BRIEFS
COMMUNITIES In Gwale and Kombotso local councils in Kano State found opportunity recently to make input into the state’s 2012 budgets. At a town hall meeting, facilitated by the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), citizens made their demands known to the Kano State House of Assembly. Dr. Mohammed Mansur Idris of the Department of Economics at the Bayero University, Kano, said it is important for people to have their interests and concerns included in the budget, ‘which is the most important instrument in the reduction of poverty and the development of socio-economic infrastructure.’ He said leaving such an important instrument in the hand of the elite excludes the interests and concerns of the people. The communities listed as needs medical care, roads and markets.
Nigeria-Indian Team Rescue 80 With Eye Disorders
ABOUT 80 Nigerians with severe sight defects have benefited from advanced medical technology at the recently established ultra modern Eye Specialist Hospital in Kaduna. Officials of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, India, in joint partnership with Thelish Eye Centre, Kaduna unveiled the facility, which has equipment worth over 200 million naira. Eighty patients with acute cases of eye diseases either received surgical operations or were treated and discharged.
—Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
NDLEA Impounds 461.16kg Of Marijuana
THE Ogun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has impounded 47 bags of marijuana, weighing 461.16kg, concealed in a white Volvo truck with registration number XC 659 KWL. A 40-year-old driver of the truck, Onyekezie Monday, was also arrested in connection with the drugs, in Abeokuta, Tuesday night, following a tip-off by members of the public. In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr. Segun Jolaoso, the State Commander of the Agency, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed, who spoke during offload of the exhibit and parade of the suspect at NDLEA State Headquarters, Ibara Housing Estate, explained that the arrest and seizure was made possible due to intelligence gathering by the command. He said that the consignment was heading for Oyo state, before it was intercepted. The commander appealed for public support in the campaign against activities of criminals.
—Gbenga Akinfenwa
