The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Minister to council chiefs: steal and face the music

    The newly elected chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have been warned to shun corruption or face the consequence.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the warning while declaring open an induction course for the new Area Council chairmen, Vice chairmen and councilors at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    The newly elected chairmen of the Area Councils are Abdul_Rahman Ajiya-Abaji; Abdullahi Adamu Candido-AMAC; Musa Dikko-Bwari; Adamu Mustapha Denze-Gwagwalada; Abdullahi Galadima- Kuje and Joseph Shazin-Kwali.

    Bello who was represented at the event by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye insisted that the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration is serious because it has gone beyond lip-service.

    The minister said that Buhari has taken a holistic approach to confront corruption in all its ramifications in order to save Nigeria’s image and economy.

    While recalling President Buhari’s inaugural speech that says, “people have nothing to fear, but the consequence of their actions,” he said this is a clear indication that the present administration would ensure that no action or inaction that negates the current war against corruption goes unpunished.

    Bello urged the new councils’ officials to imbibe the tenets of Mr. President’s Change Agenda anchored on prudent management of public resources, transparency and accountability as well as diversification of sources of revenue and efficient service delivery to the residents within their domain.

    According to him, the FCT administration organised the induction course in order to properly acquaint them with knowledge and skills that are necessary to lead their councils in this era of dwindling revenue from the Federal Government and the ideals of Change Agenda of the present Administration under President Muhammadu Buahri.

    Bello enjoined them to build synergy in the FCT Administration’s efforts to meet the infrastructural and public utilities need of the residents.

    He explained that the workshop is aimed at assisting the new councils’ officials to effectively drive the goals of the FCT Administration especially environmental sanitation.

    The minister noted that as council officials, their primary responsibility is to ensure that they clean their environment and properly dispose of refuse in their respective councils.

    While addressing the participants, the lead resource person, Dr. Abdul-Hamidu Abdullahi of the Department of Local Government & Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said the induction course will prepare them for people oriented leadership.

     

  • ‘Why you should donate blood’

    A non-profit organisation, Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) has made a case for blood donation, explaining that despite some previous campaigns, there is not enough blood at the ready to save people in emergency.

    The group was speaking in Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT, during an advocacy outing to mark the 2016 International Day for Families.

    CFHI urged families not just to donate blood but also consult their doctors regularly, go for eye screening, blood and HIV tests, among others.

    The group said the drive was to sensitise families on the need for voluntary blood donations and other health needs.

    Director of CFHI Princess Osita-Oleribe, “We believe that if we can re-write the wrongs within the families, then we will be ready to make a healthy society and we will have less of the issues bedeviling our society, our hope is that it will transition to the re-ignition of the love and support the family can offer to individuals. It turns out that this is not a very popular day even though the UN assembly declared this day since 1993 but not many Nigerians are not aware of this day.

    “We reached out to several families and their was a lot of excitement from them, it was almost imperative that the centre for family health will be interested in the health of families, we tried to do a family health rally and talk about health issues that affect everyone, beside that people have a lot of phobia for blood but we believe that if blood is readily available many family members will not continue to die anyhow.”

    A member of CFHI board, Obinna Oleribe added, “We tried to bring families together to try to make them relax and have a little fun and just be a family. Family health is universal, it affects everything. The blood donations will help us raise some pints of blood that will help save some families and give them peace; the HIV screening will make people aware of their status and other talks on how families can live healthy despite the level of hardship in the society. We want to give families the tools and capacity they need to live a healthy lifestyle.”

    One of the blood donors Bright Amadi told Abuja Review that he has never had any issues with donating blood because he believes that he can save a lot of lives through it.

    “I see blood donation as the opportunity to save and preserve someone’s life someday; the thing is that the person’s life your blood will save might actually be somebody so dear to you but you may not know; if you were to donate to somebody you know it might be easier but although you might feel that you might be donating to somebody you do not know but the truth is that somebody you know somewhere might be involved in an accident and the blood you donate might just be the thing to save their live.”

  • Kwara community comes alive with Aso-oke contest

    Kwara community comes alive with Aso-oke contest

    Residents of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State, watched in awe as young aso-oke weavers proved who was best and fastest in the trade, writes Adekunle Jimoh

    The colourful fabric is an instant head-turner but even the fine art of waving it proved to be a crowd-puller. In Okelele in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State people could not resist watching the making of the popular Aso-Oke.

    It was a remarkable day for the fabric as well as the youths who spun it in a contest. In 10 minutes, each contestant had to prove he was the best in the Aso-Oke weaving business. The competition took place at Alaro compound located in the precincts of Okelele, known to be the hub of Aso-Oke weaving.

    The event which started with an opening prayer by Alfa Alabidun, attracted a huge crowd.

    There were 10 contestants, each given about 10 minutes to prove their weaving skills, and indeed they gave a good account of themselves within the time.

    With locally-made weaving tools, there was a rhythmic twisting of legs and movement of hands. They wove with rapidity, creating a delightful spectacle for the crowd.

    Like any other community with a distinct culture and tradition, Ilorin, the state capital, is also a city with a difference. However, the uniqueness of the culture of Ilorin is seen in its economic hub.

    Ilorin is popular with some vocational skills, which in the olden days were used to measure its economic advancement and development.

    The concept of naming houses in the city was derived from the type of occupation or vocation the people living in those houses did. For instance, compounds like Ile-Onimago, Onikijapa, Onidilali, Asileke and Alaro among others, historically got those names from what their progenitors preoccupied themselves with.

    Weaving of local fabric otherwise known as “Aso-Oke” is an occupation known with some cities across the country including Ilorin. Specifically, weaving of local textile is very popular among Yoruba- and Igbo-speaking people.

    It is a clothing material with diverse styles and colours that lovers of locally made fabrics wear at ceremonies such as weddings, naming ceremonies, chieftaincy titles, house-warming and other prominent events.

    As a result of Nigerians’ insatiable appetite for foreign products including attires, the demand for Aso-Oke soon nose-dived. Those whose inherited the occupation abandoned the job for less profitable ones while a few of the    educated ones looked for elusive white collar jobs.

    Despite its threat of extinction of the Aso-Oke fabric, there are some areas in Ilorin city that cannot afford to let their long-time inheritance die.

    One of such areas is  Alaro compound, Okelele-Ojuekun area in the heart of Ilorin.

    The contest was initiated in 1992, but was halted a few years later due to the lull in the business.

    Speaking at the competition, Dr Abdulganiyu Salaudeen of Kwara State University, Malete, told the gathering that Aso-Oke weaving was a means of identity and source of foreign exchange.

    Clad in full Aso-Oke with shoes to match, the lecturer said the current efforts to strengthen the value of the naira could only materialise when locally made goods were prioritised and exported.

    Salaudeen, who teaches agriculture in the university, explained that the weaving profession is a source of social security that eliminates all forms of social ills and prevents youths from indulging in anti-social activities.

    He assured that his institution would support the revival of weaving in Ilorin in line with its community service mandate.

    Also speaking, Mr. Suleiman Okubiyi said weaving projected Ilorin community positively to the entire world, adding that the occupation was famous among the natives of Ede, Oyo, Iseyin in Yoruba land, Igbo and the people of Ilorin and Kogi State.

    A weaver at the event, Alhaji Suleiman Oba Machine said the resuscitation of the competition was a good omen for the people of Ilorin and encouraged the organisers to sustain it as an annual event.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    Some got sewing machines, some motorcycles or tricycles. But even as Federal House of Representatives member, Alhaji Zakari Angulu-Dobi gave out those items to his Abuja South constituents, he assured them of more to come.

    Angulu-Dobi said the gesture was a way of giving back to his people who voted him in the last election.

    “We were voted into the office and not appointed,” he said. “Politics is all about giving back the dividends of democracy to the people. It is not about beauty; it is not about being proud. It is all about reciprocating the gesture given to you.

    “I am fulfilled that I was able to bring happiness and excitement to people of my constituency by giving them these few items that were shared across my constituency comprising Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali and Abaji. It is a laid foudation. This not a first time I have been voted into power. I have always benefitted from giving out, being honest with the people and carrying them along,” he said.

    Angulu-Dobi also said that his people should expect more of such gestures and promised to pursue with all seriousness whatever is meant for his constituency as it contain in the year’s budget.

    “I want to assure the people of my constituency and FCT in extension because I am the only highest elected person in APC. I know I have a challenge. I have a fight ahead of me. I am ready and capable to face it and it gives me joy.

    “The people of my constituency should expect continuity. We will continue to do what we have done. The good thing is that budget is signed, I will pursue what is meant for my people to ensure that all ministry, agencies and parastatals where projects are domiciled are dully executed to the benefit of my people,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, APC party chairman in Abaji area council, Alhaji Haruna Yaba, described the gesture as first of its kind in the history of Abuja politics while pledging their support for the honourable member.

    “It is a kind gesture we have never experienced before. It will help to eradicate poverty. It will create a way  to make a living. He has done well and I urge everyone to support him,” he said.

    Apart from tricycles, motorcycles and sewing machines and generators were also presented to women and elders of the constituency at d occasion.

  • ‘We prioritise workers’ welfare’

    Workers in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have been assured that their welfare will continue to receive the highest attention under the present administration as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the sustainability of an enduring welfare package for them.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the assurance  in  Abuja during the first Labour Day celebration of this Administration.

    The minister eulogised the workers for their remarkable contributions to nation building, adding that Labour is the goose that lays the golden egg.

    He pointed out that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has evolved various policies intended to ensure adequate welfare and conducive working environment for the work force.

    According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant ( Media ), Abubakar Sani, the minister said: “I make bold to say that, because of the high premium we place on workers’ welfare, this administration ensures regular payment of salaries and allowances to our workers; in the same vein we have ensured that housing allowances are paid as at when due, while deserving staff have received their promotions. Aside these, my administration places a high premium on staff training and retraining. This is with a view to giving incentives to our workers and ensuring optimal service delivery”.

    Bello said May Day is celebrated globally to mark the sacrifices of workers towards building a better world, adding that it highlights the contributions which workers have consistently made to ensure a world where values of social justice and employment rights are fully protected.

    He noted that the the theme for this year’s celebration which is “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival.” is, indeed, very appropriate and timely, considering the state of our national affairs.

    Bello, however, lamented that this year’s May Day is being celebrated at a time of serious downturn in the nation’s economy with international oil prices sliding downwards and adversely affecting our national revenue. A situation which according to him was further worsened by corruption and mismanagement of the past.

    ”Being mindful of this situation, President Muhammadu Buhari articulated a Change Agenda that focuses on anti-corruption, fiscal discipline and diversification of the economy. In line with this, the Federal Government has evolved several policy frameworks designed to breathe a new lease of life into the economy,” he said.

    Malam Bello said the FCT administration would continue partner with Labour in the efforts towards restoring the old glory of our great nation, stressing that his administration will not allow the issue of paucity of funds to “make us abdicate our responsibility to Labour as the FCTA will continue to be a front runner on the issues of workers’ welfare”.

    Bello then urged Labour to continue to support government in these difficult times.

     

  • Water shortage: A Corps member’s solution

    Water shortage: A Corps member’s solution

    A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has lifted the spirits of rural dwellers by providing them water, GRACE OBIKE reports

    Residents of rural parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have a lot to thank private citizens for. In such parts of town, social amenities are few but it is usually non-government persons or even non-Nigerians who throw in some food here, clothing there to help the people get by. Take internally displaced persons or IDPs in the FCT. They live in uncompleted buildings and have little food and poor water supply. They often fall ill and cannot easily get medicine or treatment. But from time to time, private citizens stop by with supplies while the government stays pretty much aloof.

    Recently, a foreign country took pictures of life in such rural communities and went about selling the shots to raise money for the communities.

    Now, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has to a large extent solved the water challenges of Dafara residents in Kuje council. The residents usually drink from a stream and age-old wells, and often come down with such water-borne diseases as cholera.

    Sometimes, individuals and groups would take free medicines to them but none ever solved their water problems.

    Mr Friday Okolie, who served with the Air Force, took it upon himself to provide Dafara with borehole water as part of his Community Development Service (CDS) Project. He got help from well-meaning people but the whole idea was his.

    The project started after he heard that the community was facing severe water shortages.

    Okolie said, “The project was informed by the medical outreach embarked upon by my colleagues to the community which exposed their lack of potable drinking water and other social amenities. Prior to the project, the major source of their water supply was local wells and stream which led to the death of many through polio, cholera, fever and other water related diseases. I also donated generator to them to enable them pump the water”.

    In appreciation, the community did not only welcome the Corps member as one of theirs but gave him a plot of land in the community and a chieftaincy title of Sarkin Noma II of Dafara.

    Okolie shed more light on his work, saying, “This project was initiated the day Corps members serving with the Nigerian Air Force Hospital came back from a free medical outreach and narrated the nature of the community they visited and the urgency required to provide for them more medical and other facilities. I henceforth decided to visit some communities in Kuje to know how I could help in my own [way] to provide for them whatever they needed most through NYSC platform.

    “When I got to this Dafara community and after much observation and assessment of their challenges   including lack of healthcare facilities, schools, good drinking water and good road, among others, I discovered that their most pressing need begging for urgent help is potable water which has been their major predicament for years.”

    He said the community chief, Joseph Makeri, explained that the Millennium Development Goal’s (MDG’s) borehole they depended on has collapsed and stopped working for years and since then, they depend on their local wells and stream for water.

    “To my total dismay, many have died of polio, cholera, fever and other water diseases in this community as a result of lack of good drinking water.”

    The Corps member who mobilised human, material and financial resources provided the community with a borehole, an overhead tank stand, water tank and generator, challenged fellow corps members to take advantage of every opportunity to initiate positive ideas geared towards impacting and contributing to the society during their service year.

    He said, “For those calling for the scrapping of NYSC, I appeal for a rethink, instead of scraping NYSC, lets suggest good ideas and policies that will move the organisation forward.

    “To my fellow corps members, as we obey the clarion call and lift our nation high under the sun or in the rain with dedication and selflessness let us not forget to initiate positive ideas that are geared towards impacting and contributing to the society. I urge you to be leaders anywhere you find yourself and also have the courage to dare things that may seem impossible. At first, you may fail or get defeated but you may also succeed. I could remember I told one of my friends of this idea and his response was “you, can you dig a well”? The thought of the fact that I am a corps member gave me self-confidence and the courage that made it a success. However, I must confess that was tasking but the fact remains that every success has its own challenges.

    “The place of my primary Assignment – Nigerian Airforce and its regimental ways doing things thought me a lot of knowledge and enormous experience which will forever remain to pave ways for me.”

     

  • Surviving economic woes

    State governments appeared to be the worst hit by the current low prices of oil in the international market. They have largely hinged developmental projects in their states on their allocations from the Federation Account.

    Since the oil prices started nose-diving last year, the states have been thrown into unimaginable financial crisis. With more workers at the state level than the federal, most of the states have been struggling with payment of workers’ salaries since income to the Federation Account started reducing.

    The problem appeared to be defying all solutions as series of bailouts from the Federal Government have not got the states out of the woods.

    Although, there have been some allegations that some states have not been using the bailout funds from the Federal Government to meet salaries arrears and other urgent obligations in the states. To make more funds available to run the states, the governors have also prevailed on the Federal Government to stop deductions of their outstanding loan repayment from their share of the Federation Account.

    Apart from pushing for upward review of revenue sharing formula in favour of state governments, they also asked for 18 months moratorium before starting repayment of some loans and bailout funds.

    In their move to find a solution to the crisis, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the National Economic Council (NEC) normally chaired by the Vice President, have become very regular in the past months.

    The NGF have met three times at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the past one month.

    The governors met on the 20th and 27th of April, 2016 in Abuja. The recent meeting was held last Wednesday, 18 May, 2016 where they decided to seek access to World Bank grant towards boosting their financial status. The present situation has gone a long way to show that the states have difficulty standing on their own without the income from the Federation Account.

    Knowing that many untapped opportunities abound in the states, those not yet looking into exploration of solid minerals in their domains should start work in that direction now. They have no reason not to do this now as the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has expressed commitment to diversifying the Nigeria economy. The state governments should also find ways to partner with the private sector in order to urgently exploit the solid minerals and other opportunities they have comparative advantage.

     

    SGF’s sucker punch

     

    Like a punch below the belt, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was momentarily shocked to his marrow last Wednesday.

    The missile came via a joke from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, just before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Before Kachikwu came into the Council Chamber around 9:57am, Lawal had been trying to get ministers to settle down for the business of the day. But when Kachikwu came in some ministers were still on their feet exchanging pleasantries with their colleagues. Kachikwu also greeted the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and other ministers who were standing close to him. While he was doing that, Lawal said through the microphone: “Petroleum, you are shaking hands when there is no fuel.”

    Kachikwu immediately became quiet and sat down. It was obvious that he didn’t like the joke, though the displeasure may have been hidden behind a pair of dark glasses.

    Fashola came to his defence by replying SGF: “Petrol now sells for N107.”

    Fashola was referring to the report claiming that one of the oil marketers, AA Rano sold fuel at N107 per litre in Kano State.

    Only time will tell if the joke will make Kachikwu avoid his colleagues in subsequent FEC meetings till fuel supply and pricing normalise in every part of the country.

     

    Foreign media hold the ace

     

    Not a few State House correspondents were unhappy with the media coverage of the visit of one of the rescued Chibok girls, Amina Ali, to the Presidential Villa last Thursday. There appeared to be a preference for foreign media. No single print reporter accredited to cover the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was allowed to enter the President’s office to cover the visit.

    Those who were first allowed in were foreign cameramen and reporters of media organisations including CNN, Aljazeera, VOA, Reuters.

    After they had settled down, some State House correspondents on the list including NTA, Channels, TVC and AIT cameramen and reporters were allowed in.

    At the end of the visit, Borno State Governor, Kashim Ibrahim, also gave impression of having preference for ‘white’ skin above ‘black’ one.

    Some members of the State House correspondents, who had already gathered at the President’s office’s entrance, approached him for an interview as he was coming out from the President’s office. But he walked past the cameras and reporters and said he was not granting any interview on the matter.

    Before he walked to his vehicle, a white reporter of CNN approached him and he stopped to grant an interview to the gentleman. Most Nigerian media organisations have online editions that take the news beyond borders.

     

  • Herdsmen attacks: Cattle feed factory to the rescue

    Herdsmen attacks: Cattle feed factory to the rescue

    A 50-tonne-capacity cattle feed mill in Yola, Adamawa State, may put an end to herdsmen-farmer clashes, reports TONY AKOWE

    The bloodbath has gone on for too long, and for no justifiable reason. From the North to the Middle-belt to the South, herdsmen’s clashes with crop farmers have severely decimated communities and in some cases almost wiped out some settlements. An end to that may be in sight, thanks to an ambitious feed-mill for cattle and other livestock in Abuja. After the large-scale attack in Agatu, Benue State and more recently in Enugu State, the federal government has intensified the search for a solution to the crises. Federal lawmakers have also been debating whether or not grazing reserves should be established across the country.

    The Rico Gado mill may well be the alternative to the grazing reserves, and an end to the clashes.

    Chairman of the Board of Directors of the firm Abubakar Ahmed Song also said that much, that the feed mill will cut down the clashes.

    He said this at the ground-breaking ceremony of the plant owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

    Apart from producing poultry feeds of high quality, it is expected to produce small and large ruminant feeds, in addition to making the agriculture resuscitation programme of the government a reality, Song said.

    The former Vice President said  the plant, the second to be established, will have the capacity to produce 50 tonnes of feed of different brands per hour as against the 20 tons produced by the first facility also in Yola.

    Atiku said the feed factory was established to “help develop my town and my state and support the people. If we don’t do it, who would?”

    According to him, with the commissioning of the Yola plant in January 2015, with his foreign partners, they planned for the second plant.

    He said: “We went ahead because we had faith in our joint venture, and because we knew that we had an opportunity to change the way our agricultural sector works, an opportunity to change the way local communities view new business, and an opportunity to change the way we Nigerians look at our economy and agriculture. Today, the Yola feed mill is exactly what we had hoped for – an economically viable enterprise, and a catalyst for change.

    “The mill produces 20 tonnes per hour of carefully balanced and locally sourced quality fodder for a wide range of livestock, including poultry, cattle, goats, and horses. Specifically, the products are egg programme and broiler programme (for poultry), beef programme, calf grower, finisher and maintenance programme (for cattle), and small ruminants feeds (for sheep and goats). Our compound feed allows hundreds of producers to rear their livestock faster, to make them fatter, and to keep their animals in good health. Our feed is reducing the expanse of land required to feed cattle, and we hope that in the future, it will help defuse the conflicts between herders and farmers that have plagued many agrarian societies before us, and that are currently costing us too many lives and livelihoods, and threatening our nation’s future”.

    He said further that “a profitable feedstock mill is no magic fix that solves all of our problems. It is a small piece in a big puzzle that will make our agricultural sector more attractive and more productive. And it is a small piece in the even bigger puzzle that will get us over our addiction to fossil fuels, and over our reliance on rent-seeking enterprises. Put simply it will help us get over our dangerous addiction to oil revenues”.

    Speaking further, he said, “When we set up Rico Gado Nutrition Nigeria, we decided to invest in advanced state-of-the-art facilities because we wanted to be in a position to meet farmers’ needs and also have the capacity and flexibility to quickly respond to the needs of the market. We agreed that, if we wanted to succeed, we would have to offer our customers the best possible product at the best possible price, in the quickest possible time. And because we want farming to once more, become profitable. We are contributing to job creation, technology transfer and progressive change in farming culture. We believe there is a future in farming”.

    FCT Mohammed Musa Bello said Rico Gado will be a source of benefit and prosperity to the communities in the FCT through employment and the provision social services.

    He said: “We have enormous livestock population with enormous for the opportunity waiting for the company in her door steps. But the reality is that on a daily bases, we are no where competitive in the world because most agro products in this company are still being imported. In this project, our partnership will be three fold: one we already have on ground massive land ear marked as grazing reserve, we are willing to partner with you to create a portion out of that grazing reserve where you will put cattle padox to encourage them to stay there and provide them with all the necessary support and facilities like the provision of extension farmers on a pilot bases so that we see if after a few years, they can make a difference. The success of that endeavour will make it easier for us to replicate it in other parts of the country”

    Director of J.Silva group who are partnering with the former Vice President on the project, Joao Barreiro Silva disclosed that over 95% of work force and 100% of raw materials in the factory in Yola are sourced locally adding that these raw materials were tested by reputable laboratories and animal nutritionists in the European Union as well as Nigeria’s NAFDAC who certified their nutritional requirements for livestock.

    He said further that: “the Abuja factory is expected to be constructed within thirty-two weeks. Its capacity will more than double that of Yola thus, producing over one hundred (120) metric tons of assorted livestock feeds, per annum, meaning 50 tons per hour. This is in realization of the huge potential of the Nigerian economy, the largest in Africa.

    “In particular, Rico Gado recognized the flourishing economy of Nigeria which offers several opportunities in Agriculture. Despite lack of an update census of the livestock sub-sector in Nigeria, it is estimated there are about 20 million heads of cattle, 70 million goats/sheep and about 250 million poultry, derived mainly from local stock.

    “These figures made Nigeria by far the largest concentration of livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, short supply and poor quality of animal feeds currently in the sub- sector result in high mortality rate, leading to low productivity and low rate of returns on investment in Nigeria. We are here to help change this and bring prosperity to local farmers.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Niger residents groan as water scarcity worsens

    Life’s most precious liquid has been hard to come by in Niger State for weeks and there is little sign that the worst is over. Residents have been groaning as a result.

    Water boreholes have hardly made any difference because there has been no electricity to power them. There has been little or no supply of water from the state water board; when the board does pump water, only about 30 per cent of residents manage to get it.

    Even the Mai Ruwa or water vendors, who usually push their trucks about, are hard to come by; when they are seen, their fees are exorbitant.

    Members of the state House of Assembly have expressed concern over the development. The legislators urged the state government to do something and provide the people with water. They also asked for the upgrade of the water board.

    The call was made following a motion moved by the member representing Bosso Constituency, Hon Madaki Malik Bosso urging the state government to work in improving water supply in the state.

    Bosso noted that the supply of adequate water in the state has completely deteriorated adding that a lot of areas have been completely cut off from water supply.

    He added that the state water board which is supposed to supply the state with water has been commercialised as private water tankers who buy from the board and sell to residences at exorbitant prices adding that the water board needs a complete overhaul of equipments to meet up with the increasing expansion and populace of the state.

    He said, “It is pathetic to see people going up and down searching for water, even the truck pushers are not easily accessible. People hardly get water to drink, cook and bathe.

    “Government must make sure that the needs of the citizens are catered for. Water is first before anything. That is what prompted me to bring out the motion. Government have to find a lasting solution to water in the state.”

    After deliberation, the Legislators urged the government to direct the water board to engage their water tankers to supply water on regular basis at subsidised rate to people in the state while stressing on the need for the government to extend the ongoing water project in the state to meet up with adequate water supply.

     

  • NANS fights exam malpractices

    NANS fights exam malpractices

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has organised a retreat in Gombe State to fight examination malpractices.

    University teachers attended the meeting which held at the Gombe State University (GSU).

    It was the first meeting of its kind in the history of NANS existence meant to expose the ills and dangers of examination malpractices, which to a great extent, accounts for the dwindling quality of school leavers, especially at the secondary and tertiary levels.

    Presenting the paper he titled ‘The Effects of Examination Malpractices on National Development’, Dr. Abubakar Musa, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics from Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil said: “The frequency of occurrence of examination malpractice indicates a state of hopelessness and helplessness for the nation because of the huge increasing number of people and institutions involved in the social malaise; and the penalty hitherto meted out to perpetrators does not seem to deter others from committing the same act any more”.

    His main worry  here is not only the resultant loss of confidence in the certificates awarded by some institutions and some examination bodies in Nigeria, but the crisis situation that is bound to develop in the educational sector if the trend is not prevented.

    More so, is some of consequences of examination malpractices on national development like loss of international credibility; failure in the fight against corruption; low work productivity and poor job performance; bribery and corruption; vast supply of non-credible human resource and embarrassing dismal termination and loss of position.

    He further identified decreased validity and reliability of measurement process (examination); production of half-baked graduates; lowering of academic standard; and lack of confidence the country’s educational system as some of the adverse negative effects of the anomaly.

    Professor Musa said other adverse effects include breeding of a generation of fraudsters and other social vices; discouragement of students from hard work; certificate racketeering; and high dropout rates from our institutions of learning, urging the authorities and relevant stakeholders to be resolute in the efforts to stem the tide.

    Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University and Chief host of the discourse, Professor Ibrahim Musa Umar corroborated his guest’s view on high rate of prevalence said it is common phenomenon the country’s academia faces always as any examination hardly goes by without incidence(s) of malpractice or misconduct.

    He admonished students to always toe the path of hard work and excellence because the malpractice process slows defaulters down if caught; that is if at all they ever get out of the university.

    He warned that: “No university manager wants to have his students expelled but unfortunately we have to in order to sanitise to the system. Also, if caught, you could go to jail because there is a law guiding it.”

    On ‘The Role of Students in Security’, a paper presented in proxy by Gombe state Commissioner of police, Mr Austin Iwar, security and safety is said to begins with our ability to contribute meaningfully, hence students should strive to be disciplined at all times by way of meriting and being able to defend the results they graduate with.

    He told students to as much as possible concentrate more on acquiring education which is described as the greatest and most efficient instrument to improving moral values, discipline and responsibility.

    He also advised on the need for students to be mindful of the type of friends they make and keep given the countless cases of people with good and sincere mindset that have end up becoming cheats under the influence of friends.

    Therefore students insist the Police Commissioner must endeavour to abide by school rules at all times; just as it behoves them to be careful and patriotic in applying the knowledge they acquire pointing at preparation of improvised explosive devices for insurgents use and growing into fraudsters as examples of perverted use of knowledge.