A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Monsuru Olowoopejo The Nigerian Police, Lagos Command, has arrested Bassey Johnson, who allegedly raped a four-year-old girl (name withheld) in Idimu, Alimosho Local Government.
It was learned that the victim left her parent's apartment with her elder brother to watch Television in the suspect's apartment. But few minutes later, she slept off; while sleeping, the suspect allegedly raped her.
Sources said that after over an hour, the victim's sibling left the room leaving her sister who was already asleep in their neighbour's apartment.
A laboratory scientist, Mr Chinenye Nwekpe, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to always comply with the national policy on malaria that stipulates medical test before receiving treatment.
Nwekpe, a former Chairman of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Enugu State chapter, made the plea in an interview in Enugu.
According to him, this will reduce unnecessary and irrational use of anti-malarial drugs.
"Malaria policy states that every suspected malaria case must be tested and confirmed before treatment can be administered on patients.
"This policy has been in force for many years in the country, but with little or no compliance by people,'' he said.
Mosquito
Nwekpe said that implementing the policy might take time, but would save many lives at the end.
The laboratory scientist also urged pharmacists and medicine store owners to desist from attending to any patient that refused to go for test before requesting for malaria treatment.
He recommended the use of long-lasting insecticidal net, indoor residual spraying and environmental management as other methods of reducing the burden of malaria in Nigerian communities.
Nwekpe said that keeping clean environment and eliminating mosquitoes breeding places would ensure low incidence of malaria.
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) says, "In Nigeria the disease is responsible for 60 per cent outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 per cent childhood death.
"Twenty-five per cent of death in children under one year and 11 per cent maternal death.
"The financial loss due to malaria annually is estimated to be about N132 billion in form of treatment costs, prevention, loss of man-hours, yet it is a treatable and completely evitable disease.''
The Kaduna Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed the death of three persons and declared 14 others missing after an 18-seater bus plunged into River Rijana on Kaduna-Abuja road.
The Sector's Head of Operations, Mr Salisus Galadunci said that the accident occurred around 11 pm on Tuesday.
Galadunci told newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna that the 18 persons, who were from one family, were returning to Lokoja from Kano when the accident occurred.
According to him, only one person survived the accident, adding that three bodies were recovered from the river.
"An 18-seater bus travelling to Lokoja from Kano plunged into River Rijana with about 18 persons, all related, returning from Sallah break.
"The incident was reported by the only survivor, a woman who manage to report to an FRSC ambulance stationed at Doka unit, along Kaduna-Abuja expressway, around 7 am on Wednesday.
"Rescuers from FRSC Doka, Katari and Kakau were immediately dispatched with ambulances, and with support of local divers to search for survivors.
"Eventually, only three bodies were recovered, while the remaining persons could not be found, including the survivor's daughter," he said.
He further said that the survivor explained that the accident happened in a flash, and attributed it to over speed and fatigue.
The road marshal said that the recovered bodies have been buried by the river side by villagers, as efforts continue to rescue the 14 missing persons.
"Among the FRSC rescue team were the Zone 1 Commander, Bulus Darwang, Kaduan State Sector Commander, Francis Udoma and Zone 1 Head of Operations, Yomi Asaniyan," Galadunci added.
The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday said the force would no longer deploy personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to guard individuals.
Idris made the disclosure at a meeting with Commanders of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in Abuja.
"Therefore, in line with these responsibilities, it will be against force policy to deploy police mobile force personnel to guard individuals or fragment their personnel into smaller units,"he said.
He said that the PMF, CTU and SPU were currently undergoing reorganisation and restructuring in accordance with their responsibilities.
The IG said the force had put in motion strategy to ensure that PMF personnel were gradually replaced with SPU personnel who were saddled with the responsibility of close protection of VIPS.
IGP-Idris
Idris said that the special police units occupied the central aspects of policing all over the world.
"It is therefore important that we as a nation ensure that our special police units are given adequate training and resources to enable them carry out their responsibilities,"he said.
He said that in order to enhance the capability of the SPU personnel they would be stationed in all police commands as against zonal commands.
Idris restated his administration's resolve to ensure that all police training facilities operated optimally.
He said that the force was also proposing the establishment of a Police SPU training school for enhanced service delivery.
The IG said the force would seek the support of the Nigerian Navy to establish a marine police training school in Bayelsa to enable the police dominate the creeks of Niger Delta region.
He said that the measures being taken by the force would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the police and address the major security challenges in the country.
Idris remanded the commanders of the police core values of integrity, accountability, and respect for diversity.
He also advised them to operate within the concept of democratic policing to be responsive to the yearnings of the citizens.
The IG warned that any violation of the measures would be punished by the police management.
"In the coming days, we are going to start looking closely at our officers to ensure that they carry out these measures being put in place by the senior police management,"he said.
The leadership of the 60 PMF squadrons , 21 CTU commanders and 12 SPU commanders in the country attended the meeting.
By Emman Ovuakporie and Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Members of House of Representatives Wednesday resolved to donate the sum of N50,000 each to the Nigeria Paralympics Team that represented the country at the just concluded Rio Paralympics Games in Brazil.
The House while in plenary adopted a motion by Rep Ayo Omidiran APC, Osun, saying the team deserved the support of the Green Chamber in view of the unprecedented medals won by members of the team.
The lawmakers also resolved to host members of the team at a special plenary session.
Rep Omidiran said members of the team, though physically-challenged, did what has never been done in the history of Nigerian athletics, which was why she said they needed the support and encouragement of the House.
Contributing to the debate, Rep Herman Hembe APC, Benue, said the House ought to celebrate members of the team.
For his part, the chairman of the House committee on sports, Goni Bukar ,APC, Bauchi said the performance of the Nigeria Para-lympics Team was outstanding and should be replicated by other Nigerian athletes.
ABUJA- SENATOR Clifford Ordia, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo Central said yesterday that PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu will win the Edo State gubernatorial election slated for September 28, just as he stressed that the PDP would resist any form of rigging and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Speaking yesterday, Senator Ordia who noted that the PDP was fully prepared to win the governorship election, said that no amount of intimidation would distract them, or deter the people from exercising their franchise, adding that the people of Edo should come out en-masse and vote for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Ordia who is the Deputy Chairman of the Senate committee on Works, said that the maladministration of APC-led government in the state in the last eight years has given Edo people no choice, but to choose a more credible candidate from the PDP, just as he warned security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to make themselves willing tools in the hands of those he termed, desperate politicians.
Senator Ordia said, “In my Senatorial District, APC has no chance. We have put everything in place to checkmate plans by APC to rig. We will resist it. We know that the APC is desperate and they are doing everything to frustrate voters, but it will not work.
“The APC knew they were going to loose the election and they decided to shift the election. Even if they want to shift it by another one year, PDP will still win. APC has no chance in Edo state. Edo is a PDP state and we will prove that during the election.
"I want to also call on INEC and security agencies. They must maintain neutrality during the election. They should not allow themselves to be used. They must ensure that voters are not harassed or beaten up.
“I want to equally caution security agencies not to be used too to snatch ballot boxes. I am making this call because we have seen or heard cases in the past where security agencies reportedly connived with INEC officials to deny Nigerians their voting rights.
“I want to urge President Buhari not to allow Oshiomhole’s personal greed to throw Edo state into chaos. Mr. President must caution INEC not to be used to rig the election in favour of APC.
“The values of one man, one vote which brought Oshiomhole to power have been abandoned. He is now desperate to impose his candidate on Edo people and we have rejected that. Edo people have rejected Oshiomhole and his candidate.”
The Federal Ministry of Education , FME, has been advised to carry more stakeholders, especially Nigerian parents in its policies, as they help build trust and support for projects.
This was the submission of the Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District 1V, in Lagos, Mrs Lola Are-Adegbite at Merit Award/ Appreciation for Teachers in Lagos Mainland Educational District 1V put together by Mainland Parents Forum, MPF.
Mrs Are-Adegbite thanked Deacon Adams, Chairman, MPF for organizing such an event, and commended the trend by school who carry stakeholders such as the parents along in the quest for better standard and conditioning role of learning.
Her words, " I wish to appreciate our stakeholders, especially those in our schools. They have not only helped to build trust and support for projects, they have helped us to improve communication and better understanding which in turn have brought the incorporation of various new ideas , which we are seeing today and experiences into teaching.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has advised youths to be consistent in pursuing their dreams and aspirations to be able to contribute to national development.
The Royal Father gave the advise at a conference with the theme, ''Activating the Secret Wealth of Nigeria'' on Tuesday night in Abuja.
He said that a lot of people in Nigeria did not believe youths had what it takes to assume leadership position in the country, adding that he had dedicated his reign to youth's emancipation.
"My goodwill message to every one of you is, don't let anybody kill your dream; go for it, there is nothing like failure, it is only challenges that you have.
" When you fail at first attempt, don't see it as a failure; but look at it from the positive perspective and ask, why didn't you make it?
"It has become a story; it has become an event that you yourself should learn from and others to learn from.
" Your burning passion is greater than money; put it first in all that you do and money will come looking for you.
"Look at your life and discover what you can do and do it with all seriousness and be focused,'' he said.
The Ooni said that Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources; adding that youths have the responsibility to make Nigeria great by taking advantage of the opportunities that abound.
He said that every part of Nigeria was blessed with different kinds of mineral deposit like gold, limestone as well as agricultural products like cocoa, kola nut and palm oil.
According to him, there are so many things underneath the ground in this country and everything has always been the best in the world.
Ogunwusi stated that coca cola could not have been in existence in the world today without cola nut produced from the western part of the country.
According to him, a lot of people don't know that the major material input in coca cola is from this country and it is everywhere in the world.
He, however, called on the youth to take the destiny of Nigeria in their hands through innovative entrepreneurial ideas and patriotic mindset.
The Royal Father also urged the youths to look back at the past when there were great fishermen in the southern Nigeria before the exploration of oil in the 1950s and 1960s.
He urged Nigerian leaders to develop appetite for consumption of local products, adding that if made in Nigeria shoes, caps and attires are patronised, local industries would be encouraged and prosper.
"Nigeria has the most purified gold in the world; I am proud to tell you today that I am putting on Nigerian gold.
"The shoes I wear, my crown and attire are made in Nigeria. Let us stop condemning things that we have because "Rome was not built in a day,'' he said.
"Let us encourage the small scale producers, small scale industrialists and the only way we can encourage them is let us practice what we preach.
"What I want to say to you today is that Nigeria rebirth starts with you and me.
A driver to the speaker of Taraba state house of assembly was stabbed with a knife by a kidnapper who attempted to kidnap a daughter of the speaker at his house in Jalingo, Taraba state capital.
According to one of the drivers attached to the speaker who was in the house at the time of the incident but do not want his name in print, the kidnapper came with a lady who stayed close to the gate of the house of the speaker which is located at Legislative Quarters in Jalingo as early as 6:am (today)
The driver who spoke to Vanguard said the kidnapper stopped the driver who came out of the house with the speakers daughter in a private car to convey her to school and indicated to the driver that fuel was coming out under the vehicle, a sign that forced the driver to stopped.
“He pretended to the driver as if he discovered something was wrong with the vehicle which our Pilot driver was conveying Oga’s daughter to school with”
“He stopped the driver and show him that fuel was coming down under the car, when the driver stopped and bent down to check, he came with a knife and stabbed him while the lady who was standing beside the road close by then headed to the car where the daughter was siting”
“The Pilot driver struggled with him and when the little girl understand there was trouble going on with the driver, she quickly open the car door and ran into the house”
“While she ran into the house the driver was struggling with the man who stabbed him, the little girl alerted the security in the house and the security came out and arrested the situation”
As at the time of the report, the attacked driver was admitted at Jalingo Specialist Hospital while the police apprehended the attempted kidnapper and take him to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)in Jalingo.
The Police Public Relation Officer Taraba state police command David Minssal confirmed the incident but said the command was still investigating the matter. Minssal promised to relay the details of the incident to journalist as soon as investigation comes out.
For allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of N66 million in a bid to solve her spiritual problems, two people - Innocent Chukwu and Obiageli Anachebe - were on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja High Court.
The duo is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and concealment of deed.
They, however, denied the charges.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Mr Kunle Fayanju, told the court that the defendants on two occasions, between Oct. and Dec. 2013 defrauded one Mrs Vivian Amadike of N66 million in Lagos.
"Chukwu who goes by the alias Dr Ohamadike and Anachebe, his accomplice, on the first occasion fraudulently obtained N50 million from Amadike, a businesswoman.
"The money was received under the pretext that they will provide solutions to her spiritual problems," he said.
Fayanju said that the defendants had on or about Feb.14, 2014, dishonestly received the sum of N16 million from Amadike.
"Chukwu obtained the N16 million by falsely claiming that he had the dollar equivalent of the sum for sale."
The prosecutor added that Chukwu and Anachebe also dishonestly obtained and concealed the title documents to a building belonging to Amadike which is valued at N35 million and located at No. 4, Nteje Str., New Haven, Enugu.
According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 1(3) and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Sections 285(9), (c) and 288 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to Oct. 14 for hearing.
Kano Pillars left-back, Chris Madaki, has told npfl.ng that they will play for the full points and pride when they face El-Kanemi Warriors in a northern derby on Wednesday in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
Madaki knows that his team are out of the title race and a top-three finish this season is out of their hands except through mathematical calculations but believes that they want to win their rescheduled matchday 36 fixture to give their supporters something to cheer.
“We are determined to tame the Warriors and I believe the three points is not negotiable. It could be a daunting task, but I think my team-mates are zealous about this crucial assignment,” Madaki told npfl.ng.
Kano Pillars versus El-Kanemi Warriors may not just be a show of rivalry, but is also a contest of hierarchy in the NPFL table and tactical know-how between two experienced coaches.
Mohammed Baba Ganaru, who led the Pyramid City side to two consecutive titles in the past, will dish out instructions for Pillars, while former national under-20 handler Isa Ladan Bosso is at the helm of affairs as El-Kanemi coach.
Madaki continued by claiming that beating El-Kanemi in Kano, will be a sigh of relief and eventually redeem their image, considering the rivalry that exists between the clubs.
The Jos-born defender has played himself into first-team position in recent matchdays ahead of Jonathan Zikiye, since joining the Sai Masu Gida this term. The 21-year-old has had stints with Juth FC and Plateau United.
He was part of the Super Eagles at the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda.
Kano Pillars are currently in ninth position in the league table with 48 points after 33 matches, nine adrift of leaders Rangers International. El-Kanemi Warriors are in 10th having amassed 48 points from a possible 99.
The Borno club are unbeaten in six matches, having recorded four home wins and two draws on the road.
El-Kanemi Warriors ran out 2-0 winners when they hosted Kano Pillars in the first meeting this season at the El-Kanemi Sports Complex.
Sam Ekeoma, Technical Director, Para-powerlifting Federation of Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to reward Team Nigeria Paralympic athletes with houses and scholarships.
Ekeoma, who made plea on Wednesday, said many of the athletes denied themselves the opportunities in education to compete for the country.
He noted that the athletes surmounted all obstacles to break many world records and as such should be compensated.
"Our people have performed above expectation and they have made Nigerians proud, so any good thing Nigeria can do for its citizens is what should be done for them.
"They went, they saw and they conquered, so government should ensure that these athletes get first class treatment.
Some of Nigeria’s Paralympic team
"It will be very unfair that after such gallant performance, these athletes who broke world records will still be looking wretched.
"The Federal Government should empower them financially and morally.
"They should be given houses, grants and those that want to go to school should be given scholarship to study to any level,'' Ekeoma stated
According to him, some of the athletes sacrificed their opportunity in child bearing because of Nigeria and they should not regret serving their fatherland.
"It was during the administration of the late Sani Abacha that U-17 football players were given houses and that was the highest reception ever in the history of Nigerian sports.
"If a military government can do that over 20 years ago, then, the present government should think of better things to compliment the effort of its citizens,'' he added.
Ekeoma urged sports administrators to start early to prepare for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, by ensuring that Nigeria participated in more sports to surpass the Rio 2016 record.
He said: "All hands must be on deck to surpass our performance in Rio; it's good that we added one gold medal extra to the six gotten at the London 2012.
"That is why we should introduce more sports; Nigeria did not do well overall but we came first in Africa.
"We concentrated only on three sports, so, you can imagine what would happen happens if we participate in other sports just like we have introduced para-badminton.
"Nigeria Paralympics Committee is working on enrolling Nigeria in more sports and government should encourage us by sponsoring more sports so that we can compete with countries like the U.S., Australia and Canada.
Nigerian Afro-pop singer Joshua Iniyezo, popularly known by his stage name SolidStar is set to begin music tour to Austria from September 30 to October 16.
The Achievas Entertainment signee made the announcement on his Instagram page on Wednesday.
"Australia, we are coming and I'm super excited,''he said.
According to the Delta State born singer, the tour will see him thrill music fans in five Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
The "Baby Jollof'' crooner also announced his highly anticipated album "weed".
He noted that the album was in its finishing stages.
"It will be one of the best albums ever made in the history of the Nigerian entertainment industry,'' he said.
Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS UNITY which was under construction in China has been completed and on her way to join the Nigerian Navy fleet. At the Handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of the Naval Staff represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani conveyed the appreciation of the Navy to the Commander in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS UNITY.
.Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
He stated that NNS UNITY upon joining the NN fleet would strengthen the efforts against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation's territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general. He also added that areas hitherto that were unable to be covered by other NN ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY which will no doubt enhance the NN's effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria's waters.
NNS UNITY enroute Nigeria will pay 'port calls' on some ports of friendly nations before arriving Nigeria.This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular. He concluded by soliciting the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and the respective China Ship building corporations further beyond the departure of NNS UNITY.
The ceremony which was adjudged a success was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy Senator Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on the Navy Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, Representative of the Honourable Minister of Defense Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul General of Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy. NNS UNITY departed China today 21 Sep 16 and expected to arrive Nigeria in the first week of November 2016.
A 42-year-old businessman, Livinus Uwa, has told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that he married a thief.
Uwa made this known when he testified in his divorce petition against his wife, Chineye, on Wednesday in Lagos.
He urged the court to dissolve his four-year-old marriage to Chineye because of her penchant for stealing his money in the wardrobe.
"I married a thief, on severally occasions, my wife stole my money from my wardrobe, rendering me broke. The last time she burgled my room and stole N350, 000.
"I reported the theft at the police station and she confessed to the theft, but the money was not recovered,
"I have reported all her attitudes and stealing habits to both families, they called her but she refused to change,'' he said.
The petitioner accused his wife, who failed to appear in court after several summonses of abandonment, adding that since they married, Chineye had been appearing and disappearing.
"When she was pregnant, she left the house to an unknown place and came back after she was delivered of the baby.
"She abandoned our baby when she was 10-month-old; I have to engage a baby sitter to take care of her. When the baby was two years, I enrolled her in school and my wife reappeared,'' he said.
He described his estranged wife as a lazy and dirty woman, adding that "Chineye is lazy, she cannot cook, wash or sweep and I do the house chores.
Uwa pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage, since he could no longer condone her stealing habits, adding that he was no longer in love with her.
In his judgment, President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, dissolved the marriage.
Omilola held that it was obvious from available testimony and the respondent's refusal to appear in court that the marriage had hit the rock.
He said throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court summon, adding that the court had no other choice than to dissolve the marriage.
"The marriage between Livinus Uwa and Chineye Uwa is hereby dissolved from today, both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation,'' Omilola said.
By Moses Nosike Nigeria's design and decoration services sub-sector has attracted a new foreign entrant with a focus on top grade architectural fabrications.
Extravega, an Italian company with its branches in New York, Sydney, among other developed economies, said it came with readiness to partner with local companies that can install and manage its after-sells requirement to reach the market.
The company said it has carried out projects in many countries of the world, specialising in designing, manufacturing and installation of exclusive custom-made design works and project.
According to CEO, Antonio Rillosi, "After 30 years of activity and dynamic presence, it has evolved into an operational multidimensionality, dealing with the construction of architectural works, furnishing of exhibition spaces, production of furniture, works of art and design, saying further that the company's eclectic nature led it to develop countless projects in collaboration with world renowned architects and designers.
Continuing, Rillosi said that projects range from luxury brand shops, offices and showrooms, exhibition stands, hotels renovations, buildings and residence and we make special designs for VIP's offices. We have done it in several countries of the world, we are in Nigeria to do it the same way.
"The market is a rich one, I think Africa is not small because there are thousands of rich companies and people that can achieve this kind of taste, quality but they don't know they can achieve it with their budget. What we deliver is quality, on time and give the customer something beyond his expectation. My goal is to make beautiful things even if they are small.
"I'm ready to partner local companies even though I don't know them yet, but I would partner only with companies who can save, respect exactly the schedules, procedures, process. We are here to teach them and to find this kind of companies".
In addition, Country Representative, Francis Okechukwu Amaechi, said, "we are driving home with a new sensation of a quality revelation in the area of interior and exterior designs as far as the Nigerian real estate sector is concern.
"We came to network with real estate experts, architect and other professionals. I believe this product and service will succeed in Nigeria, my country Nigeria has taste for quality luxury and at every given time the potential to have it is there.
"It is a good quality product and services that the high income class would cherish. Also it goes for hotels, real estate companies that are into major luxury apartment construction and the financial sectors as well. Our product and service is affordable because we don't detect what your budget should be, but we actually give you what you want basically on your budget and dream."
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said it had directed its states' offices to begin the distribution of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to their owners.
Mr Nick Dazang, Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity in the commission, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Dazang said that the directive was part of efforts by the commission to ensure that uncollected PVCs were distributed to the registered voters.
"It will be recalled that after the 2015 general election, we had over 12 million uncollected PVCs.
" What the commission did was to direct all states of the federation, including the FCT to strategise ways of distributing the uncollected PVCs that are with them.
"It is an ongoing exercise,'' he said.
He, however, said that there was no deadline attached to the directive, adding that it was left for each state to decide on the modality for the distribution.
INEC had in June, 2016, admitted that it had over 12 million PVCs yet to be collected by registered voters across the country.
It had assured that plans would be made to fully distribute the cards before the end of the year.
The Akwa Ibom Government says it is partnering with the World Bank to execute erosion control project worth N52 billion on IBB Way in Uyo, the state capital.
The State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, disclosed this on Wednesday in Uyo at a news briefing to mark the 29th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The state was created on Sept. 23, 1987 by the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida alongside Katsina state.
Udom said that the state government was committed to providing a lasting solution to the perennial flooding on IBB Way and in some parts of the state capital.
"The cost of taking water in that area, which is almost below sea level is exorbitant, especially at the current exchange rate in the country.
"IBB is a peculiar situation, we can't do it alone, I must confess, I cannot find N52billion anywhere, which is why I am partnering World Bank.
"World Bank has agreed to partner with Akwa Ibom to control the erosion; right now they are reviewing our design.
"Once we finish with the design and the process, World Bank has promised that to include it in its budget," Emmanuel said.
The governor further disclosed that the World Bank had promised to release $2million to the state so that work can start at some of the erosion sites.
Emmanuel said that he was optimistic that World Bank assistance would go a long way to help the state to eliminate flooding.
The governor then appealed to the people of the state to bear with the government on the issue of flooding, assuring them that flooding would soon be a thing of the past.
Emmanuel said that the state government had already spent billions of naira to control erosion in the Udo Udoma Avenue, still in the state capital.
The governor said that the state government had contracted Julius Berger Construction Company to construct the artificial drainage to remove flood in most parts of the state capital.
Recall that the immediate past administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio had spent N13.6 billion to construct pipe jacking tunnel to remove flood in Uyo but some parts are still experiencing flood.
As the Sept. 28 Edo Governorship election approaches, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo South Senatorial District, have assured the party of their votes.
The Senatorial District Leader, Mr Gentleman Amegor, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin while speaking with newsmen at the end of a meeting with other party members.
He said that the leaders had been mandated to deliver their wards and units to APC.
Amegor said that they had resolved to deliver the seven local government areas in the district and the units under them to the party during the exercise.
"We have resolved to deliver the Senatorial district to Godwin Obaseki,'' the APC leader said.
The leaders arrived at their resolution after over three hours' meeting in Benin.
Amegor said the party had put forward a candidate that "is not only experienced, but also has the credibility and integrity to be the next governor of the state''.
He said what all the leaders needed was to fully sensitise and mobilise the people to cast their votes for Obaseki, the APC candidate in the race.
According to him, Obaseki has been part of Oshiomhole's success story in the last seven years.
"The people must be reminded not to allow themselves to be deceived again. They must be corrected about the lies being peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
"We believe in Obaseki. He has done much for the state and has so much more to do.
"He wants to continue with the work started by Oshiomhole. He wants to create more jobs and has also drawn out empowerment programme for our youths and women,'' Amegor said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the election initially scheduled to hold on Sept.10, due to security reasons.
No fewer than 1.9 million voters are expected to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice involving 19 political parties, while over 18,000 electoral staff are expected to officiate in the exercise.
ABUJA – MEMBERs of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, despite the rowdy session, finally placed embattled ousted Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmunin Jibrin before House watchdog, the Ethics and Privileges committee.
Lawmakers loyal to Speaker Yakubu Dogara made good their threat as they made sure all attempts to save Jibrin from the jugular of the House rule was rubbished.
If found guilty after the one week investigation by the ethics and privileges committee, Jibrin may go on six months suspension….
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