The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Foundation feeds 19,000 IDPs in one year

    Foundation feeds 19,000 IDPs in one year

    A Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), T200 Foundation, said it fed about 19,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in different camps around the country.

    T200 said it started its flagship programme Feed the Hungry Programme, on December 16, 2022 at the Durumni IDP Camp, Abuja where 2000 persons were fed

    The second edition took place in Maiduguri, at the EYA CAN IDP camp, Borno State where 7000 persons at the camp were fed on January 17, while the third edition was held at the Rabah IDP camp on August 17 where 10,000 persons were fed.

    Executive Director, of the Foundation, Ambassador Emmanuel Osadebay in a statement said with more than 130 million Nigerians within the hunger index in Nigeria, Nigeria ranks 103 out of the 121 countries and scores 27.3, signaling a serious and acute hunger level.

    He stated that T200 Foundation was established with the focus of feeding hungry and vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who face daily acute hunger challenge.

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    Osadebay added: “We have partnered with government agencies in achieving this great feat, including State Emergency Management Agencies in different states, the Nigerian Police Force, the military, Lead Generation Initiative, and particularly the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Sokoto State, where 10,000 persons at the Rabah IDP camp were fed and provided with other humanitarian support.

    “On May 28, T200 published its first Nigeria Zero Hunger Report at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

     The report adopted the State-by-State review as a composite measure of hunger and malnutrition in the states surveyed, using five key indicators access to food, undernourishment, child stunting, child waste, and child mortality. The report was meant to help policymakers to identify areas that require targeted interventions to address food insecurity and malnutrition.

    “The activities and programmes of the foundation are designed to help achieve the SDGs agenda 2 which is zero hunger, in Nigeria and across Africa. While feeding their stomach and smiles, we are committed to ensuring we create sustainable zero hunger options. This is the reason for the establishment of the T200 Integrated Farms Limited, which creates a wider employment and food security opportunities for vulnerable communities. We have also partnered with Blue Quarry and Mines Limited to provide the materials required in modern day farming for hungry and poor Nigerians.

    “T200 foundation is currently planning for the Feed the Hungry Programme for 15, 000 persons at the IDP camp in Kano, in partnership with the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, slated to hold in January, 2024. The Kano event is one of the events designed to mark the foundation’s one year anniversary.”

  • Chibok community holds cultural festival in Abuja

    Chibok community holds cultural festival in Abuja

    The Member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, Mr Ahmed Jaha, has called for deliberate efforts to return all Chibok people displaced by Boko Haram back home.

    Jaha said though Chibok and most parts of Borno are now safe from the activities of insurgents, a lot of people who fled the state have not returned.

    The lawmaker said this during the 2023 cultural festival organised by leaders of Chibok community in Abuja, under the aegis of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA).

    Jaha said after more than a decade of displacement, it was time for the people to return home.

    He that the children born within the period and those that left their homes when they were so young, needed to internalise and diffuse the culture of their ancestral homes.

    He said that thousands of Chibok people had been living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in different parts of the country including FCT.

    Read Also: Renewing the hope of Nigerians

    According to him, Chibok people are still living in IDPs camps and taking refuge in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Nasarawa, among other cities.

    The lawmaker commended the military, state and Federal governments for the restoration of peace in most parts of Borno, including Chibok.

    “The efforts of the government is highly commendable but we are human beings and the journey of 100 miles begins with a step.

    “Actually we have to commend the federal government for recovering some of the Chibok girls but we still have in captivity 87.

    “We are equally quite happy with the way and manner peace has returned to some part of Chibok, but we are still working tirelessly, begging and soliciting for the federal government to provide security where security personnel are not present,” he added.

    Jaha said the cultural event was an opportunity for the children born and brought up outside Chibok, to learn and embrace their culture.

    Also, the Chairman, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno, Umar Ibrahim, commended the KADA leaders for their commitment to preserving their heritage.

    Ibrahim said Chibok people usually hold such event every December 26, where those living outside who came home for holiday, witness the rich display of their culture.

    “It is not only to celebrate their culture but also to strength the unity that has been the bedrock of their stability over the years.

    “Today’s gathering will play a significant role in promoting and preserving our culture for generations to come.

    “The Chibok people are known for their resilience, hard work, bright attributes that resonate strongly with them.

    “Rest assured that at the local level, the interest of all sons and daughters of Chibok will remain our foremost priority,” the council chairman said.

    The National President of KADA, Mr Dauda Iliya, said the cultural festival has been held since 2011 when terrorism took away the peace and tranquility in Chibok.

    “We are holding this event as a stop gap so that those born outside Chibok could see the details of our artifacts, our dance, our food and our culture,” he said.

    Iliya expressed the hope that the 2024 celebration would take place in Chibok, considering the relative peace that had returned to the community.

    Nkeki Mutah, Chairman of KADA, Abuja branch, said the festival was organised to let their children know that they came from somewhere and as such should not forget their origin.

  • Niger revokes 650 Certificate of Occupancies

    Niger revokes 650 Certificate of Occupancies

    Niger State Government has revoked the Certificate of Occupancies (CofO) of 650 companies, residential houses, banks, schools, churches and commercial organizations for substantial non-compliance with the conditions of payment of ground rent and development.

    The Coca-Cola Nigeria Bottling company Limited, Matrix energy oil and gas, Anglican Diocese of Minna, Sudan Institute for Islamic and General Studies, Peace Mass Transit and several banks were among those whose CofOs were revoked.

    The revocation notice was stated in an advert placed by the Niger state Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Barrister Maurice Bello Magaji.

    The advert stated, “Notice if revocation of Certificate of Occupancies for non payment of ground rent and/or development in Niger state.

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    “By the Power conferred on the Governor, by section 9(3) of the Land Use Act, and the substantial non-compliance with the conditions of payment of ground rent and /or development within the stipulated time, the Niger State Ministry of Lands and Survey, Minna, hereby conveys the approval of the Governor of the revocation of the underlisted Certificate of Occupancies.”

    It would be recalled that a month ago, the Commissioner of Lands and Survey while speaking to newsmen had said that there are several organizations who have not paid ground rents for years and the government would take serious steps towards ensuring that the ground rents are collected.

    The advertisement which was placed in The Nation Newspaper showed that PZ Nigeria Limited owed the highest amount of ground rent which stands at N3, 350,000, while others with high amount of ground rents include Alhaji Sani Karaye whose ground rent stands at N2,190,000, Al-imran Ind Ltd with ground rent at N1, 770,940, Union Bank, Niger state Housing Cooperation with ground rent of N1, 725,000.

    Banks like Jaiz, GTB, UBA, FCMB, Zenith, First Bank, Union Bank were affected; the Federal Medical Center Bida, Teachers Social Security Scheme (Endwell), Abuja Steel Mills, some farmlands were also affected.

    The billing period for some of the affected organizations or residential houses went as far back as 1992 in some of the major cities in Niger state which includes Minna, Suleja, Bida, Kontagora, New Bussa, Mokwa while some minor towns like Tafa, Dikko, Dachi, Lambata, Sabon Wuse and Lapai were also included.

  • First lady awards scholarship to freed FUDMA students

    First lady awards scholarship to freed FUDMA students

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has offered scholarship, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), to the five rescued undergraduates of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katstina state, who were abductors on October 4.

    The first lady, alongside the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, yesterday in Abuja, presented N1 million and a new lap top to each of the students who were kidnapped from their private lodge at Dutsin-Ma.

    She said the scholarship would run for four years, being the period the girls, Safiya Mutu, Hasiya Abubakar, Ramat Adam, Fatima Abdullahi and Fatima Mohammed, would spend in school.

    They are all currently in 100-level.

    She said that the Federal Government valued their education and safety and promised to give each of their parents  N2 million and the Vice Chancellor of FUDMA, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, N1 million.

    Read Also: Renewing the hope of Nigerians

    “Since your dreadful abduction on October 4, it has been a period of pain for you, your parents, your teachers and indeed all Nigerians. Throughout this period, we have kept faith and trust in God and in our law enforcement agencies that you will return safely.

    “Since the incident, law enforcement officers from various agencies worked tirelessly to ensure your return home. Today we thank Almighty God for protecting you and reuniting you with your loved ones.

    “I, therefore, join your parents, teachers and all Nigerians to celebrate this day and assure you of our commitment to support you as you begin your recovery after more than 70 days in captivity.”

    Mrs Tinubu also promised to go beyond their safe return, promising to do a follow up on their development both in school and concerning their mental health.

    “We will do a follow up on your journey not only to recover from this sad episode in your lives, but to see that you accomplish your mission in your educational pursuit and career interests. You must continue to pursue your educational interests.

    “Education is the greatest weapon in the fight against terrorism, by ensuring that you continue to learn, you can rewrite the story of your individual lives and your communities and join in the fight against terrorism and criminality.

    “As we provide you with the necessary medical and psychological support, we at the RHI are also committed to providing you with guidance and support to reach your full potentials.”

     She also commended all security and intelligence services for working tirelessly until the girls returned safely.

    “I also commend the leadership role provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in effectively coordinating the measures that led to the release of our daughters.

    “This is an exemplary show of team work and effective interagency coordination which is in line with the vision of President Tinubu, We are hopeful that the lessons learnt through this episode will strengthen ongoing processes in place to free all Nigerians held against their will.

    “I express my heartfelt gratitude to you, your parents and teachers for your understanding and patience during the challenging period of your captivity.”

    The Head of the Network Operation Centre of the Office of the NSA, Brig.-Gen. Olutayo Adesuyi, said the first lady’s meeting with the rescued girls is significant as it shows the solidarity of the Federal Governments and support.

    Responding, each of the girls thanked Mrs Tinubu for their king gestures.

  • Bingham varsity inducts 81 doctors

    Bingham varsity inducts 81 doctors

    Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State has inducted 81 medical doctors into the medical profession.

    According to the university, with the induction, the College of Medicine has so far produced over 500 medical doctors.

    The Director, Public Affairs, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Daburi Misal in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the Vice-Chancellor of the University, William Qurix, charged the doctors to continue to make the university proud as previous sets had done and are still doing.

    The VC commended the faculty for “grooming and mentoring the new doctors into becoming who they are today.”

    He appreciated the graduates for conducting themselves in a good manner.

    Prof Qurix expressed thanks to God for witnessing his last Induction as the VC as he would be leaving office on January 8.

    Read Also: Challenges before Aiyedatiwa

    The Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees and ECWA President, Stephen Panya, represented by the ECWA General Secretary, Ayuba Asheshe, expressed confidence in the ability of each of the inductees to be great owing to the quality of the Lecturers they learned from.

    He challenged the inductees to seek more knowledge at all times.

    He emphasised that challenges will come but with them comes growth opportunities.

    The Medical Elder for the event, who is a renowned Gastroenterologist, Prof. Abraham Orkurga Malu, assured the graduates that the practice of medicine was exciting, urging them to keep abreast with the latest happenings in the profession.

    He appealed to them to maintain a cordial relationship with their colleagues and to always seek assistance and support from experienced hands.

    He advised the inductees to be courteous, kind, respectful, and loving to patients.

    “Stand your ground to do what is right; be good stewards of your profession and maintain good ethical standards,” he added.

  • Kano guber: Southwest Hausa leaders urge Tinubu to intervene

    Kano guber: Southwest Hausa leaders urge Tinubu to intervene

    Hausa traditional leaders – the Seriki Hausawa, in the six Southwest States, have called on the Federal Government (FG) to handle with utmost caution, the volatile political situation in Kano State brought about by the March 18 governorship election in the state and not allow it degenerate to a full conflagration.

     The Hausa traditional rulers acting under the aegis of Southwest Hausa Traditional Rulers Association of Nigeria who met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led FG to rein in the politicians in Kano and caution them against taking any step that could jeopardize the prevailing peace being enjoyed in the state as the residents and citizens await the expected Supreme Court verdict on the governorship appeal before it. 

    The leaders who said they stood for justice and peace, appealed for calm, advising that let nothing be done covertly or overtly by anybody or group to undermine the peace of Kano or subvert the wishes of the people as freely expressed on March 18, 2023. 

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    Reading their speech in English on behalf of his colleagues at the palace of the Hausa Seriki of Egbaland, Alh. Ibrahim Hassan Hassan 111, the Hausa Seriki of Sagamu, Alh. Inuwa Garba said Kano is a melting pot of all Nigerians and urged the President to ensure that politicians do not toy with the peace and tranquility being enjoyed by all ethnic nationalities in the state over the governorship election outcome. 

    Alh. Garba expressed the association’s worries that any crisis in Kano could have far-reaching implications not only for the state but also for the country that is already grappling with security and socio-economic challenges.

     While appealing to the traditional rulers in Yorubaland, particularly the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Òba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and other prominent Royal Fathers in Yorubaland to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in Kano’s precarious political situation.

  • Unfortunate drone accident unites Kaduna under Uba Sani

    Unfortunate drone accident unites Kaduna under Uba Sani

    • By Adeola Abimbola

    The Nigerian Army clearly committed an p‘unintentional error’ by dropping or detonating armed drones on the quiet community of Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday 3, November, killing over 100 people.

    Both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani have since ordered thorough investigation of the unfortunate incident, after Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, openly admitted that the drones from the Nigerian army did the damages and commiserated with the community and the state at large, especially given that the incident happened while the residents were celebrating a Muslim festival.

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has also led a high-powered delegation from Abuja to the state and the afflicted community. Nigeria’s Armed Forces often rely on air strikes in their battle against bandit militias in the North-west and North-east of the country, where insurgency has been on-going for more than a decade.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives,” the presidency said in a statement.The army had said its drone was a routine mission that “inadvertently affected members of the community”.

    Witnesses said that the celebration was in progress around 9:45 to 9:50 p.m. when the first bomb dropped, killing about 56 people, most of them women and children. They described the scene as total chaos, especially when survivors began calling family members of victims from nearby villages to come to the scene, identifying and carrying dead bodies and helping those injured.

    They said that at around 11 p.m., a second bomb was dropped, killing many responders from nearby villages.The flip side of this unfortunate incident is that it has showcased not the leadership qualities of Governor Uba Sani but how much he has united the people of Kaduna State in just a short while, irrespective of religion, political persuasion or tribe.

    A visibly angry Sani, who said he had been trying to “calm the people down and make them understand that the government will fight for justice,” condemned the statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, that the bombing incident occurred because terrorists always mingled with residents of the community, adding that he would write to the Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lieutenant General Toareed Lagabja, to ask that the statement be withdrawn.

    “It is careless. The community is calm because Gen. Lagbaja had earlier taken responsibility for the error bombing. If you visit the hospital and see what is happening, you would condemn statements like this,” Governor Sani said and added that in spite of the gaffe, he would continue to give his support to the military in their fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

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    Interestingly, the staunchest backers of Governor Sani and the affected community of Tudun Biri village, which is largely a Muslim community, is the Christian community in Kaduna State. The Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who attended the meeting convened by the governor during the visit of the vice-president to the community, Rev. Joseph Hayap, said that tempers were still high over the bombing.

    He praised the governor for wanting to avoid divisive persons and groups in the undergoing healing process in Kaduna State. That ‘wise’ step would douse the building tension over the incident, he said.

    “I am happy with the governor for pledging that he will not allow politics to affect the successful process of attending to the victims,” Hayap said. The Kaduna State CAN chairman said all Governor Sani has been doing since he assumed office is to “carry everyone in Kaduna State along.”

    Hayap said that in less than seven months,l Sani has almost solved lingering ethnic, tribal and religious issues in Kaduna. “At such a young age, he carries every facet of Kaduna along like an old man. I must confess that Kaduna State is lucky to have Sani as Governor this period,” the Kaduna State CAN Chairman said.

    He however expressed disgust with the use of the words, “error bombing” in questions over the incident. He queried: “We should interrogate what the military claims to be intelligence. Mistake bombing is becoming a yearly occurrence. There was a mistaken bombing that destroyed a church in Kaduna a few years ago. Where is their professionalism? Can we have innocent Nigerians killed regularly and say it is a mistake.”

    Investigation shows that “error bombing” has gone on for too long to warrant urgent attention and concern for the root causes of what appears to be a deadly pattern.The governor blamed the incident on a lack of proper information and coordination among the Armed Forces. He ensured that the government was doing its best to ensure the best treatment for hospitalized victims.

    Meanwhile, Governor Sani, who has flooded the community with relief materials, has commended President Tinubu for his quick intervention by pledging to support the victims’ families and rebuild the community.

    “What is confirmed by the community families visited directly is that we have lost 86 persons. Eighty-six were killed at the beginning; we took 76 to the hospital. Out of this figure, one person died on Thursday. Though, we are now aware that the number of casualties is increasing. In fact some persons are saying more than 120. I can’t give the exact number now. But my team members and I are gathering data and monitoring the community on a daily basis.

    “The incident happened due to insufficient information and coordination among the Armed Forces,” he said.

    • Ms Abimbola, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja
  • AbdulRazaq presents N296.4b budget to Assembly

    AbdulRazaq presents N296.4b budget to Assembly

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday presented N296.4 billion to the House of Assembly as 2024 budget estimate.

    In the budget proposal, capital expenditure will gulp 61 per cent of the proposed spending and recurrent, keeping the balance of 39 per cent

    The budget is 15.5 per cent higher than the budget of the outgoing year, and has an opening balance of N25 billion, according to the governor, who heralded his speech with “profound gratitude” to God, appreciation to the people of Kwara and his party, APC, for another win at the last general election, and acknowledgement of the supportive role of the legislators. 

    The budget session was presided over by the House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

    “I begin this budget speech with profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for His enduring mercies that again saw us through the recent electioneering process with yet another resounding 100% victory. I dedicate that victory and the success of our first tenure to the good people of Kwara State who walked with and trusted us with another mandate, and to you, members of this hallowed chamber, for your understanding, maturity, and love for our state,” the Governor said.

    “Together in four years, we brought socioeconomic and political stability to our state and restored the dignity of the human person.

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    We have redefined public education in human resource and infrastructure, basic healthcare delivery, social security, public service, rural development, sports and recreational development, while measurable steps have been taken to make Kwara a hub of innovation, creativity, and viable economic activities in Nigeria. 

    “The next four years will serve to consolidate on the gains of our first term, expand the economic base of this lovely state through completion of ongoing infrastructural projects and commencement of new ones, make the state more self-sustaining by widening the revenue base, create more private sector-driven jobs, and better the lots of our people. In the new year, we will formally inaugurate our flagship projects like the garment factory, visual arts centre, Tunde Idiagbon bridge, innovation hub, sugar film factory, the two campuses of Kwara State University, sheabutter factory in Kaiama, among others. 

    “These, in shaa Allaah, will create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the new year, and spread collective prosperity on a sustainable basis.

    “This is why next year’s fiscal document has been christened the budget of ‘economic expansion and collective prosperity’. The size of the budget is N296.4bn, with an opening balance of N25bn. The capital expenditure takes the lion share of N180.0bn, representing 61% of the total fiscal plan, while the recurrent component gets N116bn, or 39%. 

    “This fiscal plan will prioritise the completion and unveiling of several of our legacy projects, and introduction of a few other ones that centre around the welfare of the people. I am glad to inform this Honourable House that the Ilorin Capital City Master Plan will officially produce what we call Ilorin Smart City Satellite Town, which will cover an area estimated at 18,000 hectares. This city is modelled after sustainable, green cities around the world, such as Washington DC. The groundbreaking of this huge project will be done next year, God willing. 

    “Some other highlights include the establishment of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital; Kwara State University of Education; completion of the first phase of the industrial park at Eiyenkorin; MSMEs Support Funds; rehabilitation of Ilesha Baruba Waterworks and others elsewhere in the state; construction of statewide rural access roads through RAAMP; rehabilitation of Isanlu Isin Waterworks and extension of pipes; rehabilitation of Pampo waterworks and extension of pipes, among others; construction of new wards and expansion of maternity unit at civil service clinic; expansion of 13 hospitals across the state; construction of 250 housing units under the proposed mass housing scheme of the State Government; construction of CBT Centres across the 3 districts; wholesale curriculum revitalisation and training under KwaraLearn; payment of UBEC counterpart funds for 2022 and 2023; and some sports facilities statewide. 

    “Also covered in this document is our preparation for a new minimum wage, which is due for negotiation next year, completion of KWIRS modern headquarters, among other things. We will also begin the implementation of life-changing programmes like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), livestock development centre at Lata; special agroprocessing zone and L-PRES project, which seeks to provide infrastructure and the environment to curb the conflict between herders and farmers.

    “This document is predicated on the estimated crude oil price of $77.96; daily oil production of 1.78million barrel per day; exchange rate of N750/USD; GDP growth projection of 3.76 percent; and 21.4%  inflation rate. 

    “Further details on the budget estimates are contained in the full version of the fiscal plan, which would be issued later.

    “The budget will be funded from an assortment of sources, especially the internally generated revenue and receipts from the federation accounts, among other channels.”

    Danladi-Salihu said the Governor did so well in his first term to deserve the popular mandate he got to govern the state for another four years.

    He said the legislature will peruse the budget and act in accordance with the public good.

    “Let me acknowledge and commend Your Excellency for transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline exhibited in the implementation of the budget in outgoing year 2023,” he said.

    “It is on record that this administration has completed many people oriented projects in all parts of the state as captured in the budget. The desire is to consolidate on the modest achievements recorded during your first term seems to be on course, considering the religious pursuit of the overall development of the state that has come to be a cordial objective of your administration since your second coming. 

    “I feel fulfilled with the magnitude of completed projects, ongoing projects, and others nearing completion. 

    “It is also noteworthy and commendable that Your Excellency has sustained the zeal with which you resuscitated the fulfillment of the state to counterpart funds in all sectors. The result of these is visible to every Kwaran to energise sectors such as basic education, rural roads, water supply and sanitation, health and many others that were almost dead before you came on board and have since experienced a rebirth as the people of the state now have a new lease of life. 

    “It is my hope that the year 2024 appropriation bill contains realistic projections both on revenue and expenditure that all critical sectors of the economy are accorded adequate attention. It is only by doing this that the administration will consolidate on the achievements recorded in the first four years.”

  • Lalong: APC bickers over choice of replacement

    Lalong: APC bickers over choice of replacement

    An uneasy calm has surfaced in the fold of the All Progressive Congress  Plateau State over who replaces  Labour and Employment Minister  Simon Lalong in the Senate.

      Before his inauguration as minister,  Lalong was issued with a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in compliance with an order of a Court of Appeal.

     He was to represent the Plateau South Senatorial zone.

     A group of APC stalwarts led by Diray   Cyril, at a news conference in Jos yesterday said, “We receive with shock and amusement the purported disclaimer duly signed by the Plateau State APC Publicity Secretary; Mr Sylvanus Namang on a purported leaked document for the endorsement of   Bitrus   Kasuwa to replace the  Labour and Employment Minister.

     “Ordinarily, the said disclaimer by the state party should not worry us to put up this piece, but for the benefit of the gullible public and the weighty Party membership issues raised, we are compelled to address the press to put certain misconceptions and politics of exclusion in clear perspective.

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     “First and foremost, since the writers of the alleged leaked document confessed that their efforts to confirm from Hon. Bitrus Kasuwa Barji about the veracity of his purported endorsement by the State Party were fruitless, the Party should have considered such as fake news and refrain from making statements capable of questioning their neutrality.

    “Suffice it to mention here that, if the statement credited to the state party leadership is true to the effect that she does not know Hon. Bitrus Barji Kasuwa who bought forms and contested the party primaries twice for the position of House of Representatives to represent Kanam, Kanke and Pankshin Federal constituency, then such hasty conclusions leave much to be desired.

     “We expect a non-partisan leadership to have made attempts to find out his membership status from his ward if they cannot pick his unit Party register which is in their possession at the moment to confirm for themselves.

     “The right thing to do is for the party to take stock of all those interested in the Ministerial position and fashion out a systematic approach to harmonize all interests without necessarily casting aspirations on Legitimate Party members. Doing this will improve and strengthen the cohesiveness of the party to squarely face the challenges ahead of us.

     “Most importantly, we strongly believe that the replacement of Labour minister should be an opportunity for Plateau Central zone to present someone like Hon. Bitrus Barji Kasuwa who is a youth with unparalleled vision,  capacity, competence and above all a party loyalist of repute for the position”

     The group added that  “it must be borne in mind that, recent developments show that past Governors from the southern and Northern Plateau have nominated candidates from their zones for ministerial slots and were appointed.”

  • TCN to boost power in Kano, Katsina, Dutse

    TCN to boost power in Kano, Katsina, Dutse

    The Kano region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)  is to boost power transmission next year.

    General Manager of the region  Bashir Mohammed Gote made the promise while briefing journalists in Kano on the completed and ongoing power projects in the region.

     The region which covers Kano, Katsina and Dutse transmission substations, has a capacity of 600MVA at 330kV and 1295MVA at 132kV level. It is expected to rise to 1200MVA at 330kV and 1800MVA at 132kV next year.

    Gote said: “The region currently has a capacity of 600MVA at 330kV level and 1295MVA at 132kV level. With the ongoing transmission, rehabilitation and expansion programs across the nation, some projects are sited in some of the transmission substations in the region. Some of the projects have been completed this year while some are ongoing.

     “We are constructing 2x150mva 330/132kv and 2x60mva 132/33kV transmission stations at Rimin Zakara Kano. The substation is the second 330/132kV transmission station in Kano. It was completed early this year without a line.

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     “The station is expected to get supply from Kumbotso before the construction of the quad line from Kaduna, but the right of way issue between Kumbotso and Rimin Zakara must be addressed before the line will be completed.

     “The installed 150MVA 330/132kV power transformer at Kumbotso was commissioned last month (November) by house engineers. The installation and commissioning of this transformer has brought up the capacity of the substation to 750MVA.

     “There is also ongoing construction of a 330kV line from Kaduna to Rimin Zakara. The line was supposed to serve as the second 330kV line to Kano, having the capacity to carry 2000MV.

    “Installation of 40MVA 132/33kV mobile power transformer at Jamaare transmission substation is ongoing. This is a new transmission substation where a mobile power transformer was proposed at Jamaare on the Dutse – Azare 132kV line. The station when completed will relieve the Azare transmission substation.

    “Construction of 2×40MVA 132/33kv transmission substation at Walalambe, which began in 2009 will soon be completed it will relieve the transmission station. 

     “When the projects are all done, we expect to have improvement from 600MVA at 330kV and 1200MVA at 330kV by 2024. Similarly, we expect to have improvement from 1295MVA at 132kV and 1800MVA at 132kV.”