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 Borno
The Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) has unveiled “Operation Zero Pothole” to repair roads in the state.
The Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Satomi Ahmad told newsmen in Maiduguri that the road repairs project was on major towns in the state.
Ahmad said the agency had completed arrangements to commence work on the roads in Maiduguri metropolis, adding that similar projects would be executed in Biu town.
He listed some of the roads to be fixed to include Post Office-Industrial Court, Jidari-Polo and Pompomari-Jidari.

Ekiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has sent letter of protest to the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu over the arrest and detention of the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Toyin Ojo and the Accountant General, Mrs. Yemi Owolabi.
In the letter, the Assembly described the arrests of Ojo and Owolabi as “premeditated, malicious, politically motivated, contemptuous and unconstitutional in all ramifications;” saying it smacked of “gangsterism by an agency that derives its power from the constitution but acts in clear contempt of the rule of law.”
The letter, which was dated October 2 and signed by the Speaker, Mr. Kolawole Oluwawole was delivered at the EFCC’s Abuja office last Tuesday.

FCT
Mrs. Patience Jonathan has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to treat her the way her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan treated Aisha Buhari when he (President Buhari) lost the 2011 presidential election.
Patience, who is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said this in a statement by her Chief Press Secretary,  Belema Meshack-Hart  recently.
The former first lady said she was being probed because of the prominent role she played during the build-up to the 2015 elections.
Patience had described Buhari who was the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress as a brain-dead man.

Kaduna
Resident doctors in Kaduna State have begun an indefinite strike  over “ the sorry state” of healthcare facilities in state government hospitals.
President, Association of Resident Doctors in the state, Dr. Joseph Jokshan said at a press briefing  in Kaduna that the state government had not responded to any of the doctors’ demands issued 21 days ago.
He said that the doctors were pained to begin the strike, but “unfortunately, we cannot effectively carry out these tasks in the current sorry state of our healthcare facilities.”
Jokshan listed issues that prompted the strike to include poor funding, equipping and staffing of hospitals and non- provision of living environment for medical, health workers and patients.

Kano
The Kano State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Nigeria (IBFIN)  recently organised a sensitisation workshop for journalists in the state on the Fundamentals of Islamic Economy, Banking and Finance.
The Managing Director of the IBFIN, Alhaji Sani Aminu said the aim of the one-day workshop was to enhance the knowledge of the journalists on the importance of non-interest banking in the country.
He said the purpose of choosing journalists to benefit from the training was due to their importance and contributions towards the development of the nation’s economy.
“When you educate a journalist, you educate the entire people because they are enlightening and educating and informing the general public.

Kebbi
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has promised to provide skills acquisition equipment and other materials to inmates of the two prisons in the state with a view to properly rehabilitating them.
Bagudu made the promise  in Birnin Kebbi while donating tailoring machines to the inmates of the two prison inmates in the state.
The governor urged the inmates to consider their incarceration as an act of God meant to reform them and not to abuse their personality.
He called on them to change their attitudes, before and after the expiration of their prison terms.

Kogi
Kogi State Government has solicited the co-operation of media organisations in the state to help in sensitising the people on the need to obey environmental sanitation laws.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya made the call in an interview with newsmen  in Lokoja.
According to Osikoya, the call is necessary because the media remains a critical stakeholder to the society and the ministry, adding that it also touches the life of everybody and affects people in several ways.

Kwara
Kwara State Government has received N3.5 billion as its share of the federal allocation for September.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu who disclosed this in a statement  in Ilorin said the amount was an increase over the N2.5 billion it got in August.
Banu gave the breakdown as N2.7 billion being statutory allocation and Value Added Tax (VAT) of N813 million, totaling N3.5 billion.
The commissioner said that the 16 local governments in the state received a combined allocation of N2.5 billion for September, against N1.8 billion they got in August.

Lagos
The Migrants Reintegration Centre in Ibeju-Lekki, near Lagos has rehabilitated no fewer than 100 Nigerians deported from various countries in the past four years.
The operator of the centre, Mrs Bose Aggrey told newsmen in Lagos  that the deportees were mostly people, who went abroad in search of greener pastures.
Aggrey, who is also the founder of the Web of Hearts Foundation said that she had been collaborating with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) in looking after the returnees.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government says it has sponsored 19 medical and engineering students who are indigenes of the state in United Kingdom  and Ukraine universities.
The Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Scholarship Board,  Mr Suleiman Abdulwahib disclosed this in an interview with newsmen recently in Lafia.
Abdulwahib said that over N160 million was spent on foreign scholarship to 16 indigenes of the state who studied medicine and engineering courses in Ukraine from 2007 to 2012.
He added the government had also spent over N33 million on three indigenes who did their post graduate programmes in UK from to 2016.
He explained that although presently, the state did not have any foreign students, it was working out modalities to award scholarships to indigenes to study in foreign countries.

Oyo
Private hospitals, mission homes and traditional birth attendants in Ibadan are recording tremendous increase in patronage following the on-going nationwide strike by health workers.
Reports indicate that  the health workers’ strike which began September 20 had affected normal medical services in federal government-owned hospitals and the 54 teaching hospitals in Nigeria.
A survey of patronage in some private hospitals in Ibadan revealed that there was a high increase in the number of in- and out-patients at these hospitals.
At Ibadan Central Hospital, a senior nursing officer who pleaded for anonymity said that the hospital had been treating an average of 76 new patients daily since the strike began.

Plateau
The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade has trained 85 volunteers to fight indiscipline and corruption in Plateau State according to the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Bulus Dabit.
Dabit told newsmen last Monday in Jos that the volunteers went through three months of rigorous training that armed them to tackle the two vices and also inculcate values of patriotism into the society.
“The trainees are ready to serve Nigeria; they are ready to be engaged by the Police for community policing and intelligence gathering,” he said.
He said that the WAI volunteers also known as Community Support Brigade could also augment the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  in the fight against drugs abuse.
“Some communities have become notorious for crimes as well as drugs sale and intake”.

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FG Begins Tolling On Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Highway

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The Federal Government yesterday began the tolling of the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza axis of the road.
Certain categories of vehicles, including security, diplomatic, ambulances and tricycles are, however, exempted from the tolling.
The Tide’s source reports that the road is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the aegis of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
Speaking during the inauguration, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the corridor as a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria.
According to him, it is essential for both the economic and social activities of the central and northern parts of the country.
Umahi was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.
He recalled that the Federal Government under the previous administration in 2023, executed a 25-year toll of rates concession agreement with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company.
The Minister said that the government rehabilitated and upgraded the roads through the preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank.
He explained that it was agreed, among other things, that the road would be tolled, and maintained by a private party and revenue collected would be used to repay the loan.
“The Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project is the first among the nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase 1 to commence operations.
“In the coming months, the Federal Government will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geopolitical zones of this country.
“This initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad routes,” he said.
Umahi said the collection of tolls would generate the much-needed revenue for the maintenance and expansion of the Renewed Hope Road Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the Tinubu administration was committed to building a robust, interconnected infrastructure for socio-economic growth.
“The toll order fee schedule for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafayette-Makurdi Federal Highway has been designated as follows: cars-N500; SUV Jeep-N800; minibuses N1000, and multi-axle vehicles, trucks and buses N1600.
“However, frequent road users like the commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highways Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.
“Authorised vehicles, pedal vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two or three wheels transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations will be offered a 100 per cent discount,” he said.

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Foundation Seeks Community Approach To Tackle Climate Change

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A non-governmental organisation, Ashoka Ford Foundation, is seeking for a community approach to tackling climate change.
It also needs local engagement in shaping policies that drive environmental sustainability.
The Director of Ashoka Anglophone West Africa, Mrs Josephine Nzerem said this at the Climate Justice Environmental sustainability Committee of Practice organised by the foundation in Port Harcourt.
Nzerem said the Climate Justice Community of Practice (CJOP) was an initiative launched in 2024 to foster collaboration among key stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.
According to her, “This ongoing efforts focus on engaging the Alode Community at Ajuri Palace Water Works Road, Alode, Nchia Eleme, Rivers State to deepen grassroots participation and drive sustainable climate change,” she said.
She further said that the Climate Justice Community of Practice (CJCOP) was designed to be a transformative platform where government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector players and educational institutions can create solutions that prioritise climate resilience and equitable environmental policies.
“Ashoka’s approach emphasises grassroots mobilisation and institutional collaboration to ensure inclusive and community driven solutions
The CJCOP will equip young people with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for climate justice, build sustainable solution and actively participate in decision making process.
Nzerem also said that climate change also breeds gender-based violence as women and children have become the most vulnerable, and stressed the need for the women to make their voices loud on the issue.
“The intersection of gender-based violence and climate change is often overlooked.Women and youth who are disproportionately affected, struggle to have their voices heard and recognised. Many fear speaking up, yet their own experiences are critical to shaping effective solutions,” and added that achieving true climate justice requires a holistic approach, one that integrates every aspect of life to build a sustainable and equitable future.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has assured of its preparedness to partner with relevant stakeholders to address the issue of climate change in the state.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson said this at the Climate Justice Environmental Sustainability Committee of Practice conference organised by Ashoka Ford Foundation in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner who spoke alongside his Environment counterpart, Tambari Sydney Igbara said the government will not allow the activiaties of the multinational corporations operating in the State to impact negatively on the lives of the people.
He also described the state as very safe for investors, adding that night life has returned to Port Harcourt, the state capital.
On his part, the Commissioner for Environment, MrTambari Sydney Igbara said the government is happy to see groups such as Ashoka Ford Foundation coming out to educate people about climate change.

He said the doors of the ministry is open to suggestions on how to address the issue of climate change in the state and other environmental issues in the state.

Also speaking the Regional Director Centre For Development Support Initiative (CEDSI) Dr Mina Ogbanga said time has come for community voices to be heard as far as climate change was concerned.

She said this was necessary as the effects of climate change are being felt by communities.

John Bibor

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Okehi Clan Demands Recognition, Upgrade Of Chieftaincy Stool

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The people of Okehi Clan in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have once again made a passionate appeal to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to consider recognising and upgrading the highly respected stool of their monarch, Eze Ibezim Eke, Onyerishi Agwuru (IV).
The people made the call during the coronation of Dr Chike Promise as the Chimereugo 1 of Etche land by His Eminence Ochie Emmanuel Opurum, 0nyishi /Ochie of Etcheland.
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of UmuolaObibi, Prince Udo Njoku, who spoke on behalf of the people, stressed that if the monarch is given government recognition, it would enhance the people’s participation in governance,as they are one of the most peaceful people in the State and have total support for the Governor and the overall development of the State.
Also speaking, the newly crowned Eze of Etcheland, Eze Promise assured his people that he would be a servant leader as he has always been to them.
He used the medium to thank the governor of the state for his development strides in Etcheland, while also promising to work cordially with the state government to maintain peace at all times within his domain.
Eze Promise was well celebrated by his people on his coronation as the community was agog on the day.

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