The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Niger East Senatorial Zone seeks balanced appointments

    The public service reform in Niger State which pruned the number of permanent secretaries from 54 to 25, has caused a lot of agitation, especially in Niger East Senatorial Zone where the people feel they were, unfairly, the hardest hit.

    The people of the zone have now demanded a more inclusive reform to address what they called the lopsided rationalisation in the recent public service reform. They said the redeployment of Permanent Secretaries in the state did not favour the zone, a remarkable departure from the fate of the zone in previous purges.

    Despite the protests, the state government has insisted that only technocrats will be appointed into the State Executive Council.

    The Chairman of Niger East Peoples’ Forum, Mr. George Koce, a lawyer who represents the elders, said the redistribution of Permanent Secretaries favoured Niger North and Niger South, while neglecting Niger East. Giving the statistics, Koce said before the reform, Niger South Senatorial District had 26 Permanent Secretaries, Niger East 17, Niger North 11 but after the reform, Niger South Senatorial District had 14 Permanent Secretaries, Niger East 4, Niger North 7.

    “It is clear that the redistribution of Permanent Secretaries favored Niger North and South against Niger East Senatorial Districts. Evidently, of the 25 Permanent Secretaries retained, only 4 come from Niger East Senatorial District, with one local government area in Niger South Senatorial District having 6.mRecent development in the redeployment of the Permanent Secretaries is unfair, unjust and smacks of brazen impunity. This is totally unacceptable. This smacks a delibrate agenda for the isolation of Niger East Senatorial District from the Niger state APC administration. The goodwill of the people of Niger East Senatorial District should not be taken for granted”, Koce emphasized.

    Calling on the state government to use the previous zonal political template used by previous administration to achieve a balanced representation, the spokesman for the Elders appealed that subsequent appointments and deployments should be much more rationally considered.

    He said the APC administration in Niger state must be seen to make, effect and sustain positive change based on fair play, justice and equity.

    The Chairman who lamented that all steps taken by the zone to make the state government address the issue at stake have yielded no positive response called on the state House of Assembly to address the imbalance in the recent appointment of Permanent Secretaries to safeguard future imbalance. Youths under the aegis of Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Youth Associationý took their grievances to the Niger state government House in Minna carrying placards with inscriptions like ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Give us the real change’, ‘We want good change’ and others. The youths who expressed dissatisfaction with the appointments said it was not in line with the principles of equity and fairness among the people of the State calling on  Governor Bello to correct the irregularities in the appointment of officers into various positions.

    The Chairman of the group, Comrade Danjuma Paiko said, “We, the people of Niger East Senatorial District (Zone B) have not been treated well despite the large number of votes gotten from the zone during the 2015 general elections. We call on the State government to as a matter of urgency consider the plight of Zone B to re-address all these anomalies before the local government elections.”

    Paiko called on the governor to reverse the apparent lopsided rationalisation.

    The government has maintained its stand that only technocrats would be appointed as the government was looking for people who will deliver quality service to the people.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba said, “In terms of representation, everybody will be well represented but some appointments are done to de-emphasise politics, especially that of the SSG. Only technocrats will be appointed,” he added.

     

  • Exciting final farewell to Baba Lokoja

    Exciting final farewell to Baba Lokoja

    The funeral of Deacon Daniel Adejo Akor was like a political rally because of the huge crowd it attracted.

    A patron of the Idoma Development Association and Igala Development Association,  members of both organisations as well as those of United Evangelical Church (UEC),  where he was an Elder, attended the event.

    Also present were members of the Nigerian Legion in Kogi State as well as staff of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lokoja. They came in large numbers to honour the man they fondly called ‘Baba Lokoja ‘.

    The last journey of  the late Akor began from the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja to his hometown Ofante Olamaboro.

    Though the town is remote  with a rough road to travel, guests and well-wishers were not deterred from paying their last respects.

    They came from far and wide – Lokoja, Lagos, Ikom in Cross River State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital, and the neigbouring Benue State, among others. Also, colleagues of his son David Adejo  came from The Nation. His friends also came from London, where he lived for years before joining this newspaper.

    The weather was friendly during the ceremony despite the rainy season.

    • The late Deacon Akor’s son-in-law, Pastor Onoja; his two daughters Bathsheba Akor-Onoja and Christiana Ogbame.
    • The late Deacon Akor’s son-in-law, Pastor Onoja; his two daughters Bathsheba Akor-Onoja and Christiana Ogbame.

    Caretaker Chairman, Olamaboro Local Government, Dr. Simon Onuche described the late Akor as a man of integrity, who loved people, both old and young.

    Onuche, who chaired the event, said: “He was my late father’s friend. Baba Daniel Akor loved and created good relationship wherever he was. He welcomed us to his house and would not discriminate against anyone. That was why even when he was from Idoma land, he asked his family to bury him here where he was born. I think that would further strengthen our relationship with the family.’’

    Chairman, United Evangelical Church in Gadumo, Lokoja, Elder Peter Atabo, said: “The life Deacon Daniel Akor lived created a strong appeal for the young, the old and all Christians. Baba lived a committed, humble and dedicated life. He loved the young and the elderly; everybody that came in contact with him commented on his godly life and good relationship with people. We will miss Deacon Akor very much if not for anything but for his intelligence and ability to recite memory verses of the bible up to one hundred at a time.’’

    The children of the deceased were not left out of the praises for their father. His first son  James described him as “a man who loved and feared God; a crusader among men and the brethren”.

    David said: “My father was my friend and my role model. He made me what I am today. He asked me to respect men, and to love and fear God. ‘Dan’ as I usually called, him was a brave and God-fearing man, who never compromised his faith. If there is another world to come, I will like to be his son again.”

    One of the late Akor’s best friends, Moses Oguche, who  was the last to speak with him before he died, described the late deacon as “a brave soldier, a great hunter and a committed Christian.”

    Also at the funeral were the Idoma Youth Cultural Group, a popular Disc Jockey (DJ) who thrilled the crowd. There were folk tales and recitation of bible verses.

    Pastor of Otukpo branch of the Dunamis Gospel International Church, Sunday Onoja, called the late Akor a great man.

    “He accommodated everyone that came to him. He was an extra-generous person. Before I married his daughter 23 years ago, I had known him.

    “Since I became his son in-law. I never had any misunderstanding with him or his daughter. Pa Akor was a disciplinarian and a true Christian until he passed on peacefully in his sleep,” Onoja said.

    The burial rites were later moved to Adupi-Orokam Ogbadibo in Benue State, where the late Akor hailed from.

  • And the looters’ trial begins

    The near empty national treasury that almost grounded the administration of President Buhari on assumption of office was one of the major factors that propelled him to go after looters in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Not only did he take the campaign to recover the loots to the international community, but he expressly solicited the support of the world leaders towards repatriation of the stolen funds.

    Such repatriation of the stolen fund will not end the case as Buhari also threatened to further prosecute anybody found wanting.

    But his appeal for assistance from the global community appeared not to be achieving the desired result until about a fothnight ago.

    Worried by the seemingly slow  support of the international community towards the stolen fund recovery, President Buhari  tasked the world leaders to do more on the stolen fund while speaking a fortnight ago at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States (US).

    “In particular, I call upon the global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin,” he told the world leaders.

    Barely four days after appealing to the world leaders to do more on the stolen funds at UNGA, some of the countries moved against some ministers in ex-President Jonathan’s administration.

    Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was arrested alongside her brothers by the British authorities in London.

    As directors of Hadley Petroleum Solutions Limited, they are facing trial for alleged bribery and money laundering in London.

    Glad with the new development, President Buhari last Tuesday commended Britain and Switzerland for their efforts to assist Nigeria in recovering stolen funds.

    While receiving the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright in Abuja, Buhari said: “Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

    “It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of  Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

    “He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,” he added

     

  • Kuje blast: Residents seek hijab ban

    Following the bomb blast that claimed the lives of 15 innocent residents of Kuje area council and Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some residents of Kuje area council have called on the federal government to ban the wearing of the long hijab by Muslim women.

    When Abuja Review visited the scene of the bomb blast at Kuje, it was discovered that the area has opened for business with security personnel keeping an eye on the area.

    Some residents who spoke with our reporter said that most of the young ladies used for suicide attacks wear long hijab.

    One of the residents, John Ibrahim who spoke with Abuja Review said that the explosion came as a surprise to the residents because of the peace that has been in the FCT and some other parts of the country.

    According to Ibrahim since it is seemed that the terrorists have completely engaged young girls in the suicide bombing mission, and most of them wear the long hijabs, it would be difficult to to identify any one that is a threat to the people.

    “I believe that the only way to successfully fight this insurgency, apart from the military checkpoints and other stop and check operations, is for the government to put a ban on the wearing of the long hijab that is worn by most Muslim ladies.

    “Like in Kuje, before the bomb blast, I used to see young ladies wearing long Ijabs, but I did not believe that young girls will be used for bomb blast in Kuje. The government should tackle this insecurity from the unexpected levels, which is banning this long hijabs in Nigeria for the main time, pending the end of insurgency,” he said.

    Another resident, Ms. Joy Ephraim, a trader close to the scene of the bomb blast in Kuje, also said that if the hijabs is not banned, it will be difficult for the people to assist the government in the fight against insurgency.

    “Imagine a young lady wearing vest of explosives inside a long hijab, and she passes by your side, there is no way you will be able to know what the person is wearing inside the hijab. But if the person is wearing simple clothes, it will be easy for you to notice and call the attention of security agencies.

    “The government should know that this is no longer a religious affair, but the affairs of everybody. If this insurgency should be tackled effectively, it should start from the smallest aspect, irrespective of religious affiliation. Like checking the clothes people are wearing and bags people are carrying. With this, there will be peace and security in Nigeria,” she said.

     

  • 102 pupils get scholarship in Kwara

    102 pupils get scholarship in Kwara

    An organisation, the Engineer Sunday Babalola Foundation (ESBF) has given N2m scholarship award to 102 indigent students of post-primary and tertiary institutions of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The award, said to be first of its kind, will be continuous, the Founder of the foundation, Sunday Babalola said.

    Speaking during the presentation of cash and cheque to the beneficiaries in Omu-Aran, Babalola,  said, “We are starting from this community, later to the local government and if we can, we will extend it to the state level. Good students were selected by their principals; they applied and were interviewed.”

    The founder called on corporate organisations, donors, philanthropists and humanitarian outfits to invest in the advancement of education in Nigeria.

    The petroleum engineer said, “The award of scholarship to students of secondary and tertiary institutions is for me a fulfillment of my dream and desire to contribute my quota to the educational advancement and uplift of students in my locality.

    “God helping me with more resources, I intend to make this scholarship an annual event which will extend to more pupils and students in the local government and even across Kwara State.

    “It is a truism that educational growth is the springboard for societal advancement. So the falling standard of education in the country causes my heart to bleed. Gone appears to have been the days when students took interest in academic competitions. Many of them are today engrossed with internet and video pornography to the detriment of their educational growth.

    “Many of the students and graduates are merely half baked and cannot compete favourably in the labour market as they are unfit either for employment, lacking requisite skills and knowledge for self employment and self-reliance and sustenance. The situation has worsened the living standard of their families who suffered and spent so much to train them, yet they still depend on their families for upkeep and sustenance even after graduation.

    “Many of them have therefore become willing tools for insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes and so become threats to societal peace and wellbeing.

    “We all must save the situation from degenerating further by investing more in the educational advancement of the Nigerian child.

    “While part of the blame goes to the pupils and students, it is also important to note that government at local, state and federal levels have not done enough to ensure quality and accessible education in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

    “Many of the students and pupils attend schools hungry as their parents because of the economic downturn cannot feed them adequately. Some of them even come to school with turn and worn-out uniform while some still do not have sandals, books, lockers and chairs!

    How then can they learn well and past excellently in their examinations in this pitiable condition?

    “Many of the public schools have become hunting ghost, scaring away prospective good students. This situation had therefore made many private schools very academically attractive as only students from rich homes are now availed the opportunity of quality education.

    “What becomes the lot of children from indigent homes? It appears that the government has abandoned its core responsibility of  ensure quality, and accessible education under the guise of dwindling revenue while  the governors, law makers and other political office holders comfortably earn their jumbo salaries and other perquisites.

    We therefore must prioritise our national needs and give education the right pride of place if Nigeria must advance and meet up with the global trend.

    “Governments at all levels must stop paying lip service to education development. There must be sufficient investments in infrastructure provision, human capital development, security of pupils and students and undergraduates. Teachers and lectures must be well paid while incessant strikes and disruption of academic programs should be avoided in our schools, both tertiary and non-tertiary.

    “It is also important for more emphasis to be placed on entrepreneurship development and skill acquisition so as to produce graduates that will create more jobs in the country instead of being job seekers and security risk to the society. In addition, government should address mass failures in external examinations especially in core subjects including English and Mathematics.”

  • Residents’ welfare my priority, says Lalong

    Residents’ welfare my priority, says Lalong

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has expressed his determination to focus more on the well-being of residents of the state through the provision of quality health services.

    The governor said this while declaring open a three-day free medical services for Jos North and South councils.

    The outreach which was organised by the Rotary Club of Jos, was held at the Primary Health Centre, Jos North Local Government Council headquarters.

    Lalong, who was represented at event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Abel Habila, praised the club for the free medical service, saying the state government is willing to collaborate with such organisations to promote the well-being of the populace.

    The state Coordinator, 2015 Rotary Family Health Days, Rotarian Arthur Ophiohonren, a past president of the club, said the aim of the free medical service is to assist the rural communities which often lack the facilities they need.

    He said the three days service will cover areas such as HIV test, cataract test and treatment, breast cancer screening, diabetes and distribution of mosquito nets, among others.

    The community leader of Gyel in Jos South Local Government Council Da Chuwang Dung who is also a beneficiary of the service, thanked   the club for the gesture, but pleaded that the club should help provide an ambulance for the community clinic.

    The free medical outreach attracted hundreds of ailing residents.

  • China donates jobs tools to IDPs

    China has donated sewing machines, clippers and generators to Internally Displayed Persons in Abuja.

    The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie said that the gesture would improve the lives of the IDPS.

    Xiaojie, who spoke to reporters at the IDPs camp in new Kuchingoro, Abuja, added that China would train the IDPs in tailoring, fashion designing, hair dressing and repairs of generating sets.

    “The skills acquisition will go a long way to assist the IDPs. The programme will benefit them immensely,” he said.

    He said that his country would continue to support Nigeria in its fights against insurgency while condoling with the victims of the recent Kuje and Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja.

    “China will continue to support Nigeria in attaining peace and stability. Our hearts are with them. We hope those injured will recover quickly,” he said.

    He added that with the help of other super powers, Nigeria would overcome the challenges of terrorism.

    “This issue of terrorism will be firmly resolved with collaborative efforts of the global village,” he said.

     

  • APC to council aspirants: stop working against the party

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked all aspirants to the chairmanship position of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to desist from working against the interest of the party, saying it has no preferred candidate for the election.

    Chairman of the party in the AMAC, Abbas Baba who gave the warning while receiving a letter of intent to contest the chairmanship election the former Deputy Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Danlami Umar Zuru, also said that all the aspirants must be prepared to work together to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the elections.

    He said while the party appreciates the contribution of all the aspirants to building the party in the Area Council, they should bear in mind that only one of them will emerge candidate of the party at the end of the day, pointing out that they must be prepared to work for whoever emerged victorious at the party primary.

    Making his intention known Danlami Umar Zulu said he has the ability and the credibility to take over the leadership position in AMAC, stressing that people are yearning for change.

    “This time around, we are yearning for change. What I thought is to submit myself to the people of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). I feel the pain of the masses, especially in the areas of youth empowerment, education, and agriculture. “We are talking about credibility and ability to deliver. I have the driving force, experience and the grassroots support. I am a loyal party man. So, it can’t be difficult for me to succeed,” he said. While expressing optimism that the APC would win the coming council poll in the Area Council, he said “What progress has the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made which will not give us confidence to achieve victory? What have they achieved since 1999 to date at the grassroots? The PDP has not achieved anything. Of course, you can show me one. “If you can, then show me that achievement. People are very tired. Just as they yearn for change at national level, they are yearning for change in AMAC. By the grace of God, we will deliver. The PDP will win the election by the grace of God”. The chairmanship aspirant who said that APC members and delegates to give him opportunity to serve as chairman in AMAC, added that he has always carried out successfully all the assignment given to hi by the national leaders of the party. “I believe that leadership is about good representation, protecting your people, looking for the welfare and wellbeing of people, making peace among your people and your ability to blend in, in other to understand the problems of your people.”

     

  • FCT APC urges residents to be vigilant

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on residents to be vigilant and support the government in its fight against insurgency.

    This call was made by the State Secretary of the party, Hon. Abdulahi Candido who condemned the bomb attack at Nyanya and Kuje area of the FCT in which over 15 people died and more than 40 injured.

    Candido said there is need to forestall such attacks.

    Candido who is also an aspirant for the chairmanship of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) said every resident should be vigilant and look out for any suspicious movements in their environments and report to the appropriate security agencies.

    “The attacks at Nyanya and Kuje were unexpected, especially now that we were about celebrating  peace in the FCT. This is not good for our country and I will advise those behind this dastardly act to repent and embrace peace in this country. There is the need for all of us to live in peace and unity and move this country to greater height together.

    “Those perpetrating this evil acts should know that killing of fellow human beings will never do any good to anyone. It is high time they embraced peace and accept that Nigerians want to live in peace as a united nation. President Muhammadu Buhari has the sincere desire to build this country and carry everyone along, so everyone should support him to do it.

    “I want to advice every group or individual to condemn such dastardly acts whereby innocent lives are destroyed because of selfish interest. We all should be vigilant and know that security of lives and property should not be left for the government alone, we should try to do our best by ensuring that we always look out for suspicious movements and make reports where necessary.

    “My prayer is that we should not witness such dastardly acts again in the FCT and entire Nigeria, that is why as Nigerians, we should always contribute our quota in assisting the government in the aspect of security. So, that the issue of insecurity will be a thing of the past,” he said.

     

  • NYSC members save lives in Kwara

    NYSC members save lives in Kwara

    Possibly a sign of things to come, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have put many residents of Igbonna and Ikotun communities of Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State out of their health challenges.

    How? They provided free medical service to the residents.

    A medical team of Corps members reached out to ailing members of the communities, giving their time and expertise free of charge.

    The programme is under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.

    In his remarks during the launch of the weeklong initiative, Oyun local government chairman, Alao Adebayo, an engineer, hailed the ingenuity of the NYSC management for organising the programme and for choosing his council.

    Adebayo urged community leaders to “mobilise our people to come and utilise this free medical offer to better and improve their health conditions reminding them that ‘health is wealth.’”

    He added that: “On our part as a government, we shall within our available resources be ready to provide everything necessary or required to make your five days and operation comfortably worthwhile.

    “The coming of this free medical initiative at a time the nation just celebrated its 55th independent anniversary is to me symbolically auspicious.

    “How else will you describe the sacrifice and commitment of this generation of you medical doctors who could engage in this social service despite other profitable offers that could be opened to them; if these attitudes of sacrifice and commitment are imbibed and sustained by our young ones, our nation will be better for it?

    “Indeed, the medical practice in its entirety by the virtue and sanctity of human life it deals with is seen as a noble profession and the practitioners considered next to God in the work of giving and saving lives.

    “Little wonder then, that this initiative which allows you to go round villages offering free medical services, readily calls to mind the biblical Jesus who was going about healing the sick and delivering the oppressed.”

    Declaring the initiative open, Director General NYSC, Brigadier- General Johnson Olawumi disclosed that the corps would collaborate with World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), federal and state ministries of health to address the health challenges of Nigerians.

    Other specific health partners the NYSC plans to partner with , he added include National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHDA), Society for Family Health (SFH), Family Health International (FHI) as well as non-governmental and international organizations.

    He added that NYSC would also partner with Royal Heritage Health Foundation, Ilorin, Grace Project International, MTN Communications and Guinness Nigeria Plc.

    General Olawumi who was represented by the state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Enyinnaya Henry said that the “programme is to mobilize corps medical volunteers in the provision of health intervention through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and proper prevention mechanism, thereby enhancing the general well-being of rural dwellers.

    “Volunteer corps medical personnel, who will form the core of the team, will work as health intervention agents driving the wheel of the health initiative. This one-week health outreach has been designed to address the health challenges of our people.

    “Our confidence in the success of this programme also lies in the fact that we have been able to secure the support of some stakeholders, who are either assisting us with their personnel or providing other material supports in the areas of drugs and medical equipment.”