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THE STATES

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Bauchi

 

A Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Sule Bathner, has

advised people with diabetes ailment to feed more on fiber and starchy food.

Speaking in Bauchi at the monthly meeting of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Bauchi chapter, Bathner also said that moderate consumption of fat, cholesterol and protein and other classes of food items was advisable.

According to him, a combination of mixing food items that had starch and fiber slows down the digestion process, making it convenient for the system of diabetics to assimilate.

He said that this process assisted greatly in ensuring a controlled sugar level in the person’s system. The physician also advised against the common practice of moving the outer layer of grains before preparation.

 

Borno

The Borno State Government will prosecute contrac

tors found wanting in the execution of projects, Gov. Kashim Shettima has said.

The governor stated this while laying the foundation stone for the construction of the N823 million Bama Ultra Modern Market in Bama, heaquarters of Bama Local Government Area.

Shettima said the government would also sanction site engineers who failed to ensure that contractors executed standard job.

“Let me warn that government will henceforth apply sanction on any site engineer who allows contractors to execute poor jobs. “Government will also blacklist and prosecute contractors who execute bad jobs.

 

FCT

 

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has approved

the commencement of clinical training for students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja. The university disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Gwagwalada, FCT.

It said the approval followed a visit to the institution by the VCN’s Accreditation Committee on December 4, 2012.

The statement signed by Malam Waziri Garba, the institution’s Information Officer, said the approval was contained in a letter written by VCN to the university.

 

Kano

 

A group, under the aegis of Concerned Arewa Patri

ots (CAP), has called for the fielding of a credible candidate from the north to contest for the country’s Presidency in 2015.

The North-West Co-ordinator of CAP, Mr Maiyaki Idris, made the call in Kano while briefing newsmen.

‘’CAP hereby appeals to the North to passionately address the crucial choice of a presidential candidate with credible standards devoid of ethnic, political and religious sentiments,’’ he said.

The group appealed to politicians from the north to ensure the selection of a candidate who is “incorruptible, sellable, reliable’’.

 

Kogi

 

Farmers in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi have

appealed to the Federal Government to provide seedlings and relief materials to cushion effects of the 2012 flood disaster.

The farmers, in separate interviews in Ibaji, told newsmen that they lost all their crops and granaries to the disaster. The Tide reports that Ibaji Local Government Area was the worst hit area in the state by the 2012 floods.

This had led the Federal Government into evacuating all residents to Idah town in the state.

The area is a border riverine community between Kogi and Anambra, comprising no fewer than 34 villages with farming as the major occupation of inhabitants.

Kwara

 

Alhaji Nurudeen Mohammed, a former Commissioner

for Finance in Kwara, has urged the nation’s anti-graft commissions to intensify their efforts at tackling corruption to engender development.

Mohammed, who stated this in Ilorin, appealed to the EFCC and ICPC to live up to their mandates of ridding the menace of corruption, which he said had reached an alarming rate.

He pleaded with the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice, especially in matters that related to corruption.

The former commissioner, who is the Tafida of Kaima in Kwara, urged Nigerians, irrespective of religion and social cultural background, to work with security agencies in their bid to ensure a crime-free society.

 

Lagos

 

A university lecturer, Dr Oluyombo Onafowokan, on

Sunday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts that would further reduce poverty among Nigerians in 2013.

Onafowokan who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Financial Studies, Redeemer’s University, Mowe in Ogun, told newsmen, government needed to be pro-active.

He said this would help it in achieving an improved standard of living for the populace.

 

Nasarawa

 

Mr Raphael Saka, the Chairman, Nasarawa State

House of Assembly’s Committee on Education, in Lafia decried the low level of school enrolment of the girl-child in the North.

Saka told newsmen, there was the need to address the imbalance if Nigeria must attain its set target of Education For All (EFA) by year 2015.

‘’It is only in the North that people are forced to go school, especially the females. It is a hard sell convincing parents that a girl should be educated first before getting married.

 

Niger

 

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has appealed

to religious leaders to use religion to foster unity, peace and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians.

Abubakar made the appeal at the 4th graduation ceremony of 70 students of Madarasat Tahfizil Quran Wa Tarbiyatul-Islamiya School, Bida, and the school’s N20 million appeal fund in Bida.

“The two major religions of the world, Islam and Christianity preach peace as such the leaders of both religions should join hands to foster unity among Nigerians.

He cautioned all those that were aggrieved to always use dialogue to resolve their differences rather than confrontation.

Osun

 

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Saturday in Ile-

Ife unveiled an Ife ancestral monument, popularly called Ori-olokun, as part of activities marking the inauguration of Ori-olokun garden.

The governor performed the unveiling of the huge Ori-Olokun sculpture at the Ori-Olokun Roundabout, formerly Mayfair Roundabout in Ile-Ife.

He described the monument as a precious heritage of the Yoruba race, and urged the people to protect and preserve it.

Mr Taiwo Olaiya, the Executive Secretary, Ife Central Local Government, under whose jurisdiction the garden is situated, also described the monument as the most famous in history.

 

Oyo

 

The Anti-Vandal Squad of the Nigeria Security and

Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has arrested four suspected pipeline vandals.

The four suspects, Tijjani Abdulahi, 33; Sarafa Sanusi, 35; Wasiu Ajibola, 35; and Sunday Solomon, 40, were paraded at the Command Headquarters at Iyaganku, Ibadan, by the State Commandant, Mr Clement Adesuyi.

Adesuyi, while parading the suspects, told newsmen that the suspects were arrested late Friday evening at Ajanla farms area in Sanusi Village along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

He said that the alleged culprits had already tapped into an NNPC petroleum pipeline that passed through the area and were only waiting to convey the products when they were apprehended.

 

Yobe

 

The Yobe Ministry of Sports will develop a new

scheme of partnership with schools and institutions in the state to promote sporting activities at the grassroots.

Alhaji Yusuf Yahaya, the state Commissioner for Sports, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.

He explained that the scheme was intended to develop potential to make good use of sporting facilities at the zonal community sports centres.

The commissioner noted that the zonal community sports centre in Geidam, which was designed to improve sports development at the grassroots, would be completed in 2013.

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HYPREP Trains Students On Petroleum Jelly, Liquid Soap Making

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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

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Community Organises Civic Reception For LG Boss

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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.

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Senate  Summons Wike Over Demolition Of Houses …Set To Investigate  FCDA Activities 

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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

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