Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

November 28, 2014

FCT

Hajia Zainab Ahmed, the Executive Secretary,
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) has called on Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to fight corruption for nation building.
Ahmed gave the advice in Abuja at a public presentation of a book, titled: “President‘s Diary: Nigeria‘s Ethical Revolution” organised by the Office of Ethics and Moral Values.
Our correspondent reports that the 410-page book was written by 18 authors.
She said that many Nigerians had lost ethics and moral values right from homes, adding that their weak foundation must be corrected by making them adhere to ethics and moral values in their daily activities.

Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi said on Wednesday that
the state would establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bureau to facilitate infrastructure development in the state
Wada said this in Abuja at a World Bank sponsored training on PPP on Wednesday in Abuja.
“We are working steadily on the institutionalising framework for Public Private Partnership in Kogi State and in a matter of months a PPP bureau will be in place.
“The Kogi PPP bureau, when established, will be a one- stop business center for PPP devoid of frustrating bureaucratic delays of any kind,” he said.
According to him, this will facilitate coordination between projects initiating ministries, agencies of government and private investors.
He said that Kogi with its location and largest deposit of solid minerals in the country, offered a great opportunity for infrastructure Investments.
Wada said that unique opportunities for investment in the state were in various sectors, including transport, power, road, health, tourism.
He commended the World Bank and Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for the training and urged participants

Kwara

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof.
AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has pleaded with health workers to stop their incessant industrial actions that often paralyse the nation’s hospitals.
He made the plea last Tuesday in Ilorin when he received members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN).
Our correspondent reports that members of the association were in Ilorin for the 46th Annual Conference and Scientific Workshop organised by the association.
Ambali said: “It is important for all professionals in the health sector to work together to put an end to strike.
“We are inspired by your comments that appreciate the fact that our (UNILORIN) academic calendar has been stable over several years.

Lagos

National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Party
(APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has advocated gender equality in policy making in the country.
Mohammed made the observation in Lagos at a summit organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in partnership with United Kingdom Aid and Voices Change.
Our correspondent reports that the aim of the summit was to promote gender equality as a principle of human rights and a developmental goal.
WARDC is also advocating the rebalancing between men and women in terms of resources, legal rights, participation, decision making and equal relations.

Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State has
approved an upward review of the allowances of NYSC members posted to the state.
Al-makura announced this at the end of a three-week orientation for Batch C corps members held at the Majaji Dan –Yamusa NYSC orientation camp in Keffi.
In an address to the 1,782 corps members, Al-makura said the allowance would be increased from N2,000 to N5, 000 because of current economic situation in the country..
The governor urged the corps members to use the lessons gained during the orientation period to improve themselves, their host communities and the country at large.
He enjoined them to use the potential in the state to gain more experience for themselves, adding that his administration attached high premium to youth development and the NYSC scheme.

Ogun

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun has remanded
a 33-year-old man, Olayinka Ogundairo, in prison custody for allegedly defrauding a pastor of N400,000.
According to the prosecutor, Cpl. Moshood Hammed, the accused committed the offence sometime in February at the Saraki Adigbe area in Abeokuta.
Hammed said that the accused defrauded one Pastor Jacob Oyedokun of N400,000.00, after tendering false certificates.
“The accused entered the church of Pastor Oyedokun and claimed that he is studying abroad but his benefactor had died.
“He tendered a forged NYSC discharge certificate, a certificate of a Master of Science degree in Anatomy and Physiology from the Council of the Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, U.K., and a Kebbi State University of Science and Technology statement of results.

Oyo

The National Headquarters of Action Alliance (AA) said
that it had not been able to pick anybody as its candidate for any of the elective offices across the country.
Mr Kenneth Udeze, the National Secretary of the party, told newsmen in Ibadan that candidates of the party would be determined at a properly conducted primaries.
“As much as the party will fully participate in all the elections, candidates for all elective offices from states, national legislatures, governors and the presidency will be determined at a properly conducted party primaries,’’ he said.
Udeze said that those claiming to have picked anybody as the party’s flag-bearer must be out of tune with the national directive of the party.
He said that the Senate/House of Representatives primaries would be held on December 8; Governorship/State House of Assembly on December 9 and the National Convention on December 11.

Plateau

Sixty-one politicians, including Senator Joshua Dariye and
former Deputy Governor, Mrs Pauline Tallen, have formally returned to PDP in Plateau State.
Our correpondent reports that the returnees, who were received in style by Governor Jonah Jang, spoke through Mr Pam Gyang, Tallen’s running mate in 2011 governorship election, while in Labour Party.
Although Dariye and Tallen were not mentioned in the list of the few defectors called out, they were seated at the Nenfor Arena, Pankshin, in Plateau, where they were formally received by Jang and other party leaders.
“We are back in PDP and we have come to stay and not to leave again; PDP has been a progressive party and we have come to support it move forward.
“Most of us, the returnees, are founding members of PDP but defected due to one reason or the other but today, we are back home; there is no place like home, “ Gyang said.

Sokoto

Former Vice President and an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has donated N 8.5 million to the party in Sokoto State.
Abubakar made the donation during his visit to the state as part of a nationwide campaign to woo the delegates to the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries.
Abubakar said that N5 million was given to the party to facilitate its activities; N1 million for the party’s elders while N2.5 million was for the 50 delegates from the state.
“My aspiration is never a do-or-die affair, but to stabilise the affairs and alleviate the suffering of the people in the country.”
Abubakar also said that the party’s presidential aspirants had already reached an agreement that whoever emerged after the primary elections will be given total support from all other members of the party.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Government, says it spends N400 million
monthly to feed the 192 secondary school students in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the state’s School Feeding Board, Alhaji Atiku Maradun, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
Maradun said the state government gave priority to secondary schools’ feeding as part of its efforts to improve secondary education in the state.
He added that the secondary school feeding programme had reduced the difficulties faced by parents in sponsoring their children in boarding schools and consequently increased the enrolment of students into secondary schools across the 147 wards in the state.

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, wife of former Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Jakande and Chairman, Premier Lotto Ltd, Chief Keshington Adebutu, at the 2,600 days in office of Gov. Fashola, recently

Nation

Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

Published

4 days ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Nation

Senate Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

Published

4 days ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Worried over the latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has stated that the Legislature is exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

Nation

WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

Published

4 days ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.