Nation
THE STATES
FCT
Against the backdrop of security reports of plans by some of the political gladiators in the Anambra Governorship tussle to cause mayhem in the February 6, 2010 gubernatorial elections in the state, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo, has summoned all the governorship candidates to force Headquarters Abuja for a meeting.
According to sources, those summoned include PDP gubernatorial candidate Professor Chukwuma Soludo, APGA Candidate Governor Peter Obi, Chief Andy Uba of Labour party, Chief Chris Ngige of Action Congress, Mrs Ekwunife of Progressive People Alliance and others of the ANPP, and other political parties.
Also summoned by IGP for the meeting are the chairman and secretaries of all the prominient political earties in the state – the Assistant Inspector General of Police incharge of the zone (4), the commissioners of police of Anambra State and neighbouring states where security personnel for the elections are likely to be mobilised from, are also expected to be in the meeting.
The Tide gathered that security reports available to the police High Command indicate that arms and ammunition are being stock piled, kidnapping strategies are being put in place and hoodlums are being recruited to cause mayhem.
Benue
Sequel to the termination of a lease agreement it entered with Yelwata Trading Company few weeks back, the Benue State government has ordered the immediate closure of Taraku Oil Mills with all the staff of the firm laid off.
The decision of the state government to close down the plant was conveyed to over 200 staff and management of the organisation by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Mr. Benjamin Vember, at the company’s premises.
Vember said government’s decision to fold up the Mill was prompted by the failure of the agreement it entered with Yelwata Trading Company.
Ekiti
Ekiti State governor, Engr. Segun Oni has said that the government gave financial autonomy to the state judiciary saying that the motive was to strengthen the judicial arm of government and rid it of undue executive interference.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti recently while administering oath of office and allegiance on four newly appointed judges in the State, Engr. Oni said it was always better for each arm of government to be independent of each other, saying such would promote democracy and good governance.
The newly appointed judges that were sworn-in are Mr. Adewale Kayode Fouroure, an Ibadan-based legal practitioner, Mr. Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye, former Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Olusegun Isaac Ogunyemi, former Registrar, Ekiti State Judiciary and Mr. Adekunla Adegoriola Adeleye.
Ibadan
Former Minister of Petroleum, Professor Tam David West and Head of Department of History, University of Ibadan, Professor Christopher Ogbogho have advised the Federal Government to put its house in order instead of protesting US claim that Nigeria is a terrorist country.
Both dons at different fora, condemned the protest by the FG, saying that US had the right to declare any country that posed a security threat to it, a terrorist country.
Describing the protest as unnecessary and mere waste of time, they said the FG should do something urgent to address the problem.
Professor Ogbogbo said the stance of the US may have been arrived at having considered incessant religious intolerance in the Northern parts of the country.
The FG according to the don, should, as a matter of urgency strive hard to check the internal intermittent religious crises in the northern parts of the nation.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and foremost nationalist leader. Anthony Enahoro are among dignitaries scheduled to attend the commissioning today of the Arafat Mosque in Auchi, Edo State.
Also, a lecture entitled “Basic Facts about Glorious Quran will be delivered by an Islamic scholar and the Chief Imam of Auchi Kingdom, Prof. Zakanya Oseni who is also the Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin.
A statement by Alhaji Gisani Asesuta for the Oteri in council said the Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijawude Oluleuse II was expected to chair the occusion.
Kwara
Kwara State government has concluded plans to employ more medical personnel this year in her ongoing efforts to deliver quality medical services to the residents in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, who disclosed this to newsmen while speaking on the activities of the state government in health sector, added that the action became imperative because the state government last year spent N700 million to renovate all the state-owned hospitals across the state.
The action, according to the commissioner, was to effectively reposition the state health sector as much needed viable alternative to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and other private hospitals in the state.
He noted that medical doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists would be employed by the state government, stressing that those employed would be posted to different parts of the state.
He disclosed that the state government has spent so much in health sector and as such Dr. Bukola Saraki’s administration was committed to improving the standard.
Hassan opined that his visit to various state-owned hospitals in various parts of the state, has given him first hand information on the problems they are facing.
Lagos
There were indications yesterday that the bomb carrier who got injured on December 22, 2009 bomb explosion at Logemo building at Onipany, along Ikorodu road, Lagos, might have been transferred from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), to an undisclosed hospital.
His movement as reliably gathered, was part of security measures put in place by the Lagos State police command to ensure no intruder got to him.
The Tide reliably gathered that on two occasions, some unidentified persons had visited the hospital requesting to see Olayinwola Ahmed. But before nurses at the Intensive Care Unit could reportedly contact plain clothes policemen who were keeping watch over him, the visitors had disappeared.
Although police sources told The Tide that proper investigation into the explosion would commence last week, information gathered revealed that the 27-year-old suspect was not yet in a sound condition to answer questions posed at him. A source told The Tide yesterday that the suspect was not coherent with words yet.
Osun
Osun State election petition tribunal will resume sitting to continue hearing on the petition by the Action Congress (AC) candidate Mr. Bani Adegbosole against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the April 14, 2007 election.
The five-man panel was forced to suspend sitting last October due to the national strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
Before the forced vacation Aregbosola and the AC had invited over 80 witnesses and tendered exhibits in support of their petitions.
The opposition party which had been agitating for continuation of hearing on the petition at alternative venue outside the premises of the Osun State Judiciary during the strike is expected to wind up its case any time from now to pave way for the respondents to open their defence.
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