News from Across the Nation

By

Fola Adekeye

Monday, June 07, 2004

Enugu: Clean Sweep

Chimaroke Nnamani, the governor of Enugu State, sacked his commissioners and board members last week. In a terse statement signed by Dan Shere, secretary to the state government, the governor explained that the action was part of his efforts to inject new blood into his executive council for greater productivity.

The statement also announced the dissolution of the boards of the Water Corporation and the Enugu State Environmental Protection Agency, ENSEPA.

The sacking order reportedly came as a surprise to members of his cabinet. The governor had expressed dissatisfaction at the performance of some of the commissioners and board of the Water Board and ENSEPA.

Anambra: We are Denied a Platform

Chris Ngige, governor of Anambra State, has been enjoined to reconstitute and inaugurate the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Dauda Onuorah Ajagu, vice-president of Nigerian Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs, Anambra State chapter, who made the appeal said the council had lost more than N25 million as a result of the non-existence of the board.

The money, he said, would have been part of its financial assistance from the World Islamic League meant for Christian-dominated states. "For the past five years, the state chapter has not been represented at Hajj. This has hindered members from getting financial support from the World Islamic League as Zakat and we have equally lost the money accruing to us from the federal government because we do not have a platform under which we can ask for our benefit," Ajagu said.

He noted that apart from Anambra State, other states in the South-East had their various Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and had received tremendous support from their respective governors. He explained that Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State recently donated N10 million and a 36-seater bus to Muslims while Governor Orji Kalu built a mosque worth N10 million for Muslims in Abia State.

Ajagu urged Ngige to emulate other governors in the South-East by reconstituting the state Muslim Welfare Board, especially as he has shown that he was truly committed towards giving Anambra people good governance.

Lagos: Fourth Mainland Bridge Coming

Lagos State government reiterated its determination to construct the Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos last week. Ismaila Adewumi, the state commissioner for finance, said the project would gulp $2.5 billion. He said a consortium from the private sector and multinational agencies would finance the bridge project.

Adewumi said Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state governor would construct the bridge to ease traffic problems in the state. "Everybody is saying that the project is unrealistic. By the time the government puts everything on the ground and everybody can see, I know people will be convinced about the seriousness the government of Tinubu attaches to the project. We are out to see that the current traffic problems being faced by Lagosians became a thing of the past," he said.

Adeseye Ogunlewe, minister of works had earlier dismissed the proposed project, saying it was an electoral deceit by the state government. He wondered where the bridge would start and where it would end.

Abia: Where is our Money?

Abia State government called on the Federal Government last week to release its N3 billion bond. Samuel Onuoha Udeala, chief press secretary to Orji Kalu, governor of Abia State told industry correspondents in Lagos that the state government desired the release of the bond in order to provide more basic democratic dividends to the people.

He said although there was little federal presence in Abia State, the state had emerged as a shining example of a people determined to take their destiny in their own hands. "We know that with our commitment to remaining number one in the federation, our present predicament will nourish the fruits for a greater tomorrow," he said.

Oyo: Pleading for HIV/AIDS Victims

Rasheed Ladoja, governor of Oyo State has said that HIV/AIDS pandemic has killed more people than all the worst wars of history and natural disasters put together.

He said more than 11 million children would be orphaned by 2015. "Children orphaned by AIDS will grow up without the love and care of their parents and most of them will be deprived of their basic rights - shelter, food, health and education. Many will be subjected to abuse, exploitation, discrimination, trafficking and loss of inheritance," he told a gathering of state health workers last week.

Ladoja explained that many people had died as a result of stigmatisation and pleaded for positive attitudes to reverse the situation.

Kogi: Prudence is Kogi's Watchword

Ibrahim Idris, governor of Kogi State, has called for high level of prudence in the management of state resources. According to him, the current economic downturn in the country could only be managed through prudence.

Speaking on the occasion of his first anniversary in Lokoja last week, Idris said his government had concentrated efforts on meeting the most essential needs of the people. So far, he said N1.523 billion had been expended on the construction of 500 blocks of classrooms.

He then promised that his government would strive to save pupils from the agony of learning in dilapidated buildings and under trees in the state. Idris reiterated the commitment of his government to human development