The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • ‘Fed Govt should engage indigenous consultants for airports masterplans’

    ‘Fed Govt should engage indigenous consultants for airports masterplans’

    The President of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nathaniel Atebije has asked the Federal Government to engage indigenous consultants in its proposed masterplans for airports.

    Atebije made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo had disclosed of plans to develop a masterplan for Nigerian airports.

    While the institute welcomed the decision to develop masterplans for the country’s airports, it urged the government to use indigenous consultants of good repute rather than going for expatriates.

    Atebije said: “We want to deeply appreciate the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development for his deep understanding of the need to plan for development and the dangers inherent to development before planning. In his recent declaration of the intention of government to ensure that our airports must have masterplans to guide their developments, he purposed to engage experts in the field of physical planning.

    “We admonish that indigenous consultants of good repute should be engaged rather than going for expatriates.”

    Read Also: Nigeria to modernise radar equipment at five airports

    He also commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its policy on the need for educational institutions to have approved physical development masterplans before benefiting from its intervention programme.

    The NITP president said this would go a long way in “ensuring sane, rational, sustainable and cost-effective developments in our tertiary institutions.”

    He added: “We implore other public and private institutions to embark on preparing physical development plans by qualified and certified town planners before they carry out such developments. This is the only way to get value for money.

    “We need urgent actions to be carried out by massive load of professionals in this nation to turn the table around for the benefit of the nation and catch up with the spirit and purpose of the bilateral and multi-lateral agreements we have signed with other nations of the world. As a nation, we need to wake up and put on our strength to achieve the development we desire.”

  • ‘Greedness from market forces, cause of high cost of food price’

    ‘Greedness from market forces, cause of high cost of food price’

    Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa lll, said greedness from market forces are the main cause of high cost of food price and other items resulting to economic hardship Nigerians are going through.

    He said that the business community is to be blame for unnecessary increase in prices of goods in the market currently causing untold hardship on Nigerians leading to severe hunger and worsening level of poverty.

    Dr. Yamusa said greater chunk of the economic woes truncating the success of the government is human-induced due to greed from market forces to enrich themselves.

    He stated this yesterday at his palace in Keffi, Nasarawa State when he received a delegation of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association on a sensitization tour over rising cost of living.

    He decried the rate at which traders all over the country inflate the price of their commodities without regulatory control of prices by authorities, calling on institutions of government to rise to the occasion of checkmating and penalising erring traders who sell beyond reasonable rates.

    Read Also: On the rising food prices in Nigeria

    The first-class monarch called on government to help in ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians, lauding the efforts of the union to sensitize their members on supporting government’s action for sustainable economic reforms.

    “Government must help the people to ameliorate this suffering. I know this is not the first time such is happening. I advise that Marketing Board can reserve food and sell it at a cheaper rate when it is scarce or expensive”.

    He urged citizens not to utter unprintable words against their leaders, noting that doing so will only worsen the current experience instead of addressing it.

    “Don’t insult government. When you insult them, they will be bad and you will suffer bitterly” he advised

    Speaking on the essence of the tour, President Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji said the rising cost of food commodities in the Nigerian market is beyond the reach of many.

  • Cultural summit: Shehu of Borno holds symbolic durbar

    Cultural summit: Shehu of Borno holds symbolic durbar

    The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, yesterday led over 40 District Heads in a symbolic durbar to mark the end of the maiden Kanem Borno Global Cultural Summit.

    The three-day summit graced by the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and dignitaries from Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Ghana and Central Africa Republics is designed to showcase the return of peace and unity among the people in the state.

    The theme of the summit is: “Towards achieving sustainable peace, fostering unity and development “.

    The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Amb. Zanna Hassan-Boguma, described the summit as unique privilege for the young ones to know the rich history and culture of the over 1,000-year old Kanem Borno dynasty.

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    “Our purpose in this summit is to identify and recommend strategic areas for enhance collaboration among our diverse communities focusing on the advancement of our ideals as a people.”

    “Our expected outcomes in this meeting is a strategic action plan outlining the pathway for strengthened partnership and concrete collaborative engagement among our people.

    “The three-day event that started with prayers for peace on Friday at the Shehu’s grand mosque will also provide an opportunity for our leaders, the vast majority of our people and governments to reflect on measures and strategies in the promotion of development, regional integration, stabilisation, peace and security,” he said.

    In their separate remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum and Hannatu Musawa advocated establishment of Kanem Borno Museum to serve as centre for research and documentation of the cultural heritage on the rich history of Borno.

  • Ododo vows to sustain security watch in Kogi

    Ododo vows to sustain security watch in Kogi

    Kogi Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has vowed to sustain the fight against all threats to the security of lives and property in Kogi State. 

    Ododo spoke to journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting with chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas to deliberate on measures to mitigate threats to the security of lives and property in all parts of the state. 

    The Governor noted that existing security architecture in the State has yielded tremendous success in the fight against violent crimes and must be sustained to ensure peace and stability in the state. 

    According to him: “Given the successes recorded by the immediate past administration of my predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in taming the menace of insecurity in the state, we must continue to accord top priority to the security of lives and property of the people. 

    “We cannot afford to drop from the height we have attained in securing the lives and property of our people as a result of desperate attempts by a few unpatriotic elements who may want to undermine our collective resolve to keep our state safe and secure.”

    Read Also: I will lead Kogi by example, says Ododo

    The Governor described security of lives and property as the number one priority of the government and stressed that his administration will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and property of the people of Kogi State.

    “I have restated my commitment to the local government chairmen that security remains my first priority and we must be prepared to do whatever it takes to secure every inch of Kogi State and this is not negotiable,” the Governor emphasised. 

     Ododo urged the local government chairmen to redouble their efforts to secure all communities within the local government areas and be in touch with the people whom he described as primary sources of intelligence gathering for any security intervention by the government.

  • Adamawa’s New Policy to Mitigate Heat, Flooding

    Adamawa’s New Policy to Mitigate Heat, Flooding

    Against the background of a State, particularly the capital, Yola, overwhelmed with heat most months of the year, Adamawa has obtained a draft policy on climate change that addresses heat and other extreme weather conditions.

    Yola is easily the hottest city in Nigeria, with temperature rising to over 40°C in the hottest months of March through May, leaving everyone in severe discomfort, especially as electricity supply dwindled significantly in recent years.

    The natural heat phenomenon of Yola has rather recently been made worse by climate change which has at the same time increased other extreme occurrences such as flooding and desertification.

    Bearing this in mind, efforts were mobilized to formulate a policy as a guide to protect the people, leading to the new Adamawa State Policy on Climate Change (ADASPOCC).

    Produced for the state by Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), the draft policy comes with the mission “to strengthen state initiative to adapt to and mitigate climate change in a participatory manner involving all sectors of Adamawa State.”

    The draft policy, presented to the House of Assembly on Tuesday February 13, 2024 by GIFSEP, features ideas to address Adamawa’s climate issues, with particular focus on ways to mitigate them.

    Speaking on the occasion of the presentation of the policy at the state House of Assembly complex in Yola, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Kate Raymond, said the state government is serious about issues concerning the environment.

    Kate Raymond was accompanied by other members of the Committee on Environment in the Assembly during the presentation of the draft policy which she received on behalf of the lawmakers.

    Speaking on intentions to give the policy a legal and effective standing, Kate Raymond said, “The draft policy will be presented on the floor of the House as a bill, and the governor will assent to the bill when it is passed because the heartbeat of the governor is on the environment.

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of GIFSEP, Dr Micheal David, explained that the engagement with the lawmakers was part of the process of getting the government at the sub-national levels to develop the framework and infrastructure to protect their environment. 

    He said, “Most policies are done at the federal level, and most are not domesticated by states, and this is where the population really exists. 

    “So, what we have done is to work with members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly to support them to develop a climate change policy for the state. Today we officially present the policy that we helped them to develop.”

    Read Also: Fintiri swears in 13 perm secs as Adamawa’s new CP assumes office

    Throwing further light on the draft bill vis a vis Adamawa’s peculiar weather conditions and ways to adapt or mitigate unfavourable effects, Michael David said the policy envisages participatory process that involves the government and the citizenry.

    “If Adamawa has a good forest cover, heat will come, but the impact will not be as much as it gets. Part of building resilience, which is in the draft policy, involves the state taking some steps to ensure that climate impact is reduced,” he said.

    He added that for the citizenry, there is need to design houses that are resilient or adsptable to heat, including not putting up fences that block fresh air, and to have many trees in neigborhoods that obstruct direct sunrays or serve as shade from the sun.

  • Stakeholders hail government, foreign investment for real estate growth

    Stakeholders hail government, foreign investment for real estate growth

    Stakeholders in the real estate industry have applauded the Federal Government and foreign investors for their contribution to the growth in the industry.

    The co-founder/Chief Operating Officer, Gidi Real Estate Investment, Ayorinde Ejioye, said at the begining of 2024, the government played a very positive role in developing the sector which is highly commendable.

    “From the regional era, and military era, to the Republic era of the real estate sector, it has been limited by several factors including host community settlement, funding, political instability, and problems of governmental bureaucracy, among others.

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    “This has become more intense, especially as government policies are aimed at regulating the industry, which is ever-increasing and prevailing, as Nigeria’s real estate is one of two faces, reflecting that the industry tends to the political history of the country as much as it tends to its economic history.

    “The Land Use Act of 1978 may provide an insight into the former, while the country’s long-held history of tumultuous economic development is a signpost for the latter. This is, however, not without the various challenges that it poses, resulting from property scarcity, a large disparity between the middle and lower class, infrastructural and housing deficit, political instability, host community relations, and government policies amongst others.

    “In the end, Nigeria’s real estate is bound to experience growth in 2024, which is all thanks to the profitability of the industry, the government’s growing presence, and foreign investment. This, however, will be limited by scarcity, economic fluctuation, and policy development—of which regulating reforms, is an ongoing issue.”

    Ejioye said in Lagos State, which is the prime destination of real estate, developers are now mandated to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) and eschew the development of untitled lands. In the same vein, marketers are now required to compulsorily register with the agency to enable them to practice real estate marketing as licensed realtors.

  • ‘Nigerians need information to keep hope alive’

    ‘Nigerians need information to keep hope alive’

    A rights group, Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Transparency and Accountability, has said the ministerial briefings recently kick-started by the Federal Government would provide information on how the government is working to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians.

    The coalition said it was optimistic that the briefing would help keep public officers accountable and transparent in their operations.

    The group, comprising six different CSOs led by Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, noted that with the rising national tension arising from high food inflation and a general high cost of living, one way to stem undue anxiety and tension was by making information available to navigate the period and keep hope alive.

    Programme Director of the coalition, Comrade Igwe Ude-umanta, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, alongside the Convener, Comrade Danesi Momoh and Convener, Rising Up for a United Nigeria, Solomon Adodo, lauded the initiative piloted by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to keep Nigerians informed in the most honest and decent way at a time when Nigerians were undergoing silent crisis.

    Read Also: Shall we tell the President?

    They said: “Nigerians need information to navigate this period; even if it is just to keep their hopes alive. And indeed, this is what the Minister of Information and National Orientation has achieved by inaugurating this Ministerial Press Briefing.

    “Yesterday (Wednesday) therefore marked an important epoch in critical engagement and information dissemination as far as the President Bola Tinubu administration is concerned. And that importance was underscored by the sheer number of global media organisations and personalities present, including editors, Bureau Chiefs and Senior reporters.

    “The strategic importance of the programme is well understood by the government itself.

    The inaugural briefing which featured the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was scintillating and very engaging as programmes, policies and ideas met with media scrutiny.

    “One thing very remarkable is that the minister, apart from giving out very important information, also received very important feedback which will reshape the ministry’s strategies as it works out its plans for Nigeria to come out of the food crisis.

    “The ministerial press briefing, which has now begun in earnest, is commendable, laudable and most handy. In order not to misrepresent any issue, it is important that the minister directly involved takes the platform and engages directly with the public through the media.”

  • CEO laments ‘disregard’ for women’s skills, experiences

    CEO laments ‘disregard’ for women’s skills, experiences

    Chief Executive Officer of ‘Mother of Models International Limited’, Jolly Abani, has lamented the prevalent disregard for women and their skills and experiences in mainstream media.

    Abani expressed her fervent belief in the untapped potential of women over 40 when she unveiled the ‘40 and Fabulous Nigeria TV Show’ at a news conference in Abuja.

    She said: “Our mission is to welcome these women, providing them with entrepreneurship training. Support also comes from Access Bank. Women in Business incubators aid in fostering emotional intelligence.

    “During their one-month stay in the house, they will receive training that stabilises them emotionally. Experts are invited to coach and train these women, culminating in the award of N1 million to the winner.

    “The program will be airing on AIT, NTA, DStv, GOtv, Startimes Zone, Free TV, Nollywood and others, made brighter by MTN.”

    Read Also: How Wigwe’s aide escaped death

    The show’s director, Daniel Chukwueze, expressed his frustration, questioning the reluctance to embrace initiatives aimed at empowering women.

    He urged influential figures to endorse such endeavors, stressing their importance for societal progress and transformation.

    The Executive Producer of the show, Chukwuma Aja, raised concerns about the monopolistic nature of Nigeria’s business landscape, emphasising the need for fair competition and equal opportunities.

    He said: “For a market to be successful, it requires openness. Growth is fueled by such competition, while monopoly stifles it.

    “As the ‘40 and Fabulous Nigeria TV Show’ presses forward in its mission to empower women and challenge industry norms, it stands as a testament to the resilience and potential of mature women in Nigerian society.

    “Despite facing platform restrictions, the show remains steadfast in its pursuit of creating inclusive and impactful content for audiences nationwide.”

  • FCTA kicks against illegal markets in Abuja

    FCTA kicks against illegal markets in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has said it will not allow illegal markets and other unapproved settlements hamper its resolve to ensure massive road construction.

    FCTA warned traders on such sites to immediately vacate.

    Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima said this yesterday during clearance operations on the N16 road corridor.

    Represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, the director said those who wish to operate markets should liaise with municipal authorities to provide them designated spaces.

    Read Also: Shall we tell the President?

    He said: “We are standing on the corridor of N16 Road. We started this exercise yesterday from the beginning and we are taking it to Ring Road 3. Contract had already been awarded for this project by the FCT Administration but the contractor could not proceed further due to constraints of illegal market in this corridor and other illegal structures. There is a public toilet here on the road corridor too.

    “The contract is limited to the contractor alone, removal of structures is within the purview of FCT Administration and it lies squarely on Development Control Department. In this case now we are synergizing with other related departments particularly security agencies, Parks and Recreation and others. The Contractor is already on ground.

    “This is the third time we are visiting this area. If they (traders) come back, we will come back. We have given them more than enough notices.

    “We will advise them where they are operating within road corridors that are not sanctioned by the authority, they should vacate such locations and liaise with the Abuja Municipal Area Council or Urban Affairs Department of FCDA and they will be catered for”.

    On his part, Secretary, Command and Control in the FCTA, Dr. Peter Olumuji, said most residents of the FCT had been complaining about insecurity in the city centre and that one of the contributing factors is the preponderance of shanties on road corridors.

  • PDP’s Tafida wins Taraba Reps seat

    PDP’s Tafida wins Taraba Reps seat

    Son to the Emir of Jalingo, Sadiq Abbas of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won the bye election for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

    Declaring the result, Returning Officer for the election, Prof Olarewaju Oladapo, said that Abbas scored 19,681 to beat 10 others.

     According to the result, Innocent Patrick of the SDP scored 16,379 to come second while former House of Representatives member, Aminu Malle of the APC came third with 12,662 votes.

    Winner of the election, Abbas, appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas and pledged to cooperate with the other candidates and the current government for the betterment of the state.

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    He said: “I want to appreciate the other candidates. I have visited most of them to thank them and invited them to help and guide me through my tenure so that we can work together for the betterment of our constituency.

    “At this time, since I have never been in government, I have to go on an assessment on what the government is doing and to see how I can complement their efforts especially in the area of security, poverty alleviation, education (the government is doing a lot). We have to join hands together to see how we can fight this menace of poor education”.

    The Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of the then newly elected member, Ismail Yushau last June. A bye election took place in February 3, but was declared inconclusive.