Nation
NCS Empowers 119 Inmates In Gombe
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Gombe State Command, says about 119 inmates in two custodial centres in the state have undergone vocational skills training.
The state controller of NCS, Mohammed Sharu, said yesterday in an interview with The Tide source that the nine-month training was part of efforts to reform inmates.
Sharu said the command only trained those that were convicted from two years upward so that “they will not go back to criminality when they return to the society.”
According to him, Gombe State has embarked on several skills acquisition trainings for inmates in block making, carpentry, plumbing, soap making, bag making, aluminum pot making, tailoring and electrical installation.
“In Billiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, there are 89 inmates that will graduate soon, while in Gombe facility, 30 have graduated and have been discharged.
“We are now making efforts with the state and the local governments to assist them with starter packs for them to practice the skills acquired,” said Sharu.
The correctional boss stated that the emphasis on vocational skills programme was in accordance with the mandate of the service to reform the minds of inmates as well as empower them, and also discourage them from drug use.
He said it was worrisome that most of the inmates in the five facilities in the state were youths between the ages of 21 and 30, and that 90 per cent of them were drug addicts.
“Most youths when they bring them to our centres, they are not in their senses. Some will spend two days and don’t know where they are and after three days they realise they are in our facilities.
“Based on our interviews with them, over 90 per cent are on drugs; any form of drug they see they take and this is of serious concern to us and it is painful,” he said.
In order to address the challenge of drug addiction, Sharu said his command was partnering the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to rehabilitate inmates through counseling.
He added that his command was paying a lot of attention to the reformation of minds to ensure that what sent them to their facilities was addressed before they finished serving their sentences.
“The new correctional act is laying more emphasis on reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates; that is the act is now paying attention to the reformatory acts of imprisonment than the punitive aspect,” he said.
He commended the Federal Government for supporting the centres in the effort to ensure that youths are given the needed skills and training to become better citizens.
While stressing that the Gombe State government recently visited the Gombe Custodial Centre to assess the skills acquisition centre, Saru called for the support of the government towards the expansion of the centre.
The correctional boss advised youths to “forget about drugs if you want to make impact in life; drugs will lead you to crime and I am telling you there is no gain in crime.”
Our correspondent reports that as at Tuesday, there are 1, 260 inmates in the five custodial centres in Gombe, Tula, Billiri, Cham and Bajoga facilities with 697 inmates awaiting trials.
Nation
ICT Centre Set To Be Establish In Omuku
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.
Nation
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations
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.
Nation
NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region
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
-
News4 days ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics4 days agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers4 days agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Business4 days ago33 Banks Raise N4.65tn As Recapitalisation Ends
-
Politics4 days agoAlleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
-
Nation4 days agoNile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication
-
Sports4 days ago
Lewandowski Leads Top Stars Missing From W/Cup Roll Call
-
Sports4 days agoPara Games: Team Rivers Wins 53 Medals On Day 5 … Director Praise Athletes
