Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the assassination of Principal Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Knowledge, Economy and Investment, Mr Tavershima Adyorough.
Adyorough was also a member of the Benue State Economic Team.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bashir Makama told newsmen last Sunday in Makurdi that Adyorough was assassinated in the early hours of Sunday.
“He was killed in his house by bandits, who also shot his wife. The woman is currently responding to treatment at a government hospital in Makurdi,” he said.
The commissioner said that the motive of the killing was yet to be established, but expressed optimism that the culprits would be apprehended and brought to book.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to Nigeria, after a medical vacation in London, as a big boost toward ending the Boko Haram terrorism in the North- East.
Shettima stated this in a statement signed by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in Maidugur last Sunday.
He congratulated the entire people of the North-East on the return of the president.
“The people of the North-East should be congratulated as the major beneficiaries of Buhari’s return because of his open love, empathy and keen interest in addressing the security challenges in the sub-region,’’ Shettima said.
He said that aside from his zeal in fighting insecurity, the president had been magnanimous in appointing individuals from the sub-region into key Federal Government positions.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly last Sunday congratulated the state Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola on his elevation to the rank of a Professor.
The deputy governor was last week appointed a Professor in Building Technology by the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The appointment was backdated to 2012.
He had being a lecturer for no less than 20 years before venturing into partisan politics and was, subsequently, made the deputy governor of Ekiti, his home state.
The speaker of the Assembly, Mr Kola Oluwawole Oluwawole, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, described the honour as well-deserved, thanking God for making the him reach the zenith of his academic career.
FCT
A member of the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from his medical vacation in London, saying it will end controversies surrounding his long absence.
Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for medical attention in England and returned last Saturday after 104 days.
Although, he handed over power to the Vice President in compliance with the Constitution, his long absence elicited varied commentaries and protests, with some urging him to “resume or resign”.
Abaribe, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, told newsmen in Abuja that the president’s return was good news for Nigerians, and “will end the controversies that trailed his stay in London”.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), says it has begun the biometric verification of its staff to uncover ghost workers.
The board’s spokesman, Mallam Wasilu Umar, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Umar said the exercise would cover staff at the SUBEB headquarters in Dutse, as well as in the Local Government Education Authorities (LEAs) across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
He quoted the chairman of the verification committee, Alhaji Hamza Aliyu, as saying this while, addressing members of the committee at a meeting on the development.
Kano
Kano State Government and Dangote Group have donated N500 million each as assistance to victims of the fire outbreak that occurred early this year in five major markets in Kano.
The Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced the donation last Saturday in Kano.
Dangote, who headed the appeal fund committee for the victims, said the gesture was to ameliorate the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
“Times are hard and if not for the recession which we are also affected I would have donated more than this amount,” he said.
He called on other wealthy individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the traders.
Kwara
The Police in Kwara State last Thursday assured that adequate security would be provided during the councils elections in the state slated for November 4.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Ado Lawan, gave the assurance while receiving members of Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) led by the Chairman, Dr AbdulRahman Ajidagba who visited him.
The commission’s visit was in continuation of its sensitization calls to security agencies and other stakeholders toward achieving credible, fair and free election.
Lawan said that the command was working round-the-clock to ensure a trouble-free councils poll in every part of the state.
Lagos
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) last Sunday said the jubilation that followed the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari was an indication that the country had no alternative to him now.
Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the Chairman, South-West Chapter of the union, told newsmen in Lagos that Nigerians were in happy mood with the arrival of their President.
“We believe in our president and I can tell you, categorically, that there is no alternative to Buhari in moving the country forward,” he said.
According to the Chairman, the people came out immensely to welcome him, because they believed in him to turn around the ailing economy.
Niger
The Niger State Government says it has spent N3 billion to rehabilitate nine secondary schools under the first phase of its Whole School Development Approach Programme.
Hajiya Fatima Madugu, Commissioner for Education, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen last Monday in Minna, said that three schools were selected from each of the three sentatorial districts.
She said that the second phase of the rehabilitation, which would focus on technical colleges and vocational training centres, would soon commence.
According to her, two technical colleges and two vocational schools will be rehabilitated from each senatorial zone.
Ogun
A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili last Sunday said that the demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were unrealistic in light of the current economic situation in Nigeria.
Ezekwesili said this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan while reacting to the ongoing strike embarked upon by the union.
The former minster said that lasting solution to the crisis bedevilling the education sector could only be found from strong analysis of the issues raised by ASUU and evidenced based policies.
“Money is not limitless and yet everyone must acknowledge that investment in education is crucial and it is key.
Osun
The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested a 23-year-old suspected internet fraudster (name with/held) for allegedly duping an American of 80,000 dollars (N28.8 million).
Police Commissioner, Fimihan Adeoye, told newsmen in Osogbo that the suspect allegedly committed the crime by posing as a woman to the unsuspecting man on a dating site on the internet.
Adeoye said the victim, who was looking for a serious relationship with a woman, was however scammed by the suspect to the tune of 80,000 dollars.
He said the suspect was apprehended with the help and information the command received from an anonymous source.
“He presented himself as a woman on the internet and he succeeded in seeking the friendship of his victim who thereafter paid the money into his account.
Plateau
The Plateau State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), has pleaded with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to extend its support to private schools in rural communities.
Its Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Uzoji, told newsmen last Sunday in Jos, that access to educational materials in rural communities was difficult, urging the board to intervene.
“Access to educational materials in rural communities is very minimal. SUBEB should intervene to augment what proprietors of the primary schools in hinterlands can afford,” he said.
Noting that 75 per cent of Nigerian children attend private primary schools, he said that government must show more interest in the quality of what the children were getting.
Nation
NUJ backs proposed strike by Lagos-owned media workers
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.
The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.
In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.
The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.
They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.
The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.
“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.
The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.
“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.
The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.
“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.
The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.
“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.
Nation
New Rivers CP assures of non partisan …moves against human rights violation
The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.
Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.
“We are committed to transparency.
My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.
“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”
“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.
“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.
“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.
“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.
“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.
“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated
CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.
Akujobi amadi
Nation
Police invites assaulted female victim, assures of protection
The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.
“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”
“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”
“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”
“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”
Akujobi Amadi
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