THE federal government is finalising the process of re-awarding contract for the construction of Lokoja River in Lokoja, Kogi State. The N2.3b port project, which was previously awarded to Phobe Engineering, ran into a hitch following not only non- performance by the contractor, but also the liquidation the company and subsequent termination of the contract by government.Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who disclosed this while answering questions from journalists after an inspection tour of the Baro, Onitsha and Oguta River ports, expressed satisfaction with the speedy completion of the rehabilitation of the Onitsha port by Messer Inter-Bau Nigeria Ltd and expressed optimism that other ports would reach the same feat.'Nkechi Onyedika, AbujaPolice Inspector Dismissed Over Rape Of 15-year-old, To Face TrialZAMFARA State Police Command has announced the dismissal of a police Inspector after he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl. Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Tambari Yabo, disclosed this at the weekend. He said the dismissed officer had appeared before a committee over allegations leveled against him by the father of the girl, and was found guilty. Tambari said the Inspector and a civilian accomplice would be arraigned before a court. He said the force would not tolerate acts of indiscipline that could tarnish its image.---Isah Ibrahim, GusauBill Gates: Govs To Receive Reward On Anti-Polio InitiativeTHE Bill Gates Foundation will reward best performing governors in the fight against polio in the country. It comes asPresident Jonathan says the 2012 date for the eradication of polio in the country is a national priority. 'The National Immunization Leadership Challenge encourages governors to provide the leadership necessary to achieve the Abuja Commitment for polio eradication and surpass those targets for polio vaccination and routine immunisation. Those leaders who significantly improve polio efforts in their states will be recognised by the Foundation and will be eligible for support to advance other health priorities,' Gates said.'Martins Oloja and Collins OlayinkaHajj Committees InauguratedGOVERNORS Kashim Shettima and Ibrahim Gaidam of Borno and Yobe states have inaugurated hajj committees that would ensure a hitch free airlift of over 5,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia thismonth. They warned that pregnant women and Muslims above the age of 75 would not be allowed to participate in the exercise. Borno State deputy governor, Zannah Umar Mustapha and the emir of Jajere, Alhaji Hamza Buba Masio, are to head the committees. Shettima disclosed that N180 million has been earmarked for the accommodation of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Airlift of the pilgrims from Maiduguri International Airport has been slated for Monday, October 10, 2011.'Njadvara MusaVarsity To Boost Ties With Foreign InstitutionsTHE Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Professor AbdulRasheed Na'Allah, has said the institution will strengthen collaboration with universities around the world to enhance development of its staff and students. Na'Allah spoke to reporters during a media chat on visiting guest lecturer, Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, a Professor of Humanities at the Colombia University, United States. 'We will explore areas of collaboration between KWASU and the Columbia University with which we have a Memorandum of Understanding. To this end we are bringing this world-renowned don to Malete on Tuesday October 4 this year. She is going to talk on 'Education in the Era of Globalisation'.''Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin'Restructure NDDC'AKWA Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, has called for restructuring of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in order to attract meaningful progress in the Niger Delta region. Akpabio, who made the call in Uyo, while fielding questions from reporters, as the state marked its 24th anniversary, said the reorganisation is necessary so that NDDC does not remain a perpetual drain to the nation's resources. Faulting NDDC's modus operandi, he said: 'It has been structured to fail since it does not have a quick fix solution to problems of the region. 'The NDDC should be made to focus on infrastructural development that can turn the region around. States governments should monitor NDDC projects because the present arrangement does not serve the needs of the Niger Delta region,' he said.Nigeria At 51: Globacom Urges Positive AttitudeTELECOMS giant, Globacom, has asked Nigerians to maintain a positive attitude on the future of the country, saying that in the midst of present challenges, there is still a lot to be grateful for. The company said that with the huge potentials in the country, there is no doubt that Nigeria will be great again. In an Independence Day message from Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, the company urged Nigerians to be hopeful, noting that trying times are temporary and would eventually go.'We need to be hopeful and allow this hope to drive us in all we do; in governance, in the civil service, in the private sector, in sports and in all spheres of our polity. This is because a people that have accepted defeat in their minds and attitude cannot expect to rise from the dust,' he said. Jameel added that it is only with a positive attitude and a can'do spirit that Nigeria would rise to become a great nation.'Only 35 Per cent Residents Have Access To Portable Water'THE General Manager Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) Mr. Garba Babaji Magaji, has disclosed that only 35 per cent of the state's population has access to portable and safe drinking water. Magaji made the statement yesterday during the official commissioning of a borehole at Kurumin Dorawa, Wuntin Dada village in Bauchi local government, sunk by Igbinomwanhia Iziegbuwa Hope, a serving (Batch B) National Youth Service Corps member (NYSC), saying the aim of corps members is to integrate the community and Nigeria.'Ali Garba, BauchiMobil To Fight Malaria With Over N48mTHE Management of ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria is partnering withAfricare, a non-governmental organisation to fight the menace of malaria within communities in Akwa Ibom state. Funding and support for the Africare project would cost a whooping sum of $325, 000, over N48million over a period of three years from 2011-2013. This was revealed by the Executive Director and General Manager, Public and Government Affairs of ExxonMobil, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner during the official lunch of the project in Eket Akwa Ibom State. Represented by Manger, Public and Government Affairs Que Iboe Terminal [QIT], Akaninyene Esire, the company noted that, the menace of malaria cannot be tackled by government alone but with concerted effort from public and private concerns; so as to help reverse the huge loss in human and material resources. 'The collaboration with Aficare, a non-profit organisation thatspecializes in health and HIV/AIDS, women empowerment and other humanitarian activities will be targeted at enhancing the quality of people,' she said.'Inemesit Akpan-NsohNDLEA, AISSON Partner On Anti-terrorism WarDIRECTOR General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Femi Ajayi, has expressed the willingness of the anti-drug agency to partner security experts in the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorist financing in the country. The NDLEA DG gave the assurance while receiving members of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), led by its President, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, at the agency's headquarters, Ikoyi Lagos. He said the agency will collaborate with the association in planning a national workshop on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing scheduled to hold this month. Resource persons of the workshop shall be drawn from the NDLEA, the Police, GIABA and international financial institutions to share experiences on the topical issue. Ajayi stated that the agency appreciates the enormous responsibility of narcotics control and will remain committed, as the implications of ineffective anti-drug programmes are alarming.
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