The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Haven for premature babies

    Haven for premature babies

    In one month, 45 premature babies have been saved in a Bida, Niger State hospital, reports JUSTINA ASISHANA

    THANKS to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, Niger State, no fewer than 45 premature babies are no longer on the verge of death. In one month, doctors at the hospital saved that many premature newborns from dying.

    The labour room is usually a tense place. Expectant mothers hope for safe delivery and look forward to carrying their bundle of joy. Sometimes they end up with a tiny baby who must be kept in an incubator to grow to maturity. In some cases, those premature babies die before they make it to the icubator.

    At the FMC, Bida, there have been no such heartbreaks for 45 mothers. In the past one month, they were successfully delivered at the hospital and are doing well in their incubators, the Medical Director of the facility Dr. Mohammad Usman Aminu said.

    Aminu said four of the premature babies died due to complications resulting from their mothers not seeking medical care on time and those whose babies were brought in very critical conditions from other hospitals. He expressed confidence that the neonatal ward in the hospital is capable of preventing the death of premature babies.

    The Medical Director also disclosed that over 150 premature babies have been saved from January to June.

    He said the hospital has state of the art facilities to save the lives of premature babies, adding that the centre has incubators that can  accommodate up to 25 premature babies.

    Aminu said that there is adequate oxygen in the neonatal intensive care unit to address any emergency that may arise from the birth of babies who weigh less than 1kg.

    The Medical Director also disclosed that plans have been concluded for the installation of a computerised thermography (CT) scan machine to ease procedures for operations of patients and other related illnesses, adding that three consultants on radiology are already in place for the operation of the machine.

    He said that the CT scan machine along with its installation and training of workers as well configuration of the room would gulp N152.5 million.

    The Medical Director reiterated that all the facilities and systems in the center are in good working condition adding there are no high rate of neonatal and infant mortality debunking a social media report purportedly said to be written by one of its doctors that the system in Federal Medical centre have worsened in the last two weeks leading to high rate of death cases.

    He stated that though there may have been a drop in power supply in Bida, the medical centre runs its activities on alternate power supply using its generator contrary to the claims by the doctor that doctors bring along small generators to light up certain parts of the hospital.

    “The management of Federal Medical Centre Bida is up and doing and the facilities are working perfectly well. We produce our own water, we have an oxygen plant and the centre have never lacked oxygen. Despite the problem of power supply, we have gone extra miles to provide our clientele the best services.”

    The parents of those saved babies are unlikely to forget the feat at the medical centre.

  • Ending cattle rustling

    They storm communities and villages armed with sophisticated weapons and usually on motorcycles. Some of the criminals use dane-guns and other locally-made weapons to kill, maim and rape their victims,  and steal cattle and other livestock.

    This was the hallmark of cattle rustlers in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau and other states.

    Initially, cattle rustling, which was carried out on a minor scale, was traced to the beginning of Boko Haram attacks and believed to be carried out to cater for the insurgents’ food needs.

    But it has gone haywire in the past few years as some people have claimed to have seen helicopters dropping attackers and their sophisticated weapons in the bushes mostly at nightfall.

    Apart from responses by the local security agencies, various vigilance groups also sprang up to check the trend in the communities. But they are recording less success.

    With obstacles placed in their way by the local authorities, the cattle rustlers were said to have scaled up their strategies and plans to include kidnapping.

    Kidnapping for ransom that was well known with the southern part of the country, became the order of the day in the North.

    It came to a head when an army colonel, who was kidnapped from Kaduna State, was found murdered.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, while linking cattle rustling to kidnapping in the North had said: “The culprits may have decided to go into kidnapping since they have been blocked from stealing cattle.

    “Instead of stealing cattle, the rustlers either kidnap a member of the herding family and demand ransom or send a letter asking for protection money, which is always huge,” he said.

    Most often, many victims of the attacks have pointed the finger of accusation at nomadic Fulani tribesmen.

    But the pan-Fulani socio-cultural group, the Meyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, have severally denied the involvement of its members in the killings and attacks.

    According to the group, the assailants only hide under Fulani garb to carry out the attacks.

    When cattle rustling and kidnapping became unbearable in the areas despite the efforts of the authorities, northern governors had to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to assist in bringing the attacks to an end.

    On behalf of the North, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai during the 21st Nigeria Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja had said that the situation has become worrisome and one of the biggest threat to security in the North.

    Their appeal was said to have led to the creation of Operation Sharan Daji (Operation Sweeping of the Bush), a military task force mandated to end the incidents of ethnic killings, cattle rustlings and farmers-herdsmen conflicts.

    The Operation was claimed to have resulted in arrests of cattle rustlers, armed bandits, and recovery of stolen cattles and other livestocks, arms and ammunitions.

    While the incidences of cattle rusting were still being recorded in some communities with the Operation in force, President Buhari in Zamfara State last Wednesday, after witnessing a live Field Training Exercise to clear remnants of cattle rustlers and armed bandits in the area, believed that the military has what it takes to end the menace.

    He said: “I sympathise with the people of this area for the enormous losses they suffered as a result of the incessant activities of the insurgents and cattle rustlers whose actions have made farming, livestock management and other economic activities more difficult even in the face of the general economic challenges.

    “I am quite optimistic that the operations of the last few days will surely lead to the restoration of economic activities of surrounding communities bedevilled for some time now by the menace of cattle rustling and banditry. I therefore commend the Chief of Army Staff for this foresight and initiative and for mobilizing adequate resources to ensure precision in the conduct of the exercise. I also applaud the collaboration with sister services and other security agencies in order to degrade and decimate the miscreants.

    “I urge you to intensify and perfect current strategies, approaches, techniques and tactics towards curtailing all forms of lawlessness across the country.  It is quite gratifying to inspect the equipment displayed which showcased the robust capability of the Nigerian Army to ward off internal and external aggression against the nation. I am pleased at the dexterity, prowess and level of professionalism displayed by various components including the combat airborne jump by personnel of the Nigerian Army supported by the Nigerian Air Force.

    “I am quite confident that the Nigerian Armed Forces have been amply repositioned more than ever before to resolutely confront contemporary and emerging security challenges in the country.

    “The involvement of private partners in the defence sector especially in terms of provision of specialist equipment under the Public Private Partnership is a welcome development.” He stated

    Nigerians, will no doubt, heave sigh of relief when cattle rustling among other crimes are brought to an end in the country.

     

    No free money

    Nigerians and many communities and villages in the country have been told that it will no longer be business as usual.

    The communities that have abandoned their businesses and ways of life for money from oil over the years have been told to retrace their steps.

    The North, which was known for its cultivation of many agricultural produce and contributed greatly to the mainstay of the Nigerian economy in the 1960s, was neglected for oil exploration in the south.

    But the present realities and dwindling income from oil, which the Nigerian economy was largely dependent on for several years, have now made many Nigerians to believe that oil was rather a curse than blessing to the country.

    It went a long way to change the attitude and way of lives of Nigerians, especially in the villages and communities who decided to wait for free money from Abuja rather than till the land.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday in Wanke under Gusau Local Government area of Zamfara state told Nigerians not to wait for such free money again.

    Buhari declared: “There is no easy money to throw around, we must go back to farming, livestock rearing so that we could develop the industries. We must put our hands on deck to ensure success of our mission in engineering Nigeria.

    “If efforts were made in the past to diversify the economy from our absolute reliance on a single commodity, we would not have found ourselves in our current situation.”

    Going back to agriculture and solid minerals he insisted will create employment, lead Nigeria out of the woods and return the country to path of growth and greatness.

     

  • AIG Mbu pulled out of service

    It was a day many, including reporters entered the Police Staff College in Jos, Plateau State, expecting explosive retirement remarks from the Commandant, Mbu Joseph Mbu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). But at the parade ground venue of the pulling-out parade, the crowd, which was pleasantly surprised at the valedictory speech of the controversial officer, gave him a standing ovation.

    With a smile, Mbu alighted from his black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), marching towards the guests as the crowd   shouted “General”.

    After exchanging pleasantries with some of the guests, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ogbonna Onovo, who had converged on the parade ground to celebrate him, Mbu mounted the podium to receive his salute, signalling the commencement of the day’s business.

    As the four quarter guard parade progressed from slow to quick march and then terminated with the hearty cheers, most reporters were imagining the dust Mbu will raise as his parting shot.

    Interestingly Mbu neither roared nor cursed. Rather, the officer started his a 12-paragraph address with songs of thanksgiving to God for a fulfilled career, reminding all that there is a time and season for everything.

    “Today is the time to dance. A day of fulfillment. We started the journey in January 1985 with 96 officers. As at June 30, we were 48 left. Some are still Chief Superintendent of Police (CSPs), some Deputy Commissioners of Police  (DCP) and some Commissioners of Police  (CPs). By God’s grace and mercy, I am retiring in the IGP category in good health,” he said.

    More exciting for Mbu was the fact that he exited the police at the same college where he was enlisted in December, 1985 as a cadet.

    The AIG seized the opportunity to appeal to serving senior officers to take the welfare of their subordinates seriously.

    “Give them words of encouragement. Send an officer to visit their homes when they are sick; accompany them when they are bereaved. Consider them for casual leave and off duty.

    “Officers in general should eschew eye-service, be themselves and be  committed to their duties. Police officers across Nigeria should love one another. How can you be disliked outside and inside too? Avoid petty jealousy and witch-hunt. There’s a difference between being strict and being wicked. Superiors should look for the best in their subordinates and use it.

    “To the Nigerian media and people, please, stop visiting the sins of an erring policeman on the entire force. See the police as partners in progress and encourage them to do their jobs effectively. Be interested in their working conditions and environment.”

    Asked his most challenging period as a policeman, Mbu said,  “Every day in the Nigeria Police is very challenging. That is why you kneel down and ask God for his protection before you set out. All my boys know that I dedicate three minutes every day to pray. I pray for wisdom, favours and courage because fortune favours the brave.”

  • Minister hails $15m Korea model school

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello has praised the 15 million USD Korea Model School being built along Airport Road, Abuja via bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Korean government.

    The Minister who spoke in his office while receiving a delegation from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) led by the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk, said it is the largest bilateral project between the two countries.

    Malam Bello noted that the school when completed would serve as a landmark and would strengthen existing a cordial relationship between Nigeria and Korea.

    While assuring that his administration would strive to provide the counterpart fund as at and when due, the Minister said that the FCT Administration would give all the necessary support to make the project successful.

    Malam Bello also praised KOICA for the intended capacity building programme planned for the would-be teachers in that school; saying that would surely create quality managers whose by-products would positively impact on the development of the country in the future by the time the school comes on stream in 2018.

    The Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration was working at creating a special unit in his office that would communicate directly with all the multilateral agencies and countries that are doing projects on joint venture with the FCT Administration to smoothen their operations.

    While noting that the geometric rise in Abuja’s population was posing serious challenges in the areas of managing the city’s traffic movements, waste disposal and electricity generation, the Minister said the Korean government could consider the possibility of investing in these areas to deepen its relationship with Nigeria.

    According to the Minister, “electricity supply is a huge challenge and we need it for basic security issues like the street lights in the night, traffic lights for interchanges as well as the hospitals and so many other areas.”

    “I can assure you that any project that any of the Korean companies is interested to do in Abuja to provide power, we are equally interested because power is needed now more than ever in the city for all the public facilities, we get the power from the national grid and it’s not enough.”

    Speaking on public transportation in FCT, the Minister said running the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has been quite a challenge as substantial numbers of the huge fleet of buses in the system were down and non-functional.

    “We are thinking that if we can get the company that is very experienced in managing urban mass transit system that uses buses, they may want to come in and we can go into partnership,” he stressed.

    His words: “We own the bus company but if we get serious investors, we can reduce the percentage of ownership because what we are interested is not to make money out of the business, but to improve the movement of the people within the city.”

    Speaking earlier, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk said the Korean Government would build certain parts of the Model School, while the FCT Administration will handle other parts.

    Mr. Kyu-duk said the programme is so unique in a way that it would serve as landmark in educational sector between Nigeria and the Korean Republic.

    The Ambassador recalled that the electricity situation in the FCT was much better some 20 years ago when KOICA first came to Abuja, but regretted that the agency is now running on generators at present to sustain its activities.

    “Some of the Korean companies have good experience and technology to build this kind of power plant if the opportunity could be given to us,” he added.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and other top officials of the FCT Administration also joined the Minister to receive the Korean delegation.

     

  • A feast dampened by cash crunch

    A feast dampened by cash crunch

    Residents who wanted to celebrate Sallah outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were held back by cash constraints, reports GRACE OBIKE

    They wanted to celebrate the end of the Ramadan fast in their hometowns in the Northeast. Boko Haram is on the back foot, and it would have been a great idea to see their homes again and relish the return of peace there. It was not to be. Money was such a big obstacle that much as they wanted to travel for the feast, they could not. People travelling to other parts of the country during the period had similar challenges.

    Usually, Abuja is empty during the holidays and full again thereafter. But in the past few years, more people have been streaming into the city from the Northeast and other parts terrorised by the Islamist sect. However, with the weakening of the group, life is returning to the northern flank, with residents celebrating the Eid el-Fitri in peace. That was why many Abuja residents, especially those who hail from the region, wanted to travel home for the feast. Cash crunch stood in their way.

    Most motor parks in Abuja lacked the level of activities that were always associated with them during the holidays. The Utako motor park is an example. From there, people travel to virtually every part of the country. But during the Sallah holiday, it was a shadow of itself. Drivers complained of low patronage, while those who were bent on travelling, pleaded for fares so low the transporters could not accept.

    Secretary, Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Utako branch, Isaac Ishola explained that this year’s turn up of travellers was low because the economy is affecting everyone.

    “We definitely had the lowest turn-up of passengers this year; the present economy is affecting everyone mostly, we the drivers with the current fuel hike and the fact that we don’t have passengers travelling; it is making us suffer.

    “The problem with this country is that our leaders are always in a hurry to create laws that do not favour the poor man. They need to learn to implement such ideas gradually because the way they are presently going about things, they are simply increasing the hardship of Nigerians,” he said.

    Saadu Abubakar, a driver that plies Abuja to Jos route complained bitterly of how the lack of passengers was making them idle away at the park instead of working.

    “During this time last year, I would travel to Jos, return and go back for another trip before the day ends but now, I will be lucky if I can get enough passengers to make a trip.” he lamented. “There are no passengers this year. If you had come here last year, you will not meet any vehicle at the park at this time of the day but look at it, the car is filled with vehicles in the park with no passengers and no money.”

    A shop owner at the park, James Julius, who also attributed the low volume of passengers to the economic downturn, said that most passengers now prefer standing on the road and waiting for vehicles which they believe are cheaper than going into the parks where they are required to pay more.

    He said, “People are complaining of money, transport fare was not increased, it has not been increased since the last hike that followed the fuel price increase but drivers in this park are complaining of no passengers; they complain that when they go to some of these states, they don’t get passengers to drive back with and end up coming back empty.

    “One of our drivers that went to Sokoto for the last three days is not yet back because no passengers and most of the passengers that come here spend time begging for a reduction in the fare that is not even enough in the first place.”

    One of the passengers travelling to Zamfara, Isa Yusuf, complained of being at the park for hours due to lack of passengers.

    “I have been here since morning; there are no passengers and these drivers will not move until the car is filled up. I came to the park early so that I can arrive Zamfara early but now I might end up arriving home late due to the delay.”

    Most of the Eid observers that stayed back to celebrate the holiday in Abuja decided to take take their families out to most of the parks around town. The Jabi Lake Park, for instance, was packed with families and traders on hand to take advantage of the huge stream of people. Children had a field day playing the available games and some with money took fun trips on the boat rides around the lake.

    Activities at the Monalisa Amusement Park, Millennium Parks, Magic Land Amusement Park, the zoo, shopping malls and cinemas around town were jammed with families trying to give their children a good time.

    A parent of three having a picnic at the Jabi lake with her family, Aisha Mustapha explained that they could not travel for the holidays but decided to take the children out to make up for it.

    “Things are difficult, and these days, we can’t all do most of the things we usually did like travelling back and forth for the holidays, so we brought the children out to have fun and enjoy themselves.”

     

  • Nasarawa transforms slums

    Nasarawa State is fighting the infrastructure battle under Governor Tanko al-Makura. The Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS) has been up and doing in upgrading slums in the urban centres into habitable settlements, thereby re-integrating their inhabitants into a saner society defined by the availability of social amenities and public utilities.

    Slums have been an eyesore in many towns. They pose a serious problem for government’s developmental efforts. Those who reside in them are exposed to health hazards, apart from lacking adequate sanitation, improved water supply, decent housing or adequate living space.

    Worried by these challenges, Governor al-Makura inaugurated NAGIS a year ago. One of its terms of reference was providing a clear and detailed blueprint on general land use and district plans.

    Under the first phase of the implementation, slums in Lafia, the state capital, Mararaba, Masaka and other settlements along the Abuja corridor, are expected to be addressed. The Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Mr. Sonny Agassi, who shed light on the slum upgrading policy, explained that it is essentially a strategy for environmental renewal. People around the areas are expected to receive a new orientation about better life through an improved access to adequate water supply, education, electricity and sewage services, he added.

    Also, owing to the tenuous legal status of slum inhabitants, government is pushing for the legalisation of the right to the land on which slums are built.

    Agassi stressed: “Slum upgrading’s goal is to transform these areas into decent housing areas. The concept of slum upgrading as espoused by the Al-Makura’s administration is a strategy for the improvement in a slum’s infrastructure which has become necessary after a period of unprecedented urban growth along the FCT corridor since the transference of the nation’s capital to Abuja”.

    The commissioner said priority will be given to the transformation of Mararaba in Karu local government area. It is one of the rural agricultural areas along the Keffi-Abuja Expressway, encompassing Nyanya, Ado, New Karu, Masaka and Uke with an estimated population of 205,477people.

    As a result of its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), its lands are targeted for a lot economic activities. The activities of the informal sector in these areas are uncoordinated. Many modes of transportation are used along the corridor, either to places of work, recreation or other businesses. These often lead to a chaotic situation on a daily basis.

    There is no central water reticulation system or public supply. Residents access potable water by sinking boreholes. Some purchase from water vendors. Some dig wells. Many draw water from nearby streams.

    Almakura has also expressed worry over the challenge of solid waste disposal along the Karu-Abuja road. In his view, the axis slum upgrade has become necessary because refuse is dumped indiscriminately because there was no designated site for refuse dumping or collection. The dumped refuse usually found their way into drains and waterways. When the drains are blocked, it could lead to flooding and other negative consequences.

    Agasi explained that, after government has made provision for refuse dumping and collection sites, a new legislation prohibiting indiscriminate dumping of refuse would be enacted and mobile courts instituted to enforce environmental sanitation laws.

  • Buhari and the less privileged

    The bond between President Muhammadu Buhari and the masses appears to be growing.

    Determined to make the state resources accessible to the less privileged in the society, Buhari at every given opportunity had blamed the elite for the woes the country is going through, which resulted from many years of mismanagement and corruption from one administration to the other.

    He is so endeared to the masses that they did not only stood solidly behind him in the period leading to the 2015 Presidential election, which he won, but have also continued to make sacrifices in the last one year as Buhari and his team strove to revamp the already battered economy.

    If not for the trust and love the masses have for Buhari, hell, for instance, would have been let loose with the increase of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also called petrol, from N87 to N145 in May, 2016.

    Organised protests championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the support of the masses have shut down some past administrations, which attempted to implement a slight increase in the pump price of petrol.

    In most cases, those administrations were forced to reduce the pump price down to an agreeable price to all the stakeholders.

    But the move by the NLC to organize protest against the increase in pump price in May was not effective partly because the masses believed in Buhari’s administration’s genuine intention to rebuild Nigeria.

    Beside the vital role they played in Buhari’s victory at the polls against a sitting ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, the masses and the less privileged, no doubt, have continued to see the current administration as theirs.

    They were however not disappointed by President Buhari last week Monday as a cross section of the less privileged in the society including taxi drivers, hair dressers, traders, motorcycle riders, barbers, transport workers, butchers, tailors, Keke NAPEP riders, junior staff of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were hosted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Theirs was the last of the series of breaking of fast dinner President Buhari had with various groups during the just concluded Ramadan fasting period.

    Like saving the best for last, the dinner with the less privileged Nigerians witnessed many memorable aspects that the invitees won’t forget in a hurry.

    The dinner with the less-privileged was also different in many ways from other breaking of fast dinners Buhari had with other groups.

    While dinners for other groups  were held in the less spacious new Banquet Hall of the State House or the President’s residence, the dinner for the less privileged was held in the largest hall in the State House, the old Banquet Hall.

    The choice of the hall was a result of the large number of the less privileged persons invited for the dinner, which was about 300 in number.

    Unlike the dinner for other groups, President Buhari during the dinner for the less privileged momentarily assumed the role of a steward.

    After observing the necessary Muslim prayer preceding breaking of fast with the less privileged invitees and at the end of rendition of the opening national anthem in the hall, Buhari took over a food serving point in the hall from the State House stewards.

    Holding a giant food serving spoon, Buhari stood behind trays of variety of food and personally served the physically-challenged invitees their choices of food for the night.

    The privilege of being served their meals by the number one citizen was cherished and appreciated by the invitees.

    The action will, no doubt, remain in their memories for a long time to come.

    Appreciating Mr. President’s love and care to the less privileged in the society, one of the disabled invitees, Musbahu Lawal Didi, who gave the vote of thanks during the dinner, reechoed the feelings of the invitees in the hall.

    He said: “Mr. President, thank you very much for giving us this opportunity and for serving us what we used to break our fast today. I believe what I will say to the President and this government is merely appreciation.

    “As person with disability, in the history of Nigeria, it is only President Muhammadu Buhari that has appointed persons with disability as his Senior Special Assistant.

    “Because he believes we are important in the society, he also added another appointment. We really appreciate Mr. President and that really shows your concern for us people with disabilities. I believe this government is working hard to ensure improvement of welfare and security of Nigerians.

    Replying, Buhari said: “I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.

    “Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care. This government is concerned about your welfare and will work hard to improve it.”

     

    Homage

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday received the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents on Eid-el-Titr Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was the first time Buhari was receiving the Muslim community on Sallah homage under the current dispensation.

    The President was not able to receive the Muslim community during the Eid-el-Kabir festival in September, 2015 as he spent the period in his home town of Daura in Katsina State.

    But since then, he has received the Christian community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the Christmas homage last December.

    Being the first for Muslims, the excitement of the occasion was very obvious on the faces of members of the delegation last Wednesday.

    Dressed in their beautiful attires, some of them accompanied the President to the praying ground around 9a.m before the homage.

    Back from the praying ground, they were joined at the President’s residence by other Muslims and non-Muslims from the FCT.

    The President’s sitting room was filled beyond capacity while many who could not find space or came late for the function had to wait outside for the homage to end.

    Those who were able to gain entrance to the President’s residence were entertained with light refreshment.

    At the end of the homage, they also took turn to pose, one after the other, for photographs with the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as they filed out of the President’s residence.

    This will also remain in the memories of some of the delegation members for some time to come.

  • USAID, varsity back 4,150 IDP farmers in Adamawa

    WE  were at home when they told us that Boko Haram was coming,” said Aisha Malafa. “So we left the village and ran to the mountains. They killed so many of my relatives but some of us were able to escape,” she said.

    Malafa’s village, Guyaku, was rendered desolate by Boko Haram.

    She was one of the 4,150 indigent farmers in Adamawa State who recently benefitted from the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the American University of Nigeria–Adamawa Peace Initiative (AUN-API).

    The gesture shone some bright light into the life of those devastated by the terror group.

    USAID and AUN-API donated farm inputs to about 150, 000 people in the state. Farmers in the state received 10kg of maize, 10kg of cowpea and 5kg of sorghum for planting. The seeds, which are high-yielding and require minimal need for fertiliser, were supplied by USAID.

    The farm inputs were distributed in four local governments of the state, which include: Gombi–725 IDP farmers; Michika–1,398; Madagali– 1,522 and Fufore–505.

    Malafa told journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, that life had not been easy for the victims of Boko Haram in the state since they returned to their desolate villages.

    “Boko Haram burnt down everything, our homes, our foodstuff and our farms. So when we returned, there was nothing to do. I am a farmer and all of us in Guyaku are too. It has not been easy for us since we returned. So what these organisations are doing will help us. We will be able to plant our seeds and grow something. We are pleading for more assistance,” she said.

    The President and chairperson, AUN–API, Margee Ensign, said that the institution works with the community to find solutions to challenges faced by its people.

    “AUN has a founding mandate to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. This mandate was drawn from the vision of our founder who thought a university is not necessarily an ivory tower.

    So the so-called town-and-gown relationship was there from our very foundation. AUN works in and with the community to find solutions to challenges faced by its people,” she said.

    “From June 22 to 28, 4150 farmers, spread across four local governments in Adamawa state, each received bags of seeds and food to aid their recovery from the destruction Boko Haram brought on their communities and livelihoods.

    “The seeds and food distribution in the identified local governments (Gombi, Fufore, and Michika & Madagali) benefited the following number of identified IDPs who had farmland; Gombi–725 IDP Farmers; Michika–1,398; Madagali– 1,522; Fufore–505.

    “Because of the hunger and suffering still present in these areas, there was a possibility that these beneficiaries would simply eat these seeds instead of planting them. So the AUN/API also distributed the following supplies to support this seeds distribution initiative in all 4 local governments. Each of the benefiting IDP Farmers also received the following: 20kg Bags of Maize and 10kg bags of Beans. N200 (two hundred) Transportation support to get back to their various wards,” she said.

    Also, 20kg bags of maize and 10kg bags of beans were also distributed IDPs to cushion the effect of hunger. According to a member of the Seeds and Food Distribution, AUN – API, Charity Garba, more donations are expected in the coming days.

  • Residents relish monarch’s return

    Residents relish monarch’s return

    Residents of Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State trooped out to welcome back their monarch, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi.

    The Olofa throne had been a subject of litigation, going all the way to the Supreme Court, where the case was decided in Oba Gbadamosi’s favour.

    It called for celebration, many residents said, lining up the road to welcome the king back. A convoy of cars also heralded the monarch’s return, travelling from Osogbo, Ikirun, Okuku and Ira, especially at Ira road, a distance of more than 5km to the palace of the Olofa father.

    Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the joyous crowd.

    There were shouts of kaaabiyesiii ooo, hailing and waving to the traditional ruler when he was sighted among the rows of cars. He responded with a wave of his traditional horsetail.

    Vehicles with live musical bands dished out songs to delight of people.

    Olofa’s convoy that entered Offa town at about 2:00 pm did not get to palace till after 4:00pm as crowd made up of young men and women, aged and children, including numerous vehicles became uncontrollable.

    Speaking at the occasion, National President of Offa Descendants union (ODU), Alhaji Najim Yaasin said the victory was for all indigenes of the town

    He urged all Offa son and daughters to come together to ensure the growth and development of the town.

    Oba Gbadamosi who beamed with smiles turned spiritual as he sang praises to Almighty God for seeing him through the litigation, admonishing indigenes not to bear grudges against anyone.

    He said, the “entire Offa people are one and should remain one for the progress of Offa town.

    He added that after the hurdles of litigation the next “thing is to commence a new era of developments in Offa because it is a new Offa in which all the people are living now.”

    The monarch’s victory coincided with the end of this year’s Ramadan fast. Little wonder on the day of Eid el-fitri, Oba Gbadamosi message was laced with thanksgiving.

    He said: “This Sallah is indeed a very unique one. Its uniqueness is borne out of the fact that it did not only mark the end of Ramadan, but an end to the long time litigation over my appointment as Olofa of Offa. It marks a turning point to the drama, intrigues and brigandage that characterised the battle for the throne for six years. At this juncture, may I use this medium to again thank the high chiefs of Offa and sub-chiefs for the support given while the litigation lasted?

    The Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and others supported the monarch.

    “To Offa sons and daughters whose names were not mentioned here, I thank you for the maturity, restraint and patience exhibited on both sides of the divide during the period of litigation, Oba Gbadamosi said.

    “Up till the end of the case in court, there was no violence recorded. This is a demonstration of whom we are. We are peace loving people and thus we should remain one. We are one and we will always be. No victor No vanquished.

    “I pray for quick healing of wounds and reunion of all and sundry so that we can resume our quest for progress, positive growth and development. I call on all the aggrieved to join hands with me in my quest towards advancing the course of Offa land.

    “Let us join hands to make Offa great. Let us rebrand Offa and make it greater. Let us put Offa on the world map.”

  • Streetlight contractors told to sit up

    Streetlight contractors told to sit up

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has warned contractors handling the maintenance of streetlights to sit up or have their contracts terminated.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the warning during an emergency meeting with the contractors.

    Represented by the Acting Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hajiya Safiya Umar, the minister reiterated that the FCT Administration would not condone any further lackadaisical attitude from the contractors as they either perform or face outright termination of their contracts, adding that it is no longer business as usual.

    Bello in a statement issued by the Deputy Director cum Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule said: “All streetlight contractors in the Federal Capital City must brace to the terms of their contractors of illuminating the city especially the major streets or face termination.”

    According to him, the FCT Administration is not in default of any of their payments as it has met all its contractual agreement, and therefore expects the contractors to be up and doing to fulfill their own obligation.

    “Our payments are up to date and therefore we expect effective service as no street in any part of the city should be in darkness, when there is electricity supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company,” he emphasized.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has written official warning letters to all the contractors to show the seriousness it attaches to the efficient functioning of streetlights in the city.

    A meeting was also held with the supervising officers in the Department of Facility Management and Maintenance to warn them of the consequences of not effectively supervising the contractors.