Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Suleiman
Abba, said last Wednesday that the Borno Government had donated 40 operation vehicles to the police.
Abba disclosed this while addressing officers and men of the Borno Police Command during an official visit to Maiduguri.
He said that the donation was part of the ongoing Police Reform Programme of the Federal Government to transform the Police Force for better performance.
Ekiti
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami
Abubakar, last Wednesday, said that the myriad of challenges currently facing Nigeria was of serious concern to him.
Abubakar made the assertion at the inauguration of some projects at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
He said “as someone who was privileged to survive the civil war, and later returned the country to democracy, I am troubled by the challenges currently confronting our country.’’
He added that while the military onslaught against Boko Haram was good, “such war would be better complemented with negotiations.’’
Gombe
No fewer than 20 people sustained degree of
injuries in four road accidents recorded in Gombe State during the last Eid-el-Kabir period.
Mr Ayobami Omiyale, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state, disclosed this in an interviews with newsmen in Gombe.
Omiyale also said that the commission had impounded 73 vehicles for traffic offences during the period.
He advised motorists to be patient, avoid over-loading and speeding.
The sector commander also advised motorists not to go beyound 80 kilometres per hour on highways due to bad portions on some of the roads.
He urged the youth to always obey traffic rules and regulations and avoid the use of mobile phones while driving.
Lagos
A Federal High Court in Lagos last Thursday
fixed Oct. 29 to hear a committal proceeding filed by some pensioners against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), over disobedience of judgment.
The plaintiffs — Messrs James Jemilo, Thompson Edun, Jacob Amao, and Joachim Ajala – had filed the substantive suit for themselves and on behalf of all CBN pensioners, on May 6, 1999.
The suit was to compel the CBN to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on pension harmonisation.
Officials of the bank charged with contempt are: Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau; Director Human Resources, Ms Chizoba Mojekwu; and Director of Legal Services, Mr Simon Onekutu.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has
warned its staff against acts of indiscipline, absenteeism, abscondment or lateness to work.
The Registrar of the university, Alhaji Dalhatu Mamman, told newsmen in Keffi that the warning was issued to improve productivity and development in the institution.
“The institution will not and will never tolerate any act of absenteeism, lateness to duties and will sanction any truant staff who want to sabotage the good efforts of the management of the university and that of the State Government,” Mamman said.
The registrar said that the institution would not watch some staff sabotage the development goals of the institution and damage the image of the state government.
Niger
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger
state is collaborating with the state chapter of Nigerian Optometric Association to sensitise commercial drivers in Minna on their eye-sights.
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Ogochukwu Ugboma, who made the plan known during an enlightenment campaign in Minna, said the measure was aimed at reducing road accidents.
“Apart from using the ‘World Sight Day’ to sensitise the drivers on their eye-sight, we normally go to the motor packs every morning to enlighten them on other road safety issues before they set out on their journey.
“The mandate of the corps is to ensure that road traffic crashes are reduced to the barest minimum on our roads,’’ he said.
Ogun
An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court yesterday re
manded a teenager, Hassan Muize, 19, in prison custody for allegedly stabbing a man to death, and injuring another.
The accused, whose plea was not taken, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, attempted murder and belonging to secret cult.
The magistrate, Mr Martins Akinyemi, ordered the remand of the accused in Oba Prison, pending the advice of Director of Public Prosecution.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Moshood Hammed, said that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 23 at about 10.00 a.m. at Igbore in Abeokuta.
Ondo
An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded
a 25-year-old man, Kabiru Alabara, at Olokuta Prison over the alleged killing of a seven-year-old boy, Lucky Ezekiel.
The police prosecutor, ASP Isah Atanegbe, told the court that the accused killed the victim on Sept. 25 at about 11:30 p.m. at Camp 1, Ofosu Area of Idanre, Ondo State.
Atanegbe alleged that the accused killed the victim by hitting him with an object on the head and both arms, adding that this later resulted in his death.
According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Plateau
A PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau, Mr
Geofrey Miri, has pledged to guard against misappropriation of funds meant for local governments in the state, if voted into office in 2015.
The aspirant made the pledge yesterday Thursday in Pankshin during a courtesy call on the Chairman of Pankshin Local Government, Mr Samuel Goar.
He said the visit was to notify the chairman of his ambition to contest the governorship seat of the state and seek to his prayer and support.
“I came out to contest the exalted seat of this our dear state, Plateau, to bring about total and positive change in all sectors of the state.
“I want to assure you sir, that the custom of fiddling with funds meant for you people in the local governments will stop forthwith, if I am voted, “ he said.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has
approved the appointment of a 13-man committee to organise reception for the state pilgrims returning from the Haj in Saudi Arabia.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, in Sokoto yesterday.
The statement said that the committee has the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Isa Bajini as its Chairman, while Murdasi Buwai, Director of Administration, state Roads Maintenance Agency is its Secretary.
The committee also has two prominent journalists, Hajiya Halima Sarkin-Tudu, General Manager, State Radio and Alhaji Yahuza Anka, a Retired Editor of the State’s Newspaper Company, among its members.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
