Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 28, 2014

Adamawa

The Chairman of Ganye Local Government Council in
Adamawa State, Alhaji Farouk Mohammed, has been served with an impeachment notice for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
The impeachment notice, signed by 10 councillors, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Yola, gave the chairman one week from the date he was served the notice to answer the allegations against him.
“Sequel to the resolution of the legislative council sitting No. 7 of its second session, the House hereby resolved unanimously to serve you with this notice of impeachment,” it said.
Some of the 15 allegations against the chairman included unauthorised collection of bank overdrafts totaling N132 million, unaccounted N10 million excess crude oil revenue received in December 2013, short changing political appointees by paying them half of their entitlements after posting full payment in the local government’s cash book.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has distributed modern fire fight
ing trucks to four fire service stations in parts of the state.
The trucks were given to Ijero-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti and Aramoko-Ekiti fire stations in Ijero, Ikole, Ekiti East and Ekiti West local government areas, respectively.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Apalara Wole-Adewunmi, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti while handing-over the trucks to heads of the units Ado-Ekiti.
He said the trucks would aid emergency and firefighting efforts of the state government.
He said that the state government was committed to the security of lives and property of the people.

FCT

A Clinical Psychologist at the Ekiti State University
Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Mr Adedotun Ajiboye, has urged civil servants to plan for happy retirement to enhance healthy living.Ajiboye told newsmen in Abuja that it was important and beneficial when one planned on what to do after retirement.The psychologist said that with all the concerns about dwindling pension funds, corruption in the system and unstable economy, many retirees and those preparing to retire were concerned about the financial aspects of retirement plan.
“In spite of financial issues, there is a lot you can do to make retirement living a great time of your life. Make a retirement plan about five years before your retirement.

Gombe

A three-day training on poultry production aimed
at empowering 324 women was has been in Gombe declared open in Gombe by the governor’s wife, Hajiya Adama Dankwambo.Our correspondent reports that the training is a collaboration between the state Ministry of Agriculture and her office.Dankwambo, was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Sintiki Rubainu, said that the programme was aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.She said the training was organised due to the successes recorded in the first batch conducted last year.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government has warned residents
of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr Abubakar Mora, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that the ministry would embark on measures to curb the annual flooding in the state.
Mora said government was not happy about the loss of lives and property caused by a recent flood incident at Atikeke area on the Ajase-Ipo road in llorin.
Kaduna

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced
a 20-year- old woman, Maryam Babangida, to one year in prison for abducting a two-month-old baby.
Babangida, who resides at Sabon Angwar, Agaye, Niger State, was charged with one count charge of abduction. The Chief Magistrate, Ms Joyce Kaka, sentenced Babangida after she pleaded guilty to the charge.
Kaka did not give the convict an option of fine.
“The court sentences you to one year in prison without an option of fine.

Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has be
rated members of the opposition in the state for failing to acknowledge the development projects executed by his administration.Shema said in Katsina while swearing-in newly elected PDP state executives that the administration had executed numerous projects that had improved the lives of people in the state.The governor cited such projects to include the free education of the government, construction of healthcare facilities, roads, and provision of subsidised fertiliser, among others.
He, therefore, faulted comments of some members of the opposition parties, describing it as misleading.

Nassarawa

A Senior Magistrates Court in Mararaba has sen
tenced one Rabiu Abraham, 22 to 15 months imprisonment of trust and cheating.The Magistrate, Mr Iliya Aku, handed down the sentence after Ibrahim, of Tudunwada area of Mararaba, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge.
Aku, however, granted him an option ofN8,000 fine for each offence and ordered that he should pay 80,000 as compensation to the complainant in the case, Abubakar Muhammad. The prosecutor, Mr Jacob John, had told the court that the convict collected the money from the Mohammad in the guise of giving him accommodation

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, said the
state government would establish a Christian and an Islamic centre in Minna to ensure peaceful co-existence among the people.The governor made the disclosure in Minna when he inaugurated the Christian and Muslim centres’ boards of trustees.He said that the centres would gulp N3.2 billion, noting that “the Christian centre will cost N1.5 billion, while the Islamic centre will cost N1.7 billion.
“The centres will be of international standard with modern facilities, libraries, staff quarters and commercial centres, among others.

Ondo

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has
expressed the need for security agencies in the country to be more proactive in view of the nation’s security challenges
Mimiko spoke in Akure while receiving the new state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Andrew Ugwumba, who was on a courtesy visit to his office.
Mimiko, who also said that every Nigerian should make the issue of security his or her concern, commended the contribution of the corps in ensuring adequate security in the state.
He equally lauded the synergy among all other security agencies in the state.

Osun

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has as
sured residents of the state that all projects embarked upon by his administration would be completed to specification before the end of his tenure.
Aregbesola gave the assurance while inspecting the ring road project being constructed by his administration at Ofatedo area of Osogbo, the state capital.
The governor said that all the projects were embarked upon by his administration to facilitate socio-economic development of the state.
“All these projects being carried out in Osogbo and other parts of the state were to bring smiles on the faces of our people,’’ Aregbesola said.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved
the construction of a 20- kilometre road to link Kwargaba District with Wurno in Wurno Local Government Area of the state.
The motion for the project was moved by Alhaji Muhammad Achida (APC-Wurno) during the plenary session in Sokoto.
Achida said the measure became necessary to cater for the need of the people who were in need of good roads to enhance transportation of goods and services.
The motion was seconded by Alhaji Bello Goronyo (APC- Goronyo).

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, representative of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Prince Gbade Lana and Chairman, mtn, Mr Pascal Dozie, at the launch of a book titled: ‘Giants of History’ by Ibirogba in Lagos, recently. Photo: NAN

Nation

Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Nation

Senate Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Worried over the latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has stated that the Legislature is exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

Nation

WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.