Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

January 2, 2013

Benue

The Benue State Government has promised to

organise subsequent editions of the Youth Carnival in the State.

Governor Gabriel Suswam, represented by his Deputy, Stephen Lawani, announced this in Makurdi last Saturday at the end of the Youth Cultural Carnival in the state.

Suswam explained that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism would henceforth, partner with the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs, to organise subsequent youth carnivals.

He said the just-concluded carnival was the best of its kind in the country due to its positive effect on the dying cultures in the state. The governor said the carnival was capable of transforming Benue youths into international celebrities if they were adequately trained.

Gombe

Unidentified persons have kidnapped a mem

ber of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Jalo Ganga (PDP-Gombe North ), at his residence in the Gombe metropolis on Sunday. A source told newsmen that the kidnappers with a motorcycle, abducted the lawmaker around 5 a.m. when he was going for his morning prayers. The source said the lawmaker shouted for help to no avail as his captors were bent on taking him away to an unknown destination. The Commissioner of Police in Gombe, Malam Mohammed Sule, confirmed the incident, saying that the lawmaker was kidnapped last Sunday morning.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Government has threatened

to prosecute traders, who manhandle chickens and other poultry animals in the state.

The Chairman, Consumer Protection Agency in the state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hadejia, gave the warning last Saturday during a sensitisation exercise at Furji Market in Yankwashi Local Government Area.

He said the government had placed a ban on the manhandling of chickens in all markets across the state and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted. “The action is cruel, inhuman and exposes the animals to maltreatment.

Kaduna

The remains of Mr Idris Mohammed, the Aide

De Camp (ADC) to Kogi Governor, was buried in Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State, last Saturday. It would be recalled that Mohammed died in an auto crash in the same car with Governor Idris Wada, at Emi-Woro village on Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road on December 28.

Mohammed, 42, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), is survived by his wife, five children and his aged mother, Hajiya Amina.

Mohammed attended Alhudahuda College and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, both in Zaria before he enlisted into Police Academy for Cadet Inspectors’ Course.

Kogi

The Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has ex

pressed thanks and appreciation to God for sparing the life of Governor Idris Wada, who was involved in auto crash on December 28. This is contained in a statement signed by Micheal Abu, his Chief Press Secretary, in Lokoja last Saturday. Awoniyi also expressed thanks to all those who supported the state during its trying moment and those who wished the governor speedy recovery through their visits, phone calls and prayers. He also commiserated with the family of the Aide De Camp to the Governor, late Mohammed Idris, who died in the crash.

Lagos

The Lagos State Government last Saturday expressed satis

faction with the performance of its students in the 2012 May/June WAEC examinations. Chief Fatai Olukoga, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, expressed the satisfaction, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.

He stressed that the state recorded a significant improvement in the students’ performance in the examinations. “The state scored 38 per cent outstanding performance in core subjects in the results released by WAEC.

“It is the best in the country and the main reason for the improvement is the government policy which ensures that pupils are only promoted on merit in our primary and secondary schools,’’ Olukoga said:

Niger

The Niger State Government has spent N80 million on train

ing 10 pilots at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology’s facilities at the Minna Airport, the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammad, said on Sunday.

Mohammad made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Minna. “The trainee pilots had completed their ground training preparatory to their flying training. “We are spending N8 million each for the training of each pilot, who had concluded their ground training, using the stimulators in Minna and the training facilities in Zaria.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has ordered the re

lease of 20 prisoners and commuted the death sentences of three others to life imprisonment.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, said in a statement in Abeokuta that the governor took the action in exercise of his powers of Prerogative of Mercy under Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement said the governor acted on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“The 20 prisoners whose freedom has been ordered were those serving sentences of three years imprisonment and have 12 months left. “They are also are adjudged to have good records and good conduct, “ it said.

Osun

The Osun Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation,

Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, said on Monday that the State Government would no longer tolerate defecating in public places from next month.

Oyawoye, who gave the warning in Osogbo while speaking with newsmen, decried the way and manner some public places in the state had been operating without functional toilets.

The commissioner called on business organisations to provide toilets for their workers and customers to ensure public health.

Oyo

A driver, Adedoyin Musibau (43), was on Monday dragged

before an Oyo Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession and stealing of seven goats.

The accused and others now at large on Dec. 9, at about 1:30 a.m., allegedly stole one goat worth N5,000 belonging to one Alhaji Agboola Tunde and seven other goats found in his possession worth N21,000.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP. Abiodun Aluko, said the accused could not give satisfactory account of the additional goats found in his possession.

Sokoto

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, last

Saturday pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to give priority to teachers’ education through effective training to improve their skills.

Rufa’I made the pledge in Sokoto at the closing of the 2012 Millennium Development Goals capacity building workshop for teachers.

She said the nationwide programme was split into two and designed to target 40,000 teachers across the federation.

Represented by Mr Ojo Joel, the Director of Education in the ministry, Rufa’i said the workshops would improve teachers capacity in subject contents, pedagogy and general methods of teaching.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Government has supplied medical equip

ment worth millions of naira to the newly inaugurated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Bello Kwatarkwashi, made this known to the newsmen in Gusau.

Kwatarkwashi said that the items include surgical equipment, special beds for intensive care units and a large number of parameters. He said that other items include blood and sugar monitoring instruments, radiotic incubators and cardiology machines for heart diseases.

Nation

VCDF in Partnership with LDSVA Sensitise Women on Gender Equality, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Women, the pillars of our society, are resilient and determined as they play essential roles in nurturing families and leading businesses. Despite facing challenges like limited financial resources and unequal opportunities, they persist, inspiring generations and driving positive change.

In honour of Women’s History Month, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), in collaboration with Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd. (SEEPCO) and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), embarked on a transformative journey to empower 100 community women, focusing on sexual and domestic violence prevention, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, on March 27, 2024, in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State.

When women are empowered, they become catalysts for progress, influencing not only their own lives but also the lives of their families and those around them. The programme gave the women the opportunity to acquire knowledge on tools that can help their businesses grow, also providing a safe space for women to learn and connect with others, making them feel more confident and capable in making decisions for their businesses.

Distinguished guests present at the event were Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi, Head of the Field Operations Department, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat, Community Development Committee Chairman of Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State, and Mrs. Adenike Akintoye, Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Unit, Eti Osa LGA.

While giving her feedback, Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat said, “community-driven efforts like this initiative are instrumental in driving sustainable change and enabling women to realise their full potential.”

Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi noted during her closing remark, “training women in our communities will improve their livelihoods and contribute to household income, thereby leading to better standards of living.”

This collaborative initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), which aim to ensure everyone is treated equally and reduce differences between people.

VCDF will continue to educate and empower women for a greater inclusion in society, supporting their advancement and ensuring their meaningful participation in all spheres of life. Together, let us continue to champion the cause of women, celebrate their achievements, and pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Nation

Ibom Developers Supports 160 Women with Skill Acquisition Training in Akwa Ibom

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Empowering women with vocational skills is a vital step towards fostering gender equality and inclusive growth in society. This effort involves equipping women with practical expertise that can be applied across various aspects of life, including professional, personal, and entrepreneurial settings. Ibom Developers’ recent initiatives to provide skill acquisition training to women in its host communities aim to help them thrive in society.

On April 8, 2024, Ibom Developers commenced its ongoing skill acquisition training programme, themed ‘Virtuous Women’ in Egwenwe and Okoroinyong communities.
Dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community; Mr. Warribo Isaiah, Community Development Chairman, Egwenwe Community; Pastor Johnson Christian Ubulom, Youth President, Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Sarah Evans Nfeija, Health Officer, Egwenwe Community; and representatives from Okoroinyong community, were present at the inaugural event.

This skill acquisition programme aims to empower 160 women in these communities with expertise in catering, packaging, hairdressing, wigging, ventilation, and styling. The program took place from April 8 to April 20, 2024, at Egwenwe Town Hall and Okoroinyong Town Hall in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, imparting essential entrepreneurial skills to the women in the communities.

During the inaugural event, Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community, expressed, ‘‘This empowerment initiative will provide our women with the autonomy and decision-making power they need to become self-sufficient contributors to the growth and development of our community.’’

The participation of women in several economic activities makes their upliftment a potent strategy for economic growth. Their involvement expands the workforce, cultivating heightened innovation and efficiency within the community.

Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community, emphasised, “Access to training tailored to the needs of women allow them to develop specialised skills. I am glad that this programme has offered options that suit our women’s preferences and goals.’’

Acquiring skills for livelihood elevates family status and unlocks entrepreneurial avenues. Ibom Developers is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship among women and supporting socio-economic empowerment in local communities.