The new commissioners are Mr Joseph Shmaor, a unionist, Mrs Ladi Isegbe, a civil servant; Mr Joseph Utsev, a lecturer and Mr Unenge Bernard, an engineer.
FCT
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says, 525 migrants and refugees have died in the Mediterranean sea while trying to enter Europe.
According to data from the organisation, the deaths recorded were between Jan. 1 and March 12, as against the 482 deaths recorded within the same period in 2016.
The data on deaths of migrants was compiled by the IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre.
The report stated that, there were 19,653 estimated total arrivals by sea, with Italy having 15,843 arrivals within the stated period.
On Monday, Kelly Namia of IOM Athens reported that, 2,810 migrants and refugees entered Europe through Greece since the start of 2017, compared with 143,205 within the same period in 2016.
Spain, however, recorded 1,000 arrivals compared with no arrivals in the same period in 2016.
Jigawa
Jigawa State Government has inaugurated a 23-member working committee to fashion out ways of improving the quality of education and healthcare delivery in the state.
Malam Ibrahim Isma’l, the Public Relations Officer, Office of the Head of the State Civil Service (HoS) made this known in a statement on Thursday in Dutse.
He said that, the committee was charged with the responsibility of developing strategic partnerships between the state government and relevant stakeholders, including non-government actors to spur implementation of the action plan.
Kano
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, says plans are on-going by the state government to provide low cost housing for low income earners in the state.
Abubakar, said this at a one-day Housing Forum organised by the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria in Kano State on Thursday.
The deputy governor stated that, apart from the 2,000 housing units presently under construction, the state would construct another 2,000.
”Kano State Government in its 2017 budget has made provision of N1.1 billion for the construction of one bed room, 2 bed room and 3 bed room detached bungalows to be executed by the State Housing Corporation.”
Kwara
The President of Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), Alhaji Ahmed Raji, has decried the influx of sub-standard products into the country.
Raji, told newsmen in Ilorin last Thursday that all agencies regulating products must live up to expectation.
He expressed concern at the current situation whereby Nigerians imported garri, a Nigerian staple, from China, saying the development was absurd.
“We want the regulatory agencies to be more vigilant and pro-active so that they can give consumers value for their money.
“They should apprehend criminal minded people who are producing fake products and sanction them appropriately,” he said.
Kaduna
Save the Children, an International NGO, last Thursday urged all tiers of government to make more investment on girls education, social protection and women empowerment.
Mr Ekene Ifedilichukwu, the Nutrition Advocacy Coordinator of the organisation, made the call at a media training on nutrition reporting and budgeting in Kaduna.
Ifedilichukwu said that, investing in women would go a long way in improving the nutritional status of the vulnerable group in the society including children.
He noted that, such investment would assist in addressing the nation’s nutritional challenges.
Lagos
Eight ships laden with petrol and other commodities are to berth in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Thursday.
The document noted that, four of the ships contained petrol, while other ships would berth with empty containers, crude palm olein and bulk fertiliser.
The document stated that, 22 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods were expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from March 16 to March 27.
NPA said that, the expected ships contained buck wheat, containers, base oil, bulk corn, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum, bulk salt, cargoes, bulk fertiliser, empty containers, kerosene and petrol.
Niger
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 62-year-old-man, Mohammed Sani, over alleged rape of a 3-year-old girl.
The Tide reports that, the suspect, a resident of Cool-Cat area in Maitumbi of Bosso Local Government Area, was arrested after the victim complained of severe pains in her private part.
Mr Bala Elkana, the Police Public Relation Officers, told newsmen on Tuesday in Minna, that Sani committed the offence on March 4, and was arrested on March 8.
Nasarawa
The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman Dikko, has warned Magistrates and Area Court Judges in the state against indulging in corruption.
Dikko, gave the warning at a sensitisation workshop in Lafia last Thursday.
He said that, the workshop was necessitated by the desire of the management of the judiciary to find lasting solution to the lingering problems confronting the justice administration in the state.
“Some of the problems we intend to address in this workshop include corruption which has eaten deep into the judicial system in the country.”
Ogun
A 38-year-old man, Sunday Alonge, who allegedly collected 19 bags of rice valued at N313,000 under false pretext, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ota Magistrates’ Court.
Alonge, who lives at No. 35 Falade St., Iyana-llogbo, Ota, is facing a two-court charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused and others still at large, committed the offences on March 2 at about 11.30a.m. at No. 15 Fadina Compound, Idiroko Road, Ota.
Plateau
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says, activities of cyber criminals are jeopardising the integrity of digital transactions.
Mr Bulus Dabit, the Plateau State Director of the agency, told newsmen in Jos last Thursday that this was in spite of its numerous advantages of digital over the conventional transactions.
Dabit, said that digital transactions were usually built on trust, but which was now being threatened by devious operators who used it to prey on consumers.
“Although trust is mutual in digital transactions, the consumer bears the greatest risk as he has to sometimes part with his money before accessing the goods or services.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government, is targeting the production of 6,450 tonnes of rice and sorghum in the 2017 dry season farming, under the Fadama III project in the state.
The state Fadama III Project Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, made this known in Gusau on Thursday in an interview with newsmen
Reports gathered that, 1,290 farmers from three local government areas of Bakura, Maradun and Talata-Mafara were registered under the Fadama III project for the 2017 dry season farming.
Our correspondent also reports that each of the registered farmers would be supported with a 50-per-cent subsidy on all the inputs that are required for the farming activities.
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.
Nation
UNIPORT VC Receives Inaugural Lecture Brochure As Professor Highlights Urgent Need For Drug Repurposing In Malaria Fight
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.
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.