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THE STATES

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Adamawa
The Coordinator, Adamawa/Taraba National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Friday, Mr Sa’ad Bello,said there were currently less than 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa camps.
Bello told newsmen  in Yola that there were, however, about
170,000 IDPs residing in host communities across the state.
He said that “there is significant reduction of IDPs living in camps in the state; the number reduced from over 60,000 to less than 10,000.
“At the peak of the insurgency,  the agency recorded over 480,000 IDPs residing in host communities but now, there are about 170,000 IDPs living within the host communities.”
The coordinator explained that the departure of many IDPs from camps led to closure of four camps out of the nine in the state.
On IDPs feeding and accommodation, he said it was being handled by NEMA, in collaboration with other humanitarian agencies.
He said each camp also had a clinic, where the IDPs were being attended to, while those with serious ailments were being referred to Yola Specialist Hospital or the  Federal Medical Centre, Yola.
He said “we also provide children with educational centres such as  primary and Junior Secondary Schools.”

Bauchi
Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari,  in Bauchi  on Monday called for synergy between his agency and the media in tackling some of the security challenges of the country.
Making the call when he visited the Bauchi Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abari said joint effort in sensitizing members on the need to shun acts that could jeopardize the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, was desirable now, than ever before.
According to him, the roles of the media have gone beyond the traditional “education, entertainment and enlightenment”, but have encompassed a greater challenge of “agenda setting” for the people.
He said that security challenges resulting from disagreements among people on issues that could otherwise be peacefully resolved, to other wider security issues, had made it paramount to intensify sensitization efforts, not only for people to embrace dialogue, but also become security conscious.

Borno
Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday donated relief materials for the upkeep of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno.
Speaking while presenting the materials, Managing Director of NPA, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, said that the gesture was aimed at bringing succour to the IDPs who were in need of help.
“The presentation of these items is aimed at supporting the Borno State Government in taking care of the IDPs.
“The NPA believes that there is the need to sustain its corporate and social responsible to the society,”
” We have noted with concern, the situation in the North-East and we are here to provide support to the State Government towards the upkeep of the displaced persons,” she said.
Bala-Usman, who is also a member of the ‘Bring-Back-Our-Girls’ group, commended the military for rescuing some of the Chibok school girls abducted by insurgents.
She expressed optimism that the remaining 195 students of the school still held in captivity, would also be rescued.
“I am an advocate for the rescue of the Chibok girls and I believe that the military has the capability to rescue our girls.

FCT
National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Mr Emmanuel Ogidi,  said outcome of Thursday’s stakeholders’ meeting revealed that National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, lacked capacity to lead the party.
Ogidi stated this in an interview with newsmen  in Abuja, last Sunday
He said that walking out on former President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, Board of Trustees (BoT) members and other prominent party leaders at the Abuja meeting “revealed the character of Sheriff and spoke a lot about him”.
According to him, Sheriff’s conduct on that occasion was not just disrespect for Jonathan but a proof that he cannot be trusted.
Sheriff had told newsmen that he walked out of the meeting convened by Jonathan to find solution to the party’s leadership crisis because he was not allowed to address the session in his capacity as national chairman.

Kaduna
Sourthern Kaduna Muslim Umma Development Association, has called on the Federal and Kaduna State Government to compensate victims of the 2011 post election violence.
The group is also pushing for fair treatment on issues affecting Southern Kaduna.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Kagarko, said in Kaduna on Sunday, while inaugurating sub-committees for the 30th anniversary of the association, the people have suffered long years of neglect.
He said that the association would push for the compensation and protection of all people in the area.
“We should get fair treatment on issues affecting our people,” he said, adding that in spite of the committees set up on the 2011 crisis and other conflicts in the area, “we have not been getting fair share in terms of reward and punishment.”

Kogi
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to establish a comprehensive health centre in the assembly premises for legislators and staff.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Alfa Rabiu (APC-Ankpa II), at plenary session in Lokoja on Friday.
The assembly, through the motion adopted by a voice vote, urged the state government to properly equip and post enough and qualified manpower to the health centre.
Soliciting support for the motion, Rabiu said the existing clinic in the assembly established by the 5th Assembly was incapacitated by dearth of equipment, medical and health personnel.
He said the clinic, in its present condition, lacked good facilities and equipment to provide the basic health needs of the legislators and staff.

Kwara
A group, The Concerned Citizens of Kwara State Yoruba (TCCKSY), has called on Gov.ernor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, to send a bill to the House of Assembly that would curtail the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state.
The group in a communiqué issued on Sunday, in Ilorin, at the end of its quarterly meeting, decried destruction of farms by cattle of the herdsmen.
The communiqué was signed by the group’s Chairman, Mr Michael Ologunde.
Ologunde said the bill was necessary in order to cut the wings of herdsmen that use their cattle to destroy crops during grazing.
Ologunde advised the state government to curb the activities of the herdsmen before they escalate and result to killings.
He also appealed to the state government to quickly address the suffering and hunger the people were passing through.

Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State last weekend said celebrating the state at 50 years amounted to celebrating Nigeria’s unity as Lagos provided the platform that kept the nation together.
Ambode stated this in Lagos at the opening of a drama exhibition entitled, “Wakaa the Musical” as part of 50-day activities heralding the May 27 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Lagos State was created on May 27, 1967 via State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a federation of 12 states from former four regions.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor said Lagos was a land of opportunities which offered Nigerians the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours, and deserved to be fittingly celebrated.

Oyo
Rev. EmmanueI Agboola of the Faith Baptist Church, Ibadan, has urged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the leadership style of humility and service that Jesus Christ portrayed while on earth.
Agboola made the appeal while delivering a sermon at a church service to mark the celebration of the Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday is celebrated by Christians across the world to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Agboola said that Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a young donkey.
“This was the Messiah that the Jews were anxiously waiting for, saviour that would bring back the glory of Israel.
“They expected him to rid their nation of oppressors, restore the kingdom of Israel and rule benevolently.

Plateau
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Friday, urged communities in Riyom local government area of Plateau to maintain the prevailing peace in the area by living in harmony.
Buratai gave the advice, while inaugurating a medical centre built by the army for troops of the Operation Safe Haven at Tigi in the local government and civilians in the community.
He said the centre was cited in the village as part of army efforts to enhance good relations between the people, communities in neighboring Kaduna State bordering the town and troops keeping the peace in those areas.
Communities in the area had witnessed ethno-religious and herdsmen/farmers clashes in the recent past.
“We must learn to live in peace and be our brother’s keeper, ” he said and urged the people to take advantage of the centre in addressing some of their health challenges.

Sokoto
A member of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State (APC-Soskoto),Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki, on Sunday, distributed empowerment materials to no fewer than 1,000 women and youths.
The materials distributed to one hundred groups, each with ten members include: sewing and grinding machines, as well as generators.
Similarly, the lawmaker donated N 30,000 to each of the groups, amounting to N3million.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dasuki, who is representing  Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of some of the members of his constituency.
He said: “The gesture is part of efforts to fulfill our promises to the electorate.
“This is to reduce poverty, curb unemployment and youths’ restiveness, among other socioeconomic malaise.”

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Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

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Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love  has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

 

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

 

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

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We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout

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Rivers State Governor , Sir Siminialayi Fubara says the industrialization of the state remains a key drive of his administration.
Speaking through Director General of the Rivers  State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside at the Shell Gas Limited and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) Investors Forum held in Port Harcourt, Fubara stressed that public /private partnership is key to revive production in the state.
“We are ready to partner Shell Gas Limited to revive manufacturing in Rivers State at Ahoada Industrial Park, and the new Port City project, including the proposed Bonny Industrial Park which will grow industries along the Bonny corridor” he declared.
Part of the scheme, he further stated is to collaborate with Shell Gas Limited and the private sector to transform Rivers State into a major manufacturing hub in the South of Nigeria.
Commending Shell and MAN for leading the frontline, Sir. Fubara said,” the time to act is now  and thank God Shell is taking the lead to prioritize gas.”
The governor opined that the gas sector provides huge investment opportunities to drive the state economy as the world is gradually shifting towards gas and other environment friendly energy, while urging stakeholders to evolve an actionable gas policy for the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Shell Gas Limited Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi said it is high time the state utilized its huge gas resource.
“Today gas offers investors opportunities and raises the value chain as it boosts production for industry users,” Amos-Ejesi said.
The Shell Gas Distribution executive said the company seeks to support manufacturing by adopting a user friendly approach that allows manufacturers to grow profitably with affordable cheaper energy.
He explained that natural gas provides huge potentials and aligns with federal government  policy of gas utilization.
Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okugu described gas as the backbone of manufacturing.
He said the forum has become timely and key to address the pressing energy provision to boost production in the sector, as he lamented the high costs borne by manufacturers in sourcing energy alternatives.
In her remarks, Chairperson of  the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga commended Shell for the forum which she described as a bridge to reduce gap of energy provision for manufacturers.
Ngozi Nwoga said the transition to natural gas has become imperative, stressing that pipeline gas offers cheaper and smooth energy provision for industries.
Former MAN chairperson for Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs Emilia Akpan was of the view that the quest to provide cheap energy should be driven with technical manpower, as she emphasized  need for Rivers State to recreate its economy.
By Kevin Nengia
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SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

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First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.
The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB),  Yemisi Edun,  said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.

Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.

 

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