Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa governorship candidates of ACN, Markus Gundiri, and that of CPC, Buba Marwa, say the curfew imposed by the state government is an attempt to rig the election.
The state government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew after explosions in Mubi and Yola, which resulted in the killing of 26 persons.
In separate statements in Yola, the candidates said they would resist any attempt by the PDP-led state government to exploit the development to rig.
They said that if the state government could relax the curfew to create room for the PDP rally in Yola, then peace and calm had returned to the state making the curfew unnecessary.
Marwa on his part said that the state government was trying to make the state look insecure in order to put fear in the electorate to prevent them from coming out to vote.
Borno
Borno State Executive Council on Monday approved the completion of the abandoned multipurpose Maiduguri stadium.
Mr. Inuwa Bwala, the Commissioner for Information, disclosed this at the end of the council’s meeting in Maiduguri.
“The council reviewed the activities of the high-powered committee set up last year by Gov. Kashim Shettima on the completion of the stadium.
“After reviewing the committee’s submission it was agreed that government must hasten up the process for the award of contract for the project.’’
Bwala said that the council also accepted the committee’s proposals of 20-seater capacity for the stadium.
“We agreed that contract for the project should be awarded in a very short while because of its potential in ensuring physical and mental development of our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Benue
The Benue chapter of the PDP will hold an “all inclusive” party primaries ahead of the local government polls in the state.
The decision was taken at a caucus meeting of the party held in Makurdi on Wednesday.
The meeting which was presided over by Governor Gabriel Suswam was also attended by the chairman of the 23 local government councils in the state, and opinion leaders of the party.
It resolved that the election of party flag bearers for the local government election would no longer be on delegate basis.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the caretaker chairman of Gboko Local Government Council, Mr. Ioryue Yaji, said the move was to discourage money politics.
Yaji said it would be difficult for politicians to “bribe their way” through the party congress now, adding that under the delegate system, the practice was possible since the participants were few.
FCT
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja has sought for the speedy trial of the DPO of Pen Cinema, Agege, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, accused of killing a protester.
The commission also welcomed the steps so far taken by police authorities and the Lagos State Government to prosecute him.
A statement issued by the commission, directed its Zonal Coordinator, South West Zone, Mrs Mausi Segun, to monitor and ensure that the matter was taken to court.
Fabunmi was alleged to have killed one Mr Ademola Aderinde during protests in Lagos on Monday.
It commended the relative order and peaceful conduct of protesters and the maturity exhibited by security agencies on the fourth day of the nationwide protests.
It urged all parties involved to sustain this level of responsibility and professionalism.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government on Friday restricted the operation of motorcyclists, popularly called Okada, from 7pm to 6am throughout the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Orubebe Ghandi, made the disclosure while briefing the press on the outcome of the meeting, which religious leaders and security chiefs held with Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo at the Government House on Friday.
Our correspondent reports that the decision was part of measures taken to avert further killings in the state.
The commissioner said, “one of the measures adopted a few minutes ago to curb these incessant killings is to restrict movement of motorcyclists from seven o’clock in the evening to six o’clock in the morning.
Jigawa
The chairman, Jigawa State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sanusi Gako says N100 million has been released for the payment of allowances to newly-admitted students of tertiary institutions from the state.
Gako disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.
He said that only those admitted in 2010/2011 session in various tertiary institutions across the country would enjoy the fund.
He explained that the gesture was part of Governor Sule Lamido’s commitment to boost educational development in the state.
The chairman said that the board did not owe any arrears to the students because all their allowances were paid promptly.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government on Monday donated N10 million to Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), as contribution for the reconstruction of its burnt office.
The JNI building in Kaduna metropolis was gutted by fire on Thursday April 14.
The Special Adviser to Govenor Patrick Yakowa on Islamic Matters, Mallam Haliru Maraya, presented the donation to the National Secretary of the organisation, Dr. Ibrahim Khalid, at the JNI secretariat in Kaduna.
Katsina
No fewer than 143 people have died and 424 others injured in motor accidents in Katsina State since January, according to the Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
The sector commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Alhaji Habu Dauda, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Monday.
Dauda said that in spite of the reduction in the number of accidents during the year, there were 27 more deaths compared to the 116 persons, who died in the year before.
Lagos
The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations plans to develop a tourism calendar for 2012 in a bid to create more jobs and redefine tourism.
The Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Disu Holloway, announced the plan at a media briefing on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that the calendar would also boost economic activities and the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Holloway urged stakeholders in tourism to cooperate with the government to restore the lost glory of the state.
The commissioner added that, with the right incentives and proper awareness, tourism could become a major revenue earner.
He gave an assurance that the ministry would continue to project major festivals, such as the ‘Eyo Festival’ and ‘Black Heritage Festival’, as well as collaborate with major organisations to promote notable festivals.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has assured indigenes of the state that his policies and programmes would be geared toward rebuilding the state.
Amosun gave the assurance in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mrs. Fummi Wakama.
The governor, according to the statement, promised to redesign the state’s landscape in line with the master plan he had evolved.
“We would do everything to put smiles on the faces of Ogun indigenes and residents through our policies and programmes,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
The governor said efforts were on to implement the five-cardinal programmes of his administration.
Sokoto
The Deputy Treasurer of the Sokoto State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Muktari Mapia, has tasked Nigerians to expose the masterminds of the incessant bombings in parts of the country.
Mapia, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Sokoto, said that the current level of insecurity posed a threat to the nation’s corporate existence.
He said that members of the public should supply the security agencies with vital information to enable them to deal with the culprits and the sponsors of the deadly attacks.
Mapia urged the active participation of stakeholders in the nation’s progress to enhance peace, progress and political stability in the country.
He said that the ongoing transformation agenda of the Federal Government could only succeed in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.
As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.
John Bibor
As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.
The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.
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