Benue

Nigeria should exceed its current level of 230,000 tonnes

of sesame seed production yearly to enhance foreign exchange earnings, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said.

Ortom stated this in Makurdi last Saturday at the launch of “Increasing Sesame Seed Production for Export”.

The event was organised by the Nigerian Export Production Council (NEPC).

“This programme I believe would elevate Nigeria’s production figure from 230,000 metric tonnes per annum and also increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

“Besides, the programme will equally create employment opportunities for our people and raise income of farmers, producers and marketers,’’ he said.

Borno

A policeman was killed on the spot and others wounded, when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a residence last Friday in Bolori, Maiduguri.

An eye witness told newsmen in Maiduguri last Saturday that the attack took place around 5 p.m.

The victims – three policemen and a civilian were said to be watching a television programme when the gunmen broke into the sitting room and shot them.

“Unfortunately one of the policemen died instantly while the rest were rushed to the hospital for treatment,’’ Mr Joseph Sale, a neighbour said.

Mr. Simeon Midenda the Borno State Police Commissioner confirmed the story and added that the killers escaped after the attack.

Jos

Kerosene scarcity still persists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, weeks after the Federal Government’s promise to make the product available to consumers at the approved pump price of N50 per litre.

An investigation by our correspondent revealed that most filling stations were still without the product, a situation that made consumers to be at the mercy of the “black marketeers.”

The surface tank sellers of the product were now selling a litre of the product at between N130 and N150.

The few filling stations with the product preferred to sell to the “black marketeers,” who paid more than the normal pump price.

At the NNPC Mega Station, Jos, several people were seen waiting on long queues, only to be told later that the product was unavailable.

Kano

Beneficiaries of the Ramadan Free Feeding Programme in Kano have implored wealthy individuals to sustain the programme.

Malam Habu Sa’idu, a beneficiary at the ‘Yan lemo area in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, told newsmen that only a sizeable number of destitute persons could benefit from the programme.

He lauded the manner in which food items were distributed to the needy but appealed to wealthy individuals to complement government’s efforts.

Idris Bala, a teenager who said he depended solely on the free feeding to break his fast, noted that if the government withdrew the programme, people like him would starve.

Bala stressed the need for wealthy persons to share their wealth during the Ramadan period as their reward would come from God.

Katsina

A retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir, has urged Nigerians to stop the habit of abusing their leaders but rather pray for them for the good of the country.

Nasir, the Galadima Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, made the appeal last Saturday in Katsina, at the launching of a book entitled:  “Promises Fulfilled”, an Account of Gov. Ibrahim Shema’s 1st Term in Office.

He said that offering prayers for their leaders rather than cursing or abusing them would engender positive divine assistance for the leaders from God by touching them to do good always.

According to him, cursing the leaders by the led would only spell doom for the country, hence the need for Nigerians to desist from such acts.

The legal luminary also called for continued prayers for peace, unity and progress in the country.

Kebbi

The PDP in Kebbi has alleged that the State, National and State Assembly Election Tribunal has compromised in the adjudication of petitions against the party.

The allegation was contained in an 11-page petition signed by the Chairman of the party and addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal. The petition was made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

Reports says that the tribunal has passed judgement against the PDP in favour of the CPC in the Kebbi Central Senatorial seat and the Koko/Besse Constituency petitions.

The PDP has subsequently, protested the development.

The petition signed by the PDP Chairman, expressed total lack of confidence in the ability of the tribunal members to adjudicate on the petitions.

Lagos

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has told accountants to tackle the endemic corruption in Nigeria.

Falana made the call at the investiture of the 10th President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Lagos last Saturday.

According to him, accountants should show concern on the sale of public enterprises at give-away prices.

“As at now, 122 enterprises were sold in our country at $100 billion, the same amount the government used to establish the companies.

He said that Nigerians should demonstrate more than passing interests as to how sales of such public enterprises were done.

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State last Saturday directed the management of the Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, to discontinue its Pre-National Diploma courses in 2013.

He said that since the courses were not recognised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) the certificates would lead to certificate confusion.

Aliyu gave the directive during an interactive session with staff and students of the institution at the main campus in Zungeru.

“Pre-ND courses will be phased out in the next two years, that is in 2013 and there will be no more admission into Pre- ND,” he said.

Ondo

The Jagboju of Irele Kingdom in Ondo, High Chief Adeolu Aroloye, has called for an improved standard of living for teachers nationwide.

Aroloye told newsmen at Irele, Ondo State, that improving teachers’ standard of living would help in national development.

He said that “in spite of the enormous and frivolous allocations enjoyed by politicians, government has failed to realise that teachers also deserve a part of the national cake.”

Aroloye added that teachers at the local government level should be seen as equal to teachers at the Federal Government level.

“Teachers in primary schools with the required qualification should be allowed to enjoy what their counterparts in secondary schools with same qualification enjoy, as they are both seen as professional teachers,” he said.

Osogbo

Intra-city taxi and minibus drivers in Osogbo are now lamenting low patronage, due to the ongoing strike by workers in the state.

A cross-section of the drivers who spoke with our correspondent in Osogbo last Friday, expressed their concern over the two-week old strike.

The United chairman, Oke-Fia Minibus Association, Mr. Kamil Adewale, said the strike had drastically reduced the number of commuters patronising them, describing Osogbo, the state capital, as a civil-servants town.

“Since Monday, August 8, when the strike became effective, majority of the workers have traveled, even those who have permanent abode in Osogbo stay indoors.

“No driver can boast of daily delivery of N1,000 now unlike the past when you can make up to N2,500,” he said.

Taraba

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has advocated for a shift from cassava policy to a law that would compel the usage of 40 per cent cassava content and 60 per cent wheat flour in confectioneries.

Adesina said this in Jalingo while inspecting the Taraba State-owned Cassava Processing Plant in company of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bert Ronhaar and Mr. Scott Wallace, the Country Representative of the International Centre for Soil fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC).

He decried the current situation whereby Nigeria imports N635 billion worth of wheat annually whereas it is the world’s largest cassava producer with about 45 million tonnes annually.

He stressed the need to give adequate attention to cassava production, noting that the produce is in high demand globally, as it is used in the manufacture of glucose, ethanol, starch and animal feeds, among others.

The minister commended the Taraba Government for establishing the plant and urged it to encourage the use of more mobile cassava processing plants, capable of moving into the rural areas.

Yola

The Adamawa government says it has earmarked N50 million for free medical care to accident victims, pregnant women and children across the state.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr Lawan Hamid, made this known last Saturday in an interview with newsmen, in Yola.

Lawal said that the amount was an improvement on the N20 million monthly allocations for the programme in the past three years.

He explained that the increment from N20 to N50 million followed the successful implementation of the programme and high demands by people.

“The fund is monthly allocation for free health care programme. It has been increased from N20 million to N50 million following a successful implementation and need for expansion to cover all parts of the state.