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THE STATES

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Adamawa
The Igbo community in Adamawa State says agitations for Biafra Republic is unnecessary.
The leader of the community in the state Chief Godwin Onemaka, said this in an interview with newsmen in Yola last Thursday.
Onemaka urged the agitators to consider the consequences of plunging Nigeria into chaos by divisive activities, citing the devastating impact of the civil war.
“Biafra agitation has failed and there is no need to restart it; the agitators should consider the interests of the Igbo in other parts of the country.
“We, the Igbo in Adamawa, kick against the agitations for Biafra and we view it as unnecessary capable of plunging the nation into crisis.

Ekiti
Six middle-aged men were last Thursday brought before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged membership of a secret cult.
They were however, released on N1.2 million bail.
The accused are Adewale Akosile, 30; Jimoh Lukman, 25; Amusa Jamiu, 25; and Timothy Thomas,23.
Others are Sefun Akinola, 26 and Ojo Akinola 20.
Police Prosecutor, Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence at 10.00 a.m. in Omuo Ekiti.
According to him, the men paraded themselves openly as members of Ashanti secret society, a platform they used in terrorising the community.
The offence contravened Section 4(1) of the Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) Laws of Ekiti State 2006.

FCT
A Federal Capital Territary (FCT) Area Court in Karmo has sentenced a 36 year-old driver, Obum Nwokoro to six months in prison for concealing a crime.
Nwokoro of Dako village in Abuja was convicted after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.
The court however gave him an option of N20, 000-fine after he pleaded for leniency.
The judge, Abubakar Sadiq, who gave the judgment last Thursday, said the conviction would serve as a deterrent to others.
The prosecutor, Mr Dalhatu Zannah, had earlier told the court that on September 12, one Olusegun Olusola of Shippers Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, reported the incident at the Utako Police Station.

Kaduna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged the media to support ongoing efforts to contain alarming substance abuse in the North-West.
NAFDAC’s North West Coordinator, Mr Sabo Adamu made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Zonal Manager, Kaduna, Malam Maharazu Ahmed.
“We are concerned about the alarming rate of drug abuse in the zone and will require the support of the media to drastically reduce the menace.
“North-West zone has high rate of drug addiction that even housewives are not left out.
“Our youths are getting more and more into drugs everyday and we must stop it, as it portends great danger to the survival of our society,” he said.

Kano
Kano State Government, says it has uncovered a salary fraud amounting to N12.7 million in two parastatals in the state.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, office of the state Head of Service, Malam Mustapha Fagge, said the fraud was uncovered in the State Hospital Management Board and Senior Secondary Schools Management Board.
According to the statement, the discovery followed an investigation ordered by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya.
“As a result of the investigation, a case of alleged connivance involving some Computer Centre staff and two others on posting from the office of the Auditor-General was discovered”, he said.

Kebbi
Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has called on stakeholders in the education sector to come up with new solutions to address illiteracy in the country.
Bagudu made the call when he received the stakeholders, led by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his office last Thursday.
The stakeholders were in Kebbi State to commemorate the 2017 International Literacy Day.
The day is celebrated every September 8. In Nigeria, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formation Education said.

Kogi
Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah has advocated cordial working relationship between the Police and the Judiciary to ensure effective prosecution of the fight against crime in the state.
Ajanah who disclosed this when the new Commissioner of Police for Kogi State command, Mr Ali Janga, paid him a courtesy visit last Wednesday in Lokoja described the fight against crime as a herculean task.
He said that the fight required the cooperation of all stakeholders, adding that there was need for the police and Judiciary to collaborate in the fight against crime in the county.
“We have always had a robust relationship and have always cooperated with the police because we know that the fight against crime is a herculean task,” Ajanah said.

Kwara
Offa Local Government Catholic Relief Services (CRS) says it will distribute 64,000 long lasting insecticidal nets to residents of the community.
The CRS, Social Mobilisation Officer, Mrs Jemilat Yusuf told newsmen last Thursday in Ilorin that cards had been distributed to recipients.
Yusuf said that the exercise would commence on September 29, adding that all residents cooperate with the service to ensure a successful outing.
She said the residents should come out en masse for collection of the nets to eradicate malaria and other related diseases in the society.

Lagos
A 61-year-old man, Solomon Atuegbu who allegedly drove his vehicle recklessly and killed a 29-year-old pedestrian, John Odufele was last Thursday in Lagos granted a N500,000 bail.
Atuegbu who resides at Mile 2 area of Lagos State is facing a two-count charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
An Apapa Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling said Atuegbu should provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Nasarawa
FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello has urged judges and magistrates in the territory to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
He gave the charge during an assessment visit to the Medium Security Prison, Keffi Unit, Nasarawa State last Wednesday.
He said judges and magistrates must be diligent to preserve the integrity of the justice system, adding that it must be done to repose public confidence in the system.
He added that he was aware of 27 inmates who had been in prison custody without proper signing of their detention warrant, noting that there should be proper warrant for detention before anybody was detained.
Bello said he had been ordered by the Controller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Prison, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed to investigate the matter.

Niger
The Child Rights Protection Agency in Niger State last Thursday vowed to uncover  the killers of three children during an attack on Yakpa village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo, who visited families of the deceased at Gwada Hospital where one survivor was receiving  treatment, described the killing as “wicked and heartless”.
Our correspondent reports that unidentified gunmen attacked a Fulani community in Yakpa on September 15 and killed three children aged between three and five.
Kolo said that the agency would work with relevant security agencies and volunteers to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.
She directed the immediate transfer of the survivor to Minna General Hospital for proper medical care, pledging that the agency would settle the medical bill.

Plateau
The Plateau State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) last Thursday promised to support young people to run for various offices in the forthcoming local government polls in the state.
Chairman of the party in the state, Latep Dabang, said this at a three-day town hall meeting with political parties in Jos.
Our correspondent reports  that the forum is organised by the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Good Governance (PLASCER).
The meeting was supported by the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), Actionaid Nigeria, UKaid and BBC Media Action.
PLASCER is a coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs), among others.
The meeting had representatives from the PDP, APC, ADP, INEC, CBOs, NOA, among others.

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World Health Day: Rivers Govt Urges Regular Medical Check-Ups, Healthy Living

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The Rivers State Government has called on residents to prioritize regular medical check-ups as part of efforts to promote healthier living and prevent disease.
This message was contained in a statement issued by the Rivers State Ministry of Health in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2026 World Health Day.
The statement, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Prof. Justina Jumbo, urged citizens to rely on credible health information from institutions such as the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, as well as other verified media outlets.
Jumbo emphasized the importance of adopting scientifically proven health practices, including regular handwashing with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, the use of hand sanitizers where necessary, and proper respiratory hygiene such as covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
She further advised residents to ensure that children receive routine vaccinations, maintain a balanced diet, reduce the intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and consume safe, clean water.
The Permanent Secretary also encouraged regular physical activity, recommending at least 30 minutes of exercise most days, while discouraging prolonged periods of inactivity. She stressed the need for adherence to prescribed treatments, avoidance of tobacco use and harmful drugs, and moderation in alcohol consumption.
In addition, Jumbo highlighted the importance of sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria, maintaining proper sanitation and waste disposal, and managing stress through adequate rest, relaxation, and social support.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” she called on individuals, families, communities, and governments to collaborate and rely on scientific knowledge to improve overall health and well-being.
“Science has helped us achieve remarkable progress in healthcare—from vaccines that protect our children to medicines that treat diseases and public health practices that prevent outbreaks,” she said.
She, however, noted that the benefits of science can only be fully realized when people trust accurate information and make informed health decisions.
“Standing with science means listening to trained health professionals, following proven health guidelines, rejecting misinformation and harmful myths, and supporting vaccination, hygiene, and preventive care,” Jumbo added.
The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has recently employed trained health professionals into the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Hospital Management Board to strengthen healthcare delivery.
She urged residents to make health facilities their first point of call whenever they experience any health challenges and called for greater support for healthcare workers who continue to dedicate their lives to saving others.
By John Bibor
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Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim

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The Youth President of Rumuji Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Emeka S. Igwe, has condemned the recent protest to the Government House and Greenville NLNG Limited, allegedly instigated by one Anele Ogbu.
In a press statement signed by him and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Igwe dissociated the Rumuji community from the protest, describing it as counterproductive and not sanctioned by his office.
He also dismissed claims that the Rivers State Government is planning to empower over 100 youths in Odegu Kingdom and other communities in Emohua Local Government Area, stating that he has no knowledge of such an initiative.
Igwe warned Anele Ogbu to desist from actions capable of inciting unrest in the area, alleging that misleading information has been consistently circulated to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
He expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of misinformation, noting that if the purported government empowerment programme were genuine, it would have been officially communicated through appropriate government channels.
According to him, as the youth president of Rumuji, he would have been duly informed and mobilised youths from the community to participate in such a programme if it truly existed.
Igwe further questioned the credibility of the claims, arguing that an initiative of such magnitude targeting at least 100 youths per community across Emohua would not be disseminated informally by a single individual.
He reiterated that the protest did not emanate from his office and maintained that Anele Ogbu lacked the authority to mobilise youths on behalf of the Rumuji community.
The youth leader also alleged that an ongoing arson case involving Ogbu has contributed to tension and unrest in the community, further deepening divisions among residents.
He explained that the purpose of the statement was to clarify the situation, correct what he described as false narratives, and calm rising tensions in the area.
Igwe urged parents and guardians to caution their wards against being misled into participating in activities that could lead to unnecessary conflicts.
He also advised the general public to verify information from credible sources before acting on it, stressing the need for vigilance in the face of increasing misinformation.
“It is important for people to ask critical questions and avoid being drawn into actions that may have serious consequences,” he said.
The Rumuji youth president reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace and constructive engagement within the community.
John Bibor
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Haniel Jack Foundation Awards Five Rivers Indigenes Scholarship

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The Ibanibo Haniel Jack Foundation has awarded scholarships to five Rivers State indigenes in different tertiary institutions.

The scholarship programme was announced on Easter Sunday by Rev. Dr. Samuel Wachukwu, who is also the presiding pastor of Redeemer Baptist Church, at No. 44/46 Lumumba Street, Mile Two Diobu, in Port Harcourt.

Speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Barrister Karibi George, advised the recipients to justify the scholarship by ensuring that they put in their best and finish at the expected time.

George reminded them that opportunity comes but once and they should take advantage of the opportunity that comes their way judiciously.

“Those of you who are beneficiaries of this scholarship should also remember to help others and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“I advise you to justify the opportunity given to you and make the man who gave you the scholarship, yourself, and your family proud,” Barrister George said.

He explained that the scholarship spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels in various high institutions in Nigeria. He thanks Sir Jack for the gesture.

The scholarship is to promote education in our society, most especially for Rivers indigenes, and equally assist those who cannot immediately afford tuition fees.

It will interest you to know that
The scholarship was borne out of God’s blessings, and this is a way to give back to the society. Besides, two of the beneficiaries are direct employees of the chairman of the foundation, sir.
Ibanibo Haniel Jack, who is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of White House Hotel, in Port Harcourt.

Chief Prezi Diffa, while presenting the awards, commended Sir Ibanibo Haniel Jack, who has deemed it necessary to give back to society.

Chief Diffa equally advised the beneficiaries to take their academics seriously and count themselves lucky.

“The man who has given you this scholarship wants to better your lives, so please put in every effort to ensure you finish the school with flying colors,” Chief Diffa said.

The beneficiaries are Isoboye Haniel Douglas, Naomi Douglas, Charles Batubo, Ajé Sokari, and
Dakoru Owen Amachree.

 

Tonye Orabere

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