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THE STATES
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (middle), his Wife, Mrs.salamatu Umaru-Al-Makura (7th left), with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation in Lafia on Saturday
Bauchi
Wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Hadiza
Abubakar, has said the state government was committed to reforming the health sector in the state.
Abubakar said this at the 2015 Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health Week (MNCHEW) held in Bauchi.
She said that the flag of has clearly shown the willingness and commitment of the government towards giving priority to the sector.
She said that MNCHEW, which was aimed at reducing childhood mortality and improving maternal health, would provide various packages for women and children across the state.
“The week is a strategy to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, the programme is going on in all the 20 local government areas of the state,’’ she said.
Benue
Wife of Benue State governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom,
has advised hospital owners in the state to upgrade their facilities with a view to screening blood samples.
Ortom gave the advice in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Makurdi.
She said that upgrade of blood sample facilities would checkmate the units of blood from donors with questionable lifestyles.
The wife of the governor noted that intensive screening was the only effective way to reduce the spread of hepatitis virus and other blood related diseases.
She alleged that available statistics obtained from the state ministry of health showed that many people in the state had the virus but had refused to go for testing.
Ekiti
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that
his administration would collaborate with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to maintain peace in the state.
Fayose made the remark when the national executives of the union paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that leaders must ensure that peace remained the hallmark of their governance, stressing that being a leader was not about driving the best cars but the number of lives impacted.
Fayose said his administration was able to resolve the issues between RTEAN and security personnel in the state by encouraging them.
FCT
Some stakeholders in the education sector have criticised
the West African Examinations Council (WAEC’s) decision to withhold the 2015 results due to debts owed by some states.
The stakeholders, who spoke with newsmen in separate interviews in Abuja on Wednesday, described the decision as insensitive and irrational.
One of the stakeholders, Mrs Perpetua Okorie, said WAEC had not considered the interest of the children in taking that hasty decision.
Okorie, a parent, said that students should not be held to ransom for any inaction on the part of government.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
command in Jigawa State, says it has arrested two suspects for alleged theft of three motorcycles and a cell phone.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Malam Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Gidado said one of the suspects, Inuwa Ali, aged 19, was arrested in Shuwarin village, Kiyawa Local Government Area.
He explained that the suspect allegedly stole one motorcycle (Daylong brand) from Jahun Local Government Area and rode it to Shuwarin village in Kiyawa Local Government Area.
The commandant added that when the suspect got to Shuwarin, he abandoned it and attempted to take another one (Boxer brand).
Kaduna
Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Zaria Lo
cal Government in Kaduna State, Alhaji Ja’afaru Abbas, said 35 trucks of fertilisers had been procured by the council for farmers.
Abbas made this known while inaugurating the sales of fertilisers for this year’s farming season in Zaria.
The chairman said the sales of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised rate became necessary in enhancing bumper harvest during this year farming season.
He said that NPK fertiliser would be sold at a subsidised rates of N3, 750; Unrea fertiliser would cost N3,600, while SSP fertiliser would attract N2,940.
The chairman said the commodity was specifically meant for the small scale farmers and warned them against any act that could lead to diversion of the fertilisers.
Kebbi
Kebbi Maternal and Child Health Care Civil Society, an
NGO, has distributed Treated Insecticidal Mosquito Nets to 150 pregnant women in Kebbi.
Hajiya Maryam Mustapha, Chairperson of the NGO, who presented the nets to beneficiaries in Takalau community in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, said the group would ensure that pregnant women were protected from health hazards.
“The group would sustain support that would safe guard the health of mother and child, especially against mosquito bites that is rampant during raining season,” she said.
She explained that the group was established to support efforts made by the state and local governments as well as donor agencies in reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality.
Lagos
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai
Owoseni, on Thursday urged traditional rulers in the state to be “the eyes and ears” of security agencies in the fight against crime.
Owoseni made the appeal when he met with the royal fathers at the government house to brief them of his programme and his expectations.
He said the royal fathers occupied a very important position in the society since they were in better position to know and get information about individuals and their activities.
Owoseni assured them of the command’s determination to ensure adequate security in all parts of the state, adding that the command was working out new strategies on how best to make the state crime-free.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, says work
ers’ backlog of salaries would be paid soon.
This promise is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, in Osogbo.
The statement said Aregbesola made the promise when Ijesa Society, a social group, visited him.
Aregbesola, according to the statement, expresses his displeasure over the delay in payment of workers’ salaries.
The statement said every government initiative in the state represented the fulfillment of campaign promises made to the people.
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has met with
leaders of Berom and Fulani herdsmen in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments to find solution to lingering crises in the areas.
Lalong said the meeting was to give the leaders opportunity to openly express themselves and suggest ways to stop attacks and reprisals in the areas.
The governor said he earlier met with the Beroms and Fulani herdsmen at separate occasions where they expressed themselves..
“The summary of all the meetings is that everybody is tired of crises and we all want peace. Today is an opportunity for all of us to find lasting peace in Plateau’’, he said.
The governor said the essence of governance was peace, hence the reason for the series of meetings his administration had held with various stakeholders within the last two months.
Mr Nasiru Oki, Commissioner of Police in Plateau, said the meeting was very fruitful.
Oki said a committee had been set up to look into key issues deliberated upon by the parties towards bringing the desired lasting peace.
Yobe
A Non Governmental Organisation, Advocacy Part
nership on Environment, Water and Sanitation, has urged Yobe State Government to rescind its decision scrapping the Ministry for Environment in the state.
The NGO made the call in Damaturu when its officials visited the Speaker, Yobe House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo.
Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sheriff Ibrahim, said retaining the ministry will go a long way to effectively fight the challenges of desertification and other environmental threats.
“Although the rationalisation of government ministries was done to save cost and improve service delivery, we wish to call on government to have a rethink on the scrapping of the ministry for environment.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Government has donated N450 million
to the Federal University in Gusau for the construction of additional lecture theatres and students accommodation.
The Acting Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Haruna Sallau, announced the donation at the First Matriculation of the university in Gusau recently.
Sallau said the donation was part of the state government’s commitments to ensuring that a concrete foundation was laid in the university, for better educational development.
He noted that the government also provided additional land at the permanent site of the university worth N700million.
Sallau added that utility vehicles were also provided for officials of the institution.
He reiterated government’s commitment to continue to partner with the university in order to ensure sustainable development of education in the state.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.
As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.
HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.
According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.
He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.
To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.
He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.
According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.
She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.
Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.
She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.
She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.
Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.
While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.
On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.
According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.
He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.
Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.