Category: Northern Report

• Congratulates Muslims on New Year 1445 AH

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya yesterday constituted a 25-man Committee for the assessment of grazing, forest and game reserves as well as cattle routes.

 The governor called on Muslims to pray for abundant rain for bumper harvest.

 The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said the committee is chaired by AIG Zubairu Muazu Halilu (rtd) with  Ibrahim Hussain and Rabiu Abubakar as Legal Adviser as Secretary.   

 Members of the committee are Alhaji Hammadu Abubakar, ACP Ibrahim Bappa (rtd), Hon. Muh’d Magaji Gettado, Col. Abdullahi Bello (rtd), Hon. Lamiya Simon, Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Walama, Malam Ibrahim Musa Miyabe and Col. Sani Adamu Depsia (rtd). 

 Others are Dr. Barnabas Malle, Alhaji Ali Jijji Gadam, Hon. Umar Ahmad Suleiman, Hon. Shuaibu Umar Galadima, Mr. Dauda Batari Maaji, Hon. Mamman Alkali, Zakari Abubakar Difa, Umaru Lamido, Bakari Keletuma and Modibbo Sadeeq Ahmed.

 Others are  the Chairman, MACBAN, Modibbo Yahaya Gombe;  Chairman, Kautal Hore, Ardo Chindo Abubakar; Chairman, Jode Jam; Alhaji Ahmed Bello Gombe, a representative of the Commissioner of Police, Director of Security and Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). 

 Meanwhile, Yahaya has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1445 AH yesterday.  

In a message to the Muslim Ummah, the governor described the Islamic New Year as significant for Muslims, calling on them to use the occasion, especially in this sacred month of Al-Muharram, to offer special prayers for abundant rainfall for bumper harvest, peace, unity, growth, and prosperity of the state and Nigeria.

 He said:  “As we begin the year 1445 AH, let us remember the importance of unity, compassion, and love. Let us strive to be better people, to be kinder to those around us, and to work towards a more just and peaceful world.” 

  He noted that the Islamic New Year was a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future as well as to renew commitment to the values of Islam and humanity.  

  “This is a period for sober reflection. It is a period for us to look back with retrospection and satisfaction, look forward with hope and optimism, look up with confidence and appreciate what Allah has done for us as a people, state and nation,” he admonished.

  The governor expressed optimism that the new year will usher in more blessings: “It is my sincere prayers and hope that this new year 1445 AH brings us happiness, good health, and prosperity. May Allah bless us, and may our faith in Him continue to grow stronger. Happy Islamic New Year 1445 AH.”

The Senate yesterday set up an Ad-hoc Committee to compile a list of bad Federal roads and erosion sites across the country to be forwarded to the Executive Arm of government for urgent intervention.

According to the Red Chamber, the roads consist of those that have been awarded for repairs but abandoned by contractors or have not been awarded at all.

The Red Chamber also charged the Federal Government to consider the option of concessioning by engaging credible construction firms after proper screenings to fix all dilapidated road

It also advised the government to seek alternative funding sources like the Muhammadu Buhari led administration did with SUKUK to enable it to deliver on road infrastructure projects.

These resolutions were sequel to a motion, entitled: “Collapse of road infrastructure in Nigeria” sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau and co-sponsored by other 107 senators during plenary.

Senator Barau, while presenting the motion, lamented that “so many federal roads are in very deplorable conditions that hardly any part of the country can boast of a motorable road.”

He lamented that some of the roads had been awarded for either construction or rehabilitation only to be abandoned by the contractors after moving to the site.

He said: “Collapse of the road infrastructure has virtually cut off many parts of Nigeria, with its attendant negative impact on trade and commerce.

“The collapse has led to a decline in agricultural activities, adversely affecting the movement of agricultural produce from rural areas and across the country, resulting in a slide in the country’s agricultural output and economy, especially now that the country needs to diversify its economy.”

The Deputy Senate President also noted with sadness the “concomitant loss of lives as a result of the bad state of the roads, as evidenced by the chilling statistics reeled out by the Federal Road Safety Corps, which is a price too high and too prohibitive to pay.”

In his contribution, Senator Isah Jibrin (APC – Kogi East), noted with regret that many people died in accidents caused by bad roads while many others have been forced to abandon their homes due to collapse of bridges and drainages.

Senator Idiat Adebule (APC – Lagos West) urged the Federal Government to fast-track the rehabilitation of roads across the country.

She reiterated the deplorable situation of roads nationwide. Senator Adebule hailed the Federal Government for the effective work ongoing on Lagos-Badagry road.

“I want to urge them to fast-track the process so we can complete that road. As for those that are in deplorable situations, we must charge the Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that those roads are attended to, ” she said.

Other senators, in their contributions, lamented the adverse effects of erosion and other factors on roads in their constituencies and called for urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction, where necessary, to save lives and properties of the people.

• Constitutes visitation panel

Visitor to the Benue State University, Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia has dissolved the Governing Council of the institution.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Kulas Tersoo, yesterday, Alia  constituted a seven-man Visitation Panel to, among other things, audit the university from 2016 when the last panel visited. The panel is to investigate activities at the institution and report back.

The panel, which is headed by Prof. Gabriel Moti, has Mr. Simon Orkuma as Secretary. Other members include Prof. Kwaghkondo Agber, Igyeigye Peter, Prof. Christie Ekoja, Mr. Sam Yuhwa, and Prof. Okpe Okpe.

Kogi State Governor A Yahaya Bello yesterday commiserated with the Atta Igala, Alaji Matthew Ogwuche-Akpa II, on the demise of his elder brother, Prince James Faruna-Opaluwa.

Bello, in a statement in Lokoja by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, sympathised with the Atta Igala, family members and the Igala people over the irreparable loss.

Faruna-Opaluwa died on Saturday, aged 69 after battling an illness.

Bello described the late Faruna-Opaluwa as a dedicated community leader and humble individual, who devoted his life to the service of God and humanity. He acknowledged the significant contributions made by the deceased to the progress and development of his community and his unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of those around him.

“I hereby wish to encourage your Royal Majesty and the family of the late Faruna-Opaluwa to find solace in the remarkable life he lived.

“It is quite remarkable that he will be remembered for the cherished memories he left behind,’’ he said.

Bello, however, prayed to God to comfort and strengthen the Attah Igala and the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss, and also grant eternal rest for the departed soul.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Faruna-Opaluwa was a great pillar and icon in the Aju- Amacho Dynasty.

 He was a retired Programme Manager, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

The Kebbi State Government has pledged sustained support to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to curb human trafficking and illegal immigration in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala, gave the assurance yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, when he received a delegation led by Deputy Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, from the NIS Headquarters, Abuja.

He said: “The Kebbi Government will like to assure you of its continuous support, and we will increase our support and assistance to your office.

“The Kebbi Government is determined to increase support to our security agencies; as you know, the immigration service is not only confined to immigration issues but it is also related to insurgency and banditry,” Bala said.

The SSG reaffirmed the determination of the state government to partner the NIS as part of its renewed strategic resolve to strengthen security in the state.

Earlier, Nandap informed the SSG that the delegation was in the state to inaugurate the hand-over of Regional Migration Academy, Tuga, in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

“The NIS is charged with stopping illegal immigration. It is a scourge; a problem we face, and it is a problem that is creating a lot of economic, social and political issues in terms of brain drain of our citizens.

” The reason the academy is sited in the state is to curb and help in alleviating some of these issues in terms of smuggling of migrants as the state is a transit,” she said.

Nandap commended the Comptroller, NIS Command in the State, Rabi Bashir-Nuhu for her efforts, and the state government for the support to the command.

The DCG also solicited provision of utility vehicles to patrol the vast border areas in the state to actualise the mandate of the service in reducing trafficking and illegal immigration to the barest minimum.

The Election Petition Court in Kaduna yesterday adjourned till August 7 for adoption of final addresses, as parties in the petition challenging the election of Senator for Kaduna North Constituency closed their case.

Justice H.H. Kereng said the addresses should be presented and signed on or before August 4.

Earlier, Counsel to the second respondent, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), D.B. Kwajafa, who was slated to open the defence, applied to close their  case.

“We have previewed evidence by the petitioners and that of the first respondent and we are of the view that we don’t need to call any witness,” he said.

Similarly, Counsel to the third respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), H.S. Gachi also said they wouldn’t be calling any witness, and applied to close the case.(NAN)

• Demands return of 32 vehicles, N5 billion damages

The management of London Line Transport Company Limited has petitioned the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, over the invasion of its premises by the Assets Recovery Committee set up by the state government.

It will be recalled that members of Benue State Assets Recovery Committee on July 11, this year, invaded the premises of London Line along Otukpo Road, Makurdi and Carted away vehicles which they claimed were government vehicles that were taken away by the immediate past Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom.

 In the petition dated July 14, 2023, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of London Line Transport Limited, Chief Emmanual Viashima, the company stated that officials of the committee led by Mr. Tom Uja, a lawyer, broke into their premises, took stock of vehicles before carting them away.

 The company said the committee members harassed alarmed workers who had started recording the invasion and seized some of their phones which were later returned.

 Viashima continued that upon been informed of the development, he rushed to the scene to make sense out of the entire chaotic scenario and to his utter disbelief, he was locked out of the premises and refused entry.

Shocked by the action of the committee, he reached out to  his landlords and lawyers who later arrived the scene, gained entry and upon enquiry, they were informed that there was a search warrant issued for the Committee to impound any Hilux Vehicles, Prado Jeeps, GAC and Buses brand official vehicles found within the premises.

 He said his lawyers  raised issues on the Gestapo invasion against the procedure of executing the Search Warrant, which demands a search of the officers seeking to carry out the search to forestall planting of incriminating exhibits.

The CEO said despite that the purported search warrant was patently, latently and defective as it was not directed towards any named person or entity on the face of the said document which made its authenticity contestable, his team rendered all forms of assistance to ensure that there was minimal rancour.

According to Chief Viashima, despite the information by his team to the Committee that the vehicles belonged to companies and individuals, the Committee mobilised persons to line up the vehicles in a convoy to be videoed, thereby setting up his business for maximum damaging publicity which would impact negatively on the genuine business of the company.

He said since the incident, the social media space and mainstream media have been awash with the false impression that vehicles belonging to the Benue State Government and taken away by former Governor, Samuel Ortom were stashed in the company’s premises.

Chief Viashima described as uncalled for, the manner press men and crowd of fierce looking thugs occupied the main premises and surroundings of the company while the operation lasted.

He drew the attention of Alia to a Facebook post published on Wednesday, July 12, 2023  by an aide to the Benue State Governor on the incident where he maliciously posted photos of vehicles parked in premises that are not from the company as those towed away from London Line business premises.

The CEO of London Line Transport added that the public has feasted on the post with several un-salutary statements impugning and making a caricature of its corporate image.

 He further said such pictures have also trended with attendant negative effect on the line of business they do which is essentially to cater for the vehicular needs of the patronizing public without regards to race, religion or political leaning.

Viashima revealed that the company is already experiencing immediate consequences and direct fall out of the negative publicity as a result of the invasion.

Also, contrary to claims by the Asset Recovery Committee that 30 vehicles were towed away from the company’s premises, the CEO gave the number of vehicles taken away from the company by the committee as 32.

He debunked the claim that the vehicles carted away as well as the workshop belongs to Ortom.

He said the premises is only owned by his landlords, Oracle Business Ltd but London Line Transport Company Ltd has been

in lawful occupation of the premises on lease where it carries out repairs and refurbishment services for many years to a wide range of clients, including the Benue State Government as records would bear.

He lamented that his wife’s Lexus 250 was terribly destroyed by the Committee in the process of forcibly tying and towing it away and proceeded to  to itemise each of the 32 vehicle carted away, their owners and vehicle particulars. The company is demanding for damages to the tune of N5 billion.

The letter, which was addressed to the governor, was also copied to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command; President, Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Makurdi, Secretary to the Benue State Government, Chairman, Assets Recovery Committee, and the Tor Tiv.

Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has registered 63,000 vulnerable persons for free healthcare, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Saleh Abba-Kaza, made this known at a briefing  yesterday in Maiduguri.

Abba-Kaza said the vulnerable, comprising pregnant women, children under five, people living with disabilities, the elderly and the poorest in the society, were registered in 25 local government areas.

He said the agency, established by the Governor Babagana Zulum-led administration in 2019, also accredited 183 primary healthcare facilities across the state to render services.

Abba-Kaza said the secondary facilities also accredited to serve as referral centres for primary healthcare facilities included: the State Specialist Hospital, Eye Hospital, Dental Hospital, State Psychiatric Hospital, Skin and Leprosy Hospital and General Hospital in all LGAs.

“It is worthy to note that the Governor. Babagana Zulum had recently pledged to disburse over N200 million as counterpart fund to the agency so that more poor and vulnerable people will be covered by free healthcare.

“Under the formal sector scheme of the agency, no fewer than 100,000 civil servants and their dependants from the state and local governments will benefit from the affordable and qualitative healthcare,” he said.

 Noting that the programme had yet to commence for civil servants, the executive secretary urged the organised labour in the state to buy into the scheme to enable workers benefit.

“The agency, under the informal sector, was able to enroll about 1,000 people.

“Meanwhile, preparation is in top gear to commence the tertiary institution contributory health programme, known as TISHIP,” Abba-Kaza said.

The Arewa Council of Chiefs have called for the immediate release of Sarkin Hausa of Lagos State arrested by the the Department of State Services (DSS)

 The Northern traditional leaders made the call in Kaduna yesterday, through its Jarman Lagos, Yerima Shettima.

He said the Council is not unaware of the relationship between the Sarkin Hausawa and suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, as alleged.

 Shettima said the Council of Arewa Chiefs, and the Arewa Community in the Southwest could attest to the Sarkin Hausawa’s credibility, leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism and commitment to the interests of Nigerians.

 The Arewa chieftains further demanded that the DSS grant him immediate access to legal representation, medical attention and family members rather than his “illegal” continuous detention.

Shettima said: “The attention of the Council of Arewa Chiefs, Lagos State has been drawn to the unexplained detention of the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro, with his wife by the Department of State Services (DSS).

 “We note also that the Sarkin Hausawa has been held by the DSS incommunicado for the last three days following what initially was a routine invitation which he dutifully honoured.

 “The Council of Arewa Chiefs also understands that Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.”

“The Council is not unaware of the friendship relationship between Sarkin Hausawa and Mr Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friends with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.

“What is regrettable is, however, the unexplained connection of a friend with the ongoing investigation of Mr Emefiele, who till this moment, as far as the public is concerned, is only being accused of possession of unlicensed firearms.

 “The Council is concerned that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of community using terrorism fight as smoke screen.While the Council of Arewa Chiefs does not dispute the prerogative of the DSS and any security service in the country to invite any person it deems useful for any of its investigations, we however find the detention of the Sarkin Hausawa incommunicado and beyond the lawfully allowed 24 hours by the DSS, repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs.

 “The Council of Arewa Chiefs, and indeed the Arewa Community in the Southwest and every decent Nigerian and institution in Nigeria can without a doubt attest to the Sarkin Hausawa’s credibility, leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the interests of the people of Northern Nigerian in the South, and citizens of Nigeria as whole.He is as well known never to lower the bar where the interests of the North, the unity and security of Nigeria, or the welfare of all citizens are involved.

 “While the Council of Arewa Chiefs is very much aware of the obligations on every Nigerian to assist government agencies and institutions in the all-important fight against corruption within the laws of the land, and in building a nation united around the values of justice and honest enterprise, we nevertheless shall remain firm in the belief that security agencies are as much deserving of respect in the same manner the traditional institutions demand to be respected.

 “Traditional rulers will first need to be accorded commensurate respect, their emasculation, maltreatment and harassment has to be ended and their revered place of respect assured before we can place any hope in them to do anything meaningful in the community.

 “Having come this far, the Arewa Council of Chiefs wishes to make the following demands from the DSS and or any other agency or institution involved with the current incarceration of the Sarkin Hausawa:

 “Demand his immediate and unconditional release from what obviously is an unlawful detention, grant him immediate access to legal representation, medical attention and family members.

 “In the alternative, present him for cognizance by a competent court of law in accordance with the provisions that invalidate the indefinite detention of persons without trial.”