The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Wike faults Ushafa-Bwari road contract variation

    Wike faults Ushafa-Bwari road contract variation

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Nyesom Wike has declared the swelling rate of contracts variation for projects in the Territory as alarming, which is not acceptable to the current FCT Administration.

    Wike spoke  yesterday during the  inspection of on-going repair works at the Lower Usman  Dam Water Treatment plant, in Bwari Area Council, which  was shutdown for emergency repair last year

    Assuring  the people  that the FCTA is  going to overhaul the entire system, the Minister spoke of  plans to prioritise and fund ten projects, as part of the measured to check the menace of abandoned and uncompleted projects in territory.

    According to him, we are going to overhaul the entire system. I have never seen a thing like this before in my life. What you see in FCDA contract variation from N10bn to N120bn, from N50bn to N200bn. It is alarming and I am not going to accept it.

    “It was unfortunate that while we went to the Gurara road, it was very embarrassing, and this is not what they are going to take. The job was awarded in 2017 at the cost of N20bn, in 2020 the revised the contract sum to N50bn.

    “As I speak to you, we have paid almost N50bn, what is outstanding from what the man in charge has said is N900m, and now the N900m will not be enough to complete the job that they have done about 90percent and thereby we move to another variation. This is what we are not going to accept”.

    He continued:” Now, having come to the Usman Water System, I was told that the contract has been awarded as an emergency contract.  We just heard it now that it has not been awarded fully. Just a mere letter of intent to the contractor since last year August.

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    “We know the importance of this, because it supplies water to our people in the city and this environment.

    “Water is very important, so I have directed that it is not an emergency again, If something has happened since last year, you call it an emergency till now, it is no longer an emergency.

    “If at all it was an emergency, we are going to start all over, and we are going to supervise the procurement process and we will allow other companies to bid as far as this project is concerned. So, it is alarming”.

    The minister said the FCTA is choosing about 10 contracts, for which companies handling them have been called, and agreement have reached.

    “We have agreed with some companies for six months, and we have agreed with some companies for 15 months. We do not want any project that without funding, we will not have one project. Depending on the national budget is a problem.

    “Why the Executive Secretary of FCDA is not here is because I directed him not to join us and ensure that all the files are approved since last week, go to the director of Treasury and payment must be made latest tomorrow (Friday).

    “Then, we are signing with those companies, in essence, we have introduce an ISPO to bind our project to our internally generated revenue. So, at the end of every month, we will know what each company is taking and then we will know the duration of the contract will end.

    “So, we will utilize the IGR to tie it to specific projects, so that will reduce the abandoning of projects in the FCT. On Monday, we are flagging off the resurfacing of most of the roads in Garki, Maitama, because the roads are terribly bad. I will make sure that the contractors are also paid.

    “Most of the projects we are reviewing now are nothing like lack of funds, they are refunding them and as we finish that, we can take up other projects, not carry 100 projects and you cannot complete one. You should take one and finish it, then you go to another one. If not, you will see projects littered all over”.

  • ‘Nigeria will shine at UN conference on Tuberculosis’

    ‘Nigeria will shine at UN conference on Tuberculosis’

    The level of progress made by Nigeria  in her interventions towards ending Tuberculosis (TB)   will put her on the spotlight during the United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB..

    Executive Secretary Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Mayowa Joel said one of the achievements was made during the COVID-19 where so many countries experienced  fewer cases of TB but Nigeria was able to record high cases due to the commitment of all stakeholders.

    He said although Nigeria is not sure if it can meet the World Health Organization (WHO) deadline of ending TB by 2030, a lot of progress has been made  and a lot more needs to be done.

    The Executive Secretary said this yesterday in Abuja at the Pre-UNHLM national stakeholders consultation meeting.

    He said: “We are glad to host this Pre-United Nations high level meeting on TB. This is the national stakeholders consultation, we are here to plan and ensure that we actively and effectively participate at the United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB, holding on  September  22.

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    “I can tell you that we have made a lot of progress between 2018 when the first UNHLM on TB was held till now. Being able to end TB by 2030 in Nigeria is a different thing entirely but we have made tremendous progress. In fact we have made so much progress that we have been able to document our success stories as a compendium which is being shared all over the world.

    “In New York when we go for the UNHLM on TB, Nigeria is going to be a star because of the success we have made in TB prevention. Although it might not translate to Nigeria being able to end TB by 2030 because we need to more.

    “One of the successes was during the COVID-19 where so many countries were seeing fewer cases of TB but Nigeria was able to record high cases due to the commitment of all stakeholders.

    “The Stop TB partnership Nigeria is a partnership organisation comprising of the government, development partners, parliamentarians, Civil Society Organizations and TB survivors who are working together to end TB in Nigeria.”

    The Vice Chairman Global Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Partnership in Geneva, Chief Austin Obiefuna on his part said Nigeria was able to increase its case findings during the COVID-19 lockdown because the bedrock of every TB management is actually finding the people.

    He added, ” In Nigeria a lot of interventions has been in place, we have undertaken prevalence survey so we know the burden of the TB in our country. So it is about the rollout of interventions that we have that we are trying to make sure we engage everybody to ensure we end TB by 2030 as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).

    “Nigeria is on the right track but what it needs to do is put in more resources in order to engage people and acquire the latest tools because how do you intend to end TB when you still use moribund tools, unless we use current tools like the Gene-Xpert, with which you can do test to know if the person is having drug resistant TB because ill management of TB can also be a big problem.”

  • Is there a solution to Bala Mohammed’s basic education concern?

    Is there a solution to Bala Mohammed’s basic education concern?

    • By, Tega Obukohwo

    The atmosphere was tense on the afternoon of 5, September 2023, as Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State gave his assessment of the basic education sector in Bauchi state.

    The event was the gathering of stakeholders including, the management of the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (Bauchi SUBEB), Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Secretaries and a handful of others.

    “I am highly disappointed with all managers in this sector,” the visibly disturbed governor said as he identified major gaps in school infrastructure, quality control, teacher and school level management.

    “My attention was drawn to some areas where completely SUBEB is not doing anything after spending so many years there and bragging that we have renovated over 5,000 classrooms,” the governor said, his voice raised to show his displeasure with the state of the system.

    “There are mega schools that have been left untouched; they were not even brought forward by the agency for renovation. I think the quality of our work is not something to go home with because I have visited those schools myself, the roofs are licking or blown off.

    “The quality of supervision by SUBEB is appalling, so you have the opportunity to change. I have done my best but, certainly there is no supervision, no quality control, it has been business as usual. I am highly disappointed with all managers in this sector, from my humble self, the SSG that is supervising SUBEB, the Ministry of Education and the LGAs. We have not done well in that sector,” he said.

    Governor Mohammed’s assessment of the basic education landscape in his state is perhaps accurate for most states in Nigeria.

    Even though primary education is officially free and compulsory in Nigeria, about 10.5 million children aged 5-14 years are not in school, according to UNICEF.

    “Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education,” the organisation whose focus is on the growth and development of children says.

    The data is even more grim when viewed from the lens of UNESCO which suggested in September 2022 that about 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria.

    But Nigeria faces an even more troubling issue: Learning poverty. There are indications that a high percentage of children, especially those in the public schools system who are in school but not learning.

    Early this year, UNICEF indicated that 75 percent of children aged seven to 14 years in Nigeria cannot read simple sentences or solve basic maths problems.

    This calls to question the fate of millions of Nigeria’s children who are supposed to be on the path to lifelong learning.

    Several reasons have been adduced for the poor state of learning in public schools including low quality of teachers, poor school management, infrastructure gaps, high teacher attrition, poor funding of schools and the quality of learning materials at the disposal of school administrators.

    Some states in Nigeria have adopted measures to address these gaps. Notably Bayelsa, Edo, Lagos and Kwara have done their bit in putting measures that address both the out-of-school children phenomena and learning poverty.

    For instance, Bayelsa State launched a signature programme, Bayelsa Promoting Reform to Improve and Modernise Education (BayelsaPRIME) aimed at causing drastic improvement in learning outcomes in schools, irrespective of their location.

    On its part, Edo State launched the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) reform programme.

    Bayelsa’s basic education transformation programme is at the core of the issues that ail most of the State Universal Basic Education Boards.

    Other states can learn from Bayelsa and others who have put in measures to stop the basic education sector decline.

    Reports from schools in Bayelsa indicate that teachers in the system are already referring to the reform as “monitoring spirit” because it has put them in check. No longer can teachers claim they are in school while they are in the market because the tech based programme reports teachers who are not in school to basic education managers.

    Additionally, teachers are being monitored using technology as they teach.

    Those who do not complete their classes can be identified and couched to do better.

    But before all of these measures are introduced in schools, each teacher is trained at the BayelsaPRIME Induction training, which is a 10-day training that brings together teachers and head teachers to a specific location where they are inducted in new thinking in basic education.

    Such important topics as the role of technology in the modern classroom, new techniques in pupil motivation, modern methods of classroom management and child protection are taught to teachers ahead of their commencement of BayelsaPRIME introduction in school.

    Afterwards, the teachers continue to receive weekly and in some cases daily support from a new crop of supervisors and school inspection officers.

    Surely, a system that provides real time data on what is happening in schools, improves the way schools and classrooms are managed and strengthens the interaction between schools and their host communities should be domesticated by all Nigerian states.

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    There is clear evidence that the existing quality assurance management system set up by the Universal Basic Education Board should give way for a system that is powered by modern technology and thinking.

    The reform introduced by Governor Douye Diri has been hailed as a step in the right direction by teachers, parents, Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and several external stakeholders.

    In Edo as well, there have been accolades for Governor Godwin Obaseki from education sector thought leaders and most notably, the World Bank.

    As the world marks International Literacy Day on 8, September, Governor Bala Mohammed is right in his concerns.

    The situation of basic education cannot continue the way it is currently.

    *An education enthusiast, Tega writes from Lagos.

  • Court restrains NNPP faction from parading themselves as leaders

    Court restrains NNPP faction from parading themselves as leaders

    A High Court in Kano has restrained members of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) faction from acting and parading themselves as leaders of the party.

    Boniface Aniegbolam and eight others were also barred from expelling the party’s ex-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

     This is as the National Working Committee (NWC) vowed to use legal means to retrieve party funds.

    Justice Usman Mallam Na’aba, in the suit filed by the party, held that Aniebonam and eight others should desist from carrying out any action on behalf of the party.

    The order is to subsist pending the determination of the substantive suit.

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    A member of the party, Alhaji Hasimu Suleiman Dangurawa, through his lawyer, sued Aniebonam and 17 others on Tuesday.

     The move followed the purported expulsion of Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor, from the party.

    Justice Na’aba held: “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted, restraining the respondents by themselves, their agents, cronies, and whosoever acting or act through them from parading themselves, issuing press release or granting interviews as national leaders or members of the applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

  • 100 days: Mutfwang on track, says PDP

    100 days: Mutfwang on track, says PDP

    The Plateau Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Governor Caleb Mutfwang has laid a solid foundation that would place it on the path of steady growth and development.

    The party also commended the governor for his various initiatives in the last 100 days of his administration, adding that such a move was geared towards the progress of the state.

     The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr John Akans, said this in a statement in Jos.

    Akans commended the governor’s efforts in addressing the myriad of security challenges facing some parts of the state, among others.

    ”The governor has demonstrated the real reason behind the idea of 100 days in office, which include key policy pronouncements, critical appointments, review and unfolding of strategies for enduring sustainable development.

    ”PDP celebrates the governor for laying a solid foundation for accelerated development in the state.

    ”Within this short period, your administration has not only restored peace, but also clearly demonstrated that the Plateau is no longer safe for criminal elements.

    ”We commend you for your proactive measures taken so far, particularly in the area of security and reformation of the civil service,” Akans said.

    The party’s scribe also lauded the governor for initiating peoples friendly policies, adding that the payment of outstanding salaries of workers and pension arrears was commendable.

    He also commended the governor for appointing young people into various key positions in the state, adding that the move had demonstrated his willingness to run an all-inclusive government.

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    “With the people’s friendly policies and the appointments made so far, starting from the Economic Transition Committee, which is clearly a demonstration of your willingness to run an all-inclusive government, thereby reducing political hostility and promoting patriotism in the state.

    ”Your relentless effort to offset outstanding salaries and pension arrears inherited from your successor has not only given the workers a pride of place, but also hope that the few outstanding months will soon be settled.

     ”Your love for the youth has no bounds as demonstrated through the various highly placed appointments of young people into governance, what a novel idea!

    ”For the first time in the annals of our dear state, about 50,000 farmers have guaranteed off-takers for their farm produce, while a window of lending opportunities have been opened for farmers and small scale entrepreneurs,” he added.

    Akans, who expressed optimism that the governor would implement his campaign promises, said the party would support the governor to deliver on the dividends of democracy to the people.

  • Niger govt. to recruit 1,500 youths as forest guards

    Niger govt. to recruit 1,500 youths as forest guards

    The Niger State government plans to recruit 1,500 youths as forest guards.

     Governor  Umaru Bago made this known yesterday in Minna when he met with the members of the vigilance corps.

    In a statement, his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, quoted the governor as saying that the  forest guards would safeguard the abundant forest reserves across the state.

    Bago said: “We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger forest guards so that we can take over the forests.”

    The governor commended the vigilance corps in the state for complementing the conventional security operatives in protecting lives and property.

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    He disclosed that the state government had procured assorted equipment for the corps to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.

    Earlier, the Commander of the corps, retired DSP Alhassan Mohammed, described his men as “gallant and that their vast knowledge of the terrains complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in combating banditry”.

    He said the desire to serve humanity and ensure security made them put their lives on the line.

    The commander appealed for synergy between them and the conventional security agencies.

  • Subsidy: PWDs seek inclusion in Bauchi’s Palliative Committee

    Subsidy: PWDs seek inclusion in Bauchi’s Palliative Committee

    The Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Bauchi State Chapter has urged the state government to include its members in the Palliatives Distribution Committee for Petroleum Subsidy Removal.

     Chairman of the association, Mr Bulus Samaila, made the call yesterday in Bauchi during a  visit to the Deputy Governor, Mr Auwal Jatau, who is also the Chairman of the Palliative Distribution Committee.

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that JONAPWD is the umbrella body for people with disabilities.

    Samaila said disabled people are usually left behind in the implementation of government policies and programmes, urging the committee to include its members.

    “We don’t want our share given to any agency or individuals, it should be given directly to our association to avoid us being shortchanged,” he said.

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    Samaila appealed to the government to constitute a board for the state agency of disabled persons in the  state.

    Jatau assured people with disabilities of inclusion in the Palliative Committee.

    He said the administration gave priority to people with disabilities.

    Jatau commended the association for its support for the administration of Governor Bala Muhammad, and urged them for more support so as to achieve excellence in leadership.

  • Stop violence in South-East, CSO cautions IPOB

    Stop violence in South-East, CSO cautions IPOB

    Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to shun all forms of violence which has resulted in killings in the South – East.

    In a statement by the Convener, Save Nigeria Movement, Rev. Solomon Semaka the group noted that if IPOB was sincere in ending the needless insecurity in the South-East region, they should embrace peace and end all forms of hostilities.

    It urged the separatist group to stop threatening citizens and blackmailing the Federal Government with more violence and expecting that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu will be released for peace to reign in the South-East region.

    It admonished IPOB as well as other stakeholders to eschew violence and come to terms with the reality of the prosecution of their leader, Kanu.

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    The statement reads: “Our position remains the same, Nnamdi Kanu should remain in custody while far reaching consultations, investigations and the continuation of ongoing campaigns until a sustainable solution is found that will restore the peace and tranquility of the region. This is our position and that of average well meaning Easterners.

    “If IPOB is sincere in ending the needless insecurity in the South-East region, they should embrace peace and end all forms of hostilities. All that concerns us is for peace to return to the region and nothing more.”

    The group urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to caution the House Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on Insecurity Abia state, Obinna Aguocha, “over his unpatriotic calls for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu as it amounted to interference with court processes and against the already existing position of the House.”

    “It is rather pathetic that IPOB wants to blackmail legitimate stakeholders like Save Nigeria Movement because they do not represent their evil interests. Is IPOB saying Hon. Obinna Aguocha and his cohorts are the only stakeholder that has spoken since Nnamdi Kanu started the crisis in the region? How come it is only his unpatriotic utterance with the intent to undermine national security that they have deemed fit to heed?.

    “We appreciate the urgency for political survival but the lives of the people matter more, Hon Obinna Aguocha and his cohorts should not prioritise their political survival more than the stability of the region and the nation,” the statement added.

  • Lawyers to IG:  probe ‘land grabbing’ against police orderlies

    Lawyers to IG:  probe ‘land grabbing’ against police orderlies

    Lawyers for Reform Group (LRG) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to order investigation into alleged use of Police orderlies for land grabbing, brutality, and others in Lagos State.

    According to LRG, over 30 Police Orderlies were illicitly used to perpetrate monumental evils and wanton criminalities in the state.”

    LRG’s Executive Project Director,  Oladotun Hassan, noting that the group of lawyers are committed to ensuring protection of fundamental rights, equitable justice, disclosed that the body was ready to offer succour to Samusideen Oluwo an alleged victim of an attempted murder case but regretted that he was arrested and converted as suspect alongside his co-workers.

    He said it was on behalf and instruction of Oluwo that LRG was calling on the Inspector General of Police to match his word with immediate actions for onward sanitisation of the Nigeria Police Force.

    He said: ”Regrettably, according to reliable sources and evidently seen to the blind that this dreaded Gangs are working closely with police officers at various highest echelons in the Nigeria Police Force to wreck havocs unimpeded, they ridiculously transfer case files, convert petitioners to accused, then illicitly arrest and charge indiscriminately, consequently subverting justice.

    ”Precipitating our urgent request for the immediate discontinuance of prosecution of Mr Samusideen Oluwo and other victims who were grievously and brutally attacked, and deliberately beaten to stupor with 16 mm iron rods and thrown naked on a live video, which was posted on all social media intentionally aimed at criminally defaming and to cause them monumental embarrassments and ridicules before the right thinking members of the society.

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    “We call on the IGP to direct the CP provost marshal to immediately commence action to sanction all erring police officers found culpable in this heinous criminal act.

    ”We further demand for the harmonisation under the IGP direct watch and good office to recall all pending related cases in all police formations in general for proper unbiased investigation, harmonisation, consolidation and prosecution at a court of competent jurisdiction accordingly.

    ”We are aghast and disturbed to see the unending absurdity, unprofessional conducts, biased investigation and gross insubordination to disobey IGP’s earlier ordered instructions on same matters at various points in time, wherein an unfortunate reckless investigation and prosecution of the aforementioned cases.

    ”This premeditated criminal action was compounded by the several professional gross insubordination and misconducts perpetrated by the aforementioned police officers in active connivance of cultists and thugs working day and night with Ibile, wherein they have perfected the acts of frustrating anyone that has cases with the principal suspect Ibile.”

  • Bauchi gets N2b Fed Govt’s palliatives

    Bauchi gets N2b Fed Govt’s palliatives

    • Announces sharing template

    Bauchi State Government has received N2 billion out of the N5 billion the Federal Government promised to states to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

    The government the palliatives would be distributed fairly to those who are eligible, irrespective of ethno-religious and political differences.

    Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka, who confirmed the receipt at a briefing on the template and modalities of sharing, said a larger percentage of the beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s palliative would be reached at their various polling units, while other sections would be reached through other channels.

    She said among those that would benefit were the most vulnerable targets.

    Wanka, who identified those living with disabilities, women social development workers, non-partisan women groups, people with disabilities (PWDs), and pensioners as the vulnerable targets, said they would be given unconditional cash transfers of N325 million.

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    She said further that N2 billion would be spent on buying 88,889 25kg bags of rice for distribution to other  vulnerable groups, adding that N800 million would be spent on settling the gratuity of the retirees.

    She said the Palliative Distribution Committee headed by traditional and religious leaders and monitored by the local government authorities has also drafted the sharing formula for the remaining N3 billion.

    “We suggested a model for sharing and we proposed for consideration of the numbers of polling units as communities because it is through polling units that you will get to the grassroots and reach the deserving population.

    “The sum of N2 billion has been earmarked for the purchase of 88,889 25kg bags of rice at the rate of N23,500 each. N500 million to be released to the state Pension Board and N300 million to the Local Government Pension Board for payment of gratuities.

    “To those in active service, they have been owed for about 12 years, specifically leave grant. It has been agreed that the sum of N680 million is earmarked for the payment of the leave grant of 2023,” he said.

    She said Health workers were not left out, adding that 1,000 health volunteers would be given unconditional cash transfers for six months, thus bringing the total to N60 million.

    Wanka added that N76 million had also been allocated for payment of unconditional cash transfers to the youths, adding that proactive measures had been evolved to ease transportation difficulties experienced by students.