Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, has condemned last Wednesday’s attack on geologists and exploration workers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) and the University of Maiduguri by suspected Boko Haram fighters around Jibi village in the state.
Shettima made the condemnation in a statement issued last Thursday in Maiduguri by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau.
He said that since he first got information concerning the attack on his way to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, he hasn’t been his normal self and is yet to recover from the shock of the attack.
“I haven’t been my normal self since I received information of that attack. What happened in the first instance was a tragic setback in the fight against Boko Haram and in Nigeria’s effort to expand its economic fortunes”, he said.
FCT
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has threatened to begin a strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over a dispute with Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).
Addressing newsmen in Abuja last Thursday after a National Executive Council meeting, NUPENG President, Mr Igwe Achese, said the strike was inevitable because of three billion naira terminal benefits allegedly owed some sacked oil sector workers.
Achese said that those affected were former staff of Seawolf Drilling, an oil servicing firm, in Rivers State.
He said the management of AMCON was being lackadaisical in meeting its obligation of settling the workers.
Jigawa
The Fistula Foundation, Nigeria, last Tuesday said no fewer than 1.2 million women and girls were suffering from Obstetric Fistula, (VVF) in the country.
The Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, Malam Musa Isa, said this in Dutse during the graduation of 108 rehabilitated obstetric fistula patients in the state.
Isa said that the foundation had from 2014 to date, rehabilitated a total of 408 VVF patients in the state.
He explained that obstetric fistula is a devastating condition brought about by child birth injury caused when a woman suffers a prolonged or difficult labour, without obtaining the right medical attention.
The executive director added that the baby usually dies and the woman is left not only without her child but also with a hole or fistula in her birth canal, resulting in chronic incontinence.
Kaduna
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, last Thursday said, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had within the past two years built about 2,000 housing units across its bases in the country.
The CAS spoke through Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, AVM Christopher Okoye at the 46th convocation lecture of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna.
Our correspondent reports that the lecture, with the theme “Contemporary Issues in Aircraft Maintenance in the 21st Century’’, was delivered by Mr Olatunji Agoro, Director, Quality and Safety, Dornier Aviation.
Abubakar said that NAF had been well funded within the past two years and expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the unrelenting efforts at making NAF better.
Kano
The Kano State University of Science and Technology(KUST), Wudil, has matriculated 4,988 students for the 2016/2017 academic session.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Shehu Alhaji disclosed this during the university’s 16th Matriculation ceremony at its campus in Wudil last Thursday.
He said the faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology had the highest registered students of 1,158, while the Faculty of Earth and Environment has the lowest students of 465.
He added that the matriculation was intended to extract a promise from each of the students of strick adherence and observance of the code of conduct of the institution which is contained in their handbooks.
Kogi
Kogi State Government said last Thursday that it had plans to partner with health practitioners in the private sector for the on the job training of its Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).
Director-General of the state Bureau for Public Private Partnership (BPPP), Mr Robert Achanya, disclosed this at a news conference in Lokoja.
He said the partnership would boost the capacity of the EHOs, get registered and certificated to enable them inspect premises according to the law for enhanced service delivery.
He said many of the EHOs in the state could not enforce environmental laws or carry out inspection of premises because they were not registered or licensed.
Kwara
A 37-year-old primary school teacher, Biodun Baba, was last Thursday arraigned before an Ilorin Senior Magistrates Court for allegedly defaming Senate President Bukola Saraki on Facebook.
Baba, a teacher at LGEA School, Olorunlana in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State was alleged to have through his Facebook postings been inciting the public against Saraki.
The criminal charges were filed following a complaint by Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, Chairman, Kwara South chapter of the APC to the Chamber of S. I. Solagberu and Co, Ilorin.
Adesina, accused Baba of printing or engraving matters on his Facebook wall known to be defamatory.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, last Thursday appealed to communities not to misuse government projects and assets in their localities, but to take ownership and protect them for the benefit of all.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the remark at a two-day leadership training for Lagos State Community Development Committees and Associations (CDCs).
The theme of the training was: “Inclusive Governance, a Catalyst for Sustainable Development’’.
He said that hostile attitude to government assets was a reflection of subject culture that prevailed under military rule when unelected and unaccountable government were the order of the day.
Ondo
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last Thursday, lauded the achievements recorded by the Nigerian Navy, promising to support their operations in the state in any area they desired.
Akeredolu, spoke in Akure during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Agada.
He said that the state, with its wide and deep coastline, would be of great benefit to the navy operationally.
The Governor said the area would provide a better atmosphere for training to the navy than many other parts of the country.
Oyo
Oyo State workers are to receive outstanding salaries for April and May from the recently released Paris Club refunds and the June monthly allocation.
It was gathered that the Oyo State Government received N7.9billion from the Paris Club refunds released by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, disclosed this in Ibadan last Thursday, following the approval of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Arulogun said that about 72 per cent of the N7.9 billion Paris Club fund was committed to salaries and salary-related payments.
“President Muhammadu Buhari directed that at least 50 per cent of the Paris Club refunds should be committed to the payment of salaries of workers in States.
“Governor Ajimobi, who has always displayed his humanitarian and welfarist disposition and commitment to workers’ welfare, has committed above the stipulated 50 per cent to salaries and other allowances.
Plateau
Chairman of the Pankshin Local Government In-terim Management Committee (IMC), Mr Stephen Jings, sacked on June 29, was last Thursday sworn-in as councillor representing Jing Ward in the reconstituted IMC.
The Plateau State Government had dissolved the IMC after serving for two years and reconstituted a new IMC in what Governor Simon Lalong said was part of efforts to breed new ideas into governance.
However, report reveals that, unlike in the past when councillors received salaries, those in the reconstituted IMC would receive only sitting allowances.
Sources indicated that Jings, who was sworn-in alongside 18 others by his successor, Mrs. Naomi Golmen, had tried to return as IMC Chairman, but was not successful as stakeholders were divided over his nomination.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government says it has spent N1.3 billion on its students undergoing various medical courses in the Islamic Republic of Sudan in the last two years.
The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, made the disclosure in Sokoto last Tuesday while briefing newsmen.
According to him, about 100 indigenes of the state are currently studying medical courses in Sudan.
The commissioner explained that, the essence of sponsoring them was to address shortage of manpower in the health sector in the state.
He said that the government approved N900 million for local and other indigenous students studying various science courses outside the country.
The commissioner said that the money was meant for the payment of scholarship and tuition fees of the students.
Nation
NUJ backs proposed strike by Lagos-owned media workers
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.
The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.
In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.
The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.
They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.
The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.
“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.
The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.
“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.
The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.
“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.
The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.
“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.
Nation
New Rivers CP assures of non partisan …moves against human rights violation
The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.
Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.
“We are committed to transparency.
My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.
“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”
“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.
“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.
“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.
“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.
“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.
“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated
CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.
Akujobi amadi
Nation
Police invites assaulted female victim, assures of protection
The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.
“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”
“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”
“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”
“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”
Akujobi Amadi
-
News4 days ago
Minimum wage’ll be reviewed in less than 2 yrs, says Minister
-
Sports3 days ago
Golfers To Converge For Sun Amateur Tourney In PH
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Eno Urges Unity, Warns Against Politics Of Division In 2025
-
Business4 days ago
No Mandate To Revive National Carrier – Aviation Ministry
-
News4 days ago
Ogoni Day: MOSOP Unites, Demands Share from OML 11
-
Politics3 days ago
APP Wants INEC To Conduct By-Election To Fill Rivers Assembly Vacant Seats
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
We’re Upgrading Tourism Sites Across C’River – Otu
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Kalabari Media Forum Hails Recognition Of Dokubo Asari As Amayanabo