Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

July 19, 2010

Bauchi

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bauchi State trained more than 35,000 people in different trades and skills, its Coordinator, Alhaji Shuaibu Mohammed, has said.

Mohammed who disclosed this in Bauchi last Friday during a ceremony to disburse resettlement equipment to graduates of vocational skills on loan, urged the beneficiaries to ensure good use of the equipment and the timely repayment of the loan.

The coordinator explained that this would enable others, especially youth, who were either idle or just roaming the streets, to benefit.

In his speech, the NDE Director-General, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said the allowances of both trainer and trainees would be reviewed upwards as soon as funds were made available by the Federal Government.

Borno

Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, Shehu of Borno, said last Friday that awareness on compulsory insurance policy should be taken down to the local councils to enable people at the grassroots understand its importance.

Garbai stated this when the Board of Directors of the National Insurance Commission paid him a courtesy visit in Maiduguri.

“On the Issue that brought you to Maiduguri, my advice is that it requires wider publicity, the publicity should not be limited to Maiduguri alone or its environs. It has to go to various local governments and we have 27 local governments,’’ he said.

He added that a small committee should be formed to continue reminding the people on the need for the compulsory insurance policy, especially as it focused most on the third party.

FCT

The Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, says youths, who will be trained on empowerment programmes in the Niger-Delta, will enroll in nine skill acquisition centres in June, 2011.

The Press Secretary, Mr Fidelis Osammor, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

The ministry had collected 13,000 applications from the youths to be trained to acquire skills in oil and gas, maritime and agriculture sectors.

He said the building of the skill acquisition centres in nine states of the Niger Delta, was ongoing and would be completed in June, 2011 as agreed between the ministry and the contractors.

Gombe

Governor Mohammad Goje of Gombe State on Friday directed council chairmen in the state to commence the implementation of free health care services for pregnant women and children under five years.

Issuing the directive at Lalaipido Town in Shongom local government area of Gombe State at the official launching of the Maternal and New-born Child Health Week (MNCHW), Goje said the implementation was with ‘immediate effect’.

The governor said that the state government started implementing the free-health services programme some years ago and that there was need for the councils to do same at the grassroots level to complement the efforts.

The governor also directed that all necessary arrangements should be made for the inauguration of the state’s taskforce on immunisation, headed by the Emir of Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Muhammad.

Kaduna

The Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA) has executed 28 educational projects in Nigeria worth more than N560 million.

The Chairman of the organisation, Amb. Sa’idu Pindar, said this during the inauguration of a security fence and gate-house at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Samaru, Zaria.

Pindar said the projects were spread across 28 states of the federation, adding that JDA would cover the 36 states.

In his words, “we want to cover the remaining eight states in Nigeria so that the entire country will benefit from our projects. Each of these projects has a minimum and maximum budget of between N15 and N25 million. This indicates that each of the projects averagely costs N20 million.

Katsina

The Katsina State Education Fund spent over N66 million in training 10,000 secondary school students who failed WAEC/NECO examinations in the last 12 years in the state.

The Director-General of the fund, Alhaji Umaru Ali, told newsmen in Katsina that the training was to enable the students to qualify for university admission.

He explained that the fund is an NGO focusing in training secondary school students who have deficiencies in their examinations to get a minimum of five credits through either of its two special training programmes, namely; Continued Education and JAMB Clinic.

According to Ali, over N48 million have been spent on its continuing education programmes since inception in 1999 and that more than 5,000 students have so far benefited from such training while many of them have gained entry into universities. .

Kebbi

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office has executed 6,504 community development projects nationwide in the past three years.

The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on MDGs, Hajiya Saudatu Sani, made the disclosure on Friday, in Birnin Kebbi, at the inauguration of some MDGs projects. The 22 projects inaugurated by the Chairperson were facilitate by the MDGs Office and Alhaji Abdullahi Farouk, a House member representing Birnin kebbi, Bunza and Kalgo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Gov. Saidu Dakingari who spoke at the occasion urged other politicians to emulate the lawmaker in the provision of social services that would add value to the lives of the people.

He said he would support individuals and groups toward the actualisation of the MDGs programmes,”especially in the health, education and agriculture sectors”.

Lagos

John Utaka, a Nigerian International with Portsmouth in the English Premier League, has announced his intention to float a Foundation to empower indigent children and youths in the country.

Briefing journalists last Thursday in Lagos, the Portsmouth striker said that the decision for the ‘John Utaka Foundation’ was stimulated by the need to give something back to society.

”I believe that giving back to the society is very essential because I was in the system before I travelled abroad where I started playing my professional football.

Education is a human right and it should not be denied any child,” he said. Utaka said that the foundation would work in partnership with other organisations like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to empower the youth through providing them scholarships.

He said that while the foundation’s focus would be providing formal education, nevertheless, it would also be empowering the youths through work placements and vocational training.

Ogun

The Ijebu-Ode local government of Ogun State on Friday, inaugurated an environmental task force to enforce the relevant laws in the area.The task force, comprising 90 youths, is to ensure sustainable clean environment and check environmental pollution in the area. In his inaugural speech, the chairman of the council, Mr. Mufutau Oseni, said the task force was constituted due to the increase in environmental pollution.

Oseni also noted that the unwholesome activities of some residents had destroyed the beauty of the area.

He said that members of the task force had been specially trained to cover all the nooks and crannies of the local government, adding that the operation of the force had legal backing.

The chairman urged the task force to discharge their duty without fear or favour and warned the people to desist from flouting sanitation laws as sanctions awaited offenders, no matter their status in society.

Earlier, the leader of the task force, Mr.Bolaji Odunusi, promised that they would discharge their duties diligently.Odunusi urged the members to eschew violence, acts of rudeness or disobedience to the constituted authority.

He also appealed to the community leaders to enlighten their people on the need to maintain peace and cordiality whenever the task force visited their areas.

Sokoto

Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, says the command is working in conjunction with the Sultanate to check the menace of hooligans in the state.

Abubakar told newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday, that the command would continue to partner with the traditional institution towards the improvement of security and cordial relationship among the people.

He acknowledged the immense support of the sultanate in the efforts at checking nefarious activities and improving the sense of security among the populace.

Abubakar said that a comprehensive list of area boys had been submitted to the sultanate council to ensure their proper rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

Jigawa

The Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board (JSPWB), Alhaji Suleiman Usman, says the state government has approved the fares for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Usman told newsmen last Friday in Dutse, that the fares would be as announced by the National Hajj Commission.

He said that each intending pilgrim would pay 750 dollars (about N482, 679.33) for economy class; second class passengers would pay 1,000 dollars ( N516.766.83) while first class passengers would pay 1,500 dollars ( N591, 769.43).

Usman urged all intending pilgrims in the state to contact officials of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board in their respective local government areas and zones for necessary arrangement.

He said that the board had also made necessary arrangements for Islamic clerics who would give lectures on how pilgrims were expected to conduct their spiritual and moral obligations while in Saudi Arabia.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.