Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa The Adamawa State Fadama Office says it has supported three fish farmers groups with inputs worth N408,000. Malam Dalhatu Girei, the communication officer of the programme told newsmen that the objective was to encourage fish farming and increase the income of the groups. Girei said the office was currently working with 19 fish farmer groups across the state. He identifed one of the three groups being supported as Fada B women fish farmers in Tola village in Mayo Belwa Local Government Area. According to him, 1,800 fingerlings, 300 bags of feeds and 20 sachets each of antibiotic and stress drugs were given to the group. FCT The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has constituted an eminent persons committee to proffer ways of addressing disputes that arose from its just concluded primaries. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Buba Galadima, the National Secretary in Abuja. The statement stated that approval for the constitution of the committee was granted by the National Executive Committee of the party for some states in the federation. It added that members of the committee in some cases were not card carrying members of any political party. The statement quoted Galadima as saying that the essence of the committee was to “harmonise contestants in some constituencies and to advise the party on the way forward’’. The committee, according to the statement, is expected to examine the social and political environment and assess its dynamics and variables. This, it said, was with a view to recommending candidates that would ensure electoral victory in each constituency. Gombe Dr Abu Muazu, the Head of Public Health Department at Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, has advised adults to drink, at least, five litres of water daily. Addressing patients at the hospital last Thursday, Muazu said the measure would go a long way to aid the physiological system, especially the kidney. “The medically recommended quantity of water for every adult is a minimum of five litres daily. “This helps a lot in cleansing the digestive system, making it easier for the kidney to discharge its responsibilities without any stress. According to him, the recommended quantity of water for children depends on their weight. The doctor, however, said that women, who were practising exclusive breast feeding, were exempt from the practice. Muazu condemned the practice by some people, who ate solid food without drinking enough water. Jigawa The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi, has appealed to his subjects to turn out en masse and participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Sanusi, who gave the charge last Thursday in Garu-Kudu ward in Dutse where he registered, advised residents in his domain to exercise patience no matter how long it would take to register. He noted that voting was one way Nigerians could exercise their civic responsibility, saying voters would have the opportunity to elect leaders of their choice. Sanusi also enjoined husbands to allow their wives to register in order to promote gender equity. He appealed to politicians not to engage in acts that would jeopardise the unity and mutual co-existence among the people. Kaduna The Police in Kaduna say they are yet to arrest one Mubarak, alias Best Keeper and seven others, who allegedly murdered one Sunday Onoja. Onoja, 25, a sachet water vendor, was last Tuesday allegedly stabbed to death by Mubarak at Kabala Doki, Kaduna, at about 5 p.m. The Police Public Relations Officer, Malam Aminu Lawal, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Kaduna, said the police were still investigating the incident. Lawal said that the parents of the suspects were being held by the police, but that they were in “protective custody” against possible attack from the relations of the deceased. Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State last Thursday, urged the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), to make nation building its priority. He made the call in Kano at the national delegates’ conference of NAWOJ, which has the theme: “Media Women and Development: The Challenges of Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)”. “Your role is more like that of a middleman. You educate the general public on government activities and vice-versa. “It is good to assess yourselves and ensure that you engage in nation building so as to promote unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians in order to move the country forward,” he said. Earlier, Alhaji Haruna Dederi, the state Commissioner for Information and Sports, had remarked that women had the capacity to make a difference in any country. Katsina The Katsina State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Sabo Ringim, last Friday warned politicians in the state against using thugs to foment trouble during election campaigns. Ringim gave the warning in Katsina at a joint meeting of various security agencies on election security. He said that the command would not allow thugs to breach the peace during any political activity, stressing that it would deal with anybody found wanting. According to him, the state command is prepared to ensure the security of lives and properties during and after the general elections. The commissioner called on politicians in the state to give the police all the necessary support and cooperation to ensure violence-free election campaigns in the state. In his remark, Alhaji Abubakar Wara, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, expressed appreciation with the security provided at all the registration centres across the state. Kebbi The Kebbi State Government has disbursed N1.98 billion to its 21 local government areas for the January monthly allocation. Alhaji Abubakar Kardi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi last week that N2.1 billion was received by the state from the Federal Government for the month. He said that in accordance with the provisions of the law, some statutory deductions were made and N527.9 million, representing 25 per cent, was allocated for rural infrastructure projects. Kardi said N357.4 million was for payment of UBE primary school teachers, N45 million for local government service commission and N11.6 million for servicing of joint account committees. The commissioner said N4.2 million was allocated for social security welfare, while N6.3 million was for the army and police joint patrol. He said that Birnin Local Government Area received the highest allocation of N65.8 million, while Zuru Local Government Area got the lowest allocation of N39.4 million. Kardi advised the councils to utilise the resources judiciously in executing projects that had direct positive impact on the people, warning that strict punitive measures would be taken against officials who diverted or mismanaged the funds. Lagos The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr John Akanya, has appealed to importers to be patriotic when importing goods. Akanya told our correspondent in Lagos last Thursday at the presentation of a quality certificate tagged “ISO 2008” to Dangote Cement Plc that in spite of efforts to stamp out substandard products, some businessmen still imported such goods. He said the trend was his major regret, noting that “despite the organisation’s milestone achievements under my tenure, some unscrupulous importers still cut corners and import substandard products. “It’s regrettable that some importers still circumvent the law and import substandard products that can destroy the lives of innocent Nigerians. “My vision is for the average Nigerian to abide by standards, be orderly as far as quality standard is concerned and make consumers have value for their money. Ogun The Ogun State Government has approved 150 per cent salary increase to its medical and health workers in line with the Enhanced Medical and Health Workers Salary Scale (OGEHESS). Mr Sina Kawonise, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, announced this in a statement issued last Friday in Abeokuta. The commissioner said that the gesture was aimed at boosting the morale of the medical and health workers. The new wage (150 per cent increase) has increased the monthly wage bill of the health sector in the state by N300 million. “This increase is the fourth for medical and health workers since the inception of the present administration in May 2003,’’ the commissioner noted. He said that to further demonstrate its concern for the health of the people, the government had established new or rehabilitated existing general hospital in each of the 20 local government areas. Kawonise added that government had also provided one health centre, complete with the appropriate manpower and state-of-the-art equipment in each ward. “From 1,175 in 2003, workers in the health sector in the state increased to 3,085 by 2010, while the number of hospitals increased from 26 to 29. Sokoto No fewer than 100 patients of the Ammanawa Leprosy Hospital in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, have been registered in the ongoing voter registration. Mr. Moses Kayode, a Registration Officer at the hospital’s registration unit, told newsmen there was a large turn-out of the patients to exercise their civic responsibility. He said that all the materials needed for the conduct of exercise had been provided by INEC. He said: “I don’t have a problem registering eligible voters as all the materials needed for the exercise are in good condition.” Most of the registration centres in Dange-Shuni and Tureta Local Government Areas witnessed large turn-out of people. Alhaji Mande Usman, Chairman of Tureta Local Government, told The Tide in Tureta, that already the council had embarked on a campaign to mobilise voters to participate in the exercise.
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