Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Chairman of Christian CAN, Adamawa branch, Prof. Daniel Babayi has urged government at all levels to establish and empower inter- Religious councils to effectively mobilise the people on religious tolerance.
Babayi told newsmen in Yola, that the councils, to be made up of respected Christian and Muslim leaders, could tackle the problem of intolerance among their followers, particularly in identified volatile areas.
He decried the lukewarm attitude of some state governments, which did not carry along religious groups in their mobilisation programmes for peace.
Bauchi
Unknown gunmen late last Friday attacked the Alkaleri branch of Unity Bank Plc and a police station and carted away a huge sum, sources said.
Our Correspondent learnt that the gunmen had earlier made an attempt to rob a bank in Bauchi metropolis but failed.
They later broke into the bank in Alkaleri and the police station, 60km away from Bauchi town, a witness told our correspondent, adding that the robbers first attacked the police station with explosives, which released a loud sound and thick smoke.
The witness said that the robbers subsequently launched an attack on the bank while public attention was focused on happenings at the station.
Borno
The Operation Restore Order Military Task Force in Borno State on Saturday warned residents of Maiduguri against allowing their premises to be used for attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants.
The warning was contained in a statement by the Spokesman of the Task Force, Col. Victor Ebhaleme in Maiduguri.
“The Task Force has observed with dismay the unacceptable behaviour of some residents in Maiduguri, who willingly allow their surroundings or frontage of their business places to be used for nefarious activities.
“Such residents are strongly advised to desist from such acts. The Task Force will henceforth take appropriate actions to protect the public from such actions.’’
FCT
Dr. Andrew Zamani, a clinical psychologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, has urged men to assist their expectant wives with domestic household tasks as such will reduce pregnancy complications due to stress.
Zamani told newsmen that severe stress in pregnancy and attitudes of uncaring husbands, had been shown to be contributory factors of high morbidity and mortality among women.
“Household demands and the lack of quality spousal support could also be stressful, severe stress is often associated with vulnerability to birth complications. Women who have had sustained emotional assaults or have been exposed during pregnancy to many stresses tend to have higher incidence rates of postpartium depression.
Kaduna
An Islamic cleric, Sheik Yusuf Sambo, has appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Religious Affairs Commission as a possible measure to curb incessant ethno-religious crisis bedeviling Nigeria.
He made the call during a quarterly meeting of religious leaders and traditional institutions of Zazzau Emirate in Kaduna State, held in Zaria last Friday.
Sambo, who is the Chairman, Committee of Ulamas, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’a Wa’iqamatis Sunna (JIBWIS), suggested that the commission should comprise representatives of the two major religions, Islam and Christianity.
The cleric observed that when such commission was inaugurated, it would go a long way in ensuring peace and unity among the followers of the two religions.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has advised tertiary institutions in the country to evolve programmes that would make their graduates self-employed and employable.
The governor made the call in IIorin when the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, led a delegation to the Government House.
The governor stressed the need for universities to fashion out an entrepreneurship programme that would encourage skills acquisition in various fields.
Ahmed commended the University for sustaining its good name through good ethics and enforced standards.
He decried the rate of unemployment in the country and advocated the establishment of technical institutes all over the country to reduce the unemployment.
Katsina
The Katsina State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has resolved to hand over nine journalists to the Police for allegedly selling a bus belonging to the union.
The Council Chairman, Abdullahi Izima, said this shortly after the executive council meeting of the Union in Katsina.
He said the decision followed the resolution of the executive council after all efforts to recover the vehicle in an amicable way failed.
Izima said the journalists, who had been suspended from the union, had confessed to a probe panel that they received the bus.
“They confessed before the committee that they received the vehicle donated to the council by the ControllerGeneral of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Ande, and sold it”, he said.
He said the union initially gave the affected journalists five weeks and three days to produce the vehicle.
Lagos
A 23-year-old house boy, Oliver Togbe, was docked at an Igbosere magistrates’ Court lagos, for allegedly stealing his master’s property.
The prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, put the value of the items, allegedly stolen from Mr. Thomas Awagu, at N376,000.
Nwosu told the court that the alleged offence was committed on June 20, 2011 at No. 11 Ojomu Road, Ikoyi.
He said that the accused had access to most rooms in Mr. Awagu’s house where he allegedly stole two passports, with Nos. A02477004, A1607752, some works of art and souvenirs, valued at N376,000.
Nwosu said that the alleged offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Mulikat Alli-Balogun granted him bail in the sum of N300,000, with two sureties in like sum.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has solicited the support and cooperation of International donor agencies to boost free health care services in the state.
He made the call in Abeokuta while receiving delegates from Procter and Gamble (P&G) and UNICEF during their fact-finding visit to the state.
The governor was represented by a member of the Transition Committee on Health, Dr. Ajibola Amosun.
Amosun said the presence of international partners in the state had contributed immensely to the well-being of the citizenry, particularly the less privileged.
He added that their focus on tetanus elimination would fast-track the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on reducing child and maternal mortality rate.
Ondo
The national Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ondo State has urged the State house of Assembly to collaborate with the directorate in fighting unemployment and poverty.
The NDE Coordinator in the state, Mr. Joseph Olayinka, made the call in Akure when he led a team of officials on a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Mr. Samuel Adesina.
The Coordinator said the support of the House would assist the directorate in the implementation of its employment generation programmes.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Government says it has trained about 130,000 youths in various trades under its skill acquisition programme.
Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, told our correspondent Friday in Sokoto that the government was committed to providing job opportunities to youths in the state.
He said that the beneficiaries were trained in the areas of knitting, welding, carpentry and soap making, among others.
Aliyu said they were issued with various tools for their skills, free of charge, to start their businesses.
Plateau
Chief Judge of Plateau Justice Lazarus Dakyen, has advised the state Assembly to always send laws passed by it for proof reading to check for errors.
Dakyen, who made the appeal last Friday when the Speaker, Mr. John Clark, paid him a visit, said the judiciary had the capacity to interpret such laws before they were made public.
He said as an important arm of government, a close working relationship was necessary for the optimal performance of all the branches of government.
Yobe
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has lauded the Yobe Government for engaging 20 consultants to improve health services in the state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Abubakar Ali, had announced the engagement of the consultants from University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital last week.
The consultants are specialists in gynaecology, general surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics and radiology.
Addressing a news conference in Damaturu, Dr. Musa Baba, the Chairman of Yobe chapter of the association, said “NMA congratulates the state government for the giant stride of reaching accord with 20 consultants from UMTH to offer specialist care to patients.”
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor