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THE STATES

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Adamawa

G

overnor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has
sworn in the new Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi.

Nyako urged the new acting chief judge to endeavour to reinvigorate the state judiciary by ensuring justice for all and sundry in the state, at the ceremony in Yola.

He said that the swearing-in was timely and important considering the present situation people in the state found themselves.

“The state government is doing all it can and very careful to avoid unnecessary tribal, religious or political tension for the development of our people.

 

Bauchi

T

he Bauchi State Technology Incubation Centre,
said it would train women in different skills to enhance their source of income.

The Manager of the centre, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, said this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.

Mohammed said that the training would commence with 20 women from Bauchi Local Government, while other women from 19 local government areas of the state would be co-opted in due course.

She said the training was an essential tool for achieving the goals of gender equality in the society.

 

FCT

T

he Senate President, David Mark, has pledged to
remain a pan- Nigerian in spite of all the challenges.

Mark also pledged to dedicate the rest of his life to the service of God and humanity.

He made the pledge at a church service to mark his 66th birthday at the St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, recently.

The senate president said he was not celebrating the birthday with any fanfare because of the current insecurity in the country, adding that such a mood was unhealthy for any celebration.

“I will remain a pan-Nigerian and work for a nation where peace, love, development and unity reign as a binding principle.

 

Gombe

T

he number of people bitten by snakes has increased
in Gombe State in the last three weeks due to the hot weather, a health official, Dr Abubakar Balla, has said.

Balla, who is in-charge of snake bite treatment centre at Kaltungo Hospital, told newsmen in Gombe that there was over 70 per cent rise in the number of cases reported to the hospital.

According to him, the hospital now receives an average of 20 cases daily as against six it was receiving three weeks ago.

This, he said, had raised the number of victims currently receiving treatment at the hospital to 119.

 

Kwara

T

he Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr
Ambrose Aisabor, has urged traditional rulers in the state to shun partisan politics in order to achieve effective administration of their domains.

Aisabor gave the advice during a courtesy call on the Aloffa of Ilofa, Oba Samuel Dada, at his palace in Ilofa, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara.

He said the traditional rulers could only play the role expected of them satisfactorily if they were not involved in political activities, as fathers of all.

“The act of securing of lives and property should never be an exclusive preserve of the law enforcement agencies to achieve the desired result.

Kaduna

T

he Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has said it had trained
500 residents of Kaduna State on dispute resolution.

The Director- General of the council, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, disclosed this at a media briefing in Kaduna, recently.

She said that the training was held across the three senatorial districts under the council’s ‘Access to Justice For the Poor (AJFP)’ programme, sponsored by the Japanese Social Development Bank and the World Bank.

Bob-Manuel said the training had offered the participants, alternative means of settling disputes without recourse to violence.

Kogi

G

overnor Idris Wada of Kogi State has promised to
utilise the expertise of personnel at the College of Agriculture, Kabba, towards achieving the state’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Wada was quoted as saying this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the college which is affiliated to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Wada, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, described agriculture as the pivot of his administration’s programme.

The statement said that the governor expressed his administration’s resolve in ensuring that the state became the food basket of the nation and that jobs were created through agriculture.

Lagos

T

he traditional ruler of Isolo in Lagos State, Kabiru
Agbabiaka, has called for the revival of self-help culture by communities toward enhancing national development.

Agbabiaka told newsmen in Lagos that the culture of executing projects through communal efforts was becoming extinct.

“The culture of implementing communal projects in the past by the people had helped to facilitate national development.

“We should go back to that period when the people contribute to the development of their communities.

 

Ondo

A

U.S.-based firm, SPAGnvOLA Chocolatier LLC,
has lauded the Ondo State Government over the quality of the cocoa beans produced in the state.

Our correspondent reports that SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier, a chocolate firm, is partnering with the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution Implementation Committee on the production of chocolate in the state.

The firm’s President and Founder, Mr Eric Reid, in a letter he addressed to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in Akure, observed that the quality of the cocoa beans was comparable to the ones from other West African countries as well as Central or South America.

Ogun

A

member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr
Oludaisi Elemide, has urged the Federal Government to continue to accord priority to security of lives and property.

Elemide told newsmen in Abeokuta that the acquisition of latest military hardware and provision of welfare benefits for military personnel would restore peace in the North-East Zone.

He said Nigerians were worried about the security situation in some parts of the country, particularly in the North-East Zone.

Elemide also called on the military to evolve more proactive measures to curb the menace of insurgents.

 

Oyo

S

achet water producers in Ibadan have called on the
Federal Government to prevail on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to refrain from collecting a N25,000 laboratory test fee imposed on them.

The Production Manager of Clover Pure Water Factory, Mr Aderemi Ojo, told newsmen in Ibadan that the fee was unnecessary.

He said that the fee was only meant to provide NAFDAC with a mobile processing laboratory.

” The idea is to upgrade NAFDAC’s system of water screening.

” With it, on-the-spot screening of water samples would be carried out right in our factories without having to send these samples to their offices.

 

Sokoto

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with the
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, over the death of his brother, Alhaji?Bello Maiwurno.

Our correspondent reports that Vice-President Namadi Sambo delivered the condolence message on behalf the President.

Jonathan said the death of Maiwurno was a great loss to the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, his family, the people of Sokoto State and the country.

Speaking earlier,?Abubakar thanked the president for sending a high-powered delegation to Sokoto to commiserate with his family.

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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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