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THE STATES

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Adamawa
Former APC National Vice Chairman, North-East, Alh.
Umaru Duhu, has alleged that the impeachment plan against Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako by the state House of Assembly was instigated by the Presidency.
Duhu stated that the political squabble was as a result of the memo written by the governor to the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the international community wherein he expressed his concerns over the spate of insurgency in the country, especially in the North-East.
He counselled President Goodluck Jonathan to concentrate his attention on tackling the current security challenges in the country rather than sponsoring impeachment in the state. He equally described the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as being over ambitious and selfish.
Duhu disclosed that efforts are being made by stakeholders in the state to broker the peace in the political logjam, adding that “the only problem we have in Adamawa State today is inflicted on us by the Presidency due to Nyako position on the insurgency in the country.

Ekiti
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State
chapter, has condemned Federal Government’s plan to appoint nurses and pharmacists as consultants and Chief Medical Directors of public health institutions in the country.
The NMA, at a press conference to kick start the nationwide strike also called for the scrap of Joint Health Sector Union, which represents the amalgamation of all sectors in the country.
The body said each professional affiliate body should be allowed to operate through their parent organizations.
Speaking through their state chairman, Dr Obitade Obimakinde, the NMA at a press conference in Ado Ekiti,  argued that the new structure as being mooted by the federal government is capable of causing  internal confusion in health institutions.
Obimakinde said pharmacists and nurses must be allowed to play supportive roles and take directives from doctors, rather than “eroding the well entrenched clinical structures in the hospitals”.

FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar,
last Thursday said continuous acquisition of knowledge by officers and men of the force was required for effective policing.
Abubakar said at the inauguration of the Police Special Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria at the Dei Die Police barracks in the FCT, that with the establishment of the centre, personnel of the force aspiring to acquire higher qualification could do so without necessarily leaving their place of primary responsibility.
He said, “Policing requires acquisition of knowledge and with this special study centre, university education has been brought very close to us. Our journey to the land of knowledge has begun as higher qualification can be pursued and obtained without going far from our place of primary responsibility.”
Abubakar charged officers and men of the force to take advantage of the centre and acquire additional qualifications.

Kaduna
A first class traditional ruler in the Southern part of Kaduna
State last Thursday shunned protesting youths who staged a peaceful protest to his palace over the persistent killings and destructions in the area.
The youths, under the aegis of Concerned Southern Kaduna Youths (CSKY) had marched peacefully to the palace of the paramount ruler of Kagoro in Kaura Local Government of Kaduna State, Chief Ufuwai Bonet, to present a protest letter for onward delivery to other traditional rulers in the southern part of Kaduna State.
However, on arrival at the palace, the traditional ruler refused to grant them audience on the ground that the youths did not follow due process to see him.
Determined to present the letter, the youths vowed not to leave the palace until the chief gave them audience and decided to sit on the ground, singing gospel songs.
It was gathered that all efforts to convince the traditional ruler to grant audience to the youths was unsuccessful as he insisted that the group did not inform him that they were coming to see him.
Appeals by the protesting youths, including a former Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Jonathan Kish Adamu, who is from the area could not make the chief to change his mind.
Kwara
Exactly two weeks after the death of Aare Musulumi of
Yoruba land, Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, one of his widows, Jelilat, died in an auto-crash at Eyenkorin, near Ilorin, Kwara State last Tuesday evening. She was aged 62.
The late Jelilat was the eldest wife of the late billionaire, who died in his London home on the day he was due back in Nigeria. Her late husband had died of a heart-related disease in his sleep in London after taking his breakfast and drugs.
She had two children for the Muslim leader, Abdullahi and Fatimah. She was buried at her residence in Apata area of Ibadan last Wednesday.
Family, friend’s children and neighbours mourned the late Jelilat Arisekola-Alao, describing her as a devout Muslim and a generous neighbour.

Ogun
The Committee for Defence of Human Rights in Ogun State
recently called on the operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission to probe alleged diversion of fund allocated to some local governments in the state.
The state chairman of the CDHR in the state, Mr. Folarin Olayinka, stated this during a press conference held at NUJ Secretariat, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
The organisation also demanded a statement of appropriated Federal allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, statement of expenditure and a document of projects activities embarked upon by the local governments between July 2012 and April 2014.
Olayinka said the CDHR has written to some of the councils which include: Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Sagamu, Ifo, Ado-Odo-Ota, Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu, to make available their accounts to them for scrutiny, exploring the Freedom of Information Act.
According to him, the petitioners had alleged that the projects many of them executed were not commensurate with allocation they received.

Ondo
As part of the ongoing revolution in the agriculture sector,
Ondo State Government will soon present a bill on Cocoa Revolution to the state House of Assembly.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kayode  Akinmade, who disclosed this recently explained that the bill when passed into law would enable government to actualise its decision to make cocoa farmers to begin to reap the fruits of their labour.
He said government would not allow cocoa farmers in the state to be ripped off any longer, adding that “by the time the bill becomes law, the cocoa business would naturally receive a boost and the farmers would be encouraged to do more.”
Akinmade said the initiative of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to revamp cocoa production through the Cocoa Revolution Project was a good vision and another landmark in boosting the revenue of the state and declared that the project and all matters connected therewith would be encompassed in the bill for the sustainability of the project.
Oyo
The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, says the state
workers salary had grown from N2 billion to N4.6 billion in the last three years. The governor lamented that developmental projects in the state had suffered because the state’s share from federal allocation had not been enough to prosecute the projects in the state.
Ajimobi spoke at the 2014 Adegoke Adelabu Memorial Lecture in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently, where he condemned the type of politics witnessed today as compared to what obtained in the days of the late prominent Ibadan politician.
He said, “In the last three years, this administration has increased workers salary from a total of N2bn that we met to N4.6bn every month. We receive allocation from the Federal Government but if we have to do everything needed to be done in the state at a time, the money can never be enough because our people need lots of assistance from us.”
The governor added that Adedibu’s name would be immortalised by the state government with an edifice, promising the same in honour of the late Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao, who died on June 18.
Guest speaker at the forum, Prof. Isiaka Aransi, who delivered a lecture titled ‘Local Government and its Impact on the People’, called for the creation of more local government as the only solution to the social challenges in the country.

Plateau
The University of Jos said it would spend over N40 million
to establish three new faculties for the study of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hayward Babale Mafuyai, who spoke with newsmen recently, said plans have reached advanced stage to establish the new faculties and have them take off by October this year.
Mafuyai said the programmes would require a lot of financial and material support to meet the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the various professional bodies in the country.
He said when fully established, the faculties would address the problem of numerous candidates seeking university education and appealed to federal and state governments as well as public-spirited individuals to provide the university with critical support materials for infrastructural development.

Taraba
Taraba State acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, has flagged
off the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in the state.
Speaking during the exercise, Umar said the procurement of free farm inputs for farmers was part of government’s efforts aimed at boosting production and guarantee food security in the state.
“This year’s rains have given the indication of a good wet season. We are very hopeful that the Almighty God and nature will bless us with the right amount of rain that will lead to bumper harvest. I therefore urge our hardworking and dedicated farmers to take advantage of this combination of factors created by the Almighty, nature and the government to step up production level this year”, he said.

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr Olusola Eleka, Director-General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo and  Ekiti State Chief Imam, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, during the presentation of bags of rice to Ekiti Muslim faithful for Ramadan at Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque, recently.

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr Olusola Eleka, Director-General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo and Ekiti State Chief Imam, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, during the presentation of bags of rice to Ekiti Muslim faithful for Ramadan at Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque, recently.

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

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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

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Film Festival: Don, Others Urge Govt To Partner RIFF

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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.

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Hausa Community Lauds Council Boss Over Free Medical Outreach

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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.

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