Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested eight persons suspected to be behind kidnapping cases in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Jitoboh told newsmen yesterday in Yola that the suspects were arrested on September 23 in Mubi South Local Government Area of the state .
Jitoboh explained that their arrest was as a result of intensive security patrol by men of his command.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspected kidnappers include one locally made pistol, two live 7.62 millimeter ammunition, 58 live cartridges and seven empty cartridges.
“Others are one double-barreled gun, two masks, one ear protector, two military helmets and SIM cards, among others,” Jitoboh said.
FCT
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) last Monday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkish and Israeli companies for the 2017 Christian pilgrimage operations.
The companies are Tailor Made Tours (TMT) of Israel and Atlas Jet, a Turkish airline which emerged as the preferred bidders for the 2017 Christian pilgrimage operations to the Holy Land.
TMT will handle ground operations including hotel accommodation, transportation and feeding of the pilgrims in Israel while Atlas Jet Nigeria will handle flight to and from Israel.
Executive Secretary, NCPC, Rev. Tor Uja, signed the MoU on behalf of the commission, while Mr Ercument Filiz, Executive Director, Atlas Jet, signed for Atlas Jet and Mrs Josephine Zinder, President, TMT signed on behalf of the TMT.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has advised residents to avoid places with reported cases of monkey pox.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kennedy Ishaya gave the advice in Gombe yesterday while briefing journalists on the state’s level of preparedness against the disease.
“Since monkey pox is a viral infection, I am appealing to the general public to avoid places with the reported case,” Ishaya said.
He also urged residents in the state to report any constituted signs such as fever, headache and common cold to health facilities and avoid self-medication.
According to him, since the outbreak of the disease in some parts of the country, the Ministry of Health had put machinery in place to contain the outbreak of the disease.
Kaduna
Gwauro Community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State has embarked on the building of maternity to stem the high maternal and infant deaths in the area.
Head of the community, Malam Umar Galadima told newsmen last Monday in Gwauro that lack of access road and hospital had led to the death of several pregnant women and infants in recent times.
“We have been losing lives of so many pregnant women and children as a result of the distance between our village and near-by towns to access hospital services.
“We have to travel about 25 to 30 kilometres from this community to locate any hospital outside the town for medical attention”, Galadima said.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old girl, Gambo Suleiman who allegedly dumped a day-old baby boy near a house in Yauri, Kebbi State.
An eye witness, Malam Musa Yauri told newsmen in Yauri that the new born baby was found dumped behind a building at about 5 p.m. last Sunday evening.
“They have handed over the baby to the Yauri Local Government Authority, which in turn, handed over the baby to the Kebbi Orphanage Home for proper care,” he said.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mustapha Suleiman, confirmed the incident, saying the baby’s mother had been arrested.
Kogi
A socio-cultural group, the Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State People has slammed some youths in the state for allegedly blocking the delivery of relief materials including food to the striking state civil servants.
The group described the action of the youths as misguided and wicked in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Asipita and the Secretary, Mr Bodunrin Olufemi, last Sunday in Lokoja.
“It is shameful for paid jobless youths to carry out such a disgraceful act of trying to prevent relief materials meant for the striking workers from entering the state,” it said.
Our correspondent reports that some youths on October 27 reportedly laid an ambush on Lokoja-Abuja highway in an attempt to hijack bags of rice donated by some senators to the striking workers.
Lagos
An anti-corruption group has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the removal of Babachir Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Ayo Oke as Head, National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The Chairman of the group, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Mr Debo Adeniran gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
According to him, the development will further boost the anti-corruption fight.
Nasarawa
Chairman, Interim Management Committee (IMC), Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Hajiya Jamila Sarki, has advised newly sworn-in councillors of the council to shun corruption and other sharp practices.
Sarki gave the advice at the swearing-in ceremony of the new members of the interim management committee yesterday in Garaku, headquarters of the local government area.
The council boss urged the IMC members to be transparent and accountable in the discharge of their duties for the overall development of the area.
Niger
The Emir of Agaie in Niger State Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu has appealed to herdsmen and farmers in the emirate to continue to live in peace for meaningful development of the emirate.
Nuhu made the call at a town hall meeting at IBB School of Preliminary Studies, Agaie in the state yesterday.
He said that the meeting was convened to bring the herdsmen and farmers together, and to encourage them to live in peace because the country needed them for a viable society.
“The dry season is setting in now, we should all appreciate it as God’s routine for humanity, herdsmen should meticulously shepherd their herd and avoid their cattle from trespassing into farm lands”, the Emir said..
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has inaugurated a four-day validation workshop on 2017-2021 Strategic Health Development Plan II.
Inaugurating the workshop yesterday in Akure, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro,said the training was meant to produce an all-encompassing and harmonised strategic health development document for the health sector of the state.
“The purpose of this final validation workshop is to produce document with its appropriate costing which will serve as the basis for collective ownership, adequate resource allocation, inter-sectoral collaboration, decentralisation, equity, harmonisation, alignment and mutual accountability in Ondo State.
“The document will also stipulate requirements for future health investment towards achieving sustainable universal access and coverage with a defined package of essential services within the planned period,” Adegbenro stated.
Plateau
The Federal Government last Monday said it planned to train 800,000 youths and women on vocational and skills acquisition in Plateau State.
National Coordinator, Basic Skill Acquisition Training Programme in Nigeria, Mr Lawrence Kyuka, disclosed this during a three-day training programme for youths and women in Pankshin Local Government of Plateau.
Kyuka disclosed that nine local governments had been selected for the programme being anchored by the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youths and students Affairs, Mr Nasir Adhama.
He gave the names of the areas as Shendam, Langtang North, Langtang South, Pankshin, Mangu, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom.
“The Federal Government is out to ensure that the teeming youths and women are empowered with skills to be self-employed and become employers of labour to boost the nation’s economy.
Sokoto
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has intensified manhunt for a woman suspected of harbouring under -age girls for sexual exploitation.
The Zonal Commander of the agency in charge of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, Mr Hassan Tahir, told newsmen in Sokoto recently.
He said that the suspected woman allegedly engaged in the unlawful act at Gidan Sauro in Sokoto metropolis.
Tahir said the agency had also arrested a businessman, Umar Babuga for allegedly caging two underage girls for sexual exploitation.
He said that investigation was in progress and the suspect would soon be prosecuted.
Julius Berger Maintains Commitment to Timely Delivery with Holiday Work Schedule In the spirit of progress and dedication, workers on the Bodo-Bonny Road project, a transformative construction project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, have continued their efforts undeterred by the Yuletide season. For many, the opportunity to contribute to the development of their communities through this landmark infrastructure project is a source of pride and fulfillment.
The 37.9 km road project, which connects Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area to Bonny Island in Rivers State, stands as a beacon of hope for the operational communities.
Julius Berger’s workforce, comprising a significant number of local indigenes, has been steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the project’s timely completion despite the challenging technical and logistical demands
The construction of this critical infrastructure requires specialized techniques and construction methodologies, including extensive sand filling for soil stabilization, to ensure a suitable foundation for construction.
The project also necessitates meticulous planning and coordination by the workforce and their supervisors, further underscoring the skill and precision involved in executing this project.During the holiday season, workers were seen diligently engaged in other activities such as base course installation, and sand-cement stabilization at key sections, including Apha Creek Bridge and Opobo Channel Bridge, the sight of heavy equipment from leading manufacturers like Caterpillar and Volvo further revealed the scale and complexity of the project.
Speaking about the project, John Hart, a member of the project team from Gokana, shared the pride he and his colleagues feel about the project,
“This road means everything to us. It connects our people to opportunities and development. For those of us working here, it’s more than a job, it’s our contribution to building a future for our communities.
Even during the holidays, we’re happy to give our all.”
Appreciating the team’s dedication, The Project Manager, Tim Nippert noted that, “Our workforce continues to exceed expectations. Working through the holidays and navigating the difficult terrain demonstrates their resolve and passion for delivering this project. Their ability to maintain steady progress under these conditions is truly remarkable.”
The Bodo-Bonny Road project is a critical component of Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda. Featuring a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island, it is designed to overcome environmental challenges while improving connectivity and stimulating socio-economic growth.
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.
