FCT

Private security guards are to benefit from the NHIS scheme as part of their welfare through the operators of Private Guards Companies (PCGs).

Mr Paul Ayeni, the Commandant, Private Guards Company (PGC) in the headquarters of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), disclosed this recently in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.

He said that the corps was also interested in seeing that guards were covered by other insurance policies, noting that the welfare of the guards was another concern of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin.

Ayeni said the number of PGCs rose to 507 in 2009, noting, however, that some were dormant in their operations.

He said that 400 licence applications were pending, stressing that those companies that were not functioning in compliance with the guidelines of the NSCDC would soon get their licence withdrawn.

Kaduna

The Federal University Pensioners’ Association, Ahmadu Bello University branch, has advised lovers of the institution to join hands toward progress, peace and tranquility in the institution.

A statement signed by the National President of the union, Dr Ayuba Kura, and made available to newsmen in Zaria on Sunday urged those it described as “trouble-makers” to allow peace to reign.

It noted: “the association strongly warns those who may like to cause trouble to stay away, as members of the association and the Samaru community will not fold their arms and allow them to cause confusion.

“We will not allow detractors to have their day in bringing our great university down for their selfish interest.

“All detractors who do not want peace in ABU are advised to leave the institution before they are fished out.”

It appealed to unions in the institution to support the new vice chancellor for meaningful development.

Kano

Former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji.Adamu Fika, has called for a return to the Parliamentary system of Government, to enhance democracy in the country.

Fika made the suggestion recently in Kano at the 27th Malam Aminu Kano annual memorial lecture, organised by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University (BUK), Kano.

“The survival of Nigeria as a genuine democracy with effective opposition, concern for the rule of law and the welfare and wellbeing of the ordinary citizens and residents lies in our return to Parliamentary system,” he said.

The retired technocrat, who spoke on “The Role of The Opposition In Consolidating Democracy In Nigeria”, pointed out that the system provided for effective opposition and real checks and balances in the polity.

According to Fika, the system also makes it possible for “the ordinary grass-root electorate to have a say in the selection of Ministers”.

Katsina

Sandamu Local Government Council says it is constructing a multi-million naira water project that would address the perennial water problem being faced by people of the area.

The council chairman, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Sandamu recently, said that the decision to embark on the project was to address the aged-long water scarcity in Sandamu.

He said three boreholes had been drilled, pumping machines procured and an under-ground tank had been constructed in Kagare village under the project, while pipes were now being laid to link up the town from the water source.

The chairman said that the project was expected to be completed by the end of next month.

According to him, the council has been without adequate water supply for about 20 years, hence the resolve of the local council to address the problem.

Kogi

The Kogi Government says it will soon set machinery in motion for the elevation of the annual Ovia Osese Cultural Festival to an international tourist event.

The state’s governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, stated this in Ogori, near Lokoja at that annual celebration of the Ovia Osese festival.

He said government would partner with other stakeholders, including elders of the community and the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to achieve the aim.

Idris described the festival as an annual rallying point for all Ogori sons and daughters that could be exploited to create employment and transform the socio-economic life of the people.

Idris, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Bala Haruna, commended the people of Ogori for upholding the age-long tradition which he said, had brought them fame and honour.

Lagos

NAFDAC has seized fake drugs and unregistered products worth N260 million that was being smuggled into Nigeria through Seme border.

Dr Paul Orhil, the Director General of NAFDAC, told newsmen in Lagos that the seizure was made at Okokomaiko in Ojo, Lagos during Easter.

Orhil said the culprits wanted to take advantage of the Easter holiday to bring in the illicit products.

“NAFDAC officials, in conjunction with officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), intercepted seven trailers loaded with assorted unregistered products worth N200 million,” he said, adding that the interception was made possible by agency’s intelligence network.

“NAFDAC officials were tipped -off by patriotic Nigerians and my men swung into action to carry out the arrest,” he said.

Orhil also said that in another operation at Okokomaiko, also during Easter, enforcement officers intercepted a 3×20 feet container load of suspected fake drugs, worth N60 million

The Tide’s source reports that the NAFDAC, Seme Area Command, headed by Mr Stanley Atabor, recently uncovered the routes being used by smugglers to bring in fake drugs.

Niger

Scores of people were injured on Sunday in Kutigi, the headquarters of Lavun Local Government Area of Niger, when violence erupted at a political rally, organised in honour of Sen. Zainab Kure.

Kure represents Niger South Senatorial District in the Senate.

The Tide’s correspondent reports that the violence erupted, sequel to a song which allegedly lambasted the people of the area.

The source also reports that no sooner had the singer, Alhaji Babaminin Waka, finished his song than youths of the area started beating all those at the scene.

It was gathered that the youths were angry when the singer said that the people should go and look for a way of making money for themselves.

This led to the abrupt cancellation of the event which was meant to precede the inspection of some personal projects, executed by the senator in the constituency.

Osun

Women in Ila-Orangun in Osun have threatened to go naked and make the town ungovernable through violent demonstrations if the court judgment which terminated the appointment of the Orangun of Ila on Friday was enforced.

The women, who were led by the Iyalode of Ila, Chief Funmilayo Oyebode, on a solidarity visit to the dethroned monarch, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, in his palace on Sunday, said the judgment was an abomination and unprecedented in the history of the town.

They added that Oyedotun’s reign since 2003 had brought immeasurable growth and development to the town.

Meanwhile, the deposed monarch has said that he remained the traditional ruler of Ila-Orangun in spite of the judgment of Justice R.A Siyanbola of the state’s High Court that dethroned him.

Oba Oyedotun said this while addressing newsmen in his palace on Sunday.

Oyo

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, and some Nigerian agricultural research bodies have released two new cowpea varieties to raise production and improve farmers’ incomes.

The IITA said in a statement that the varieties were released just as the country’s researchers were finalising plans to attend the Fifth World Cowpea Research Conference taking place from September 27 to Octember 1 in Dakar to discuss cowpea research.

The statement was signed and issued by the institute’s Corporate Communications Officer (West Africa), Mr Godwin Atser.

The new varieties, known as IT89KD-288 and IT89KD-391, were developed by scientists at the IITA in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of Maiduguri and the Agricultural Development Programmes in Borno, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states.

Both varieties have proved to be superior to the current improved ones being cultivated.

Yobe

Yobe government has announced new water and sanitation policy to ensure adequate water and sanitation at affordable cost and sustainable manner.

The Water Resources Commissioner, Alhaji Barau Sugum, told in Damaturu on Sunday that a draft policy had been submitted to the governor for review and ratification.

He said the major component of the new policy was the elimination of overlapping functions among the line ministries and water agencies.

Barau added that the policy also drew the lines between service delivery, regulation and supervision of water and sanitation programmes.

He explained that the policy had proposed autonomy for water agencies like the water corporation, rural water supply and sanitation agencies, especially on revenue generation, appointments and payment of entitlements.