Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

December 19, 2012

Adamawa

Adamawa Deputy Governor James Ngillari said on Friday that 504 prospective Christian pilgrims from the state were set to perform the 2012 pilgrimage in Israel.

Ngillari stated this at the orientation and farewell service for the intending pilgrims at the Church of Brethren in Nigeria, EYN, in Yola.

The deputy governor, who is also the leader of the state government’s delegation, called on the prospective pilgrims to consider their journey as a religious obligation.

“I call on the intending pilgrims to marry what they have read from the Bible and what is obtaining at the religious site,” Ngillari said.

Ekiti

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, last Friday ordered the release of 27 inmates who have been on awaiting trial list for a long time.

He gave the order during an official visit to Ado-Ekiti Federal Prison in Ado-Ekiti.

Daramola, who also granted bail to seven inmates, expressed dismay at the congestion in cells in the state.

He criticised the inadequate facilities in all the prisons.

“Today we have attended to 292 cases awaiting trial; 27 were released outright and seven others were granted bail, based on unfounded claim of offence, health condition and long stay in detention without any evidence to try them,’’ Daramola said.

FCT

President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family of the former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye, who died early last Friday.

Jonanthan also sent his message of condolence on the death of the patriarch to the Anglican Communion.

In a condolence message, signed by Dr Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the President described late Adetiloye as a great man of God who would be missed, not only by members of the Anglican Communion, but all Nigerians.

Jonathan said that Adetiloye would be long remembered for his zeal and passion for evangelism and planting of churches and his interest in not only the spiritual life of church members but also their education, health and economic well-being.

Jigawa

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said last Friday it arrested 30 alien herbal drug hawkers in Dutse, the Jigawa capital.

The Director of the agency in the state, Mr Kenneth Azikwe, told newsmen in Dutse that the drug hawkers were arrested with support from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“In recent times, foreign nationals have been coming to Jigawa State to hawk herbal drugs; my men, in collaboration with the immigration service, have cleared all of them away and those herbal drug dealers from outside Nigeria are no longer there.

“And even the drug dealers that relocated to Dutse because of the clampdown on them in Kano, have been cleared; so Jigawa Dtate is free of drug hawkers.

Kaduna

Alhaji Kabir Shema, a junior brother to Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State is dead.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Press Matters, Alhaji Abdulhamid Danjuma, said in Katsina that the deceased died at Katsina General Hospital last Thursday night at the age of 46, after a brief illness.

Until his death, he said, Kabir was a staff of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Katsina State Command.

He said Kabir had since been buried in Katsina town in accordance with Islamic injunctions, and that he was survived by one wife and four children.

Kano

Kano-based business mogul, Aliko Dangote, has pledged support for Kano State Government in health, education and other sectors.

Dangote made the pledge while launching the polio immunisation in Kano where he personally vaccinated his granddaughter.

He said it was “indeed very embarrassing” that Nigeria was still one of the three countries with persistence of polio virus.

“It is a point of concern to us because the other two countries still having the virus are war zones. That is Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Dangote said.

Kebbi

Health officials in Birnin Kebbi Local Government and Ambursa /Kardi Development Area in Kebbi State said they discovered 37 fresh cases of measles in rural communities.

The discovery came two weeks after seven children died of the disease.

The Director of Health in the area, Malam Yusuf Sani, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the disease was discovered in Runtuwa,Gawasu in Ambursa/Kardi development area.

He said treatment and isolation of the affected children as well as provision of drugs had begun.

Kwara

An Islamic Scholar, Sheik AbdulAzeez Shitu, on Saturday said the adoption of the death penalty by the National Assembly would be helpful in fighting terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria.

Shittu told newsmen in Omu-Aran, Kwara, that the adoption was a bold step and commitment by the assembly in curtailing the menace of terrorism and kidnapping.

Shittu who is also the chief missioner of the Islamic Development Association (IDYON), observed that terrorism and kidnapping had done much to damage the image of the country.

“It is not enough for the two arms of the National Assembly to adopt the bill on death penalty for the act of terrorism, kidnapping and other related offences.

Lagos

The late Abiodun Adetiloye, the second Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), was a faultless and humble Nigerian, some clerics said in Lagos.

The clerics made the submission in separate interviews with newsmen on the death of Adetiloye.

The late primate died at 1.30 a.m last Friday, few days to his 83rd birthday at Odo-Owa, his country home in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti.

Rev. Femi Asiwaju, Vice-President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter, expressed surprise over the death of Adetiloye, saying he would be fondly missed by Nigerians.

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State Saturday inaugurated the state’s chapter of the Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims, charging the body to bring peace and development to Niger.

Aliyu made the call in Minna after inaugurating the association and receiving an award from the state’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for contributing positively to the Christian Community in Nigeria.

He urged Jerusalem Pilgrims to use the teaching of Jesus Christ to bring peace and development to the state.

“If you go on pilgrimage no matter your sins or bad ways when you come back we expect you to be a better person in your family and the society at large.

Ogun

The Ogun House of Assembly on Friday urged the Ministry of Education to provide resources for the building of model schools and maintenance of existing ones.

The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Olusola Bankole, made the call in Abeokuta at the ministry’s defence of its 2013 budgets before the committee.

Bankole said government needed to renovate some schools in the state and build new ones.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela said the ministry planned to generate N293 million as revenue in 2013 and that N8.4 billion had been budgeted as total expenditure.

Oyo

British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria said that the company would continue to support Federal Government’s initiative on the promotion of agriculture through the provision of strategic inputs.

The Demand Chain General Manager of the company, West Africa Area, Mr Hugo Norman, gave the assurance on Friday during the company’s scholarship award ceremony in Ibadan.

Norman, who stressed the need for stakeholders to support government’s effort to restore agriculture to its leading position as a critical sector, said time had come for subsistence farms to expand into large scale mechanised ones.

This, he explained, would enable agriculture practitioners to design and implement sustainable methods that would revolutionise the sector.

Plateau

Plateau Government and a Brazilian firm, EBS Fedeta de Fedates, State on Friday signed a Memoranda of Understanding for the establishment of a cassava processing factory in the state.

Gov. Jonah Jang signed on behalf of the state government, while the President of EBS Fedeta de Fedetes, Mr Waldfried Schurt, signed for the firm.

Jang said agreement was a dream come true for the state as it would stimulate economic growth in the state.

The governor said the state produced large quantities of cassava, yam and potatoes which would be used by the factory to boost the revenue base of the state.

Nation

MOSIEND Calls For RSG, NDDC, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Obolo Nation

Published

9 hours ago

December 1, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region

MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives

This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent

The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.

MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans

“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.

According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.

They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.

The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities

Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.

He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.

Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.

” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.

The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area

While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .

“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.

“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.

“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.

Chinedu Wosu

Nation

Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF

Published

15 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

Prominent academics and industry players have called on government at all levels to partner with the Rivers State International Film Festival (RIFF) to unlock the hidden potentials of the film industry and market the State to the international community.

The appeal was made at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the festival, held recently at Ezewali Event Centre in Port Harcourt.

The festival, which featured film screenings, workshops, and discussions, aimed to promote Nigerian culture and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work.

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Femi Shaka; Mr Tobechukwu Daniel: and the Chief Executive Officer of Down Town Cinema, Mrs Nneka Clareth commended the Chief Executive Officer of RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo for her efforts in promoting the culture of the Niger Delta and Nigeria through film.

According to Prof Shaka, “They are telling our stories the way nobody else will tell it. It gives them the opportunity to show the world what we have.”

He urged the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and other Governors from the Niger Delta States to support RIFF, describing it as a marketplace where upcoming stars can showcase their talents.

Mr Tobechukwu Daniel, one of the founding fathers of RIFF, expressed satisfaction with the four-day programme, which was jam-packed with activities that had a direct impact on the participants and the industry.

He emphasised the need for government partnership, stating that funding from governments, multinationals, and captains of industries is crucial for the growth of the film industry.

“The international participation in RIFF programmes will boost our economy, as they will watch our cinema, buy our films, and give our youths opportunities to showcase their talent,” Daniel said, advising actors and actresses to focus on professionalism rather than godfatherism.

Mrs Nneka Clareth, who has been in the business for 12 years, noted that lack of funding is a setback to the nation.

“I want the government to support Nollywood in totality, because Nollywood covers visibility, sustainability, culture, tourism, storytelling, and a whole lot,” she said.

The festival, which featured free medical treatment, film production, scriptwriting, and discussions on various topics by professionals, drew participants from different parts of the world.

The organisers commended Kate Ezeigbo and her team for putting together a wonderful event, urging participants to make proper use of the opportunity.

Nation

Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach

Published

15 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Hausa Butchers Association in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Hamisu Jika, has commended the Chairman of the local government council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma for organising a successful free medical outreach programme that benefited thousands of people in the area.

The outreach, which was organised by the local government council provided free medical services to thousands of people, including the elderly, women, and children, healing many with different ailments.

Alhaji Jika described Hon Abuba as a visionary leader, who has the welfare of his people at heart, noting that he is a de-tribalised Nigerian citizen who is determined to run an all-inclusive government.

He pledged the total support of the Hausa community to the administration of the council chairman in all its programmes and policies.

According to Alhaji Jika, the Hausa community in Ahoada East is law-abiding and will continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.

“Honestly, I want to tell you that we are peace-loving people and we are solidly behind the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ahoada East in all his programmes and policies in the local government,” he said.

The chairman revealed that the Hausas and their hosts, the Ahoada people, have been enjoying a cordial relationship since they started settling in the area, stressing that the council chairman has been a good leader who does not condone evil.

He expressed optimism that Hon Abuba will improve the comfort and wellbeing of the people and transform the council area, noting that the chairman has his people at heart.

He, therefore, called on both indigenes and non-indigenes of the local government to rally round the chairman, as he needs their support to take the local government to another level.

He appealed to the chairman to look into the welfare of Hausa people and help them with soft loans to boost their businesses, noting that some of the Hausas were born and brought up in Ahoada and have married there, and there is understanding and cordiality amongst them in the area.

Alhaji Jika also called on the youths to be law-abiding and stay away from trouble, stressing that where there is no peace, there will not be any meaningful development.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma has indeed started well and is working hard to fulfill his electioneering promises, making him a charismatic leader and the man of the people.