The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Kogi East Senatorial: Tribunal sacks Senator Isah

    Kogi East Senatorial: Tribunal sacks Senator Isah

    • Orders supplementary election

    The Kogi East Senatorial Election Tribunal yesterday removed Senator Jibrin Isah, the Senate Committee Chairman on Customs Excise and Tarriffs, because the election was cancelled in 94 polling units.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Lokoja that the tribunal also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election in the affected polling units.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, who delivered the judgment on the petition brought before it by Dr Victor Adoji, Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), agreed with the prayers of Adoji.

    Adoji, through his counsel, Mr Johnson Usman (SAN), challenged the return of Isah on the ground that elections were cancelled in some polling units where the PVCs collected were more than the margin of his (Chocho’s) win.

    The petitioner had pleaded with the tribunal to annul the election and ordered for a supplementary election in the affected 94 polling units in the senatorial district.

    Read Also: 12 die, six injured in Kogi auto crash 

    Delivering a unanimous Judgment of the Tribunal, Justice K. A. Orjiako, agreed with the submission of Usman (SAN), annulled Isah’s victory and ordered for the withdrawal of his certificate of return.

    “Since the PVCs collected in the 94 polling units is 59,730, while the margin of win is 26,922 votes, the Returning Officer ought to have declared the election inconclusive without making a return.

    “Consequently, this honourable Tribunal hereby granted the reliefs sought by the petitioners. We also set aside the Certificate of Return issued to Jibrin Isah.

    “The tribunal hereby also ordered INEC to conduct a supplementary election in the affected polling units where election did not hold or cancelled to determine the winner, ” Justice Orjiako declared.

  • Fintiri shuts unregistered colleges of health

    Fintiri shuts unregistered colleges of health

    Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has closed unregistered colleges of health technology.

    He told reporters at the Government House in Yola that the institutions would remain shut till they were certified.

    The Nation reports that private colleges have been springing up.

    Read Also: You’ve dumped us, youth group tells Gov Fintiri

    The state House of Assembly, alarmed by the large number, put at 19, mandated its committees of health and of education  to investigate the legality of the colleges.

    This was late in July, this year.

    Fintiri said yesterday after a meeting with members of his cabinet and heads of tertiary institutions in the state, that the proscription would remain in force until the right things were done.

    In a related development, he ordered that the state-own College of Health in Mubi, should be moved to its original site in Michika.

  • Residents of Sunnyvile, Kabusa cry to Wike for help on bad roads

    Residents of Sunnyvile, Kabusa cry to Wike for help on bad roads

    Residents of Sunnyvile and Kabusa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cried out to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to save them from the abandoned road projects that have made life unbearable.

    The residents said their road had been abandoned for over five years by contractors that only built drainages in some parts and left the road in a worse state.

    They said they had complained to the FCT government on several occasions and contributed to make the road bearable but it continued to deteriorate, causing a lot of hardship for residents and giving opportunities for hoodlums to attack residents at night.

    Residents have also advised the Minister to tour around the FCT and understand what the problems actually are rather than sticking to the reports submitted to him by staff members of the FCT.

    Chairman, Santos Estate, Dr Kunle Egbeleke said: “The contractors came and levelled the road a bit and returned years later to construct a culvert then left and never came back. I don’t know what stopped the project but I believe that if they had been mobilised, they were supposed to have finished the project two years ago.

    “It has been terrible, sometimes when you take a cab from town, some of the cab men would insist on dropping you off on the way and not your destination because of the bad road.

    Read Also: Wike goes after N34b owed FCTA

    “We suffer from a lot of repairs on our vehicles because of the road and servicing regularly which is expensive. We have complained several times to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) but we only get promises that are never fulfilled and now we tax ourselves regularly to enable us to patch the road constantly when it gets too bad to make it a bit motorable. We patched it recently during the dry season but as soon as the rain came it got worse again.”

    He added: “Now when you leave Sunnyvile and head towards City View Estate, because the road is so bad along the vicinity, hoodlums come out from around 7.30, block the road and start robbing people.’’

    “We are calling on Wike to go round himself and check the state of the FCT because as long as the same directors are there, they would still maintain the same status quo. He should go around himself and not trust the report he is given because after over five years of the abandoned road, we are tired.

    “We would appreciate it if Wike can come to our aid. Something needs to be done because this is Abuja and Sunnyvile area is not the outskirts or suburbs but middle of Abuja so having this kind of road does not fit a place like Abuja.”

    A resident of City View Estate, Rachel Aliyu explained to our correspondent that the road is slippery and dangerous during the rainy season and too dusty in the dry season.

    She said: “The bad road is really affecting residents, the bad road and gallops spoil cars and it’s even more difficult to ply the road on motorcycles.

    “It’s difficult during harmattan because there is so much dust. When the rain comes, the road becomes very muddy and slippery. With all that the Minister has been saying, we really hope he does his best and helps us fix the road because it is very important to us.”

  • You’ve dumped us, youth group tells Gov Fintiri

    You’ve dumped us, youth group tells Gov Fintiri

    Some youths under the auspices of Movement for Progressive Adamawa Youths have alleged a use-and-dump tactics by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

    During a briefing in Yola, Convener of the group, Zubairu Abubakar, said Fintiri had sidelined “the most important group” that helped him to realize his political ambition.

    “Some weeks ago, a sociopolitical and youths advocacy group raised a very important issue on the need to have young and fresh minds who are between the ages of 25 and 39 years in the Cabinet of his Excellency. It is a call our group (Movement For Progressive Adamawa Youths) saw as worth taking into consideration by the governor and his government considering the huge contribution the youths can make in shaping the polity and policies of the Government,” Zubairu Abubakar said.

    He alleged that the Governor paid deaf ears to this call, ignoring the reality that “youths of Adamawa State will forever remain the foundation upon which the prosperity of the state will be built.” 

    He said his group had watched closely to see if the governor would address this by including young people between the ages of 25 and 39 on his list but this did not happen.

    Read Also: Fintiri probes fatal torture of schoolboy

    He added that the group’s reason to re-echo the call for a youthful representation in Governor Fintiri’s administration was not born out of personal interest but for the collective good of the state.

    In a reaction to the allegations, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fintiri, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou said Fintiri could not deliberately disenfranchise youths from partaking in his government.

    He said that already, there are many youths in the cabinet and that the governor will appoint more youths in other strategic positions.

  • Gaidam: A prudent choice for Minister of Police Affairs

    Gaidam: A prudent choice for Minister of Police Affairs

    In the realm of politics and governance, every major appointment is scrutinized and debated, especially when it pertains to crucial positions like the Minister of Police Affairs. Dr. Ibrahim Gaidam’s appointment to this role by His Excellency President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, a seasoned politician with a keen eye for talent, is not only warranted but a commendable choice, a testament to his exceptional leadership, particularly in his management of the Boko Haram crisis during his tenure as the governor of Yobe State where he was the chief security officer presiding over planning, allocation of resources, and execution of the fight against the insurgents. 

    The northeastern region of Nigeria, particularly Yobe State, faced the grim reality of the Boko Haram insurgency. Dr Gaidam navigated this crisis with unwavering commitment and skill, ensuring the safety and security of his constituents. His tenure as governor saw him implement a series of measures that not only addressed immediate security concerns but also laid the groundwork for sustainable peace and stability in the region.

    Dr. Gaidam’s leadership during this tumultuous period was marked by his adeptness in collaboration and coordination with security agencies. Recognizing that the battle against insurgency required a unified effort, he fostered a harmonious relationship between the state, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and federal security apparatuses. This collaboration allowed for the exchange of critical information, intelligence sharing, and the implementation of joint operations that significantly weakened Boko Haram’s grip on the region.

    Also, his experience in Yobe State allowed him to build strong relationships with neighboring states, fostering a regional approach to security. This aptitude for coordination and collaboration is a valuable asset in a ministry responsible for ensuring the harmonious functioning of law enforcement agencies across the nation.

    Furthermore, Dr. Gaidam’s approach to security was holistic, encompassing both military and socioeconomic dimensions. He realized that addressing the root causes of the insurgency was essential for a lasting solution. His administration channeled resources into educational and developmental initiatives that provided vulnerable youths with opportunities, effectively countering the allure of extremist ideologies. By doing so, he showed an understanding that a comprehensive strategy was required to bring about enduring peace.

    In addition, Dr. Gaidam’s ability to garner the trust and support of the local communities also played a pivotal role in his success. He engaged in proactive dialogue with religious and community leaders, fostering an atmosphere of cooperation that helped to isolate the extremists and weaken their influence. This approach showcased his skill in navigating intricate social dynamics, a trait essential for a minister of Police Affairs tasked with managing diverse security challenges nationwide.

    Moreover, Dr. Gaidam’s stint as a senator was marked by his active involvement in various critical senate committees. His leadership and chairmanship of these committees showed his commitment to tackling complex issues and finding pragmatic solutions. These experiences have honed his understanding of the intricate workings of government, including matters related to security and law enforcement.

    Read Also: Gaidam empowers 400 women, youth in Yobe

    Critics argue that Dr. Gaidam lacks direct experience in the security sector. However, it is important to note that the role of the Minister of Police Affairs does not require a background as a career security expert. Instead, it demands leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of governance, all of which Dr. Gaidam possesses in abundance. His no-nonsense approach to governance is precisely what the Ministry of Police Affairs needs. Similarly, his reputation for cutting through bureaucratic red tape and addressing problems directly aligns with the demands of the position.

    In conclusion, as Nigeria continues to grapple with multifaceted security threats, having a seasoned leader like Dr. Gaidam at the helm of the Ministry of Police Affairs offers hope for an integrated and effective approach to safeguarding the nation. With his proven ability to foster collaboration, implement comprehensive strategies, and engage with communities, he is well-equipped to contribute to Nigeria’s overarching security objectives. By leveraging his past achievements, Dr. Gaidam can play a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more secure Nigeria for all its citizens.

  • NASENI to recruit talented personnel

    NASENI to recruit talented personnel

    Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Halilu, has promised to ensure President Bola Tinubu achieves his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

    Halilu spoke while addressing the agency after assuming office on September 1 at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The new chief executive, a tech expert and entrepreneur, replaced Dr. Bashir Gwandu.

    Halilu said he would leverage technology transfer and home-grown technology to realise the vision and mission of the agency.

    “The focus is for innovation, science and technology resource to serve Nigerians and to add value to the economy,” he said.

    Read Also; NMA: Awards to further celebrate success

    Halili said NASENI would support Tinubu’s agenda anchored on food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, creating access to capital through consumer credit, inclusivity, improving security, rule of law and fighting corruption.

    The agency boss said there are immense opportunities for Nigeria to leapfrog in science, technology, engineering and innovation, promising that NASENI during his tenure would play central roles through technology transfer in the days ahead.

    He said: “Our duty here at NASENI will be to use our resources, our talents, our capacity, and our energy to drive the economic development priority areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in line with the Act establishing this agency.

    “As a preeminent agency saddled with enormous responsibilities, NASENI, with its development institutes and over 4,000 members of staff, is appropriately positioned to deliver on its mandate,” he said.

  • Presidential election tribunal: CODE calls for calm

    Presidential election tribunal: CODE calls for calm

    Chief Executive, Connected Development (CODE) Hamzat Lawal has expressed confidence in the Judiciary on the verdict of the Presidential election tribunal.

    Lawal said this yesterday in Abuja at  the unveiling of the  organisation’s   achievements and vision for positive social impact.

    The Chief Executive, who called for calm, said there was no need for tension or for anyone to take laws into their hands because Nigerians need to have confidence in the judicial process.

    He said as an organisation, CODE has been focused on the electoral  processes rather than the results.

    He said: “So,  I think there is no need for any tension and there is no cause for alarm. I have confidence in Nigeria judicial process, and we will continue to support that process and ensure that nobody takes the laws into their hands. I want to also speak directly to young people. Democracy is a process Nigeria’s democracy still emerging, we’ve made history by ensuring nobody toppled our democracy for over 20 years.

    Read Also; NMA: Awards to further celebrate success

    “I believe that we should build on the gains while working to close the gaps. Nobody should take laws into their hands. Everyone should seek redress using the constitution.

    “Everywhere to me is calm. There’s no tension, and there’s no cause for alarm and there’s no need for anyone to be tensed. In 2011 people who were aggrieved went to court; in 2015 people who are aggrieved went to court; in 2019, it was the same thing and it’s no different from 2023.

    “And let’s be rational about it. Everyone will go to court if they did not win. And because we have a system that allows for grievance mechanism, so they can approach the court. But I also think that people will continue to go to court to go to judiciary, if we have a system that is not strengthened.

    “So that’s why for us we’re always focused on the processes, the electoral processes, not the results, not the outcome, but the processes and I think this is also a call for reflection, where we would have a community of practice where politicians would not interfere with a process that is supposed to be transparent and credible, because if we continue to have interference, that is where we would be seeking court redress, and the judiciary would now be the one to make pronouncements, rather than ensuring that the ballot is the one that gives us the power of our tumb.”

    Director, Democracy and Governance, CODE Mr Emmanuel Njoku called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider the possibility of early voting for electoral observers and people that would be involved on the day of elections to avoid disenfracement of any Nigerian.

    He said for instance INEC hired about 1.5 million adhoc staff in this last election across Nigeria who did not get to vote on the day of the elections.

    Njoku also said Nigerian Civil Society groups had about 144,000 observers across and that is not including security agencies who had about 400,000 security personnel deployed across the country, making it over two million people who did not vote and where disenfranchised.

  • Sani okays 100% CONMESS for Resident Doctors

    Sani okays 100% CONMESS for Resident Doctors

    • To recruit 89 doctors

    Kaduna State has approved the full implementation of the 2014 Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for Resident Doctors in the Ministry of Health.

     The governor, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Lawal Shehu,  announced this during a media chat on Sunday night, as part of activities marking his first 100 days in office.

    Shehu said: “The governor  addressed a wide range of issues across different sectors, notably health, security and infrastructural development issues among other concerns. Following the recommendations of a committee led by the Kaduna State Head of Service, negotiations were held with striking doctors in August 2023 where it was revealed that resident doctors in Kaduna State Ministry of Health receive 75 per cent of the 2014 CONMESS, while their counterparts working at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital receive 100 per cent of CONMESS.”

    Read Also; NMA: Awards to further celebrate success

     “Consequently, commencing from September 2023, the approved 100 per cent CONMESS will bring Resident Doctors in the Ministry of Health at parity with their counterparts at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. This step, the governor added, will further boost productivity and attract more doctors to the state.”

    Similarly, the governor has approved the continuation of the recruitment of 89 medical doctors to address the staffing gap as recommended by the committee.

    “This initiative, among others, was designed to enhance doctors’morale and improve access to quality healthcare for Kaduna residents. You will recall that we recently flagged-off the distribution of advanced medical equipment to our upgraded primary health care centres. This reflects our administration’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen/resident has access to a primary healthcare center within a kilometer of their residence,” the governor added.

     Sani underscored the positive results of his interactions with development partners, noting that the increase in investors attracted to Kaduna was due to the business-friendly environment created by his administration.

    While addressing the issue of uncompleted projects inherited from the immediate past administration, Governor Sani reassured the people of Kaduna State that all projects will be completed, adding that this time around there will be a renewed focus on transforming the rural areas in the coming months.

     Sani expressed his appreciation to the security agencies in the state for their support in training old and newly-recruited 7000 men and women of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service. He also stressed the urgency of effective policing and recognised the necessity for the State Police Force to complement the efforts of national security agencies.

    The governor thanked the good people of Kaduna State for the trust and confidence reposed in his administration and called for their continued support and cooperation as the administration moves into top gear in its quest to leave a legacy of peace, ethnic and religious harmony, and even development.

  • Insecurity: Rights commission makes case for dialogue

    Insecurity: Rights commission makes case for dialogue

    A global rights advocacy group, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), has asked the Federal Government to deploy dialogue and other peaceful engagements to address the lingering insecurity in the country.

    IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Dr. Hezekiah Duru stated this in Abuja during a symposium on “International humanitarian law and conflicts: An African perspective,”  being planned by the group for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on September 8.

    The IHRC said the country would achieve more if it engages those behind terrorism, banditry, agitations in dialogue as against use of  force.

    Noting that the government has recorded some archievments in curbing insecurity, the IHRC sought the enhancement of the capacity of the security agencies and their prompt deployment to troubled areas.

    Read Also; NMA: Awards to further celebrate success

    Duru added: “At IHRC, we believe in the need for increased peace advocacy to protect the rights of people globally and to promote the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights amongst countries.

    “It is critical and requires the support of stakeholders to be sustained, particularly in Africa that has experienced some escalation of armed conflicts.

    “The one thing that is common to the conflicts, however, is that the civilian population is often subjected to gross human right violations and humanitarian disasters. The dire consequences of these events spin-off into adverse international humanitarian crises which we now have in our hands in parts of the world, including Africa.’’

    “These myriad circumstances and complexities, as we currently witness across the African continent are precisely the issues that create a problem and challenge to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

    “Like most laws, however, international humanitarian law needs and tends to respond to the challenge,” Duru said, adding that this realization informed planned symposium.

    Duru added:  “The essence of this symposium is to focus on the justification and promotion of humanitarian intervention and peace-building in Africa, particularly in countries which unfortunately are experiencing armed conflict, either in the form of terrorism, wars, coup d’états, insurgencies, banditry. militancy, etc.

    “The symposium is strategically set-up to stimulate discussions, consult and harvest the opinions of critical actors and successful experiences to help develop a logical action plan and strategy for a broad-based humanitarian engagement in conflict areas in Nigeria and Africa.

    “Other unique highlights of this symposium include the presentation of the International Humanitarian Service Awards, which are designed to honour deserving citizens globally by the Secretary-General of the International Human Rights Commission in Switzerland as a major feature of his inaugural visit to Nigeria.”

  • Minister appoints ex-Kwara House of Reps aspirant Special Adviser

    Minister appoints ex-Kwara House of Reps aspirant Special Adviser

    Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has appointed a former House of Representatives aspirant from Kwara State, Abiola Abdulkareem, as the Special Adviser, Civil Service Affairs.

    Abdulkareem, who praised the minister for the appointment in a statement  in Abuja, said he would do all within his power not to negate the vision and aspiration of the minister.

    Abdulkareem contested the House of Reps primary election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun and Oke-ero Federal Constituency of Kwara in 2022.

    He said he was ready to serve the minister and the country, adding that it was a huge responsibility to be part of President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda.

    He promised to key into the dream and vision of the administration, stating that he would collaborate with civil servants to ensure the country profited from the new ministry.

    Read Also; Tolling of federal highways to go on, says Umahi

    He said the creative economy would be used to drive jobs, revenue, community resources and cultural engagement that would help the country to shift from an oil dependent economy.

    According to him, the creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors and this is why the president decided to give it to a woman who is focused and with the energy to get the job done.

    He said he would help to promote innovation among civil servants which would help to bring additional revenue to the country, while urging for support from civil servant to drive the agenda.