The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Katsina vows to prosecute illegal miners

    Katsina vows to prosecute illegal miners

    The Katsina State Government said any individual found engaging in illegal mining activities in the state will be prosecuted.

    The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Faruq Jobe, gave the warning during an inspection of the Dabar-hajia mining site at Rafin-gora, in Danja Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, the state government had previously instructed all miners to submit their documents for scrutiny and consideration but some have failed to do so.

    He further reiterated the state government’s commitment to organising and regulating mining activities within the state to ensure compliance with established regulatory laws.

    “The government remains dedicated to fostering responsible and regulating mining practices for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he assured.

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    Chairman of Katsina Solid Minerals Mines and Processors Cooperative Society in Danja, Alhaji Dahiru Dan-Kande, informed Jobe, that mining activities were suspended since 2017 when their licences expired.

    He added that those currently operating at the site were doing so independently, saying there is substantial gold and coal deposits at the location.

    Dan-Kande further appealed to the state government to regulate mining activities, by providing machines for efficient discovery.

  • Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Aliyu Ubandoma, yesterday in Lafia, said the appointment was based on the powers bestowed on Sule as the visitor of the institution, adding that the governor approved the appointment in furtherance to the commitment of the administration to achieve academic excellence in the university.

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    He said the governor had also approved the appointment of Mr Shuaibu Kore, Mr Thomas Ogiri and Mrs Mary Enwongulu as members of the governing council. He said that the governing council would be inaugurated on a date to be announced later.

  • Bago gives Niger workers seven days public holiday

    Bago gives Niger workers seven days public holiday

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago has given the state workers seven days public holiday to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

    The governor made the declaration during the end of the Year cutting of the cake held at the Government House, Minna.

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    According to him, the holiday will commence from Friday the 22nd of December 2023, to Monday the 1st of January, 2024.

    Bago also said that there would be distribution of food stuff to the less privileged across the state to enable them get something to celebrate the yuletide season.

  • Jigawa approves N6b for 1,500 housing units

    Jigawa approves N6b for 1,500 housing units

    The Jigawa Executive Council has approved N6 billion for the construction of 1,500 unit of houses to address housing deficit in the state.

    Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Sagir Musa, said this in a statement in Dutse.

    Musa said the houses would comprise of three-bedroom and two-bedroom semi-detached flats in different parts of the state.

    “The project will be executed in line with Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-points agenda toward provision of affordable and accessible shelter to the people,” he said.

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    He said N5.9 billion had already been released for the project.

    The commissioner added that 600 units of the houses would be constructed in Dutse, while 200 units would be constructed in Hadejia and 100 units constructed in Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim and Binin-Kudu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    ‘’Babura and Kafin Hausa LGAs will have 150 units each to address paucity of accommodation in the areas,’’ he said.

  • Yuletide: FERMA begins road rehabilitation

    Yuletide: FERMA begins road rehabilitation

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced rehabilitation and maintenance of Trunk A roads ahead of the yuletide to ease movement of passengers and goods across the country.

    Speaking during the year-end program, “Flag-Off Operations: Connect to Your Destination,” in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa state, Managing Director of FERMA, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, said the agency was committed to providing well-maintained roads for users during the festive season as they travel across the country.

    Noting that FERMA was mandated to enhance the socio-economic value that the roads provide to Nigerians, he urged road users to adhere to traffic rules and drive cautiously as the year ends.

    “The purpose of this rehabilitation is to make our roads drivable and ensure a pleasant journey for users moving from one location to another, maintaining the roads in a serviceable condition,” he added.

    Agbasi emphasised that having good roads does not warrant drivers to engage in over speeding, citing the example of Abuja, which boasts the best roads in the country while still experiencing facility challenges.

    Speaking on the essence of the projects, Acting FERMA Field Engineer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), George Offor, said: “The essence of this program is to guarantee a safe and smooth journey for all travelers throughout this period.

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    “Our intention is to patch all potholes on this road, making it pothole-free, allowing vehicles to travel smoothly without any issues. We urge road users to cooperate with us, understanding that roadworks might cause temporary inconveniences. However, we promise a safe travel experience in a short time.”

    The Outpost Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Goshen Gidado, commended FERMA for consistently providing effective service to humanity in the region.

    Gidado emphasised the importance of road users adhering to traffic rules and regulations for a safe journey to their destinations.

  • Community hails Bello on road project

    Community hails Bello on road project

    The residents of Ogane-Inugwu community in Dekina Local Government area of Kogi State have expressed their gratitude to Governor Yahaya Bello for the inclusion of their road in the  approved 2024 budget.

    The road, titled: “170000010266 Construction of Iyale Odolu Ogane-Inugwu Agbada Etutekpe Roads,” holds significant importance for the community, which has long grappled with the challenges posed by its dilapidated state.

    Speaking to reporters in Lokoja on Wednesday, shortly after the budget was signed into law, the community leader of Odolu-Efu, Oganenigwu, Mal Seidu Alhassan, representing the community, conveyed heartfelt thanks to Governor Bello for addressing the longstanding issue.

    He emphasized that the construction of this 25KM road would not only enhance the quality of life for the residents but also stimulate economic activities across Kogi East by connecting numerous communities.

    Governor Bello, on Wednesday, signed the 2024 budget amounting to N258,278,501,339.00 into law.

    The 2024 budget, named ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth,’ earlier passed by the State House of Assembly.

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    The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Appropriation, Budget Monitoring, and Economic Planning.

    At the clause-by-clause consideration by the committee of supply, the Speaker, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, said the bill had in it an authorised recurrent expenditure of over N145.7 billion naira, while the authorised capital expenditure stood at over N112.5 billion naira.

    He said the bill, which showed the allocation of funds to each ministry, department, and agency, would take effect on January 1, 2024, and end on December 30, 2024.

  • AAAU begins postgraduate admission process, says Keyamo

    AAAU begins postgraduate admission process, says Keyamo

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has expressed the readiness of the African Aviation and Aerospace University to commence admission process for its post-graduate programme.

    He also said the institution has begun its academic journey with the admission of 28 undergraduate pioneer students for both Aviation Business and Meteorology courses.

    Keyamo said the University has devised a system that will provide students with international qualifications, including ICAO and WMO certifications.

    He further stated that the university was partnering with Qatar Government, Swinburne University Australia, University of Coventry UK, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, and Emirates Aviation University, Dubai, as part of AAAU’s commitment to global excellence.

    He stated this while inspecting facilities at the temporary campus of the university in Abuja.

    The minister also said plans were ongoing to begin the construction of the permanent site for the university.

    Keyamo said: “Our academic journey has commenced with the admission of 28 undergraduate pioneer students with 14 students each in both Aviation Business and Meteorology. This was done via the successful collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    “After a successful resource verification by NUC, the commission has granted AAAU the approval to commence postgraduate programmes. The AAAU School of Postgraduate is opening the application portal for M.Sc. programmes on 22nd December, 2023.”

    He added that the university has introduced ten short professional training programmes for individuals seeking expertise in the aviation sector.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    The minister also revealed that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Emmanuel Meribole, will chair a committee that would scout for a capable Vice Chancellor for the University.

    On the construction of the permanent site for the institution,  Keyamo said: “While the preparation to commence development of AAAU’s permanent site is on top gear, the university is currently situated on a temporary campus owned by the NSIB. With the obvious potentials of this institution, we’ve found ourselves at a juncture where expansion is imperative.

    “I will be directing the new Director-General of NSIB, to allocate additional space for AAAU within the NSIB training School. This expansion is not merely for the accommodation of the incoming Vice-Chancellor but also to facilitate the presence of other essential Principal Officers and more lecture rooms.”

    The university Registrar, Mustapha Sheik, who said the university currently offers two courses for undergraduates,  added that it intends to increase the courses in the next year’s academic session.

  • Practise with fear of God, Bingham varsity urges 67 graduate nurses

    Practise with fear of God, Bingham varsity urges 67 graduate nurses

    Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State has inducted 67 graduate nurses into the profession.

    The Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bingham University, Prof. Musa Dankyau urged the graduates to be of good conduct and practice with the fear of God.

    Dankyau, who was represented by the Dean, College of Medicine, Bingham University, Prof Lucy Idoko spoke at the second induction of the Nursing Department, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State.

    They were inducted by the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Faruq Abubakar on Tuesday at the main campus of the university in Karu, Nasarawa State.

    He said: “It is a thing of joy to the university. These young ones are contributing to the medical profession.

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    “We have brought them up as graduates who will practice with the fear of God and that fear of God is what we need now that the profession is falling apart.

    “As they practise anywhere in the world, the name of Bingham University will be carried wherever they go.”

    The Vice-Chancellor, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Prof. Williams Qurix, urged the graduates to stand out in the profession.

    Qurix, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dul Johnson, urged them to show passion for the profession.

    He also urged the graduates to help build the country.

    The Registrar of the council, Abubakar urged the graduates to adhere to the ethics of the profession at all times.

  • Youngster, ENDSARS’ panelist Nafisah Buge for screening ahead Kwara cabinet job

    Youngster, ENDSARS’ panelist Nafisah Buge for screening ahead Kwara cabinet job

    By Ibraheem Abdullateef

    Twenty-six-year-old political activist and entrepreneur Nafisat Buge is joining the Kwara State executive council, again bolstering youth representation in the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s government which is popular for inclusion, gender parity, and commitment to sustainable development.

    Nafisat is now scheduled for parliamentary screening on Thursday at the Kwara State House of Assembly amid excitements from the youths constituency and her Baruten political base.

    Nafisat, reverred among her peers for her brilliance, oratory skills, and extensive network as a young political activist of progressive bent, is an alumnus of the University of Ilorin where she studied Library and Information Science. She has successfully completed her National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme ahead of her screening.

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    An agribusiness entrepreneur specialised in largescale farm produce, Nafisat has served on many quasi-government committees and panels, among which is the Kwara State Judicial Panel of Inquiry in 2020. She was a member of the Niger State APC House of Assembly membership screening committee; Secretary of the Grassroots Engagement and Orientation (North Central) for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council; Secretary of the influential Kwara North Development Council (KWANDCO); and Treasurer of the Kwara Progressive Media Organisation (KPMO).

    She also served as Assistant Director of the Humanitarian Director of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

    The appointee hails from Baruten local government, apparently cutting her political teeth from her own father and APC chieftain Hon. Musa Al-Hassan Buge who was once the executive chairman of Baruten local government area.

    Nafisat’s appointment makes her the youngest commissioner in the country at the moment, reaffirming the commitment of Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to unmatched youth inclusion and political empowerment which gives young people a sense of ownership in a country where the average age of the population is just 18.6.

    Abdullateef is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications

  • Commission advocates safe, orderly migration

    Commission advocates safe, orderly migration

    The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has called for safe and orderly migration, urging Nigerians to ensure proper documentation before embarking on any trip abroad.

    Federal commissioner, NCFRMI, Aliyu Ahmed Tijani, made the call during a road walk to commemorate the International Migrants Day in Abuja.

    Aliyu said migration was a fundamental human right, emphasising that everyone has the right to migrate.

    He, however, stressed the importance of migrating regularly, ensuring proper documentation and being well-informed about the process.

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    Aliyu who was represented by the Director, Migration Affairs, Amb Catherine Udida, explained that the commission deliberately chose it, considering that over 70 per cent of Nigerians fall within the youthful population.

    He said the NCFRMI aims to empower the youth by providing information through resource centers, guiding them on how to migrate regularly while avoiding potential challenges.

    Programme Manager, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, NACTAL, Paulinus Onabe said the theme for this year’s celebration “Act today for a better tomorrow for all: Improving the health of migrants to unleash the power of migration” underscored the significant roles and contributions of migrants to the socioeconomic and political development of the host countries and their home countries, respectfully.