Former Plateau South Senator, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut has facilitated the construction of a block of three classrooms in two communities to improve the standard of education of school children in her constituency.

The classroom blocks were constructed at the LGEA primary school in Mile 4 village of Langtang South LGA and LGEA primary school in Npap community of Quanpan local government.

In her remarks, Senator Daduut noted that the intervention was part of her contribution towards improving quality of education in the rural areas of her state.

She said: “I promised as part of my campaign promise to continue to encourage the younger ones to take the issue of education seriously.

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“The essence of facilitating the constructing of this schools is to create a platform where pupils can learn in a conducive environment and develop knowledge that will enhance their educational pursuit. The new edifice will enhance the pupils to concentrate fully on their study.”

Prof. Daduut further called on citizens of the state to support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as it is determined to better the lives of citizens of the country.

She said: “The economic blueprint of our President, Bola Tinubu, will transform Nigeria in terms of growth and development.

“I call on Nigerians to support the president in his bid to provide good governance and put Nigeria back on track for rapid economic growth and development.”

She assured Nigerians that the APC-led administration by Tinubu is already bringing prosperity and stability to the polity.

Kano State Government is strategising to improve the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and deliver services to the people.

In a statement, the Director, Public Enlightenment, Bashir Habibu- Yahya yesterday in Kano, quoted the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, as saying this at a workshop on “2024-2026 Medium Term Revenue Target Setting and Mainstreaming (MTRS) Implementation” .

Jibril said Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf attaches great importance to matters that would improve the development of the state IGR.

Read Also: Kano govt suspends three principals, rewards one for diligence

He urged the stakeholders to put heads together to produce a blueprint on IGR improvement, within the targeted period to achieve the set objective.

He added that the world did not favour countries that were mono-resource driven.

According to him, the situation had worsened with the global price of fossil fuels declining causing the world to shift to other alternatives.

Jibril called on other revenue generating agencies to up their games to raise the state’s revenue profile.

The Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Usman Bala, Commissioner for Planning, Alhaji Musa Sulaiman; Chairman, Internal Revenue Services, Alhaji Abdulkadir Dambo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Lawan Abdulwahab,  attended the workshop.

Counsels to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the second respondent at the ongoing trial at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kaduna State, have demanded N2million compensation from the petitioners, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governorship Candidate, Mohammed Ashiru Isah.

The Counsels, who expressed dissatisfaction over what they referred to as frivolous adjournment requests made by the petitioners, saIid the timeframe allocated for the trial was being wasted by the petitioners.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the PDP and its candidate Isah Ashiru, filed a motion of notice requesting an adjournment.

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Though the respondents did not object to the application. They, however, expressed their dissatisfaction with the frivolous adjournment requests.

Sanusi Musa (SAN) who spoke on behalf of defence counsels, said the repeated requests for adjournment were delaying the progress of the trial and the commitment of the counsels to diligently pursue their case.

Musa (SAN), however, applied for a modification of the scheduling order given to the petitioners, noting that, “the petitioners had previously requested to call 13 additional witnesses, but only presented five and skipped the other eight to call a different one without providing any explanation to the Tribunal”.

 

 

He, therefore, requested for a compensation of N2 million to cover the expenses of accommodation and transportation logistics for the defence team.

The presiding judge, Justice Victor O. Oviawie, however, granted the respondents 48 hours to respond to the petitioners’ application and, subsequently, adjourned the hearing till July 31 for continuation of the hearing.

• Abia police commissioner of police condemns killing of policemen, launches manhunt against killers

A detachment of policemen from the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday barred traders of Ariaria International Market and shoe makers at the popular Shoe Plaza, including those at Powerline Fist and Second gates from having access to their shops.

There were unconfirmed allegations that some traders who had arrived in their shops in the early hours of the day were arrested by the police team.

It was gathered that human and vehicular movements were restricted to and fro Faulks Road

Attempts by our correspondent to visit the area failed as many motorists abandoned their vehicles and scamper for safety when some fierce and stern-looking police detachment who shot sporadically into the air, blocked Brass Street by Aba-Owerri Road, which serves as a major entry and exit route into Faulks Road.

Some traders who claimed innocence of the Tuesday incident wondered why the security personnel would turn against them instead of launching a manhunt of the perpetrators who had since left the scene.

The traders, who frowned at the killing of the police officers, also frowned at the manner at which police and other security agencies were going about venting their anger on a people who do not have any hands in the killing of the said policemen.

Some shoppers, who came for shopping in Ariaria and met the ugly situation, were forced to turn back, others who came from a farther distance had to pay for an accommodation with the hope that the situation would have been resolved by Friday when they planned leaving Aba for their destinations.

The traders who decried losing millions to the Monday sit-at-home expressed anger over the actions of the security agencies who they accused of punishing innocent citizens of the state that don’t have hands in the death of the policemen.

Meanwhile the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie has condemned the killing of two policemen in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state by yet-to-be identified gunmen at the SAMECK junction.

CP Onwuemelie in a statement by the Command’s spokesman, ASP Maureen Chinaka said the policemen involved in the fatality were a police Constable and an Inspector.

 

Read Also: Police sack traders from shops, embark on massive arrest

 

The Nation had reported that the killing of the policemen caused pandemonium in the area following disruption of economic activities by the combined team of police personnel and personnel of sister security agencies who fired several teargas canisters and gunshots, forcing people to scamper for safety.

 

“At approximately 4PM on Tuesday, 25/07/2023, a distressing incident occurred at SAMEC, located near Faulks Road in Aba.

“A group of hoodlums launched an attack on the convoy of the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, and Industry during the honorable commissioner’s familiarisation tour to markets in the Aba metropolis.

“The convoy was en route to Ekeoha shopping plaza when the armed assailants opened fire.

“Regrettably, amid the chaos, two police officers lost their lives in the line of duty.

“A police constable who was part of the security convoy, was fatally shot.

“Additionally, a police inspector who was not initially part of the convoy but happened to be on a separate assignment with a police Hilux, also met the scene and tragically lost his life.

“Furthermore, the hoodlums set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Ministry for Trade, Commerce, and Investment.

“The Commissioner of Police assures the public that every possible effort will be exerted as discreet investigations are ongoing to ensure justice is served.

“We condemn this cowardly act of violence and remain steadfast in our resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We urge the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies.

“Any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could prove pivotal in identifying and apprehending the culprits responsible for this heinous act.

In conclusion, we emphasise our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and upholding the triumph of good over evil.

“Together, as a united community, we shall prevail against such senseless acts of violence.”

• Condoles with family of NPA boss

Vice President Kashim Shettima has mourned the death of the Emir of Koko in Koko Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi, Malam Muhammadu Bello.

The late emir was the father of the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko.

In a statement by Mr Olusola Abiola, Director, Information, Office of the vice president, Shettima described the late monarch as peaceful who sacrificed a lot for the state and other parts of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shettima’s condolence message was delivered to the late Emir’s family by a delegation led by Rep. Usman Zannah, representing Kaga, Magumeri and Gubio Federal Constituency.

Also on the delegation were NPA’s Executive Directors – Ibrahim Umar (Engineering and Technical Services), and Ms Adenrele Adesina (Finance and Administration).

Others included VP’s aides, Sheikh Goni Abatcha, Ahmed Ningi, the Chiroma of Borno, and Alhaji Bakari Ali-Kotoko.

Read Also: Shettima: Fed Govt has raised $500m for food sufficiency

The delegation also commiserated with the royal family and the Kebbi Emirate Council at the behest of the vice president.

Shettima, who condoled with the Koko family and the Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, in particular, over the death of his father, said the late Emir was a rallying figure who would be greatly missed.

He also said the late Emir, who was a great scholar, teacher and one-time member of the Governing Board of the University of Maiduguri, demonstrated visionary leadership that was very evident to all.

Shettima prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant the late Emir Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort the people of Kebbi at “this time of his demise”.

The delegation also paid condolence visits to Gov. Nasir Idris of the state, and the Chairman of the Kebbi Council of Chiefs and Emir of Gwandu, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Bashar, at his Palace.

The governor, the MD of NPA and the Emir of Gwandu thanked Shettima for sending the delegation.

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have decried incessant attack on its drivers.

The association said most of its drivers conveying petrol and other goods from Lagos come under attack on  Oyo-Ogbomoso road,  end of Kaduna to the beginning of Kano State, and between Lokoja- Abaji roads.

He said the constant attack has led to loss of their trucks and death of their drivers.

To curb the attack, the  association’s President ,  Alhaji Yusuf Othman said drivers no longer drive at night.

Read Also: NARTO seeks acquisition of 1,000 CNG, LPG trucks

He spoke  in Abuja  yesterday at the Transport Managers conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA).

Othman  said: “Any country that wishes to develop must be ready to invest in infrastructure. The roads are bad and dilapidated and taken over by criminals.

“We the operators are faced with serious challenges from hijackers of our trucks.  We have trucks loaded with goods worth about N27 million but it gets attacked at some flashpoints from Lagos on its way to the north.

“Some of the flashpoints are Oyo-Ogbomoso road, the end of Kaduna State down to the beginning of Kano State, and the Lokoja-Abaji roads. These areas are places where our drivers and our goods have come under constant attack and it has made us stop our drivers from driving at night.

 

“We urge the government to come to our aid to address the rate of insecurity on our roads.”

The Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of General Paul Tarfa (Adamawa Northeast) for reappointment as the chairman of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Board.

The nomination of Mr Mohammad Goni Alkali (Borno State) for reappointment as Managing Director of the NEDC, was also confirmed.

The confirmation of Tarfa and Alkali for reappointment followed their screening by the Senate in a Committee of the Whole.

Other nominees that were confirmed are Gambo Maikomo (member, Taraba State); Abdullahi Abbas, member Kano State); Tsav Stephen Aondoana, member, Northcentral, Benue); Mutiu Lawal-Areh, member, Southwest, Lagos) and Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo, member (Southeast, Abia).

Read Also: Tinubu reappoints NEDC board members

Also confirmed are Frank Owhor, member (South-South, Rivers); Musa Yashi, Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs (Northeast, Bauchi); Ahmed Abdulsalam Yahaya, Executive Director Operations, (North-East, Gombe) and Abubakar Garba Iliya, Executive Director Administration and Finance, (North-East, Yobe).

President Bola Tinubu had, in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpiabio and read at plenary last week, asked the Senate to confirm the nominees for appointment.

The President said the request was in line with Section 5(b) of the NEDC (establishment) Act.

“I write to present for confirmation by the distinguished members of the Senate, the appointment of the Chairman and members of Executive Management of the board of the North-East Development Commission.

“May I hope that the request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate,” Tinubu said in the letter.

• Industrial Court judgment upheld

Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi yesterday dismissed the  Motion on Notice filed by Governor Hyacinth Alia seeking the court to set aside the judgment obtained by the 23 local government chairmen at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Makurdi Division.

The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, dismissed the application for judicial review for lacking in merit.

The Makurdi Division of NICN, had in a judgment delivered by Justice I. A. Essien, restrained the governor, Benue State Government, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, and three others from dissolving or suspending the elected council Chairmen without due process before the expiration of their tenure in office on June 29, 2024, among other reliefs.

In reaction to the judgment, the governor and others filed a motion seeking a judicial review of the judgment of the NICN.

Read Also: Police in Benue arraign herder for alleged open grazing

Ruling on the application, Justice Ikpambese held that a court could only sit over the judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction if the judgment is a nullity or was obtained by fraud.

He ruled that the court is incompetent to review the judgment of a brother-court especially as the issue of jurisdiction had been dealt with.

Justice Ikpambese further held that there was no basis for the applicants to approach the court for a judicial review, and added that what the applicants ought to do is to appeal.

Justice Ikpambese dismissed the application for lack of merit.

Similarly, the court also dismissed the originating summons by the chairmen against the governor and five others challenging their suspension, on the grounds that the same reliefs sought in the suit before the court were granted by the NICN, a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

Entrepreneurs in the food sector are collaborating to bridge the gender gap in agriculture.

The gender-specific barriers, include limited access to financing, information, training, and societal obstacles, hinders productivity in the agrifood system.

The entrepreneurs under the African Food Changemakers (AFC) are collaborating with Skoll Foundation to launch the Leading African Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF).

It aims to amplify, celebrate, champion, and advance the work of female food changemakers in Africa through mentorship, training, peer-to-peer support and increased visibility through strategic media coverage, and connections to AFC partner networks for funding and scaling.

Communications officer, African Food Changemakers (AFC) , Cassandra Taiwo made this known in a statement.

She stated: “Women face significant gender-specific barriers, including limited access to financing, information, training, and societal obstacles. These challenges hinder productivity in the agrifood system, contributing to underperformance in developing countries.

Read Also: Growing the economy through agriculture

“Recognizing the need to support women’s progress in the food ecosystem and raise awareness of their role as changemakers in the African agricultural sector, African Food Changemakers (AFC) collaborated with the Skoll Foundation to launch the Leading African Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF) Program on March 3rd, 2023.

“The LAWFF Program, supported by the Skoll Foundation, aims to amplify, celebrate, champion, and advance the work of female food changemakers in Africa. It offers mentorship, training, peer-to-peer support, increased visibility through strategic media coverage, and connections to AFC partner networks for funding and scaling.

 

“Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder and Executive Chair, emphasized that LAWFF’s design reflects her own experiences as a woman in the food ecosystem, acknowledging the persistent barriers women face and the urgent need for training, mentorship, support, and visibility for women at the forefront of the sector.

 

“The Leading African Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF) program will culminate at the 2023 Africa Food System Forum Summit in Tanzania in September 2023.

 

“Together, these remarkable women are paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive food system in Africa, where the image of success is synonymous with a flourishing female entrepreneur rather than a hungry child. As these women emerge as leaders and advocates, their amplified voices will shape policies, influence narratives, and drive transformative change in the African agricultural sector.”

Women are demanding  35 per cent of all ministerial positions and appointments into agencies and boards in the new administration.

The women under Women in politics Forum (WIPF), said the appointments that they are expecting should not stop at the federal level but should also be replicated at all state levels .

President WIPF, Ebere Ifendu said women were promised such opportunities during the campaigns at all levels of government which encouraged women all over the country to support and push for the emergence of the president and governors.

Ifendu, who urged the present administration not to go back on its words, said it’s not just about compensation to women but about the integrity and character of our leaders in all levels.

She made this known yesterday in Abuja at the Actionaid Nigeria in partnership with Plan International and other Civil Society Organizations, Girls Democracy Convening workshop titled, ‘Amplifying Girls’ Voices for Inclusive Governance’.

Ifendu  said:  “It’s not just about compensation but about integrity and character, as they were campaigning, they made promises to  women and you cannot be a good leader if you don’t care about your character, words and promises made. So it is important for them as individuals and government to respect those promises so we are expecting that any ministerial list or appointment coming up would not have anything less than 35% of women.

“These are their promises, not mine and it behoves on them to respect those things. You cannot come up to the public and say words that you cannot live up to, that means you have no character and I don’t think any politician would want to be seen as one without character.”

Read Also: No, Adamawa is not about women in politics

 

The member  representing Kaduna North federal constituency,  Mohammed El-Rufai  assured women that President Bola Tinubu would not disappoint them.

 

He said with President Tinubu, women would see results in terms of getting executive positions in ministries and agencies of government.

 

He added: “It’s unfortunate that both in the House of Representatives and Senate, we have less women in both chambers at the moment, compared to the previous assembly.

 

“I can speak for my colleagues and can say that our vision is clear, we are willing to partner with organisations like Plan International, we are beneficiaries of Yiaga Africa and the Not too Young to Run bill so we know the impact civil societies can make be it in pushing the child’s right act or working on laws to see that women are carried along. I have a feeling that with our leader President Bola Tinubu, you would see results in terms of women getting executive positions in ministries and agencies of government.”

 

The Country Director ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi said in Nigeria today, so many things depressing due to the present situation of the country.

 

The country director further said, “Action Aid Nigeria is in 26 states across the country and we work with the most vulnerable, so you should stand in your constituency and defend it. We have young people that for a while we did not know how to assist but we now have more opportunities for Action Aid to engage.

 

“So there  are a lot of things that we can do with mentorship, lots of organisations have opened a lot of spaces, Plan International is doing alot on gender mainstreaming.”