BRIEFSTHE headquarters of the 3 Armoured Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, Jos, is hosting a five-day Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition beginning from tomorrow. A statement issued yesterday by Lieutenant Ishaku Gaji Takwa of the Directorate of Army Public Relations of the Division, said the competition is a yearly military exercise organised to test the efficiency and combat readiness of young army officers. Takwa explained that the ceremony will be declared open by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Major-General Adamu Buba Marwa, tomorrow by 8.am at the 82 Battalion Parade of the Division. He explained further that participants for the competition are drawn from 3 Division Garrison, Jos; 21 Brigade Maiduguri; 23 Brigade Yola and 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi. As a result of the exercise, he said large movement of troops and gunshots at Miango Shooting Range may be witnessed by members of the public. He advised residents of Miango village, Fulani cattle herdsmen and others not to panic.'Isa AbdulsalamiTribunal Strikes Out Petition Against House LeaderABIA State Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday struck out for lack of jurisdiction a petition filed by one Mr. Chibueze Apugo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) challenging the election of Chief Chidiebere Nwoke of the PDP as representative of Umuahia East constituency in the state House of Assembly in the April 26, 2011 election. The tribunal, presided by Justice Adedayo Adebara, ruled that although Apugo contested the election, he did so in error. 'In the eyes of the law, APGA did not sponsor a candidate for the Umuahia East Constituency election. The fact that Apugo, the petitioner, filed an application for stay of execution of the subsisting Federal High Court order of disqualification, did not invalidate the court order.''Gordi UdeajahState Acquires 2,000 Hectares For Irrigation, OthersGOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State has acquired 2,000 hectares and 300 tractors under the Federal Government's Tractor Hire Purchase Scheme (THPS) for this year's farming irrigation projects in the state. The farmlands are located in Monguno and Bama council areas of the state for massive production of onions and other vegetables. Commissioner of Agriculture, Usman Zannah, told newsmen that apart from harnessing rich agricultural resources, the irrigation projects will create 5,000 jobs. He said the state government has procured 50 tractors on hire purchase for N40 million and 300 tractors for distribution to the 27 council areas where most of the farmers live.''Njadvara MusaAgriculture My Priority, Says Guber AspirantA PEOPLES Democratic Party aspirant in Edo State, Major General Charles Arhiavbere (rtd), has said that reviving farm settlements and improving the quality of lives of Edo citizens would be his focus, if he picks his party's ticket for next year's governorship election.Arhiavbere, who spoke yesterday at Garrick School Ground in Ekhewan, where he declared his candidacy, said: 'I have never got anything easy. I rose through the ranks in the Nigeria Army and I am sure I have the wherewithal to lead Edo State.' He lamented that having visited all the 18 local government areas in the state, he found disconnect between government and the people.'Adeyinka AdedipeState To Sue Debtors Of Micro-Credit AgencyTHERE seems to be no repose yet for those owing the Ekiti State Micro Credit Agency as the state government yesterday said it is still committed to recovering every kobo lent some beneficiaries by the Segun Oni administration.Speaking during a chat with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the deputy governor, who is also the chairperson of the newly inaugurated State Economic Team, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, hinted that about N800 million has been recovered out of the about N1.2billion initial figure being held in individuals' pockets. While calling on all outstanding debtors to pay up, she disclosed that government is being forced to consider the not too palatable option of going to court to press charges against the debtors and their mentors.Items For Prison InmatesGOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State has donated items to inmates of Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison in the spirit of the Sallah festivities. The items included rams, bags of rice, cooking oil, wheat and assorted drinks. He said government is committed to improving the welfare of the inmates. He urged them to consider their present condition as an act of God and repent from evil after their jail terms havebeen completed. 'My administration, earlier this year, granted amnesty to some of you and I promised to continue the gesture,' he said. The governor also revealed plans to resuscitate and equip the prisons vocational centre to enable inmates acquire skills and be self-reliant upon completing their jail terms.'Njadvara Musa
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