Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa Government has offered a reward of N25 million to anybody with information that can lead to the arrest of gunmen who killed 26 people in Mubi and Yola.
Gov. Murtala Nyako announced the reward Saturday in Yola in a broadcast to the state.
The yet-to-be identified gunmen killed the 26 people in three separate incidents Thursday and Friday in Mubi and Yola towns respectively.
On Thursday, the gunmen killed three people in Mubi at a beer parlour, while a group was planning their burial the next day, the gunmen showed up again and killed 11 others.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 130 suspects in 2011.
The disclosure was made on Friday by the Sector Commander, Mr Sule Momodu.
He said that out of the 130 suspects, 93 were charged to court while 37 suspects who were arrested at various smoking hideouts were convicted.
Momodu said the agency also seized a total of 834,310 kilograms of cannabis during the period under review.
FCT
The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Erkki Tuomoija, says that his country and most of Europe have confidence in Nigeria’s economy and political system.
Tuomoija said when he met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.
“Your economy is doing very well, and many countries in Europe envy your growth figures.
“We have confidence in your democracy and in your ability to deal with the terrorism and other challenges confronting you,’’ he said.
Gombe
Christian and Islamic clerics in Gombe State have appealed for calm in the wake of Thursday’s attack on worshippers at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nasarawo-Gombe.
Eight people were killed in the attack in which 17 people were also injured.
The clerics made their respective appeals shortly after they had an emergency meeting with Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo on the development in the state on Friday.
Rev. Abare Kalla, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe State, said Christians should heed Christ’s injunction that vengeance was God’s.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Police Command promoted 1,151 of its officers and men last year.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP. Abdu Jinjiri, made the disclosure in Dutse on Thursday in an interview with our correspondent.
Giving a breakdown, the Police spokesman stated that 576 constables were promoted to the rank of corporal within the period.
He said that 250 corporals were promoted to the rank of sergeant while 252 sergeants were also promoted to the rank of inspector.
Kebbi
Dole Faransi, a border town between Niger Republic and Dandi Local Government Area in Kebbi has been connected to the national grid at the cost of N16.5 million.
A statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Mu’azu, the Press Secretary to the Governor in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday stated that the provision of the electricity was aimed at boosting social and economic activities in the area.
The statement recalled that the Dole Kaina and Dole Faransi Communities from Niger Republic had visited Gov.Saidu Dakingari in the quest to sustain the peace and unity between them and their neighbours.
Lagos
Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) President, Alex Eyengho, has said the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government would lead to a reduction in the patronage of the arts sub-sector.
Eyengho, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the removal of the subsidy.
“It will cause more sufferings for the movie sector. The removal will make us to suffer more and it means we would close shop in the arts sector,” he said.
The president also urged the Federal Government to introduce measures that would help to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal in the arts sub-sector.
Niger
The Niger State government has began the disbursement of the N150 million worth of relief materials and cash to victims of the Christmas day bomb blast at St Theresa Catholic Church Madalla in Suleja Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the cheques to the 25 verified relations of the 42 victims who died in the carnage, the Chairman of Niger Assessment Committee on Madalla Bomb Blast, Alhaji Garba Tagwai said the exercise “is a token relief to the relations.”
He said the committee had verified the actual relations of the 25 victims in conjunction with the Catholic Church.
Tagwai said the exercise would be a continuous one, adding that the balance of N17 million would be paid to the relations of the deceased persons, who could not be paid yet until the screening was completed.
Osun
The Osun legislature has pledged to monitor the implementation of all projects highlighted in the 2012 budget.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Kamil Oyedele, at the end of its three-day retreat, at Ejigbo.
In the communiqué on Saturday in Ejigbo, the House promised that the lawmakers would also carry out their oversight functions effectively.
The legislators, however, urged that necessary provisions should be made for the committees to enable them effectively carry out their oversight functions.
The communiqué said that sufficient budgetary provision for the committees would discourage the temptation of asking government agencies to finance their oversight activities.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has commenced the sale of 109, 995 litres of kerosene to the members of the public at N50 per litre.
Our correspondent reports that the State Government expended N148 million on the kerosene as well as the purchase of five new trucks with the capacity for 21,999 litres each.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wamakko said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people of the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, Wamakko criticised the situation where by the people now buy the commodity at between N900 to N1, 000 per four-litres.
Yobe
Potiskum, the commercial nerve centre of Yobe has recorded series of explosions and gunfire, the second since the declaration of state of emergency in the state by the Federal Government.
Alhaji Lawal Tanko, the State’s Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, said the command had yet to receive details.
It would be recalled that few days after the declaration of state of emergency in the state, an explosion was first recorded in ‘Khandahar’ area of Damaturu metropolis on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, business activities have remained lull in many parts of the state with several shops and business centres under lock and key.
Zamfara
A member of National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa has pledged to collaborate with the federal and state governments in tackling poverty and illiteracy among the people of his constituency.
Marafa made the pledge in Gusau on Saturday at the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to ANPP officials, youths and women to cushion the economic hardship in the country.
He said there was the need to empower the people, especially those in the rural areas.
Marafa assured his constituency that the gesture would be extended to as many people as possible from time to time.
The Senator distributed 500 vehicles and 1,000 motorcycles to state, local government and ward executives of the ANPP as well as notable youth and women groups in the constituency.
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