Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The police in Mubi Local Government Area in Adamawa have arrested two farmers, Jonathan Rugwari and David Rugwari in connection with an assault occasioning harm on one Dotorr Markul.
The Police Area Commander, Mr Bashiru Itanola, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Mubi on Wednesday, but declined to say the cause of the attack.
He said the suspects were apprehended for allegedly attacking Markul with daggers at Kirya village in the local government area.
Itanola said Markul sustained injuries from the attack and was currently receiving treatment at a private clinic in the area.
According to him, the suspects would soon be arraigned.
The commander appealed to the people of the area to cooperate with the police and remain law abiding.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on youths in the state to shun anyone offering to engage them as political thugs or for other criminalities.
The Commandant of the agency, Alhaji Suleiman Madu, made the call on Wednesday in Yuguda village, Bauchi Local Government Area, during a sensitisation exercise on the dangers of drug abuse.
Madu expressed concern with situations where politicians engaged youths as political thugs by giving them hard drugs that were detrimental to both their physical and moral up bringing.
Madu urged the people in the state to report illicit drugs dealers who were bent on circulating hard drugs to members of the society, especially the youth.
Earlier, the Sarkin Yuguda, Alhaji Hamza Musa, commended the command for the campaign and assured the agency that the people of his domain would always support it in its war against hard drugs.
FCT
Prof. Williams Emofurieta, Lecturer at the Department of Geology, University of Benin, said on Wednesday that more than 4 billion metric tonnes of virgin bentonite had yet to be exploited in the country.
Emofurieta disclosed this while delivering a lecture at a two-day international conference on “Modern Mining Processing’’ in Abuja.
Bentonite, according to him, “is a mass of clay minerals dominated by over 70 per cent montmorillonite, while other minerals such as quartz, illite, kaolinite, vermiculite and attapulgite may occur in association as impurities within bentonite”.
“Nigeria has an estimated large reserve of more than 4 billion metric tonnes of virgin bentonite ore yet to be exploited.
“This will more than serve Nigeria for the next 1,000 years for our domestic needs and export purposes,’’ Emofurieta said.
He said the development of the ore would create more employment opportunities capable of increasing the country’s source of revenue and the Gross Domestic Product.
FCT
In another development the House of Representatives on Thursday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to re-award the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road contract.
It summoned the Minister of Works, Sen. Sanusi Dagash, to appear before its Committee on Works to explain the delay in the completion of the project.
The House also directed the minister to ensure that critical portions of the road at Abuja, Gwagwalada bridge and Lokoja were completed before the end of the year.
It directed relevant agencies to release funds to the contractors to facilitate the completion of the project on schedule.
Gombe
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stressed the need for change of attitude among Nigerian pilgrims to ensure smooth Hajj operations in the country.
A NAHCON Commissioner, Alhaji Isa Bukar, made the call in Gombe on Wednesday at the North East Zone sensitisation meeting of state chairmen and secretaries of Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Bukar said some of the problems encountered during hajj exercise could be a thing of the past if there was a change of behaviour on the part of all concerned.
He sais most of the problems faced during Hajj operation such as overloading, misbehaviour and absconding of pilgrims were caused by lack of proper and clear knowledge on how Hajj should be conducted.
The meeting suggested that NAHCON should find ways of preventing those who had performed hajj exercise from embarking on the holy pilgrimage to give others opportunity and reduce congestion in the Holy land.
The meeting, the first of its kind, attracted Hajj officials and clerics from the six states in the North East Geo-political Zone.
Kwara
The Olofa of Ofa in Kwara, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has tasked security operatives to fish out those behind the recent killing of journalists in the country.
Gbadamosi made the call in Ilorin at a ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara).
He also pleaded with government to provide adequate security for media practitioners.
The Monarch said that the killings, if not checked, would affect the practice of journalism and information dissemination, which he described as crucial to nation building.
Gbadamosi, however, urged journalists not to renege in discharging their constitutional roles and also to uphold the ethics of journalism.
The General Mananger of the station, Mr Abdulateef Adedeji, said that the station was in total state of disrepair until 2003, when the present administration was inaugurated.
Adedeji assured that the station would continue to practice responsible journalism with a view to promoting peace within and outside the state.
Lagos
A cooking competition organised by the women fellowship of the Christian Community Church, Surulere, Lagos tagged ‘cooking contest for Jesus’ has ended.
Rivers State indigenous delicacy prepared with ripe plantain and fresh fish pepper soup (biate mbana) by Mrs. Helen Bob-Manuel emerged the first position while Cameroonian dish, Ndole soup cooked by Mrs. Okome Dibo-Ebong came second.
In an interview with our correspondent shortly after the keenly contested event at the church premises last Sunday, the leader of the fellowship, Mrs. Bose Abisagboola r4ecalled that the group had organised symposia for members in other areas of endeavour, but stressed that the cooking contest was aimed at getting women more involved in their kitchens.
According to Mrs. Abisagboola, “most women are not seriously involved in cooking for their families, rather they prefer buying cooked food outside for their families, hence the competition is to show how orderly and simple the handling for kitchen environment and the entire home should be”.
Oyo
Unregistered human resources management practitioners in the country will be sanctioned, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria IPMN) warned on Thursday in Ibadan.
The National President of the CIPMN, Mr Abiola Popoola, gave the warning at an agricultural human resources management forum organised by the institute.
He sought the support of registered members in flushing out fake practitioners.
He urged those who had not registered with the institute to do so immediately, saying it was the only way true professionalism could be brought to bear on the practice of personnel management.
Popoola also said that in line with the institute’s professional development plan, there was an urgent need for it to add value to national development through increased capacity building.
The president noted that the CIPMN had branches in 25 states and promised that efforts would be made to expand and establish branches in the 11 remaining states and Abuja as well as in some local government areas.
Sokoto
The Sokoto Government has distributed 726 assorted brands of vehicles to its workers, who are expected to pay back the cost as loans.
It also disbursed about N530 million as car purchase/refurbishing loans to the workers.
The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, made the announcement in Sokoto on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting.
He said that 30 Kia and 14 Hyundai vehicles worth N128.8 million were approved for Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General, while 100 Hyundai and 235 Chevrolet cars worth N476.7 million were given to civil servants on grade levels 14 to 16.
Aliyu said that those on grade levels 12 to 13 would be allocated 247 Hyundai and 100 Kia Picanto cars worth more than N400 million, while civil servants under grade level 12 would be given N800,000 and N500,000 each as car loans, amounting to N530 million.
The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said the council also approved some projects, including the construction of roads within and outside the state’s metropolis at more than N2 billion.
Taraba
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Taraba seized 977 kilogrammes of Indian hemp from dealers between January and May this year, an official of the agency has said.
The agency’s Commander in the state, Mr Kaku Mshelia, said the figure surpassed the total seizure of 796kg in 2009.
Kaku newsmen in Jalingo on Wednesday that the command made its largest catch since its establishment in 2003 in May when it seized a consignment weighing 345kg.
He said that his men, acting on a tip off, intercepted the consignment conveyed from Akure.
The commander said that four persons, Joseph Etim, Okon John, Akpabio Philip and Mohammed Ibrahim, were arrested and charged to court in Yola as the main suspects in the deal.
Kaku said that 56 suspects were arrested during the period, out of whom 17 have been convicted to various jail terms, while 23 others were counseled and rehabilitated.
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