Nation

THE STATES

Published

7 years ago

February 10, 2017

Benue

The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, last Tuesday said that the House would consider an upward review or harmonisation of pensions in the state to reflect the present economic realities.
Ikyange made the promise when pensioners from the 23 local government areas in the state staged a peaceful protest within the premises of the assembly.
He said that such review was necessary so that the entitlements that pensioners in the state would be receiving would reflect the present economic realities.
The speaker on behalf of the state legislators sympathised with the pensioners over the delay in the payment of their entitlements.
He said that despite the dwindling revenue of the state, he would ensure that the government improved their conditions.

Borno
A non-governmental organisation, Empower 54, says it has begun distribution of fortified nutritional meals and drugs to 140,000 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in 19 camps in Maiduguri.
The Tide reports that Empower 54 is an international humanitarian organisation empowering underprivileged Africans, IDPs and refugees through education, health, and self-sufficiency programmes.
Founder of the organization,Mrs Modupe Ozeolua, told newsmen during the distribution of relief materials and drugs to IDPs at Muna garage in Maiduguri, that her organisation had transported foods and drugs worth $3 million to the IDPs.
“Since 2003, we have transformed lives of thousands of underprivileged Africans through our programmes called “Health reforms”
“We conduct free medical missions, distribute medical equipment to under-equiped hospitals and conduct medical seminars to encourage exchange of knowledge between visiting medical personnel and indigenous medical teams.

Kaduna
The Controller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede last Monday said the service was ready to deploy its personnel to Kaduna State International Airport for effective security checks after the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in March.
The controller general told The Tide in Kaduna State after a visit to the airport, that he was impressed with the work going on there.
“I am impressed with the job going on, the airport authority have shown us where immigration arrival and departure gates will be, and based on that we are going to intensify our preparations to arrive on time.”
Babandede, who also visited the Air Border Unit of the service also announced plans to resuscitate it after it was closed down for over 10 years.
“We have problem with it being abandoned for over 10 years, amd since I came on board nine months ago, I want to see the boarder patrol functional.
“The reason for the resuscitation is very simple in a country like Nigeria. Air boarder patrol done by immigration is the best under peace and stability.

Kogi
The Kogi State Government has employed 100 forest guards for effective policing of forests across the 21 local government areas of state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, disclosed this last Tuesday in Lokoja at the training programme organised for the newly recruited forest guards.
She said that the recruitment process had been concluded, while the 100 guards, who were engaged, had undergone different stages of training.
”We have invited qualified resource persons from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, and National Parks, Abuja, who have been engaging them since last week with regard to their duties as forest guards.

Kwara
The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, says traditional rulers will continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of his administration.
The Emir stated this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in company with six other ministers.
The Tide reports that the visit was on the side-lines of the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone held on Monday in Ilorin.
The monarch said: “Speaking on behalf of majority of traditional rulers of this county, we will offer help anytime and anywhere we are called upon.

Nasarawa
The Chairman of Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Malam Abdullahi Adeka, says the leadership of the union has not mortgaged the collective interests of the workers in the state.
Adeka said last Tuesday in Lafia that the leadership of the union had struggled to ensure government pay workers in full instead of the percentage payment proposed by government.
The workers in the state had accused the union leadership of not presenting their position to a committee set up after the July to August 2016 industrial action over system of salary payment.
Adeka explained that the resistance of the union to the salary cut led to the setting up of the tripartite committee after the strike.

Ogun
The Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Mrs Ibukun Awosika, has urged youths to contribute to national development by “ thinking outside of the box.’’
Awosika gave the advice in Abeokuta last Tuesday at the maiden edition of the Ogun State Youth Convention with theme: “Ogun Youths: Exploring New Frontiers.”
Awosika spoke on the topic: “Improving the Mindset and Ethical Values of Ogun Youths Toward Positive Development.” She encouraged the youths to take ownership of the challenges around them and find solutions to them for their sake and the good of the country at large.

Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly has rejected the 2017 budget proposal of N192 million by the State Property Development Corporation over non compliance with the appropriation law.
The budget was rejected last Tuesday in Osogbo when the management of the corporation appeared before members of the assembly to defend the fiscal proposal.
In his remarks, the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Kamil Oyedele, said the agency had not been working in line with its yearly budget.

Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday commenced Bio-metrics data capture and identification card project for tradesmen and artisans in the state.
Ajimobi made this known in a statement issued last Monday in Ibadan by the Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun.
Arulogun said that the state Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Taibat Adeyemi-Agba stated that the bio-metrics programme would hold at Trans Amusement park, Ibadan by 11.00am.
The statement quoted the commissioner as saying “biometrics and data capturing will avail the Oyo state government information that will serve as the database for providing commercial incentives and welfare packages for the various groups in the state’’.
”The state government will also use the data captured during the exercise for local content in awarding jobs and contracts in the state.’’

Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it will retrieve N76. 8 million from 101 workers that stayed in service beyond their terminal dates.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malam Muhammad Nazif, made the disclosure on Monday in Jos, at the ministry’s monthly press briefing.
“101 persons are to make a combined refund of N76. 8 million for staying in service beyond terminal dates.
“They were fished out after BVN matching service for state employees and pensioners was carried out.”
The commissioner said that a total of 579 persons, including the 101 that overstayed in service, were taken off the salary payroll, saving N68.6 million monthly for the state.
He gave the other reasons for taking some people off salary payroll to include improper documentation, underage and improper placement.

Taraba
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Yola, last Tuesday assured that sale of petrol by black marketers would soon disappear.
The Zonal Controller of DPR for Taraba State and Adamawa Mr Mohammed Alaku, told newsmen in Yola that scarcity of the product being experienced had been brought under control.
He said that the synergy between the department and the security agencies would soon yield positive result of curbing the activities of black marketers.
He also said that more petrol stations were dispensing the product and urged members of the public not to patronise black marketers.
”The fuel scarcity here is under control and the issue of black market will soon be over.

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”.