The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Gombe’s transformative journey andInuwa’s strategic engagements in Abuja

    Gombe’s transformative journey andInuwa’s strategic engagements in Abuja

    Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, recently had a series of strategic engagements in Abuja, demonstrating his commitment to driving economic growth and propelling Gombe State into a new era of development.

    These proactive efforts underscore his resolve to prioritising the interests of Gombe above all else, cementing his position as an exemplary leader focused on progress and advancement of his state.

    One of the key discussions involved a high-level meeting with the management of the Raw Materials, Research and Development Council (RMRDC) led by the Director-General/CEO, Professor Hussaini Ibrahim.

    The strategic session aimed to explore and forge collaborative opportunities between the RMRDC, the Gombe State government, and Michigan State University (MSU) United States of America with the objective to harness Gombe’s vast raw material resources, specifically by bolstering projects such as fortifying the Dairy value chain and implementing Solar/Renewable energy-powered fish drying technologies in rural communities.

    During the meeting, Governor Yahaya highlighted Gombe State’s conducive business environment, citing its Ease of Doing Business status, central location, peaceful nature and abundance of raw materials as attractive factors for potential investments and partnerships.

    The governor reiterated the state’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for collaborations that will drive industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the socio-economic development of Gombe State.

    He emphasised the state’s openness to welcome research and development initiatives while affirming its readiness to facilitate the establishment of necessary infrastructure and provide support for capacity building programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of stakeholders in identified sectors.

    The discussions concluded with a mutual commitment from both parties to further explore and advance the collaborations proposed by the RMRDC with the aim to create tangible socio-economic impacts through innovative projects and partnerships in Gombe State.

    Read Also: Gombe’s revenue generation sees 78.3% increase with Recovery Tribunal

    Another significant engagement saw Governor Yahaya advocating for comprehensive road infrastructure development during discussions with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.

    Stressing the importance of robust road networks in fostering socio-economic progress, the governor urged for Federal Government intervention to address the existing road infrastructure challenges in Gombe State and the wider Northeast region.

    The governor of Gombe State, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) pleaded for comprehensive federal road networks in Gombe State and all six states of northeastern Nigeria.

    The governor believes providing comprehensive federal road coverage is critical to the socio-economic growth and development of the Northeast, calling the federal government to construct roads in various trunk A routes across the subregion that have made movement of goods and services difficult over the years.

    In response, Engr. Umahi assured the governor that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will address road deficits in the subregion.

    He shared his words of encouragement with the governor and commended him for his passion to make a great difference in his state.

    The minister’s positive response further reinforced the potential collaboration between the states and federal government in tackling these crucial challenges.

    Also, the governor’s visit to the headquarters of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) echoed his determination to advancing digital literacy and E-governance initiatives in Gombe.

    He is exploring potential areas of partnership with NITDA with the aim of equipping youths and women in the state with essential digital skills and advancing e- governance to enhance efficiency and productivity.

    The meeting was particularly significant as Gombe State was recently recognised by NITDA as the ‘Most Digitally Compliant State’ in Nigeria.

    Gombe State, under the leadership of Governor Yahaya, has set an ambitious goal to automate all government operations to align with broader national efforts towards a more digitally inclined governance structure.

    Gombe, known for its skilled manpower, proudly holds the position of the ‘Best State in Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria. The collaboration with NITDA will further amplify this reputation and facilitate the integration of cutting-edge technology into various sectors in order to ensure that Gombe remains at the forefront of digital transformation in the country.

    Also in Abuja, Governor Yahaya participated in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting where the states chief executives had fruitful discourse with various development partners across diverse sectors with the Gombe governor leveraging the opportunities for his state’s holistic advancement.

    Governor Yahaya’s purposeful engagements in Abuja exemplify a leader determined to unlock Gombe’s potential and address critical developmental challenges in its transformative journey towards greatness. 

    His proactive pursuit of partnerships, focus on infrastructural development, commitment to digital transformation, and proactive engagement with stakeholders reflect a visionary leadership aimed at positioning Gombe at the forefront of progress and development in Nigeria.

    • Misilli is Director-General ( Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
  • Plateau Guber: Gagdi lauds Yilwatda on victory at Appeal Court

    Plateau Guber: Gagdi lauds Yilwatda on victory at Appeal Court

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon Yusuf Gagdi, has lauded Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Plateau State by the Court of Appeal.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Sunday nullified the election of Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor.

    Nullifying Mutfwang’s election, the appellate court led by Justice Okong Abang, in a unanimous judgment, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his Certificate of Return and give it to Yilwatda.

    Gagdi, in a statement personally signed in Abuja, described the development as the dawn of a new era in the state.

    The lawmaker, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency was confident that prosperity and serenity of Plateau State will grow under the leadership of Dr Yilwatda as the governor of the state.

    The statement reads, “The triumph of lies over truth is indeed fleeting!

    Read Also: Tanker drivers deny alleged planned protest, pledge support for Tinubu

    “It is the dawn of a new era in Plateau State with the victory of our Governor-Elect, Dr Nentawe Yilwada Goshwe at the Court of Appeal today, where his victory was affirmed as the legally recognized winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial elections in Plateau State, following the nullification of PDP’s phyric victory.

    “We have always indulged our teaming supporters to exercise restraint in their conducts, despite unwarranted provocation by our political opponents who unleashed all weapons of propaganda and emotional blackmail in their arsenals to sway the pendulum of justice and curry public sympathy in their desperation to hold unto power.

    “Our believe in the judiciary as the bastion of justice and the last hope of the common man has always been unwavering, and we hold same in the highest esteem as we look forward to approaching the final phase of the legal tussle.

    “While I call on all APC supporters to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate this milestone with all sense of modesty, it is my fervent prayer that our joys shall never be cut short by the evil machinations of our adversaries.

    “I strongly believe the prosperity and serenity of Plateau State shall leap in bounds under the guidance of Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe as the Executive Governor of the State. We shall continue to pray for the success of your administration.”

  • Niger govt signs MOU on sustainable development

    Niger govt signs MOU on sustainable development

    The Niger State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Alternative Bank on sustainable development of the State.

    According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the signing of the MOU which was done in Abuja was on some basic segments of the economy such as Education, Health, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, and infrastructure among others.

    Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago signed on behalf of the State Government while the Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, signed for the Financial Institution.

    The Governor who expressed delight with the financial institution for its readiness to partner the State government, said the state will maximize the opportunity to harness its agricultural potential.

    Governor Umaru Bago who observed that the state has not been able to cultivate up to 1% of its arable land disclosed that the State government intends to procure some earth moving equipment like Caterpillar, bulldozers, pale loaders graders on a long lease to prepare land for cultivation of about 4.5m hectares which is half of it cultivable land in the next 10 years.

    Read Also: Tanker drivers deny alleged planned protest, pledge support for Tinubu

    He further announced that the State is discussing with Almarai; a Saudi multinational dairy company for the production of Alfalfa plant havens discovered the economic value of the plant, adding that the protein content of the plant will be studied with a view to getting better seedlings for planting.

    The Governor then directed his Deputy Chief of Staff and the Chairman, Niger Foods Limited to liaise with the Financial Institution to achieve the desired result of the collaboration.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, explained that the Financial Institution has created multi-million U.S dollar opportunities for Agricultural investment in the State.

    He said an international partner has expressed willingness to invest 65 million U.S dollars to have a sugarcane plantation on five hectares of land in the State, with an estimated output of 50,000 tonnes of sugar annually, about 4,767 job opportunities, production of methanol, 40,000 tonnes of animal feeds and generation of 11mgwt of electricity.

    The Executive Director also said another development partner from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ready to invest between 1 to 10 million U.S. dollars for the exportation of the Alfalfa plant and that 100,000 hectares would be required for the cultivation of the plant.

    On the purchase of earth moving equipment, Mohammed suggested that the State government should get Ijarah Sukuk at the capital market for between 5 and 7 years pointing out that it would reduce cost and the equipment would return the investment made without the State necessarily putting in much money into it.

  • 175 trained Adamawa artisans receive startup kits

    175 trained Adamawa artisans receive startup kits

    Artisans who received training in various trades in Adamawa State have received free startup kits to practise their respective trades.

    The beneficiaries are 175 adolescents, among them 100 girls and 75 boys who were trained in computer appreciation, catering, fashion designing, carpentry, shoe making, and barbing.

    The Save Our Children International who organized the training and empowerment programme with funding from another NGO, Education Cannot Wait, said the beneficiaries were adolescents who concluded their basic education but could not go further and need vocational skills and business funding for sustainable livelihood.

    Read Also: Adamawa workers yet to join NLC strike

    During the graduation ceremony of the vocational training program in Yola, the Adamawa State Team Leader of Save the Children International, Abdulrashid Muhammed, said, “Young people who have come out of basic education and cannot go further along the western education line must not stay idle, hence the decision to bring them into this program.”

    He said the intensive vocational training which took the beneficiaries several months and the startup kits advanced to them were intended to make the adolescents self-dependent.

    The Adamawa State Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Garba Umar who represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri during the graduation ceremony of the vocation skills training, said the organisers had helped the government to remove many citizens from joblessness.

  • Niger to boost transport sector with 500 buses

    Niger to boost transport sector with 500 buses

    The Niger State government has partnered a private company to boost the transportation sector with 500 buses.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this to newsmen in Minna on Friday.

    According to him, the private company, Samzung, and Rakiyat Project Ltd. would supply the state with 500 Suzuki and Toyota Hiance buses through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

    Vatsa stated that the buses would be distributed to the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and ACOMORAN and put to use at a reduced transportation rate to the residents of the state.

    Read Also: Guinness Nigeria commissions solar-powered motorised water facility in Oyo communities

    Vatsa noted that the issue of transportation is a very pressing problem in the face of the increase in fuel prices and that the PPP arrangement shows the determination of the state government to reduce the hardship on the people.

    He said that the state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago is embracing the concept of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) as one of the engines to achieve his dreams for a new Niger.

      The Special Adviser stated that though naysayers are criticizing the dreams and projects of the governor, it can be realizable if all hands are on deck and all political and elected officials set aside selfishness and focus on delivering the agenda of the Governor.

  • Zamfara governorship polls: group welcomes Appeal Court’s decision sacking Gov Lawal

    Zamfara governorship polls: group welcomes Appeal Court’s decision sacking Gov Lawal

    The recent decision by the Appeal Court to nullify the election of Dauda Lawal as the governor of Zamfara state and order a rerun of the governorship election has been hailed as a welcome development by the Northern Democratic Development Alliance (NDDA).

    NDDA, through its spokesman Comrade Danjuma Sani, expressed its satisfaction with the Appeal Court’s ruling, stating that it is a vindication of the claims made by Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the former governor of the state.

    He said: “Matawalle, who is now serving as the Minister of State Defense, had challenged the declaration of Dauda Lawal as the winner of the governorship election held in March as erroneous and misplaced.

    “NDDA’s support for the court’s decision is based on the belief that the electoral process should be fair, transparent, and free from any form of manipulation or irregularities. The nullification of Lawal’s election and the subsequent order for a rerun is seen as a step towards upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the electoral outcomes.

    “Furthermore, NDDA’s endorsement of the court’s ruling highlights the importance of accountability and the need to address any discrepancies or malpractices that may have occurred during the election process.

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    “By acknowledging the flaws in the initial declaration of Lawal as the winner, the Court is sending a strong message that no individual or political party should be allowed to subvert the democratic process for personal gain.

    “The ruling also underscores the significance of credibility and public trust in the electoral system. The court’s decision to order a rerun not only rectifies the errors made in the previous election but also restores faith in the democratic process. It demonstrates that the judiciary is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails, even in politically sensitive cases.

    “Moreover, the Appeal Court’s ruling also serves as a reminder that no one is above the law. Regardless of one’s political affiliation or position of power, the principles of fairness and justice must be upheld. This decision sends a strong message to politicians and political parties that they will be held accountable for any wrongdoing or manipulation during elections.”

  • Sultan hails Makinde for building mosque

    Sultan hails Makinde for building mosque

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday, inaugurated the Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen Mosque, Adogba, Iwo Road, Ibadan, built by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

    Governor Makinde had, on October 19, 2019, promised to rebuild the Adogba Central Mosque from his personal resources, following plans to pull down the former structure to allow for the development of the Iwo Road Bus Terminals.

    The Sultan commended Governor Makinde for making a commitment to build the mosque and fulfilling it, saying: “When you see the way this mosque was before and it actually turned out to be this, you cannot but thank Allah for the life of Seyi Makinde for thinking this way and also doing it. A lot of people say something but implementing it is always a problem,” he said.

    The NSCIA President-General, who conferred his name ‘Sa’ad’ on the governor for embarking on building a house for Allah in such a beautiful manner, said the new mosque, which also has an Islamic School, would help people to strive to be more educated for the world and thereafter.

    He said: “I am the one called Sa’ad, but today I want to rename you Sa’ad. We thank Allah for bringing us to Ibadan for this very important programme.

    “About three years ago when I spoke with the governor on phone, he told me he was building a mosque in a strategic place in Ibadan, and I told him I know where the place is. He told me I would commission the project and I assured that I would fulfill his request.

    “I have moved around the whole area here and I can tell you that this is the most beautiful structure here. Whenever you pass along here, you won’t miss it and that is what we are supposed to be doing for the people. We should build houses of Allah in the most beautiful manner.

    “The mosque is not just a place of worship but a school also. Now, having an Islamiya with a beautiful mosque, we cannot but strive more to be educated for the world and hereafter. So, let us use such facilities to educate ourselves, our brothers and sisters so that we live peacefully with one another as peaceful coexistence is important to us.

    “Today, we are here by the will of Almighty Allah and this is a very good work, which we believe the governor has taken up. This is a good history we want to be replicated everywhere. So, we thank you, His Excellency.”

    The Sultan charged that the edifice should be well-maintained.

    Makinde commended the Muslim Community in Oyo State for its support during the March 18 governorship election, reiterating his promise to run an administration that is fair to all religions in the state.

    The governor explained that when he decided to pull down the Adogba Central Mosque and a church, which both stood on the spot where the state government is building its mega Bus Terminal, there was insinuation from the Muslim Community, as some people had already begun to view the appointments made by his government as one-sided.

    He said: “I went to the mosque and I worshipped with the Muslim Ummah. I told them that the mosque and the church around it will be demolished, because we already put forward a roadmap for accelerated development, which means we had to focus on the development of our infrastructure.

    “I understood the fact that there was trust deficit between the government and the people. So, before we even said anything, some people were already insinuating.

    “But when I spoke at the mosque that day; I saw that 90 per cent of the people believed me and every time I ran out of money building this mosque, because it was built with my personal money, I always remembered those 90 per cent who believed me that I would rebuild the mosque as I promised.

    “We are here today and I am sure that everyone knows the story. We actually completed this project before the election. But some people said I should not be re-elected because I am a Christian. Today, I can tell the entire world that I got over 70 per cent of the votes from the Muslim community in Oyo State.

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    “So, I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the Muslim leaders and the community for believing in us and I want to make that solemn promise that in the next three years and some months, we would run an administration that will balance out any leaning and ensure that people get what they are entitled to.”

    Explaining his reason for building the mosque, the governor stated it was imperative to also cater to people’s spiritual needs by building what he described as spiritual infrastructure, after his administration has embarked on a massive building of physical infrastructure by connecting all zones of the state with good roads.

    He noted that his government has also been taking care of what is known as ‘stomach infrastructure’ through the infusion of billions of Naira into the economy of the state on a monthly basis by paying salaries and pensions as and when due and had also implemented policies in the education and health sectors, which have yielded positive results.

    Also speaking, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, commended Governor Makinde, describing his act as something that will not be forgotten in the history of Oyo State.

    “We gather here today to celebrate this mosque, which was personally built by our amiable governor with his personal money. How are we going to recognise a Muslim? If we confer on him the Amir’mumeen of Oyo State, I think he is worth it. When you see the worth of this mosque that an individual built from his pocket he deserves everything.”

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, equally hailed the governor for fulfilling his commitment, even as he appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto, who he described as the unifier.

    Also in attendance at the grand inauguration were the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; top Islamic clerics and government functionaries in the state.

  • How heads of MDAs become victims of corrupt practices

    How heads of MDAs become victims of corrupt practices

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained how heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are put under investigation when they are appointed.

    The commission noted that some of the heads of government organisation fall prey to corruption and blackmail from their subordinates because they did not read and understand some of the rules of the agency.

    It said these subordinates who misled the head of some agencies, would turn around to send anonymous petitions against them to the commission.

    The agency attributed this to lack of administrative experience which has led some heads of agencies, particularly academics into culpability in acts of corruption.

    The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said this in Abuja at the Behaviour Change Conference and Exhibition 2023, with the theme, ‘Anti-Corruption Interventions in Nigeria-A Behavioral Change Perspective Of What Needs To Shift’ organised by MacArthur Foundation, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Accountability Lab Nigeria and other partners.

    Owasanoye specifically recalled that those in the academics who headed one agency or another, became ICPC’s suspects within one year as a result of one infraction or the other.

    Read Also: Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    “And you could see that many of them, walking blind, lacked administrative experience either because they are misled or because they have not read circulars and guidelines that say you can do this, you can do this, you can’t do that,” he said.

    He added: “Imagine somebody who hitherto held a global reputation, who won consultancy, earns $20,000, why does he want to come and steal money from an MDA? Except somebody has set a banana peel for him to enable them to do what they want to do and they need to put him in that trap. And then, if he refuses, then they will orchestrate a petition to ICPC, to EFCC, then the man will come and then embarrass him.”

    Owasanoye said most of the people who indulged in such acts were faceless civil servants who led the heads of agencies into default in the first place.

    The outgoing ICPC chairman recalled the experience of a head of an agency who wanted to embark on an international trip and was mischievously misled by the agency that his estacode was $900 instead of the approved $600.

    Owasanoye said but for circumspection and refusal by the head of the agency, he would have walked into a booby-trap of official abuse culminating in corruption.

    state government is trying, it is not enough,” he said.

  • Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker in the Yobe State House of Assembly, Lawan Musa Majakura, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ceremony which took place at the official residence of Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Government House saw the Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly, Chiroma Buba Mashio, the Deputy Speaker Yau Daachia and other lawmakers accompanied their colleague for the event.

    Buni praised the dedication of the member to serving his constituency, emphasizing the importance of politics as a means of providing effective service to the people.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with Majakura’s commitment and the notable politicians who accompanied him, indicating widespread acceptance within credible political circles.

    Majakura explained that his decision to leave the PDP for the APC was motivated by the commendable efforts of Buni’s administration in bringing transformative infrastructure to his constituency.

    He specifically highlighted the construction of roads, housing estates, and medical facilities that have positively impacted local communities.

    He said:  “I want to join hands with you and support you in serving my constituency to improve the lives of my people. I am convinced that we can achieve more if I am on the same page with you in the APC; it will benefit the people of my constituency better.”

    Read Also: Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    Speaker Mashio lauded Majakura’s outstanding commitment to representing the interests of his constituents.

    “This defection is as an advantage to the APC and the government of Yobe State. I am  optimistic  about the positive impact Majakura’s move would have on the party and the state’s governance landscape,” he said.

    The Nation  reported that Majakura, a 28 year old former volunteer primary school teacher defeated the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly Mohammed Mirwa in the March 18 House of Assembly election to represented Nguru II Constituency at the State House of Assembly on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

    Though the former Speaker had challenged the victory of Majakura at the tribunal, he could not get his prayers as the tribunal ruled against his petition declaring Majakura as being validly elected and returned as member of Nguru II constituency.

    With the defection of Majak ura to the APC, only Sadiq Yahaya representing Bade Central State Constituency is now left in the opposition PDP out of the 23 members in the House.

  • Taraba Assembly reduces local govt tenure to two years

    Taraba Assembly reduces local govt tenure to two years

    Ahead of Saturday Local Government elections in Taraba, the state House of Assembly has hastily amended the Taraba State Local Government Law to reduce the tenure of elected officials from three years to two years.

    The Chairman House Committee on Information, Nelson Len, while reacting to questions about the close door session conducted by the House some days ago, said the new law would be binding on the new local government officials that would emerge on Saturday.

    He said: “The Law is simple. It talks about the local government elections and the tenure of the elected officials of the local government. It was an amendment from three years to two years.We needed to amend it to a new one so that it can be binding on those that would be elected.”

    On why the sitting was done under close door, the lawmaker said it was due to the strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which paralyzed activities.

    He added that due process was followed towards the passage of the Law in the open chamber.

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    “We had our normal sitting two days ago and it is just our constitutional duties we went to perform. We had a serious business which concerns state matters. Just because we needed time to go through those bills, we went to the House earlier than usual. That was what transpired, there was nothing extraordinary.

    “We had bills that were already laid before the House and we needed to consider those bills to make sure that we passed them so that they can be assented to. As I speak to you we had our sitting today and we took the third reading of one of those bills and it has been passed into law. We are waiting for the governor so that he can give assent to the bill. It is a bill for Local Government administration tenure. You are aware that the local government elections are around the corner and for such a bill to be pending, it would jeopardize the good intentions of the governor. That is why we had to give ourselves enough time to see how we can pass that bill,” he said.