News north-central 7
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Kogi First Lady Rejoices With Speaker Over Release Of Abducted Children By Sam Egwu, Lokoja
The first lady of Kogi State, Hajia Halima Wada has expressed happiness over the release of the children of the speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly who were abducted. She said she could only imagine what the mother of the children had gone through since the abduction of the two children. She prayed God to intervene and put a stop to kidnapping in Kogi State that has always been known for peace and bring the perpetrators to book. “This development is alien to our culture and tradition,” she said. She enjoined parents to be security conscious and watch
short news Kwara Cautions PDP Against Peddling Falsehood The Kwara State government has accused the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of peddling falsehood and deliberately twisting facts in the name of politics. In a statement issued by the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Isiaka Ishola Gold, the government said, “Kwara State government does not pay and has not paid to Senator Saraki any payment for utility or domestic allowances upkeep. “To date, neither Senator Saraki nor any of his family members has claimed or being paid any medical expenses because to date the former governor has not made any such demand on the state government. Government never built any house for Saraki”. By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
over their children, especially the younger ones even though God is the ultimate provider of security. The mother of the two boys, Hajia Sefiya Momoh Jimoh Lawal said it was her happiest day, stating that the experience was not palatable. She expressed her joy and gratitude to the first lady of the state for her visit to the family and prayed that God will continue to bless her in all her endeavours. The two boys, Dalhatu Lawal, 3, and Hafisat Lawal, 7, said they were happy to be back home. At the time of going to press, it was not clear if any ransom was paid for the children’s release.
Ramadan: Izala To Offer Support To Orphans, Others The Nigeria Sunni Islamic Organisation, Izala unveils plans to offer support to the teeming masses especially low income earners and orphans in the fasting period of Ramadan which comes up in the next three weeks. The organisation at its three day annual seminar in Abuja says the kind gesture falls under its special self empowerment scheme tagged “manara” or minaret in English. The resource persons at the seminar chided the wealthy individuals with nonchalant attitude in giving out alms to the needy. They opined that alms giving in the proper manner enshrined by Islam remains the only way to reduce poverty and unemployment among the majority of Nigerians who earn less than a dollar per day which is the measurement of high level of poverty. “The scheme is aimed at ameliorating the hard economic situation during the Ramadan which attracts extra expenses and affects all people regardless of their denomination or religious beliefs,” the national chairman of the organisation, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau said. Lau charged all scholars to stick to genuine teaching of Prophet Muhammad.
short news Kidnapping Unacceptable Conduct – Gov Wada The Kogi State government has described Kidnapping as an unacceptable act,and has warned those engaged in such heinous crime to desist from the act. The state governor, Idris Wada made the remarks when he visited the speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Momoh Jimoh Lawal,who was reunited with his two children who were kidnapped 61 days ago. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the safe recovery of the children was a testament to the support the present administration in the state has given the security agencies.
Wada By Umar Mohammad , Gombe
By Sam Egwu , Lokoja
Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide (second right), Secretary Social Development , Blessing Onuh (second left) , Secretary Agriculture Development Secretariat, Olradi Bema Madayi (left) and Secretary Legal Council , Ima Okpowgete, during the flag-off of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week at Maitama General Hospital in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI
Don’t Be Discouraged By Chibok Girls Kidnap, Gov Aliyu Tells Northern Parents By ABU NMODU, Minna
The governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has stated that the kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls should not discourage parents and leaders in the north from encouraging girl child education even as he said only education can liberate the north from underdevelopment. Aliyu who stated this yesterday while receiving the management of Federal University of Technology, Minna who were on a courtesy call at Government House, challenged all leaders in
the northern part of the country to lay more emphasis on the education of their children with a better attention on the girl- child to fast track the development of the region. The governor who received the FUT Minna management led by the vice chancellor, Professor Musibau Akanji who came to brief him on the preparation for the forthcoming convocation of the university, said that the north should not allow happenings in parts of the country to discourage them from sending
their wards to school saying that a society without education cannot develop. According to Aliyu development is not all about building skyscrappers or gigantic infrastructure but also investments in ‘intangible’ things like education that could last longer than some structures. The governor decried the high disparity between male and female enrolment in the north which was as a result of deliberate withdrawal of the girl-child from school for marriages.
Confusion In Jos Over Blockage Of Terminus Market By ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos
Residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital and its environs wake up yesterday morning to discover that all roads leading to Terminus Market, were blocked by stern looking security operatives. Government had earlier closed down the Terminus Market immediately after the twin bomb blasts last Month that killed over 200 people. LEADERSHIP investigations revealed that the traders were
planning to return to the market yesterday by refusing to adhere to the directive of the state government that roadside trading should be stopped. Following the confusion that trailed the long distance trekking by commuters and non movement of vehicles many banks located close to Ahmadu Bello way are also shut down. The Special Task Force (STF) in a statement signed by the media and information officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said the operation by men of the STF
which began yesterday morning in the state was aimed at preventing any loss of lives and property of the people of Plateau State. According to him, “The roads includes Yantaya Junction, ECWA Goodnews Church road, old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction and Rwang Pam street. Others are Kashim Ibrahim Junction, Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction, Murtala Mohammed way, University of Jos old campus and Beach Road by Zenith Bank”.
Kwara PDP Bans Factional Groups BY Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State yesterday outlawed the existence of interest groups within its fold. Unity and Freedom groups are the major interest groups within the opposition PDP in the state. While those in the Unity group are loyal to Senator Gbemisola Saraki,the Freedom group is populated by the supporters of Prof Shuaib AbdulRaheem and Senator Simeon Ajibola.
The non- inclusion of a Kwaran in the recent list of ministerial nominees sent to the Senate by President Goodluck Jonathan has been blamed on the activities of interest groups within the party. Announcing the ban order on the interest groups yesterday, the PDP chairman, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo pointed out that, “Factional interest, if allowed will tear the party apart. If we are divided, we shall not be able to chase the ruling APC out of power in Kwara State. “This is why we have banned in
this party all interests that will not align with the party’s structure that we have jointly put together. “If we desire to run all inclusive party administration and we are doing just that, why should any group still stand up to promote factional interests when we have enough assignment for all? “If we are to prevent division in this party, then the leadership at this level must just be responsible enough not only to shun divisive tendencies but must consciously work for the unity within the party”, he added.