Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Government has expended over
N1.5billion on the provision of relief materials to people displaced by activities of insurgents in three states in Northern Nigeria, an official said recently.
The Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, North-East Zone, Alhaji Muhammed Kanar, told newsmen that the materials were distributed by the committee inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said that the agency had registered thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) affected by activities of insurgents in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
The coordinator said that the agency and other appropriate ministries had met over displaced Nigerians who fled to Cameroun, Niger and Chad Republic, with a view to rendering some assistance to them.
Bauchi
The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association
(NMA), Bauchi State chapter, Dr Muhammad Yusuf, says the association will provide free healthcare services on October 25.
Briefing newsmen recently, the physician said the gesture would be for residents as part of the 2014 annual Physicians Week in Bauchi.
According to him, the exercise will be conducted at Bununu community in Tafawa Balewa local government area, with 30 doctors from various departments.
“We will have medical caravan at Bununu, where we intend to bring more than 30 doctors of different specialities to render health care services.
Borno
Borno State Government says in Maiduguri that
public schools in the state would reopen in November. Committee on the Resuscitation of Primary School Education, Dr Mohammed Dongel, Chairman, who stated this at a meeting, said that the schools would reopen in the first or the second week of the month.
Our correspondent reports that public schools were closed down on March 14, after deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in schools in neighbouring Yobe.
“We hope to reopen all public schools by the first or second week of November, God willing.
“By then we hope to have put in place all necessary infrastructure and instruction materials for conducive teaching and learning,” he said.
FCT
FCT Chairman, Labour Party, Mr Felix Ashimole,
says a peaceful protest would be carried out by its FCT chapter to denounce the party’s national convention held in Akure, Ondo state.
He made this known while meeting with the members of the party in Gwagwalada in Abuja.
Ashimole said that the FCT chapter would soon march to the Nigeria Labour Congress head office for the peaceful protest, adding that the convention which was held in on October 11 was illegal and unconstitutional.
He said that article 13 of the party’s constitution was not followed as expected— it specifies that each state should provide 20 members to attend its convention.
“The article made the number of people to attend from each state clear, but this was not followed at the national level.
Gombe
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), has
urged its members to sustain the enlightenment programmes on the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The call was contained in a communiqué signed by Jibrin Bello-Kwami and Ahazia Suleiman, issued at the end of BON’s 61st Annual General Assembly which ended on in Gombe last Saturday.
BON said broadcasters did very well in the containment of the scourge and assured Nigerians that its members would continue the enlightenment.
Our correspondent reports that the Assembly had “Broadcast as the Critical Mass in Healthcare Delivery’’ as its theme and featured Dr Sani Gwarzo, from the Federal Ministry of Health, who presented a paper entitled “Ebola: Scare or scourge?’’.
Kano
No fewer than 6,620 women have benefitted from the
Women Empowerment Programme of the Kano State government within 10 months of the commencement of the programme.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Binta Tijjani, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Kano recently.
She said beneficiaries of the programme included less privileged women, those who tested positive to HIV, divorcees, widows, VVF patients, as well as those deserted by their husbands due to economic hardship.
“The programme, among other things, provides for training, aimed at making the women to be self-reliant in the society.
“They were trained on liquid soap making, shampoo, baking, spices making, and tie and dye,’’ Tijjani said.
Lagos
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Con
gress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr Leke Pitan, says the fee charged for party nomination form is not exorbitant and is needed to fund the party.
Pitan told newsmen in Lagos that fees paid by aspirants could not in any way encourage corruption.
Our correspondent reports that governorship aspirants in the APC paid N500,000 for expression of interest forms and N5 million for nomination forms.
Pitan said that the party initially proposed a fee of N10 million but this was later reviewed downwards to N5 million.
“The aim is to help fund the party, which to my mind is necessary, there is need to help fund the party”, he said.
Niger
Alhaji Yahaya Daudu, a governorship aspirant in Niger
State, has promised to provide gainful employments for the teeming youth in the state within six months if he became the governor.
The aspirant, who said he would seek nomination on the platform of Labour Party (LP) during the 2015 general elections, made the promise in an interview with newsmen Abuja last Saturday.
Daudu said that if the young men were gainfully engaged, they would shun violence and other social vices.
He said that the state had enough potential to provide jobs for young graduates so as to turn around the socio-economic activities in the state.
The aspirant said that although LP might not be as popular as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, he had confidence that his credibility and popularity would sell him.
Oyo
All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant in Oyo
State, Mr Gbolagade Rahman, has commended the efforts of the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, in transforming the state.
In an interview with newsmen in Ibadan, Rahman, who is aspiring to represent Ido/Ibarapa Federal Constituency, observed that Ajimobi had contributed meaningfully to the development of the state through his urban re-newal projects.
He said that the governor deserved a second chance to continue the good work he had started in the state.
He admonished the people of the state, not to sell their conscience, but should instead, vote for the right candidate.
Sokoto
The International Northern French Conference
(NORFCON), has commended the efforts of northern governors for encouraging the teaching of French language in their states.
The commendation is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of NORFCON’s sixth conference in Sokoto, signed bythe Head of the French Unit, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Dr Umar Dogon-Daji.
The conference particularly commended the Sokoto State Government, under the leadership of Governor Aliyu Wamakko, for its commitment to revitalising French language and other disciplines by sponsoring the state’s indigenes to study within and outside Nigeria.
It said participants at NORFCON acknowledged the 17 indigenes of the state being sponsored to study French at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, inspecting a guard of honour at the Government House in Maiduguri,, recently. Photo: NAN
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