The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Sule approves renovation of NUJ Press centre

    Sule approves renovation of NUJ Press centre

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has approved the renovation of the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ibrahim Agbolo stated this yesterday during a visit to the NUJ Press Centre in Lafia.

      According to the commissioner, “The renovation will cover the total upgrading of the structure and installation of the state of the art facilities at the centre to make it a modern building”.

    On the essence of the visit, Agbolo said it was aimed at familiarising with the leadership of the union and other critical stakeholders in the information sector to strengthen the existing partnership.

    “This is my first official assignment outside the ministry and I have decided to start with the union because of how important journalists are to us.

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    “We are going to work with you and other critical stakeholders to propagate the things that the state government has been doing across the state.

    “You know, Gov. Abdullahi Sule has done a lot and is still doing much in different sectors of the economy to better the lives of the citizens,” the commissioner added.

    Agbolo further said the governor has invested a lot in security, infrastructures, agriculture, education, youths and women empowerment, and human capital development among others.

    Responding, NUJ Chairman in the state  Comrade Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, commended the commissioner and his team for the visit and recognition.He said the gesture by the governor would never be forgotten by the entirety of journalists in the state.

    Mohammed-Alkali, however, assured the commissioner that journalists would continue to do their work devoid of sentiment.

    “NUJ will collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders to propagate its activities with a view to making the state better,” the chairman added.

    The commissioner was accompanied during the visit by Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mr. Yusuf Musa, and other directors.

  • Over N25b spent on failed mass transit scheme in 10 years

    Over N25b spent on failed mass transit scheme in 10 years

    Over N25 billion was spent by previous governments in the last  10 years on failed mass transit schemes, it was learnt.

    Chairman, Adhoc Committee on Mass Transit,  Afam Ogene, during a fact-finding visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Abuja.

    Ogene, lamenting the failed scheme, said there was a need to look beyond the road and rail transport sector, stating that the waterways have great potential.

    According to him, Nigeria has about 3,800 kilometres of navigable waterways which have great tourism potential and could boost the movement of persons and goods when utilised.

    He also said there was a need to regulate the ferry transport system to reduce cases of boat mishaps and other incidents witnessed across the country.

      On the purpose of the visit, he said: “We were asked to investigate why previous mass transit schemes failed and proffer solutions for a more sustainable and affordable means of transportation in Nigeria. In our findings, we discovered that previous governments have simply thrown money at the problem in the form of purchase of vehicles which are given to some operators.

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    “In some cases, the vehicles are given as political patronage, and in some cases, the vehicles procured do not have spare parts for the operators to keep the business going. So, you see these schemes fall apart after barely six months.

    “A whole lot of funds are out there; the last scheme which took off in 2010, the government put in N10billion and in 2012, another N15billion was invested in the project and the infrastructure bank that was mandated to manage the scheme is still chasing beneficiaries for the repayment. As much as over N14billion is still outstanding.

    “So, as a committee, we have decided to look beyond the road and rail sector because in a country with about 10,000km of waterways and 3800km are navigable, I see no reason why we are not able to have efficient water transportation across the country.”

    He continued: “We feel NIWA should be a critical beneficiary of any further mass transit scheme in terms of either regulating ferry services. We often hear of boat accidents but I think a well-regulated ferry transportation will boost tourism beyond the movement of people.

    “People will like to travel by water once everything is in place. I also hear there is no traffic snare on the water and with our roads becoming bad, I think water transportation is a good alternative to develop.”

    Managing Director, NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, said if the water channels are opened, 28 out of the 36 states of the country can be accessed by water.

      He said if the waterways get the attention they deserve, the country would save lots of its resources and also reduce the burden on the road infrastructure.

    He also said there was a need to embark on capital dredging which would attract investors.

    Moghalu said: “There is every need for us to open up our waterways so that we can move persons and cargoes by water because our road infrastructure is not designed to carry the weight they carry. The earlier we move the burden from the road to the water, the earlier we will save the road infrastructure, and resources and use it for something else.’’

    On opening of channels, he said: “There is a need to open up the channels. In NIWA, we dredge the waterways but there is a need for capital dredging. It was done sometime in 2014 and we need to do it again but the resources to do it are enormous.

    “We are engaging private partners to try to get it done instead of waiting on the government because if we do it, it will open up our waterways more and also attract more investors.”

  • Arewa group to Tinubu: ignore opposition to Customs boss’ confirmation

    Arewa group to Tinubu: ignore opposition to Customs boss’ confirmation

    Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ignore the opposition to the confirmation of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the Comptroller-General the Nigeria Customs Service.

    The group alleged that some disgruntled people opposed to Adeniyi’s confirmation had resorted to a campaign of calumny against him.

    In a statement, the Speaker of the group, Mohammed Danlami, said the disgruntled elements had been fabricating fake news against Adeniyi and asking Tinubu not to confirm him.

    Danlami said those who are not happy with the achievements of Adeniyi had resolved to smear campaigns and cheap blackmail aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.

    It said: “The attention of Arewa Youth Assembly has been drawn to multiple publications awashed in the media calling on President Bola Tinubu to not  confirm the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi over alleged aged falsification.

    “We consequently bring to the notice of the public that those articles were not only sponsored, but concocted and circulated by certain rotten and disgruntled elements who are not happy with the achievements of the Acting Comptroller.

    “They have resorted  to smear campaigns and cheap blackmail, aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.”

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    The group described Adeniyi as, “a fine, gentleman and hardworking Customs Officer with strong moral upbringing”.

    According to the statement, “Adeniyi  was the recipient of  the Comptroller-General of Customs Award for the seizure of over $8 million in cash at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in January 2020.

    “In the over three decades he served in the customs, he held several strategic positions. He was the Head of Public Relations. He was also the Commandant, Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    “We hereby send a strong word of caution to the sponsors and authors of these fabricated lies against the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs to desist from doing so, as their action is punishable by law.

    “We call on Nigerians to disregard such fabricated news as it is the handiwork of mischief makers and enemies of progress.

    “We call on Nigerians to support the Acting Comptroller General and the Nigeria Customs to continue with the good works they are doing,” the group said.

  • Alia: Benue not dumping ground for criminals

    Alia: Benue not dumping ground for criminals

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia yesterday said the state is not a dumping ground for criminals.

    He urged the abductors of his Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism to release him.

    Alia said this while addressing his supporters at the IBB Square in Makurdi to celebrate his victory at the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday.

    He said those who kidnapped the commissioner had few hours to release him unhurt.

    The governor said lines must be drawn between the good and bad in the society, saying that home-grown terrorists and bandits have no place in the state.

    He commended the family of the abducted commissioner for their patience, and assured that security agencies would leave no stone unturned to ensure that he was released unhurt.

    On his achievements in the first 100 days in office, Alia said he had already started construction of 16 township roads within the state capital.

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    He said other major towns would soon receive similar attention.

    Reacting to his victory at the tribunal, he said that the decision of the tribunal was a reminder that one cannot toy with the mandate of the majority.

    He said God had used him to bring back smiles on the faces of residents of the state.

    According to him, a lot of things had gone wrong in the state but his government would do everything possible to rebuild and make it better for all.

    He said palliatives would soon be distributed to the 23 local government areas in the state, as the trucks of grains had arrived.

    On his plans for youths, the governor said the ICT training programme, which was slated to commence soon, would afford them the opportunity to acquire professional skills.

    He said his administration would ensure the return of IDPs back to their ancestral homes.

    Alia said  that banditry and terrorism would not be allowed to have a place in the state under his watch.

  • Youths to PDP candidate: you can’t Nasarawa governor

    Youths to PDP candidate: you can’t Nasarawa governor

    A group, Nasarawa Youths’ Assembly, yesterday said the over 1,000 women prayer rally convened by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state could not make the party govern the state.

    Ahead of the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgement, some PDP women were reported to have held a prayer rally for the victory of the PDP’s governorship candidate, David Ombugadu.

    But the youth described the rally as a mere exercise that would not save the party from losing during the judgment of the tribunal.

    The youth stated this in a statement by their Chairman, Mr John Abimiku, adding that the opposition party and its governorship candidate have become more apprehensive due to the turn of events at the proceedings of the Tribunal.

    Read ALso: BREAKING: Tribunal affirms Gov Otu’s election in Cross River, dismisses PDP’s petition

    Abimiku said: “The opposition’s witnesses during the sitting of the tribunal have rather exposed the widespread manipulation of election’s result in many polling units across the state by the PDP.”The petitioners have failed to prove their allegations of reduction of votes, cancellation of votes of the election of Ashige Electoral Ward and exclusion of votes in Aruaza Electoral Ward in Lafia and Doma Local Government Areas, where the petitioners alleged over voting in four polling units.”The youths said PDP has resorted to the humiliation of unsuspecting Nasarawa mothers since the declaration of Governor Abdullahi Sule as winner of the March 18 governorship election.He said: “The Nasarawa State Youths Assembly has reviewed the political activities in the state since the declaration of governorship election in which Governor Abduilahi Sule won and noticed with concern that the opposition PDP had directed the unsuspecting women to come out nude and protested in the streets of Nasarawa State.

     ”The main opposition party has equally launched  provocative verbal and media attacks on tribunal judges who it accused of being open to inducement to sway the outcome in favour of Governor Sule.

    “It has also mounted the same attacks on the personality of Governor Sule who has kept his cool despite all affront by the opposition party leaders.

    “We want to use this medium to warn the party and its leadership to desist from plugging the state into crisis because of its parochial interests.”

    Abimiku added that the inability of the petitioners to prove their case and testimonies, alluded to the fact that the PDP had shortchanged Sule and the APC during the March 18 governorship election, hence the ruling APC might have nailed the petitioners at the tribunal.

  • IPPIS: SSANU UniAbuja chairman, members disagree on bribery allegations

    IPPIS: SSANU UniAbuja chairman, members disagree on bribery allegations

    The Chairman Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Abuja Branch, Nurudeen Taiye, has refuted bribery allegations levelled against him by some members of the union.

    Some members of SSANU, the National Association of Academic Technicians (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU) had pointed fingers at Taye and some members of colluding with some officials of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to manipulate staff payroll.

    In a petition to the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating gross mismanagement of the IPPIS and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the university workers alleged unauthorised diversion of staff allowances by the SSANU chairman.

     According to the petition, staff hazard and responsibility allowances had been diverted to bribe IPPIS officials in exchange for the release of outstanding arrears owed to staff by the Federal Government.

     The petition was signed by Mallam Balarabe Hashim, a member of SSANU at the University of Abuja on behalf of over 1000 affected staff and addressed to Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the House’s Ad-hoc Committee on IPPIS.

    The workers distanced themselves from any involvement or authorisation in bribing IPPIS officials for withheld allowances.

    They emphasised that it was not the SSANU chairman’s responsibility to facilitate the release of the allowances, adding that no such approval was ever granted even though the Chairman presented the matter on the floor of congress in April.

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    The petition, which provided evidence, including deductions of up to N30,000 intended for senior staff hazard allowances and N25,000 for senior staff responsibility allowances and N15,000 for junior staff, showed that the funds were transferred to the SSANU and Crescent Cooperative accounts without proper authorisation, raising moral and legal concerns on the need for an unconditional refunds of these unauthorised deductions to the affected staff.

    Part of the petition reads: “At no point did Congress approve such deductions towards bribing IPPIS officials. Even though the issue was raised, there was no such agreement reached. Since the issues started, the Chairman of SSANU has refused to give detailed explanations to members of Congress on how their allowances landed in cooperative accounts even as the chairman of SSANU and Crescent Cooperatives keep insisting the deductions were done with the approval of the SSANU Executives.

    “We did not authorise any such deductions and we have not been given any details on the IPPIS officials who were bribed. At this moment, all we want is a refund of the illegal and unauthorised deductions.

    “Even though there has been no word from the Chairman of SSANU who seems to be spearheading this racket for his personal gains, it is estimated that over ?30,000,000 has so far been deducted from staff salaries between May and June alone. What is surprising is that, the SSANU chairman and his collaborators who effected the deductions without due process and are not willing to account for their actions.

     “The Union members are passionately appealing to the House Ad-hoc Committee Investigating Gross Mismanagement of IPPIS , ICPC and EFCC to step in and cause the refund of their monies since there seems to exist a grand conspiracy between the management of the two cooperatives involved in this scam and the mastermind, the SSANU chairman Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf Taiye, even in the face of hardship being faced by Nigerians over the removal of fuel subsidy especially in the area of transportation and the purchase of necessities.”

     But, when contacted via telephone, SSANU, chairman, University of Abuja, Taiye denied the allegations.

     “There is no iota of truth in this matter. Union don’t pay allowances nor do we have power to divert funds not at our disposal. Did we also divert funds for other universities that are being implemented?

    “This petition has been sent and investigated by the DSS, ICPC, EFCC, not satisfied, they are taking to the press,” he added.

  • Yola Catholic Diocese inaugurates tuition-free school for IDPs

    Yola Catholic Diocese inaugurates tuition-free school for IDPs

    The Catholic Diocese of Yola has inaugurated a tuition-free primary school for children of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

    The school is located at Salama Housing Estate, a community established by the same diocese in Girei Local Government Area.

    Catholic Bishop of Yola, Stephen Dami Mamza, who inaugurated the Mission Primary School, explained that the project was funded by a non-governmental organisation,  Mission Take Heart.

    He said the school commenced academic activities with 150 pioneer pupils.

    Bishop Mamza, who is also the Adamawa State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed gratitude to the Mission Take Heart for supporting the diocese.

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    Mamza emphasised that tuition is free at theschool, and urged parents to take advantage of the opportunity by keeping their children there.

    “The future of these children is bright despite the displacement by the Boko Haram insurgents,” he said, adding, “Keep hope alive and work towards eradicating illiteracy.”

    Also, the Divisional Inspector of Education, Girei Local Government,Abdullahi Ahidjo said the Catholic Diocese of Yola has contributed immensely in boosting education in the council area.

    He added that the establishment of Salama Housing Estate by the diocese and Mission School had been exemplary interventions.

    In addition to free tuition, the Catholic Diocese of Yola distributed a piece of school uniform, a pair of sandals, as well as 12 exercise books to each of the 150 pupils.

  • Shettima mourns Khadi Imam

    Shettima mourns Khadi Imam

    • Joins dignitaries in Maiduguri for Imam’s funeral

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, Monday evening, joined other Muslim faithful in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the burial rites of the Khadi Kaka Shehu Imam.

    The late Khadi Imam was the father of Alhaji Mohammed Imam, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Borno State.

    In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Khadi Imam passed away in the early hours yesterday.

    The Jana’iza (funeral prayers), which drew crowd, took place at the residence of the centenarian in the Old GRA, Maiduguri, before the deceased was interred at the Gwange Cemetery  in the state capital. 

    While praying for the peaceful repose of the late Islamic scholar, the Vice President described Khadi Imam as an institution who would be missed by not just Borno State and Northern Nigeria, but also the entire country.

    He  described the revered scholar as one whose legacy would outlive him, adding that he would be remembered as a philanthropist, role model and elder statesman who was an embodiment of peace and harmony till death.

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    “We’re mourning him and we’re also celebrating him as an institution. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus. May Allah also grant his family and the good people of Borno and Nigeria the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Vice President Shettima prayed.

    Other mourners who joined the vice president included the Shehu of BornoAlhaji, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Borno Deputy Governor, Hon Umar Usman Kadafur;  Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Sen Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North), and Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central).

    Others are Hon Satomi Ahmed Saleh, member representing Jere Federal Constituency; Hon Abubakar Tijjani, Secretary to Borno State Government, Barr Mallam Fannami, Borno State Head of Service; elder statesmen; Honorable Commissioners, party stalwarts, among others.

  • Military enrols 110,000 retired soldiers in Health Insurance Scheme

    Military enrols 110,000 retired soldiers in Health Insurance Scheme

    No fewer than 110,000 retired officers of the Armed Forces have enrolled for the military free health insurance scheme.

    The enrolees, who are beneficiaries of the scheme cut across all states.

    The Managing Director of Military Health Management Limited (DHML), Rear Admiral Azeez Bello Afolayan (rtd), made this known during a one-day interactive meeting with military Veterans group at the DHML headquarters in Abuja.

    The Veteran Groups at the meeting were the Nigerian Legion, Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Association for Ex-Servive pension, Ex-Servicemen association, Ex-servicemen and Welfare Association Masaka, Foundation for retired Military personnel, Foundation for Care and support veterans, Coalition of Concern Veterans, Retire Navy and Air Force Keffi, Nasarawa State, among others.

    Rear Admiral Afolayan said the aim of the meeting was to enlighten veteran groups about what they stand to gain by registering with DHML, in the area of healthcare delivery.

    He said: “We are achieving this using our state offices that are spread across the country. Our staff in the office go into the remotest villages.

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     Using the various veterans groups, they identify the veterans and educate them on why they should register with DHML and benefit from free good healthcare packages.

    “From the NHIS guidelines there are diseases that are not covered, but on our own part here at DHML we try not to send any Veteran away because his or her ailment is not covered by the health insurance.

    “We are trying to let the authorities know that there should be no exclusion list for both serving personnel and veterans,”he added.

    The MD explained that what qualifies a veteran to benefit from scheme is to formally register with DHML immediately after retiring from active military service.

    “On retirement they need to formally register with the DHML as the registration they did for health insurance while they were in active service does not cover their inclusion with the DHML,” Afolayan said.

  • Kefas:  I inherited ’empty coffers’

    Kefas:  I inherited ’empty coffers’

    Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas has  said  he inherited an empty coffer from the immediate past administration.

    Kefas made this known yesterday at a five-day professional development workshop for secretaries of ministries, departments and agencies of Taraba State in Jalingo, the state capital.

    “Despite the empty coffers we met on the ground since taking office on May 29, 2023, I have made sure that employee salaries are paid on time.

    “In addition to meeting our commitments to pay pensioners, we have also added those who had previously been off the payroll, allowing them to continue receiving their monthly pensions without interruption,” Kefas stated.

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    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Susan Nathan, promised to embark on an exercise to ascertain the true size of the workforce in the state.

    “We will soon conduct a thorough biometric data capture to establish the true size of the workforce, its strengths and limitations, and where to improve through additional employment of our talented young men and women in a transparent manner. In the same vein, we will continue to prioritise employee promotion and welfare,” he added.

    According to him, the training was “a component of the ongoing strategic roadmap to not only reposition the bureaucracy but also to get the staff, especially the Secretaries, on board with the objectives and direction that this administration is moving towards to fully implement its development agenda without hindrance from any quarter”.