Nation
Abuja
The Bill for an Act to amend Police Act, 2014, to provide for enlistment requirement and welfare, align punishments with realities, 2017 scaled second reading at the Senate last Tuesday.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC-Lagos) scaled first reading on June 15.
Leading debate on the bill, Tinubu said the Nigeria Police Force was the agency of government tasked with the maintenance of peace, law and order within the country’s border.
She said that the Nigeria Police Act empowered the agency to preserve law and order among others, adding that the importance of its role could not be over-emphasised.
She, therefore, argued that there was the need to strengthen such important institution.
Borno
The Police Command in Borno State last Wednesday confirmed that 19 people were killed in the latest deadly Boko Haram attacks in Maiduguri in Nigeria’s troubled North East.
The attacks, which occurred last Tuesday, claimed the lives of 12 Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and seven civilians, according to the Borno State Commissioner of Police Borno, Mr Damian Chukwu.
Our source reports that no fewer than 860 CJTF members have lost their lives to the insurgency in Borno since 2014.
Chukwu told reporters in Maiduguri on Wednesday that at least 23 people sustained injuries in the latest attacks.
The commissioner, who had since visited the scenes of the attacks, said that four female suicide bombers attacked Moloi, Judumeri and Polo-Sabongari areas of Maiduguri.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command says it has arrested six persons for allegedly selling unregistered SIM cards in the state.
The command’s spokesman, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, made this known to journalists in Dutse last Wednesday.
Abdullahi said five out of the suspects were arrested on Hakimi Street and at New Market, Dutse, while an other was held at Hadejia Town.
He said the corps confiscated over 5,000 assorted SIM cards during the raid.
The NSCDC spokesman assured the public that the corps would continue to stop the illegal sale and use of such SIM cards, stressing that illegal sale of SIM cards posed serious threat to national security.
He appealed to Nigerians to stop using unregistered SIM cards.
Kaduna
The General Manager, Freedom Radio, Kaduna, Malam Adamu Ladan, has urged journalists to always equip themselves with more knowledge for effective discharge of their roles to the society.
Ladan gave the advice in a paper he presented at a 2- day workshop organised by Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He said journalists must remain disciplined, non-partisan and professional while discharging their duties.
The general manager, particularly said journalists must have the professional competence to hold elected leaders to account.
Earlier, Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Mr Nuhu Shadalafiya said journalists must avoid misrepresentation of facts.
Katsina
A political group, Aminu Masari Restoration Awareness Forum, says measures taken by the Katsina State Government have restored sanity and accountability in the state public service.
Daura Zone Coordinator of the forum, Malam Sani Salele, said problems of truancy and laxity recorded in the past have been addressed.
According to him, `Gov Aminu Masari-led administration has restored dignity, probity, confidence and accountability in the service through various incentives introduced in the past two years.
“Now there is the feeling of job security among the civil servants and freedom of expression as the government is amenable to promoting democratic ideals,” Salele said in an interview with newsmen in Daura last Wednesday.
Kogi
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appealed to members of the state University Academic Staff Union to call off their strike and resume work.
Bello, who visited the university at Ayagba last Tuesday, pledged to pay all the salary arrears of lecturers and non-academic staff of the institution this month.
He said that the payment would cover those on contract and study leave, as well as those employed in 2015.
The governor, however, said those who took the government to court would not benefit from the payment.
Lagos
A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr Israel Ajao, last Tuesday appealed to members of the public to stop killing suspected members of the badoo cult group terrorising Ikorodu, Lagos.
Chairman, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Ajao made the appeal during a security town hall meeting organised by the corps for communities in and around Ikorodu.
He described the killing of suspected badoo members by a mob as uncivilised.
According to reports, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transporters, traders, the youth, military, paramilitary and private security organisation’s attended the meeting.
Nasarawa
The management of Breeze 99.9 FM, Lafia, has dragged the Nasarawa State Government to court over the demolition of the private radio station.
In the suit filed at High Court 4, Lafia, the station is demanding N1.5 billion as compensation for damage it suffered following the demolition of the structures housing the outfit, and the communication equipment inside them.
According to Counsel to Breeze FM, Mr Ocha Ulegede, the station is also praying the court to declare the action of the state government “illegal, unconstitutional, high-handed and vindictive”.
“We are asking for public apology and monetary damages totalLing more than of N1.5 billion.
Niger
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger S last Tuesday met with former Niger governors, ministers and political leaders over the security situation in the state.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the state house in Minna, also discussed other crucial issues affecting the state.
Retired Col. Yohanna Madaki, former military governor of Kastina State, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, listed issues discussed to include security challenges, Internally Generated Revenue and infrastructure.
“The meeting also agreed to set up a six-man committee to play an advisory role toward moving the state forward.
Ogun
A 35-year-old man, Fatai Adeboye, who allegedly stole a blackberry phone valued at N60,000 at a bus stop, was last Wednesday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State. Adeboye, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing.
Police Prosecutor, Chudu Gbesi told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 5 at 2.00 p.m. at Ijoko near Ota.
Gbesi said the accused robbed the complainant, Hannah Akinwande, of a Blackberry phone valued at N60, 000 at a bus stop in Ijoko.
“But the accused was caught and handed over to the police,’’ he said.
The offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun.
Ondo
Two men, Samuel Akande (39) and Adewale Oluwatayo (24), were last Wednesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly stabbing one Akorede Akintade with a knife.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused, on May 30, around 12:30 p.m. at Bako Club in Okitipupa, had a mild misunderstanding with Akintade, when the incident happened.
He said that the accused, who drank to stupor, unlawfully assaulted Akintade by beating him, before using the knife, with which he caused serious harm and severe injuries to him.
Orogbemi added that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 516 and 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The accused, of no fixed addresses and occupation, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge levelled against them.
Plateau
An NGO, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), has decried the rising spate of drug abuse and addiction among youths in the country.
The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Jacob Pwakim, said this in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Jos.
According to him, consumption of illicit substances by youths poses a serious challenge to the growth and development of the Nigerian society.
He explained that over 60 per cent of Nigerian youths consumed various forms of illicit drugs, a development he said had made them irresponsible to themselves and the society.
‘’We will look for credible hands that will give us purposeful leadership in the nearest future and we won’t find any.”
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