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Senate condemns killings in Omala communities, Kogi state

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The Senate has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to organize a public hearing involving all stakeholders to find lasting solution to the recurrent issue of herders and farmers clash that has resulted in the death of many Nigerians.

This followed adoption of a motion on matter of urgent importance titled “urgent need for rehabilitation of Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi, Bagajib and Bagana, communities in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state by gun men attacks and killings, which was sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC-Kogi East).

Jibrin in his motion said Omala Local Government Area has been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings and destruction of properties and farmlands.

He said the attacks and killings had rendered many homeless with no means of sustenance.

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He said it was worrisome that Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities have been ravaged by recent gunmen, rendering over 30,000 inhabitants of the communities homeless and leading to exodus of the people to other parts of the state.

He said on 5th April 2024, armed herders invaded Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities, killing 21 innocent citizens, including women and children, in addition to unprecedented destruction of their farm produce.

“Alarmed that on 30th April, gunmen attacked Ajokpachi Odo community in Omala LGA, killing no fewer than three persons and rendering the entire community desolate, with no health facility to cater for the deteriorating health conditions of the survivors.

He said the attacks have resulted in the killing of over 500 citizens, in addition to wanton destruction of public and private properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.

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According to him, the displaced persons have resolved to return to their ancestral homes, but cannot afford shelters and have no means of sustenance.

He also expressed worry that educational institutions in the communities had been destroyed, with many buildings and other facilities completely burnt down, thereby making it absolutely difficult for the children of the affected communities to access educational facilities.

He also expressed regrets that apart from destruction of schools, health centres are obviously non-existent to cater for the health needs of the affected communities as the few hitherto existing ones have been lost to the hostilities

This, he said has increased the rate of mortality in the affected communities.

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He said markets, business centres, shops and various business outfits in the affected communities have been completely destroyed.

This, he said had resulted in an the people to an atmosphere of inevitable economic helplessness.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) said the nation was yet to curb the problem of headers ravaging communities, adding that the herders have no right to ravage any community, saying that actions should be taken for ranching of cattle in the country.

“We must find a way of banning migrant gracing and apprehend and prosecute the killers”, he said.

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Senstor Adams Oshiomhole (APC -Edo North) advised Senate to set up of an ad-hoc committee to organise public hearing to find a lasting solution to issues of farmers headers classes. This was accepted by all.

Senator Titus Zam (APC-Benue North West) said the farmers/headers crisis had defiled all security solutions, advising that Senate should enact an “open gracing prohibition law”, which he said would deter open gracing and encourage ranching of cattle.

The Senate after observing a minute silence for the departed souls in the communities, urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the affected communities with relief materials and other forms of support.

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FG announces April deadline for completion of East-West Road

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The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Eleme section of the East-West Road to expedite drainage work to meet the April deadline for completion.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the directive during an inspection of the ongoing 15km road upgrade from Eleme Junction to Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

While commending Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited for the quality of work done, Umahi insisted that the drainage must be prioritised to ensure timely completion.

“RCC has done very well. The work completed in the past two months is more than what was done since the project started. However, the project slowed down significantly when the site manager went on leave. I’m happy to see him back and satisfied with the quality of work RCC is delivering,” Umahi stated.

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He emphasised the need to test existing road shoulders before excavation, warning against unnecessary digging for financial gains.

“The existing shoulder has to be tested throughout. I don’t want them digging up areas filled with sharp sand and stone base just to increase costs. If they don’t test it and request approval for any section they dig, they won’t get paid,” he warned.

Umahi also observed that drainage construction had either stopped or slowed significantly, urging the contractor to redesign and precast drainage systems for quicker installation, even during the rainy season.

“I’m happy with the project’s progress, and I believe they will complete the carriageway by the end of April. However, if drainage work is not completed, the project remains unfinished. They must accelerate drainage work to ensure we clear this carriageway by April,” he stated.

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The minister further directed that any section of the road that has remained untouched for 21 days after concrete casting should be opened to commuters to ease traffic congestion.

“Anywhere that has stayed 21 days since concrete was cast should be opened to road users, starting today. This concrete technology will ensure the road lasts between 50 and 100 years without maintenance or reconstruction. It is a signature project of President Bola Tinubu,” he added.

Umahi also inspected the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway, Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt), which is being handled by the Chinese Construction Engineering Company.

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Reasons behind extreme heat conditions in FCT, Niger, Kogi – NiMet

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has given reasons for the high temperatures residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi and few other states are currently experiencing.

The current maximum temperature in the listed states is 40°C and the minimum is 23°C.

The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released last month by the agency shows that most of the northern and central states would record day-time temperatures ranging between 37°C and 40°C, while parts of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Plateau states in the North as well as Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, part of Cross River and Delta states in the South are expected to record temperatures ranging between 34°C and 37°C this month.

The agency attributed the high temperatures to climate change and advised Nigerians to embrace a lifestyle switch.

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Residents of the states experiencing high temperatures are advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between noon and 3 p.m.

There are also indications that this year may be hotter than last year, which was described as the hottest year.

NiMet’s Director of Weather Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, announced this while speaking on phone with The Nation yesterday. He said: “Everything is embedded in the climate change theory. Every experience we are having now is a result of climate change. The hotness, in general, is because of climate change.

“Abuja, Lokoja, and Minna are located within the same ecological zone and these towns share the same weather pattern. Whatever happens to Lokoja will affect Minna and Abuja because they are in the same route of the flow of wind and also lie within the same climatic zone. Also, these towns have the same vegetation pattern.

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“So, since they are within the same climatic belt, everything that affects Minna and the FCT will affect Lokoja accordingly. The heat is affecting everywhere, not just these towns mentioned. We said last year was the hottest in the history of the earth but this year already is trying to beat it to become the hottest.

“So, as the year increases, it’s obvious that we are going to have higher temperatures. I don’t know where we are headed with this trend, but something needs to be done to reverse the trend.”

To make the best of the situation, Prof. Weli said: “What can reverse the trend is for us to encourage every activity of man that will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, such as the use of electric cars, solar power and planting of trees.

“These will be other sources of energy other than the use of diesel and petrol and other hydrocarbon compounds that we use as sources of power. Also, we should plant more trees to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The more we plant trees, the more we reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the more we increase the oxygen.”

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The NiMet director urged residents of the affected states with high temperatures to take necessary action to overcome the hot weather.

He said: “In order not to experience what we call heat stroke, people should drink more water often, keep themselves off the direct impact of sunlight between 12 p.m (noon) and 3 p.m. If people do not expose their bodies to the direct impact of sunlight, it will reduce water loss from the system.

“So, people should drink more water than necessary. Otherwise, their systems will be dehydrated, and that will cause secondary health issues.”

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JAMB begins sales of  2025 direct entry forms March 12

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Registration for this year’s Direct Entry (DE) form will begin tomorrow, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said.

The board said the registration process is crucial for those who possess degrees, diplomas, or A-Level certificates and wish to advance their education at their preferred universities.

JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said the announcement for the commencement of the DE sales followed the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8.

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“During this period, JAMB recorded a total of 2,030,627 registrations for the 2025 UTME, along with 200,115 for the Mock-UTME and 630 applications for the trial mock,” the statement said.

It added: “JAMB has emphasised the importance of adhering to all entry requirements, warning that serious penalties will be imposed on applications containing false declarations. A special committee will verify all submitted Advanced A-Level Qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions.

“Registration can only be done at JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRC).”

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