The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Kaduna communities track $2.8m earmarked for 47 projects

    Kaduna communities track $2.8m earmarked for 47 projects

    Community members in Kaduna State have  tracked N9,397,800,000.00 (USD 2.8 million) earmarked for 47 projects across the state.

    The communities, through Connected Development’s Deepening Citizens’ Interest in Government Spending and Addressing Accompanying Corrupt Practices in Kaduna State (DeSPAAC) project began tracking most of the projects that were  abandoned since 2021.

    Leveraging on the FollowTheMoney Model, the DeSPAAC project promotes transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and to ensure that government spending directly translated into meaningful development in Kaduna State.

    Founder and Chief Executive Connected Development (CODE) Hamzat Lawal, who made this known said the project funded by MacArthur Foundation has been a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact a committed group of individuals can achieve in their communities.

    He added: “Since the project’s inception in 2021, we have made significant strides, tracking an impressive NGN 9,397,800,000.00 (USD 2.8 million) across 47 projects, directly reaching 30 communities with a total population of approximately 990,000 people from the three senatorial zones in Kaduna State. These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent lives touched, needs met, and a shared commitment to a better future.

    “During our journey, we encountered a common challenge-projects nominated by legislators often did not align with the actual needs of their constituents. In response, we developed the ‘constituency nomination and monitoring tool.’ This model has allowed constituents to actively participate in the project selection process, thus ensuring that the projects truly address their needs. It has also enabled legislators to exercise more effective oversight functions over the projects.

    “The impact of our collective efforts is best reflected in the tangible improvements experienced by communities. In Chikaji, Sabon Gari, Zaria, a community without a Primary Health Center (PHC) and forced to share one with a neighboring community, now has a fully functional PHC warth N50,000,000.00. Jn Sabon Gari, a classroom block valued at N12,500,000.00 now stands, providing much-needed educational infrastructure..

    Read Also: Senate seeks redeployment of Customs chiefs from Katsina, Kaduna, Idiroko area commands

    “Another significant transformation has taken place in Pala, Ikara local government area, where a previously under-equipped Primary Health Center now boasts access to over 80 medical equipment items. This includes hospital beds, mattresses, examination couches, syringes, needles, forceps jars, weighing scales, and diagnostic sets, greatly improving the community’s access to quality healthcare.

    “Our approach, the Constituency Nomination and Monitoring Tool, has empowered constituents to play a more active role in project selection and implementation. We have brought legislators and their constituents together, fostering collaboration, transparency, and accountability in the governance process.”

    He also said the DeSPAAC project is just the beginning. We must continue to build on these foundations, actively engaging citizens, legislators, and government representatives in a united effort to strengthen the ties that bind us. Now,”permit me to say that we all have a responsibility to ensure that the resources dedicated to various constituencies result in meaningful development, are equitably distributed, and efficiently managed.

    The Member representing Igabi Federal constituency in Kaduna state, Hon. Hussaini Jallo said as members representing the people in various constituencies, the 360 members of the House of Representatives are committed to the development of their constituencies in the areas of infrastructural developments, be it roads, electricity, education, health, water, security and so on.

  • ASUU wants IDPs return home

    ASUU wants IDPs return home

    The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, has expressed concerns over the plight of Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs), urging government and authorities concern to ensure their return to their various homes to enable them live a normal life.

    Speaking at the kick-off of the distribution of relief materials to Kasuwar Daji community of 250 IDPs camp in Sokoto, Osodeke represented by Professor Sunday Ighalo, said the plight of the IDPs was pathetic noting that return to their various homes would enable them pick up with life and engage in something meaningful to contribute their own quota.

    “The government and relevant authorities as well people of goodwill should come together and do what is necessary by giving the basic care and comfort to the displaced persons who have lost their means of livelihood and property to attacks and violence,” he appealed.

    He commended the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Branch (UDUS) Branch of the union for the gesture.

    Read Also: Reps to interface with govt, ASUU over withheld salaries

    The  of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) donated the items as part of its humanitarian gesture to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility to the society.

    The relief materials included Rice, Beans, Salt, Cooking Oil and seasoning.

    The UDUS Branch Chairman, Prof Muhammad Al-Mustapha, said the exercise in Sokoto was part of the Northwest Zone initiative across Katsina, Zamfara Kebbi and Sokoto states branches.

    According to Al-Mustapha, the union has earmarked N50 million for the distribution, adding that each member of the union were taxed N2000 for the period of six months to provide the relief materials.

    He said the union had intensified efforts towards driving responsive sensitization to influence the government on the urgent need to focus more on IDPs as well provide security for them to be secured back in their homes.

  • Alia seeks 30 per cent mineral resource derivation

    Alia seeks 30 per cent mineral resource derivation

    Benue state government said it would will make a case to be considered for 13 per cent derivative given to states with mineral deposits from the federation account.

    Governor Hyacinth Alia made this known at Government House, Makurdi when he received reports on illegal Mining, illegal Logging, and illegal Road Blocks from the Joint Taskforce on the three illicit activities.

    Governor Alia said in spite of the huge mineral deposits, Benue state was yet to gain federal attention and included in the revenue sharing formula, rather some economic saboteurs were taking undue advantage of that lack of recognition to defraud the people of their economic endowment.

    Read Also: Ajagba defeats Australia’s Goodall as Efemoney performs at World Boxing Council’s fight In US

    He expressed certainty that the reports of the task force would not only provide opportunity for government to change the ugly narrative and check activities of the economic saboteurs but would also provide the state with a road map to access the untapped economic potential for the benefit of all citizens.

    The governor thanked the three committees for their due diligence to the terms of references given to them in record time, promising that their reports would be carefully studied with a  view to implementing the recommendations.

    Coordinator of the three committees, Retired Colonel, Fidelis Chileh, reemphasized the need for the federal government to consider Benue for the 13 per cent derivatives and called for urgent recruitment and equipment of forest guards  to protect biodiversity.

  • Trafficking: NAPTIP trains principals, school counsellors on red flags

    Trafficking: NAPTIP trains principals, school counsellors on red flags

    Principals and school counsellors in secondary schools around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  have been trained  National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)  on the red flags to watch  out for when dealing with possible trafficked students and those experiencing domestic and sexual based violence.

    The agency’s Director General  Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi said a similar training that was held last year yielded a lot results in reportage from schools within the year and the agency is considering making such trainings a yearly occurrence.

    The DG said this  in Abuja at a two days interactive sessions for principals, counsellors and teachers of secondary schools in the FCT in the red flags to look out for in students.

    She said that most students enrolled in Public secondary schools in the FCT are house helps or living with someone other than their parents and can be victims of labour trafficking.

    She added:”Well, what we hope to achieve is to enhance  the capacity of teachers, principals and counsellors and opening their eyes to these issues making them understand that issues of violence against persons with human trafficking happens in and outside school, how they can recognise red flags and also knowing what the referral pathways are and also the reporting channels.

    “Last year we did the first training, which was the first in I think, seven or eight years and we got very positive feedback from everyone. And we also saw the feedback in a number of reportage that we were beginning to see from schools and we made a management decision that this is a capacity building, we will hold every year,

    “And when we talk about human trafficking, it takes different forms. Most times when you ask people what do you do about human trafficking the first thing they do tell you is that human trafficking is prostitution, which is wrong. Human trafficking is not just prostitution or just sexual exploitation.

    “Human trafficking is also labour exploitation, domestic servitude, when you go and carry somebody’s child, keep the person in your house and be treating the person as a slave or when somebody is working for you and you pay their money to someone else or when people are trafficked for their organs to be removed, or when people find themselves in the slavery of slavery, like activities, for instance, when somebody works for you, out of 24 hours, that person works for 20 hours or 28 hours a day. “That in itself is slavery or way you use children to do work they are not supposed to do that, in itself, is human trafficking. So we know that issues of violence against persons or human trafficking happens in and outside schools, So it is your responsibility to understand what these issues are to recognise the red flags, not only recognise the red flag, teachers should look out for children that come to school looking haggard, that have nothing to eat when others are eating or sleeping in class.

    Read Also: Anambra cleric involved in illegal adoption of 20 kids handed over to NAPTIP

    “Because we know that most of all these governments schools are filled with children that work as house helps in other peoples homes.

    “NAPTIP has been establishing what we call trafficking in persons and violence against persons vanguard in secondary schools across Nigeria and as at today we’ve established this vanguards in 88 federal government unity schools, command secondary schools, government schools and a few weeks ago at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) school for the deaf, the vanguard is a platform for young children to educate themselves in not just issues of human trafficking, violence against persons but also on bullying whether online or offline, cultism in schools and also other vices.”

  • Abuja inferno: No life was lost, says FEMA DG

    Abuja inferno: No life was lost, says FEMA DG

    Acting Director General, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Sabo, has said no life was lost in the fire that gutted Samsung Office at Banex junction, Wuse 2 in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Workers at the ‘Samsung Plaza’ were thrown into confusion on Monday night following the inferno.

    They were joined by passersby in their efforts to salvage what they could.

    In a statement issued yesterday, Sabo said the fire started in the store room of the two-storey building at 7:30pm.

    The FEMA boss, who visited the scene of the inferno, said FCT Fire Service control room was activated at 7:38pm and arrived on the scene of the incident at 7:43pm.

    He said the firemen were, however, prevented from accessing the office by hoodlums.

  • Army kills bandits, arrests others

    Army kills bandits, arrests others

    Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV, in a coordinated operations from October 29 to November 5 killed suspected bandits and arrested 19 suspects in connection with kidnapping, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, armed robbery, farm destruction and theft. They recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.

    Read Also: Army mobilises for peaceful elections in Bayelsa

    “On October 29, based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected drug dealers, Obinna Nwafor and Fatai Lawal at Kujiya Market, Bukuru in Jos South Local Government of Plateau State. During the arrest, troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle. The suspects are being profiled for further action. Similarly, on October 30, troops of Sector 7 OPSH arrested a suspected kidnapper, Bawa Ahmad, at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State and recovered one locally fabricated rifle with cartridges in his possession.

  • Kano to spend N40b on road, healthcare projects

    Kano to spend N40b on road, healthcare projects

    Kano State Government has approved over N40 billion for road infrastructure, healthcare and other physical projects in the state.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Baba Halilu-Dantiye, yesterday said the State Executive Council (SEC), during its eighth meeting, approved the release of the funds to facilitate execution of the projects.

    It was gathered Kano SEC has approved N15.974 billion to the state Ministry of Works and Housing for construction of Dan Agundi interchange underpass and flyover, and N14.455 billion for the construction of Tal’udu Interchange flyover.

    According to him, N3.360 billion has been approved to the ministry for the upward review of rates for construction of covered sewage conduit/road along Jakara-Kwarin Gogau River.

    “The sum of N1,579,755,966 has been approved for the construction of Kofar Waika – Unguwar Dabai – Yan Kuje Western bypass road in Gwale Local Government Area,” he said.

    Read Also: Kano Pillars FC apologises to fans over loss to Sporting Lagos

    Dantiye said the council also approved N1.350 billion for construction of Unguwa Uku ‘Yan Awaki -Limawa junction road in Tarauni LGA, and N820 million for the completion of Kanye – Kabo -Dugabau road in Kabo LGA.

    The approval included N802.695 million for the completion and dualisation of Kofar Dawanau -Dandinshe – Kwanar Madugu raod phase ll; and N458.443 million for re-award of contract to facilitate construction of reinforced concrete pedestrian bridges at various locations across the state.

    He added that N420 million has been approved for the rehabilitation of metropolitan street and traffic lights.

    The Information Commissioner said the SEC approved N200 million settlement of outstanding payment in respect for rehabilitation of Kwanar Kwankwaso road in Madobi LGA, and N107.6 million for renovation works at Reformatory Institute Kiru.

  • Guber poll: Igala Vanguard urges Tinubu to remove Navy commander Akalieze from Kogi

    Guber poll: Igala Vanguard urges Tinubu to remove Navy commander Akalieze from Kogi

    Ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial off-cycle election in Kogi, the Igala Vanguard has urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly reassign Navy Commander Charles Akalieze and his special task force within the state.

    Akalezie was accused of orchestrating actions detrimental to the well-being of the people of Kogi.

    The group’s demand was expressed in an official statement signed by Lawrence Ankpa and shared with the press in Lokoja on Tuesday, November 7.

    Ankpa alleged that in the early hour of Tuesday, political associates of Governor Yahaya Bello, operating under the command of Navy Commander Akalezie and his Special Boat Service (SBS) personnel, forcefully entered the residence of Sheikh Jibrin Usman, who is the Director General of the Muritala Ajaka campaign organization for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Anyigba.

    He said: “A confrontation with the police guarding Sheikh Jibrin’s residence ensued, and it was alleged that at least five innocent individuals, including some police officers were killed by SBS team.

    Read Also: Edo gains support for heritage policy at validation workshop

    “His group took away several young individuals from Sheikh Jibrin’s residence, who were reportedly seen being led into the bush, stripped of their clothing, along the Okabo-Anyigba road shortly after leaving the scene.

    “The primary concern raised by the Igala Vanguard is not solely the executive recklessness of Governor Yahaya Bello but also the involvement of Nigerian Navy forces, and Commander Akalezie, in particular, in political criminal activities orchestrated by the governor.

    “Astute observers of Kogi’s political landscape are aware of a recurring pattern, wherein Governor Yahaya Bello has allegedly employed Commander Akalezie and his SBS troops to intimidate and eliminate political opponents, many of whom are labeled as criminals and terrorists.

    “To comprehend the full extent of this situation, it is vital to revisit how the Nigerian Navy Special Forces became entangled with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

    “The SBS forces were originally deployed to Kogi State in 2020 after the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of the former Chief, General Burutai (RTD), withdrew all Army troops from internal security duties.

    “This withdrawal aimed to strengthen efforts in the war against insurgency and banditry in the North East and North West regions.”

    Ankpa noted that over time, Commander Akalezie and his troops found themselves integrated into Governor Yahaya Bello’s personal security detail.

    “The presence of naval SBS troops accompanying Yahaya Bello’s official and unofficial convoys raised concerns among vigilant Nigerians, who quickly questioned this deviation from standard procedure.

    “Nigerians and, specifically, the people of Kogi East are now demanding a comprehensive explanation for the involvement of Navy Commander Akalezie with Governor Yahaya Bello.

    “Failure to provide such an explanation should result in his immediate removal from his position, as a matter of urgency.

    “The world is closely monitoring the events leading up to the off-season gubernatorial elections in Nigeria, with particular focus on Kogi State.

    “Those involved in politically motivated extrajudicial murders and arson in Kogi State will not evade justice. Not even Governor Yahaya Bello, who will soon transition to an ordinary citizen, will escape accountability for the crimes committed during his tenure.”

  • Ahmadu Ahmadu: Profile of a Technocrat

    Ahmadu Ahmadu: Profile of a Technocrat

    Ahmadu Fidi Ahmadu is not an ordinary man. He is an accomplished manager of diverse human and material resources.

    As a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with over 22 years cognitive experience, he is presently the Director and CEO, Waarith Consulting Limited, a marine cargo handling company for maritime and international oil companies (IOCs).

    It is on record that among other things, Waarith Consulting Limited is involved with the stevedore/cargo handling services for the 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) Dangote Refinery, Lekki, Lagos; ENI’s Brass Export Terminal, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State; and the Lagos Deep Offshore (LADOL), Apapa, Lagos.

    Besides being alumni of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State with a degree in Business Administration and Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) with a certificate in Global Management, the Taraba State born maritime expert is an alumnus of the Lloyd’s Maritime Institute with a certificate and an Advanced Diploma in Port and Terminal Management.

    He is an IDP-C (INSEAD Certified Director) with a Certificate and an Advance Certificate in Corporate Governance both from INSEAD besides an Advance Certificate in Negotiation from INSEAD. As alumni of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) with a Board Director Diploma, he also has a Diploma with Distinction in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) from the Corporate Governance Institute.

    Ahmadu is not only a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) but also a member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD). In addition, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Nigeria (CIPM).

    As a licensed human resource professional, Ahmadu is also a member of the Corporate Governance Institute.
    In the same vein, he is a Fellow of several key institutions in Nigeria and overseas. These include the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), Institute of Management Consultants Nigeria (IMCN), Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development Nigeria (CPSP), and the Institute of Professional Entrepreneurs and Strategic Administrators of Nigeria.

    He is also a member of several key bodies in the management and business world. They include Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), and the International Association of Marine and Shipping Professionals (IAMSP).

    Apart from being a senior associate of the Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RMAN), he is a two-time Board Member of the Nigerian Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation representing North-Eastern Nigeria (2017-2021 and 2021-2025) and a trustee of the Monguno and Bridgewater Green Foundation on Climate Change and Desert Encroachment.

    Similarly, Ahmadu has gathered cognate experience from far and near including working in organisations that impact positively on the citizenry. As an experienced manager with over 22 years of responsibility across the industry and communicating with governments at all levels with the ability to implement business strategies at local and global levels, the technocrat stated that his greatest strengths is his humility and passion in whatever he does.

    Read Also: Ilado Akoko Kingdom crowns Atmos Integrated MD Ahmadu Otunba Bamgbade

    Among other places he has exhibited his skills and experience as a technocrat, it is on record that while Ahmadu was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of African Circle Pollution Management Limited, a company with a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract with the Federal Government, he spear headed the installation of marine pollution facilities at the nation’s seaports situated in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Warri Ports.

    The global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom, makes it mandatory for member nations to have these facilities in line with the relevant provisions of its conventions.

    In the execution of this contract which lasted over two decades, the company worked with DV Howells of Milford Haven Pembrokeshire as its technical partners.

    It is not work, work, work for Ahmadu as he enjoys playing chess and watching war documentaries in his spare time.

  • WHO, others lament tobacco industry interference in Nigeria

    WHO, others lament tobacco industry interference in Nigeria

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other stakeholders have bemoaned what they called the high incidences of tobacco industry interference in Nigeria and on the continent, saying more should be done to protect public health policies from commercial and vested interests.
    Referencing data from the latest Africa Tobacco Industry Interference Index, they noted that Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania show the most deterioration in scores this year, from their 2021 scores.
    They spoke at a virtual news conference organised by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) ahead of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC – the global tobacco treaty) in Panama, scheduled for this month in Panama.
    Panellists included World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Legal Officer, Sabina Lacazzi; Deputy Campaigns Director, Corporate Accountability (USA), Keltie Vance; Executive Director, Consumer Information Network (Kenya), Samuel O’Chieng and Executive Director, Vision for Alternative Development (Ghana), Labram Musah.

    Others were Tobacco Industry Denormalization Program Officer, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Philippines), Irene Reyes; CEO of PROESA – Research Center on Health Economics and Social Protection (Colombia), Norman Maldonado; and Founding Managing Editor, CNS (India), Shobha Shukla.

    They provided background on the global tobacco treaty, its pivotal role in saving lives, and the tobacco industry’s tactics to try to undermine it.

    In his presentation, O’Chieng highlighted tobacco firms’ romance with the government and people of Nigeria and Ghana, especially through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    “In May 2021, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture praised BATNF, describing the relationship between the state and the foundation as ‘always a fruitful one’,” O’Chieng said.

    He referenced this, among others, as an example of why Nigeria scored so poorly on the 2023 Africa Tobacco Industry Interference Index launched on October 18, 2023.

    Read Also: Learn to leak your wounds, APC counsels Obi

    The report puts Nigeria at number 12 out of the 18 worst and best-performing African countries towards tobacco control. With 60 points, Nigeria was just ahead of the bottom six – South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania and Cameroun.

    The Index was produced by the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) and the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC).

    The WHO FCTC emphasised the warning that tobacco consumption remains a threat to life and human well-being.

    WHO FCTC Secretary Lacazzi said over eight million lives are lost yearly to tobacco, comprising seven million to the use of tobacco products and 1.3 million to exposure to tobacco smoke.

    She emphasised the importance of the global tobacco treaty, noting that there were efforts by vested interests to stop the treaty.

    “The interference by the tobacco group and individuals that further the tobacco interest has been reported by the parties as the single most important barrier in implementing the treaties, so it is really something we have to keep in mind so we can counter the effort by the tobacco industry.”