The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • CDV Properties CEO Mba felicitates Enugu Governor, Mbah on Award 

    CDV Properties CEO Mba felicitates Enugu Governor, Mbah on Award 

    Dr. Charles Mba, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CDV Properties Limited has  hailed  Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah over the Governor of the Year 2023 (in Courage in Leadership at the New Telegraph Awards 2023) conferred on him  on  February 2.

    He said   it was a recognition well deserved following the pace-setting achievements of his government in Enugu state since resumption of office.

    The renowned real estate czar, Dr. Mba urged the governor to continue in the strides as more recognitions are bound to come his way given the governor’s committed efforts and accomplishments which are acknowledged across the state and indeed the rest of Nigeria.

    The prestigious award ceremony which was hosted at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos had other high flyers and award-winning Governors of the year, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, and Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris who was also honored in various categories and has been described as good omen of bigger and brighter hope for Enugu state government.

    On the significance of the award received by the Governor, Mr. Charles Mba, who joined other members of the governor’s close associates said he was passionate about the vision for a progressive and development-oriented Enugu state and has a determined commitment to support the government as part of the governor and his team toward accomplishment the laudable vision for the state.

    Dr. Mba said: “Governor Peter Mbah’s astute leadership style and dedication to the welfare of the Enugu people is commendable, through his grassroots projects that are problem-solving oriented he has impacted the life of many residents and citizens of our dear state hence we are honored to witness and support such a transformative leadership hence this award.”

    Read Also: Dollarisation: EFCC raises 14 task forces, arrests racketeers

    “The commitment to infrastructure development and capacity enhancement in Enugu State is obvious, and we are confident that under Governor Mbah’s leadership, the state will experience even more significant progress and development in all ramifications.”

    As the Managing Director of CDV Group, Dr. Charles Mba emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting initiatives that contribute to the overall development of Enugu State. “CDV Properties Limited is committed to aligning with Governor Mbah’s vision for a prosperous and innovative Enugu. We believe in the capacity of the government under his leadership to drive economic growth, and we are happy to support the government in achieving set goals,” he stated.

    Dr. Charles Mba also congratulated all the awardees and expressed gratitude to the New Telegraph for its commitment to recognizing excellence in both the public and private sectors. He stated, “We are honored to be part of an event that celebrates exceptional leaders and their contributions to the progress of our nation.”

  • Kwara Gov appeals for patience on food, forex crisis

    Kwara Gov appeals for patience on food, forex crisis

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has briefed different segments of the State on efforts of the government to ease things for the people. 

    Held in different sessions, the hours-long engagements involved labour union chiefs, transport sector leaders, artisans, leadership of the market unions, and students drawn from varying backgrounds in the state.

    Different federal government committees are working round the clock to plug the spiraling fall in the value of the naira and its impacts on consumer goods, while different measures are taken to ease the effects on the public, the Governor said. 

    He said the government is immediately working to force down the cost of key staple foods by releasing grains from the strategic reserve and distributing same to the people at intervals. 

    He said the devaluation of the naira meant that merchants from neighbouring countries are mopping up grains from Nigeria because it is far cheaper to buy from the country and then resell at higher prices in their own countries, especially in the West African subregion. 

    Acknowledging the spike in inflation, the Governor urged the people to be patient and that the government’s investments in gas-powered vehicles will soon manifest when the vehicles are eventually distributed in the coming months, including (first) to the University of Ilorin campus and later to the other campuses.

    He also commended the Kwara State University for its initiative on gas-powered vehicles, which he said the government will continue to encourage.

    He said the State Government will soon deploy more vehicles to different parts of the state to support people’s movement, especially students who come from different homes, while grains will soon be distributed to the people as a form of support.

    “You will observe that due to the removal of fuel subsidy and the step taken on foreign exchange by the Federal government, there is inflation in the country. The government is working hard to address the resultant challenges,” he said at each of the meetings with the stakeholders. 

    “Our major problem is foreign exchange. We are getting US dollars from sales of crude oil, whereas we have low sales at the moment. We used to experience pipeline vandalism. But, since the assumption of Tinubu’s government, production of oil has increased. Not only that, the government realised recently that the crude oil we are, and will be, getting in the next six months or so had been sold in advance. So, they don’t get value for whatever they are selling now. But gradually, things will change, and we need your support to understand us. 

    “The government has started ordering gas-powered vehicles and is making serious efforts to stabilise the Naira. But more importantly now is how to address the hike of food prices. We held a meeting this afternoon. I joined them through zoom, and it is a continuation of previous meetings. The government is launching programmes to checkmate the rising food prices.”

    He said the government is not taking the issue of insecurity lightly, citing the immediate arrest of abductors in Ekiti LG of the state by the combined security agencies.

    AbdulRazaq appreciated the labour movement and every segment of the state for their continued understanding and dialogue, as the government strives to meet their demands in phases.

    “Our main challenge now is the new minimum wage. Now that a tripartite committee has been set up at the federal level, we are looking forward to setting up our own at the state level basically to be prepared for what is going on at the federal level,” he said.

    State Chairman for the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Joseph Tunde Meshach, NLC Chairman Comrade Saheed Olayinka, and NUT representative, in their separate remarks, commended the Governor for making the welfare of workers a priority, and for the ongoing efforts to relieve the pains from fuel subsidy removal. 

    Meshach lauded the government’s decision to upgrade Kwara Hotel to a standard that it deserves, saying the facility occupies a strategic place and deserves a top-notch upgrade the government is giving it. 

    “On the issue of Kwara Hotel workers, we thank Your Excellency very much for paying their (workers’) salary as and when due. We also want to congratulate you on the work being done on (Kwara Hotel) in order to give us a more befitting one,” the TUC Chairman said, acknowledging the open-door policy of the administration with the labour movement.

    Read Also: Kwara settles N1 billion teachers, others arrears

    Olayinka said AbdulRazaq was the the first Governor to introduce palliative as a means of reducing the burden affecting the common man, especially the fixed income earners, saying such was commendable.

    The labour leaders said they want more to be done for the workers, nonetheless. 

    President National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Kwara State chapter, Comrade Issa Abdulgafar, appreciated the Governor for his contributions to the students’ constituency and the huge investments to reposition the education sector.

    NAKSS leader Comrade Abdulwahab Habibullahi Are thanked the Governor for increasing their bursary award from N5,000 to N10,000 and the constant payment of the money as well as other support for the students.

  • Kogi: Anti-corruption CSOs warn EFCC against victimising ex-Gov

    Kogi: Anti-corruption CSOs warn EFCC against victimising ex-Gov

    Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations have warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede not to allow desperate politicians rubbish his credentials as the Head of the Commission. 

    The over 300 anti-corruption activists, under seven broad frontline organisations, warned against using the agency as a tool of victimisation and score-settling.

    The anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations advised the EFCC boss to sit up and stop the Commission from being accessed by “political miscreants who think EFCC is an extension of their political structures to be manipulated at will.”

    They specifically referred to the Kogi State Government’s statement on Tuesday, alerting the public to an alleged fresh move to witch-hunt the ex-Governor with spurious claims for political reasons. 

    The activists pointed out that the crux of the latest persecution, going by the EFCC’s amended charge sheet, which featured ex-Governor Bello’s name, showed a clear case of desperation for spurious claims to whip up public sentiment against the target, adding that any litigation on corruption founded on political conspiracy would always have no merits to pursue it.

    “While we stand solidly behind any credible anticorruption drive, we, however, oppose and condemn unequivocally any and all corruption allegations with the trappings and trademarks of political victimization as this Kogi case clearly seems to be,” they declared.

    They described the latest amended charge as extremely embarrassing, saying, “A Court document at our disposal submitted to the Court by EFCC is alleging that the former Governor and his nephew, one Alli Bello, converted Kogi State’s money to the tune of over Eighty Billion Naira since September 2015!

    “This looks like a hurriedly prepared amendment targeted at an individual without paying much attention whatsoever to facts. Except the Commission is able to prove before the court that the duo had been involved in financial transactions with Kogi State money before Yahaya Bello assumed office in January 2016 as Kogi State Governor,  then they have a lot of questions to answer Nigerians.” 

    “This is always how bad-intentioned and politically motivated allegations are exposed and it smacks of a profound dearth of professionalism on the part of the EFCC. If they come up with a nebulous excuse of typographical error,  this further exposes their lack of professionalism and calls to question the competency of the EFCC leadership and legal team/department,” the activists noted.

    They vowed to expose political actors behind the alleged political victimisation, stating: “We are working with others across the country and we are ready to expose those behind this witch hunting and also expose their dirty dealings which have continued to undermine the current administration’s efforts at economic revitalisation to the public.”

    While referring to a recent statement by Olukoyede against the conduct of some EFCC officials, the anti-corruption activists said, “If the EFCC chairman doesn’t want the embarrassing public image he personally painted and actually known to all Nigerians to continue, he should sit up and get rid of all politically motivated allegations and stop the EFCC from being accessed by political miscreants who think EFCC is an extension of their political structures to be manipulated at will.”

    Read Also: Kogi alleges plot to use EFCC to discredit ex-Gov Bello

    They stated: “After two decades of its establishment, we believe that the EFCC should have garnered enough experience to be strictly professional.”

    The statement was signed on behalf of others by the Director, Publicity and Research, Sustainable Initiative for Nurturing Growth, Fisayo Abayomi; Chairman, Zero Graft Coalition, Dr. Olusegun Adesanmi and National Coordinator, Integrity Forum, Engr. Mohammed Zakari.

    Others include the President, Transparency Movement of Nigeria, Barr. Esther Ezechukwu; Chairman, Stop Corruption Coalition, Arc. Samuel Ogedegbe; Executive Director, Africa Accountability Centre, Godwin Ozogula; and Comrade Isiak Aderounmu for Youthcentric Advocacy Initiative.

  • CSO demands probe of senator allegedly linked with kidnapping

    CSO demands probe of senator allegedly linked with kidnapping

    The Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has demanded a thorough probe on the level of involvement of an unnamed serving senator in kidnapping for ransom in the North Central and North West.

    The CSO made the demand at a rally led by its Convener, Rev Solomon Semaka, in Abuja yesterday.

    Semaka urged the leadership of the National Assembly to purge itself of complicity.

    The members of the CSO carried placards with varying inscriptions such as ‘Who is sponsoring bandits in the National Assembly’, ‘We don’t want Judas in the National Assembly’, ‘Who is the Senator hobnobbing with bandits’, amongst others.

    Semaka applauded the role being played by security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

    He maintained that it behooves the National Assembly to put in place measures aimed at ensuring the success of the President Bola Tinubu led administration.

    Semaka said: “Allegations as grave as the involvement of a high ranking Senator in criminal syndicates such as sponsoring insecurity should embarrass every Nigerian. To whom much is given, so much more is expected.”

    Read Also: Rising inflation threat to Nigerians – Northern Elders

    “Any Nigerian who has been deemed by his constituents to be voted in as a Senator must leave above board. Anything short of that is unacceptable. The Senate as an institution too cannot afford to degenerate to the level of harbouring criminals.

    “We therefore, urge the Senate leadership to immediately cause an investigation into the veracity of this media reports and fish out the errant senator so as to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the Senate.

    “Our security agencies are doing their best to safeguard our country and we must commend them for a job well done. Their intelligence gathering sharing networks are top-notch, dynamic and proactive.

    “However, their efforts cannot yield the desired results if we have highly placed persons sitting on sensitive committees in the Senate and directly working against their efforts. With this revelation and many more that will come after an unbiased investigation, it is clear that some individuals are out to frustrate President Tinubu’s administration efforts in fighting insecurity and it will amount to political sabotage if the National Assembly looks away when their own is accused of sponsoring insecurity.

    “Mr President has shown great commitment to ending insecurity and we commend him for that. We are solidly aligned with his Renewed Hope Agenda and it is our hope that our country will soon be safe.

    “The leadership of NASS must, therefore, act swiftly and show support for Mr President’s genuine efforts to end insecurity. Failure to act on the part of the National Assembly leadership will amount to complicity in insecurity and terrorism sponsorship.

    “The rally we have had here is in furtherance of our call on the National Assembly and all stakeholders to support President Tinubu’s administration efforts in curbing insecurity in Nigeria. Our voices must be heard and the National Assembly must act if not we shall mobilise and occupy the National Assembly Complex until the right thing is done and the culprit revealed. We are confident too that the media will continue to support our efforts to secure our country for all Nigerians to live and thrive.”

  • Varsity begins academic session with 14 courses

    Varsity begins academic session with 14 courses

    The management of Al-Muhibbah Open University has announced the commencement of academic programmes by the institution for the 2023/ 2024 session with 14 courses.

    Some of the approved programmes are business administration, economics, accounting, international relations, Marketing, project management and entrepreneurship.

    Others are computer science, cyber security, software engineering, public health, nursing, science, data science and analytics and healthcare and hospital management.

    Registrar of the university, Muslim Maigari said this at the end of the institution’s management meeting in Abuja.

    Al-Muhibbah Open University University is among the four private universities licensed recently by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to operate open and distance learning in Nigeria .

    Read Also: Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde

    Maigari said the university is ready with well-motivated staff and tutors to give learners unique experiences.

    Speaking on the approval of the academic programmes, Maigari expressed delight at the development, noting that the institution is well prepared to take off.

    He assured the public and prospective students of smooth and hitch free academic session, adding that the management of Al-Muhibah University has put all the needed resources both human and materials in place to ensure smooth academic activities on the main campus in Abuja and Bauchi.

    The registrar said: “We are very delighted to receive the approval from the NUC to commence academic activities with those fourteen courses.

    “Al-Muhibbah Open University is founded on a strong moral foundation and desire by the founder to serve humanity and provide equal educational access to the disadvantaged segment of the society, especially women, physically challenged and vulnerable youths to access sound and qualitative and open distance education with in-built 21st-century skills.

    “The approval of the programmes is a culmination of a lot of activities by the management to ensure that we don’t leave any stone unturned for a smooth take-off.

    “I can assure you that we will offer quality education to students both far and near based on our learning mode, which is distant e- learning. This is one great opportunity for Nigerians and those outside the country to benefit from the open-distance learning that we are here to offer.”

  • Firm holds medical services in Kaduna, Katsina

    Firm holds medical services in Kaduna, Katsina

    Rashak Farms and Agro Allied Limited has provided free medical treatments to communities in Kaduna and Katsina states.

    The beneficiaries who were mostly smallholder farmers including women and the disabled, benefited from High Blood Pressure Assessment, Malaria Testing, Blood Sugar Testing and Free Medical Consultations.

    Read Also: Rising inflation threat to Nigerians – Northern Elders

    Its Communications Manager, Muhammad Isah, in a statement said the outreach across all locations was marked by affirmations of commitment, achievement, inclusivity, and impactful contributions to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.

    He said Rashak Farms State Lead for Kaduna, Saleh Adamu emphasized Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahmah’s unwavering commitment to farmer health and inclusivity, ensuring that no individual, including women and the disabled, would be overlooked or excluded from Rashak’s initiatives.

    While Aminu Idris, the field coordinator Faskari, Katsina State, provided an overview of Rashak data-driven approach and seven-year track record of empowering farmers.

  • Board urges pilgrims to pay N399k balance

    Board urges pilgrims to pay N399k balance

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed N4.9 million as the final cost for the this year’s Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The announcement is in conformity with the one as announced by the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi over the weekend.

     Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, in a statement signed by the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede, urged the intending pilgrims, especially those that had fully paid the initial deposit of N4.5 million to endeavour to pay the balance of N399,000 on or before February 12, to meet up with the deadline given by NAHCON.

    Read Also: Rising inflation threat to Nigerians – Northern Elders

    Expressing the state government’s regrets over the increment, Layode said that the development was least expected at a time when every Nigerian was trying hard to survive the economic downturn in the country as a result of the instability in the dollar to naira exchange rate.

    While pleading with the intending pilgrims to show understanding, he stated that the situation was beyond the control of the state government. He explained further that the expectation of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration and other stakeholders was to have the initial deposit of N4.5 million reduced to the bearest minimum. He however, prayed that Allah would make the payment of the balance easy for them within the stipulated period and also make the spiritual exercise an acceptable one for them.

    The commissioner assured the intending pilgrims of a seamless exercise throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

    He affirmed that the state government had secured a conducive and comfortable accommodation befitting its status nearer to the Haram in Makkah, adding that other initiatives have also been put in place with a view to making the intending pilgrims enjoy maximum comfort whilst performing the Hajj rites.

  • New Airforce aircraft will boost war against terror, says Alia

    New Airforce aircraft will boost war against terror, says Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia yesterday said the new aircraft for the Nigeria Airforce will boost the war against terror, banditry and kidnappings in the Northcentral State.

    Speaking with reporters, shortly after the commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, in Makurdi,  the state capital, Rev. Fr. Alia said the unveiling of the aircrafts would also help in curbing the insurgents in the country,

    He said the commissioning would also assist  the Nigerian Air force to intensify its  operation to end the killings and enable the people go to bed with their eyes closed.

    Fr. Alia said improved security will also facilitate the return of IDPs to their ancestral homes.

    The governor expressed hope that the Nigerian Air Force, will use the new aircraft to dislodge Bandits, Kidnappers, and other criminal elements causing problems in the State, and commended the security agencies for the resilience in their efforts to restore peace and order, in the country.

    He also commended President Tinubu for the milestone achievements he has recorded, since assumption of office, which according to him, has brought relative peace in the state, and other parts of the country.

    Read Also: Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde

    The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, who said the induction of the aircraft underscored President’s determination to equip security agencies for effective performances, assured that he would ensure judicious use of the aircrafts to achieve the desired results.

    The two aircraft were T-129 Attack combat Helicopter, and Beechcraft King Air – 360 Air fighter jet, according to a statement by Benue Governor’s Principal Special Assistant on Media, Donald Kumun.

    Vice President Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, directed all heads of security formation in the country to unite in their efforts in ending insecurity.

    He promised to deploy the entire mechanisms and state powers to ensure the security of life and property.

    President Tinubu, who said his administration would support the Nigeria Air Force and other security agencies, in the fight against insurgents, commended the Chief of Air Staff and his officers and menfor the successes recorded over the years.

    The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Hassan Balla Abubakar, promised that the Air Force will rest untill the battle against insecurity  is won.

    He disclosed that pilots have been trained within and outside the country on how best to use and manage the new equipment to ensure a seamless operation.

    At the ceremony, Fr. Alia was presented with souvenirs as a mark of honour by the Nigerian Air Force.

  • Group to sue Army over unlawful detention of herder’s President

    Group to sue Army over unlawful detention of herder’s President

    A Katsina-based group, Arewa Center for Peace and Development, yesterday in Katsina threatened to drag the Nigerian Army to court over what it called ‘’unlawful’’ detention of the President of Miyetti Ala Kutai, Abdullah Bello Bodejo, without appropriate legal trial for over two weeks now.

    Its Executive Director, Abubakar Aminu Birchi, told newsmen in Katsina that the detention of Bodejo without trial is unacceptable.

    Read Also: Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde

    He said: “The recent arrest and detention of Bodejo by the army is unacceptable. ‘Bodejo has been held for over two weeks now without any reasonable explanation from the army or defense headquarters’.“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, military authorities to as a matter of urgency release Dr Bodejo or hand him over appreciate legal authorities or appropriate security agency.

    ‘’Just because he launched a Nomadic vigilante in Nasarawa and has intention of forming it in all state of the federation, should not warrant his detention by the army. We may have no choice than to sue the military authorities if Dr Bodejo is further held without trial.”

    The Nation recalled that Dr Bodejo was arrested on January 23 by the Nigeria Army and since has been detained in military facility without proper trial.

    The military authority in Katsina is yet to respond to enquiries as at the time of filing this report.

  • I owe you better years, says Fintiri

    I owe you better years, says Fintiri

    Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, has pledged his administration’s commitment to greater benefits of governance, including functional public education system, among other things.

    The governor who was addressing Adamawa people for the first time after his Supreme Court victory on Wednesday, said now is time for his government and people of goodwill to concentrate in delivering development to the people.

    Fintiri said the judgment is a tonic to spur him and his deputy, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, to do more for the state.

    “As a government, we are humbled by the fact that the best way to pay back is to serve you well,” he said, explaining, “By serving you well, I mean a renewed dedication to our ongoing policy of free education through functional public school system and payment of WAEC and NECO for our children; provision of healthcare and health insurance that makes it easier for the vulnerable to access quality service with ease.”

    Read Also: I owe you better years: Fintiri rededicates self to governance

    He similarly pledged “continuity in the provision of urban and rural infrastructure; continuity of policies that empower our women and youths; continuous onslaught against the nefarious urban miscreants known as the Shila boys; continuity in a system that confers on you pride, dignity and self- respect as brethren of Adamawa State.”

    The governor appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for standing firm as an unbiased electoral umpire in the election”; as well as the judiciary which he said gave judgment that resonated with the people.

    He called on all Adamawa people with the overall interest of the state at heart to join him in delivering good governance.