Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government would soon take over the
management of some community schools in the state, the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu has said.
Speaking on Friday in Bauchi during a meeting with members of the Parent-Teachers-Association (PTA), Zaranda Community Secondary School, Aminu said the take over of the community schools by the government was informed by its decision to ensure smooth running of the schools.
He revealed that the government had earlies posted some teachers to head such schools to ensure that government policies pertaining to education were implemented in those schools and warned that government would not pay compensation for lands where such schools were sited either for expansion or further development.
The commissioner, who told the Zaranda community that their school was among those schools that would be taken over by government, added that a standing committee had been appointed to assess the school to enable it to know its status.
Kano
Kano State Government has solicited for collective ef-S
forts in total eradication of polio in the state, saying it is a social responsibility.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, made the call at a press conference held at the ministry to mark the World Polio Day celebrated annually on October 24.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Dahiru Musa, said that the ministry had organised a rally to celebrate all those committed to the fight against polio.
The Special Adviser to the government on Disabled, Alhaji Usman Yahya, who doubled as a member of the Polio Survivors Association, commended the efforts of the his fellow members.
The Director Primary Health and Disease Control of the Ministry, Dr Nasiru Mahmud, said the state government had spent over N140 million in the past year to strengthen routine immunisation in the state.
Kaduna
The Chief Imam of Nupe Central Mosque, Kaduna,
Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, on Friday urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the 2015 general elections.
Nafi’u who made the call after the Friday congregational prayers in Kaduna, said the prayers would help in restoring the faith of Nigerians, adding, “prayer is the solution to problems; It will also strengthen the country’s unity.’’
He called on politicians to play politics with maturity, shun sectarianism and focus on what would bring unity among the people.
The clergyman said that politicians should see themselves as servants of the people and the youths to shun violence during campaigns.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and credible polls in the forthcoming general elections.
Nafi’u reiterated that both Muslims and Christians should pray for the peace, unity and harmony of the country.
Katsina
The Musawa Local Government Council in Katsina State
said it has earmarked N4 million for the rehabilitation of boreholes and semi-urban water schemes in the area.
The Council Chairman, Alhaji Tanimu Kira, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the working tools to the council’s Director of Water and Sanitation, Alhaji Adamu Hussaini-Garu.
Kira said the initiative was aimed at improving potable water supply in the area to safeguard public health adding that boreholes’ spare parts and other tools for the project were supplied through a committee established by the council.
He said the exercise would be handled through direct labour by the water and sanitation department, in collaboration with community water supply voluntary groups.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Command of the National Drug Law Enforce
ment Agency (NDLEA), on Friday promised to collaborate with the state Ministry of Information and Culture to fight drug abuse and human trafficking.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr Okon Ulo, who gave the promise when he visited the ministry said that the command would establish a joint drug abuse control committee with the ministry.
The commandant said the ministry’s role in information dissemination was very vital, which underscored the importance of the partnership stating that the NDLEA would continue to rehabilitate drug offenders to make them fit back into the society.
The state Commissioner of Information and Culture, Alhaji Shehu Sambawa, assured NDLEA of the support of the ministry in the fight against drug abuse and drug trafficking.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command said on Friday it
had arrested 23 suspects and recovered four stolen vehicles, arms, ammunitions, charms and other items recovered from them..
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Ismaila Numan disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Lafia.
Numan said items recovered from the suspects include; “One AK 47 Rifle, eight locally made pistols, two live cartridges and two rounds of live ammunition. “Others are one Hilux bus, one Vectra and two end-of -discussion Honda Accord, cutlass, face mask and police uniform among others.”
He said that five of the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, eight for alleged rape, seven for alleged criminal conspiracy, one for alleged mischief and two arrested for illegal possession of arms.
Numan commended the public for supplying information to the command, saying that was responsible for the achievement it recorded.
Oyo
The Executive Director, Human of Substance Empower
ment Initiative(HOSEI), an NGO, Miss Abiola Abiade, said on Saturday that only youths with different vocational skills would survive economic hardship.
Abiade who said this in Ibadan at the graduation ceremony of 20 youths sponsored by the NGO on a three-month vocational training programme declared that the organisation was ready to contribute its quota toward women and girl child empowerment.
The Chairperson of MAGI, Alhaja Tawa Malik, congratulated the graduands for completing the programme and explained that MAGI was engaged in sensitising women and the girl child against societal ills such as human trafficking.
Plateau
The Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) said it
would commence the installation of speed limiting device in commercial vehicles in the country from June, 2015.
The Sector Commander of the commission in Plateau, Mr Sunday Maku, who made this known on Friday in Jos at the commission’s “ember months” sensitization campaign, said that the measure was among others being taken to minimise road traffic crashes across the country.
Maku also decried the violation of traffic regulations by drivers “who consistently use phones, drive against traffic lanes, and overtake at bends and corners” and warned that offenders would be sanctioned.
In his remarks, Mr Jonah Emor, Chairman, Plateau chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, thanked FRSC for its sustained efforts to minimise road crashes in the country.
Taraba
A group of veteran labour leaders in Taraba on Satur-
day advised members of the Nigeria Labour Congress against engaging in partisan politics.
The spokesperson for the group, Alhaji Faruk Waziri, gave the advice at a news conference organised by the former labour leaders in Jalingo.
According to him, the independence and sanctity of labour union can only be preserved through political neutrality.
“We are compelled to issue a stern warning to labour unions, individuals or organisations against endorsing or aligning themselves with any political candidate,” he said.
Zamfara
The United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF), Kaduna field office, has commended the efforts of Zamfara Government in its fight against poliomyelitis.
UNICEF Communications Officer, Alhaji Rabiu Musa, at an occasion to mark this year’s World Polio Day in the state, described the measures put in place by the state government as “remarkable and worthy of emulation by all”.
He said that if the state government maintained the tempo, the issue of poliomyelitis would soon be history in the state.
In his contribution, the representative of WHO, Alhaji Yusuf Argungu, urged parents in the state to continue to present their children for immunisation against the six child-killer diseases.
Governor Sule Lamido (left) of Jigawa with the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi during Sallah Dutse on yesterday.
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