Nation
THE STATES
Niger
The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar has said that “the death of former First Lady, Maryam Babangida has created a wide vacuum which will be too difficult to fill”.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Bida, Niger State, on the tenise of Maryam, the royal father described her as a very courageous woman whose main focus was the Nigerian woman. He said her pet project; the “Better Life For Rural Women” touched all spheres of women endeavour in the country. Through the programme, the Etsu Nupe added, “the ever elegant Maryam made Nigerian women to know their rights better, just as it empowered them fully.
Ekiti
The wife of Human Rights Activist, Falana, Mrs Funmu Falona has commended the Ekiti State government for giving the Evelu Angela Adebayo Motherless Babies Home, Iyin-Ekiti, a face lift, saying the government’s gesture is encouraging.
Mrs Falana also awarded scholarships to over 60 indigent students of IIawe-Ekiti, her country home, in various tertiary institutions across the country.
She said this would enable them to have equal access to education, like their counterparts from wealthy homes.
The scholarship scheme and the presentation of gifts to the orphanage are annual events being mid-wifed by Femi and Funmi Falana Foundation.
Plateau
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sarah Yusuf on Tuesday declared that no fewer than 492 retired military men in the state died in 2009.
The Commissioner who disclosed this at a press conference to mark 2010 Armed Forces Remembrance Day stated that 58 of them died during the last Jos crisis while the others, as a result of various diseases.
According to her, based on available data on the retired soldiers, there are 975 Ex-military men in the state adding that in 2009, 89 migrated from the state for one reason or the other.
On the significance of the day, Yusuf said it has been specially dedicated by government to commemorate the nation’s fallen heroes and to also show appreciation to those still living.
Kwara
Former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Samuel Kolawole on Monday died in his hotel room at the Kwara Hotels, Ilorin.
Kolawole, who was also a former managing director of the defunct Trade Bank Plc, was said to have died moments after he developed some health related complications in his room.
The bank guru who hailed from Etan in Osi local government area of Kwara state was said to have checked in the hotel room on Sunday.
Borno
House of Representatives Minority Leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume has said that only civil revolution can wrest power from the Peoples Democratic party , PDP, back to Nigerian masses in 2011.
Ndume also dubbed the President Yar’Adua’s seven point agenda as “a complete nonsense that was unilaterally designed by one man to achieve nothing.”
According to him, ‘It is not going to be an issue of the opposition taking over government in 2011, power will be taken away from the PDP through a massive revolution – a civil revolution, a political revolution, because people are fed up with the way PDP is ruling this country with impunity without recourse to the yearnings and aspiration of the Nigerian masses.”
He said the revolution might not be realised on party lines but will surely come through the revolt of the short changed masses who are going to go to the polls to vote out the PDP government.
Kano
New Leadership of Kano Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to probe the attack of its chieftain Halipu Ahmed Goso in Gwarro Local Government in Kano.
Goso is former Managing Director of Federal Radio Corporation, Kaduna Office.
Party leader in the state, Faruk Iya on Tuesday led the executive members on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Plice, Mammau Ibrahim Chafe and told the Commissioner that there was need for him to take the attack seriously so as to prevent a recurrevence.
The new Exco of PDP is happy with Kano State police Command and would do every thing possible to assist efforts of the command in maintaining a peaceful political atmosphere in the state.
“So far we have no reason to accuse the Police of any wrong droing or bias in their assignment”, Iya said.
Osun
Following the death of one of its lawyers Pa Jonathan Ogundere, Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offered the award of N5 million as reward for any member of the public with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the killers.
State Deputy Chairman of the Party Chief Ojo Williams who disclosed this at a Press Conference in Osogbo, also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ogbonna Onovo to set up a special panel to investigate the remote issues of the lawyer’s death.
Besides, the Nigerian Bar Assocation (NBA) Osogbo state branch has petitioned the Director of state Security Services (SSS) and the Inspector General of Police, demanding thorough investigation into Ogundere’s murder.
Kwara
Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed has called for a measure to check incessant violence by religious sects in the country.
Muhammed made the call, Tuesday, while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on activities of the House and other national issues.
He described the fresh sectarian crises in Bauchi State as unfortunate adding that frequent outbreak of such crises in recent times was worrisome.
He also said the crises were inimical to democracy and development of the country and urged the appropriate authorities to find a way out of the problem.
FCT
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Adamu Aliero has said the FCT administration will not compromise the standard of education in the territory.
The Minister who threatened to shutdown 124 schools charged education administrators to proffer concrete solutions to the problems confronting the sector.
Aliero also directed 124 primary schools to upgrade their facilities and infrastructure in line with the standard set by the education secretariat or be closed down. Aliero spoke on Tuesday, while awarding certificates of accreditation to (9) FCT schools at the second Ministerial Town Hall meeting for private schools in the FCT.
Oyo
Governor Alao Akala of Oyo State has warned this year’s intending pilgrims to Jerusalem not to make any attempt to abscond or engage in drug trafficking.
Akala handed down the warning, Tuesday, while addressing the pilgrims at the Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing) Complex, Total Garden, Ibadan.
The Governor urged them not to see their trip to the holy land as a jamboree, but as one that would enhance spiritual rebirth and moral reform of society.
“You should see yourselves not only as ambassadors of the state, but also as architects of spiritual rebirth and moral reforms of the society,” he declared.
He reminded them of the theme of this year’s pilgrimage as “Pilgrimage as a tool for national change,” which, he said, called for fervent prayer for the fatherland, their state and their family.
Adamawa
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Jibril has said that Nigeria needs to amend some provisions of the 1999 constitution if the country must move forward.
Aminu, noted that the constitution is full of flaws and technicalities that have negated the process of nation building and smooth democratic governance.
The lawmaker, who represents Adamawa Central in the National Assembly, pointed out that in as much as the constitution is weak in certain sensitive areas that border on the country’s socio-economic and political advancement, there is need for Nigerians to learn how to follow and obey provisions of the constitution of the country.
Speaking to selected journalists in his Yola residence, Monday night, Aminu said that the problems of the country should not only be blamed on the inadequacies of the 1999 constitution, but on Nigerians whom he accused of not obeying the laws of the land.
In a bid to meaningfully engage secondary school students in Ogoniland during the Christmas holidays and beyond, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has trained them on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making.
This is even as the Project has partnered with the National Orientation Agency(NOA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to keep the students away from crime and other related social vices during the Yuletide, by giving them pep talks that would put them on their toes during the period.
This came to the fore as HYPREP recently organised an Ogoni Young Men Mentorship programme and life skill workshop with the theme, ‘Career Coaching: Developing The Young Minds’ at Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The beneficiaries of the programme are essentially members of environmental clubs in 13 schools in four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.
At the event, both NOA and NDLEA gave career talks to the students, aimed at keeping them off social vices like drug abuse and addiction as well as negative peer influences through out the Christmas holidays and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof NeinibariniZabbey said the Project deemed it necessary to invite the National Orientation Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to speak to the students in order to shield them from negative peer influences as they are preparing to go for the Christmas holidays.
He explained that the workshop would enable the students to know when the signs of the negative peer influences start coming.
Zabbey, who was represented at the occasion by HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, said the Project is not only going to train the beneficiaries but also give them the tools and skills that would grow them in the future so that they would start making money for themselves.
Also addressing the students, the Rivers State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency(NOA), Mr Young Ayo-Tamuno expressed delight for meeting young minds, to discuss issues on values, describing it as a great opportunity.
He noted that there are seven values which constitute the role and commitment of the government towards the citizenry and another seven core values which constitute the code for the citizens.
While commending HYPREP for organising the event, Ayo-Tamuno said team work is key to making Nigeria a better place for all, as both the government and the citizens have their respective roles to play, with each staying committed and focused.
The Chief Programme Officer of NOA, Mr Henry Ayede was the one who actually mounted the rostrum and drilled the students on the seven core values embodied in the National Value Charter for citizens, and stressed the need for them to imbibe them and put them to practice as they grow up.
Ayede listed the values to include discipline, duty of care, leadership, tolerance and respect, transparency, environmental awareness and resilience.
He also underscored the need for the students to imbibe the spirit of hard work and dignity of labour, contending that while hard work and dedication contribute to success, every job can contribute to national development.
According to him, dignity in labour is the foundation of success.
On his part, Mr Bill Ebiokpo of the Media/ Advocacy Unit of NDLEA, who represented the Bori Area Commander of the agency, advised the students to guard against drug abuse and addiction, which he said have far reaching consequences.
The Principal of the Senior Secondary of Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Barrister Bob Agbozi thanked HYPREP for organising the programme, which he said enriched his knowledge and that of the students on the core values guiding the society, saying inculcating such values in young people and teaching them practical skills have contributed immensely to the greatness of advanced countries and even countries like Rwanda in Africa.
He noted that the career coaching would change the behavioral pattern of the students particularly during the Yuletide.
He also thanked NOA for the career talks and urged it to replicate the programme in other places, not only in schools but also in market places.
The training of the students on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making was anchored by an expert, MrsLekpa Abel, with HYPREP workers lending a helping hand.
It was, indeed, a practical session with the students, who came face to face with the production materials of the products.
Donatus Ebi
It was celebration galore as the people of Isu Community in Etche Local Government Area of River State held a civic reception in honour of the Council Chairman, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor .
The epoch- making ceremony which took place recently at the community ancestral home saw the attendance of the political class, the clergy, opinion leaders, the academia, youths, women, elders and chiefs gather to honour their brand new chairman.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Council, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor expressed gratitude to the people for according him such honour, saying it shows their unwavering support to the development of Etche.
Nwafor announced the readiness of his administration to embark on electrification of Ozuzu clan including Isu community.
The Etche council boss also said the market at Isu will be reconstructed to improve the economic life of the people.
He revealed that the two projects will commence in January as efforts are on to mobilise the contractors.
Nwafor told the mammoth crowd that his major concern remains, peace and unity of the entire Etche, saying security of lives and property remains top on his agenda as no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of violence.
He urged parents to encourage their wards and children to refrain from violence and embrace peace. “Let us allow Etche to be at peace .Don’t allow any body to use you set Etche ablaze. Parents advise your children to stay away from crime .We must stay in peace and unity. Our children must shun violence ,it can’t take us anywhere as a people ,” he declared.
He thanked the people for their support as well thank their son, former commissioner for Energy ,Okey Amadi for being a Pilar of his political sojourne.
Earlier, the Isu opinion leader and Principal, Community Secondary School, Mgbosomini in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Chijioke Amadi said the honour done Etche chairman was a collective division of his people.
Amadi described the council boss as an illustrious son who has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the community.
He declared that his community and the entire Etche will keep supporting him because he is doing well.
Amadi urged the people to keep praying for him and the Rivers State Governor to succeed in delivering dividends of democracy.
Senate has set up an adhoc committee to investigate the demolition of buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, just as it summoned the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to appear before it to explain the reasons behind the demolitions, which have left many residents stranded
The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ireti Kingibe ( FCT), who expressed concern over the illegal demolition of structures in the nation’s capital and called for an immediate stop to further demolitions.
The Red Chamber particularly ordered the FCDA to halt ongoing demolitions of property in the Territory within the next two weeks pending the report of its adhoc committee constituted to probe the issue.
The adhoc committee, to be chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru; Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Idiat Adebule and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, as members.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who announced the composition of the committee, gave it two weeks to submit its report.
Akpabio while reading the resolution of the Senate, said: “The Senate urges the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to stop further demolitions of structures, except those ordered by courts of competent jurisdictions, until the adhoc committee constituted by the Senate to ascertain the propriety or otherwise of the exercise concludes its investigation and interface with the FCT administration within the next two weeks.”
Kingibe in her lead debate said that in recent times, the demolition exercise in the FCT was no longer based on reasons that necessitated the demolition.
She urged the Senate to be further concerned that the current demolition in the FCT was not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.
“As such, a cross section of individuals had suffered untold hardships occasioned by massive demolition, which has led to a loss of properties worth billions of naira.
“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by name, Messrs Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osakpawan Ogbebor is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition. And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with requisite title document.
“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, with registration Number 001,” Kingibe said.
She urged the Senate to accordingly resolve to urge the FCT administration to halt the ongoing revocation and demolition of the said property, “as it does not fall within the purview of the reasons for the massive demolition being carried by the FCDA.”
Senator Kingibe also advocated thatall demolitions should follow due process while the Senate set up a committee to investigate the matters arising from the demolition.
However, Senator Sunday Karimi ( Kogi West) in his contribution said the Senate needs to hear from the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, before ordering a halt to the demolitions.
“If you look at this motion, the presenter said, a specific land allocation was mentioned belonging to one Paul Ogbebor.
“We don’t know anything about this thing and we are just coming because of this to tell the minister to stop?
“There is need to investigate this matter before giving any directive. We must hear from the minister. But we have to hear before we say stop demolition.
“Let’s hear from the Minister. You cannot shave a man’s head at his back. We need to hear from the Minister,” Karimi said.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), however disagreed with Karimi, saying that the request that the Senate should call on the FCT minister to halt further demolitions was in order.
He said: “Mr. President, with respect I disagree with Mr. Karimi. I think we need to be fair to everyone. There is before us an allegation that says certain steps are to be taken which will culminate in demolition. Are we saying that we should allow the place to be demolished while we are trying to look into it?”
In his response, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio agreed with the chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, saying “my thought is in line with yours. If we just say, continue the demolition, and then we start investigation, what are we then investigating?”
He, thereafter, read the resolution of the Senate calling on the FCT Minister to halt further demolitions of property in the FCT pending the investigative report of its adhoc committee chaired by the Deputy Senate President.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi