Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government and a firm, Mikapi Nigeria Ltd, have concluded arrangement to construct an international amusement park worth about N800 million to attract tourists to the state and boost its revenue base.
The General Manager of the Bauchi State Tourism Development Board, Alhaji Muazu Adamu, announced the plan in Bauchi.
He said the park would be constructed through a public-private partnership, with the state government providing land and paying compensation for the land while the firm would provide the funds.
Adamu said the government had already secured 16 hectares on the Bauchi-Gombe road in the metropolis and added that payment of compensation would soon begin at the site.
FCT
Take care of your back before it becomes problematic, an orthopaedic surgeon has advised.
Dr Kingsley Ekwe of the National Hospital, Abuja, says excessive back pain is caused by wear and tear on the vertebrae and cartilage of the spine, and many factors are associated with back problems, the commonest being spondylosis.
“Spondylosis is a disease that has many contributing factors including aging, genetics and activity,” he said.
Ekwe explained that when people sleep, sit and carry heavy objects improperly, they inevitably put stress on their back and this causes wear and tear.
According to Ekwe, many Nigerians do not think about their back until it starts developing problems.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has began the screening of cabinet nominees sent to it for confirmation by Gov. Patrick Yakowa.
Yakowa submitted 24 names for confirmation as members of the State Executive Council.
The nominees included three members of the immediate past state legislature, Messrs Jonathan Kish, Nazifi Mohammed and Suleiman Ibrahim.
The list also contained some returnee commissioners, including Alhaji Sa’idu Adamu, Hajiya Halima Labo, Dr Ramalan Ibrahim, Mrs Maria Dogo, Malam Magaji Sadiq, Mr Zakariya Shamaki, Alhaji Sani Mohammed, Mr Felix Gimba, Mr Sunday Katung, Malam Abubakar Haruna and Dr Mohammed Usman.
Katsina
The Kafur Local Government Council of Katsina State has challenged youths in the area, to actively participate in environmental sanitation as their contribution toward the promotion of public health.
Alhaji Abdullahi Sa’idu, the Acting Chairman, made the call during the cleaning of Kafur Abattoir to mark the end of the 30-day environmental sanitation embarked upon by the council.
He commended Gov Ibrahim Shema for the supply of three waste disposal vehicles used in the programme, and hailed the workers for their cooperation toward the success of the exercise.
Kwara
A 25-year-old man, Aliyu Musa, suspected to be a professional bag snatcher, has been remanded in prison by an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court for alleged theft.
The accused was arraigned before Magistrate Sarafa Hanafi on a one-count charge of theft contrary to the Penal Code Law.
Abdulkadir Jimoh, the police prosecutor, told the court that the accused was allegedly a ‘professional bag snatcher’ within Ilorin metropolis with prior records.
The magistrate ordered the remand of the accused in prison, while the case was adjourned till today for hearing.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State House of Assembly has resolved to amend, update and compile its standing rules in a book form.
The motion was moved by the Chairman of the Assembly Standing Rules Committee, who is also the Deputy Speaker, Garba Mohammed, representing Bena Constituency.
Kogi
The Bishop of Lokoja Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Emmanuel Egbunu, has urged leaders to initiate policies and programmes that would tackle poverty in Nigeria.
Egbunu made the call on Wednesday at Adimu in Bassa Local Government Area at the inauguration of “Diche Foundation” and first anniversary memorial service for the late Mama Lami Diche, the Mother of former chairman of the council, Mr Tim Diche.
He said that Nigeria would develop, only if leaders allocated the commonwealth of the nation with the fear of God to tackle poverty.
He expressed regret that many families lacked food to eat and shelter in spite of the availability of resources.
Lagos
A 22-year-old man, who allegedly assaulted a police corporal, has been charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.
Segun Oladotun, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution alleged that the accused had on June 24 conspired with another man now at large to assault Cpl. Stanley Aideloje.
Cpl. John Iberedem told the court that the accused allegedly used stones and broken bottles to attack the officer who was performing his official duty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr E. O. Ogundare admitted the accused to a bail of N40,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till August 5 for further hearing.
Ogun
A medical practitioner, Dr Isiaq Sotannde has advised patients going for surgery to be emotionally and psychologically prepared and put their trust in God.
Sotannde, a surgeon with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, gave the advice in Abeokuta.
He said that going through surgery was a thing of the mind, and patients must be fully prepared for any eventuality.
According to him, getting emotionally and psychologically prepared will help check issues like high blood pressure which may compel the postponement of the already slated surgery.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has formally reported the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) of labour unions in the state to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
This follows an indefinite industrial action embarked upon by the workers in the state public service on July 11, and which the government described as an‘illegal indefinite strike.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Ranti Akerele, in a statement in Akure, said the Head of Service, Mr Ajose Kudehinbu, had in a letter dated July 13, reported the union to the Federal Ministry of Labour.
According to him, labour has failed to follow the due process after reaching an agreement with the government on the payment of the N18,000 National Minimum Wage.
Osun
An Osogbo High Court has dissolved a four-year-old marriage between one Emmanuel Ayoola and his wife, Celestina Ayoola.
The petitioner, Ayoola, had filed a divorce suit against his wife on grounds that she was quarrelsome and never satisfied with whatever he did for her.
The petitioner’s counsel, Mr Soji Oyetayo, told the court that the respondent initially filed similar petition against her husband, which was later withdrawn and the matter settled amicably.
According to Oyetayo, the respondent refused to move back to her matrimonial home after the matter was settled.
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