The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • AbdulRazaq restates support for SMEs as Muslimapreneur hosts 2nd Trade Affair

    AbdulRazaq restates support for SMEs as Muslimapreneur hosts 2nd Trade Affair

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday restated the administration’s resolve to strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and make the environment more conducive for businesses to thrive.

    The Governor spoke in Ilorin at the official opening of the second edition of the Muslimah Entrepreneurs Trade Affair, where a variety of locally made products and services are being displayed for patronage.

    The programme, which was organised by the Muslimaprenuer Forum,  has started attracting buyers from nooks and crannies of the state.

    “As you have seen so far, this administration has been supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the entire business community, and we will continue to do that. On our own, we have a lot of programmes coming up next year for women entrepreneurs and youths who are in the tech space, SMEs and so on,” he said  while declaring open the Trade Affair.

    AbdulRazaq, who was represented at the event by  Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf, said they would not have been able to come together for a trade exhibition if the government had not made the environment conducive for businesses to flourish.

    He hailed their entrepreneurship spirit to market Kwara-made products for Nigeria and the world at large, urging the residents to troop out and patronize them.

    “To be honest, we are very proud of Muslimah Entrepreneurs. They have come through, and have been able to market for each other. Honestly, they have the entrepreneurship spirit. And I have even seen a lot of products here that are made in Kwara for Nigeria. And I think they have a very big potential.

    “I implore everybody to patronize them. I like how they are focused on natural products. I have seen some products that have NAFDAC numbers already, which are good for the body system. I can see that they are very focused on what they do. This, I believe, has been encouraged by the government which created an avenue for ease of doing business in the state,” he added.

    Co-convener of the Trade Affair and CEO Baytu Tejmeel, Hajia Fatimah Saliu Adejumoke, in her remarks, said they came up with the second edition of the Affair to create ease and comfort for people, who she said are currently hit by inflated prices of goods and services in the markets.

    She said at least forty vendors are participating in the exhibition, and that their goods and services are cheap and affordable.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    “It has not been easy putting this together. We, as a profit making organization, came together to make this happen. We have seen that things are a bit on the high side in the markets. So, we want to try our best and make it easier for our customers and co-vendors,” she said, asking kwara residents to come out en masse for this opportunity.

    “We have over forty vendors exhibiting here, and they all came with discounts and affordable goods services for everybody in Kwara state”.

    Adejumoke said Muslimaprenuer Forum is open for partnership and has been working towards that, adding that they have offered such interest to some governmental agencies and relevant stakeholders.

    “This is the second affair we are having. And we thank God Almighty. So far we have some turn up and we are very hopeful more people will come.

    “We are open to collaboration with governmental agencies. This is an entrepreneurship platform. We are expecting them. We have gone to KWACCIMA (Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture) and several offices to achieve that,” she said.

  • APC’ll win Nov 11 Gov poll with wide margin, Bello assures

    APC’ll win Nov 11 Gov poll with wide margin, Bello assures

    Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has assured supporters that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the November 11 governorship election with a wide margin on the back of achievements of his administration.

    Bello gave the assurances in Lokoja, on Thursday, when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Mustapha, who was on a collaboration visit to the Kogi State Governor towards a peaceful election in the state.

    The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, stressed that he would work within the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in achieving a violence-free election, noting that his administration had made security topmost priority since assumption of office.

    “Having done well in all sectors of the economy of the State, particularly in security, we’re very optimistic that it will encourage our people to turn out en masse and exercise their civic duty.

    “Our outstanding achievements, which are visible, will speak and work for us, with the greatest of assurances that we will win overwhelmingly. We will cooperate with the Armed Forces in ensuring a peaceful election and also provide a level playing field for all contenders and for the people to turn out en masse to vote.

    “Kogi people are peaceful. We have, since the coming of our administration, made security of lives and properties a priority. We want to assure our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of stability, peace before, during and after the Governorship election.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    “We also want to applaud the CDS for measures he has put in place for a peaceful election in the State,” the Governor stated.

    He commended President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Defence Staff for the significant reduction in crimes in the North West and South East since the coming of the present administration.

     Mustapha assured that the Armed Forces would be fully on ground towards ensuring a peaceful, violence free and credible election in Kogi State.

    He described the State as very strategic and important to the country, saying this was the reason the President was very particular about a peaceful election in the state and assured of maximum security to enable people to exercise their civic responsibilities.

    “The Armed Forces are here for the people of the State. I urge the people to turn out en masse to vote. The Armed Forces are concerned about ensuring a free and fair election for citizens to enjoy democracy. I therefore want to encourage eligible voters to come out and vote,” he said.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, however, warned that men of the Armed Forces who display unprofessional Conduct will be punished, while calling on members of the public to report any case of misconduct to the Military.

  • Call Kogi SDP gov candidate to order, lawyers, activists tell President, security chiefs

    Call Kogi SDP gov candidate to order, lawyers, activists tell President, security chiefs

    Lawyers, activists lambast Muritala Ajaka for allegedly trying to compromise security agencies for sinister motives

    Scores of lawyers and activists have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant authorities to caution desperate politicians blackmailing security agencies for selfish and sinister motives. 

    They specifically said the Social Democratic Party(SDP) and its governorship candidate in Kogi State should be particularly called to order. 

    The activists, under the aegis of Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, who have been in the struggle against bad governance for over 16 years, called on security chiefs to caution and deal appropriately with politicians that have continued to drag security agencies into the dirty arena of politics through unwarranted and incessant blackmail with which they hope to compromise them. 

    The good governance Activists, numbering about 500 across Nigeria, and represented by stakeholders from the geopolitical zones at a press conference in Abuja, said this must be done as a matter of priority to ensure violence and crisis-free elections, especially in Kogi State. 

    They specifically accused the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Muritala Yakubu of deliberately blackmailing the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, to prevent them from carrying out their constitutional assignments of ensuring security of lives and property and preventing criminal activities from festering. 

    According to them, they had raised the same alarm in July, this year, when the trend first reared its ugly head. 

    Co-Convener, Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, Comrade Mohammed Sanni, who addressed the press, referred to a recent press release by the SDP, in which the party passed a vote of no confidence in the security agencies in the state, while alleging that they were planning to arrest some of their members. 

    According to him, the SDP Candidate is the only candidate that has had a running battle with every Police Commissioner posted to the Kogi State and should be thoroughly investigated. 

    He said: “We consider as unfortunate and irresponsible the Press Release authored by the Social Democratic Party a few days ago, which amounted to blackmailing the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, for carrying out their constitutional assignments of providing security for politicians and the electorate alike. 

    “In the said Press Release, the SDP claimed to have passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Police and DSS in the state and called for their removal. The Party alleged that the security agencies were planning to arrest some of their people. If those people have committed crimes worth investigating, why would they not be invited or arrested as the case warrants?” 

    The Activists added: “You will recall that the state’s Police Commissioner recently issued a statement saying that all invitations extended to Mr Muritala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the SDP, either for peace meetings with other candidates or to respond to several allegations of violent conduct against him and his supporters were not honored by the candidate. 

    “It is given that, except you have constitutional immunity,  ignoring Police invitation is criminal in nature. Nobody is above the law and,  certainly, Mr Ajaka has no constitutional immunity and cannot be treating our security agencies with disdain while still trying to blackmail them from performing their lawful duties. 

    “We have nothing against him and his Party. But the idea of acting as if above the law is not only unacceptable but totally condemnable. There are 18 political Parties participating in the Kogi election and no one candidate should be allowed to hold the state to ransom for his own selfish political ambition. 

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    “Out of these 18 candidates, it appears to us that it is only Mr Ajaka who has been having troubles with security agents across board. You have refused to honour Police invitations but now turn around to accuse the Police and DSS of partiality. If they were to be partial, once you have ignored their invitations, they would have just declared you wanted and get you arrested. 

    “For whatever reasons, they haven’t done that but you have decided to embark on campaign of blackmail against them. This is dangerous because it can incite the citizens against security agencies and lead to avoidable anarchy that will ultimately jeopardize the election in its entirety which seems to be the dark goal of these desperate politicians. 

    “We reiterate our support for the Police and DSS for the good works of securing Kogi State and we urge them to remain unperturbed and focused on ensuring that we have a peaceful election on November 11 by checkmating whoever poses a threat to the upcoming election.” 

    “We urge them never to succumb to cheap blackmail but to continue doing their jobs professionally and patriotically.”

  • Jibrin to supporters: disregard judgment rumour

    Jibrin to supporters: disregard judgment rumour

    Senator Isah Jibrin  (Kogi East) has denied claims that he emerged victorious in his appeal. He described such rumours as ‘false and calculated work of desperate opponents’ to circumvent the judicial process and mislead the public.

    The Kogi East Senatorial Election Tribunal in September sacked Jibrin and ordered a rerun in 94 polling units following a petition by Dr Victor Adoji, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party on irregularities in the last general election.

    The Senator had said he disagreed with the judgement and decided  to appeal the outcome at the Appeal Court.

    In a statement by his media office, Jibrin affirmed his commitment  to due process of law while awaiting the unbiased and respected judgment of the court on the scheduled date.

    The representative of  Kogi East Senatorial District urged the public to disregard the falsehoods, adding that they  are nothing but the fabrications of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as politicians.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our attention that baseless and malicious rumors are circulating, suggesting that Senator Isah Jibrin representing Kogi East Senatorial District has emerged victorious in his appeal. These claims are entirely false and are the calculated work of desperate opponents aiming to disrupt the judicial process and mislead the public.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Tribunal verdict: Don’t use religion to incite tension, Jibrin warns

    of the court on the scheduled date.

    “We strongly advise the public to disregard these deceptive falsehoods. They are nothing but the fabrications of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as politicians. Senator Isah Jibrin  is not engaged in any desperate actions and categorically denies any attempt to preempt or interfere with the court’s decision.

    “The senator upholds the rule of law and holds utmost respect for the judiciary. Any premature claims suggesting otherwise are unequivocally untrue and should be treated as such.

    “We appreciate your understanding and urge everyone to await the official, legitimate judgment from the appellate court.

    “As for the peddler of this satanic rumour, for whatever intent, either in mockery or otherwise, posterity shall stand in verdict for us.”

  • ‘Tinubu’s vote of confidence on CoS blessing for youths’

    ‘Tinubu’s vote of confidence on CoS blessing for youths’

    The immediate past Senior Special Assistant on Youth Matters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, has described the vote of confidence passed on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamilla, is “a blessing to Nigerian youths.”

    He said  Gbajabiamila is the face of  youths in the country’s leadership.

    Alli-Balogun said this while speaking with reporters in Abuja  on Wednesday.

    He said: “The Chief of Staff has shown that he loves the youth of this country.

    “Don’t forget that as Majority Leader, Gbajabiamilla supported the ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’ when it was passed.

    “As Speaker House of Representatives,  the bill for the Students’ Loan Act was passed and He single-handedly sponsored the bill for An Act to Amend the Constitution for the inclusion of young persons and persons with disabilities in appointments, and others that directly impact youth development.

    “As Chief of Staff, he has championed the course of the youths, and looking at the cabinet of His Excellency,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the large number of youths in the administration says a lot about his love for them.”

    Read Also: UPDATED: Be ready to perform or you leave us, Tinubu warns ministers

    While condemning those who sponsored unfounded allegations against the Chief of Staff, Alli-Balogun emphasized that security agencies should go after the purveyors of fake news.

    “I understand that there is a bill against fake news. I urge relevant security agencies to take it seriously and go after those that are sitting in their rooms to write damaging news on key stakeholders in the polity,” he said.

    Alli-Balogun, who has worked with the Chief of Staff for several years, insisted that Gbajabiamila is a man of integrity.

    “My boss, the Chief of Staff, is a man with proven integrity. I can vouch for him anywhere. Those who are spreading the rumor don’t know who Gbajabiamila is.   He will never do anything to tarnish his name and integrity.”

    Alli-Balogun urged Nigerian youths to believe in the government of President Bola Tinubu, saying the country will witness rapid development under him.

  • Pensioners beg Tinubu for intervention over 36 months areas

    Pensioners beg Tinubu for intervention over 36 months areas

    Pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over the non-payment of their 36 months pension arrears.

    Spokesman of the group, Mr. Kunle Ojo, in a statement said, while the pensioners are grateful to President Tinubu for his continuous effort to pay the monthly pension yet the outstanding emoluments was yet to be paid.

    According to Ojo, after their appeal last year October, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered their outstanding pension to be paid but that nothing has been done over the issue since then.

    “We thank Mr President for his kind gesture. It shows his deep love for the pioneer builders of the Nigerian project. Yet we are sad to let you know that only a meagre fraction of what we are owed was released.

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    “As it stands, we are still being owed 36 months, which the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the behest of the Ministry of Finance, promised to clear early this year. The challenges are getting tougher by the day more especially that the year is coming to an end.

    “However, up until now, we are yet to receive any joyful news on this very significant balance of 36 months owed us. In the light of this, seeing and having felt the empathetic strength of your government with a listening ear, we appeal once again that you come to our aid using your exalted office to intervene in this settlement of our remaining 36 months arrears as we all are in dire need.

    “As we write, many have died and many decrepit, resulting from the tough challenges that have remained unattended as a result of this deprivation of our arrears,” Ojo said.

  • Humanitarian group seeks action on child marriage

    Humanitarian group seeks action on child marriage

    • Says Nigeria has 23 million child-brides

    An international humanitarian group, Save the Children International( SCI) has called on the Federal Government to put measures in place to address the rising cases of child marriage.

    In a report titled “Budgeting to End Child Marriage in Nigeria” launched by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye at a Girls led conference organised by SCI in Abuja, the organisation said that there are about 23 million child-brides in the country.

    Read Also: AU set to fight child marriage

    The report showed that Northern Nigeria, recorded the highest number of child-brides, as 48 per cent of women are married before age 15, while 78 per cent are married before age 18.

    The report also showed that adequate funding was required at all levels of government to effectively and sustainably curb the menace that endangers the future of the girl-child.

  • UNICEF, Jigawa, disburse N500m for RUTF

    UNICEF, Jigawa, disburse N500m for RUTF

    Jigawa Executive Council has approved the disbursement of N250 million counterpart grant for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to fight acute child malnutrition.

    The state Chief Nutrition Officer, Mr Saidu Umar, made this known at a news conference in Dutse yesterday..

    He said UNICEF had also approved its counterpart fund of N250 million for the procurement of necessary commodities for the RUTF.

    The official said that under the agreement, UNICEF would facilitate and supervise the process of the procurement of the RUTF and equally assist in its management and distribution to various Centres for Management of Accurate Malnutrition (CMAM).

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    He added that no fewer than 10,000 children currently suffering from acute malnutriton in the state would benefit from the support.

    Umar said that in addition to the RUTF, the state was also supporting various programmes to enhance maternal and child nutrition.

    The Chairman, Jigawa Coalition of Civil Societies on Nutrition (JICCON), Mr Shuaibu Musa, said that the fund approval was timely, which would hopefully save many lives.

    “Already, all the 67 CMAM centres in the state are out of stock, now, our hope is rekindled. RUTF will soon be available for malnourished children,” he added.

  • Fed Govt to prepare for population upsurge

    Fed Govt to prepare for population upsurge

    The Federal Government said it intends to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of population.

    It said adequate preparations would be through effective urban planning, management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks.

    The government said urban dwellers now account for more than 50 per cent of the population and are expected to increase to 60 per cent by 2030.

    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains the cardinal focus.

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    Dangiwa said this in Abuja at the commemoration of 2023 World Habitat Day/World Cities Day.

    He said: “The Federal Government is paying very thoughtful attention to the issues and challenges of urbanization. The issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains our cardinal focus and we solicit collaborations from our development partners and other stakeholders.

    “It is a phenomenon that can be harnessed to enhance economic productivity, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability. Urban dwellers now account for more than 50 per cent of our population and are expected to increase to 60 per cent by the year 2030.

    “It is our duty therefore to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of population in our towns and cities through effective urban planning and management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks.”

  • Shettima seeks U.S govt’sassistance on food security

    Shettima seeks U.S govt’sassistance on food security

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has sought the assistance of the United States Government on President Bola Tinubu administration’s food security agenda.

    Shettima made the request when he met with Mr Cary Fowler, U.S Special Envoy for Global Food Security, as part of his schedules in the United States of America.

    The vice president also identified key areas where Nigeria would require urgent support to overcome challenges in the agricultural sector.

    ”We seek the support of the United States Government, be it technical or otherwise, towards addressing challenges in our agricultural sector. Mechanisation is absolutely essential, good quality seeds, fertilization, improved agricultural practices, smart agriculture, these are the solutions we seek.

    ”Because the whole mantra is on increase in yield, it is about improving productivity. It goes beyond the acreage that is used for production. So, I am here surrounded by other stakeholders who have all the figures, facts and knowledge to make this partnership easy and smooth sailing.”

    Shettima assured the U.S Special Envoy for Global Food Security of the readiness of the Tinubu administration to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve agricultural productivity across the Africa.

    Read Also: Shettima: Farm centres in 774 councils to take off soon

    He said Nigeria would sustain existing relationships with partners in the agricultural sector, adding the country would nurture the alliance.

    ”On the crop side, we are extremely concerned about climate change and its effect on Africa. So, this programme that we have with the AU and FAO is focused on Africa.”

    He disclosed that the programme would look at indigenous African crops that have long suffered from massive underinvestment.

    “We have established a multi-donor trust fund at the IFAD to provide long term funding for the programme and the USAID is also involved. The US government has allocated 100 million dollars to the programme,” he said.

    He, however, emphasised that stakeholders need to work in a collaborative way with countries like Nigeria.