Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala
Nyako (rtd) has returned from abroad, Nyoko fled the country following his controversial impeachment by the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The returnee ex-governor, sources said decided to return to Nigerian following the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President.
Nyako, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission over allegation of financial crimes, according to sources, is planning to meet with President Buhari.
Bornu
A bomb exploded Saturday afternoon near Maiduguri’s
main market leaving at least 13 persons dead. The explosion, it was gathered occurred by the mosque near a market in the town.
The Saturday explosion came on the heels of another blast by Boko Haram insurgents in their attempt to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, Friday, which killed 16 persons.
In the Saturday explosion, correspondent learnt that one of the insurgents joined the worshippers pretend to be one of them, but the insurgent later detonated the bomb which killed some of the worshippers and injured others.
FCT
A female politician, Dr Olubunmi Usim-Wilson, has ad
vised the President, Retired Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to cut the high cost of governance in the country.
Usim-Wilson gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. The Abuja based female politician also urged Buhari to improve the welfare of citizens. Usim-Wilson, a former Senatorial Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the FCT. appealed to incoming administration to explore areas like tourism and agriculture as ways of augmenting dwindling revenue from crude oil. She further called for youth unemployment as a priority for the government to reduce poverty .
The President should block all leakages and ensure that our common wealth is no longer stolen and frittered away by politicians. “About 80 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed and this should be addressed urgently; education, health and social security should be given
priority.
Gombe
The Defence Headquarters says a cordon and search
operation conducted by Nigerian troops in Gombe has led to the arrest of three bomb making experts.
Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, said the arrested persons were suspected to be members ot the terrorists’ group, Boko Haram, in search of soft targets for attack after being dislodged from the stronghold in Sambisa forest and other enclaves.
He listed the Items recovered from those arrested to include a tricycle and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
He said the suspects were currently undergoing interrogation.
“Cordon and search is continuing in certain localities and will be intensified along with mopping up operations in locations where offensive operations are being conducted.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Monday said that it had rescued a commercial motorcyclist, after being attacked by robbers.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado,told newsmen in Dutse that Danladi Ismai’l, 25, was rescued having sustained machete cuts.
Gidado said that Isma’il was picked from the pool of his blood, after the hoodlums stole his motorcycle and money in Kiyawa Local Government Area on Sunday.
He said that the victim was attacked while carrying one of the suspects who pretended to be a commuter going to Gwari village. He said the motorcyclist was attacked when another suspect appeared from nowhere and inflicted cuts on him.
Kwara
Kaiama Local Government Council of Kwara State has
pledged to finance the marriage of any serving female National Youth Service Corps member that marries a man from the council area.
The chairman of the council, Alhaji Alhassan Bagudu, made the pledge last Wednesday in Kaiama while receiving the 2015 Batch “A” corps members posted to the council.
Bagudu said the council would also pay 20 per cent of marriage expenses of any male NYSC member that marries a lady from the area.
The Council boss said the gesture is to foster unity in the country in line with the objective of the NYSC scheme.
He said the council would set up a farm for the corps members serving in the area to help the agrarian community boost food production.
Kaduna
A Zaria-based Non Governmental Organisation, Waje
District Development Association (WDDA) has tasked elected political leaders on executing projects that would touch the lives of the citizenry.
Malam Garba Mohammed, Chairman of the association, stated this at a town hall meeting held at Zaria Youth Centre, Tudun-Wada in Zaria.
He said the essence of the meeting was to provide a platform for dialogue between the community and political office holders representing the area.
Tracing the history of the non-political association to year 2000, Mohammed said it was established with a view to bringing unity and promoting socio-economic well-being of the people.
Lagos
A nutritionist, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, recently said one out
of every two women of reproductive age in Nigeria was anaemic as a result of iron deficiency.
Nnam, who is the National President of Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
She said that anaemia in women, especially pregnant ones, was a serious global public health problem with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
According to her, pregnant women, other women and adolescent girls of reproductive age and children, are particularly vulnerable.
“Inadequate iron intake is dangerous to both baby and mother as it can result in severe morbidity and mortality during childbirth as well as negative pregnancy outcomes.
“This condition occurs when the concentration of haemoglobin falls below what is normal for a person’s age, gender and environment, resulting in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood being reduced.
Oyo
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals
(NUAHP) has threatened to resist attempts by the Federal Government to privatise any of its health institutions.
President of the union, Mr Obinna Ogbonna, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
“The National Delegates Conference, recently held in Akwa Ibom, was informed about the antics of some Chief Medical Officers of health institutions, hiding under the PPP to privatise health institutions.
“Privatisation would encourage plans to sell out core clinical and professional services to their lackeys who in turn would profiteer and share such profits with the chief executives.
“This would in turn make hospital services to be out of reach of commoners and staff would be retrenched to satisfy their whims and caprices.
“All legitimate actions would be taken to see that the ongoing PPP as being negatively implemented are resisted and prevented from seeing the light of day,” he said. Ogbonna, however, congratulated the President. Muhammadu Buhari, advising him to cautiously constitute his cabinet; especially that of the health sector.
He advised him against appointing a medical doctor as a health minister, adding that this had always led to serious industrial crises in the past.
“The Federal Government in 1985 appointed Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti as the health minister and the practice had continued till 2014 when Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was similarly appointed.
“Having made members of the Nigeria Medical Association ministers of health to date, we strongly canvass that members of the Allied Health Professionals be appointed into that post,” he said.
Plateau
Outgone Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang begged for
forgiveness from the people of the state that he might have offended during his eight-year tenure.
Making the appeal in a state broadcast mark the end of his administration as governor, Jang said that governance was about decision making.
“In the course of this, we might by commission or omission done wrong to some.
“I hereby on behalf of the outgoing government apologies to all and pray we continue to have favour in your hearts.
“As l look back too, there were painful and bitter moments, happy and sweet times, rough and tough points challenges and conquests, all these and more, we pulled through together.
“This administration is eternally grateful for support without which we would’t have made these modest strides,” he said. According to him, the administration came in with great ambition to change the history and face of the state, but was limited by lack of resources and other competing demands.
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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