Nation
THE STATES
Borno
A humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) last Sunday, said it had deployed more than 1, 700 personnel to Borno State to provide emergency support services to communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.
The organisation also known as ‘MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES’, said it was providing intervention in the areas of health care delivery, food and nutrition support as well as water and sanitation services.
The MSF’s Head of Mission, Mr Moctar Abassi, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the personnel included 1, 600 Nigerians and 130 expatriates.
Abassi said that the organisation had extended its outreach to 11 locations, to enable it render support to the displaced persons and vulnerable persons in the state.
He listed the benefitting areas to include Maiduguri, Pulka, Gwoza, Monguno, Damasak, Benisheik, Dikwa, Banki, Ngala, Rann and Bama.
FCT
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the appointment of Prof. Bisala Ekele, as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).
The Assistant Director of Information in the hospital, Mr Frank Omagon, made this known in a statement last Sunday, in Abuja.
It said that the letter signed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, indicated that the appointment was for a four-year term with effect from June 1, 2017.
The acting president, in the statement, called on the new CMD to be conscious of the enormous responsibilities of the office.
“You must be conscious of the yearnings of our people for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system,” it quoted the acting president as saying.
Gombe
The management of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gombe State, has declared a ‘no work, no pay’ policy following the indefinite strike embarked by lecturers of the institution.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Establishment and Council Affairs Ibrahim Shehu, last Sunday, in Gombe.
Reports have it that the lecturers embarked on an indefinite strike on July 11 demanding the payment of the backlog of allowances owed them by the college authority.
Shehu described the action by lecturers under the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) as uncalled for.
He added that the management of the institution has no option but to apply the policy in line with directives by the federal government.
Kano
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, last Saturday, observed that Fulfulde language and culture in Nigeria were slowly ‘dying,’ warning that it was a question of time before they became ‘extinct’.
Ganduje made the observation in Yola during formal inauguration of Board of Trustees and Directors of newly established Yola-based Pulaku Radio FM station.
“Fulfulde is becoming a dying language in Nigeria, especially among the elites; Fulanis themselves should wake up and promote their language.
“Many elites who are Fulani by origin will tell you, sometimes with some element of pride, that their father or grandfather was Fulani but they (elites) cannot speak the language,” Ganduje lamented.
Kwara
One of Landmark University’s best graduating-students in the 2016/2017 academic session, Oladiran Ezekiel, has attributed his feat to the inspiration he garnered from his father, a chartered accountant.
Ezekiel said this last Sunday, during the post-convocation thanksgiving service held within the university in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, where it is located
Our correspondent reports that Ezekiel was among the 468 students that graduated during the institution’s 4th Convocation held last Friday.
Sixty-six students, that included Ezekiel, graduated with First Class Honours in various courses of studies.
Ezekiel, apart from bagging a First Class Honours in Accounting, is also a certified Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) as well as being a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) upon his graduation.
Lagos
The Managing Director of the Jos-based Nigeria Film Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, says Nigerian movies are among the best internationally in terms of contents, settings and acceptability.
Maduekwe told newsmen in Lagos that many movie-producers and marketers were smiling to their banks because of impressive turnover from the sales of their videos based on quality and public acceptability.
“There is no doubt that today Nigerian movie-producers are improving in the qualities of their home videos.
“Take for example the “Wedding Party’’ or “1976’; these are blog busters that are raking-in hundreds of millions of naira for their producers, because they have better production qualities,.
Niger
Five students are to enjoy full scholarship to study Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, courtesy of a Niger State lawmaker, Mr Danlami Bako.
Bako, representing Rafi Constituency in the State House of Assembly, told newsmen last Saturday, that the sponsorship was part of efforts to support the educational pursuits of youths.
“The sponsorship is my own little way of encouraging the educational development of our teeming youths in Rafi.
“The importance of education in one’s life cannot be over-emphasised and that is why I support people who are willing to embrace it,’’ he said.
Bako disclosed that he had paid the WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees of 22 students drawn from the 11 wards in his constituency.
Osun
Outraged by the abduction and killing of a Permanent Secretary in Osun State, Mrs Kemi Kolawole, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, has called on the Federal authorities to provide adequate security on the nation’s highways particularly the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway.
He spoke against the backdrop of the killing of Kolawole and her driver, on Okene-Abuja highway by some suspected kidnappers.
“It is painful and shocking,” the speaker said in a statement last Saturday, in Osogbo, signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Goke Butika.
Salaam decried the spate of killings and insecurity particularly on Okene-Abuja road and urged Kogi and the Federal Government to take urgent steps to find the killers of the permanent secretary and her driver.
Oyo
Property owners occupying government lands at Fasade and parts of Egbeda town in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, have appealed to the state government not to demolish their houses.
The spokesman of the affected landlords, Mr Michael Adeniyi, made the appeal last Saturday, because of the ongoing demolition of unapproved structures built on government lands at Ajoda new town.
According to Adeniyi, appeal remains the only option for the landlords, having realised that the lands actually belong to the government.
“We have resolved to make this passionate appeal to the state government to leave out our community out of the several hectares acquired.
Plateau
The Plateau State Police Command says it has apprehended a 25 year-old man for allegedly posing as ‘female sex worker’ in Jos.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Terna Tyopev, told journalists, last Saturday, in Jos, that the suspect, identified as Michael Atseng, was arrested on July 13 at Gwom Guest House, Hwolshe, at about 9:30pm.
“The hotel management alerted us that someone is lodging in their hotel who poses as a woman but with physical features of a man.
“We mobilised our men and at exactly 9:30 pm, he was accosted and had been in our custody, “ Tyopev said.
Tyopev, who described the suspect as a “habitual homosexual’ said in 2016, he was arrested by soldiers but returned to his normal business after he was released.
Sokoto
The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu, last Sunday, visited Wamakko, the home of Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North),to condole him over the death of his younger brother, Rep.Abdullahi Muhammad(APC-Kware/Wamakko).
Bagudu, according to our correspondent, was accompanied on the visit by his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.
Bagudu described the death of the late lawmaker as a great loss not only to his family and Sokoto State, but also to the country in general.
He prayed God to repose the soul of the deceased and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding, Wamakko commended Bagudu for the gesture and described Muhammad’s death as a collective loss.
Taraba
A member representing Ussa Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Anderifun, has awarded scholarship to 200 students from his constituency studying in various tertiary institutions across the country.
Presenting the scholarship last Sunday, in Jalingo, Anderifun said he was moved to reach out to the students given his personal experience during his school days.
According to him, the scholarship is to encourage them to work hard so as to become patriotic future leaders of the country.
“I want to encourage you to work hard, even in the face of economic hardships and insecurity facing the nation.
“Education remains the bedrock of any societal development and it is my belief that you all will succeed in your endeavours.
In a bid to meaningfully engage secondary school students in Ogoniland during the Christmas holidays and beyond, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has trained them on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making.
This is even as the Project has partnered with the National Orientation Agency(NOA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to keep the students away from crime and other related social vices during the Yuletide, by giving them pep talks that would put them on their toes during the period.
This came to the fore as HYPREP recently organised an Ogoni Young Men Mentorship programme and life skill workshop with the theme, ‘Career Coaching: Developing The Young Minds’ at Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The beneficiaries of the programme are essentially members of environmental clubs in 13 schools in four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.
At the event, both NOA and NDLEA gave career talks to the students, aimed at keeping them off social vices like drug abuse and addiction as well as negative peer influences through out the Christmas holidays and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof NeinibariniZabbey said the Project deemed it necessary to invite the National Orientation Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to speak to the students in order to shield them from negative peer influences as they are preparing to go for the Christmas holidays.
He explained that the workshop would enable the students to know when the signs of the negative peer influences start coming.
Zabbey, who was represented at the occasion by HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, said the Project is not only going to train the beneficiaries but also give them the tools and skills that would grow them in the future so that they would start making money for themselves.
Also addressing the students, the Rivers State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency(NOA), Mr Young Ayo-Tamuno expressed delight for meeting young minds, to discuss issues on values, describing it as a great opportunity.
He noted that there are seven values which constitute the role and commitment of the government towards the citizenry and another seven core values which constitute the code for the citizens.
While commending HYPREP for organising the event, Ayo-Tamuno said team work is key to making Nigeria a better place for all, as both the government and the citizens have their respective roles to play, with each staying committed and focused.
The Chief Programme Officer of NOA, Mr Henry Ayede was the one who actually mounted the rostrum and drilled the students on the seven core values embodied in the National Value Charter for citizens, and stressed the need for them to imbibe them and put them to practice as they grow up.
Ayede listed the values to include discipline, duty of care, leadership, tolerance and respect, transparency, environmental awareness and resilience.
He also underscored the need for the students to imbibe the spirit of hard work and dignity of labour, contending that while hard work and dedication contribute to success, every job can contribute to national development.
According to him, dignity in labour is the foundation of success.
On his part, Mr Bill Ebiokpo of the Media/ Advocacy Unit of NDLEA, who represented the Bori Area Commander of the agency, advised the students to guard against drug abuse and addiction, which he said have far reaching consequences.
The Principal of the Senior Secondary of Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Barrister Bob Agbozi thanked HYPREP for organising the programme, which he said enriched his knowledge and that of the students on the core values guiding the society, saying inculcating such values in young people and teaching them practical skills have contributed immensely to the greatness of advanced countries and even countries like Rwanda in Africa.
He noted that the career coaching would change the behavioral pattern of the students particularly during the Yuletide.
He also thanked NOA for the career talks and urged it to replicate the programme in other places, not only in schools but also in market places.
The training of the students on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making was anchored by an expert, MrsLekpa Abel, with HYPREP workers lending a helping hand.
It was, indeed, a practical session with the students, who came face to face with the production materials of the products.
Donatus Ebi
It was celebration galore as the people of Isu Community in Etche Local Government Area of River State held a civic reception in honour of the Council Chairman, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor .
The epoch- making ceremony which took place recently at the community ancestral home saw the attendance of the political class, the clergy, opinion leaders, the academia, youths, women, elders and chiefs gather to honour their brand new chairman.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Council, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor expressed gratitude to the people for according him such honour, saying it shows their unwavering support to the development of Etche.
Nwafor announced the readiness of his administration to embark on electrification of Ozuzu clan including Isu community.
The Etche council boss also said the market at Isu will be reconstructed to improve the economic life of the people.
He revealed that the two projects will commence in January as efforts are on to mobilise the contractors.
Nwafor told the mammoth crowd that his major concern remains, peace and unity of the entire Etche, saying security of lives and property remains top on his agenda as no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of violence.
He urged parents to encourage their wards and children to refrain from violence and embrace peace. “Let us allow Etche to be at peace .Don’t allow any body to use you set Etche ablaze. Parents advise your children to stay away from crime .We must stay in peace and unity. Our children must shun violence ,it can’t take us anywhere as a people ,” he declared.
He thanked the people for their support as well thank their son, former commissioner for Energy ,Okey Amadi for being a Pilar of his political sojourne.
Earlier, the Isu opinion leader and Principal, Community Secondary School, Mgbosomini in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Chijioke Amadi said the honour done Etche chairman was a collective division of his people.
Amadi described the council boss as an illustrious son who has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the community.
He declared that his community and the entire Etche will keep supporting him because he is doing well.
Amadi urged the people to keep praying for him and the Rivers State Governor to succeed in delivering dividends of democracy.
Senate has set up an adhoc committee to investigate the demolition of buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, just as it summoned the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to appear before it to explain the reasons behind the demolitions, which have left many residents stranded
The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ireti Kingibe ( FCT), who expressed concern over the illegal demolition of structures in the nation’s capital and called for an immediate stop to further demolitions.
The Red Chamber particularly ordered the FCDA to halt ongoing demolitions of property in the Territory within the next two weeks pending the report of its adhoc committee constituted to probe the issue.
The adhoc committee, to be chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru; Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Idiat Adebule and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, as members.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who announced the composition of the committee, gave it two weeks to submit its report.
Akpabio while reading the resolution of the Senate, said: “The Senate urges the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to stop further demolitions of structures, except those ordered by courts of competent jurisdictions, until the adhoc committee constituted by the Senate to ascertain the propriety or otherwise of the exercise concludes its investigation and interface with the FCT administration within the next two weeks.”
Kingibe in her lead debate said that in recent times, the demolition exercise in the FCT was no longer based on reasons that necessitated the demolition.
She urged the Senate to be further concerned that the current demolition in the FCT was not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.
“As such, a cross section of individuals had suffered untold hardships occasioned by massive demolition, which has led to a loss of properties worth billions of naira.
“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by name, Messrs Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osakpawan Ogbebor is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition. And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with requisite title document.
“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, with registration Number 001,” Kingibe said.
She urged the Senate to accordingly resolve to urge the FCT administration to halt the ongoing revocation and demolition of the said property, “as it does not fall within the purview of the reasons for the massive demolition being carried by the FCDA.”
Senator Kingibe also advocated thatall demolitions should follow due process while the Senate set up a committee to investigate the matters arising from the demolition.
However, Senator Sunday Karimi ( Kogi West) in his contribution said the Senate needs to hear from the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, before ordering a halt to the demolitions.
“If you look at this motion, the presenter said, a specific land allocation was mentioned belonging to one Paul Ogbebor.
“We don’t know anything about this thing and we are just coming because of this to tell the minister to stop?
“There is need to investigate this matter before giving any directive. We must hear from the minister. But we have to hear before we say stop demolition.
“Let’s hear from the Minister. You cannot shave a man’s head at his back. We need to hear from the Minister,” Karimi said.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), however disagreed with Karimi, saying that the request that the Senate should call on the FCT minister to halt further demolitions was in order.
He said: “Mr. President, with respect I disagree with Mr. Karimi. I think we need to be fair to everyone. There is before us an allegation that says certain steps are to be taken which will culminate in demolition. Are we saying that we should allow the place to be demolished while we are trying to look into it?”
In his response, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio agreed with the chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, saying “my thought is in line with yours. If we just say, continue the demolition, and then we start investigation, what are we then investigating?”
He, thereafter, read the resolution of the Senate calling on the FCT Minister to halt further demolitions of property in the FCT pending the investigative report of its adhoc committee chaired by the Deputy Senate President.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi