NDLEA Prosecutes 52 Suspects

THE Jigawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 261 suspects for various drug related offences, while 52 suspects were prosecuted between January and December 2011.  The state commandant Ibrahim Abdul, who made the disclosure to The Guardian in Dutse yesterday said that a total of 109.07kgs of various drugs ranging from Cannabis Sativa and psychotropic substances were seized from the arrested suspects.  Meanwhile, the Babura local government council in Jigawa State in collaboration with the Hadejia/Jama’are River Basin Development Authority has constructed 125 wells for irrigation purposes. Local government council chairman, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, disclosed this in Insharuwa village at the weekend. Ahmed explained that the gesture is in line with his council’s commitment to improving agriculture and irrigation farming.                                                 

 Afe Babalola Renews Call For National Conference

Renowned lawyer and former presidential counsel, Chief Afe Babalola, has advised President Jonathan to put in place processes for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) for the purpose of determining the future of the country in a manner acceptable to all its constituents. Babalola, in an interview with The Guardian, said with the level of insecurity in the country, a defective 1999 constitution and massacres, the country needs an SNC.  He urged Jonathan to heed calls from Nigerians for a conference to avert chaos.

—Abiodun Fanoro 

Rochas Leads Peace Initiative

IMO State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was in Bauchi State at the weekend for an interactive session with members of various ethnic groups. He described reprisal attacks among ethnic groups as assault, not on Christians or Muslims, but on the entire nation. Okorocha, who described peace as an expensive commodity, which Nigerians must pursue at all cost, said: “The people that are being killed are Nigerians. The people doing the killings are also Nigerians. These are our children. This is a time to stop the trend.” Responding, Governor Isa Yuguda commended Okorocha’s support for a united and peaceful Nigeria.

—Ali Garba, Bauchi

Okpara Varsity  Reopens

FOLLOWING suspension of the national strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, has announced it will commence full academic activities on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. A statement issued on Friday by the Registrar, Dr. Azubuike Nwokocha, advised students to return to the campus on Sunday, February 5. It added that registration for fresh students is ongoing. The Registrar informed students that facilities have been put in place for a smooth resumption and return to academic activities.

—Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia

 

State Allocates N1b For Tiles Factory, To Build 15 Industries

IMO State government has earmarked N1b for the last phase of construction at Nsu tiles factory in Ehime Mbano local council of the state. The governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, made the disclosure. The administration has also planned to construct 15 industries. During an official visit to the area, at the weekend, Okorocha, accompanied by some investment partners, disclosed that upon completion, the factory would employ about 2,500 people.

—Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

Ambassador Makes Farewell Tour

THE Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo (ROC), Mr. Saleh Manu Pisagih, will undertake farewell visits to members of the Nigerian community, and Congolese government officials whose cooperation facilitated the success of his tenure. Pisagih’s tenure would be remembered for the construction, within three years, of a Permanent Residence and Chancery. The development is expected to free, for other purposes, fees hitherto paid for rented official quarters. His wife, Grace, Mr. Okon Efiong Isong (Minister) and Mrs. Chinyere Theresa Onuh (Second Secretary) will accompany him.

Groups To Assist Vulnerable Youths, Partner FRSC

THE 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja will benefit from an initiative that seeks to transform the life of vulnerable and disaffected youths. It is organised by Ignition Nigeria Transformational Coaching School (INTCS), supported by Youth At Risk, an International Organisation. Also the Nigeria Driver Orientation and Development Programme (NDOADP) is partnering the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure safety of roads. The group, with sponsorship from the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (UNDARS) is also working in collaboration with other road transport agencies, civil society organisations, governors, the National Assembly and ministers in order to develop a platform for prevention of road mishap.

—Gbenga Akinfenwa

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