The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Honour for ex-lawmaker in Kaduna

    Honour for ex-lawmaker in Kaduna

    A FORMER member of the House of Representatives Hon Sani Sha’aban has been honoured in Zaria with the traditional title of Danburan Zazzau.

    The honour was bestowed by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

    Sha’aban, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, is also a philanthropist and businessman. He is reputed to contributed immensely to the development of his community.

    Sha’aban is equally a blue blood, being related to two of the four Ruling Houses in the Zazzau emirate. A direct descendant of the Mallawa Ruling House, he has a maternal relationship with the Katsinawa Ruling House that has ruled the emirate for the last 41 years.

    There was much fanfare at the conferment of the title, which made Sha’aban one of the highest title holders and a member of the inner caucus of the Emir’s council. The event drew a large crowd of supporters from across the world to Zaria town with all the hotels fully booked one week before the event. The Emir’s palace was filled to capacity as early as 7am with dignitaries which included former Defence Minister, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, former Permanent Secretary of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, the Dallatun Zazzau, Ramalan Yero, former Kaduna State Governor and former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam, and members of the diplomatic corps.

    Speaking at the event, the Emir, who was represented by the Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, said the decision to make Sha’aban the  Danburam Zazzau was in recognition of his selfless contribution to the development of the emirate as well as his genuine concern for the people. He described the former lawmaker as an illustrious son, and a worthy ambassador of the emirate whose immense contributions to the community over the years are invaluable.

    One of his friends who attended the ceremony, former Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Gimba Yau Kumo, said the event proved to Nigerians that Sha’aban has both national and international connections.

    He said: “I hope with this title bestowed on him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, another responsibility has been placed on Sha’aban to take not only the people of Zazzau, but the people of Kaduna in particular and Nigeria in general to the next pedestal in terms of securing employment for the teeming youths: in terms of getting job opportunities for the people of Kaduna and Nigeria; in terms of bringing foreign investors to Nigeria.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Baker’s honour for bread hawker

    Baker’s honour for bread hawker

    A confectionery has made ex-bread hawker Olajumoke Orisaguna its brand ambassador, reports
    VICTOR OLUWASEGUN

    The fairy tale continues apace. Former bread seller turned celebrity has been made the brand ambassador of Shirley’s Confectionery in Abuja. Olajumoke was presented with a certificate to that effect as well as the firm’s branded shirt at its office in Gwarimpa.

    According to Shirley’s Confectionery, its decision to adopt and unveil Olajumoke as their brand ambassador followed her unusual success story which has become a source of wonder and reference to many Nigerians.

    The story of the young lady is one that most Nigerians are familiar with, a Cinderella-like narrative of grass to grace, of sudden glitz and glamour.

    Amarachi Iwuanyanwu,  a director at Shirley’s Confectionery explained the decision to associate with Olajumoke.

    “We are delighted to inform you about our recent brand association with Olajumoke Orisaguna, a former bread seller who shot to stardom as a result of being at the wrong place at the right time. Now she has featured on CNN, Thisday Style magazine etc.

    “As a result of the unusual grass to grace story, Shirley has decided to make Olajumoke Orisaguna  as the brand ambassador to Shirley’s Confectionery.”

    The event  with took place in Shirley’s Gwarimpa, Abuja Offices had quite a number of media people as well as curious customers of the outfit who simply wanted to catch a glimpse of the sudden model.

    Wilfred, Marketing Consultant to Shirley’s said the purpose of the event was to celebrate something that is phenomenon and exceptional.

    He said Olajumoke’s story is inspirational and that Shirley’s believes in inspiration.

    Amarachi Iwuayanwu, who was at the event with Adaora Iwuayanwu, another director, denied exploiting Miss Orisaguna.

    “We’re not using this opportunity to exploit any situation, we are actually sympathetic and very happy with the grass to grace story of Jumoke. And why we thought it was necessary for Shirley’s to be part of it is that it traces back to what were actually selling.

    “We’re a confectionery shop and selling bread. We feel that out of every other brands that have adopted her as their brand ambassadors, we are more positioned to push her out to the world.

    “Now she is no longer selling Agege Bread, she’s dealing with Shirley’s Bread. The grass to grace story is also the Agege Bread to the Shirley’s Bread story.”

    The event which drew quite a number a crowd, featured photo sessions with the new model.

    Mrs. Orisaguna, who spoke in Yoruba expressed delight at the opportunity given her by the company. She said her story shows that whatever anyone is doing should be done with commitment as no one knows when his or her breakthrough would come.

    “I am happy with what God has done for me because where I am today is unexpected.”

    On her advice to those that are hawking as she was previously was, she said: “I want to tell them to work hard. People should not shy away from any job that comes their way. They should not say for instance that selling pure water is demeaning or that a certain vocation is not edifying. If I was lazy, I probably would not have been fortunate as I am presently.”

    Azuka Ojiuba, a staff of Thisday Newspaper who represented T Y Bello at the event, said they were happy that Mrs. Orisaguna’s unusual success is being recognised with the endorsement  and adoption of the lady as Shirley’s brand ambassador.

    Will Olajumoke remain humble and faithful to her husband in view of her new status?

    Ojiuba said she has been spending time with the Orisagunas and there is no indication that Jumoke would change.

    “She is still the real home girl that she is. Even when she gibes her husband food, she genuflects we don’t want to change who she is. We just want to give her good education and standard of living. She is still the same, she knows that people want to help her and that they love her. Her life has changed, but she has not changed.”

     

  • Amnesty for Benue militant

    Amnesty for Benue militant

    A dreaded militant has been asked to go and sin no more after embracing peace in Benue State, reports FANEN IHYONGO

    Terwase Akwaza, once dubbed a notorious criminal and the deadliest militia leader in sub-Saharan Africa, has turned a new leaf and been pardoned by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. The governor offered the Benue-born militant the carrot and stick option. Akwaza, also known as Ghana, took the carrot.

    “Go and sin no more,” the governor told him. Since then, Ghana has been reintegrated in the society to do his legitimate businesses freely. The repentant militant said he is better-off now that he has turned away from his ‘old life.’

    During his vicious days, Akwaza was believed to disappear into thin air. His power was rated to be so enormous that he was not scared of any weapon, neither did he fear anyone, not the police nor soldiers. Now repentant and having embraced amnesty, Akwaza has surrendered over 200 light and heavy weapons, including AK47 rifles, other robotic guns and explosives.

    Recently, his Shitile community joined him in a thanksgiving service which featured Governor Ortom as guest of honour. Bishop of the Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Peter Adobo, was another dignitary, having played an intermediary role for the amnesty to be complete.

    The occasion, chaired by House of Representatives member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo federal constituency Emmanuel Udende, took place at the St. John the Baptist’s Quasi Parish, Gbise, Katsina-Ala local government area. The gospel was taken from Luke 13:1-9, where the Holy Scripture says: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

    At the church Mass, Ghana went down on bended knees as he sought forgiveness from those he had offended. He said he has also forgiven those who had rubbed him the wrong way. He said the thanksgiving was a public manifestation that he is now a true follower of Christ.

    Akwaza claimed he had acquired firearms to defend his Tiv community, particularly Mbayongo, from external attacks. He explained that his people had often clashed with their neighbours in Nasarawa and Taraba states. He added that Fulani marauders were attacking them, feasting on their farm crops, maiming, displacing and killing them in both Taraba and their home state Benue. But now he has retired from all of that because government has become their defender. Formerly Saul, he is now Paul. From being a militia leader, he became an amnesty leader. A commander in war turned peacemaker; a vengeance seeker turned forgiver.

    After the Thanksgiving Mass, a colourful reception was held at the premises of the Terwase Akwaza Technical Science Secondary School, Gbise, built by the ex-militant who believes in education as the best weapon for change.

    In attendance were many other dignitaries, including: Commissioner for Agriculture Simon Anbua, Commissioner for Commerce and Trade Investment Tersoo Kpelai, Chairman of BIRS Mimi Adzape Orubibi, Special Adviser on Media and ICT Tahav Agerzua, Aspecial Adviser on Special Duties Joe Kyaagba, APC council leader Terver Gyanggyang, Caretaker Chairman of Logo council, Caretaker Chairman of Katsina-Ala Martins Ujoh (Host of the occassion), Josephine Haba (Guest Speaker) and many traditional rulers.

    Chairman of the Central Planning Committee Augustine Avaan welcomed the guests. He commended the governor on his peace initiative, saying his (Ortom’s) collaborative meetings with the governors of Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states on the inter-state border community clashes, spate of armed robbery and the surreptitious ethnic killings were yielding a positive result.

    “Ethnic hostilities against our community had exacted desolately on our people who share boundary with other states. Invasions by Fulani herdsmen, particularly, had been giving us sleepless night. But all of that has died down since Ortom came on board last year with the peace programme. We urge him to intensify more efforts so as to halt any resurgence,” Avaan said.

    Highlight of the occasion was the decoration of the governor and Ghana in native regalia. The governor was first dressed in Godo –Tiv’s most venerated and pricey cultural fabric. He wore a hat, known as Ato-a-Beagh, standing for power and authority. Then he and his ‘prodigal son’ were dressed in the popular black and white Angel. They were handed spears, as an emblem of peace but also defence and an ox-blood sack (ikpa-i-aboo-a-tar) for dignity.

    Ortom spoke to the people saying he was mocked and criticised that he was celebrating a criminal (Ghana). But he insisted he was on a peace and security project, which was yielding fruits. He noted that, there can be no development where peace and security are eluded. With a tranquil environment, investors can come and invest to help build the state, he said. He explained that Ghana has repented, surrendered arms and pleaded for forgiveness. So, it was simply right to forgive him and consolidate on the peace the people are now enjoying.

    “Traders and farmers are no longer attacked on the road when they sell their produce and are returning home,” he said.

    The governor disclosed how he came from a poor background, loading passengers in the motor park to become a council chairman, then minister, employer of labour and now governor.

    Ortom assured of his readiness to help the people and transform Benue, by building schools, bridges, roads and providing other social amenities in the rural areas. “But I have to begin with peace and security. I ran for the governorship election not because I want to acquire wealth; I am contented with what I have; mine is to help the under-privileged and transform Benue,” he said.

    Chairman of the occasion Emmanuel Udende pledged to donate a block of classrooms to Ghana’s school. He urged others to also donate to the school.

  • Road rehabilitation, beautification take off

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has announced the takeoff of the rehabilitation of Abuja roads, beautification of ornamental flowers and the trimming of overgrown trees.

    Bello stated that the rehabilitation of the roads especially in some strategic roads within the city centre is to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

    The minister, who revealed this in a press statement by the Deputy Director/Press Statement FCT, Muhammad Sule, stated that the first phase of the rehabilitation programme include the total rehabilitation of M20, the dilapidated road leading to the popular Utako Motor Park; rehabilitation of road shoulders along the Shehu Shagari Way in Maitatma District and Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway).

    He stated, ”To ensure smooth vehicular movement in and around the Federal Capital City, Abuja, the FCT Administration has commenced the immediate rehabilitation of some strategic roads within the city centre.

    “Some of the roads under the first phase of the programme include the total rehabilitation of M20, the hitherto dilapidated road leading to the popular Utako Motor Park; rehabilitation of road shoulders along the Shehu Shagari Way in Maitatma District and Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) respectively.

    “Others are the trimming of overgrown trees and beautification of ornamental flowers along the road leading to Defence House and IBB Way both in Maitama District, Abuja, and the provision of kerbs at the famous Unity Park close to Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, Abuja.

    “Speaking on his plans to ensure a clean and filth-free city, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello insisted that Abuja under his watch must be restored to its original clean and green concept.

    “Malam Bello who assumed office about three months ago, as the 16th FCT Minister revealed that he has a mandate from President Muhammadu Buhari to restore Abuja to its original Master Plan in line with the vision of its founding fathers.

    “He, therefore, solicited for support and cooperation of residents, development partners and key stakeholders in the Abuja project to ensure that the city is kept clean at all times.

    Conducting reporters round some of the ongoing works in the city, acting Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hajiya Safiya Umar, said that the minister upon taking office,  had ordered the Agency to ensure prompt evacuation of all refuse whether liquid, solid or construction waste.

    “The Coordinator, who observed that the Federal Capital City has become dirty prior to the coming onboard of the present FCT Administration, however attributed the uncleanliness to the problem of transition period.

    “She thus warned that after this massive cleaning exercise embarked upon by the Administration, anyone found dumping construction waste indiscriminately would be prosecuted accordingly.

    “The Coordinator disclosed that even trucks used in the indiscriminate disposal of construction waste in unauthorized places would be confiscated if found.

    “Meanwhile, following the rehabilitation of the road leading to the Utako Motor Park, there was wild jubilation by motorists and commuters at the park who welcomed the development.

    “They commended the FCT administration for fixing the dilapidated road, which has not been passable for years.”

     

  • ‘11m children stunted’

    ‘11m children stunted’

    The wife of Niger State governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello has said that 11 million Nigerian children under five are stunted, the second highest in the world. She said this is due to malnutrition resulting from mothers’ refusal to practise exclusive breastfeeding.

    Addressing policymakers and nutrition stakeholders at an advocacy meeting to scale up nutrition in the state, Dr Bello expressed the readiness to adopt the national strategic plan of action for nutrition (NSPAN) in a bid to fight malnutrition in children.

    She ssaid, “11 million children under five are stunted in Nigeria. This is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and ranks second highest in the world with 37 per cent of children under five years classified as stunted and 18 per cent wasted.

    “Nigeria is leading unfortunately in a bad way in maternal mortality and child stunting growth in the world despite government programmes and policies. We need to work towards ensuring that these indices drop.”

    According to her, while adopting the national strategic plan of action for nutrition, Niger state will develop its own strategic plan of action for nutrition and intensify monitoring and supervision strategic plan to ensure proper implementation of the plan at various MDAs, local government areas and primary health care centers.

    The governor’s wife also lamented that exclusive breastfeeding, which can address malnutrition for children under five years, is being sabotaged by health workers, stating that there is need for renewed aggressive campaign for aggressive breastfeeding.

    “Exclusive breastfeeding have not been working in Nigeria because even the health workers who are supposed to be involved in the campaign do not believe in it. The health workers are sabotaging the exclusive breastfeeding programme in the country.

    “We need to emphasise on exclusive breastfeeding. It is sad to note that 30 per cent of women in Niger state are not breastfeeding at all,” she said.

    Bello added that malnutrition is preventable and that everyone should make the effort to control and eradicate it in Niger State.

    She said advocacy campaigns should be done in the communities instead of the heath centers while the current school feeding programmes by state and federal government should be extended to all primary pupils.

    According to the Head of Nutrition in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, Nigeria needs N182.4 billion to operationalize the National strategic plan of action for nutrition over a period of five years while Niger state would need N2.8 billion to operationalize its strategic plan of action for nutrition for five years.

    Isokpunwu said if the will reduce stunted rate to 20 per cent and save 123,000 lives yearly.

     

  • Re: Pilots now teachers in Kano

    Re: Pilots now teachers in Kano

    In an era when some states were lavishing their oil windfall on frivolities, the Kwankwasiyya administration in Kano spent its allocation judiciously. It is therefore surprising that a newspaper in its March 1, 2016 editorial declared the Kwankwasiyya administration’s 100 Pilot Scholarship Scheme as a programme embarked upon “to gain cheap political point”. The paper could have reached out to understand the rationale behind such a policy, but it did otherwise.

    The Kwankwasiyya administration should be praised for its achievements, more so in a country, where political office holders treasury with reckless abandon. Of particular note, are its achievements in the education sector, within a four-year span.

    Between 2011 and May 2015, the Kwankwasiyya administration focused on education, providing free lunch and two sets of uniforms for new intakes, in primary schools, and constructed Kwankwasiyya classrooms that are still standing. Teachers were trained and retrained; salaries and allowances were paid by the 25th of every month. These initiatives, among other, mobilised parents to enroll more children resulting in a leap in enrollment figures from one million in 2011 to over three million in 2014.

    Secondary school education also received its fair share of overhaul as over 230 secondary schools were established, including 47 technical colleges and 44 schools for Islamic studies spread across each of the 44 local governments. The government also recruited teachers, giving priority to their training and retraining in order to boost pupils’ performance in WAEC and NECO.

    To enhance tertiary education, it established the North West University in 2012 in addition to the first state University of Science and Technology Wudil that was established in Kwankwasiyya’s first tenure in 2001. Twenty-six capacity building and manpower development institutes were also established. The administration sponsored Kano State indigenes to study in other Nigerian private universities (412 in Al-kalam University in Katsina State; 250 in Igbinedion University, Edo State; 300 in Bells University and 200 in Crescent University, both Ogun State and 25 in ABTI University, Adamawa State). Besides, there was another programme for sponsoring students to state and federal Universities. All these were done for a reason – to empower the youth and take them off the streets so that they could be useful to themselves and the society in future.

    The masterstroke of the Kwankwaso administration is its sponsorship of over 2600 Kano State indigenes to study in some universities in 14 countries to sharpen their skills.

    Among them are 400 secondary school graduates sponsored to study medical science courses. 250 of them are young women being trained as medical doctors.  Furthermore, the administration established two Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Madobi and Gezawa, and three other health-related institutions. The administration also sponsored 50 qualified Nurses to study B.sc Nursing Education in Egypt. The students were expected to return and teach in health-related institutions.

    The administration did all this because of its resolve to make Kano and its indigenes better. So, how can anybody think that the 100 Pilots project was ill-conceived or poorly thought out?

    The Kano State Pilots project was initiated with the best of intentions. A lot was put into it before it came to fruition. Initially, when the scheme came up, 100 secondary school pupils were short listed as the best candidates for the scholarship scheme. But the government insisted on university graduates, from other fields. The rationale behind the scheme is not for the beneficiaries to return home to work. Rather, it was to expose and give them the opportunity to access world class education; build their capacities and broaden their contacts. It was a long time plan so that in future, Kano would have specialists in every sector, with Nigeria, hopefully, sourcing for its manpower from the ancient state. Therefore, signing a bond with the beneficiaries of the Kwankwasiyya Pilot Scheme does not arise, as the aim was not to have the beneficiaries back in Kano to practice as pilots. Their training and that of others in similar schemes was to empower Kano State indigenes to become employable internationally, to be sought after, from every nation of the world. Many of these beneficiaries have got jobs abroad; some have been given foreign scholarships to pursue Ph.Ds. These scholarship schemes were executed without loan from any financial institution or development agency locally or internationally.

    Remarkably, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso still gives attention to matters central to Kano development as evident in his chairmanship of  the Senate Adhoc Committee on Aviation where he discovered that there is a dearth of trained and experienced manpower in the industry. During this assignment, he made a case for the100 Kano pilots and other young pilots and operational personnel. He recommended a review of the required flying hours for new pilots alongside other stringent regulations hindering young aviation personnel’s progress.

    Kwankwaso also intervened in the case of the 25 marine engineering students of Kano State who returned to Nigeria after completing their Higher National Diploma in South Shields New Castle, United Kingdom, but could not proceed for sea time training, for over nine months. Through his efforts, the students have now gone for their sea time training.

     

    • Spikin is Media Assistant to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

     

  • Tribes attack Lalong’s district review plan

    Tribes attack Lalong’s district review plan

    Some ethnic groups in Plateau State have attacked Governor Simon Lalong’s plan to review new chiefdoms, districts and village leadership.

    The chiefdoms have been a source of controversy since they were created by the Joshua Dariye administration in 2013. The Jonah Jang administration made some efforts but failed to resolve the problems.

    In his turn, Lalong set up a committee to examine the issues and resolve them, but some ethnic groups have kicked against his efforts, suspecting the government was planning to create a new Hausa district.

    Ethnic tensions are rife in the state, even threatening, a few years ago, to tear it apart.

    The Anaguta ethnic group of Jos North Local Government Area as well as the Berom ethnic group  warned the governor not to think of creating a new district for the Hausa community in Jos.

    The indigenous tribes expressed the fear that creating another district for the Hausa community of Jos North will be a fresh attempt to ignite another ethnic conflict in the city.

    The groups’ position was contained in a statement jointly issued and signed by Da Ericson Fom for the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) and Mr. Yakubu Kankani on behalf of Anaguta Development Association.

    The groups claimed that certain forces were pressuring the state government to create a new district for the Hausa community. The Pan-Kofiar community from Qua’an Pan Local Government Area also criticised the committee, accusing the governor of trying to install a new district head without first resolving the lingering dispute. The Pan-Kofiar people of Jepjan (Namu) community in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area cautioned Governor Laong on the review plan.

    Spokesman of the Pan/Kofiar people Mr. Albert Kopbe, a lawyer, said, “There are two issues that bother us seriously as a people; one is the move by the state government under Governor Simon Lalong to install a new Long Jan of Namu (Jepjan) district without bringing aggrieved parties together. Our second source of worry is the ongoing deforestation of the Pandam game reserve in the state under the pretext of revenue generation.

    Kopbe said, “We found it duty-bound to draw the attention of Nigeria and the World to the emergence of an ugly trend in the Governor Simon Bako Lalong-led Government with the ongoing plan to install a new Long Jan which has been in dispute since the demise of the last Long Jan Alhaji Umar Suleiman Allahnana on the 26th of February 2009.

    “We are worried because there have been similar disputed vacant stools across the entire state that have not been occupied. These include the stool of the Long kwo in Kwande district of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, the stool of Nshar or Yelwa in Shendam Local Government Area. In Jos-East Local Government Area of the state, we are also aware of the absence of a substantive Adagwom Zere of the Afizere nation. It is therefore against this background that we the indigenous Kofiar/Pan people of Jepjan view with consternation the attempt to set in motion events which if allowed to unfold, will cause grievous consequences to the peaceful co- existence of the Kofiar/Pan people in Jepjan.

    Kopbe pointed that the Kofiar/Pan remained the most populous in the locality and deserve the protection of their traditional leader.

    He said, “It is against this that we wish to clearly state that the status quo should not be maintained in the installation of the stool of the Long Jan after witnessing two violent crisis in the area and any ruler who is foisted upon the people without legitimacy cannot succeed because the people will surely resist external domination.

    The ethnic group suggested a convocation of a peace conference of parties and stakeholders in the rival communities to sort out their differences and reach agreements before filling the vacant stools so as to avoid violent reaction.

    Reacting through the Senior Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Mr. Mark Longyen, Governor Lalong said, “As regards the allegations made by the Pan-Kofiar community, the tussle over the ownership and rulership of Namu, known as Jepjan in local parlance, is a matter before the courtsý, awaiting final adjudication, and nothing is being done prejudicial by government in this regard.

    He said, “More so, Government recently set up the Joshua Waklek Committee to look into the issue of creation of new chiefdoms, districts and village areas. Memoranda are just being received right now and so until the outcome of the Committee’s assignment, issues like that of Jepjan will remain on hold.

    “The speculative plan for the deforestation of Pandam Game Reserve is a mischievous lie by the opposition elements in the state trying to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. On the contrary, plans are underway by government to partner the Federal Government and development partners to boost the tourism potentials of Pandam as a major revenue earner for the state, especially in the face of dwindling oil revenue.

    “To the best of my knowledge, there have been security challenges there, whereby hoodlums from the crisis in neighboring Nasarawa State have been using Pandam as their Sambisa forest to launch attacks on communities around the area. As such, Government is merely looking into the possibility of clearing a part of the forest as a security strategy so as to save lives and not to destroy it.

    “Government therefore warns people to steer clear of politicians who are harbingers of unfounded rumours orchestrated with the sole aim of causing disquiet in the society in order to advance their ulterior political interests and motives” said Governor Jang.

     

  • Bidding Ocholi farewell

    What started as a rumour, spreading like wildfire, became a sad reality. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi, was dead. He had died with his wife and one of his sons in an auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

    So it was not surprising that a substantial part of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last Wednesday was devoted to paying tribute to him.

    It was the first time the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was witnessing such sad moment of losing a cabinet member. Although most of the surviving members of the cabinet were not dressed in all-black or white attires while attending last week FEC meeting as a way of mourning their dead colleague, they were gloomy as they attended the valedictory session.

    The session was also different in many ways from those held under the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when paying last respects to a deceased member of the cabinet or an important personality in the society.

    While almost all cabinet members attending such valedictory sessions under Jonathan were always asked to make a comment on the deceased in question, it was systematically controlled last week Wednesday.

    For Ocholi’s valedictory session, one minister was picked from each of the six geopolitical zones to comment on him.

    While most sessions under Jonathan again always recorded free flow of tears by the cabinet members, it was a different story last Wednesday as the situation was perfectly brought under control.

    No member of the cabinet who spoke or did not speak during the session last Wednesday openly wept in the Council Chamber.

    This was mainly achieved because fewer persons were allowed to pay tribute to the deceased.

    After Buhari kick-started the session, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was allowed to pay tribute to the deceased.

    Ngige, who had worked directly with the deceased, was also one of the cabinet members who saw him last before his death.

    Ngige said: “We interacted last on Friday, he was mediating in trade dispute with JOHESU, health sector workers. He helped to fashion the party constitution.

    “He had capacity for hardwork and was a good negotiator. Death has created a huge void in the Ministry of Labour and Employment which is hard to fill.

    The Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire said: “He had initiative, he was methodical and organised. He was a respectable man of character. Intensely serious yet jovial. He was a consummate negotiator.”

    On his part, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh said: “His joining the CPC in Kogi in the early days showed his foresight and courage as opposition politics is not a party in the park but a marathon in the desert.

    The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Claudius Daramola said that Ocholi was strong minded, lovely and fearless.

    “He has left us with so much pain. A heartache that no one but God can heal.” He added

    The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu noted that Ocholi was soft-spoken, a gentleman, persuasive, and lived spartan, humble life.

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba said that Ocholi was very much committed to the change agenda.

    “He was always full of joy and fond of his family. He will be missed, memories he leaves behind will be his legacy. We pray for the full recovery of the other injured passengers injured in the accident.” She stated.

    After the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal announced the tentative burial arrangement and the support the Federal Government was giving to the immediate surviving members of the deceased family, cabinet members were also led on visit to Ocholi’s family house immediately after the FEC meeting.

     

    Blocking payroll padding

     

    Although 23,000 ghost workers have been uncovered, which is saving the Federal Government N2.29 billion monthly, indications emerged last Wednesday that more are still in the system.

    The government is now investigating additional 11,000 workers to know if they are real or just dummies for siphoning Federal Government’s treasury into private pockets.

    The government has vowed not to stop with the payroll system.

    It plans to extend such checks on other government’s expenditure in order to block similar theft.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said: “We felt that the continuous audit work should not just be limited to payroll, there is actually need to strengthen internal audit across government.

    “So as an interim we have agreed to do the Presidential initiative on continuous audits which will give backings to the work that we are currently doing and will allow us to extend this work beyond payroll to other areas of expenditure.” She added, “It is not enough to just identify the ghost workers and block the fraud, further steps should be taken to identify those behind the payroll ‘padding.”

    This set of people should be brought to book to act as deterrence.

     

  • ‘We need better, cheaper houses’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello wants better houses for residents of the territory but he also desires affordable shelter.

    To achieve this, he called for a multi-disciplinary meeting of all professionals involved in the building industry.

    Bello made the call while receiving a delegation from the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) led by its President, Arc. Umaru Aliyu that paid him a courtesy visit.

    He reiterated that the call was necessary i order to enable professionals to brainstorm and ensure that sanity is brought to the sub-sector, thereby providing more housing delivery to the populace.

    Malam Bello noted that the industry is robust, with the capacity to provide ready employment to the teeming populace in the FCT, because of the diverse professionals and unskilled labourers involved from the conception to the completion stage.

    He expressed delight to meet professional bodies like ARCON that have contributed immensely to the development of the Federal Capital Territory, recalling that recently, he had a similar meeting with the Town Planners Association Nigeria.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said architects, engineers, town planners, surveyors and builders should all come together to find a better way to fast track the entire process from the drawings, building plan approvals, setting out and the entire building construction process in the territory.

    The Minister decried a situation where houses are built in estates without giving enough space for greening, planting of trees and at least a garden at the backyard as well as space for children play area.

    Bello assured that the FCT Administration on its part would make the process transparent and friendly to all players in the industry.

    Speaking earlier, the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Umaru Aliyu congratulated the Minister over his appointment.

    The President said that ARCON is assiduously working to eliminate quacks, which he noted have contributed in no small measure to the cases of collapsed buildings across the country.

    He stated that no registered architect has ever been involved in any case of collapsed building.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some senior officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the architects.

     

  • A remand home in need

    A remand home in need

    A prison facility in Kaduna State where juvenile delinquents are reformed needs retooling,
    reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    Master Jubril Suliman, an inmate at Borstal Training Institute (BTI), a remand home in Kaduna State, is happy to have stayed off hard drugs for well over a year since he was brought into the facility. He is also a trainee tailor hoping to make a career in fashion designing. But he is worried that his tailoring unit lacks materials.

    “I am in the tailoring workshop,” said the Nasarawa State youth, described as one of the hardest-working boys in the facility.

    “We need materials for practical. We need the support of well-meaning Nigerians to improve on our skills while in this place. I have really learnt a lot here. I have been here for 20 months now; that is one year and eight months.

    The institute was established in 1960 as a youth reformation arm of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), catering only to males aged between 16 and 21. They are said to be juveniles beyond parental control or in conflict with the law but mentally stable. They are admitted into the institution for training or reformation.

    The NPS remand facility meant to train and reorient juvenile offenders needs to be revitalised for better performance.

    Our correspondent’s tour of the facility revealed that almost everything there is not functioning.

    The principal of BTI, Dr. Dora Ofobrukweta appealed for assistance from government and well-meaning Nigerians, saying that the Prisons Service has only three of such in the country, one in Kaduna, one in Ilorin, the third in Abeokuta.

    Ofobrukweta said that juvenile delinquency was one of the most pressing social problems with detrimental emotional, physical and economic effects in the communities.

    She said that if not given proper attention, the delinquent would constitute a major challenge to the society.

    The training, she said, takes a period of three years, each admission backed by legal mandate from either the high court or Chief Magistrate Court.

    The officer in charge called on the government, corporate organisations and well-off individuals to partner with the NPS in order to achieve its objectives.

    Her words: ‘’If we do not correct them and at the same time providing them with alternative means of earning comfortable and viable living after their formal education, we run the risk of having them fall back to criminality.

    ‘’Therefore, for the NPS to ensure that it meets its objectives, all hands must be on deck as the government cannot do it alone.”

    She stated that the average population of juvenile offenders in the institution is 377, adding that the NPS on its own was unable to cater for such a large number.

    “However, on the average we usually have between 400 and 430 students, depending on how they come in and go out. Like we said, the purpose is for reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. So, that is why the number has dropped at this time.

    ‘’The main reason why they are here is to ensure that they change their behaviour and character and that is why our motto is ‘’Be the Change,’’ she said.

    She explained that to achieve this, the NPS was running two  programmes, one vocational, the other academic.

    ‘’Our focus also is to equip these young ones with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to live comfortable lives when reintegrated into the society.

    ‘’Under the vocational programme we have: tailoring/dress-making, brick-laying/masonry, construction, electrical installation work, welding and Fabrication. Others include carpentry and joinery, photography/video coverage, plumbing/pipe-fitting, painting/sign-writing and air-conditioning/refrigeration.

    ‘’Suffice it to say that some of these programs are not meeting up to expectation because of the lack of adequate equipment, facilities and dilapidated infrastructure. However, some of them are functional,” she said.

    She also said that the academic programmes consist of both science and social science courses, adding that the institution also participate in the JSSCE, SSCE, JAMB and NECO examinations.

    ‘’All of these exams are written in normal school certain ýhere in this institution. We can start doing the production of block. Majority came in through their parents, some from courts. We have the ones who are beyond the bustal age it is a problem. If those ones are well-skilled and schooled they will contribute to the development of the country. The major challenge is to have modern and adequate equipment to train the children. The response to help has been poor. We are making plans to reach the governor of Kaduna State, for help. My appeal is for all to come and help update this place for proper and effective performance. We can also use many of the facilities to generate funds.

    “We do not have professional teachers to train these children.”

    One of the hardworking students there by name Jubril Suliman a native of Nassarawa State told our correspondent that he was into hard drugs before he was brought into the facility.

    Going through the reformation process, the promising boy said: “I am in the tailoring workshop. The challenges are many we need materials for practical. We need the support of well meaning Nigerians to improve on our skills while in this place. I have really learnt a lot here. I have been here for twenty months now that is one year and eight months.

    “I was brought in here for drug addiction, I was a drug addict. But now I have stayed away from hard drugs now for 20 months and I am feeling fine and more focused ready for the future. I do not think I can go back to drugs. My advice for those taking hard drug out there is that you cannot compromise and say you will only take one and that is all you will later find yourself taking all the hard drugs available on earth and that is bad. It will lead you nowhere. Those were my mistakes.

    “My plans for the future are to still work and learn more on this fashion designing work and I have aspiration for music and I hope to work on it alongside the fashion work. My parents visit me and my uncle too quite often.”