Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The United Nations last Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to support the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East region.
The UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Peter Lundberg, said this at a press conference in Maiduguri.
Lundberg said the UN would continue to support Nigeria to address the major problems affecting education, health, malnutrition and security challenges occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the raid conducted by the military on UN Humanitarian facility in Maiduguri would not affect its relations with Nigeria, adding that the issue had been amicably resolved.
“I am very pleased to inform you that our relationship of collaboration and trust is intact, and at this stage we are focused on the work ahead, to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the North-East are supported with life saving humanitarian aid”, he said.
FCT
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill the 2009 agreement made with the union.
President of the union Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Ogunyemi said the decision to embark on the industrial action was resolved at its emergency National Executive Council meeting held on August 12.
According to him, during the strike, “there shall be no teaching, no examination and no attendance of statutory meetings of any kind in any of our branches till government meets the union’s demands”.
The industrial action actually took effect from August 13.
Gombe
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last Saturday said it had arrested three farmers in Kulani village, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State for allegedly cultivating 160 Kilograms of Indian hemp.
The NDLEA Commandant in the state, Mr Aliyu Adole, told newsmen in Gombe.
Adole said many farmers were involved in the cultivation of the weed in the state and the agency had been on their trail.
He said the agency had been monitoring the suspects before their arrest, adding, “this morning my boys went to the bush and brought them with the exhibits.’’
The commandant said the agency would continue to comb villages in the state to apprehend those involved in the cultivation of Cannabis.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Agency for Nomadic Education says it would soon distribute school uniforms free to 8,000 nomadic pupils in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Ali Manu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse last Sunday.
Manu said the items would be distributed to the pupils in 132 out of the 304 nomadic schools across the state.
He said the uniforms were provided by the state government to encourage children of herdsmen to go to school.
‘‘I assure you that very soon we will distribute these uniforms to the pupils in 132 nomadic schools across the state.
‘‘And they will be distributed to the pupils free,” the executive secretary said.
Kaduna
Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) say they are working hard to minimise the frequency of occurrence of conflicts in the North West, particularly in Southern Kaduna.
A survey conducted by newsmen indicated that various organisations had been meeting with key stakeholders, organising town hall meetings and bringing warring groups to agree to peace deals aimed at ending conflicts in some of the states in the zone.
They were also focusing on tracking hate speeches and encouraging residents to ignore divisive comments, especially in the social media.
In Kaduna State, where ethno-religious crises keep reccurring, some of the CSOs had been actively involved in peace-building and encouraging mutual respect among the diverse communities.
Kano
The Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sule Kazaure, has charged corps members to be committed in the discharge of their duties at their places of primary assignment.
Kazaure, made the call during an inspection visit to the permanent orientation camp at Kusalla la in Karaye Local Government Area of Kano State.
The DG, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources Department, Mrs. Eze Makinde said it was only through commitment, dedication and selfless service that the corps members could excel and achieve the desired results.
“You should also consider your posting to Kano State as a will of God, and put in all efforts through conducting yourselves in such a way others can admire you”, he said.
Kogi
Officials of Ecological Fund Office, under the aegis of Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, last Monday arrived in Kogi State for an assessment of flood and erosion sites.
Mr Abdullazeez Umar, who spoke on behalf of the team at the office of the Deputy governor in Lokoja, said that they were in the state to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the flood and erosion sites.
He said that the exercise was approved by the Federal Executive Council, as part of efforts to tackle the ecological problems facing the country via the effective management, co-ordination, monitoring and implementation of programmes.
Speaking, the Deputy Governor, Mr Simon Achuba, welcomed the team on behalf of the state government and said that their visit to Kogi was timely.
Lagos
The new President of Rotary Club of Omole Golden District 9110, Nigeria, Rotarian Oshinibosi Abiodun, said last Sunday, that the club would provide 30 incubators and 10 phototherapy machines for Ifako/Ijaiye General Hospital.
Abiodun announced the plan during his installation as president for 2017/2018 at the Excellence Hotel, Omole, Ogba, Lagos
He promised that the club would continue to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged during his tenure.
The Rotarian said that the incubators planned for Ifako/Ijaiye General Hospital would help in saving lives.
Abiodun said a visit to the hospital showed that the seven incubators there were the ones the club donated some years back.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested two persons in connection with a mob action that led to the death of a soldier, Lance Cpl. Ayuba Ali, on Mondaym in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the arrest to newsmen last Monday in Lafia.
Idirisu said that available information revealed the victim, allegedly hit a street hawker at Agwan Affi area of the town while riding on a motorbike.
According to him, the victim, who was in mufti, tried to pacify the hawker and an altercation ensued resulting in irate youth beating him to coma.
Niger
The police last Friday, arraigned two men, Ado Sani and Shafiu Umar in a Minna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing two members of the force.
The defendants are standing trial on charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, abduction, armed robbery, causing hurt, mischief and murder.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Danladi, told the court that one Alhaji Bello of Tagina Kabata village reported a case of abduction of seven persons to the police on June 2.
Danladi alleged that on May 5, the accused who hail from Allawa village, conspired with 16 others now at large, and committed the act at the Tagina Kabata Central Mosque.
He alleged that the accused robbed one of the victims of N750, 000.
He said that a team of five police detectives had gone to Allawa village on investigation, but the accused attacked them, killing two and injuring three.
Ondo
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondon State, last Monday called for more effective community policing as one of the ways to tackle criminal activities in rural areas.
Akeredolu gave the advice during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, at the Police headquarters in Akure.
He thanked the command for the selfless discharge of its duties and urged them to discourage loitering by non-uniformed people around checkpoints.
The governor canvassed for more police commands in the state, saying that the three existing commands were not enough to tackle the noticeable increase in criminal activities.
He said that five area commands were needed for effective policing of the state.
Taraba
A total of 1,100 intending pilgrims from Taraba State will commence their journey to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj tomorrow, Executive Secretary of the state Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Umaru Leme, has said.
Leme told newsmen in Jalingo last Monday that 177 of the pilgrims were sponsored by the state government and 37 by local councils.
According to him, the state governor, Mr Darius Ishaku has appointed the Lamido Gashaka, Alhaji Zubairu Sambo as leader of the state contingent for the pilgrimage.
He disclosed that the state government had released N310 million to the board to ensure successful hajj operation.
Leme said that 1,100 passports for the intending pilgrims had been processed and assured that all the pilgrims would be transported before the end of August.
Nation
Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
Nation
HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
Nation
Rivers Crisis; CAN Seeks Divine Intervention …Declares One Day Fasting, prayers
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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