The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 3000

  • 3000 ghost workers discovered in Enugu

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi,Ugwuanyi has said no fewer than 3000 ghost workers have been uncovered in the state’s local government. The governor, who disclosed this in his Democracy Day speech, said the discovery was made following the setting up of Local Government Audit and other Reforms Committee.

    He said, “To make the Local Government System more effective, we set up the Local Government Audit and other Reforms Committee following the meeting of Enugu State Stakeholders held on November 28, 2015 to look into the problems of local government administration and management in Enugu State, including issues of outstanding salaries. This effort to reposition the Local Government System accounted for the delay in conducting Council elections. The Committee headed by the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly has since submitted its report with useful findings and recommendations. For instance, the panel uncovered the existence of over 3,000 ghost workers across the 17 Local Government Areas. This was a major drain to the resources of local councils in the State.”

    The governor promised to continue with his vision to provide good governance and other basic needs of the people of the state in order to “build the Enugu State of our dreams”, notwithstanding the economic difficulties in the country.

    Ugwuanyi while thanking the people of Enugu State for their unparalleled support, solidarity and prayers also promised that his administration will continue to run an open and accountable government and work assiduously towards the realization of the dreams of the state’s founding fathers.

    Past and present leaders of the state such as the  Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the National Assembly; the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi; state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo;, the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi and other members of the House; former Governor of the State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Service Chiefs, and former Deputy Governors of the state were present at the occasion.

    Others include: the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Callistus Onaga; the Archbishop of Enugu Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma; the Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Barr. C.N Ede; other clerics; the organized Labour; revered Traditional Rulers, etc.

    Highlighting his achievements in office, Ugwuanyi who noted that the primary responsibility of government is the welfare of the people and the security of lives and property, said that his administration will continue to pay workers’ salaries and pensions on the 25th of every month in recognition of the fact that the civil service is the fulcrum and engine room of governance.

    The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to peace and security of the state to maintain the state’s status as one of the safest in the country, adding that the government has revitalized the Neighbourhood Association and recently launched the Enugu State Security Trust Fund to galvanize resources and provide the enablers that will ensure the effective equipping of the Neighbourhood Watch to complement the efforts of the Nigerian security agencies.

    Ugwuanyi added that his administration has recorded tremendous feats in infrastructural development as a major goal to enhance the wellbeing of the people of the state as well as initiating innovative programmes aimed at economic stimulation and diversification.

    He mentioned that the government a few days ago simultaneously commissioned 26 development projects it executed across the 17 local government areas, which were among the 35 grassroots projects flagged off in October 2016 to open up the rural areas and catalyze socio-economic growth.

    The governor further stated that his administration also carried out major construction projects as well as intervened in the rehabilitation of failed sections of some federal roads in the state, which hitherto caused untold hardships to the people, slowed economic activities and in many instances, led to the loss of lives.

    He said that the government had initiated a N10 million per community based programme tagged “one autonomous community one project” to further take development to the rural areas, promising that the forthcoming Local Government council elections in the state will be the most transparent in recent history.

    “I am here today to reaffirm my promises to you and reassure you that this administration will continue to work for the common good of our people. Recall that on this day in 2015, I sincerely acknowledged the fast depleting revenue profile of the State owing to the slump in oil price and low internally generated revenue. Back then, I had assured you that I believed in the miracle of five loaves and two fish; and that I and my team would harness and apply every available resource with utmost transparency, honesty, prudence, and equity to the benefit of the ordinary man.

    “Our empowerment programmes designed to alleviate poverty and other socio-economic challenges among our people, have been successful. These include the facilitation of 100 units of one bedroom flats for civil servants of Grade Levels 1-10 at Elim Estate and the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Programme, which was specifically designed to empower market traders in the State through a monthly open lottery where 100 lucky winners receive the sums of N50,000 each. This is in addition to other schemes targeted at youth development,” Governor Ugwunayi highlighted.

  • Training for 3000 teachers

    The Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu,  has kicked off the training of 3,000 primary school  teachers under  2nd tranche of 2014 Universal Basic Education (UBE)  teachers professional  development programme.

    In his address at the event which held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi, venue of the event, Bagudu  noted that sustainability of schools is a collective responsibility of both the government and individuals.

    He explained that one of the challenges facing Kebbi educational sector is huge number of people with fake results, adding that such people enjoy protection by the education instructors. He called on the participants to see the training as means to renew their commitment to service delivery.

    Earlier in his opening remarks,   the state Commissioner of Education Alhaji Muhammad Magawata Aliero, said the exercise was an intervention designed by UBEC to train many teachers across the 36 states, including the Fedearl Capital Territory (FCT).

    He assured that within the next few days, 3,000 primary school teachers would have be given training to improve their pedagogical skill in the four core subjects – English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science &Technology as well as Religion and National Values.

  • Incentive for 3,000 Akwa Ibom farmers

    No fewer than 3,000 farmers in Akwa Ibom would benefit from the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme before the end of this year, an official said in Uyo.

    The Federal Director in the state, Dr Peter Umanah, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Umanah said that 2,000 farmers would benefit from the oil palm value chain, while 1,000 others would benefit from the cocoa value chain programme.

    “We have just concluded the generic GES scheme in the state. We are about to begin Value Chain GES programme.

    “Under this scheme, we will focus on different commodities; and in Akwa Ibom, we are going to implement the oil palm value chain GES and about 2,000 farmers will benefit from this programme this year.

    “We are going to implement cocoa value chain GES and about ,1000 farmers are targeted. They will receive free seedlings and other chemicals for their operation at subsidised rate.”

    Umanah said that the programme would also be extended to the livestock sector such as goat, piggery and poultry ,to enhance food production in the country.

    The director said that support for oil palm and cocoa farmers would begin this week, while poultry would commence next month and goat and piggery  in November.

    Umanah said that the government would also support aquaculture, adding that a consultative meeting would be held with stakeholders to educate them on the programme.

  • Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    The wife of Abia State governor, Lady Mercy Orji, has empowered about 3000 indigent people through her pet project, HannahMay Foundation.

    The effort received commendations from the state government, saying  that  the collaborative  initiative of the foundation has created wealth, employment  and  has sustained security  in the state. The indigent people are, therefore, in a better position to contribute to the economic well-being of the state.

    Speaking at the foundation’s recent distribution of empowerment items, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, praised the foundation for its partnering with  his administration to help the needy, thereby helping the reduce the work load on him.

    Orji, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Mkpa Agu Mkpa, noted that the empowerment programme will be handing out various items to over 3000 Abia men, women, youths and the physically challenged selected from the 17 local government councils of the state is one of the legacy projects of his government.

    The governor said that the foundation has through its activities brought succour to families and reduced  crime in the state.

    He, therefore, called on public spirited individuals and organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO) to use their wealth to positively touch the lives of the downtrodden t as the  HannahMay Foundation was doing.

    In her address of welcome, Mrs. Orji said that through the humanitarian strides of the foundation, HannahMay has been able to save lives, rescued women who would have been involved in human trafficking.

    Mrs Orji also said that her foundation has served mankind in epidemic and other humanitarian endeavours,stating that the its vision and mission was to show love by making life meaningful.

    She said that her aim is to reduce the burden of indigent persons, widows, widowers, motherless babies, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS [NEPHWAN] and prison inmates  in the state as part of her good governance complementing role.

    The wife of the governor, however, appealed to the beneficiaries to make effective use of the items to assist government tackle crime and unemployment, create wealth through stimulating economic activities in the state.

    She praised  the  governor for creating a favourable environment for the foundation to carry out its humanitarian programmes.

    Mrs Orji used the opportunity to appeal to well-to-do individuals  to assist and support the humanitarian efforts of the foundation in touching the lives of the downtrodden in the society.

    One of the beneficiaries who gave her name simply as Ijeoma, was full of gratitude to  Mrs Orji for her care and love forthe less privileged in the state and pray that God would continue to bless and protect her.

    Some of the items distributed include 1000 sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dressing equipments, barbing kits, vulcanizing machines, computer and its accessories among others.

  • Boko Haram has killed 3000 people, says Army Chief

    Boko Haram has killed 3000 people, says Army Chief

    Chief of Army staff Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika said yesterday in Ilorin that Boko Haram insurgents have killed over 3,000 people since 2009.

    He Spoke during the opening of the third inter-division and headquarters map reading competition organised by the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC).

    He was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Mechanised division of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abubakar.

    The Army Chief said: “The changing nature of threats to Nigeria’s national security environment has manifested in the militancy, kidnapping, violent extremism and terrorism. It is a known fact that terrorism worldwide is characterised by extremism, violence hatred, lack of respect for human dignity and constituted authority.

    “The spate of bombings in parts of the north has necessitated the Nigerian Army to review its doctrine with a view to updating our training and operational procedures in order to fulfill our constitutional mandate. Success in this pursuit, therefore calls for renewed and concerted efforts and initiative. “

     

     

     

  • 3,000 displaced in Kaduna

    More than 3,000 persons have been displaced by flood in the Kaduna metropolis following a torrential rain. Over 750 families were rendered homeless.  The Nation learnt that property worth millions of naira were also destroyed by the rain, which lasted for several hours. The affected areas are Ungwan Romi, Trikania and the communities along the river bank.

    Narrating his ordeal, a victim, Lucky Inanse, who claimed to be a public servant, said his home was submerged. He described the incident as a tragedy.
    Residents of the Lusawa areas of Romi and Turaki, Musa Yarima, Ayuba Bako, Zarmai and Wambai streets were affected. About 200 persons are taking refuge at the Government Day Secondary School, Romi.

    The village head of Gonin-Gora, Mr. Yusuf Doma, said 60 buildings were affected and 180 families and 900 people displaced. He said most of the victims are staying with relatives.

    Babatunde Adebanjo, who claimed to be a naval officer in Port Harcourt, said: “My credentials and other property were submerged.” The Commandant of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Charles James and the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ishaku Dogo Makama, confirmed the incident. The Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ali Zakari, said the flood has wreaked havoc. They assured that the relevant agencies would assist the victims.