The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Gov Alia has no problem with SGF, says CPS

    Gov Alia has no problem with SGF, says CPS

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Sir Kulas Tersoo said his principal Governor Hyacinth has no problem with the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

    Tersoo stated that the speculation was from the opposition camp.

    He said there is nothing of such as Governor Alia and Senator Akume enjoy the best of relationship.

    “There exists no bad blood between Governor Alia and the SGF. The governor has at different fora, and most recently during a victory parade organised for him by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, declared that the SGF remains the leader of the party in the state and that there is no issue between them as being speculated by people who don’t mean well for the state.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    He quoted the governor as saying: “jealous elements, especially, the opposition who are waiting to see a fight between us should be ashamed of themselves. I am working hand in hand with my leader, Sen. George Akume”.

    “The governor regards the SGF as a respected leader of the party not just in the state, but the North Central and therefore, will no longer continue to keep quiet as some opportunistic elements desperately seek to pitch them against each other for their inordinate pecuniary gain.

    “The opposition elements trying to foist a crack among the party’s leaders in the state by sponsoring malicious and vexatious press conferences should desist forthwith, as the Governor and the SGF’s relationship goes way back and will continue to wax stronger,” Tersoo said.

  • Kano to distribute 387,000 bags of food items

    Kano to distribute 387,000 bags of food items

    The Kano State Government said it plans to distribute 387,000 bags of food to vulnerable people in the second phase of palliative sharing to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

    Governor Abba Yusuf said this at the launch of the second phase of palliatives distribution in Kano yesterday.

    Yusuf said the gesture was to reduce the prevailing hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy on the people.

    He said that the government also plans to distribute 2, 600 livestocks including goats, sheep and rams to women toward boosting the economy of the state.

    The governor said that each ward out of the 484 wards in the state would receive 400 of 10 kg bags of rice and maize cross the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    “The gesture will alleviate the sufferings of the people and also fight against hunger in the state. You may recall that 30 days ago, we started the distribution of palliative to vulnerable in the state and we distributed over 50,000 bags of rice and maize. I have already directed that all members of the distribution committee should not benefits from the gesture, adequate arrangement have been made for upward distribution of palliative to the junior civil servants, security and all relevant stakeholders,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly yesterday at the Committee of the Whole

    passed the N58 billion supplementary budget submitted by Governor Yusuf.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    Speaking after passing the budget, the Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini, said that the budget would enable the state government to execute developmental projects.

    Hussaini said the budget would help administration to achieve its development target and appreciated his colleagues for their contributions toward its speedy passage.

    He said  the passage of the supplementary budget had raised the 2023 budget of the state to N326 billion.

    He said that the House would monitor the implementation of the budget through effective oversight to ensure that funds allocated to project were judiciously used.

    Similarly, the House also presented a commendation letter and cash reward of N1.5 million to a tricycle rider Malam Auwalu Danbaba who returned about N10 million forgotten by a passenger in his tricycle.

    Receiving the money, Danbaba thanked the lawmakers for the gesture.

  • NUT suspends strike following Wike’s intervention

    NUT suspends strike following Wike’s intervention

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory Wing has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following intervention of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    The Chairmen of the union, Mr Stephen Knabayi, confirmed the suspension in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

    Knabayi said that the strike was suspended from October 2, to November 13 to implement commitments by the Chairmen of the six Area Councils and the FCT minister.

    Knabayi explained that the strike was suspended after an agreement was reached between the striking teachers and the Chairmen of the six Area Councils following the intervention of the minister.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    He added that a 6-man committee was also set up and inaugurated to find a lasting solution to the issues.

    “We reconsidered our stand and suspended the strike following the intervention of the minister of the FCT. We proceeded on strike over seven issues. Five of them, we have an agreement for their implementation with effect from October.

    “The other two issues – peculiar allowances and payment of minimum wage arrears -, the minister has agreed to intervene with an agreement for their implementation in four weeks. So, we suspended the strike for six weeks to enable the minister to take action and see to the implementation of the commitments,” he said.

  • Kefas applauded for reinstatement sacked teachers

    Kefas applauded for reinstatement sacked teachers

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State wing, have applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for reinstating 16 teachers who were 18 months ago, sacked by the immediate past governor, Darius Ishaku.

    The union also commended the governor for the prompt payment of 18 months salary arrears of the reinstated teachers, stating that the governor’s action has proven to the people on his readiness to improve the education sector in the state.

    The Chairman, NUT Taraba State wing, Comrade Nathan Solomon, while speaking with journalists in Jalingo said the union remain grateful to the governor on his quest to boost the state’s education sector.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    He called on the governor to pay the teachers five months salary arrears been owned by the immediate past administration, urging Governor Kefas to prevail on the Taraba State Primary Board to remit the union’s check-up dues which have been held for over two years.

    “We have been running our union without remittance of check-up dues for over two years, the dues have been withheld by the State Primary Board, we are pleading with the governor to intervene in the matter,” Solomon stated.

    The Nation learnt that the 16 teachers were sacked by the immediate past administration for opposing an alleged government-imposed candidate during the last NUT election. Consequently, the failure of the said candidate at the elections led to a division in the NUT.

  • Guber poll: Tinubu, APC governors storm Kogi, ask electorate to vote trusted leaders

    Guber poll: Tinubu, APC governors storm Kogi, ask electorate to vote trusted leaders

    The people of Kogi state have been asked to provide the opportunity for the consolidation of the outstanding dividends of democracy that have been visibly provided by the All Progressives Congress in the state, by voting for the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in the November 11 governorship election.

    The national campaign Council for the Kogi state governorship election urged Kogites not to vote for strangers whose stock-in-trade was propaganda but to sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi state by voting en masse for the APC.

    Members of the national campaign council gave the charge at the official flag-off of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress governorship campaign and the official presentation of the flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in Lokoja, on Sunday, October 8.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, expressed the optimism that the APC would win the November 11 governorship election resoundingly, assuring the people of Kogi state that they were about to vote in a man with the intellectual capacity to consolidate on the many achievements of his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello.

    He said the President had just approved funds for the construction of Ganaja Road, adding that the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene Road and Kabba-Ilorin Road would also receive the Federal Government’s attention very soon.

    The VP said: “For us to build on the legacy and for the purpose of continuity and consolidation, it becomes imperative for the people of Kogi State to align themselves with the power at the centre.

    “President Tinubu is a man of courage and conviction, he is a man pregnant with ideas on how to reposition the nation, but Kogi, which is one of the frontiers of the North, Kogi, the Confluence State, cannot afford to have a state government that does not belong to the power at the centre.

    Read Also: God created diversity to make the World exciting, says Obasanjo

    “For the people of Kogi State to benefit immensely from the eight-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the people of Kogi State to benefit from the natural resources, it is absolutely essential that we should vote for a much more patriotic person who is grounded with the reality in Kogi State.

    “Most important to the people of Kogi State is the Ajaokuta Steel Company that is the largest steel industry in the country. The President appointed a son of Kogi State from one of the prominent families in the state, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, to be the Minister of Steel Development. Fundamentally, he was given the appointment to promote, protect and preserve the interest of the people of Kogi State to see to the realisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which of course, is 98 percent completed.

    “The Ajaokuta steel company will help the Federal Government to fulfill the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu’s administration with respect to job creation, huge investment and revenue generation.

    “Ajaokuta steel company has the potential to generate over 500,000 jobs once Ajaokuta is designated as an industrial zone.

    “The youth want jobs, better education, and a good life. You are better off if you follow the man who knows the road, therefore give your votes to APC, give your votes to Usman Ahmed Ododo. This is a young man who can deliver the desired dividend of democracy to you.”

    Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, insisted that APC was the only party in the State and urged the people not to make the mistake of not consolidating on visible gains, ensuring the continuity of good governance and aligning with the party in the centre.

    He said, “I urge you to vote for consolidation by voting for the APC Governorship Candidate to enable him to build on security, infrastructure, education, and several other visible achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.

    “The APC will sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State. Don’t vote for strangers. Get your PVC and vote for the APC. In Kogi State, we have only one party and that is the APC.”

    Governor Abiodun used the opportunity to welcome the thousands of defectors from opposition parties, who had just declared on Sunday for the APC, saying they had taken the best decision to stay with the winning train in the interest of the state’s sustained development.

    The defectors were from the People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, Accord Party, and the African Democratic Congress, among others.

    The Campaign Council Chairman maintained that, with the massive defection into the APC from the opposition political parties, it was clear that Ododo would emerge victorious.

    The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, called for the unity of APC members in the coming Governorship election and urged the people of the state to shun ethnicity, stressing that what everyone should look forward to is the victory party for the APC.

    “Without mincing words. The only party in Kogi is the APC. We have all it takes to mobilise massively for the APC Governorship Candidate.

    I’m looking forward to a victory party because we parade the best candidate who has uniting the people as his priority. Let’s shun tribalism and ethnicity,” Ganduje stated.

    Governor Yahaya Bello said he thanked God that he had been able to place the State on the path of sustained development.

    “Within the period of service to the people of the State, I have built and improved infrastructure, and security, and recently made education in the state free at all levels in public, primary, and secondary schools. I’m proud to state that we are leaving Kogi State better than we met it for those that will govern after us,” he said.

    “Without exaggeration, APC will win the November 11 Governorship election, landslide. This is because our work, achievements and our party will speak for us. Kogi is APC and APC is Kogi State,” he added.

    In his remarks, the Governorship Candidate, Ododo, promised to build on the outstanding achievements of Governor Bello, assuring the people that, if elected, their welfare would be his administration’s priority.

    “I’m promising more youth and women inclusiveness in governance. My agenda for the State is the Kogi Agenda. I will not disappoint our leader and father, President Bola Tinubu; I will not disappoint my mentor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; I will not disappoint our party and I will not disappoint the good people of Kogi State. We will consolidate on the achievements of my leader in the state and strive towards continuity and sustainability in the areas of security, education, agriculture, and improved infrastructure, amongst several areas the APC administration has made a mark,” he said.

    He concluded that his mandate would be for the overall development of the State, stressing the improvement in the achievements of Governor Bello and in the wellbeing of his people as his priority.

    The Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja, one of the sterling achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, could not contain the crowd that struggled to witness the historic inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and presentation of the flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo.

    As early as 9 am, supporters, clad in different uniforms to distinguish their groups, as well as stakeholders from all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, trooped along the streets towards the Civic Centre in a way that suggested that a huge carnival was about to take place in the Confluence State.

  • Illegal mining activities going on in Benue communities, — Task Force chair

    Illegal mining activities going on in Benue communities, — Task Force chair

    The chairman of Benue State Tax Force on Illegal Mining,  Engr. ( Dr) Comfort Akwanya Adadu, said a lot of illegal mining activities are being carried out in Benue communities.

    Worried by the activities of illegal miners, Governor Hyacinth Alia, had on assumption of office, set up a task force to work out a framework to sanitise the sector.

    Briefing newsmen, the chairman of the task force, Dr. Adadu said Benue has huge mineral deposits across the 23 local government areas that are presently in the hands of illegal miners.

    She said there was a need for license to be issued to companies or individuals who wants to carry out mining activities, so that the state can generate revenue.

    Read Also: Illegal mining: Foreign operators sponsoring banditry would be dealt with – Alake

    “Presently, there are no guidelines for mining, as even under-age children from Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs are involved in digging a huge pit in the name of mining, which poses danger to their health.”

    She stated that if the activities of miners are regulated, the government could generate huge revenue from solid minerals which are in almost every local government area in the state.

    “There is also a need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and implementation of corporate social responsibility with the host community at the mining site, so that they have a sense of belonging.

    Benue is the 6th state in the North Central with solid minerals and there is need for the government to position the sector to create employment and alleviate poverty, as well as stop urban migration by youths.

    Secretary of the task force, Hon. Andrew Kputu, and Legal Adviser, Barrister Denen Kwen, in separate comments, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for the bold steps he has taken to re-position the sector.

  • Kogi 2023: Ex-federal lawmaker, others, dump PDP for APC

    Kogi 2023: Ex-federal lawmaker, others, dump PDP for APC

    The Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) got a boost to its build-up towards the State governorship election following the defection of Alhaji Ismail Inah, a former federal lawmaker, into the party from the PDP on Friday.

    A statement in Lokoja on Saturday by APC Campaign Council spokesperson, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said Inah and his supporters were received by Kogi APC chairman, Abdullahi Bello, in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of the state.

    Inah, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Idah Federal Constituency in Kogi, was on Friday dressed and decorated with APC robes by Bello as a sign that he had fully pitched tent with the party.

    The defecting ex-lawmaker, popularly known as Soul Lover, attributed his defection to the desire to contribute to the development of Kogi and the country as a whole.

    He said the APC led government under Gov. Yahaya Bello had instituted unity, security and overall development of the state, hence his decision to support the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, for consolidation.

    Impressed by his admission into the party and witnessed by a crowd, the Kogi East political heavyweight vowed to mobilise massively for his new party and ensure APC’s overwhelming victory in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

    Read Also: Flood looms in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, six others as Lagdo dam releases water

    Welcoming Inah and his supporters, the Kogi Commissioner for Transportation, Baron Okwoli, hailed him and his team for their decision to join the APC and assured that they would work together to ensure victory for the party.

    Deputy Governorship candidate, Mr Joel Oyibo, expressed joy for the high turnout of supporters that received the former lawmaker.

    He assured the people of Igalamela-Odolu and the entire state that the governorship candidate, Ododo, when elected, would consolidate on the unity, security and infrastructure development instituted by Gov. Yahaya Bello.

    The state’s party Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, welcomed the former lawmaker and his supporters.

    Bello predicted victory for APC in Igalamela-Odolu and urged the new members to remain steadfast and committed to party functions, with a promise of equal opportunities alongside old party members.

  • Society for Family Health trains 150 in Niger

    Society for Family Health trains 150 in Niger

    In an effort to empower women and improve access to family planning services, Society for Family Health (SFH) has trained 150 healthcare workers and community mobilisers on promoting and strengthening the uptake of self care contraceptives in Niger State.

    100 family planning providers were trained in 81 facilities while 50 community mobilisers were trained across 10 local government areas of the state. The Behavioural Change Communication (SBC) officer for SFH DISC, Nufin’allah Al-hamdu who disclosed this to our reporter said the DISC project aims to shift the health system to a more patient-centered approach, with individuals taking charge of their own healthcare.

    He added that the DISC project is under the sexual and reproductive health sphere with focus on contraception and family planning.

    Read Also: Save life, don’t wait for police report, stakeholders charge healthcare practitioners

    “The whole essence of self-care is to ensure women have more autonomy over their sexual and reproductive health, allowing them to decide when they want to get pregnant. By providing access to self-injecting contraceptives, we aim to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the strain on healthcare facilities, and improve women’s overall reproductive health.

    “Under the DISC project, healthcare providers in 81 facilities across ten local government areas in Niger State have been trained and mentored to deliver self-care contraceptive services. Concurrently, community mobilisers have been empowered to advocate for contraceptives and refer interested individuals to healthcare facilities.

    He highlighted the advantages of self-injection to include decongestion of healthcare facilities, reduced waiting times for patients, cost savings on transportation, and a decreased workload for healthcare providers; while it offers the women privacy and convenience, addressing the stigma associated with contraceptive use.

    “The small size of the syringe used for self-injection also helps alleviate fear and anxiety,” Al-hamdu said.

  • We are not against Nigerian govt, says El-Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement

    We are not against Nigerian govt, says El-Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement

    Leader of the Islamic Movement in Kwara State, Shiekh Abdullahi Berende, said the group is not against the Nigerian government.

    Rather, he pointed out that the movement is against the application of the country’s constitution, adding that the constitution “is not healthy.”

    Sheikh Berende stated this in Ilorin at a unity week organised by the movement.

    The theme of the event is “Peaceful coexistence panacea to peace and progress.”

    The religious leader added that the movement led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was one of the most vilified religious groups in Nigeria.

    He hinted that Sheikh El-Zakzaky’s love for Nigeria is unequalled, adding that “no Nigerian loves the country more that the leader of the Islamic Movement.”

    To substantiate this, he revealed that El-Zakzaky has scores of pastors and Christian leaders as friends.

    Read Also: CAN, Islamic council endorse Diri, deputy for second term

    Said he: “Despite this vilification and persecution, the movement has been going about its affairs in an orderly and peaceful manner.

    “We are not against Nigeria as a nation. Nigerians as a people are not our enemies. Nigerian government is not our enemy. We are not against President Bola Tinubu.

    “What we are opposed to is the application of the Nigerian constitution. The laws should have human face. The constitution, as it is, cannot do anything good for the nation.

    “Government has over the years, pitched adherents of both Christianity and Islam against one another to cheat the people.

    “Nigerians are highly religious people but are very much ungodly.”

    He opined that the division and disunity between Muslim and Christian leaders are the causes of crisis and tension in the world.  

  • SON confiscates expired products in Minna

    SON confiscates expired products in Minna

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has seized products worth over N5 million in shops across Minna metropolis in Niger State.

    The State Coordinator of Niger 1, Hajiya Hauwa Nuhu Yusuf, who led the team, said several of the products seized had expired for over seven years and were being sold by some of the traders.

    The expired products seized include tea, chocolate drinks, juices, yogurt, biscuits, coffee, margarine, milk, bathing soaps, bath gels, body and face creams, cosmetics, packaged powdered beans, and maize amongst others.

    “We also went to some sachet water industries and seized their water filters and pipes, which were overgrown with algae. We could not allow the manufacturers to continue to use them to filter water for the public to consume. We also seized some stickers of a reputable product from a manufacturer who intends to use the stickers on his products.

    Read Also: Abiodun doles out N55m in scholarship to indigent students in memory of late son

    “It is worrisome that the Nigerian market is still flooded with expired, uncertified, unregistered and substandard products regularly used by undiscerning citizens. Most of these products that are being seized have expired for as long as seven years and are still in circulation in the market. These products are dangerous to consume and who knows who has been consuming them?” Yusuf said.

    She disclosed that the products were seized within the past week, adding that SON has stepped up its compliance action to ensure that the market is sanitised and every product that is not up to standard or expired would not be found in the market.

    SON’s director, North Central region, Sale Babaji, called on members of the public to always inform the organisation about any suspected expired or unregistered product, to help them apprehend those involved and destroy the product.