Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

May 11, 2010

Adamawa

The Mubi North Local Education Authority (LEA) has distributed 630 economic tree seedlings for planting in primary schools in the area.

Presenting the seedlings to headmasters of primary schools in the area, Malam Danrimi Ahmed , the Secretary of Education in the local government, advised that mango seedlings should be planted within the premises of schools or in school gardens.

He tasked the headmasters to ensure that the trees were nurtured to maturity in view of their importance to humans and the environment.

“All things necessary must be done to nurture the trees to maturity for maximum benefit to humans and the environment,’’ Danrimi stressed.

Ekiti

The Ekiti State Sector Command of the FRSC says it arrested 728 cyclists in the state in the last four months, for offences ranging from overloading to non-compliance with the us e of safety helmets.

The Sector Command, Mr. Francis Udoma, made this known in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during an enlightenment campaign tagged, “Child Safety on the road always”, organised by the command chapter of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA).

The Tide’s source reports that members of ROSOWA, led by its chairperson, Mrs. Francisca Fanola, used the opportunity offered by the campaign to distribute stickers and flyers to both motorists and pedestrians.

Udoma explained that an average of 182 cyclists, were arrested monthly for various traffic offences.

FCT

The International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO) honoured the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on Friday by observing a moment of silence at its conference in Uganda.

The Nigeria’s Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director-General, Ms Arunma Oteh, who is attending the conference, said the capital market regulators were touched by the president’s demise.

“They were kind enough to give President Yar’Adua a moment of silence at the beginning of the event,’’ she said, in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source from Kampala.

Oteh said news of the president’s passing away was greeted with shock at the conference.

Yar’Adua passed away on May 5, after a protracted illness.

She said the late president would be remembered for his efforts in stabilising the capital market after the global financial shock.

The Nigerian capital market was shaken by the rippling effects of the global financial crisis in 2008, sending stock prices to crumble and revealing fault lines in the operations of the market.

The director-general said the reforms instituted to stabilise the market by the Yar’Adua administration was beginning to yield results.

Kano

Full commercial activities have now resumed in Kano, four days after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The ancient city noted for its burstling economic activity, witnessed a lull following the announcement of Yar’Adua’s death on Wednesday,as shops and other business outfits closed, to mourn the death of the departed leader.

The Tide’s source who went round the commercial town on Sunday, observed that trading activities were going on in full swing, with people trooping in and out of the city with vehicles loaded with various types of goods.

A visit to the Sabon Gari and Kantin Kwari markets showed that people were gradually getting over the shock of the president’s demise and continuing with their daily activities.

A trader, Malam Shehu Talata, told the source that he closed his shop for two days, to mourn the death of the president, “but now, I am back to business.”

Katsina

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan to enable him to move the country forward.

Abubakar made the call in a chart with newsmen shortly after attending the third day prayer for the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in Katsina.

He said the call had become necessary in view of the circumstances leading to his emergence as president of the country.

“I pray that Nigerians will give him the needed support to continue with all the good legacies the late President Umaru Yar’Adua left behind,” he said.

The former head of state, who described the death of President Yar’Adua as a great loss to the country, prayed God to reward him with “the best of Paradise’’.

Lagos

Independent candidacy recommended by the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee is not practicable in the 2011 elections, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has said.

Mr Emma Eneukwu, the ANPP National Publicity Secretary, told newsmen in Lagos that independent candidacy could be practicable only where there were two or three parties.

“Independent candidate is one of the things we advocated for, but where we differ a little is that where you have about 57 political parties, there is no need for an independent candidate,” he said.

The Tide’s source reports that the House of Representatives had earlier in the week approved the committee’s recommendation on independent candidacy.

The candidate, however, will have to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 90 days before the election date.

Niger

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo, says the reform in the Nigeria Police Force was expected to gulp N400 billion.

The former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Lame, had told newsmen that the three tiers of government had agreed to contribute N450 billion annually in the next five years to fund the Nigeria Police Force.

Onovo made the disclosure in Minna during the opening of the first policing executive forum, organised by CLEEN Foundation, an NGO.

He said it was heart-warming that all three tiers of government were working toward providing the needed funds.

“The good thing about this reform is that when fully implemented, it will give Nigeria a befitting police force.”

“It is my hope that the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission will work assiduously with the management team of the Nigeria Police Force to make these police reforms a reality,’’ he said.

Oyo

A former Judge at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Mr. Bola Ajibola, has said that injustice in Nigeria is among the causes of terrorist acts.

Abjibola said this in Ibadan recently in a lecture entitled, “Towards a Terror Free Society: The need for Mental Transformation”, delivered at the 2010 Dawah Week of the Muslim Students Society of Lead City University (LCU).

He said that the same factor bred international terrorism and urged the federal government to spread development evenly to give every part of the country a sense of belonging.

“Those who subject others to inhuman or degrading living conditions will most likely end up as recipients of such people’s uncivil tendencies”, he said.

Ajibola, whose paper was delivered by Mr. Saheed Aweda, said Nigerian youths had great roles to play, especially in mental transformation to change their perception of terrorism and their orientation toward nation building.

He said the government must work sincerely and assiduously to eradicate poverty and not just reducing the subject to a campaign slogun.

Sokoto

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, the Sultan of Sokoto, has described the late President Umaru Yar’Adua as a consummate and an affable personality imbued with humility, a high sense of dignity and poise.

This was contained in a condolence letter he sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Sokoto.

In the letter, the Sultan said: “His incisive vision, his selflessness and dedication, his exemplary leadership qualities and his unalloyed commitment to the promotion of the rule of law have all contributed immensely in moving this nation forward in the last few years.

“The late President Yar’Adua was, above all, a man of peace who worked tirelessly and assiduously in promoting peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding not only in the Niger Delta but also in all parts of the country.

“We write with a heavy heart and with sadness and sorrow to condole Your Excellency over the passing away of His Excellency President Umaru Yar’Adua”.

Nation

EFCC Holds Stakeholders Engagement Party With Media, CSOs

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state

The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.

Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.

According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.

“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.

Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”

The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”

He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.

“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”

The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.

“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”

He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.

“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.

Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.

He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.

Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.

Nation

RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.

He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.

“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,

He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.

Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).

He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.

Nation

MOSIEND Calls For RSG, NDDC, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Obolo Nation

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region

MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent

The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.

MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans

“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.

According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.

They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.

The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities

Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.

He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.

Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.

” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.

The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area

While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .

“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.

“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.

“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.

Chinedu Wosu