The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Otoge will produce successor in 2024, Kwara group insists

    Otoge will produce successor in 2024, Kwara group insists

    A Leading Pro-democracy group, Kwara Must Change has insisted that the Otoge revolution of 2019 that ushered in the current Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration would replicate itself in 2027.

    Kwara Must Change was one of the groups that championed the popular Otoge political revolution in 2019.

    The group said it had initiated moves to sustain the newly installed progressive order in Kwara state come 2027.

    The group also disclosed that it rallied over 70 youth groups in 2018 to rescue the state from the Saraki dynasty and said that the mission to sustain the progressive order is a collective responsibility, noting that there’s no success without successor.

    The group’s Convener, Abdulrazaq Hamzat during a focused group discussion involving several youths across the three senatorial districts.

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    Hamzat said that the task of sustaining the gains of Otoge should be treated with equal determination as the Otoge revolution itself.

    He added that only those who know the value of the revolution will do whatever it takes to sustain it.

    He said that the group has been following public conversation about the direction the state should head in 2027 and we are pleased to say that we will not be spectators in the process.

    Hamzat explained that the youths of Kwara will determine the next direction of the state, just as they did in 2019 and we will be playing an active role in shaping the process.

    “For us, we understand that there’s no success without successor and Otoge must produce its successor to be fully regarded as a successful struggle”

  • How Sule ended killings in Nasarawa, by traditional ruler, ex-Nasarawa Speaker

    How Sule ended killings in Nasarawa, by traditional ruler, ex-Nasarawa Speaker

    The immediate past speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Balarabe Abdullahi and the first-class traditional ruler of Egbura people in the state, HRH Usman Abdullahi, have explained the tireless efforts of Governor Abdullahi Sule in curtailing the endless killings of innocent people in Toto LGA.

    The two prominent leaders of Egbura land in Nasarawa State stated this yesterday while attending the Eid-el-Fitr prayer with their people in Umaisha, Toto LGA.

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    The Speaker specifically commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for keeping sleepless nights to make sure that the recent communal crisis in the area, which claimed many lives, including that of three soldiers, was brought to an end, and peace and normalcy returned, describing the Governor as a man of peace.

    He went down memory lane on the long time efforts of the Governor and other leaders in the area to ensure peace and unity, adding that despite these efforts, some people are hell-bent on ensure that the area did not enjoy peace.

    The former speaker who emphasised the need to keep politics out of the situation, condoled with the Army authorities and the families of the three soldiers who lost their lives and other civilians, appealed to the government to support the families of the slain soldiers.

    HRH Usman Abdullahi, on his part, appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule’s efforts in collaborating with the Nigerian military to curtail the unabated killings in the area.

    He also spoke extensively on the tireless efforts of Governor Sule and the Nigerian Army in bringing the situation to its barest minimum, just as he acknowledges the relentless efforts of the local vigilantes.

    The royal father tasked his people on peace and unity, as well as the need to be security conscious and embrace farming, fishing and trading that they are known for.

  • 32 Kaduna General Hospitals not renovated in last 20 years – Sani

    32 Kaduna General Hospitals not renovated in last 20 years – Sani

    • Says over 1,500 schools in eight LGAs don’t have fence

    Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said that the 32 general hospitals in the State, have not been renovated in the last 20 years, a situation which he said is unfortunately making citizens travel to neighbouring states for medical care.

    Governor Sani, who stated this while addressing stakeholders from the 23 local government areas of the state, also said that over 1,500 schools in the eight frontline local government areas of the state, do not have fence.

    Sani, who lamented that most of the hospitals were in sorry states, however, stated that his administration has resolved to, in the first phase, remodel, reconstruct and reequip six of the general hospitals, two in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.

    The Governor also disclosed that, as part of efforts to complement the government’s commitment to implementing the Safe School Initiative, two prominent Kaduna-based business moguls, Alhaji Adamu Atta of Fifth Chucker and Alhaji Bukar Shettima of Barbados, are to build fences for 100 schools.

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    According to the Governor, “One of the major areas of focus of our government is healthcare. In the last one month, I have received reports from our Deputy Governor, who is one of the most prominent, established public health specialists in Nigeria, that our 32 general hospitals in Kaduna as we speak, most of them are not functional.

    “Because of that, most of the patients from Kaduna have to travel to some neighbouring states for medical attention. This is unacceptable. And that is why we have decided to remodel, reconstruct at least six of the 32 general hospitals. This project will be starting by the grace of God on Monday, that is in the next few days.

    “These general hospitals that we are remodelling and reconstructing are; General Hospital Rigasa, General Hospital Maigana, General Hospital Gwantu, General Hospital Kafanchan, General Hospital Giwa and General Hospital Ikara…

    “We are also focusing on education because we believe education is the greatest enabler. That is the only thing we can give to the children of the poor and they would be anything they want to be. This is why we are also investing heavily in the area of education.

  • Charge troops to remain disciplined, professional in their operations – Commander

    Charge troops to remain disciplined, professional in their operations – Commander

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has charged the troops to remain disciplined, loyal, vigilant and professional in their operations.

    Gen Abubakar gave the charge while addressing members of the task-force during the sallah celebration in Jos.

    According to the GOC, “It is with great pleasure, gratitude to the Almighty, that I heartily wish all our invited guests, officers, troops, operatives and personnel under command, as well as your families, a happy Eid-el fitr celebration for the year 2024.

    “I pray that the joy of the season abides with you and your families.

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    “The celebration reminds us of the unwavering sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, as well as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Defense Intelligence Agency personnel under command in the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property within Operation Safe Haven joint operations area.

    “Your professionalism, courage and determination to achieve our mandates, especially on the Plateau, is worthy of note and highly appreciated.

    “While I acknowledge and applaud your efforts, I urge you not to rest on your oars, but to remain focused in your task. To consolidate the gains of all our recent achievements, we must intensify our efforts to completely eradicate all acts of isolated killings, kidnapping, farmers hurdles, clashes, cattle rustling, as well as cattle poisoning, farm destruction and ethno-religious crisis, among all other forms of security of threats within our joint operations area.

    I want to reassure you once again that headquarters of Operations Safe Haven, as well as both the army headquarters and the Defense headquarters, will do all that is necessary to provide you with the requisite leadership, welfare, and logistics to motivate you for effective and successful conduct of our operations.

    “Finally, as we conclude this year’s Ramadan fasting, I want to encourage you to always remember our gallant departed colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the discharge of their duties.

  • Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    The President , Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Professor Samuel Aghalino,  is set to deliver a public lecture in Makurdi, Benue State, as part of activities marking the birthday celebration of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.

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    Professor Aghalino, who is of the Department of History and International Studies ,University Of Ilorin, Kwara State, will speak on the topic: “Democracy, Insecurity and the Future of One Nigeria; Reading the Mind of Samuel Ortom,” will be held at International College of Technology in Makurdi.

    Preceding the public lecture is a thanksgiving service of RCCG, Region 40 Headquaters in Makurdi to be crowned with a dinner.

  • Mutfwang restates commitment to tackle malaria in Plateau

    Mutfwang restates commitment to tackle malaria in Plateau

    Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has restated his administration’s commitment to fighting malaria across the state.

    Mutfwang stated this while flagging-off the distribution of 2.9 million treated mosquito nets in the state.

    Represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, the governor reiterated his commitment toward ensuring access to quality and affordable health care services in the state.

    He added that such a move, among other initiatives, informed his decision to invest huge sums of money in the health sector towards better results.

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    “In alignment with national efforts, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and other partners, including the US President’s Malaria Initiative, has intensified its drive to increase access to durable and cost-effective treated mosquito nets, as it is pivotal in preventing mosquito-borne malaria.

    “Today, we launch the distribution of over 2.9 million nets across 1,080 distribution points, spanning our state’s 325 wards, the health and lives of our citizens remain a priority of the present administration.

    “Our collective investment in this campaign underscores our commitment to reducing Plateau State’s malaria burden from 19% to single digits and ultimately eliminating it”.

    The Governor implored citizens to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves from malaria by embracing the campaign and use the nets consistently.

  • Police arrest six over vandalism, others

    Police arrest six over vandalism, others

    Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested six suspects, namely Kabiru Muhammed, Aliyu Usman, Abdulmalik Alhasassan, Shafi’u Suleiman, Suleiman Ibrahim, and Raymond Mailabari, who is an AEDC staff.

    Raymond Maliabari allegedly connived with others to vandalise and steal a transformer.

    All the suspects are male of Tipper Garage, Mpape, Abuja.

    They were arrested on April 11, 2024 at about 10:45pm, through credible intelligence.

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    The suspects were trying to escape with an already vandalised transformer they had loaded on a crane truck in Maitama, when police operatives swooped in and apprehended them.

    According to a statement issued on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh: “The vandalised transformer, a crane truck, a blue-coloured Mercedes Benz with Reg No. PKN 497 XA, a white-coloured J5 bus with Reg No. RBC 228 XC, and an ash-coloured Peugeot 406 car with Reg No. GSN 13 AA belonging to the AEDC staff were all recovered.

    “While the investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, wishes to reiterate his commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the Territory.

    “He also urges residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, and 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192”.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Radda to focus on social, infrastructural devt

    Eid-el-Fitr: Radda to focus on social, infrastructural devt

    Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina has pledged to focus more attention on the provision of social and infrastructural development in the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Bàla Salisu Zango, who made the above disclosure in a press statement, said the governor made the pledge at Daura Emir’s palace while delivering the Ed-Elfitr Sallah message, adding that he has in the last eight months of stewardship been able to fulfil many of its campaign promises in the areas of security, education, water supply, health, institutional reforms, the civil service and many more.

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    The Governor also disclosed that his administration has recruited 7,325 teachers, awarded foreign scholarships to Katsina State indigenes to study MBBS Medicine in Egypt, procured twenty metric tonnes of fertilizers for rainy season farming, distributed palliatives to the vulnerable people in the state, as well as procure drugs and hospital equipment for health facilities across the state.

    Radda further disclosed that his administration has been able to provide infrastructural development to the state and has awarded contracts for the dualisation of township roads in Katsina Metropolis and Eastern bypass.

    The Governor also felicitated with the people of Katsina State on the sallah celebration, wishing them more peaceful and joyful celebrations.

  • Police parade 66 suspects for crimes in Plateau

    Police parade 66 suspects for crimes in Plateau

    The Plateau State Police Command has paraded over 66 persons for various crimes committed during the Eid-el-Fitr Celebration in the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, made this known to reporters at the command headquarters in Jos.

    The police boss said it arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects and recovered arms and ammunition during the celebrations.

    During the period under review, it also arrested suspected cult members.

    He said festive periods are usually characterised by fanfare and celebrations, but the good people of the state have always expressed their reservations as a result of the recurring attacks on law abiding Muslim faithful by members of the inglorious Sara-Suka and other cult groups, street urchins and criminal elements.

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    “During my last press briefing, I made a promise to the good people of Plateau State that this ugly trend will be arrested and will be a thing of the past. In other to achieve this, Officers of the Plateau State Police Command were strategically deployed to all praying grounds, vulnerable locations and efficient motorised patrol put in place all over the state”.

    The CP explained that the Eid-El-Fitr celebration in the state was peaceful and devoid of any rancour or attack on worshippers.

    He said the command in its strategic deployment has paid off, as a total of Sixty Six (66) suspects were arrested at different locations within the state, and the following exhibits recovered from them – fourteen (14) machetes, eight (8) daggers, large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, six (6) tricycles, four (4) motorcycles and bottles containing illicit substances. 

    He said all the suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court soonest.

    He also announced the arrest of suspected armed robbers and recovery of arms and ammunition. “On 10th April, 2024 at about 0700hrs, one Laulau Jibrin ‘m’ of Zunzugut Mavo came to the Nigeria Police Force, Divisional Headquarters Wase, Wase LGA and reported that on the 9th April, 2024, at about 2300hrs, some armed men came to his house at same address and robbed him of his motorcycle. 

    On the strength of the above complaint, Police Detectives attached to Wase Division in collaboration with Vigilantes swung into action and arrested two of the armed robbery suspects through credible intelligence.

    The suspects are one Musa Adamu and one Sale Joga both male of Mavo Community in Wase Local Government Area.

     Exhibits recovered from them include; one AK-47 rifle loaded with three (3) rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition. The suspects have been transferred to State CID Jos and are currently undergoing interrogations, and will soon be charged to court.

    “I wish to state emphatically that the Plateau State Police Command under my leadership will not tolerate any form of lawlessness. Parents and guardians are therefore enjoined to pay close attention to their children and wards, as no law breaker will be spared.”

  • Niger has spent lots of money purchasing security gadgets – Bago

    Niger has spent lots of money purchasing security gadgets – Bago

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has disclosed that his administration has spent lots of money in purchasing sophisticated security gadgets to help in tackling insecurity in the state.

    He said his administration would continue to invest heavily in the purchase of security equipment to address the security challenges in the State and finally bring an end to it.

    The Governor stated this when he paid sallah homage to the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Attahiru Gunna II at his palace in Kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state.

    The Governor reiterated that work and strategies are being done around the clock to ensure that insecurity becomes a thing of the past in the state.

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    Bago also used the occasion to commiserate with the Emir and the people of the Emirate over the recent killings in the Madaka community by terrorists.

    The Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Attahiru Gunna II, commended the efforts of the state Governor in improving the security situation in the region, saying that because the insecurity situation has been reduced, some farmers are being encouraged to return to their farms.

    The Emir also appreciated the Governor for his visit and his efforts to better the lives of the citizens, pledging the support of the Emirate for his people-oriented policies and towards ensuring that he succeeds.