The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has lamented the number of out-of-school children in the state which he put at 680,000 currently.

    Noting that the figure is alarming and unacceptable, Governor Sani urged all stakeholders to support the government to help reverse the trend for the state to make meaningful progress in the fight against insecurity, illiteracy and building a better future.

    The governor was speaking during a meeting with senior citizens and elders from Kaduna State yesterday to brief them on the activities of his administration so far.

    Read Also: Reps to return 14m out-of-school kids to classroom

    He said that his administration has embarked on the construction of over sixty-two new secondary schools through a $28 million Kuwait fund to address the classroom deficit in Kaduna State.

    Governor Sani also highlighted the current challenges of insecurity in the state and the urgent need for all hands to be on deck.

    While commending the governor for his open-door policy, the elders resolved to collaborate with the government on policy, security, development and other pertinent matters concerning the state.

  • Tinubu committed to restoration of security in Northeast, says Shettima

    Tinubu committed to restoration of security in Northeast, says Shettima

    • From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

    Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday in Abuja assured that President Bola Tinubu would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the restoration of total security in the North East.

    Shettima gave the assurance when the board and management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) presented the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) to him at the Presidential Villa.

    He implored the commission to prioritise investments in legacy projects, including agriculture, education and smart transportation also referred to as electric transport vehicles and tricycles.

    The vice president also urged the commission to be prudent with its resources and invest in projects that will have a lasting impact on the region.

    ”I will ask the board and management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to embark on legacy projects; projects that will stand the test of time. It is absolutely essential that you invest in agriculture, invest in new transport technology – electric tricycles and vehicles. If you invest in smart transportation it will have a sea change and you can even attract climate funding,” he said.

    Shettima, who pledged unalloyed support for the commission to actualise all of its objectives, urged its board and management to unite as a team and do what was right for the people.

    He acknowledged numerous challenges confronting the people of the region, noting that they could be surmounted if the people and leaders work together.

    Read Also: Certificate saga: Gov Eno, A’Ibom PDP denies backing Atiku against Tinubu

    Shettima, however, expressed optimism that the region could overcome its challenges if there was a will.

    According to him, government cannot manage poverty, it has to fight it.

    The vice president emphasised the need for the commission to embark on projects that would further engage the youths and create jobs.

    Shettima noted that although sharing of palliatives was good, the commission must invest in education, agriculture and electric vehicles which, according to him, are key areas for development.

    Chairman of the NEDC board, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa, said the purpose of the visit and presentation of the master plan was to highlight the importance of the document and to ensure its implementation.

    Also, the commission’s Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said the master plan was in fulfilment of section 8 (1) (c) of the NEDC Act.

    The act stipulates that the commission shall develop a master plan based on the needs assessment of the zone.

  • AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara Sugar Film Factory takes shape

    AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara Sugar Film Factory takes shape

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday inspected the trendy sugar film factory, one of the administration’s iconic projects which seeks to refocus the state’s economy for job creation, youth empowerment, and improved standard of living.

    Designed to make Kwara a major hub in the last mile movie production and creative industry in west Africa, the facility earned its name from the nostalgic Tate and Lyle Sugar Factory which collapsed in the 1990s, in what underscored the Governor’s rich sense of history. 

    The project is one of those being funded from the bond the state accessed in 2021.

    In a brief interview with reporters at the project site, AbdulRazaq noted that the contents of Nollywood are increasingly dominating the world but that efforts must be geared towards improving production quality for them to compete with Hollywood and Bollywood.

    “Our huge investment in the creative industry is to expand the economic base of the state and deepen the creative industry. That’s the way to go. Everyone sees our state as a civil service state. We want to change that. We want to make this state a destination for high-quality movie production,” he told journalists shortly after he was conducted round the facility by Project Manager Kamaldeen Abolarin.

    “It is about thinking outside the box. You’ve seen how Nigeria’s music has dominated the world. You’ve seen how Nollywood has dominated the world. It is important for Nollywood to move from what some may call videos to cinematography. It is about expanding the quality of what we produce. So that Nigerian movies can feature more on the international scene. We have very rich contents, but we need to invest in the quality of our production. Our facility offers this.

    “Gradually, we are getting there. You’ve seen our films on Netflix and other global platforms but we want more of our films there. What India has done is to improve the quality of films, that’s what we want to offer here in Kwara.”

    He expressed satisfaction at the progress of work done, hoping that the contractor will deliver it for operation in the next few months.

    “So far, so good. I am impressed. More equipment are coming in. Very soon, we will start film production in the state, and people will be coming in from outside the state to do the last-mile production of their movies in the state. And that means a great boost to the economy,” he added. 

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq joins Kwara Maulid celebration

    “We are open to partnerships, and we, of course, invite film producers and others in the creative industry to work with us.”

    The facility, which is the first phase, has been furnished to taste as contractors commence installation of different high-tech gadgets and world-class sound stages and studios. 

    The film factory, specifically, is equipped with cyclorama studio; 2 TV production studios; large independent film production studio; Green Rooms; makeup facilities; training rooms; photography studios; co-working offices; buildings suites; and large canteen.

    Like the innovation hub, international conference centre, industrial park, garment factory, and others, the sugar film factory is carefully linked with the visual arts centre whose components include a Dolby-fitted studio, indicating an emerging local economy built around creative industry, innovation, and enterprise, and dominated by young people. 

  • Wike to partner Israel on food security in Abuja

    Wike to partner Israel on food security in Abuja

    Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, said the ministry would partner with Israeli experts in developing technology-backed farms to promote agriculture and food production in Abuja.

    The minister said such collaboration was needed to create massive employment for the youths as well as address food insecurity.

    Wike stated this when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, in Abuja.

    The minister also stated that the administration has initiated plans to develop a technology village and would welcome collaboration with credible individuals and organisations.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    He informed the ambassador that the administration’s efforts towards improving revenue generation were responsible for the recent directive on the payment of ground rate.

    According to him, the policy was not meant to embarrass any person or organization.

    Freeman said if his country’s initiative is accepted, notable Israeli experts would come in to help in many ways.

    He added that Israeli was prepared to establish digital centre in the nation’s capital, where youths and other interested people can acquire relevant technological skills for digital economy.

  • Demolition: APC will restore sanity to Kano, Ganduje tells business community

    Demolition: APC will restore sanity to Kano, Ganduje tells business community

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday assured the business community that sanity would return to Kano state politics when the party takes over the state.

    Speaking on the backdrop of the sufferings inflicted on the people in the state following the demolition of properties and business ventures by the Abba Yusuf-led New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    Ganduje, who was the immediate governor of the state, expressed this optimism when he hosted youth leaders of various markets in Kano State in his office at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    The chairman of the market leaders, Alhaji Umar Ladiyo, lamented the untold hardship the business community in the state now faced in the last four months following the destruction of properties, business centres and hostile NNPP-led government policies, adding that many business ventures have crashed and sent many businessmen and women into bankruptcy.

    Commiserating with the business community, Ganduje assured them that under the incoming APC government sanity and business will be restored.

    He said: “It is unfortunate for the other issue that you raised. The issue of senseless demolition was unfortunate.  That was very unfortunate. They destroyed the economy of Kano. They destroyed the business and trading in Kano.

    “Many people are now sceptical about going to Kano for business. Even banks don’t accept certificates of occupancy, because they are not sure whether the certificate will be revoked tomorrow. Or even when you build, it will be demolished.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    “You can see the extent of demolition of businesses in Kano. It is very unfortunate. But I have to congratulate you for taking the right steps. People who lost their properties in Kano have taken the issue to court. And the court has already started giving verdicts for compensation. It is just a starting point for people who take them to court. The answer to Kano politics is for the return of APC and we are pursuing that.”

    Ladiyo said the business community in the state was happy at the September 20 judgement of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sacked the NNPP-led administration following the establishment of irregularities in the conduct of the March governorship election.

    He said: “With the outgoing government in Kano, everybody knows what happened was a tragedy. The destruction of properties, businesses and many people that have been thrown into crises. Some even lost their lives.

     “The amount of money lost in Kano during the destruction was huge. The turnover that is being done is more than 2 billion naira every day. Sadly, we have lost all that now.”

    The market leader then reminded the APC governorship candidate in the state, Nasiru Gawuna of the promises he made to reallocate properties to the victims of the NNPP administration destruction.

    “We are happy, during the trial at the tribunal, the APC candidate promised that when the APC government comes, all properties destroyed will be reallocated and some people will be helped with some token to start up their businesses. So many people have been thrown into debt and some have even lost their lives.

  • Mutfwang assures citizens of fairness

    Mutfwang assures citizens of fairness

    Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness and justice for all residents, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

    The governor stated this yesterday while receiving the findings of the Committee on Review of Employment at the New Government House, Jos.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, Governor Mutfwang reiterated that Plateau State belongs to all its indigenes, emphasizing that discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation will not be tolerated.

    He noted that the committee had meticulously assessed employment processes across various Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure fairness, equity, and justice and found out lack of due process, irregularities, and the absence of involvement by the Civil Service Commission in some of the employment exercises conducted by the previous administration.

    Mutfwang expressed concern about youth unemployment in the state and vowed to address it in adherence to civil service rules.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    He emphasized the need for due process in all government activities and stressed the importance of rectifying past irregularities.

    “We must adhere to due process in carrying out government activities. From the reports, many MDAs did not follow due process, and we will ensure the right thing is done,” he affirmed.

    Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Ishaya Agaldu, highlighted several issues identified during the committee’s assessment, including rushed employment processes, sharing of employment slots, improper allocation of slots to political parties, traditional leaders, and religious bodies, as well as irregular payments to staff without proper authorization.

    ess.

  • Barau gives N20k each to 870 students

    Barau gives N20k each to 870 students

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, yesterday, commenced the donation of N20,000 to each of the 870 students of the Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK).

    The students were selected from Kano North Senatorial District, where the lawmaker represents.

    Speaking during the distribution of the money at the university’s premises, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Prof Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi, said the gesture was to support students from his constituency.

    He said the exercise started in August with 628 students of the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    According to him, it would be extended to all students from Kano North Senatorial District in all tertiary institutions in the country.

    “Each of the students will receive N20,000 courtesy of Senator Barau and every student from Kano North who is studying in Nigeria will benefit from it. We started in August with the students of BUK and today we are in YUMSUK for the second phase,” he said.

    He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the gesture and study hard for them to excel in their academic pursuits.

    A beneficiary, Ummussalam Haruna Yusuf, a level 300 student thanked Jibrin.

    “The biggest challenge we are facing now is transportation and the food to eat while at school. This gesture from our Senator will assist us in this regard,” She said.

  • Pupils educated on climate change

    Pupils educated on climate change

    Pupils of Junior Secondary School (JSS), Gwagwalada, Abuja, have called on citizens and the government to protect the environment against climate change.

    The students, who are climate change advocates, noted that there was a need for the Federal Government to enact a law to prohibit indiscriminate felling of trees.

    One of the pupils, Iduh Rejoice, who is a member of the Child Rights Advocacy Club, (CRAC) put together by Humanitarian organisation, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, urged the government to enforce a law to stop improper disposal of refuse and other practise that negatively impact the environment including demolition of houses blocking water ways.

    During a visit to the school, the CRAC held a panel discussion about the impact of climate change on children’s nutrition and well-being on the topic “Climate Change Impact on Nutrition, Health and Well-being.”

    Another climate change advocate and pupil of JSS, Gwagwalada, Amen Magaji, said: “Why we are advocating for tree planting as part of major measures that would mitigate impact of climate change on our environment.

    “We in JSS Gwagwalada are set to plant trees here and also in our premises where we live. The essence of tree planting is to reduce the impact of storms and winds affecting roofs of our school buildings. Some of our classroom blocks were damaged as a result of storms and winds occasioned by climate change.”

    Also, a member of CRAC, JSS, Gwagwalada, Chukwuemeka Destiny, said: “We call on philanthropists, Government and individuals to take it upon themselves to ensure more trees are planted across the country and also schools should form alliances to plant trees.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    “We in JSS Gwagwalada have been planting trees to reduce the impact of climate change in order to safeguard our school buildings from the impact of storms.”

    The Principal, JSS, Gwagwalada, Florence Okonkwo, commended Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria for coming up with topical issues that affected children, women and the environment.

    She said: “I listened to the presentation of the students and you can see that they are adequately and properly informed. These are the leaders of tomorrow so it is going to influence the decisions they’re going to be taking about the environment.”

    The Advocacy and Campaign Officer, Save the Children International, Nigeria, Sharon Obijiofo said: “Climate change has been evident in the continent through the rise of temperature; more frequent extreme weather, variable rainfall, rise in sea level and flooding, drought and desertification, land degradation; affected freshwater resources and loss of biodiversity, among others.”

    The duration and intensities of rainfall have increased, producing large runoffs and flooding in many places in Nigeria.”

  • Ajaka, SDP can’t escape justice, says Kogi APC

    Ajaka, SDP can’t escape justice, says Kogi APC

    The Kogi State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has reiterated its call on security agencies to bring the killers of a female APC supporter to book while also calling the attention of the public to what it described as the latest lies that had been concocted by the Social Democratic Party on the matter. 

    The Council said, after being exposed by the Police, and after the APC Campaign’s Conference on Monday, it was not out of place for the SDP candidate to defend himself with all manner of lies. 

    The Director, Media and Publicity/Spokesman of the Campaign, Kingsley Fanwo, however, said the SDP has chosen the wrong platform to do that, showing  the tactless, lackluster approach of the ill-prepared and desperate candidate.

    Fanwo said: “It is natural that killers get confused after killing because of the sacred nature of human life. We can understand Muritala Yakubu Ajaka’s confusion and delusion right now. But he must pay for his sins.”

    He said, after causing the death of an innocent woman with his alleged political brigandage, that he could still “heartlessly mock the dead with his lies is unfortunate.” 

    Fanwo stated: “We reported to the Police and other security agencies. And we have reported to the world and given a graphic narrative of how the SDP thugs killed a member of our party. 

    “Thankfully, the Police have released their preliminary reports and the SDP candidate should honour the invitation of security agencies to explain why his thugs killed the innocent Kotonkarfe woman and left the entire community mourning. 

    “While explaining the blood on his hands, he can as well give evidence of his recent claims to the Police and other law enforcement agencies. 

    Read Also: Demolition: APC will restore sanity to Kano, Ganduje tells business community

    “It is natural that killers get confused after killing because of the sacred nature of human life. We can understand Muritala Yakubu Ajaka’s confusion and delusion right now. But he must pay for his sins. 

    “His macabre dance on the grave of an innocent woman won’t save him. He has murdered sleep and has a date with the rule of law. We won’t glorify him with any serious response. 

    “Kogites now know him better and they know who is arming thugs and giving them uniforms.

    “After killing a soul with his political brigandage, that he could still heartlessly mock the dead with his lies is unfortunate. Our member won’t die in vain.”

  • Polytechnic workers demand living wage

    Polytechnic workers demand living wage

    The  Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics has demanded a living wage in line with an earlier agreement it reached with the Federal Government.

    The Union made the demand during its sixth quadrennial National Delegate Conference in Abuja.

    In a communique at the end of the conference, its National President, Adebanjo Ogunsipe and Acting National Secretary, Emmanuel Enyiegor, lamented the hardship of its members as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    According to the union, the attendant consequences on the well-being of the worker had continued to be tough.

    “In the same vein, it demanded for a wage award for all workers in the country, as a temporary measure to cushion the negative effects of recent government policies ameliorate the harsh economic realities in the country,” the communique said.

    The union resolved to identify with every decision reached by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in their decision to go on an indefinite industrial action to press home its demands.

    It noted that there was a strong need for labour unions “to unite and collaborate now, more than ever, to save the soul of Nigeria for the good of the majority of Nigerians and the recovery of the labour space in the polity”.

    The union also said there was a need to challenge the Federal Government to re-address the objectives of polytechnic education as a driver for technological development of the country.

    Read Also: Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic debunks reported insecurity

    “In the same vein, it charges workers in the polytechnic sub-sector to delve into innovative research and make inventions in technologies that make life more convenient and bearable for the average Nigerian,” the communique said.

    It charged the relevant authorities to make sincere attempt to understudy the alternatives proposed by labour unions, such as the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) -powered ones, the resuscitation of our refineries, the adoption of modular refineries amongst other suggested interventionist options.

    “Council was of the opinion that this would give an assurance of government sincerity of purpose and a confirmation of its genuine resolve to holistically address the situation,” the communique added.