Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Nomadic Settlement in Adamawa, Dr. Louis Mandama has said that government is resolved to stem any crisis between farmers and nomads in the state.
He gave the assurance on Monday in Yola, on the heels of a threat allegedly made by some nomads, asking farmers in Song Local Government Area to ensure that they harvested their crops before December 15.
Mandama told newsmen that though the ministry had not received any official report on the threat letter, he was aware that the state House of Assembly had waded into the issue.
Mandama said that officials of the ministry were making efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen across the state.
Benue
Governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam has advised youths to embrace entrepreneurship, saying that white collar jobs are difficult to secure.
Suswam gave the advice in Makurdi while inaugurating the Royal Shopping Mall built by Mrs Helen Torkula, wife of the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Alfred Torkula.
He stressed the administration’s desire to continue to rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure to boost economic growth in the state.
According to him, the state government under his leadership, has provided an enabling environment for businesses to thrive by ensuring that lives and property are adequately protected.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has called on owners of undeveloped plots of land in the state to clear them immediately or risk losing such lands.
It noted that bushes on the undeveloped lands had become haven to criminals in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, in a statement said that government was not pleased with the many pockets of bushes that abound in the state capital particularly.
He noted that the bushes, apart from being used as hideouts by miscreants to carry out their nefarious activities, do not portray a good image for the state capital.
Afuye tasked owners of the undeveloped plots as well as other citizens in the state to imbibe the habit of clean and healthy living.
FCT
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie has blamed Nigerian universities for failing to advise students on the needs of the labour market.
Okojie made the statement in Abuja on Monday at the inaugural meeting of the National Labour Market Information Systems (NLMIS).
He said that the lack of regular advice to the Nigerian Universities System on graduate needs of the labour market had led to a mismatch, thereby, aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.
He said that the quality and focus of training offered by the universities were not in tune with the needs of the society and that the situation had led to a high rate of unemployment.
Gombe
There was low turnout of women in parts of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State at the on-going vaccination against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).
Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Kumo, headquarters of Akko Local Government on Tuesday reports that the women, who turned out for the exercise were few.
Akko Local Government Council, Primary Health Care Coordinator, Miss Lois Lakurbe, said women in Kumo East ward refused to come out based on the instructions given to them by their husbands.
She said that when she noticed the problem, she decided to deploy a team of vaccinators who went from house to house to immunise them.
“Initially, that was not the arrangement, the vaccinators were supposed to be stationed in all the health centres in the local government so that people will go and meet them.
Kano
A sickle cell anaemia patient, Hajiya Bilkisu Hassan, has appealed to the Kano State Government to establish special centres for the treatment of the disease.
She told newsmen in Kano on Tuesday that the provision of the facilities was necessary to provide drugs to the patients to enable them to effectively manage the disease.
Hassan said sickle cell patients needed serious counselling, support and assistance.
“We want Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso to emulate his Katsina State counterpart by establishing such centres to cater for sickle cell patients in the state.
“When established, such centres will only take care of sickle cell patients, because of the peculiar nature of the disease.”
Kebbi
The Birnin Kebbi Local Government chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to the state government to absorb the 1,000 unemployed NCE holders in the council.
The NUT Chairman, Mallam Sarki Zaki, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the graduates had been idle for two years.
He said that the employment of NCE holders into teaching jobs would reduce the dearth of teachers currently being experienced in the area.
Zaki described the condition of the unemployed graduates as pathetic, noting with regret that most of them were roaming the streets and exposed to anti-social activities.
Lagos
Head of Civil Engineering Department at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olubayo Olateju said the property industry in Nigeria did not record the anticipated improvement this year.
Olateju said in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos that the impact could be measured by the level of transactions and construction done during the year.
“Globally commercial real estate transactions and constructions, considered key indicators of economic activities, have started to show signs of recovery, but this have not fully been experienced in Nigeria,” he said.
Nasarawa
No fewer than 100 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Agwatashi, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa have defected to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
The defectors were received at the CPC’s office in Agwatashi,amid pomp and ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the duo of Samuel Agena and Baba Ado explained that their decision to join the party was informed by the leadership style of Gov. Tanko Al-makura.
Niger
An outbreak of diarrhoea has claimed two lives in Bangi headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Ibrahim Chindo, told newsmen in Minna on Tuesday that only two persons died as a result of the outbreak of the disease, contrary to claims that eight persons lost their lives.
He said the ministry had deployed its personnel and medical supplies to the town to contain the possible spread of the disease and treat the victims free of charge.
“I have directed that a query be issued to the affected health officials for not reporting the outbreak to the ministry on time.
“We have also advocated for the prompt report of any outbreak to the ministry, so that necessary investigations are carried out and medications supplied to the affected communities to contain the outbreak.”
Plateau
The Plateau Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) has announced the cancellation of the annual Jos Trade Fair due to the security challenges in the state.
“The security situation does not seem to be improving much, and we are compelled to cancel the trade fair,” Mr Yusuf Sarumi, PLACIMMA’s Vice-President, told newsmen in Jos.
He said the chamber had to take the decision because of constant threats to lives and property.
“With the spate of bombings everywhere, we don’t want to endanger the lives of the exhibitors, participants and organisers. We have shifted the activity to next year and hope that the security situation would have improved.”
Sarumi noted with regret, the disappointment stakeholders might suffer, saying the decision was “in the best
interest of all’’.
He, however, commended stakeholders that had participated in planning the event, and appealed to them to “understand and bear with us”.
Yobe
Director of the Yobe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (YOSACA), Hajiya Farida Mamudo says the agency is to recruit traditional birth attendants to complement the fight against the disease, ahead of the 2015 target.
Mamudo said in Damaturu in an interview with newsmen that the agency would train the attendants on safe practises in handling maternal and child health care, to prevent the spread of the disease.
“This is one of the key activities contained in our work plan for 2012, to boost safe maternal and child delivery across the state. “
She explained that the plan would also provide testing kits, anti-retro viral drugs and food supplements, to health centres in the state to combat the scourge, “for appreciable progress towards the 2015 target.
Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.
Worried over the latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has stated that the Legislature is exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.
“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.
“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.
“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.
“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”
The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.
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