Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

June 27, 2012

Benue

The Tiv Traditional Council, has honoured five of its sons who distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours.

The recipients were Dr Terkula Suswam, the immediate elder brother to Governor Gabriel Suswam, Mr J.K.I. Ugela, Dr Terhemba Shija, Terlumiun Agbutu and Godwin

Ikereve.

Suswam bagged the chieftaincy title of “Zenge Iwange U Tiv”, while Ugela bagged the “Or Uwasen Tar U Tiv, Shija. Some of the other titles were “Orfan Sev U tiv”, which went to Agbotu, a former Local Government Council Chairman, while Ikereve, a retired Journalist received the title of “Kyamegh Ki Miagh Ki Abaver A Tiv”.

The Chairman of the event, Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi, commended the Tiv Traditional Council for the honour done to the people.

He said that the ceremony depicted the rich cultural values of the Tiv people and urged them to uphold the heritage.

Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Joseph Daudu, have blamed the insecurity and Nigeria’s under-development on the inefficiency of laws.

Both spoke in Ado Ekiti when the NBA president, Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), paid a courtesy call on the governor.

Fayemi said that the insecurity had persisted because the laws had been rendered inactive, giving room for impunity to take over.

He said if the law was allowed to take its course, the country would not only be rid of social injustice but also give room for industrial development in an atmosphere of peace.

The NBA president, Daudu, had said that the failure to implement the law was responsible for the escalation of insecurity.

He described Fayemi’s election as a choice that would benefit the state, adding that Nigerians should make choices that would deepen the nation’s democracy.

FCT

A university lecturer, Dr Sheriff Ibrahim, last Saturday cautioned the Federal Government over U.S. declaration of some Nigerians as terrorists.

Ibrahim of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja said this in an interview in Gwagwalada, FCT in reaction to the declaration by the U.S. government.

He urged the Federal Government not to allow the U.S. to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs. “The Federal Government should not allow the U.S. to interfere because their presence will further engender instability.”

The don, however, stressed that the problem was not beyond the government and it should be proactive in addressing it.

Ibrahim advocated a round table with the sect members as it was done in most parts of the world in the interest of unity, peace and development.

Kaduna

Christians in Kaduna State last Sunday offered special prayers in churches for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

The prayers followed June 17 attacks on three churches in Kaduna and Zaria. The churches offered special prayers for peace, stability and unity in the country and urged the faithful to cooperate with security agents to restore law and order in the state.

Pastor Edward Isah of the Covenant Church admonished Christians to “watch, pray and not to take law into their hands’’.

Isah urged members to continue to pray for peace in the state and for God to prevail over the attacks on churches.

Similarly, Bishop Idowu Fearon of the Kaduna Anglican Diocese tasked Christians and Muslims on the need to give peace a chance and live in harmony as ordained by God.

Kano

The Kano State Government has released N30 million for the purchase of computers and other equipment for its newly established Kano Informatics Institute.

The Coordinator of the institute, Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir, made this known in an interview with in Kano on Saturday.

The coordinator said that the institute, which commenced academic activities in September 2011 with 200 students, now has a total of 410 students, selected from the 44 local government areas of the state.

Abdulkadir added that the management of the institute had signed an agreement with two U.S.-based computer institutes to provide the institute with lecturers.

She commended the 44 local government councils in the state for providing laptops to their students in the institute and urged the councils to ensure prompt payment of allowances to the students so as not to distract their studies.

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, has promised to partner with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by empowering the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to respond quickly to emergency situations.

Wada made the promise in Lokoja on Friday when he received the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Sanni Sidi.

He added that the State Government planned to formulate policies and measures aimed at reducing natural and man-made disasters in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, the governor said that disasters had become a source of worry to the state.

He said that disasters often left tales of woe in their trail when they occured by the displacement of persons, loss of property and sometimes, lives.

Lagos

The Federal Government, has been urged to introduce security courses in school curriculum.

The Executive Director of Changing the Face of a Nation Initiative (CFNI), Mr Olorunfemi Adedurin, made the call last Sunday in Lagos.

The CFNI is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which uses prayer to fight corruption and other spiritual enemies of Nigeria.

Adedurin said that if security courses were introduced in schools, it would go a long way in letting every one become security conscious.

He spoke against the background of the incessant bomb explosions by the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the country.

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has said that an end to endemic corruption and deficit leadership would help to curb violence and religious extremism in the country.

He spoke at the opening of the 5th Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Festival (RATTAFEST) for the North Central zone in Minna, Friday.

He said the north was well known for its culture of peace and hospitality, which contributed positively to the economic prosperity of the region and the country at large.

The governor called on northern states to revitalise moribund industries or those that have gone out of operation.

He said the current security problem in the north called for proactive media support and partnership with government to achieve its objective of promoting peace, development, national unity and integration.

Plateau

The Plateau Police Command last Sunday warned members of the public against rumour mongering and vowed to “deal decisively” with persons or groups engaged in that.

The command in a statement on Sunday, warned “all rumour millers to desist for this wicked act capable of causing security disequilibrium in the troubled state”.

The statement signed by Emmanuel Abuh, the police spokesman, particularly described as ‘untrue”, the rumour that the police were restricting the movement of vehicles in Jos metropolis, and advised people to shun it.

“The rumour is clearly an attempt to divert the attention of the security agencies and there is no iota of truth in it,” the police said.

Sokoto

Religious leaders should go back to their Scriptures for solution to the current state of insecurity and other related problems in the country, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana, said.

Zayyana, who is the Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, gave the advice last Friday in Sokoto.

The speaker said there was no reason why our situation in Nigeria should be different that a neighbour would want to kill his neighbour.

Zayyana urged Nigerians to collectively reassess their positions, saying: “ we all have a common God who does not want us to kill.

He urged Nigerians to be patriotic and pious citizens and expose all the bad eggs, who were bent on sowing seeds of discord and disharmony amongst Nigerians.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.