Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has deployed a new state Coordinator to its office in Bauchi State.
Alhaji Ali Lawan Yaya who was posted from the National Office of the Directorate assumed duty as the new state Coordinator.
He replaces Alhaji Abubakar Jamo, who was deployed to Jigawa State and has also assumed duty at his new station.
The new NDE state coordinator solicited the support and cooperation of management and the entire staff of the office towards achieving the desired goals.
He however warned against attitudes that are detrimental to the success of the directorate in the state, stressing that all hands must be on deck to overcome challenges.
The out-going coordinator, Alhaji Abubakar Jamo also urged the management and staff of the Bauchi directorate to give his successor all the support it deserves in the discharge of his duties.
Borno
The Borno Government says it plans to empower 150 women in Chibok Local Government Area with livelihood support as part of its post-insurgency Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme.
The State Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Prof. Babagana Umara, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Umara said that the women would be trained in poultry and fish farming to enable them to acquire means of livelihood.
He said the beneficiaries would be supported with tools to set up their own businesses after the training.
FCT
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr Musa Kimo has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against its planned protest in Abuja.
Kimo gave the warning in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, ASP Usen Omorodion in Abuja last Sunday.
He said as a professional organisation, the command would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements hide under the guise of such protest to cause breakdown of law and order.
Kimo advised residents to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation.
In a related development, the FCT spokesman the command arrested a member of an armed robbery syndicate at Robochi, Abuja on April 26.
Kaduna
The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Nigeria Air Force Recruitment, last Monday cleared the organisation of allegations of sentiments in its recruitment.
The committee which was on oversight visit to the Nigeria Air Force [NAF] base in Kaduna, said its investigations revealed that the recruitment exercise followed strict procedures.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Golu Simon, said claims of sentiments in the recruitment exercise were misplaced.
“We are satisfied with what we have seen at the recruitment exercise, because we have seen the rigours the officers of the NAF go through to bring out the best brains that will serve the country.
“Sometimes when applicants are disqualified, they feel it is for one reason or the other, people begin to ascribe sentiments to it.”
Kano
The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 139 beggars for allegedly violating the law banning street begging along major streets of the state capital, an official said yesterday.
Malam Musa Sangaya of the board’s Anti-begging Unit, told newsmen in Kano that 32 out of the 139 beggars were children, while 107 were adult.
“Our men arrested 139 street beggars around Bata, Bompai, Nasarawa hospital and Yankaba areas for violating the law banning street begging in Kano metropolis.
“Out of the 139 beggars, 107 were adult male and female, while 32 were children who engaged in begging,” Sangaya said.
He explained that 84 of those arrested hailed from Kano city, while 52 were from Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna and Gombe States, and three from Niger Republic.
Katsina
The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Banking and Finance, Alhaji Faruk Jobe, yesterday challenged politicians to set up viable empowerment schemes for the youths instead of luring them into crime.
Jobe, who threw the challenge while recieving some defectors to the All Progressives Congress [APC] in Kankara, said the youths must also shun politicians who lure them into violence.
He added that the youth must also take their destiny in their hands by identifying and focussing on their goals in life early enough, so as not to be exploited by desparate politicians.
The Special Adviser said only good and responsible politicians strive to bring development to the people.
Ondo
Nigerian soldiers in Ondo State have killed Ossy Ibori, a wanted leader of a militant group involved in kidnapping in Ikorodu and Epe areas of Lagos State.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, told newsmen last Monday in Lagos that the suspect was killed by soldiers at Ajakpa area of Ondo State.
Owoseni said that he was killed at about 3.00a.m.last Monday in the course of arresting all members of his gang and other criminals who had made life miserable for innocent citizens.
He said that the gang members retreated to their base in Ajakpa because they could no longer lay claim to the creeks in Isawo area of Ikorodu.
Osun
The Osun Police Command has said that a suspected explosive device in a car stereo, chopped-off four fingers of an Osogbo resident, who attempted to dismantle the stereo from a damaged car.
A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Folashade Odoro, said the incident happened last Sunday, at about 3.30 p.m, at Ajegunle Area in Osogbo.
The statement was made available to newsmen yesterday in Osogbo.
“Information was received at the Police division, Dugbe, Osogbo that one Nasiru Ibrahim got four fingers on his right arm chopped-off while dismantling a damaged car stereo in front of his house.
Taraba
The Proprietor of Winners Group of Schools in Taraba State, Mr Danlami Shamaki, yesterday, advised parents against registering their Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1 and 2 children in higher institutions.
Shamaki gave this advice in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.
According to him, such students may not be mature enough to withstand the rigours of learning in higher institutions.
He noted that the trend could work against the interest of such students because they were expected to acquire certain knowledge and skills in every class of learning.
“Parents must understand that they are not helping their children by allowing them to enter the university from SS 1 and 2.
Yobe
Yobe State Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, yesterday said that the state government’s commitment to regular payment of salaries saved the state from worse economic situation.
Kukuri, who is also the state Chairman of the National Conscience Party, made the remarks in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
He said: “The protracted security challenge left the state with salary as the only vibrant source of income because farmers abandoned their farms for several years.
“Imagine a situation where government failed to pay salaries; it would have worsened the ailing economy and the condition of the people.
“Therefore, Yobe Government needs to be commended and encouraged to sustain the commitment to regular payment of salaries and retirement benefits.’’
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor