Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Apparently on the heels of the assassination of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Borno State, 19 northern governors Tuesday decried the increasing security threats in some parts of northern states, cautioning against the use of inflammatory campaign languages by some politicians.
The governors at a meeting presided by the governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu also agreed to offer assistance to Plateau, Borno and Bauchi States following the increasing security challenges be failing the states.
In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, the governors after much deliberations on measures that would bring the crisis to an end identified security, poverty and youth restiveness as the major causes of the conflict in the region.
Accordingly, the governors resolved to promptly identify and address the causes of the conflicts which they said had been economically, religiously and politically motivated.
While agreeing to support the three affected states using various strategies that are beyond physical means as well as addressing the perceptions and misinformation perpetrated over time, the governors also maintained that they would take other measures in handling constitutional provisions to tackle security challenges.
Ekiti
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, has expressed sadness over the destruction of 62 houses in the Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of the state by rainstorm which ravaged the community recently.
Olayinka who was on an inspection visit to the community yesterday, however, promised that the Dr Kolayode Fayoemi led administration through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would provide relief materials to the victims of the rainstorm to make the affected houses habitable again.
She revealed that the state government would make an official report to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and table a request for assistance for the victims.
Olayinka who stressed the need for people to plant more trees around houses to serve as wind breaks and prevent rainstorm from blowing off their roof tops also advised house builders and owners to ensure that roof tops are designed in such a way that can not be easily penetrated by storm.
The deputy governor, however, sympathised with the victims of the natural disaster and joined them to thank God that no casualty of any sort was recorded despite the enormity of the disaster.
FCT
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Josephine Anenih, has disclosed that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) which has been a male university from inception would soon begin to admit female cadets to prepare them as officers of the Nigerian Army.
Anenih disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the ‘Nigerian Women at 50 Reflections’ aimed at recognising the contributions of women to national development before and after independence.
She said this was made possible by the first female Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, Itunu Hotonu, who was recently promoted after her feat as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Navy Post-Service Scheme.
Anenih also lauded female presidential aspirant, Mrs Sarah Jubril, who she said has given women the hope and confidence to aspire to reach the highest position in the country.
The Women Affairs Minister urged Nigerian women to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan during the April polls expressing hopes that he would grant women the glamoured 35% affirmative action.
Kebbi
The mother of the Senatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for Kebbi State, Hajiya Fatima Sadiq Yelwa, who was kidnapped at her residence in Yauri town about 10 days ago has been released.
Hajiya Yelwa, mother of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, former Chief of Staff to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister was found during a search by the police detectives at a bush in the outskirts of Kontangora in Niger State.
State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Dalhatu Saa-d told journalists Tuesday, that Hajiya Yelwa was found in a bush by policemen and was returned to her family in Yauri.
The CPC senatorial candidate explained that though the kidnappers demanded for some money for the release of his mother, the family did not pay any ransom rather embarked on prayers after reporting the incident to the police.
Yelwa said “it is true that my mother has been returned this morning. We thank Almighty Allah for her safe release”.
The politician also thanked the security agents from both Kebbi and Niger States for ensuring the release of his mother by the hoodlums with her sustaining no injury.
Lagos
Lagos State Government has called for dialogue with the Dental and Medical Personnel, under the aegis of the Medical Guild, to resolve the ongoing doctor’s strike.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris who addressed reporters Wednesday, on the unions meeting with leaders described the strike action as unnecessary, stating that government was will and ready to address the issues raised by the doctors.
According to him ‘I had a meeting with the union yesterday and we have reviewed some of those areas and so far, the strike action is uncalled for’.
Idris said that under the new agreement, a highest-level consultant would earn about N700,000 monthly and a level 10 officer N173,927.33 pointing out that the government was considering other areas to improve doctors welfare.
The commission therefore urged the doctors to reconsider their demands for the 100 per cent implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for the hitch-free medical activities in the state.
“We are appealing again that they should call off the strike to reduce the suffering of the masses. A lot of people have expressed their displeasure over this strike and they have offered their hand of fellowship to us to ameliorate the suffering of the people”, the commissioner explained.
Nasarawa
Following the stoning of the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Police Service Commission had approved the request of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Hafiz Ringim, to transfer the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Wilfred Obute.
It was gathered that the pelting of the convoy was contrary to the security report hitherto sent by the Commissioner of Police to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
A top police source said that the Commissioner of Police (CP) had the itinerary of the president ahead of his arrival adding that he should have ensured a comprehensive protection of the Commander-In-Chief in any part of Nasarawa State including the Emir’s place.
While noting that the review of the president’s campaign visit to Nasarawa State showed some security laxity, the source revealed that the IGP’s request was tabled at the Police Service Commission and given approval stating however that the name of the new CP in Nasarawa State was yet to be forwarded.
Oyo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has rejected 50 million additional litres of kerosene into the market through its subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC).
Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Ore and Ilorin and its environs are to enjoy 17.4 million litres as being pumped to Mosimi depot from Atlas Cove for onward supply to the areas.
The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, said measure was embarked upon to arrest the reported cases of the kerosene explosion and scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country.
Ajuonuma restated that aside the 17.4 million litres for Oyo and the other states, 18 million litres was loaded out of NIPCO for the Independent Marketers and 12.2 million litres out of capital oil for NNPC retail stations.
He said “I want to assure consumers of kerosene across the country that NNPC has injected more than enough of the product into the market and so, they should desist from panic buying”.
Plateau
Muslims in Plateau State have observed a one-day fasting and prayer to bring an end to the crisis rocking the state.
Complying with the directive Tuesday, as given by Plateau State Council of Ulamas, many restaurants especially within the Jos metropolis did not open for business until late in the evening and families made purchases the previous evening for their livelihood.
Secretary of the council, Barrister Lawal Ishag told newsmen the people of the state were observing the fast to sought for Allah’s intervention so that lasting peace will return to the state.
According to him “this fast has become necessary looking at the degenerated form of the state and its environs as this crisis is going on. It has gotten to the time when we have to seek for the intervention of Allah and I believe that the purpose will be achieved”.
Prayers were also observed at various mosques across the state including the Jos Central and Zuwiya Mosques where hundreds of Muslims gathered to participate in various sessions.
Sokoto
Sokoto State High Court presided by Justice Bello Abbas has again adjourned the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Sokoto Governor, Attahirn Bafarawa, till February 28 to enable his counsel, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), respond to the application for severance.
This is coming as the Sokoto State High Court II presided by Justice Mohammed Binju adjourned till March 7, 2011 to enable the state government and Bafarawa settle their despite over pension of court.
Bafarawa had two months ago dragged Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Warmako, to the State High Court over non-payment of his pension totaling about N27 million.
Bafarawa and 15 others were arraigned by the EFCC over an alleged financial misappropriation and corrupt practices totaling N15 billion during his tenure as the governor of the state.
While the case came up yesterday for hearing, Fagbemi applied for adjournment through his representative, Barrister Suleiman Usman, saying he had another case before the Supreme Court in Abuja.
However, EFCC counsel, Adeniji Akintola (SAN) told the court that the case had suffered several adjournments at the instance of a single defendant since December, 21, 2009 when the case was filed.
Yobe
Over 20 people were feared dead on Monday when a Yobe Line bus and a Cross Country vehicle collided at Dagare on the Potiskum-Kari road in Yobe State.
The crash allegedly occurred when the drivers of the two vehicles on opposite direction rammed into each other at about 4.40 pm that day.
The impact from the collision led to the occupants of the Yobe Line bus burning beyond recognition.
An eye witness of the accident told journalists that the two vehicles at collision burst into flames leading to the loss of 20 passengers in the bus in his words” we heard a thunderous noise from the road and the villagers rushed to the scene with buckets of water to put off the fire from the vehicles. But the volunteers could not make any difference until the arrival of the firefighters from Potiskum, who rescued 10 passengers from the scene.
Sambo said the bus was burnt to ashes while the Cross Country vehicles was partly burnt to the drivers cabin.
Confirming the accident, the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at Potiskum Al Maigori said the mishap could have been avoided if the drivers had been cautious and shunned dangerous overtaking on the road.
He however, attributed the accident to the poor state of the roads in the south-east zone adding that cautious driving and compliance with traffic rules would help to avert the carnage on the highways.
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