Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

October 7, 2009

Asaba

Delta State House of Assembly, Thursday, received a list of twelve nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Delta State Executive Council from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The state governor, last week, sacked eleven commissioners, which sources revealed were not loyal to his course of returning as governor in 2011.

Governor Uduaghan had in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House noted that the appointment is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the State Executive Council for better and greater service delivery to the people of the state.

Names of the commissioners were also contained in the letter which was read on the floor of the House. They include Mr. Bello Orubebe, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen, Mr. Victor E. Otomewo, Mr. Frank Omare, Mrs. Juliet Oti Agoba and Anthony Akpomiemie.

Others are Mr. Fred Majemite, Mr. Azuka Osakwe, Mr. George Ugboma, Mr. Emmanuel Eboh, Dr. Onochie Okonkwo and Mr. Pat Mozea.

The Commissioners that were sacked last week are Mr. Abraham Bobor, former Commissioner for Housing, Paul Osaji (Works), Mrs. Elizabeth Uvoh-Gardner (Primary Education), Gilbert Benafa (Transport), Mrs. Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju (Commerce/Industry), Timinimi George (Water Resources), Roland Eyime (Science/Technology), Dafe-Akpedeye (Attorney-General/Justice), Champion Kpateghe (Special Duties, Government House) and Dr. Tab-Ogaranya Tabowei (Agriculture).

Jos

The authorities of 3 Amoured Division of Nigerian Army, Jos, have sentenced a soldier to 56 days imprisonment with hard labour, for physically assaulting a Jos-based lawyer, our correspondent has gathered.

Besides, he will not receive his salary during his two months imprisonment, just as a driver, his comrade-in crime spent the sallah holidays in police custody. The troubled soldier, will serve his jail term in military guard room.

The soldier’s imprisonment followed a court martial. The lawyer (name withheld) had petitioned the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Amoured Division, complaining on how he was unlawfully assaulted by the soldier.

The soldier, one of the troops stationed at former United Trading Company (UTC) junction, Jos, on peace-keeping in Jos, following Nov. 28, last year mayhem. The soldier’s trouble started sometime in June this year, when the lawyer had a disagreement with a driver that conveyed him (lawyer) from Akwanga, Nassarawa State to Jos, Plateau State capital.

According to sources close to the lawyer, he wanted the cab driver to drop him at Terminus area of the metropolis, while the driver insisted that he must drop at Old Airport junction.

Consequently, the lawyer refused to come down from the cab. In what was described as unconstitutional reaction (behaviour), the driver took him to the UTC junction where his soldier friend assaulted the legal practitioner, inflicting injuries on him.

Osun

Over 30 communities in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State have been connected to the national grid, while another 11 villages are expected to be connected very soon in an effort to grease the wheel of development

Speaking with newsmen on the level of infrastructural facilities in the area, the chairman of the local council, Comrade Bamidele Salami, said over N75 million has been spent on the electrification projects.

According to him, there was purchase and installation of 500KVA transformer and extension of low tension wires to Tiwadayo Community and purchase of six 500/33 KVA transformers for Awo, Ido Osun, Adetoro Estate, Alapupu, Olafa Estate, Ilaasan/Ori Oke Baba Abiye, while reactivation and extension of street lights in all towns and villages have been completed.

Oyo

About 400 members of staff of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, have marched to the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi over the sack of union leaders.

They urged the monarch to intervene in the labour crisis rocking the institution.

The protesting workers registered their grievances against the purported sack of seven union leaders.

The state government had in an announcement conveyed the sack of the unionists which was hinged on ‘re-organisation’ of the institution.

Workers at the institution and the polytechnic, Ibadan, have been on strike since July to make the government reverse its new tax regime of 18 per cent tax in their gross earning and non-payment of 21 month arrears of the Consolidated Teacher Salary Structure (CONTISS).

The sacked union leaders are chairman, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr Abiodum Aina; secretary, Mr Isiaka Ojo; chairman, Senior Staff Union of the college, Comrade Sikinu Agboluaje; chairman, COEASU, Lanlati Campus, Comrade K Olanrewaju; chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the institution, Comrade Olanrewaju Jimoh and one other.

Niger

Bank of Industry (BOI) has said that it has approved a total of N816.984 million as loans to entrepreneurs, including those operating as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and co-operative groups consisting of rural dwellers, in Niger State.

Managing Director of BOI, Mrs Evelyn Oputu, said in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the bank and Niger State government on the N1 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) that loans to SMEs summed up to N714.50 million while that for the co-operative groups stood at N102.48 million.

Oputu, who was represented by the bank’s executive director, Mr Chris Umeh, disclosed that SMEs assisted were those engaged in shea butter production and rice milling while the co-operative groups were men and women engaging in shea butter production, rice processing, cassava processing, melon processing, cattle fattening, among others.

Besides, she pointed out that BOI and its foreign and domestic partners had in the last 18 months, organised capacity building for potential and current entrepreneurs in Niger State.

Niger State commissioner for investments, commerce and industries, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, who said the state had been able to contribute N300 milloin of its own counterpart fund, however, said the state government was not relenting in its efforts at providing its own part of the financing arrangement.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Council of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 33-year old farmer from Alkaheri, Hussaini Hussaini, for cultivating substances suspected to be Indian hemp in his farm. The agency also arrested two others, Amadi Sunday and Raphael Galadima, for possessing 25 kilogrammes of Indan hemp.

Addresing newsmen in Bauchi, the State Commandant of the Agency, Mr Sule Momodu, explained that Hussaini was arrested on September 22, on his farm while his substance was equally uprooted. Upon interrogation, Hussaini confessed that he got the seed of the substance from Nassarawa state which he used to plant, admitting that besides cultivating the weed, he also smokes the substance.

In a related development, the agency has equally arrested one Amadi Sunday and Raphael Galadima for possessing 25 kilogrammes of Indian hemp which they bought from Kaduna.

Ekiti

Well-wishers of late Pa Lawrance Sunday Adeosun from form all walks of life, stormed Iloro-Ekiti to celebrate the passing of the late Pa Adeosun into eternal glory.

It was a celebration of life as the children and well-wishers stormed the area to celebrate the exit of the 77 years of late Adeosun who was a successful trader, farmer and a devoted Catholic and community leader, who retired from public service in 2005 and settled in Lagos where he died peacefully.

In a sermon, Seminarian Awogbemi Stephen on behalf of the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Francis-Mary Ogundare, during the Funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, Iloro Ekiti, described Adeosun as a selfless man who used his whole life in the service of the Lord.

Seminarian Awogbemi urged everyone present to walk in accordance with the dictate and injunction of the Holy Bible, saying “let us do our work, so that at the end of the day, we could make bold to say we have run a good race.”

He emphasised the need for good works, while one is still alive, because according to him, that is the only legacy one could leave behind.

Awogbemi condemned acquisition of wealth, saying it was a vanity as none of the property so acquired would be buried with the owner.

“We shall all go naked, just as we came to the world. It is only our soul that would go with us to give account of our deeds while alive,” he added.

He said late Pa Adeosun served the church as an usher until he answered the call of his creator.

The late Pa Adeosun was survived by Mr Peter Adeosun, a chartered accountant, Mrs Funmilayo Adeosun and many other grand children.

Lagos

Lagos High Court presided by Justice Olusola Williams will on October 15, resume hearing in the defence of former Chairman of the National Drug Law Emforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bello Lafiaji.

The former NDLEA chairman, who is standing trial alongside his former special assistant, Usman Amali for corruption charges had last month opened his defence in the corruption charge filed against him at the Lagos High Court.

He, however, told the court that he was currently a consultant on National Security to Nigeria’s Vision 20-2020 project.

Led by his counsel, Professor Taiwo Osipetan, Lafiaji said “before then, I was the executive chairman of the NDLEA from 2000 to 2005 and had joined the police force in 1973.”

The ICPC is prosecuting Lafiaji and Amali for alleged corruption while in office, and they were accused also of demanding and receiving £164,300 being exhibits seized from a drug suspect, Ikenna Onochie, in a bid to release him and his vehicles from the NDLEA custody.

Lafiaji, according to ICPC, obtained the sun of N50,000 from Bashiru Gadzama and another N450,000 from Garba Yauri both staff of the NDLEA.

On cross examination led by Osipetan, the 12th and final prosecution witness, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, NDLEA director of prosecutions, said Lafiaji did not query him when his (Lafiaji) directive to release Onochie on bail was disobeyed.

He also told the court that the case filed did not include the Euro as exhibit.

Nation

Group Honours DPO

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

A non- governmental organisation under the aegis of South South Media Association has presented an award to the Divisional Police Officer, Omoku ,CSP John Ladan.
The event which held recently in Omoku in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, saw the attendance of top ranking officers and well wishers who gathered to celebrate an icon.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the group, Kio Hopeson, said following the DPO’s selfless service to humanity, peace and development of the society, the group found him worthy to receive the award.
Hopeson hinted that the award had long been overdue, as his posting to Omoku had brought about peace, social harmony and drastic reduction of crime, saying, his open door policy and ensuring that every stakeholder is carried along in the fight against crime, was a contributing factor.
He said their investigation revealed that the people were extremely pleased with the reduction of crime under his watch in the area, stressing that his effort to interface with everyone has boosted the cooperation between the police and the residents.
On his part, the recipient, CSP John Ladan thanked the group for the honour done him.
The DPO expressed his gratitude to God and the Commissioner of Police for the support given him to serve.
He urged the people to see the police as friends as their job is protection of lives and property.

Nation

Rivers Begins Screening Of National Health Fellows

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

As part of efforts towards enrolment into the National Health Fellows programm of the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government in partnership with the World Health Organisation, (WHO) and other development partners has started the process of interviews for the selection of health professionals to be enrolled into the programme.
The National Health Fellows Programme is an interventionist initiative by the Federal and State Governments following the declaration of a state-of-emergency on the health sector by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the physical and financial burdens on health-seeking Nigerians.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Acting Director, Research and Planning, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Juliane Nwoke, who spoke on behalf of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh said the programme is expected to enrol 774 persons representing each of the local government areas in the country.
In Rivers State, she said 23 persons are expected to emerge from the 69 shortlisted candidates, adding that already, nine persons have been interviewed, adding that the successful candidates would be engaged by the Federal Government for a period of one year to support the provision of healthcare services especially public health at both local, state and national levels.
She explained that core areas of competencies of shortlisted candidates includes public health, proficiency in Information and Communication Technology and data management.
“We have interviewed already, about nine candidates and by the end of today, we’ll be interviewing about 29 candidates.
“The interviews will end officially today for Rivers State because we are expected to interview 69 candidates.
“Specific competencies were considered in the selection process with interest on competencies in public health, ICT and data management, so we received the shortlist of candidates which we expect are based on these competencies.
“As you may know, there is a global and local shortage of manpower, so the 23 who qualifies in this round will add to the skilled manpower that is needed to drive healthcare delivery.
“As per impact, this fellows would be engaged directly by the Federal Government for a period of one year to support healthcare delivery and population health management at the local government, state and perhaps national levels, working directly from their LGAs,” she stated.
Dr. Nwoke assured shortlisted candidates of fairness in the screening process, maintaining that only the best will emerge at the end of the exercise.

John Bibor

Nation

NCSU Rejects Supreme Court Judgments …Says Nigeria Drifting To Banana Republic

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has described as unacceptable, callous, wicked and cruel the judgments and pronouncements of the Supreme Court last Friday, concerning Rivers State political crisis, saying they are nothing to write home about.
This is even as the union has said Nigeria is fast drifting to a Banana Republic, where the rule of law is not upheld but thrown overboard.
The union equally took to the cleaners the Justices, who gave the judgments and pronouncements, for allegedly mortgaging their consciences, and urged Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara not to obey the judgments until such a time that the case bordering on the defection of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, pending at the Court of Appeal is dispensed with.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who canvassed this position in an interview in Port Harcourt, particularly described the judgment ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation not to release the Federal Allocations of Rivers State as not only callous and wicked but cruel and self-serving.
He said civil servants in the State in particular reject the judgements and pronouncements of the apex court in their totality, and enjoined them to rise up against all plots and machinations to unseat the Governor, as a demonstration of their love, support and solidarity for him, contending that folding their arms and watching the plots to succeed, would amount to giving the enemies of the State a free rein to overrun the State.
He said the workers firmly believe that those fighting Governor Fubara, are not only fighting him but the people of the State, and enjoined them to rally round the Governor, who he noted has put smiles on their faces within the short period he has been in office.
Osumah noted that the Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements are an attempt by enemies of the State to pull the hands of the clock backwards, considering the monumental achievements of the Fubara administration so far.
He said it is unfortunate that the Justices who handed down the judgments and pronouncements, have through their actions and inaction, desecrated the sacred temple of justice, and by so doing making the judiciary a laughing stock in the eyes of the world, instead of elevating it in such a way that it becomes the much-acclaimed last hope of the masses and the common people in the country.
He decried a situation where the country’s judiciary has rather degenerated to a level where the highest bidders have held it hostage, at the expense of the ordinary people, saying it is a strong indication that the country is fast drifting to a Banana Republic, where the rule of law is bastardised and thrown overboard.
According to him, the judgements and pronouncements portend grave danger for the State and the people, as they are a recipe for chaos, confusion and unabated crises.
Osumah further lamented a situation where the case bordering on the defection of the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers is relegated to the background while other contending issues are given undue preference and preeminence, saying the defection case is rather the kernel and pivot on which every other matters concerning the political crisis in the State gravitate.
The labour leader, therefore, stressed the need for the execution of the Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements to wait, pending the final determination of the defection suit, describing as hasty and preposterous the issuance of a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara by the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, to present before them the 2025 Budget of the State.
Osumah equally reminded civil servants in the State that the time has come for them to boldly rise up and defend one of their own, and never allow the shenanigans of the old order to overwhelm and subject them once more to the throes and pangs of penury, poverty and needless suffering and hardship.
He recalled with glee that Governor Fubara has wiped away their tears, by not only providing a conducive environment for them to operate but also making sure that their welfare needs are given top priority, thereby restoring and providing all that the enemies of the State had denied them in the past.
While reiterating that the entire workforce in the State vehemently reject the judgments and pronouncements of the Supreme Court, Osumah said the apex court has through such judgements and pronouncements, declared war against the State and her people.