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THE STATES

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Adamawa
Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa State, recently said that the administration would provide more loans to farmers to boost food production in the state.
Bindow made this disclosure at the distribution of 9,421 tonnes of fertiliser and water pumps by the Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs in collaboration with ALGON in Yola South local government area.
He expressed the hope that the loans would assist small holder farmers to expand their agricultural activities as well as boost food production.
The governor said that the timely and adequate distribution of agricultural inputs was in fulfillment of his campaign promises.

Borno
The Borno State Police Command last Sunday, said it had deployed 3, 000 policemen to Maiduguri and other areas liberated from the Boko Haram insurgents.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, ASP Victor Isuzu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Isuzu said that the measure became imperative to enhance security network in Maiduguri and other communities liberated from the insurgents.
He explained that the command had taken proactive steps to deal with security threats, protect lives and property in the state.
He said that the personnel had already resumed duty in their various posts.

Ekiti
The Primate of Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, last Saturday said, “the suffering of the masses was caused by some few privileged Nigerians; who plundered the commonwealth without thinking about the poor.
He, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to live a life that would positively affect their followers rather than earthly acquisition of wealth.
Our correspondent report that the primate said this during the burial service of former Minister of Tourism and Culture, Prof., Babalola Borishade at St Andrew Cathedral Anglican Church, Usi-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti.
The primate, who delivered his sermon through the Arch Bishop of Ondo Province and Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Revd George Laosebikan, called on Nigerian leaders to live a life worthy of emulation.

FCT
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) last Thursday said its Agusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter suffered a mishap while undertaking a liaison mission in the North East.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Adesanya stated that the helicopter’s target was to further enhance synergy between Nigerian Army and NAF in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
He noted that the incidence, which occurred on Thursday, July 6, was as a result of airborne technical fault.

Kaduna
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says President Buhari has resolved to work with Ibrahim Magu as EFCC Chairman to stamp out endemic corruption in the country.
Osinbajo, who spoke at the inauguration of the Kaduna office of the anti-graft agency last Thursday, said that those who think that they were winning in fighting back against the government’s war on corruption, should wake up.
Represented by Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Osinbajo said, so long as Buhari remained Nigeria’ s President, Magu would continue to work as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Mr Chairman, two weeks ago, I discussed the EFCC and your appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and he told me he has every confidence in you and every confidence in the commission and the work that you have been doing, and as long as he is president you remain the chairman of the EFCC,’’ he said.

Kogi
The Nigerian Army has offered free medical and environmental sanitation services to the people of Kogi State as part of activities to commemorate the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Regimental Medical Officer, Medical Reception Station, Army Records, Lokoja, Maj. Michael Bokos, who led the medical team on Saturday, told newsmen that the army was celebrating itself to show its friendliness with the public.
“It is just a way to showcase ourselves to the general public that we are civil-friendly, and interacting with our communities in terms of security, sanitation, healthcare, among others.
“Today, we felt that it is necessary to come out here and offer free medical checkups and treatment to the people as directed by the Army Headquarters all over the country.

Lagos
A former Deputy Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service, Mr Musa Tahir, last Thursday, said that he had no clue why the service paid N12 million into Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia’s bank account.
Giving his testimony during cross-examination by Mr Olawale Akoni in the trial before an Ikeja High Court, Tahir said, “I have seen Hon. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia but I have never met her one on one.
“I don’t know why the former Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko said the money should be paid into my colleague, Musa Omale’s account to be forwarded into the company’s account of the judge.
“I don’t have the paper in which the CGC wrote the directive; the paper was handed over to Omale who worked in my office.

Nasarawa
A Mararaba Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State, last Thursday, sentenced two men,  Kabiru Ibrahim and Yusuf Danjuma, to two months imprisonment, each for smoking cannabis sativa (a.k.a.Indian hemp).
The judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, said he convicted the defendants as they admitted committing the offence.
He, however, gave the convicts N2, 000 option of fine each, and warned them to desist from committing crime.
The convicts, who had no definite addresses, were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, constituting public nuisance and making the atmosphere noxious for human health.

Niger
An economist, Prof. Kenneth Nnadi,  has advised parents and guardians to encourage children to study mathematics because it was the driving force behind technological advancement.
Nnadi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Maritime Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, on Saturday.ý
“Mathematics ýis the key to every science discipline; it sharpens intelligent quotient and boosts confidence and courage.
“Prospective scholars must dare mathematics; the dearth of mathematicians will impede global progress and force the world to a standstill.

Osun
The Osun State Government says it will continue to provide the needed support for farmers in the state in their efforts to boost food production.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Kunle Ige, made the promise when he received the executive members of the state chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Osogbo.
He pledged that the state government would continue to give the required support to all genuine farmers, without any form of discrimination, so as to boost food production and banish hunger in the state.
He said that the government had initiated plans to guarantee the farmers’ easy access to loans, agro-chemicals, farm equipment and improved seedlings, adding, however, that the government could no longer afford to subsidise the inputs.

Taraba
The Taraba State House of Assembly recently commenced public hearing on the proposed Anti- open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Bill.
Our correspondent reports that the Speaker, Mr Abel Diah, flagged off the hearing in Jalingo, with Dr. Mark Useni, Chairman, House Ad-hoc-Committee on Public Hearing on the bill, presiding.
Diah, in a brief speech, asked the stakeholders to freely contribute to the bill to enable the House arrive at a position that would be in the interest of the people.
Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), NGOs and other groups, who spoke on the bill, said that it would promote peace between herdsmen and farmers.
The Permanent Secretary in the agriculture ministry, Mr Isaac Mela, opined that the bill, when passed and signed into law, would boost both crop and animal production in Taraba.
Yobe
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Abari camp in Damaturu, say they are now facing food scarcity, as they have planted their remaining grains in their farmlands.
One of the IDPs, Modu Bukar, told reporters in Damaturu last Tuesday that most of the IDPs had used the available grains as seeds for their crop growing.
“Most of us planted millet, sorghum and groundnuts, mostly from food assistance given to us by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs),’’ he said.
Another IDP, Ali Mohammed, said: “We are facing food challenges because we have planted what was left with us; we will, therefore, appreciate any support extended to us,’’ he said.
Reports that a Federal Government delegation, led by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, on Monday, visited Yobe to monitor the supply of food items, under the newly launched door-to-door food distribution initiative for IDPs.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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