Delegates at the National Conference are believed to have concluded arrangements to float 20 standing committees that will, from Monday, begin details insight into the confab’s mandate. This is coming after the conclusion, yesterday, of the debates on the inaugural speech of President Goodluck Jonathan, with special focus one high cost of governance, state creation, returning to 12-state structure, corruption, insecurity and federalism.

It was learnt that the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, his deputy, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the Secretary, Mrs. Valerie Azinge; the assistant secretary, Conference Proceedings, Dr. Akilu Indabawa; Assistant Secretary, Finance and Administration, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Akpandem James, met for several hours between Wednesday night and early hours of yesterday to allocate delegates into the 20 standing committees.

Rain for this year began yesterday in Kwara state with sad story of flood, resulting in the death of three people including two children and a young person. They drowned in heavy downpour which started at about 11.00pm around the State capital.

Report has it that properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed, even as 25 cars were swept away from where they were parked.

Report also has it that the flood cut off a large chunk of soil from beneath the rail track of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, cutting through the road thereby making it impassable for the train. A section of the rail track behind Kingdom Heritage Secondary school was also affected.

Consequently no fewer than 1000 passengers on a train travelling from Lagos to the northern part of the country were stranded.

A prominent politician in Rivers state, Prince Tonye Princewill has constituted a 12-member Think-Tank on his ambition of contesting the 2015 governorship election in the state.
According to a statement from his personal assistant on media and publicity, Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu, the committee will consult and research on the viability of his candidacy for the 2015 governorship election. The committee is made up of Elders, women, technocrats, individuals representing professionals, youths, and other stakeholders.
The statement said that the governorship hopeful informed members of the committee of his bleief in that fact that the largest employer of labour should be small and medium scale enterprises and not government.
“I also believe transport and housing, just like education and health, should make up the four key pillars on which social service must stand. But the priority of any government here in Rivers state has to be – job creation.”
He said that he and his team had been doing a lot more listening and a lot less talking as he focus on 2015 governorship ambition. “I have been listening to average Nigerians, especially the youth. I have found out firsthand what they are asking for and hearing that their wants and needs are not only similar, but achievable. “We hear the absence of employment, the need for empowerment, the absence of capital to set up small businesses and their wish, just to be taken more seriously. We have talked to the women who work hard every day to put food on the table, yet struggle to find a voice in this male dominated political space; and only wish to be given a chance to make a life for themselves and their families.
“I have spent time with widows, orphans and the disabled, who find themselves in this position through no fault of their own, but are still hopeful of a society that sees them too.
“In my conversations over the years, I know that all you want is for your leaders to listen. My team and I can hear you. During this quiet period I have had the opportunity to think long and hard about what it means to be Governor in Rivers state and about what it will take, not only to get there but to make a difference to those who need it most. I strongly believe that politics is too important to be left to politicians and that if our success is truly measured by our collective efforts, then we must start once again to look out for one another.

“Today’s politics seems to have taken us away from these core values. I’d like to see them brought back.
Politics today is riddled with too many jokers who claim they want to lead. It’s time to get serious. That is why I want you to be the first to know that after extensive consultation, I have commissioned a group of 12 wise men and women to explore the viability of my candidacy of running for Governor of Rivers state. Over the next few weeks, we will travel the length and breadth of the land and creeks to seek your views and opinions on what role a gubernatorial campaign MIGHT play in moving Rivers state forward. At the conclusion of this exercise, I will return to share my intentions with you. Politics in Nigeria is the surest route to change. Given my background, I never thought I would be doing this. But caring enough about the welfare of your people can put you in this place. Once again I thank you for your time, your commitment and your prayers.”

A None Government Organization (NGO) known as Concerned Citizens of North East Nigeria (CCNEN) has appealed to members in the two chambers of the National Assembly and governors from the troubled North Eastern parts of Nigeria to quickly intervene by asking the federal ministry of education to separate, by a week, the dates for the conduct of West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Exams for the students in the zone.
In a statement signed by the group’s President, Alhaji Mohammed Kachalla Abubakar, the group also called on the two exam bodies to consider shifting one of the Exams: the WSSCE or JAMB from April 12 to April 19 to give the affected students opportunity to take part and to ensure a fair treatment.
The group said that
Parents and guardians have since late last year, registered their Wards for the two examinations and affording them their right to education.
“But for the students from the North Eastern Nigeria, covering Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, they may not have this golden opportunity or right and their parents’ efforts may be in vain.”
The group recalled that because of the current security situation in Borno and Yobe states, the federal ministry of education relocated students of Federal Unity Colleges from those states to Bauchi, Taraba or Gombe states to write their WSSCE, while for the JAMB exams they are to write in the centres they registered.
“Meanwhile, during the registration exercise, students were forced to register in centres far from where they lived, thus students living in Gombe for instance, were forced to register in Ganye which is over 400 kilometers apart. “And for those students that earlier registered in Yobe and Borno states now having their exams in Gombe, Bauchi or Taraba, the case is the same.
“Recently, JAMB indicated that its exam will hold on Saturday, 12th of April, a day after a rigorous brainstorming and tight exams on Friday 11th.
“On that day, Students would write English Literature and Computer Science 1& 2, to end by 5:00pm.
“The questions here are, what kind of magic will a student writing exam in Bauchi use to take part in JAMB exam in Ganye the following morning, having finished his exam at 5:00pm? Will those affected students forfeit one of the exams (WSSCE or JAMB)? If so, is it not going to affect their timely entrance into higher institution? Is it not denying the affected student their right to education?”
The group reminded the authorities that youths are the wealth and assets of any nation, and are also the future leaders, adding that giving them fair treatment, especially in regards to education is not a right but a compulsory duty to all.

Governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has raised alarm over what he called the influx of strange persons into the state even as he announced the setting up of security committee curtail the menace of cattle rearers that are presently ravaging parts of the country.

The Governor who spoke to newsmen today shortly after an expanded Security Council meeting, comprising principal officers of the State House of Assembly, heads of security agencies in the state, traditional rulers, council chairmen and religious leaders at the Government House Annex in Warri said that while the State Government welcome genuine strangers, it would not fold its hands and allow the state to be over ran by people with criminal intentions.

According to the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police is to head the task force with two members of the state assembly, two commissioners, representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, council chairmen and the Northern Community as members, while the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is to serve as secretariat.

Dr. Uduaghan explained that the task force would among other things control the movement of cattle into and within the state with a view to nipping in the bud any attempt by herdsmen to cause a breach of the peace.

He added that the task force would also move into suspected locations, identify persons inhabiting such places and where it is established that the people are illegal immigrants, the immigration chief in the state would ensure they were evacuated.

The Governor explained that the measure was not to completely stop cattle rearing in the state, noting: ” they can come but their movement has to be controlled by the task force.If they are coming to stay peacefully we will allow them to stay.”

Governor Uduaghan observed that the state has had peculiar security challenge between cattle rearers and farmers, but added that the situation in recent times had taken a new dimension with the influx of herdsmen carrying arms which they have been using in terrorising farmers, snowballing into killing and raping of women.

He noted that the problem of cattle rearers was a national issue and that he was ready to work with the Federal Government, other governors  and respected traditional rulers from the North in finding a lasting solution to the menace, “It is a challenge we are ready to face squarely,” he stressed.

Uduaghan urged chairmen of transition committees to hold monthly expanded security council meetings that would involve traditional rulers as part of measures to deal with the problem.

He also implored traditional rulers to join hands with government in its bid to arrest the situation while challenging them to work out local solutions in their respective domains to complement government’s effort.