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THE STATES

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FCT
Female Advocacy Mentoring Empowerment (FAME) Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), last Wednesday gave scholarship to eight pupils from LEA Primary School Jabi and Kugbo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The founder of the foundation,  Ronke Bello said the scholarship was in commemoration of the launching of the one-girl-one-pen campaign in Abuja.
She said that five girls were selected from LEA Primary School, Kugbo and three from LEA Primary School, Jabi, saying that it is a full scholarship all through their primary education.
According to her, LEA is meant to be free education but presently it is not totally free, some payments are made for books including their transportation to school.

Jigawa
The Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State has destroyed 475 bottles and jerry-cans of assorted beer in the area.
The Information Officer in charge of the council, Alhaji Magaji Muhammad  confirmed this to newsmen in Dutse last Thursday.
Muhammad said that the items were those confiscated from different vendors operating in the area by Hisbah guards.
Hisbah, a Sharia law enforcement agency in Jigawa State, has prohibited the consumption of beer in all parts of the state.

Kano
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has advised youths in the state to embark on activities that would enable them contribute to the development of the state and enhance their well being.
The governor gave the advice when he inaugurated the executive of the  National Youth Council of Nigeria,  Kano State chapter last  Thursday.
He said  “Youths as the engine of the society have all it takes to work for the overall good of their communities”.
Ganduje, who said that no society could progress without vibrant youth organisation, urged the new executive of the council to discharge its duties diligently.
The Chairman of the chapter, Kabiru Lakwaya, assured that the council would work to advance the cause of the youth in the state.

Kebbi
The Sight Savers”, an International Non-Governmental Organisation  has so far treated 3,112 patients diagnosed with trachoma in Kebbi State.
A facilitator from the organisation, Mr Ezra Yarima, disclosed this to newsmen last Thursday in Birnin Kebbi, shortly after the inauguration of an advisory committee on neglected tropical diseases set up by the Kebbi Government.
Trachoma is an eye infection that causes blindness. “The NGO, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health, had provided ‘trachomatous trichiasis’ surgery to 3,112 patients suffering from the disease from 2015 to date,’’ he said.
He described the state as endemic to five tropical neglected diseases such as Onchocerciasis (river blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Trachoma (Blinding) disease.

Kogi
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State last Wednesday said his government would collaborate with relevant agencies toward the promotion and empowerment of girl-child in the state.
Bello made the pledge in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Onyegbule in Lokoja to mark the 2017 International Day of the Girl-Child.
International Day of the Girl-Child is celebrated annually on October 11 to highlight issues concerning the gender inequality facing young girls.
This year’s theme is: “The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030.”
The governor said that he was not unaware of the myriad of issues facing girl-child in today’s society during the time of conflicts and peace.

Kwara
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State has pledged to sanitise hotels and clubs used for strip dancing and other vices in the state.
The Commandant, Mr Adeyinka Ayinla, made the pledge last Thursday in Ilorin when he paid courtesy visit to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe.
The commandant said he was newly posted to the state and decided that it was important to partner with the ministry of information in promoting peace and stability.
He explained that the NSCDC would commence investigation into issues deliberated on during courtesy visits to stakeholders.
The issues, he added, included strip-dancing in hotels, cultism, kidnappings, ritual killings, oil diversion in Baruten Local Government and Nigerian refugees crisis in the Mediterranean.

Lagos
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it received a total of 144 complaints from both domestic and international air passengers between January and June 2017.
This is contained in a document obtained by newsmen last week from the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the NCAA in Lagos State.
Our correspondent reports that the figure is a sharp decline from the 2,133 complaints received by the regulatory authority in the first half of 2016.
The document indicated that some of the complaints by the passengers included overbooking, denied boarding, pilferage and discourtesy by airline employees.
It said 126 complaints were received from passengers flying international routes while only 18 were received from passengers on domestic routes.

Nasarawa
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has appointed three new High Court judges in Nassarawa State in order to further strengthen the state’s judiciary.
The Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Suleiman Dikko disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia last Wednesday.
Dikko gave the names of the new judges as Mustapher Ramat-Abdulmumuni, Hanatu Mohammed and Abdulahi Ozegya.
He said that the appointment of the judges was to fill the vacancy created by death and the establishment of new high courts.
“The appointment would go a long way towards decongesting the number of cases in the other high court thereby leading to quick dispensation of justice,” he said.

Niger
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger State last Thursday in Minna called for a community-based risk management to reduce disaster occurrence in the state.
NEMA Head of Operation in charge of Niger and Kwara States, Alhaji Aliyu Kafindangi said this in commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Day is marked every October 13 to highlight how people are reducing their exposure to disaster and to raise awareness on reducing the risks.
A statement from Kafindangi disclosed that the agency’s focus was in line with this year’s theme, “Home Safe Home; Reducing Exposure, Reducing Displacement”.

Ogun
About  11, 636 cooperative societies have so far registered in Ogun State to promote commerce and investment, according to an official.
The Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Mr Gbenga Adenmosun, disclosed this during an oversight visit to his ministry by the State House of Assembly Committee on Community Development and Cooperatives in Abeokuta last Wednesday.
He said out of the figure, 221 of the cooperative societies were registered by the government between January and August this year.

Osun
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Osun State says it has confiscated expired drinks and beverages worth N3 million in a raid on major supermarkets and shops across the state.
The State Coordinator of SON, Mr Jerome Umoru told newsmen last Wednesday in Osogbo that the expired products were seized on Monday.
Umoru said the items were confiscated during raids carried out by the organisation’s task force. He said many of the shop owners where the expired products were seized claimed ignorance of the expiration of the products while few others were aware.

Oyo
The wife of  Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi last Tuesday in Ibadan  said caring for  vulnerable children should be the  collective responsibility of all Nigerians.
Ajimobi said this while distributing food items and toiletries to vulnerable children in the state to commemorate the country’s  57th Independence anniversary.
The governor’s wife said the country had  gone through trials and tribulations, adding that the anniversary was worthy of being celebrated.
“October 1 is always a day for celebration  because it is believed that Nigeria is gradually moving from being an under-developed country to one of the developing countries in the world”, she said.

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FG Begins Tolling On Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Highway

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The Federal Government yesterday began the tolling of the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza axis of the road.
Certain categories of vehicles, including security, diplomatic, ambulances and tricycles are, however, exempted from the tolling.
The Tide’s source reports that the road is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the aegis of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
Speaking during the inauguration, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the corridor as a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria.
According to him, it is essential for both the economic and social activities of the central and northern parts of the country.
Umahi was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.
He recalled that the Federal Government under the previous administration in 2023, executed a 25-year toll of rates concession agreement with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company.
The Minister said that the government rehabilitated and upgraded the roads through the preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank.
He explained that it was agreed, among other things, that the road would be tolled, and maintained by a private party and revenue collected would be used to repay the loan.
“The Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project is the first among the nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase 1 to commence operations.
“In the coming months, the Federal Government will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geopolitical zones of this country.
“This initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad routes,” he said.
Umahi said the collection of tolls would generate the much-needed revenue for the maintenance and expansion of the Renewed Hope Road Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the Tinubu administration was committed to building a robust, interconnected infrastructure for socio-economic growth.
“The toll order fee schedule for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafayette-Makurdi Federal Highway has been designated as follows: cars-N500; SUV Jeep-N800; minibuses N1000, and multi-axle vehicles, trucks and buses N1600.
“However, frequent road users like the commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highways Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.
“Authorised vehicles, pedal vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two or three wheels transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations will be offered a 100 per cent discount,” he said.

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Foundation Seeks Community Approach To Tackle Climate Change

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A non-governmental organisation, Ashoka Ford Foundation, is seeking for a community approach to tackling climate change.
It also needs local engagement in shaping policies that drive environmental sustainability.
The Director of Ashoka Anglophone West Africa, Mrs Josephine Nzerem said this at the Climate Justice Environmental sustainability Committee of Practice organised by the foundation in Port Harcourt.
Nzerem said the Climate Justice Community of Practice (CJOP) was an initiative launched in 2024 to foster collaboration among key stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.
According to her, “This ongoing efforts focus on engaging the Alode Community at Ajuri Palace Water Works Road, Alode, Nchia Eleme, Rivers State to deepen grassroots participation and drive sustainable climate change,” she said.
She further said that the Climate Justice Community of Practice (CJCOP) was designed to be a transformative platform where government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector players and educational institutions can create solutions that prioritise climate resilience and equitable environmental policies.
“Ashoka’s approach emphasises grassroots mobilisation and institutional collaboration to ensure inclusive and community driven solutions
The CJCOP will equip young people with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for climate justice, build sustainable solution and actively participate in decision making process.
Nzerem also said that climate change also breeds gender-based violence as women and children have become the most vulnerable, and stressed the need for the women to make their voices loud on the issue.
“The intersection of gender-based violence and climate change is often overlooked.Women and youth who are disproportionately affected, struggle to have their voices heard and recognised. Many fear speaking up, yet their own experiences are critical to shaping effective solutions,” and added that achieving true climate justice requires a holistic approach, one that integrates every aspect of life to build a sustainable and equitable future.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has assured of its preparedness to partner with relevant stakeholders to address the issue of climate change in the state.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson said this at the Climate Justice Environmental Sustainability Committee of Practice conference organised by Ashoka Ford Foundation in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner who spoke alongside his Environment counterpart, Tambari Sydney Igbara said the government will not allow the activiaties of the multinational corporations operating in the State to impact negatively on the lives of the people.
He also described the state as very safe for investors, adding that night life has returned to Port Harcourt, the state capital.
On his part, the Commissioner for Environment, MrTambari Sydney Igbara said the government is happy to see groups such as Ashoka Ford Foundation coming out to educate people about climate change.

He said the doors of the ministry is open to suggestions on how to address the issue of climate change in the state and other environmental issues in the state.

Also speaking the Regional Director Centre For Development Support Initiative (CEDSI) Dr Mina Ogbanga said time has come for community voices to be heard as far as climate change was concerned.

She said this was necessary as the effects of climate change are being felt by communities.

John Bibor

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Okehi Clan Demands Recognition, Upgrade Of Chieftaincy Stool

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The people of Okehi Clan in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have once again made a passionate appeal to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to consider recognising and upgrading the highly respected stool of their monarch, Eze Ibezim Eke, Onyerishi Agwuru (IV).
The people made the call during the coronation of Dr Chike Promise as the Chimereugo 1 of Etche land by His Eminence Ochie Emmanuel Opurum, 0nyishi /Ochie of Etcheland.
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of UmuolaObibi, Prince Udo Njoku, who spoke on behalf of the people, stressed that if the monarch is given government recognition, it would enhance the people’s participation in governance,as they are one of the most peaceful people in the State and have total support for the Governor and the overall development of the State.
Also speaking, the newly crowned Eze of Etcheland, Eze Promise assured his people that he would be a servant leader as he has always been to them.
He used the medium to thank the governor of the state for his development strides in Etcheland, while also promising to work cordially with the state government to maintain peace at all times within his domain.
Eze Promise was well celebrated by his people on his coronation as the community was agog on the day.

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