The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Protest rocks Kano as policeman kills teenager, injures two

    Protest rocks Kano as policeman kills teenager, injures two

    • Inspector arrested

    A Police Inspector, name withheld, has been arrested for erroneously killing a teenager in Kano yesterday.

    It was gathered some gangs of political thugs had clashed on Wednesday morning, disrupting peace in the area.

    The police personnel deployed to the scene of the incident decided to shoot and release teargas canisters to disperse the thugs. Unfortunately, three persons were shot, eyewitnesses said.

    Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, said he acted “unprofessionally,” when, without receiving any command from the existing chain of command, fired a shot.

    His shot also wounded two persons. The victim who died was receiving treatment at the Hospital before he gave up, police said.

    Youths took to the streets in Kurna quarters along Katsina Road to protest the killing.

    Read Also; Declining democracy: Who is responsible?

    The protesters blocked the ever-busy Kano-Katsina-Daura highway for several hours, causing hardship to commuters and motorists who got stuck in the trouble zone.

    The demonstration raised tension amid an alleged planned protest by a political group against the judgment of the Appeal Court on the state governorship election.

    Police spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement said the police have regretted the action by the happy-trigger Inspector.

    He added that the police commissioner, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, has constituted a panel to probe the killing, assuring that justice would be served.

    Gumel appealed to the peace loving people of Kano not to allow “hijackers” to dabble devilishly into the matter to instigate the escalation of violence which will not be in the interest of the State, which he said, was in its trying time.

    “The Police Command is following up on the unfortunate development that occurred in Kurna Quarters, Fagge local government area of Kano State on November 28, where groups of rival restive youths engaged in fighting and a Police Inspector who did not receive any command from the existing chain of Command fired a shot and unfortunately wounded two persons with one other person who died while receiving treatment at the Hospital.

    “It is in the forgoing development that the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, directed the Area Commander Dala, Nuhu Mohammed Digi to fish out the erring Police Inspector with a view to constituting a board of inquiry into the cause of the incident of which the outcome will be communicated to the public.

    “Few hours later, the Police Inspector has since been arrested and is now in Police custody.

    “This action of the Police Inspector is quite regrettable. This is because, since the commissioner assumed office, the Police have never entered into confrontation with the members of the public, talk less of firing gunshot.

    “It is a known fact that the Police Command is fully committed to the respect of rights and freedom of all people. Therefore, the Command is calling on members of the public to be rest assured that justice will be served in handling the situation which is quite strange when compared with the cordial relationship existing between the Police and the Public,” the statement said.

    Meanwhile, The acting National Chairman of the New Nigeria People Party ( NNPP), Abba Kawu Ali, has condemned the killing of the Kano youth by the police Inspector.

    “The NNPP, hereby brings to the attention of Nigerians and the world at large that the Nigeria Police have shot dead a young man, Salisu Player, somewhere around Kurna in Dala local government of Kano,” he said.

    Ali, in a statement, said the party condemned the police brutality on the young man shot dead in Kano, calling for immediate investigation and respect for human rights.

    He said: “Salisu Player is one of the three people shot while the others are in critical condition. The incident occurred yesterday evening during a peaceful protest.

    “The NNPP has always asked the citizens to do their protest in a peaceful manner and the protest around Kurna where Salisu Player was shot, though spontaneous, was not different.

    “It would appear that men of the Nigeria Police are ill-trained for handling even peaceful protests as we regret the recorded death which is painful and unfortunate.

    “We commiserate with friends and family of the deceased as we urge all the people of Kano to remain calm and restrained from acting outside the rule of law.”

  • Fed Govt trains 110 women in solar installation, tiling

    Fed Govt trains 110 women in solar installation, tiling

    The Federal Government has concluded the training of 110 women in solar installations, Tiling and Masonry, Air-condition and Refrigeration.

    The women were also trained in Generator Repairs, Electrical Works, Plumbing and Piping.

    The training was concluded yesterday in Abuja by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development in pursuance of President Tinubu’s, support for women’s economic empowerment, demonstrated by his five points agenda on women empowerment.

    Director General (DG) of the agency, Dr Asabe Bashir said participants were drawn from the 36 states of the Federation.

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    She said: “The programme has from inception to date trained over 1300 young females, making the aforementioned skills to be gender responsive and inclusive.  The Centre has empowered young women and girls economically, so as to enhance sustainable livelihood and national development.

    “Moreover, some of the Female Artisans will readily address basic artisanship needs in the rural communities, especially in areas where men are not allowed to enter places habited by women for cultural and religious reasons.

    “This year, a total of 110 young women and girls drawn from across the 36 States of the Federation were trained. In other to meet with the current day challenges of sustainable energy supply; for the first time participants of the Female Artisan Programme were taken through solar installation training.

    “Artisanship jobs such as Tiling and Masonry, Air-condition and Refrigeration, Generator Repairs, Electrical Works, Plumbing and Piping. The Centre vigorously pursues programmes aimed at upholding and promoting practice in the area of women and gender development; in recognition of the fact that women’s economic empowerment is the first step to freedom.”

    The DG said the agency does not just train the women and leave them but follow up constantly and has recorded a good number of their trainees who are doing well in their various communities.

  • Suleiman replaces Baba-Ahmed as NEF’s spokeman

    Suleiman replaces Baba-Ahmed as NEF’s spokeman

    Following the recent exit of Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has appointed Abdul-Azeez Suleiman as its new spokesman.

    Until his appointment, Suleiman a veteran journalist, was the spokesman of the  Coalition of Northern Group (CNG).

    NEF’s Convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in the appointment letter he personally signed, said: Suleiman’s appointment was a reflection of his contributions towards promoting and protecting the interests of the North and Nigeria.

    Abdullahi wrote: “I am pleased to inform you that I have approved the recommendation to appoint you as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

    Read Also; Declining democracy: Who is responsible?

    “Your appointment is a reflection of your unwavering dedication and contributions towards promoting and protecting the interests of the North and Nigeria as a whole, during your time with the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG).

    “Furthermore, your extensive experience in credible, fearless, selfless, and ethical journalism, also contributes to making you a great fit for this role.

    “The NEF hopes that you will utilize your exceptional qualities and experience to enhance the NEWs activities and promote its image through cooperation with its directors and other members of the Forum.

    “Congratulations on your appointment, and we look forward to the incredible value you will bring to the NEF.”

    The former spokesman of the Forum, Baba-Ahmed, was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Special Adviser on Political matters in the office of Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

  • Jigawa Assembly laments internal revenue leakages, poor collection

    Jigawa Assembly laments internal revenue leakages, poor collection

    JIgawa Assembly has lamented internal revenue leakages and shortchange, stating the State Internal Revenue Services (JIRS) needs support to improve taxes collection.

    The chairman House Committee on Appropriations Hamza Ibrahim stated this in his keynote address during an engagement session between the lawmakers and Jigawa State Internal Revenue Services organised by Prime Initiative for Community Development and Physical Transparency in Dutse, the capital.

    Ibrahim, representing Malam Madori constituency, expressed concerns over the leakages and short payment of internal revenue and taxes in the State.

    According to him: “The discovery on shortchanging the State by revenue and taxes defaulting, short payment and leakages in collections and remittance of the funds are serious challenges that need urgent and collective efforts for our future development”.

    He assured the service of the Assembly’s support and contribution, stating “forward all your requests and the service needed expenditure to improve the constitutional duties during your budget defence. The House would favourably view and consider it”.

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    Chairman of JIgawa State Internal Revenue Services, Malam Nasir Sabo Idris, decried massive leaking and shortchange of local revenue.

    Idris said he was in dire needs of the lawmakers’ urgent support and understanding for total redesigning of the operational plans and strategies for effective taxes and revenue collection and remittance.

    According to him: “On my assumption in to office, I introduced new modern strategies. We employed ICT and established a new revenue data base and registered new tax payers, using JIgawa Enlightenment and Engagement Team (JETS) a team to be going out every Wednesday for tax payers enlightenment, sensitisation and tax payers data collection”.

    He said the JETS would also serve as monitoring mechanism for tax remittances, checkmate shape practices in the Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and encourage withholding from MDAs, Companies and PEYE.

    He appealed to the lawmakers to approve the agency’s request for establishing and installation of a software to digitalise the agency’s operations which is the best and simple way to block all leakages and most of the challenges.

    “If our request is granted, I have confidence to increase the State revenue by 50 percent next year, and 100 percent by 2025,” he assured.

  • Firms partner on $15b energy transition cash

    Firms partner on $15b energy transition cash

    Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) are partnering to support the implementation of Nigeria’s clean energy infrastructure strategy.

    The partnership hopes to mobilize $15 billion from the private sector to support energy transition.

    RMI’s Managing Director of Catalytic Climate Capital and the Global South, Ije Okeke said its focus aligns with RMI’s Catalytic Climate Capital (C3) program, and its goal of supporting the development of 10 gigawatts of clean energy over three years in the Global South.

    Chief Executive Officer at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Bankole Oloruntoba made this known in a press statement.

    He stated: “Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) recently announced a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the implementation of Nigeria’s clean energy infrastructure strategy.

    “The partnership, which was signed on the sidelines of the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), outlined collaboration between the two organizations to establish a Project Preparation and Development Facility (PPF) and jointly develop climate finance initiatives to mobilize competitive long-term local currency funding for the sector.

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    “Designed to bridge Nigeria’s energy transition gap and scale the deployment of clean energy projects in the country, the partnership will also focus on building local capacity to unlock and accelerate climate finance at scale to build lasting national capacity that will ultimately maximize adaptation and mitigation outcomes.

    “Commenting on the partnership, Ije Ikoku Okeke, RMI Managing Director of Catalytic Climate Capital and the Global South, said its focus aligned with RMI’s Catalytic Climate Capital (C3) program, and its goal of supporting the development of 10 gigawatts of clean energy over three years in the Global South and mobilizing $15 billion from the private sector to support the energy transition.

    “Lazarus Angbazo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, InfraCorp, also noted that the partnership will enable his organization to work together with RMI to support the development of bankable and sustainable national infrastructure projects in the Nigerian renewable energy sector.

    “Angbazo added that InfraCorp and RMI will collaborate on project development finance and financial market initiatives to allow InfraCorp to provide or mobilize financial resources and infrastructure investment for stimulating economic activity and reducing poverty through clean energy solutions.

    “The partnership is a significant development for the clean energy sector in Nigeria. The establishment of a PPF is a critical step in addressing the investment shortfall in the Nigerian energy sector. Despite being the most populous nation in Africa and boasting a wealth of natural resources, Nigeria struggles to provide reliable electricity to its citizens. With over 92 million people lacking access to electricity and frequent power outages plaguing even those connected to the grid, Nigeria’s electricity supply challenges hinder economic growth, stifle business expansion, and impact the overall well-being of its people.”

  • Musa assumes office as Kano HoS

    Musa assumes office as Kano HoS

    The newly appointed Kano State Head of Civil Service, Abdullahi Musa, yesterday assumed office.

    Musa’s appointment was announced on Monday, in a statement that he should resume duty immediately.

    Shortly after he received the handover notes from the former Head of Civil Service, Usman Bala Muhammad, the new appointee said he received his predecessor’s notes with good intention and will do justice to what is obtained in it.

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    Musa, who is the 13th HoS, said he intends to go back to basics in running the office.

    He pledged to use new ideas to reform the office to its lost glory.

    He called on all personnel to be punctual and must be in their respective duty posts as early as 8am.

  • Wike directs FCDA to provide infrastructure to build justices houses

    Wike directs FCDA to provide infrastructure to build justices houses

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide infrastructure in areas earmarked for building of justices residential houses.

    He gave the directive yesterday after inspecting the sites for the construction of accommodation for justices of the high Court, FCT high Court and Court of Appeal, Abuja division, in Katampe and Jabi areas.

    Wike, who was accompanied by top management staff of FCT Administration, said the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda, which according to him, is an indication that the agenda is not a mere talk.

    The minister had about two months ago, promised to address accommodation challenges faced by justices in the territory.

    Wike also inspected the site where a building collapsed at Jabi in 2008, where seven persons died.

    He called on the department of Parks and Recreation to come up with a design that will benefit from a world class memorial centre.

    According to the minister, work will start immediately after the FCT statutory budget of 2024 is passed.

    Wike said: “In line with the directive of Mr President that we must make sure that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not mere talking but to bring back that lost hope of Nigerians to believe that things can be done right again.

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    “We went to Katampe hill where we are trying to provide accommodation for justices of the High Court, FCT High Court and justices of Court of Appeal Abuja division, it was the result that we went to see the sites and we found out that the infrastructure is yet to be provided.

    “We have directed the FCDA to quickly see that they provide infrastructure in those areas so that we can start the residential buildings”

    He also said: “In 2008, there was a collapsed building where seven people died, where the FCT Administration decided to make the place a memorial complex in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

    “I asked the department of Parks and Recreation to come up with a proper design that will stand the test of time in a manner that people will remember those who lost their lives. We will start the work immediately when the FCT statutory budget of 2024 is passed, after the passage of the budget we will start the procurement process. “This will make us to build a benefiting memorial centre that the world will see”

  • Centre seeks end to irregular migration

    Centre seeks end to irregular migration

    The Executive Director, Adeshile Adenekan of African Centre for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Resilience and Social Innovation (ACIED Africa) under the Migrant Project, has called on Nigerians to stop irregular migration from Nigeria especially women and young females as they are the main target of human traffickers and Smugglers.

    He appealed to women and young female considering migration from Nigeria to embrace Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to protect the dignity of women in all stages of Migration.

    Women, he said, should take a safer and regular route by ensuring their travel documents are in order so they can go through the right channel.

    Adenekan who spoke to Nation reporter said the organization is completely against the trafficking of women and adolescent girls to other countries of the world through irregular migration,  stating that adolescent girls are the target of these traffickers.

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    According to him, “The dangers are enormous, they may be imprisoned,  sold out by traffickers as sex slaves or killed while on the journey, deported when they get to their destination because of lack of proper documents, they can also be sexually exploited, all these and many more are the dangers illegal migrants face.

    “Many migrants seeking employment in other countries are trapped in transit, exposed to harsh living conditions and widespread human rights abuses. Some are traded in slavery for labour or sex by gangs of human traffickers, others may die in detention facilities.

    “This brings us to the voice of women in Nigeria and it should be heard loud. There is need for women especially mothers to completely get involved so they can reach out to others, explain the dangers to them and make every move to stop trafficking in women and girls. Migrants should go through the right route by getting all their travel documents from immigration office and the country’s embassy they are visiting for visa.”

  • Farmers generate N1.2bn revenue from Kano agro-pastoral project

    Farmers generate N1.2bn revenue from Kano agro-pastoral project

    Smallholder farmers, drawn from the 44 local government areas of Kano State have generated N1.2 billion under the Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project’ (KSADP), funded by the Islamic Development Bank, (IsDB), the Lives and Livelihood Funds, (LLF) and the government of the state.

    The project, which is a partnership of the Kano State government and a Japanese firm, Sasakawa Africa Association (SSA),  is being implemented through three pillars such as; regenerative agriculture, market oriented agriculture and nutrition sensitive agriculture, with the  objective of reducing poverty, strengthening food and nutrition security in the state.

    The Nation learnt that the project is a 5-year program which focuses on improving crop production and enhancing livestock productivity in the state.

    Project coordinator for KSADP, Abdurasheed Kofarmata, who stated this during the 2023 media field day in Kano, said the overall objective of the KSADP is to contribute to reducing poverty, strengthening food and nutrition security in the state by developing agro pastoral production systems (production, processing, and retailing).

    A breakdown of revenues, he said, include input linkages for farmers worth N240,638,310, output linkages for farmers worth N789,437,568, community savings by farmers which amounted to N36,876,686 and access to finance facilitated for farmers which was N219,736,259 in the period.

    He said that a total of 100 agro-input stockists were trained on product knowledge, safety rules and enterprise management and empowered with branded metal kiosks and support packs.

    Kofarmata added that the farmers were practically trained and supported through learning platforms.

    He said:  “440 (330 males & 110 females) youths were trained on private spray service and enterprise management and empowered with set of sprayers and PPEs “Under the regenerative agriculture pillar, we conducted community entry and sensitization program as well as preseason training for for Cereals and vegetable production, and step downed to 366,000 farmers in 44 LGAs.

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     “We distributed 100 simple planters and 200 units of fertilizer applicators, distributed 400 units of treadle pumps and 100 units of solar powered pumps.

    Country Director of SAA Godwin Atser, said  the project has trained over 2,000 extension workers and 5 million small holder farmers in the state.

    He said Kano State government and SAA are working across the various value chains such as: rice, sorghum, millet, vegetables and we are ensuring that farmers get the best out of their investments,” he said.

     “At Sasakawa Africa Association, we have been able to respond to the shocks occasioned by climate changes. We see a strong impact of what we are doing in regenerative agriculture by providing improved seeds to farmers”, he said.

    State Project Coordinator of the KSADP,  Ibrahim Garba, said the project is targeted at reaching 450,000 farmers directly in 44 local governments in the state across eight crop value chains.

     He said the aspect of crop production, mechanization, job creation and gender mainstreaming is being implemented by SAA and KNARDA. “What we are doing now is an aspect to do with crop production, mechanization, job creation and gender mainstreaming, implemented by SAA.

  • Gombe police commissioner warns residents against collaborating with criminals

    Gombe police commissioner warns residents against collaborating with criminals

    Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hayatu Usman yesterday warned residents in the state against collaborating with abductors and kidnappers in the communities.

    Addressing journalists in Gombe, Usman said though the state has enjoyed relative peace more than any other state in the North East, but the recent cases of kidnapping and abduction has become worrisome.

    According to him, investigation by the police pointed to a number of members of the community who collaborate with criminals to carry out their dastardly act.

    He said such incidents of community collaborators are jeopardizing the community policing effort of the Inspector General of police aimed at reducing crime rates within communities.

    “I want to assure our law-abiding citizens that the command under my watch will work assiduously and continue to make Gombe state maintain its record as the most peaceful in the country. It is also pertinent to emphasize here that the safety and security of lives and property in the state will not be possible without the cooperation of the members of the public in respective of their status. I want to solicit the support and understanding of the media in the resolve of the Police Command to make Gombe State safer for all and sundry,” he said.

    Read Also: Gombe CP Usman to residents: stop aiding abductors, kidnappers

    He said the command under his watch shall take drastic measures on fighting crimes and it’s perpetrators.

    Usman added that all the efforts and energies of the command under him shall be geared towards the prevention of crimes and the successful apprehension of offenders that would test police resolve.

    “Consequently, the Command shall overhaul its crime prevention machineries with community policing as the pillars of this strategy. The command has already set the ball rolling and took proactive measures to stem the rising crimes in the state through round the clock patrol, constant raids on identified criminal hideouts and black-spots, Surveillance, foot and vehicular patrols, regular stop and search, intelligence gathering, and above all stakeholder’s engagements to address crimes in their localities,” he said.

    He called on all officers to brace up for the task ahead.

    “My advice to all criminal gangs especially in the metro is to choose the path of peace and embrace the state government’s skill acquisition programs so that they can be useful to the society and contribute their quota towards the development of the state,” he said.