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Adamawa
The Save Lives Foundation, an NGO, yesterday, said it was targeting one million vulnerable women and children for free medical assistance in Adamawa State.
The Programme Officer of the NGO in Adamawa State, Miss Tanso Maken, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Maken said that the NGO planned to carry out its medical outreach in the 21 local government areas of the state, noting that the outreach had already commenced in Ganye local government and that the turnout was encouraging.
She said the medical assistance which targeted mostly indigent women and children, would give priority to the insurgency-affected local councils in the state.
The programme officer said the returned Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the affected areas were in dire need of medical care, stressing that “our NGO’s objective is to affect mostly the vulnerable people.”
She urged the Adamawa Government to collaborate with the NGO to achieve the task of giving medical assistance to indigent communities.
She added that “Save Lives Foundation is immensely concerned about the health conditions of indigent communities.

Benue
Eight persons were feared dead following an attack by suspected herdsmen, on two villages in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, a police statement said.
The Spokesman of the Police Command in Benue State, ASP Moses Yamu, confirmed the attacks in a statement recently in Makurdi.
Yamu said the attacks on Akaa and Tse-Orlalu villages in Mbamar, Ugondo communities, were perpetrated by suspected herdsmen late last Sunday.
He said that the police were yet to establish the motive for the attack and that adequate personnel had been drafted to the villages to restore normalcy.
He said the attackers invaded the villages, killed eight people and injured many others.

FCT
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it has registered 321 visually impaired candidates for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Head, JAMB Information and Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made this known in an interview with newsmen    in Bwari  yesterday.
Benjamin said that the figure was higher than the 201 candidates registered for the examination in 2016.
He said that adequate arrangement has been made for the visually impaired candidates to participate fully in the forthcoming UTME.
According to him, the board used to  conduct the Computer Based Test (CBT) using Braille Apex Machine, but most of them complained about its usage.

Kwara
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered residents of Alagbado Community in Ilorin to vacate the land allegedly encroached upon by the people.
NAF Coordinator, 303 Medium Airlift Group (MAG), Mr Adeniyi Mathew, told newsmen in Ilorin yesterday that the land was allocated to the Air Force in 1987.
Adeniyi, who presented the land chart to newsmen, said that 20 acres out of a total of 220 acres of the land belonging to NAF was encroached upon by the community.
He said that he was part of the delegation that visited Alagbado in 2010 to inform the community that the land belonged to NAF.
“Take it or leave it, the land belongs to the NAF; it has been so as far back as 1987 as you can see in the chart.
“They started encroaching on the land since 2008 and in 2010, I was part of the NAF team that went to the community to inform them of the encroachment,” he said.

Kogi
Kogi State acting Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Kehinde Lawal, recently, advised the state’s striking medical doctors against placing monetary gains over service to humanity.
“Your calling is to save lives; monetary gains should be secondary,” Lawal said at a meeting with the health workers’ union and the management of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, in Lokoja.
She said that government had an excellent package for health workers in the state, but stressed the need to place effective service delivery above other considerations.
Lawal urged the union leaders to always channel their requests through her office for prompt action, “instead of embarking on strike”.
She appealed to the doctors to go back to work, promising that government would clear the backlog of salaries owed them “very soon”.

Lagos
A 25-year-old fashion designer, Jamiu Ayoade, has been shot dead by a trigger-happy police officer in Lagos, according to dependable sources.
The sources told newsmen that the police officer, who is believed to be a senior officer at  Ijeshatedo Divisional Police Headquarters (name withheld) allegedly shot and killed Ayoade last Sunday evening in the area.
The incident which occurred at about 7.30 p.m. at No. 49, Wosilat Daudu Street, Ijeshatedo, also left two persons injured.
The deceased, Ayoade had gone to the area to attend a friend’s birthday party when he met his untimely death, one of the sources said.
It was learnt that the officer and his men had stormed the venue of the birthday party in two patrol vans at about 6. 30 p.m. and left after observing what the youths were doing.

Niger
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger  State chapter, has described the release of the 82 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Chibok, Borno in 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents as fulfilled campaign promise by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. Mattew Echioda, said this in an interview with newsmen in Minna yesterday.
Echioda said the release of the girls would give hope to parents of the remaining girls who were still in captivity that their daughters would also be freed soon.
He also described the release of the girls as “gallant” and outstanding achievement by the Federal Government that should be commended by Nigerians.

Ogun
Personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja,  recently,   killed a suspected smuggler at Sango-Ota in  Ogun State.
Confirming the incident newsmen on telephone, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Bimbola Oyeyemi, said  the suspected smuggler was killed during a gun duel.
Oyeyemi said that officers of the NCS had  intercepted some smugglers at the toll gate in Ota.
They, however, resisted arrest and opened fire and in the exchange,  the yet to be identified man was killed.
“There was a gun fire between the officials of the NCS and the smugglers at the toll-gate, Ota, Ogun State, that brought about the death of one of the smugglers,” he said.
The spokesman said that the police had, however, restored peace in the area and prevented  loss of innocent lives.

Ondo
An Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State yesterday admitted a 35 year-old commercial motorcyclist to bail in the sum of N50, 000 over alleged dangerous driving.
The accused, Solomon Ikudairo, of no fixed address, is facing a three-count charge of dangerous driving, driving without a driver’s licence and driving an unregistered motorcycle on a public highway.
The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, who admitted the accused to bail, however, ordered him to produce one surety in like sum.

Osun
A  Modakeke Magistrate’s Court in Osun State  yesterday   remanded three accused persons, Timileyin Muyiwa, 25; Sunday Oluwole, 19 and Ayomikusibe Olunlade, 19- in prison custody over alleged armed robbery.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ona Glory, told the court that the accused committed the offence on February  22, 2016 around 12:30 a.m. at Irebami Area of  Modakeke in  Ife East Area Council   of  Osun.
Glory said that the accused conspired with others now at large to commit  the offence.
The prosecutor  said  that the three accused persons, while armed   with dangerous weapons such as  gun and  machetes,  robbed  one Bosede Ayoola of her properties.

Plateau
The Duk Community in Pankshin  local government  Area of  Plateau State has closed-up the well where four youths drowned on April 19.
The community also banned visiting irrigation farmers from the village.
According to its leader, Andrew Damulak, banning the visiting farmers will save the community from “more mysterious deaths”.
Recall that the youths – Tonzum Ngwalamba, Nentawe Leptak, Sati Tongleb and Ngompang Ngoshim – aged 18-25, drowned in the said well while trying to push the nozzle of a water pumping machine into it.
The first victim had tried to push the nozzle when he fell into the well.
The second victim jumped into the well to rescue the first, but did not come out; such rescue effort continued until the well swallowed four of the youths within a very short time.

Zamfara
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would be part of dignitaries slated  to commission multi-billion naira projects executed by Zamfara State Government to mark  Governor Abdul’aziz Yari’s six years in office.
The Chairman, Anniversary  Committee,  Alhaji Lawal Liman, made the disclosure  in Gusau yesterday while inspecting Danturai Government Day Secondary School, one of the projects to be inaugurated.
Liman, who is the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said 34 different projects executed by the state government would be inaugurated.
“Some of the important personalities will comprise state governors, ministers, royal fathers and leaders of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
According to him, the projects to be inaugurated include, roads, schools, hospitals, rural water supply and electrification among others.
Liman said the Army Command Secondary Schools established in the state and constructed by the state government, would also be inaugurated.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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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.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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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

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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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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