Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has warned former
police chief, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, to stop playing politics with the death of Tiv paramount ruler, the late Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Terver Akase, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
Our correspondent reports that Tsav, a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos, had in the Authority Daily Newspaper of December 28 condemned the governor for “lavish Christmas celebration” at his country home while the Tor Tiv was yet be buried.
However, the governor said that Tsav had lost touch with the current happenings in the state and should not be taken seriously as the entire state had officially mourned the late Tiv ruler for three days.
Borno
The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the death
of scores of people after a suspected bomb blast near a mosque in Silimanti on the outskirt of Maiduguri.
Mr Victor Isuku, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), gave the confirmation while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
“I can confirm to you that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday.
“But I cannot give you the casualty figures as aid workers are still counting,’’ Isuku said.
However, some residents claimed that at least 20 persons were killed.
Malam Bukar Idris a resident of the area said:“ I was lucky to have escaped the attack because I left the place few minutes to fetch something in my house for a friend at the gathering.
“But I lost two childhood friends Mallam Modu Bushara and Mallam Shehu Sawab, ’’ Idris said, adding that he counted at least 20 dead bodies before the arrival of aids workers at the scene.
FCT
The Coordinator, Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology
in Africa (OFAB), Mrs Rose Gidado, has urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the frontiers attained in biotechnology to address unemployment.
Gidado, who is the coordinator of the Nigerian chapter of OFAB, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
According to her, biotechnology can provide 25, 000 job opportunities yearly in Nigeria if properly handled.
She said that Nigerian farmers and the country stood to gain from the adoption of biotechnology.
She said that biotechnology had great potential in promoting the production of high quality seeds for farmers for better yields.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has
inaugurated the College of Education in Billiri, saying that government spent N1.6 billion on its permanent site.
Dankwambo gave assurance that government would provide the necessary facilities to train qualified teachers to ensure sound education for students of the college.
“Government will do all within its means to ensure that this college meets all the accreditation requirements by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), JAMB and TETFUND.
“As part of this commitment, government has paid the sum of N5 million as registration fees with the NCCE, “ he said.
Dankwambo said that the government would fund the college with a monthly grant of N30 million.
Jigawa
Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State on
December 29 begun a ten-day Annual Leave for 2015.
This is contained in a statement issued in Dutse by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Bello Zaki.
The statement said during the Governor’s absence, his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, would serve as acting Governor.
It said the Governor thanked the people of the state for the support and cooperation they gave him since the inception of his administration.
He also assured the people of his administration’s commitment to their welfare and security.
He pledged to continue to introduce policies and programmes that would have “direct bearings on the people,” the statement said.
Kaduna
No fewer than 150 Muslim youths and Imams worshipped
together with Christians during Christmas service in Kaduna to strengthen peace, unity and religious tolerance in the state.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessary Fellowship Ministry led the service in Kaduna.
He said that the prayer was to promote peaceful co-existence among different faith organisations “and to shun ethno-religious and political differences affecting the state for decades.’’
Buru said “more than 150 Muslims youths and Imams, traditional title holders and various groups attended Christmas service with their brother Christians in order to promote peace and harmony and religious tolerance across the state.
Katsina
Farmers in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State
have appealed to Governor Aminu Masari to include the dredging of Mashigi dam in Malumfashi supply project.
The leader of the farmers, Alhaji Abdulaziz Bafullatani-Mashigi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Malumfashi recently.
He commended Masari for awarding the N142 million Malumfashi township water supply project, adding that the project would ease water scarcity problems and create jobs for the people.
He said water scarcity had increased household expenses in the area and forced the people to resort to the use of untreated water for domestic needs.
Kogi
The factional Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly,
Mr Godwin Osiyi (PDP-Ogori-Magongo), has reaffirmed the position of 17 members that the embattled speaker, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal remains impeached.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja, Osiyi said that the impeachment, carried out on Dec. 10 during plenary, through the resolution of the 17-member-signatories still stood.
He said that contrary to insinuations from different quarters, the impeachment of Lawal (PDP-Okene II) was not influenced by anyone.
According to him, the impeachment is premised on six grounds arising from general feeling of discontentment among members.
Kwara
Rep. Funke Adedoyin (APC—Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Isin,
Irepodun) has distributed food and clothing materials worth N7 million to the people of her constituency in Kwara.
Adedoyin, who distributed the items in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, said the initiative was her contribution to improving the wellbeing of her constituents.
Our correspondent reports that beneficiaries included artisans, market women, community leaders and party stalwarts.
She said the donation was also aimed at bringing succour to the people during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Lagos
A 25-year-old unemployed man, Kamoru Yusuf, has been
arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into an apartment and stealing property worth N150,000.
Yusuf, who resides at No. 8, Olorunisola St., Oshodi, Lagos is being tried for burglary and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simon, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov.15, at No. 10, Odofi St., Ijaiye, Ojokoro, Lagos.
He said that the accused burgled the residence of one Mr Jude Akamigbo and stole his property valued at N150,000.
“The accused unlawfully entered into the complainant’s apartment less than an hour after the complainant travelled for a business trip and stole his valuables,” he said.
Ondo
No fewer than 50 beds and pillows have been donated by
Omowa Club of Ikale land to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa.
Our correspondent reports that Mr Benson Akindeju, President of the club, presented the materials to Dr Richard Ikuemelo, Deputy Chief Medical Director of the hospital, on Tuesday.
He said the donation was part of the club’s social responsibility, adding that the club had been doing this over the years.
“We feel the hospital needs very clean bed sheets because we had once visited here and I didn’t feel very comfortable with what I saw.
“We observed that the hospital can make do with clean pillow cases and bed sheets, so that the patients can lay comfortably on their beds, hence this timely and prompt donation,’’ Akindeju said.
Osun
Magistrate Bose Awosan of the Modakeke Chief
Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Tajudeen Kehinde, 40, to 12 months imprisonment for stealing two bags of cocoa beans.
Awosan, in her judgment, held that Kehinde was convicted based on the evidence before her and the plea of guilt.
“The convict is hereby sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the two-count charge.
“It is my hope that this will serve as a deterrent to others with similar motive,” she said.
Oyo
The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph
Akinfenwa, has advised Christians not to deviate from the commandments of God and virtues promoted by Jesus Christ.
Akinfenwa gave the advice at St. James Cathedral, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, in his sermon to mark the Christmas celebration.
He said the challenges of life were not enough to be disobedient to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Always remember that God the saviour never fails. He is in charge and can overcome any problem you are passing through.
“I hope next year will be better than this year by the grace of God.
The Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
South East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu considering his commitment to achieving a practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly angered by the Senate’s rejection of the need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent 1993 elections stormed out of the Senate Chambers and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .
Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the Nigerian Military is committed to facilitating sustainable food security in the country through the establishment of farms.
Musa said this in Abuja yesterday during the unveiling of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products Logo.
He noted that the agricultural sector played crucial role in guaranteeing food security which was requisite for sustainable national security.
He said that the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the country had continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security.
According to him, to address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative.
“This is with the aim of keying into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the country.
“The initiative which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of my leadership concept is aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country.
“Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security.
“With similar initiatives replicated across the country, I envision a future characterised by modernised farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development.”
The CDS enjoined all members of the Armed Forces and the general public to embrace the initiative and maximise its associated gains.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, for his sterling leadership and relentless pursuit of national peace, security and economic prosperity.
He also appreciated the efforts of members of the committee who worked assiduously to actualise the initiative.
Earlier, the Chairman, Defence Farms Committee,