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THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Civil Service Commission said last Friday that it was developing a database to have information on every civil servant in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Jerry Agada made the disclosure while speaking in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Agada said the database would enable the government to know the exact number of civil servants employed in the state and those due for retirement.
He said the measures were aimed at repositioning the service for higher service delivery.
Borno
The Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested three herbal medicine vendors who disguised as employers to defraud unemployed youths.
The Commandant of the corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Abdullahi said the suspects were arrested on February 14 at Kofar Shehu area, Maiduguri.
He said that the culprits posed as employers of labour and tried to dupe unemployed youths by taking money from them and promising to give them jobs.
“Their nefarious activities were reported by two of the victims (names withheld) who said that they had collected about N5,000 each from them for a job.
FCT
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assented to Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act, 2017, and six other bills passed by the National Assembly.
This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang.
Enang listed other bills assented to by the Acting President as: Oaths(Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment)Act, 2017, and National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act, 2017.
Others are- Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017, and Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act, 2016.
Jigawa
The Chairman of Jigawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Sanusi Madobi, last Sunday vowed to check the activities of ‘quacks’ parading themselves as journalists in the state.
Madobi told newsmen in Dutse that the council would not fold its arms and allow people that did not belong to the profession smear the image of genuine journalists.
“As professional and industrial union coordinating the affairs of journalists in the state, we will not allow any body to engage in any act that could dent the image of our profession’’
He therefore advised those that were not having the requisite qualification to practice the profession, to leave the state or risk being handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Kaduna
Col. Kingsley has been appointed as the new Deputy Director 1 Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Army 1 Mechanized Division, Kaduna.
A statement by Col Shuaibu Nuhu in Kaduna last Friday said the new Deputy Director Public Relation, took over from Col. Usman Abdul, who retired from service after 35 years.
Umoh is a product of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 40, and has a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication of the Pan-African University Lagos.
He is a recipient of Meritorious Service Star and fellow of the National Defence College.
Katsina
The General Manager of Katsina State Radio, Alhaji Sani Kabowo, last Saturday commended physically-challenged persons engaged in business and commercial activities in the state.
Kabomo gave the commendation while receiving members of the Physically Handicapped Association of Nigeria (PHAN), Katsina State chapter, who visited him in Katsina.
“The physically-challenged people in Katsina State deserve commendation for embracing business activities to make ends meet.
“The fact that the physically-challenged have embraced trading, commercial and business activities will surely prevent them from vagaries of begging and over-dependence on relatives and parents.
Kogi
A socio-cultural group, Kogi Integrity Group has urged police to investigate the activities of some politicians as part of efforts to scale down criminal activities in Kogi State.
Addressing a news conference in Lokoja last Sunday, the group said that some politicians did not identify, had been aggravating the security situation of the state through their actions and utterances , saying that they should be investigated.
“ Those who celebrate insecurity can as well sponsor insecurity. Security agencies should place certain politicians on the spot for scrutiny , “ the leader of the group, Mr Dare Michael said during the news conference.
He said that the politicians were not comfortable with the success of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello , especially the huge favourable response to his industrial friendly policies, hence their decision to create a state of insecurity.
Kwara
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Olushola Amore has shut down a training camp of Peace Corps of Nigeria in Offa Local Government Area of the state, describing it as illegal.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the development to newsmen last Friday in Ilorin.
He said the commissioner viewed the camp as illegal, hence the shut down.
The Tide reports that the National Assembly had in November 2016 passed the bill establishing the Peace Corps of Nigeria and it is currently awaiting presidential assent.
Lagos
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has recorded five deaths from 50 different disasters in the last three days within Ogun and Lagos states.
The spokesman of the agency Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that the incidents happened from Friday to Sunday in the two states.
Farinloye said, “Emergency agencies in Ogun and Lagos states have attended to about 50 different disasters from Friday till now.
“There was a reported case of fire outbreak at Rida National Plastic Company, Oshodi, Lagos on Sunday; a car explosion in Abeokuta, and wild bush fire at Ipokia in Ogun respectively.’’
Nasarawa
Head of Faith Hill Prophetic Assembly, Abuja, Bishop Emmanuel Musa-Jatau, has promised to pay WAEC and NECO registration fees for prison inmates in Nasarawa State.
Musa-Jata, who made the promise lastFriday when he visited Lafia prison in commemoration of his 54th birthday,explained that the gesture was targeted at inmates interested in pursuing their education.
The cleric, therefore, requested the prison management to compile the names of inmates in the state and forward them to him, in good time, for further action.
“We need the names of even those who have secured admission or are seeking admission into the National Open University of Nigeria,” he said.
Niger
Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two men-Mohammed Abubakar,22, (a.k.a A3) and Adamu Umar, 25, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Niger State.
The suspects are commercial vehicle drivers at Kasuwan Gwari Motor Park, in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger.
The Director-General, Child Right Protection Agency, Mrs Mariam Kolo, told newsmen last Saturday in Minna, that the suspects were arrested by the NSCDC officials.
He said that they were brought to the agency when it was discovered that the girl was carrying a four-month pregnancy.
Kolo said that the victim’s grandmother reported the case to the security outfit, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
Plateau
Very few motorists in Plateau State have installed the “speed limit” device in their vehicles, three weeks after the deadline, according to Mr Crawford Otti, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector commander, Mr Crawford Otti.
The Tide source, reports that FRSC had given motorists, especially commercial vehicles and fleet operators up to February 1, to comply with the directive.
Otti said in Jos on Sunday, that his command was facing “a stiff resistance” from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“Most motorists have complained of the exorbitant price of the device; they say that it is not affordable.”
Taraba
The Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier last Saturday urged Governor Darius Ishaku to expedite action on the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
The Chairman of the group, Mr Dooior Torkula, made the appeal in a statement issued in Jalingo.
Torkula said that the quick return of the IDPs to their homes would enable them to participate in the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state scheduled for February. 25.
“We call on Gov. Ishaku to provide adequate security to enable the IDPs in various camps across the state to return to their homes.
“Most of these IDPs are farmers and you know, the earlier they return home, the better, as it will enhance food security in the state,” the chairman said.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has urged residents in the state to be safety conscious while dealing with fire during the harmattan period to avert fire disasters.
The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Malam Sanusi Kwatarkwashi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gusau on Sunday.
“We need to be safety conscious and avoid anything that can result in fire outbreaks.
“Also, we should be careful about how to handle candles, matches, electric and gas stoves in daily activities of our various houses.
Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.
As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.
John Bibor
As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.
The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.
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