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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government has revived moribund Women Training Centres in local government areas of the state to enable more women benefit from the newly introduced Local Apprenticeship Scheme (LAS) programme.

The Project Manager of LAS, Alhaji Sani Jada, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola.

Jada said that training centres had been resuscitated in Gombi, Song, Numan, Mayo-Belwa, Fufore and Yola South Local Government Area where 1,626 women were enrolled for various skills and petty business training.

He said that another set of 318 women were attached to Master Trainers across the state while 200 others were enrolled in Hajiya Zainab Nyako’s Women Education and Empowerment Initiative (WEEIN) centre in Yola.

Borno

Alhaji Inuwa Kubo, the Borno State Commissionr for Education, said on Sunday that the State Government has increased the monthly feeding budget of students of post primary schools from N20 million to N30 million.

Kubo,  who stated this during an interview session with Principals of Secondary Schools in Maiduguri, explained that the move was to improve the quality of food and education of the students.

He advised the principals to make sure that the money was judiciously spent by setting up Committee of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to monitor quality of food in schools across the state.

He said the present administration of Governor Kashim Shettima has completed every arrangement to pay WAEC registration for the students.

FCT

Mrs Iniobong Usoro, President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to stamp out quackery in the engineering profession.

She made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the Annual General Meeting of the association with theme: “ Women Engineering Career : The Female Case’’.

She told government to introduce measures that would encourage competition and growth in the building industry, saying that the association’s meeting would focus on the challenges faced by engineering professionals and how to tackle the problems.

Highlights of the meeting include the donation of N100,000 to Miss Adedoyi Funmilola of the Federal University of Technology Akure, the best graduating female engineering student who scored a cumulative grade point of 4.62

Gombe

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has condoled with the government and people of Gombe State over the accident that occurred recently in the state which led to loss of lives and property.

During a visit to Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo in Gombe recently Yuguda expressed sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the accident.

“I am here on behalf of myself and the people of Bauchi State to sympathise with the government and people of Gombe State over the accident which occurred whereby a trailer lost control and affected quite a lot of people.

Dankwambo thanked Yuguda and the people of Bauchi State for their concern and prayed God to accept the condolence.

Dankwambo said Gombe and Bauchi were still one and that whatever affected one state affected the other.

Jigawa

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has urged State Assembly Speakers in the North to restore the “lost values and culture” of the region.

Lamido, who gave the charge on Saturday at the 21st meeting of the Northern Speakers Forum in Dutse, said the people of the region were known as united souls, irrespective of their tribal or religious affinities.

“It is unfortunate that all these values have been lost because of political differences and other selfish interests that have bedevilled the region.”

Lamido, therefore, urged the forum to focus its deliberations toward bringing unity and mutual co-existence among the different ethnic groups in the region and the nation in general.

Kano

Mr Isa Tijjani, a former National Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has cautioned the Federal Government against withdrawing subsidy from petrol.

Speaking to newsmen in Kano recently, Tijjani said the decision would aggravate the current economic hardships in the country.

“Instead of withdrawing the subsidy, government should address the challenges facing the entire sector to reduce the cost of bridging and importation of the commodity,” he said.

According to him, the Federal Government should ensure total rehabilitation of the oil refineries, in addition to making all the petrol depots functional.

Katsina

The people of Mahuta in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State, have been urged to live in peace and engage in viable ventures capable of contributing to the development of the area and the nation at large.

Alhaji Bello Abdulkadir, the District Head of Mahuta, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Mahuta on Sunday.

He had just conferred Prof. Haruna Yusuf, a Mathematics lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, with the traditional title of “Dan-masanin Mahuta”.

Abdulkadir also challenged intellectuals in Nigeria and abroad to contribute their quota toward the development of their local communities.

He said that Yusuf was so honoured, being their first son to attain the highest academic status in the community.

Lagos

The PHCN Transmission Company of Nigeria has said that incessant erection of buildings and sand dredging activities under electricity transmission towers are the biggest threats to the operations of the company.

Mr Olushola Akinniranye, Executive Director, Transmission and Services Provider, said in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Lagos, that a warning had become imperative because dredging of sand under transmission towers often exposed the towers to collapse.

Akinniranye warned sand dredging operators to stop their activities, stressing that it would cause the organisation more than 18 months to replace or repair any fallen part of the network across Nigeria.

Niger

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqa’atu Rufai, on Saturday in Minna, inaugurated a geosciences workstation worth N132 million, donated by Exxom Mobil Nigeria Ltd to the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

The minister said that the workstation, donated to the Department of Geosciences would strengthen the study of geosciences in the university.

She said that government was appreciative of the gesture by Exxom Mobile, urging companies and private individuals to emulate the good example of the company.

Oyo

Many prominent Nigerians on Friday in Ibadan gathered at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium to witness the burial service for Chief Kolapo Ishola, a former governor of Oyo State.

The service was jointly conducted by Archbishop Ola Makinde, the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, and Rev. Francis Wale Oke, the Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministry.

The deceased died at his Ikolaba, Ibadan, residence on

Aug. 9 at the age of 77.

Paying tributes, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former governor of Osun State, described the deceased as a trustworthy politician, noting that he was a father to all.

Sokoto

Alhaji Muktari Mapia, the Deputy Treasurer of PDP in Sokoto State, on Friday called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s plans to transform the country.

Mapia told newsmen in Sokoto that the President’s transformation agenda was one of the best things that had ever happened to Nigeria in recent times.

He, therefore, stressed the need for all the citizens to support the agenda, which was aimed at kick-starting the country’s socio-political and economic development in pragmatic terms.

Mapia said that for instance, the ongoing reconstruction of federal roads across the country would enhance the smooth movement of people, goods and services in the country.

“The priority attention, which the Federal Government is giving to education, health care delivery, poverty eradication and expansion of railway lines, as well as dredging of River Niger, is an indication that Jonathan will transform our country before leaving office in 2015.’’

“The proper funding of our nation’s security agencies will enable them to come out with effective security arrangements that will guarantee peace and enhance national development,’’ he said.

Taraba

At least 16 women from Taraba will not perform this year’s hajj to Saudi Arabia because they have failed the pre-hajj pregnancy screening.

The Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Hassan Bantaje, made the disclosure in an interview with newmen in Jalingo on Saturday.

He said the rules and regulations governing hajj, barred pregnant women from embarking on the pilgrimage because of “the rigorous nature of the exercise”.

Bantaje said the women defied the law and concealed their pregnancies in order to perform the pilgrimage but that the lenses of the medical doctors exposed them.

He said they would not be allowed to perform the hajj this year, explaining that measures were being taken to sanitise pilgrims.

Bantage disclosed that 1,983 pilgrims from the state would perform the hajj this year, 200 of whom he said, were government-sponsored.

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HYPREP Trains Students On Petroleum Jelly, Liquid Soap Making

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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

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Community Organises Civic Reception For LG Boss

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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.

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Senate  Summons Wike Over Demolition Of Houses …Set To Investigate  FCDA Activities 

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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

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