Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Borno
The Borno-based vigilance group, the Civilian JTF, has
called on the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, to relax the curfew in Maiduguri, to enable it contribute more in checkmating suspected terrorists.
The Legal Adviser to the group, Mr Jubrin Gunda, who made the call while addressing newsmen recently in Maiduguri said relaxing the curfew would enable members of his group to keep a 24-hour vigil on major roads leading into the city.
“We want to appeal to the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army and the state government to please review or lift the current 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in Maiduguri. We believe that the curfew has given individuals with bad intention easy access to the state capital as our members have been kept away,” Gunda said.
He said that the vigilance members would have done their bit to prevent the January 14 blast if they had been allowed to keep a vigil.
Ekiti
A sanitary officer in Ikole Local Government Area of
Ekiti State, Mr Michael Olagbaju, has warned inhabitants of the area to avoid drinking unwholesome water to avert water-borne diseases.
Olagbaju, who gave the warning last Thursday in an interview in Ikole advised the residents to ensure that they got water from good sources, stressing that water-borne diseases were often rampant during the dry season.
“Unwholesome sachet and bottled water should be rejected and people should check for NAFDAC number and origin of such bottled or sachet water before buying. Water from river, untreated wells and other doubtful sources should be boiled properly before drinking,” she said.
Olagbaju called for regular sanitary inspection in every part of the local government area to ensure healthy living among the residents and urged the people to provide health officers in their communities with information on any health challenges to enable them to take prompt action in addressing such challenges.
FCT

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) says the Na
tional Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) decision affirming COSON’s legality to collect royalties on behalf of musical artists is a victory for stake holders in the industry.
Chairman of the Society, Chief Tony Okoroji, who made the declaration in a statement signed by COSON’s Senior Executive, Media, Miss Mayree Uket, last Thursday in Abuja, said that the declaration over the dispute in the broadcast industry was a boost to the industry.
Okoroji said respect for intellectual property rights would benefit the music, film or literary industries in the country and expressed optimism that the NBC’s decision would make the broadcasting stations become centres of profitable, marketable and exportable programming, instead of just being sellers of air time.
Gombe

No fewer than three villages will be relocated to protect
residents from environmental hazards, as a result of the expansion of the Ashaka Cement Company in Gombe State.
The company’s General Manager, Projects, Mr Tony Okpara, disclosed this in Ladde-Bage village of Funakaye Local Government Area of the state recently during the foundation-laying ceremony of some projects.
He named the three communities as Lariski, Darumpa and Malari, and said the company was preparing to spend N262 million on the relocation.
The General Manager said the amount would be spent on the construction of 55 houses, three blocks of classrooms, clinic, mosque and three boreholes for the affected communities.

Jigawa
No fewer than 11 persons have been killed by cholera
outbreak in Jigawa State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Tafida, has said.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the state Ministry of Health, Malam Mati Ali,  recently in Dutse, said that a total of 153 cholera cases were reported in the state from January 1 to date.
The statement said that the cholera cases were reported in Taura, Birnin Kudu, Garki, Ringim, Babura and Gwaram local government areas of the state, adding that the situation was currently under control.
Kaduna

Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Amina Sambo, has
described Theatre and Performing Arts as tool for addressing socio-political and economic issues in the society.
Sambo made the remark recently at the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence on Development Communication at the Department of Theatre Arts, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
The VP’s wife, who was represented by wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Yero, said the disciplines had pushed forward messages that promoted good relationships, peace, understanding and scholarship.
“Perhaps that explains why ABU through the department of theatre and performing arts has been engaging communities, especially women and children since its inception in 1975. This is evident in the impact the products of the institution are making in the country and beyond,” she said.

Kebbi

A Non-Government Origination, Youth Advancement
Organisation of Nigeria, says it has intensified its campaign on malaria prevention and diarrhoea management in rural areas of Kebbi.
The Project Director, Alhaji Haruna Alkassim, who made this known in an interview in Birnin Kebbi last Thursday, said that the campaign was being conducted in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
He said that funding from USAID was utilised to promote child survival interventions, nutrition, breast-feeding, malaria and diarrhoea prevention, treatment and management.
Alkassim said that 150,263 people had been enlightened on the prevention of the diseases in 15 local government areas from January 2013 to date.

Lagos

The Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye,
has stressed the need for a conducive working environment for judges, in order to enhance smooth dispensation of justice.
Ipaye spoke during a valedictory court session held at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in honour of retired Justice Marcellus Awokulehin, who bowed out last Thursday.
According to Ipaye, inadequate working tools and power failure are also now common place in the courts, adding that it constituted a major draw back to the productivity of judges.
“There are harsh working conditions for our judges in the courts and this is almost becoming a norm. Cases of congested courtrooms, inadequate working tools, power failure, are almost becoming normal, and this is very unacceptable”, he said.
Nasarawa

A youth advocate in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Mr Monday
Adamu, last Thursday called on the state government to initiate more youth programmes to reduce youths’ restiveness and other vices.
In an interview in Keffi, headquarters of Keffi Local Government Council, he warned that government should not concentrate on developing the towns, while the villages were suffering.
Another youth, Mr Bala Bernard, also urged the state government to delegate its officials to visit villages and communities to know the state of infrastructure.
He said that it was necessary for government to know the state of the facilities with a view to improving on them and ensure even development.

Ondo

The Ondo State Government last Thursday called on
contractors handling road projects in the state to ensure completion of the projects on schedule.
The state Commissioner for Works, Mr Gboye Adegbenro, who made the call in Akure when he spoke to the contractors and consultants handling the jobs said the state government was “in a hurry to deliver all the road projects to the benefit of the people of the state”.
“Our target now is to complete all ongoing roads projects in the three senatorial districts of the state this year. Some of the roads will be commissioned in this first quarter of the year,” he said.
Responding, the manager of CGC Nig. Ltd, Mr Li-Hung Guang, who spoke on behalf of the contractors, assured the commissioner that they would deliver on their jobs according to specifications.

Oyo

The Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Diocese, Alaba Job,
is set to retire from service after 43 years. His successor, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin, would be installed on January 24.
The Chairman, Central Planning Committee for the installation of Abegunrin, Rev. Fr. Felix Ethapemi,  disclosed this at a news conference held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, last Thursday.
He said that having attained the canonical retirement age of 75 years on October 29, 2013, Job had applied to Pope Francis 1 for retirement disclosing that the Pope, had approved his application and appointed Abegunrin to succeed him.
Ethapemi said that Abegunrin would retain his administrative duties as Bishop of Osogbo Diocese until a new bishop was appointed.

A cross section of members of the Federal Character Commission Board taking their oath of office during the inauguration of the board by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, last Wednesday. Photo: NAN.

A cross section of members of the Federal Character Commission Board taking their oath of office during the inauguration of the board by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, last Wednesday. Photo: NAN.

Continue Reading

Nation

Party Chieftain Hails LG Boss’ Dev Strides

Published

on

Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwuche has extolled the sterling leadership being provided by the Chairman of the council, Hon Iyeko Okporo, describing it as unprecedented.
Hon Chukwuemeka described the council chairman as God-sent, considering his achievements in just 100 days in office.
The PDP chieftain said the chairman has rekindled the hope and trust of the people in grassroots governance.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for enabling his people to have his replica at Akinima.
He explained that the solar water project, the Late Eze Ekpeye Logbo 11 palace fencing, generator house rebuilding and town hall, all in Odiereke Ubie Community can best be described as the hallmark of true leadership.
He said the projects have direct bearing on the basic needs of the people who have suffered untold hardship and bad governance until the saviour came into office.
“ It is thunderous, as you can see the organic support and show of love to the performing chairman. Our people are overwhelmed seeing one of their own touching lives in a special way. As a community ,we have been in the past years without drinking water, but just two months in office, the chairman has provided not just drinking water, but a well-treated solar water project. Okporo is God-sent, no wonder he is nicknamed such. We have compared notes with other chairmen in the past and came to the conclusion that what he is doing in 100 days is overwhelming. Governor Fubara has made us proud by allowing a level playing field that necessitated the emergency of the chairman. You can see the women, men, youths and traditional rulers all saying one thing. God bless Governor Fubara for giving us our own. We owe him prayers and unwavering support,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Ward 9 councillor, Hon Catherine Uriah showered encomiums on the chairman for addressing the basic needs of the people in just 100 days in office.
Hon Uriah also thanked the Governor for allowing the will of the people to prevail in the just concluded local government elections which produced the God fearing chairman.
She said the people of Ward 9 as well as Ahoada West are pleased with the chairman because he is doing well.
She said the people will go to length to show support to him in his determination to redefine governance at the grassroots.

Continue Reading

Nation

Group Plans Pilot Farm Programme For 50  Schools

Published

on

A community-based non-governmental organisation, The Peoples Encouragers Initiative, is planning a pilot farm project for 50 schools in both Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chukwuma Abraham disclosed this at the recent International Human Rights Day celebration at Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Abraham said the proposed programme which gulps the sum of N45million was intended to bring the youths back to the land and make them self-reliant.
“We hope to mobilise the factors of production inherent in all the schools through this programme to achieve two basic objectives of building self reliant youths and to create a viable and sustainable stream of income for our schools,” he said.
He said the programmme will also keep the youth busy and impact farming skills, stressing that each of the participating schools is expected to nominate at least two members of staff to coordinate and supervise the programme while10 students will be elected as executive members to administer the programmme on a day to day basis in their various schools.
“Every school has a sizeable portion of arable land to carry out the programme of establishing a functional farm in their chosen area of interest. We are hoping to mobilise an estimated N45 million to enable us set up the pilot farms across the 50 schools within Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas,” he said.
He said the celebration was to draw attention of both the Nigerian government and the international community to the issue of human rights violation, adding that findings by the organisation has shown that insecurity and youth unemployment worsened over the past few years as a result of the insecurity that engulfed the Orashi region of the State. We also found out that the high level of cultism and social unrest within our environment is mostly fuelled by the high use of  illicit drugs among the youths. This programme will afford us the opportunity to take a tour through the universal declaration of human rights and reinforce on our youths the understanding that substance abuse can lead to crime, crime can lead to jail term and criminal record can blight their future dreams and life for ever,”he said.
Also speaking, the representative of the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ikporo Freedom urged the students to shun all forms of anti-social behaviours especially during the holiday season.
He also warned them against joining bad groups and stressed the need for the organisation to include private schools in the programme.
The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Ezu R .C . Hezekiah represented by his Deputy, Hon Ununuma Odoi pledged the support of the council to the programme.
He also urged other groups in the area to emulate The Peoples Encouragers Initiative by organizing programms that will impact on the lives of the people.

John Bibor

Continue Reading

Nation

NCSU Flays Police Take Over Of Rivers PDP Secretariat

Published

on

The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has condemned the take over of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State by the police, saying the action is against the tenets and principles of the rule of law.
This is even as the union has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call to order the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for allegedly orchestrating and instigating the crisis rocking the PDP in the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the condemnation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the police have no right to take over the PDP secretariat, as a ploy to provide cover and protection for members of the state executive of the party loyal to Wike, who were recently sacked by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State.
According to him, the action of the police is in clear defiance of a court ruling sacking the party executives at all levels in the State, instead of taking steps to enforce same.
He regretted that the police have consistently been showing that they are not appreciative of the logistic support Governor SiminalayiFubara has been extending to them, by openly demonstrating their bias, loyalty and allegiance to Wike and his supporters, contrary to their rules of engagement, which uphold and recognise absolute neutrality.
He said the Minister is wasting his time if he thinks that he could destroy the State by orchestrating and instigating needless crisis that is capable of making the State ungovernable, and appealed to President Tinubu to call him and his supporters to order.
Commenting on the fate of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the State, who defected from the ruling PDP to the All Progressives Congress(APC), Osumah said their fate is apparently sealed, as the Supreme Court had already given judgment in a similar case, saying, Wike is merely wasting his time by using the lawmakers against Governor Fubara, and causing unnecessary problem in the State.
He said if the Minister and his supporters do not retrace their steps and give peace a chance, the NCSU would have no choice than to mobilise all civil servants in the State, to troop out to the streets and protest against them.
The labour leader stressed the need for the police to vacate the PDP secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, and respect the High Court ruling which declared the congresses of the party in the State null and void.
While reiterating the need for President Tinubu to call Wike to order, Osumah said the President cannot continue to fold his arms and watch the Minister continuously make frantic efforts to destroy his State.
He also carpeted those blaming Governor Fubara administration for the recent gruesome murder of a Chief Security Officer(CSO) and his son in Igwuruta Ali community, saying those making such insinuations and attributing the sad incident to security lapses on the part of the state government, are missing the point.
He noted that by empowering the police in the State with several operational vehicles and other logistics, it was expected that the police would reciprocate the gesture, by living up to their constitutional obligation of protecting lives and property in the State, contending that Governor Fubara has been playing his part of guaranteeing security in the State.

 

He said the State is generally peaceful and safe, and challenged those criticising the Governor to cast their minds and attention to what is happening in other parts of the country, where killings and other social vices have become the order of the day.
Osumah cited as an example the recent killings in Ebonyi State by Fulani herdsmen as well as incidences of kidnapping and banditry in several other States of the federation, and wondered if Governor Fubara could be held responsible for such anomalies.

Continue Reading

Trending