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Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, displaying his registration card shortly after registering as a member of All Progressives Congress (apc) in Jada town, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State last Wednesday. Photo: NAN

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, displaying his registration card shortly after registering as a member of All Progressives Congress (apc) in Jada town, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State last Wednesday. Photo: NAN

Benue

 

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC), Benue State Command, says it arrested 50 suspected human traffickers in 2013.

The Commandant, Mr Steven Lar said last Tuesday in Makurdi that the suspects were transporting children to other parts of the country for child labour.

Lar said that the chidren were being trafficked from Tarka, Guma and Ushongo Local Government Areas of the state when officials of the NSCDC who were on surveillance of government infrastructure in the area, apprehended them.

He stated that the suspects were immediately handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking of Persons (NAPTIP) for prosecution.

Lar said that the command was collaborating with other security agencies in the state to secure lives and property of the people.

 

FCT

 

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he Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr
Yunusa Tanko,  has described as “unjust” the composition of the delegates to the National Conference.

In an interview in Abuja last Tuesday, Tanko condemned the structure in which only five out of the 25 registered political parties were allocated 10 delegates.

The modalities released by the Federal Government showed that the five major parties with representation in the National Assembly are to nominate two delegates each to represent them at the National Conference.

Tanko, who is also the National Chairman National Conscience Party (NCP), said if all the political parties were invited by the government, then every view would be reflected.

 

Gombe

 

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ombe State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS
(GOMSACA), is to commence resource mapping as part of measures to identify HIV and AIDS stakeholders in the state.

Project Manager, GOMSACA, Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, said in Gombe last Tuesday, that everybody had a stake in the struggle to control the spread of HIV and AIDS.

He explained that one of the major challenges of GOMSACA, was that the local government councils, were not fully committed in the fight against the scourge, in spite of their significance as major stakeholders.

Abdulkarim further said that, testing and screening centres in the state, would be increased, particularly in rural communities adding “We want universal coverage; every health facility would have a testing section.” he said.

 

Jigawa

 

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he Jigawa State government has earmarked N200 mil
lion for payment of registration fees of the 2014 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for its indigenes in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Hudu, who disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Dutse said the amount would cover for students sitting for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) exams in 2014.

He said that no fewer than 16,500 students had so far been registered for WAEC in all secondary schools in the state noting that the gesture was part of government’s efforts to address illiteracy in the state and prepare youths for future leadership challenges.

 

Kaduna

 

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he Director of  Kaduna State Fire Service, Mr Adamu
Kadams has urged people in the state to stop harassing firemen and preventing them from discharging their duties.

The director made the appeal in an interview last Tuesday in Kaduna. He was reacting to series of attacks on the firemen by residents whenever the officials responded to distress calls.

The director urged the state government to recruit more firemen to replace those that died or were retired, so as to bridge the manpower shortage being experienced by the service.

He said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was also working on a plan to sensitise the public on the importance of cooperating and supporting fire fighters to carry out their duties without molestation.

 

Kano

 

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he Kano State House of Assembly has elected a new
Speaker following the resignation of the former, Alhaji Gambo Sallau. The new Speaker is Alhaji Ishaku Danja, who was until last Tuesday’s election, the Deputy Speaker.

The  Majority Leader, Alhaji Hamisu Chidari, is now the Deputy Speaker. The House had also elected Alhaji Kabir Alhassan as the new Majority Leader to replace Chidari.

The former speaker who announced his resignation in a broadcast in Kano last Tuesday, said his decision was based on political reasons.

Sallau and three other members had on Monday announced their decision in a local radio station to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Kwara

 

A

griculture and Allied Employers’ Union of Nigeria
(AAEUN) has inducted farmers of the informal sector as its members, according to Mr David Ehindero, the Chairman of the union.

Ehindero said last Tuesday in Ilorin that the union’s constitution empowered it to accommodate farmers in the informal sector for the diffusion of agricultural technology.

The chairman, who is also the Director, Agriculture House, explained that the house had become an embassy for stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

Ehindero said that the new inductees were expected to make judicious use of opportunities available to them as members and also stressed the need for the new members to embrace agricultural insurance.

 

Lagos

 

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he Nigerian Navy has requested for more conces
sions in the purchase of Excess Defence Articles and other maritime security hardware from the U.S. Government.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, made the plea at the opening ceremony of Exercise OBANGAME Express 2014, the final planning conference, held in Lagos.

Jibrin urged the US to expand its current training support to the West African sub-region, to cover a wider area of human capacity development, as well as the number of beneficiaries.

He noted that the US government and its allies have been making concerted efforts to enhance the capability of the Golf of Guinea nations to monitor and protect their territorial waters.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the conference, the Exercise Director, Capt. Nancy Lacore, said 22 countries would participate in the exercise, billed for April.

 

Nasarawa

 

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he synergy between the Nasarawa Agriculture De
velopment Programme (NADP) and the Federal Government in providing farming inputs to farmers has improved agricultural activities in the state.

The acting Programme Manager of the programme, Mr Stephen Kpama said last Tuesday in Lafia during the planning meeting of the agency for the 2014 that the synergy focused on the provision of farm inputs and engagement of extension workers to educate farmers.

According to him, the agency has put the necessary measures in place to consolidate on the achievements recorded as a result of the partnership and urged the staff of the agency to complement government’s efforts, in spite of the challenges they were facing.

 

Niger

 

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he Niger State Government last Tuesday said it had
paid N5 billion as compensation to affected communities and individuals in the state for using their lands.

The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Dr Peter Sarki, told journalists in Minna that the state government did not acquire land forcibly from the people.

He said that government intended to acquire land along the new Maitumbi-Maikunkele bypass for public interest adding that the acquisition of land was not limited to Minna alone but also to major towns in the state.

 

Oyo

 

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he Oyo State House of Assembly last Tuesday
cleared four additional commissioner-nominees submitted to it for approval by the executive arm.

Tuesday’s clearance has brought to 23 the number of commissioner-nominees approved by the House.

Those who cleared at Tuesday’s plenary were Prof. Nureni Tanimowo, Kolade Abimbola, Azeez Adeoye and Ajiboye Omodewu.

Speaking before the confirmation of the nominees, the Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu (APC-Oyo), urged members of the House to confirm or reject the nominees.

 

Plateau

 

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he Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Mr Chris
Olakpe, has honoured a Fulani leader, Alhaji Bello Lamido, for saving the life of a Berom man.

Presenting the award in Jos, on Tuesday Olakpe said Lamido had protected the Berom man from attack by angry Fulani youths, when the man strayed into Ropp village of Barkin Ladi Local government last year at the height of the Plateau crisis.

He commended the Fulani leader for his display of patriotism, saying his action is worthy of emulation by all warring factions in the state.

Olakpe called on other traditional rulers in the state to emulate “the good conduct of the Fulani leader” and always guide their youth against taking laws into their hands.

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Party Chieftain Hails LG Boss’ Dev Strides

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Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwuche has extolled the sterling leadership being provided by the Chairman of the council, Hon Iyeko Okporo, describing it as unprecedented.
Hon Chukwuemeka described the council chairman as God-sent, considering his achievements in just 100 days in office.
The PDP chieftain said the chairman has rekindled the hope and trust of the people in grassroots governance.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for enabling his people to have his replica at Akinima.
He explained that the solar water project, the Late Eze Ekpeye Logbo 11 palace fencing, generator house rebuilding and town hall, all in Odiereke Ubie Community can best be described as the hallmark of true leadership.
He said the projects have direct bearing on the basic needs of the people who have suffered untold hardship and bad governance until the saviour came into office.
“ It is thunderous, as you can see the organic support and show of love to the performing chairman. Our people are overwhelmed seeing one of their own touching lives in a special way. As a community ,we have been in the past years without drinking water, but just two months in office, the chairman has provided not just drinking water, but a well-treated solar water project. Okporo is God-sent, no wonder he is nicknamed such. We have compared notes with other chairmen in the past and came to the conclusion that what he is doing in 100 days is overwhelming. Governor Fubara has made us proud by allowing a level playing field that necessitated the emergency of the chairman. You can see the women, men, youths and traditional rulers all saying one thing. God bless Governor Fubara for giving us our own. We owe him prayers and unwavering support,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Ward 9 councillor, Hon Catherine Uriah showered encomiums on the chairman for addressing the basic needs of the people in just 100 days in office.
Hon Uriah also thanked the Governor for allowing the will of the people to prevail in the just concluded local government elections which produced the God fearing chairman.
She said the people of Ward 9 as well as Ahoada West are pleased with the chairman because he is doing well.
She said the people will go to length to show support to him in his determination to redefine governance at the grassroots.

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Group Plans Pilot Farm Programme For 50  Schools

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A community-based non-governmental organisation, The Peoples Encouragers Initiative, is planning a pilot farm project for 50 schools in both Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chukwuma Abraham disclosed this at the recent International Human Rights Day celebration at Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Abraham said the proposed programme which gulps the sum of N45million was intended to bring the youths back to the land and make them self-reliant.
“We hope to mobilise the factors of production inherent in all the schools through this programme to achieve two basic objectives of building self reliant youths and to create a viable and sustainable stream of income for our schools,” he said.
He said the programmme will also keep the youth busy and impact farming skills, stressing that each of the participating schools is expected to nominate at least two members of staff to coordinate and supervise the programme while10 students will be elected as executive members to administer the programmme on a day to day basis in their various schools.
“Every school has a sizeable portion of arable land to carry out the programme of establishing a functional farm in their chosen area of interest. We are hoping to mobilise an estimated N45 million to enable us set up the pilot farms across the 50 schools within Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas,” he said.
He said the celebration was to draw attention of both the Nigerian government and the international community to the issue of human rights violation, adding that findings by the organisation has shown that insecurity and youth unemployment worsened over the past few years as a result of the insecurity that engulfed the Orashi region of the State. We also found out that the high level of cultism and social unrest within our environment is mostly fuelled by the high use of  illicit drugs among the youths. This programme will afford us the opportunity to take a tour through the universal declaration of human rights and reinforce on our youths the understanding that substance abuse can lead to crime, crime can lead to jail term and criminal record can blight their future dreams and life for ever,”he said.
Also speaking, the representative of the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ikporo Freedom urged the students to shun all forms of anti-social behaviours especially during the holiday season.
He also warned them against joining bad groups and stressed the need for the organisation to include private schools in the programme.
The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Ezu R .C . Hezekiah represented by his Deputy, Hon Ununuma Odoi pledged the support of the council to the programme.
He also urged other groups in the area to emulate The Peoples Encouragers Initiative by organizing programms that will impact on the lives of the people.

John Bibor

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NCSU Flays Police Take Over Of Rivers PDP Secretariat

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has condemned the take over of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State by the police, saying the action is against the tenets and principles of the rule of law.
This is even as the union has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call to order the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for allegedly orchestrating and instigating the crisis rocking the PDP in the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the condemnation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the police have no right to take over the PDP secretariat, as a ploy to provide cover and protection for members of the state executive of the party loyal to Wike, who were recently sacked by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State.
According to him, the action of the police is in clear defiance of a court ruling sacking the party executives at all levels in the State, instead of taking steps to enforce same.
He regretted that the police have consistently been showing that they are not appreciative of the logistic support Governor SiminalayiFubara has been extending to them, by openly demonstrating their bias, loyalty and allegiance to Wike and his supporters, contrary to their rules of engagement, which uphold and recognise absolute neutrality.
He said the Minister is wasting his time if he thinks that he could destroy the State by orchestrating and instigating needless crisis that is capable of making the State ungovernable, and appealed to President Tinubu to call him and his supporters to order.
Commenting on the fate of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the State, who defected from the ruling PDP to the All Progressives Congress(APC), Osumah said their fate is apparently sealed, as the Supreme Court had already given judgment in a similar case, saying, Wike is merely wasting his time by using the lawmakers against Governor Fubara, and causing unnecessary problem in the State.
He said if the Minister and his supporters do not retrace their steps and give peace a chance, the NCSU would have no choice than to mobilise all civil servants in the State, to troop out to the streets and protest against them.
The labour leader stressed the need for the police to vacate the PDP secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, and respect the High Court ruling which declared the congresses of the party in the State null and void.
While reiterating the need for President Tinubu to call Wike to order, Osumah said the President cannot continue to fold his arms and watch the Minister continuously make frantic efforts to destroy his State.
He also carpeted those blaming Governor Fubara administration for the recent gruesome murder of a Chief Security Officer(CSO) and his son in Igwuruta Ali community, saying those making such insinuations and attributing the sad incident to security lapses on the part of the state government, are missing the point.
He noted that by empowering the police in the State with several operational vehicles and other logistics, it was expected that the police would reciprocate the gesture, by living up to their constitutional obligation of protecting lives and property in the State, contending that Governor Fubara has been playing his part of guaranteeing security in the State.

 

He said the State is generally peaceful and safe, and challenged those criticising the Governor to cast their minds and attention to what is happening in other parts of the country, where killings and other social vices have become the order of the day.
Osumah cited as an example the recent killings in Ebonyi State by Fulani herdsmen as well as incidences of kidnapping and banditry in several other States of the federation, and wondered if Governor Fubara could be held responsible for such anomalies.

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