The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Katsina offers psychosocial support to women drug addicts

    Katsina offers psychosocial support to women drug addicts

    Katsina State Government said it will offer psychosocial support to women and youth involved in drug abuse in the state.

    Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa, said on yesterday in Katsina.

    “We want to see how the government can help the addicts by talking to them, empowering them and giving them some form of psychosocial support,” she said.

    The commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the government has been collaborating with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in addressing the menace of drug and substance abuse by women in the state.

    Musa-Musawa added that her ministry has designed a strategic roadmap to be unveiled within the first quarter of the year which would squarely check the illicit practice.

    “We would embark on advocacy campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse especially among the women, some Non-Governmental Organisations campaigning against drug abuse have already indicated interest to partner with us in this crusade.

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    “We would soon pay a visit to the NDLEA rehabilitation center with a view to see the quantum of young ladies undergoing rehabilitation therapy in the agency.

    “We want to see how the government can help the addicts by talking to them, empowering them and by giving them some form of psychosocial support,” she said.

    The commissioner lamented how a woman who is expected to be a mirror and school to her children would resort to the ugly trend of abusing or trafficking drugs and other illicit substances capable of ruining her future.

    “We would counsel them, empower them, so that when they get back to their families they would be engaged in productive ventures.

    “This year, our focus is on the fight against drug abuse as one of the key areas we intend to venture into and deliver our women out of the woods,” Musa-Musawa said.

  • Hajj: Jigawa records full payment from 1, 200 intending pilgrims

    Hajj: Jigawa records full payment from 1, 200 intending pilgrims

    The Jigawa Pilgrims Welfare Board said no fewer than 1,200 intending pilgrims in the state have made full payment of the N4.69 million fares for this year’s Hajj.

    This board’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Murtala Usman, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse yesterday.

    Usman said the board was allocated a total of 1,518 slots by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the 2024 Hajj, out of which 1,200 intending pilgrims made full payment.

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    According to him, the board is making efforts to ensure seamless exercise by improving on its previous operations.

    Usman added that orientation programme for the intending pilgrims had commenced to prepare them for proper conduct of the Hajj exercise in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

    “The training focuses on obligations, tenets and cardinal principles of the Hajj, thereby giving the intending pilgrims the opportunity to know proper and acceptable Hajj rites.

    “The intending pilgrims are therefore advised to endeavor to attend the training in view of its importance,” Usman said.

  • Zulum doles out cash, food to volunteers fighting Boko Haram

    Zulum doles out cash, food to volunteers fighting Boko Haram

    Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum has doled out cash and food items to 810 volunteers fighting Boko Haram alongside the military and other security agencies in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    Zulum gave out the package yesterday at the Palace of the Shehu of Bama, Umar Shehu-Kyari.

    The governor extolled the volunteers for their sacrifices and commitment to defending the state and assured them of government continuous support.

    He said that the gesture was to encourage the volunteers to keep pushing for the the return of total peace and security across the state.

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    “We are aware of the enormous efforts you put into complementing the military in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality, we commend you and urge you to continue to be dedicated,” he said.

    Zulum assured that the government would never relent in extending support to them.

    ”Your welfare is of high priority to us, we will not leave you, be assured that the government will always be with you,” the governor added.

    Zulum said the government and people of the state were grateful to the volunteers for their sacrifices in complementing the military and other security forces in the fight against insurgency.

  • Agada resumes, pledges support for Alia

    Agada resumes, pledges support for Alia

    The Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Austine Agada, has resumed duty at the state party secretariat in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

    Agada was restrained from parading himself as the Chairman of Benue APC, by a High Court in Aliade, Gwer East Local Government area after his suspension by his Ehajo I Ward EXCO.

    However, the Chief Judge of Benue state, Justice Morris Ikpambese, vacated the order in his ruling on Monday, which paved the way for Agada to return to his position on Tuesday.

    Addressing journalists shortly after his resumption, Comrade Agada, stated that APC is a Special Purpose Vehicle that they used to get inside public office and should not be forcefully destroyed.

    He said: “The APC is a great tree that shelters all and in the spirit of brotherhood let us strives to water rather than cut down its roots. I want to extend an olive branch to members of our party, leaders, and public office holders who vociferously campaigned for candidates of another party against our party’s candidate to join us and build one great Benue now that it’s time for governance.

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    “We reiterate our support for the APC administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and call for synergy amongst party members to put behind the ugly incident.”

    While thanking the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for his unparalleled devotion to the good fortunes of APC and delivery of dividends of democracy commended President Bola Tinubu-led federal government for tireless efforts towards changing the fortunes of the country for a better.

    Hundreds of APC faithful, among them women, youths and party officials turned out in their large numbers to welcome comrade Agada, at the State Party Secretariat located on J. S Tarka Way Makurdi.

  • Why Tinubu can’t reverse fuel subsidy removal, by Emir

    Why Tinubu can’t reverse fuel subsidy removal, by Emir

    The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd) has explained that reversing the fuel subsidy removal policy of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is not an effective solution, rather he suggested good economic policy that will halt the current crisis.

    The Emir stated this when he hosted the leadership of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association at his palace in Lafia.

    He noted that effective solution to the crisis is sincere economic policy that brings a total halt to food prices.

    He urged the traders in the country to help the government’s plan to curtail the challenges of the present time.

    The traditional ruler called for a speedy end to the rising cost of food items among other economic challenges the nation is battling with.

    He said government as a key player has a role of maintaining stability of the economy through proactive mechanism in price control and effective coordination of food value chain to prevent hoarding and excessive pricing.

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    He explained that government had plans to distribute food items across states of the federation to ameliorate the soaring plights of the poor masses, adding that more deliberate, sustainable measures should be taken to stabilise the nation’s economy that would afford the poor opportunities to put food on their tables daily.

    The Emir added that there is an urgent need for swift and decisive action to mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis and restore hope of the country’s citizens.

    Speaking earlier, President, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji called for careful study of monetary policy of the nation, noting that rising inflation; custom duty and price control are some areas for authorities to pay attention to if the difficult situation must be address.

    Turaki-Gamji said the union is touring the zones of the state to sensitize traders on supporting government’s plan to assuage the plight of the people, adding that the state is not exceptional to the crisis, and sought for the support of traditional institutions and market forces toward making the situation better in the state.

  • ‘You’re not only legally recognised pensioners’ union’

    ‘You’re not only legally recognised pensioners’ union’

    The Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has disagreed with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) that it is the only legally constituted and recognised pensioners’ union in the country.

    According to FEPPPAN, the assertion that NUP was the only legally recognised body and voice of the entire civil and para-military pensioners in Nigeria was dishonest, mischievous and an attempt to discredit the act of the Federal Government in the regrouping of the old Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

    In a statement jointly signed by its Acting President-General and General Secretary, Babaji Magaji, and Franklin Erinle, the FEPPPAN said: “The clarification had become necessary to correct some ‘deliberate misinformation’ by NUP in a quest to be part of the National Minimum Wage Review Committee for Workers.”

    The statement further explained that the Federal Government having seen the heavy workload on the NUP, gave autonomy to pensioners of the Federal Parastatals, Private Sector and those under the new Contributory Pensions in a regrouping exercise carried out by the minister of Labour and employment, in line with the provision in Section 3 (2) of the Trade Unions Act CapT14 of 2004 as amended.

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    “The outcome of the regrouping exercise was the creation of Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria (CPUN) and the new Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

    “The NUP chose to fight the government over the approval and registration of the two additional Unions for the Nigerian Pensioners, who have different jurisdictional scopes. At the end of the two cases instituted by the NUP, which were lost, the Registrar of Trade Unions issued Certificates of Registration to the two additional Unions in March 2020. This was good news for Nigerian Pensioners, but not for the oppressive and manipulative NUP.

    “How then did the NUP come to make the unfortunate claim of being ‘the only legally recognized body and voice of the entire civil and para-military pensioners in Nigeria?’ We wish to also state that both FEPPPAN and the NUP are affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Even the NLC cannot but disagree with the misinformation of the NUP in this matter.”

  • Sule to give N7,000 to 6,000 less-privileged

    Sule to give N7,000 to 6,000 less-privileged

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has kicked-off the second phase of Conditional Cash Transfer Programme where 6,000 citizens would be collecting N7,000 as  monthly stipend for the next 24 months.

    Governor Sule said it was to improve on the standard of living of the widows, the aged and the orphans among other less privileged ones.

    He said that his administration has decided to increase the money from N5000 to N7000 in the second phase of the programme due to the present economic situation and reality in the country.

    Sule also said that the conditional cash transfer initiative by his administration has afforded the beneficiaries to pool their resources thereby investing in businesses that would change on their lives positively.

    The governor said that the state was the only one implementing the programme in the country, and urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.

    The governor the beneficiaries would receive two months stipends which is N14,000.

    Speaker of the State Assembly, Danladi Jatai commended the Governor for initiating the programme towards changing the lives of the widows, aged and orphans among others in the state.

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    “His Excellency, you are a God-sent to Nasarawa State; that is why we have been calling you the Messiah of Nasarawa State Your programmes have direct bearing on the lives of our people at the grassroots, we will continue to support you to succeed,” he said.

    He urged the governor to continue with what he has been doing for the poor.

    The speaker assured Governor Sule of enabling laws for the overall development of the state.

    “We will continue to pray for you, we will be there for you and we will support you with enabling laws that are expected to give backing to all what you are doing,” he said.

    Director General, Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency, Imran Usman Jibrin, said that the 6,000 beneficiaries cut across polling units in the state.

    He said that the beneficiaries are widows, aged, orphans among other less privileged and will be receiving N7000 as monthly stipend for 24 months.

    He said civil servants are excluded from the programme and commended the Governor for increasing the number of beneficiaries from 3,800 to 6,000 and for increasing the stipend from N5000 to 7000 for the second phase.

    He urged beneficiaries to improve their standard of living with the money.

  • Abuja Nollywood Film festival to boost creative economy 

    Abuja Nollywood Film festival to boost creative economy 

    The Nigerian creative sub-sector within the entertainment and tourism industry has matured significantly in its contribution to the Nigerian economy and the consolidation of its global gains for further growth has become imperative, veteran Nollywood actor, Nonso Diobi has said.

    Diobi noted that it has become imperative to harness the full potential of the Nigerian creative sector considering its contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years.

    According to Diobi who is the Ambassador for the 10th International Film Festival & Awards (INIFFAA) organized by Inside Nollywood, scheduled to take place in Abuja from February 15-17, 2024, the event’s objective of enhancing the creative economy and fostering Federal government intervention.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, during which the festival’s theme, ‘Celebrating 10 years of original expression,’ was discussed, Diobi emphasized that the festival provides a platform to exhibit and endorse the talent and potential of the Nigerian film industry on a global scale. 

    Additionally, he highlighted the festival’s role in solidifying the global achievements Nollywood has accumulated over the years.

    According to him, the festival and awards would help create a fertile ground for the Federal Government to develop and promote the creative economy, 

    He said: “We are creating grounds for the government to come in,  the most important thing is how to get the government to understand what we are doing and with this festival.

    “The festival is all about the celebration of original expression and with that, we have created a path for the government to come and make available facilities that will ensure the growth of the creative Economy.

    “We have been seen by the world because we have been telling our story and we have inspired the world and I believe it’s time for us to sell out our business to the wider world.

    “We are bringing people from all over the world because we have proven to the world that we are great people.

    “We are not doing this for self-aggrandizement but for the growth of the industry and to take the industry to the next level in terms of the creative economy, it’s our time we have a platform that will encourage everyone to be involved.

    “It’s an entertainment summit and I guarantee you that the international world is ready for us. I’m so hungry to see us go to the next level. This festival is going to open up the creative economy in Nigeria”.

    On his part, the founder and convener of Inside Nollywood, Muoma Obina, said the idea behind the festival is to maximize our coming of age of Nollywood.

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    “It is 10 years of original expression,  promoting original content,  and analyzing the quality of production across Africa and Nollywood as a whole.

    “It is not just about a movie festival but a celebration of our achievement in changing Nollywood. We have attracted investors that are ready to invest in Nollywood projects. The awards are in three categories; Hall of Fame,

    practitioners award and Festival award”, he added.

  • FRN vs. Ali Bello & Anor: Drama as EFCC’s witness counters alleged threats

    FRN vs. Ali Bello & Anor: Drama as EFCC’s witness counters alleged threats

    There was drama on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that its main witness, Rabiu Musa, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, had been scared away from trial. 

    The witness, an Abuja based Bureau De Change operator, was alleged to have been threatened following his appearance at the last trial and got scared.

    Lawyer to the anti-graft agency, Hannatu Kofamaisa, made the allegations at the resumed trial of Ali Bello and Daudu Suleiman.

    She told Justice James Omotoso that the witness would not be in court to continue his evidence based on his experience of threats at the last adjourned date, adding that she had called the witness five times but that he was no longer picking her calls.

    Counsel to Ali Bello, Abdullahi Aliu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that he would not react to the EFCC’s allegations because they were not targeted at his client and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.

    Drama unfolded when the witness alleged to have been threatened away from court and would not attend the trial, suddenly walked into the court room without any signs of apprehension.

    The counsel to Ali Bello got up and drew the attention of Justice Omotoso to the quiet arrival of the witness into the court room.

    Justice Omotoso however doused tension when he prevented lawyers to Ali Bello and Daudu Suleman from joining issues with EFCC on the allegations.

    In his testimony, the witness identified one of his record books of transactions seized from him by EFCC during a raid of his office at Wuse, in Abuja and also admitted knowing Ali Bello.

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    Under cross examination by Nureni Jimoh SAN who stood for Daudu Suleman, the Bureau De Change operator who claimed to be an illiterate said most of the transactions were recorded for him by one Mubarak who he said was literate and now a student at a University.

    He also admitted that parts of the transactions were recorded in his absence but that he was always briefed upon his arrival at the office.

    Justice Omotoso thereafter fixed February 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.

  • Zulum distributes N225m food items to families in Bama

    Zulum distributes N225m food items to families in Bama

    Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum has distributed food items worth N225 million to over 70,000 vulnerable families in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    Speaking at the distribution ceremony yesterday, Zulum said the distribution of the foodstuffs and cash was to assist communities affected by insurgents and families struggling for livelihood.

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    According to him, the gesture is also to prevent the victims from being recruited into insurgent groups.

    “Also, it is in continuation of our efforts to provide assistance to the less privileged in Bama tha was severely affected by Boko Haram violence and limited livelihood,” Zulum said.

    A total of 45,000 females received N5000 cash and one wrapper each, while each household received N25, 000 with a bag of rice and maize grain.