The country director, International Alert, Dr. Paul Nyulaku Bemshima said the organization in partnership with stakeholders and the Nigerian Police are to forge a pathway towards an enhanced, collaborative approach to policing which is grounded in the mandate of the Police Act 2020.
Bemshima disclosed this during the National Stakeholders Retreat on Policing in Nigeria in Abuja, stating that policing transcends mere law enforcement and should be seen as a bedrock of societal harmony, safeguarding the rights and dignity of every citizen.
He said: “The Police Act 2020 serves as both a catalyst and a compass in the journey towards reform. It heralds an era of accountability, professionalism and community engagement within law enforcement agencies. Though it’s full realization hings on things upon the concerted effort of stakeholders present, like the Police, Academia, Civil Society Organizations and development partners.
“Let us set our sights on the kind of policing we desire for Nigeria. A policing rooted in trust, transparency and respect for human rights. A police that fosters collaboration, amplifies the voices of communities and promotes dialogue over discord. Each stakeholder must bring a unique perspective, expertise and resources to the table.”
Speaking, the DIG Training, AIG Yetunde Longe noted that the Police Act 2020 stands as a significant reference point. It provides the framework within which law enforcement agencies operate, emphasizing the principles of transparency, accountability and community engagement.
Community policing is not just a concept, it is a philosophy that embodies the idea of shared responsibility and mutual respect between law enforcement agencies and the community they protect. By working together we can create safer neighborhoods, build stronger relationships and address the root causes of crime and insecurity.
Nigerian afrobeat musician Bisade Ologunde is better known by his stage name, Lagbaja. His signature face mask denotes him as the country’s everyman—the faceless individual. Lágbájá, a Yoruba word, means a person whose name and identity are purposely concealed or an invisible person. He is somebody, anybody, and everyone.
It was pretty interesting, if not surprising, when in March 2021, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, appointed Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja as General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu State.
I initially wondered how anyone would bear Lagbaja as a name beyond just a generic appellation. I later learned the indisputable fact—that the military officer’s family name evolved from his father’s car dealership business, Lagbaja Motors, in Osun State.
As the GOC in Enugu, the peculiar Lagbaja displayed the uncanny leadership trait of being both hot and cool in instilling a high level of discipline among the troops. He sought to refine officers and men into the best version of their professional selves. With his carrot and stick approach deployed in equal measure, there was always reward for gallantry and good conduct in tandem with punishment for cowardice and misconduct.
For instance, in June 2022, at the inauguration of a general court martial to try some soldiers for alleged indiscipline, Lagbaja stated that the process was to instill discipline by punishing erring officers in a manner that would serve as a deterrent to others. The next following, while honouring selected soldiers with motorcycles and letters of commendation for diligence, Lagbaja described their performances as laudable and charged others to emulate such exemplary conduct.
After the death of Gen. Attahiru in a plane crash, the new COAS, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, redeployed Lagbaja to Kaduna State as the GOC of the 1st Division due to the deplorable activities of bandits and terrorists which had become a grave source of concern and was spilling into and constituting a threat to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. It was in Kaduna that General Lagbaja rose into a household name as he led the battle against violent criminals.
Rather than simply mounting roadblocks, he and the troops waded deep into the forests, taking the war to the enemies in their conclaves. In the first month of assumption of office, Gen. Lagbaja stormed kidnappers’ dens and rescued the victims while leading fighting patrols in Manini village, Buruku, Udawa, Manini, Birnin Gwari, Doka, Maganda, Kuyello and Dogon Dawa communities. Apart from eliminating scores of bandits, others were captured alive.
The next month, September 2022, troops struck the camps of the notorious banditry gangs of Boderi Isiya and Musti, responsible for the security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy, the kidnapping of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation students, the attack on the Emir of Bungudu, among other atrocities. They eliminated kingpins such as Musti, Yellow Mai-Madrid, Dan-Katsinawa and fighters; battered corpses littered the areas along the Tollgate, Chikun and Sabon Gida.
Similarly, in October 2022, the troops sustained their onslaught against bandits, recovering massive caches of weapons during the Operation Forest Sanity campaign traversing Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki and Anguwan Madaki in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. The clearance extended to Sabon Birnin-Zartake, Ungwan Lima Riyawa and Tungan Madaki general area, with the interception of numerous fleeing bandits from Kagi Hill.
From November 2022 till June 2023, Lagbaja-led operations wiped out many terrorists, freed hostages, recovered sophisticated weapons, ammunition and motorcycles. The then Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was so delighted with the successes that he regularly issued statements through his Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan. Former COAS, Gen. Yahaya, through Army spokesperson, Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, equally applauded Lagbaja and his gallant troops for their unrelenting zeal.
In July 2023, after the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Lagbaja, who was the arrowhead of the successes that troops were recording against bandits, terrorists and cattle rustlers in Kaduna and surrounding states, was redeployed to an administrative position in the military high command in Abuja.
Since then, Kaduna has not been the same, making me often ask about Lagbaja. We are now – very unfortunately – inundated with reports of attacks on worship centres, homes and the abduction of vulnerable people, especially women and schoolchildren. The situation in Kaduna is so disturbing that almost every month, there are devastating stories of woe and routine assault on the people who have become hapless victims of banditry and terrorism.
The PRNigeria Monthly Security Reviews provide glimpses of many of these atrocities. In January 2024, terrorists attacked Ungwan Sako, Kunkurai, and Dokan Kaji in Dawaki Ward in Kauru Local Government Area and abducted dozens of people after killing a number of the locals.
In February, terrorists invaded Gindin Dutse Makyali village in the Kufana district of Kajuru and razed houses; at least 12 people were burnt to death in their rooms, as it became impossible to escape bandits shooting sporadically. They killed the Principal of Kuriga Secondary in Chikun for resisting an attempt to kidnap women, invaded Gwada and Kassam in Igabi, as well as areas in Kauru, killing and maiming. Scores were also abducted, including a retired Central Bank of Nigeria director.
The month of March witnessed more daring attacks and massive kidnappings. After the daredevil bandits abducted over 280 Kuriga schoolchildren, another group of gunmen opened fire on worshippers during the Friday prayer at a Mosque in Angwar Makera, Kwasakwasa community, a few days before the commencement of Ramadan.
Terrorists also attacked the Kajuru-Station village and a nearby Dogon Noma community, where over 100 people were reportedly abducted, including women and children, as usual. Similar situations happened when the miscreants stormed Tantau ward and looted shops, before fleeing with dozens of men and women herded away like cattle. Even in the Buda community, also in Kajuru, no fewer than 61 locals were reportedly taken in another organised attack.
Kidnapping for ransom has become an almost daily occurrence and lucrative business for criminal gangs as if the security services are powerless and helpless to stop them. While it is gladdening that the Kuriga kids’ freedom has been secured after they were held for more than two weeks, I still ask: Can’t we get another Lagbaja of Kaduna to re-strategise and lead the troops from the front to degrade criminal activities and restore the people’s confidence?
_Yushau Shuaib, author of ‘An Encounter with the Spymaster’ and ‘Crisis Communication Strategies’, writes from Abuja_
Persons familiar with the antecedents of Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, readily attest to the fact that he is hardly ever deterred by challenges or adversities, no matter how daunting. Stories abound of his daring exploits as a young civil and human rights activist when successive military juntas held sway in Nigeria.
Sani’s can-do spirit and raw courage are matched only by his crisp intellect. In the 9th Senate, where he represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District for four years, his dexterity was all-too apparent. Sani conceptualised and sponsored 32 bills, including three seeking constitutional amendments to allow states to establish their own Police Force and State Police Service Commissions. Even more important, his bills were ranked as the most progressive bills by the very authoritative Nigerian legislative watchdog, orderpaper.com. Indeed, Sani had the singular distinction of being the only senator in the 9th National Assembly who had three of his bills assented to law by the then President Muhammadu Buhari.
Long before he won the gubernatorial election and assumed office as the Governor of Kaduna State, Sani knew that the job would be challenging given that he was bound to inherit the seemingly intractable problem of insecurity in the state. Also, Kaduna State, historically, contends with ethno-religious tension. Knowing the state so well, Sani was unfazed; he was thoroughly prepared for the job and committed to returning Kaduna to its long-acclaimed status as the pride and shining star of northern Nigeria.
Sani’s assumption of office as governor instantly brought relative calm to the hitherto tensed Kaduna State. In just a matter of days, the state started enjoying the dividends of peace, safety and security. What was the trick? Sani mounted the saddle with a clear, and measurable mission — to be a servant-leader, a unifier with his sights set on the economic empowerment of overwhelming majority of the citizenry irrespective of their places of abode, ethnicity or religious persuasions. His plans were easily understood and welcomed with relieve by the populace. The people quickly keyed into his agenda, which was unambiguous — an inclusive governance that is calibrated to leave no one behind.
Working very closely and relentlessly with the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the leadership of the nation’s Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, Governor Sani, very early in his administration, began deepening peace, safety and security across Kaduna State. The results of his efforts become instantly evident: The Kaduna-Abuja express way, once notorious for the nefarious activities of bandits and kidnappers, received a deserved respite and travellers, in their numbers, began plying the road regularly without fear or anxiety. The rail service between Abuja and Kaduna which was momentarily halted after a heinous attack that led to the abduction of several passengers, resumed in earnest. Previously traumatized farmers began returning to their abandoned farms. Even the worst critics (actually political opponents) of Governor Sani, till date readily affirm that Kaduna is a far safer place than he met the state on assumption of office in May 29, 2023.
For most residents of Kaduna State, the unfortunate security breaches in the state in recent days, notably the unfortunate abduction of innocent children from their school in the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area, though deeply saddening, have not blighted the great work Governor Sani has been doing since he was sworn in to office. Rather, for keen observers, the latest acts of bandits in Kaduna State clearly signpost the desperation of the criminal elements whose days are clearly numbered. Given that Sani has, in less than one year in office, substantially made Kaduna State unattractive for criminal elements operating in the very vast forest that straddle all the states in the North-west of Nigeria. These cowards in their recent dastardly incursion into Kaduna State, chose very soft targets – innocent school children and their harmless teacher.
For the 16 days that the children were in captivity,Sani with the full and ceaseless support of President Tinubu worked very closely with the highest levels of the nation’s military, police and other security agencies to rescue and safely return the abducted persons to their respective homes.
From get-go, Sani’s resolve to get the children back to school was resolute and unequivocal. During this very trying period, the governor doggedly, albeit quietly, led the rescue efforts from the front. And in the numerous meetings he summoned and chaired, he repeatedly assured parents and all stakeholders that working very closely with President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and heads of other security organisations, the abducted children would be speedily returned to their homes and their parents.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the efforts we are making with relevant security agencies and Mr. President are yielding good results that will become apparent to all very soon. Mr. President has been doing everything possible to ensure that our children return back home safely. I can say it here that Mr. President is determined. I discuss with him on a daily basis. In fact, sometimes the president calls me two to three times in a day to monitor situations here. The National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, who is from Kaduna Sate and the Service Chiefs are putting in everything at their disposal. We are all resolute about the prompt and safe return of our children not only to their homes but back to school,” Sani assured.
In the early hours of Sunday, 24th of March, the prayers and tenacity of Sani with the full support of President Tinubu paid off. The 137 abducted Kuriga school children were released unharmed. The jubilation in Kaduna, nay, across Nigeria, was rapturous. Finally good has triumphed over evil. The people’s hope in government was rekindled, once again.
A very relieved Governor Sani announced the good news moments after: “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released. Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and, particularly, ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed.
“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke and met with Mr. President several times. He shared our pains, comforted us and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children. Special mention must also be made of our dear brother, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, for his exemplary leadership. I spent sleepless nights with Mal. Ribadu fine-tuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.
“The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities. We also thank all Nigerians who prayed fervently for the safe return of the school children. This is, indeed, a day of joy. We give Almighty Allah all the glory.”
Giving further update on the rescue of the Kuriga school children, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that the school children were rescued from the bandits at Dansadau Forest in Zamfara State. “In the early hours of 24 March 2024, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation, rescued the hostages. The hostages are same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government. These efforts demonstrate the armed forces’ resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.”
The released school children where eventually escorted by officers and men of the Nigerian Army from Sokoto to Kaduna where they were handed over to an excited Governor Sani at the Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna. The governor’s joy was unmistakable as he went about embracing and bantering with the school children immediately they arrived the Government House. He promptly instructed that the kids be cleaned up and given urgent medical and psychosocial attention before being handed over to their thrilled parents, who had already besieged the Government House to receive their children. Governor Sani, later in the day, hosted the now well-rested and freshened-up school children to a dinner in the Government House.
The formal handover of the rescued Kuriga school children to Governor Sani by the nation’s military and security agencies was done by the General Officer Commanding the 1st Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj. Gen Mayirenso Saraso. At the brief but emotional handover formalities, the GOC clarified that 137 students and a teacher were abducted from both the Government Secondary school and Local Education Authority Primary school in Kuriga (both schools share same vicinity).
“Through kinetic and non-kinetic efforts that were deployed under the guidance of His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, through the Office of NSA, the school children were rescued in Dansadau forest in Zamfara State. The 137 children were released and of this number six of them are in the hospital. But unfortunately, the teacher died in captivity. So, in all, 137 school children were abducted and the 137 children (76 females and 61 males) were rescued and are now being handed over to their parents through the Kaduna State Government,” the GOC said and thereafter handed over a list containing the names of the released school children to Governor Sani.
Sani, who once again showered encomiums on President Tinubu, the NSA and the nation’s military and security chiefs, was quick to caution against the politicisation of security matters, especially the release of the Kuriga school children. “When it comes to issues of security, please and please let us be careful. Politicising issues that border on security endangers lives. People who do not mean well are cooking up all sorts of conspiracy theories. The most important job of any responsible government is the safety and security of lives and properties of citizens. That is what the Federal and Kaduna State Governments have just done in the matter of the abducted Kuriga students. It is not time for conspiracy theories. Just like any other good father, I was informed that the children have been released and I was extremely happy and I have received them with immense joy. We are all relieved that they are back and we shall build on the experiences that we have garnered from the incident to consolidate on all on-going efforts to make every community in Kaduna safer,” Sani said.
Similar view was expressed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Muhammed Idris, shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, 25th March. “Mr President and members of the Council were happy to note that, as promised by Mr. President, these children were reunited or have been rescued from the captors and in keeping with the commitment of Mr. President, no ransom was paid,” the Information Minister said
Idris further disclosed that FEC and the president had expressed their appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), the security chiefs, and others who participated in the process that led to the freedom of the captives. “The Federal Executive Council and Mr. President are very grateful, to especially the National Security Adviser, the service chiefs, and all security agents, who participated diligently in ensuring that these kidnapped children are reunited with their families.”
Idris confirmed that the number of schoolchildren kidnapped was the exact number rescued as there was no information to the effect that any of them died or was held back by the kidnappers.
“There was a question or reports that 287 of these children were taken. What I can tell you is that there is no report that any of these kidnap victims either died or has been withheld. So, all those that have been taken, have been brought back in safety to their families. I can tell you that,” the minister affirmed.
Delivering Good Governance In spite of Adversity
Interestingly, while he worked round the clock with other stakeholders to secure the safe release of the Kuriga school children, Governor Uba remained firmly focused on governance and meeting his targeted goals in Kaduna State. If anything, the ugly incident brought out the best in him. In an audacious move that ‘shook’ Kaduna State and reverberated across the country, Sani on Monday, 18 March, 2024, flagged off the distribution of the second batch of palliatives to Kaduna State citizens and residents worth over N11.4 billion. The highest such intervention in one fell swoop, at least in recent times, by any state government in Nigeria.
Sani literally set a new national record on transparency, probity and accountability in the planning phase and the eventual distribution of the palliatives in the state. In a move that has been hailed by many as novel, prior to the distribution, the governor set up a high-powered Palliatives Distribution Committee charged with developing an implementation strategy/plan and executing the distribution of the palliatives in a “fair and even manner”. Members of the committee include the representatives of Organized Labour (NLC and TUC), Civil Society Organizations, Persons with Disability, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Traditional Institutions, Youth and Women Organizations, the Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and officials of the Kaduna State Government.
“The broad-based and inclusive cunderscores our determination to ensure transparency and fairness in the palliatives’ distribution process. It is also a key step towards the effective monitoring of the distribution exercise to check diversion of palliatives meant for the people. The Labour/CSOs driven process will help strengthen and deepen engagement between the demand and supply sides of governance,” Governor Sani explained before astounding his people as he reeled out the long list of palliative measures to the jubilant populace.
“I am happy to inform you that today we are commencing the distribution of 128 trucks of rice and maize worth N3.4 billion to the poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of Kaduna State. We are targeting 200,000 (two hundred thousand) households, approximately 1,000,000 (one million) persons,” he announced.
Recalling that a few days after his assumption of office, he signed an Executive Order on Financial Inclusion to address the exclusion of the poor, under-served and vulnerable from financial services and ensure that they benefit from social intervention programmes of Kaduna State and the Federal Government. Pursuant to the Executive Order, the Uba Sani administration set for itself the target of facilitating the opening of 2.5 million bank accounts for poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of the state. Of this targeted number, two million bank accounts have been opened. The governor said that his administration was working assiduously to ensure that bank accounts are opened for the remaining 500,000 less privileged citizens of the state.
The immediate benefit of this Executive Order is that Kaduna State has become one of the few states in the country to have developed a credible Social Register for Cash Transfers. Given the effective implementation of the Executive Order on Financial Inclusion, especially the opening of bank accounts and development of a credible Social Register, previously excluded citizens are now able to benefit from Kaduna State and Federal Government’s social intervention programmes. Therefore, in the bid to tackle multidimensional poverty head-on and bring succour to the less privileged citizens of the state, Governor Sani released the sum of N4.2 billion for distribution in form of direct cash transfers, grants, fertilizer, farm inputs and implements to vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Persons with Disability, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), orphans, market women and youths.
“As I am speaking to you now, 9,800 poor and vulnerable households, including over 1000 persons with disability have started receiving alerts. They are receiving N50,000 (fifty thousand naira) each,” he said.
Highlights of Sani’s distribution of the second batch of palliatives worth N11.4 billion to Kaduna State citizens include: Over 128 food trucks of rice and maize – sent out to all the local government areas of the state for further distribution; about N3.3 billion approved for the payment of pension and gratuity; estimated 10,000 households to benefit from N50,000 per household direct cash transfer. Amongst them are 1,000 Persons With Disability; N500 million approved as revolving loan scheme for Kaduna State civil servants; estimated 7,500 SMEs to get between N100,000 to N1 million grants, depending on the size of the SME and farm machineries and equipment were distributed to over 5,000 farmers in the state.
The governor’s gestures were roundly applauded by a cross section of residents and citizens of the state. Speaking on behalf of Organised Labour in Kaduna, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, commended the governor for releasing N500 million for the workers’ revolving loan scheme. The release of an additional N3.3 billion for pensioners, in addition to the N3.1 billion disbursed last year, the Labour leader said, is a testament to the governor’s concern for the welfare of both pensioners and active service members.
“Governor Sani’s government has shown uncommon transparency and sensitivity by including key stakeholders such as labour groups, People Living with Disabilities, market women, JNI and CAN in the Palliative Distribution Committee. Even at the local government distribution levels, these critical stakeholders are also involved. This is because of Governor Sani’s confidence in us and his will and zeal to see that these palliatives get to the most vulnerable,” Suleiman stated.
Governor Sani, who is a staunch believer in the combination of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in curbing banditry and other forms of criminality, is aggressively opening up rural and underserved communities across the state for development and access to economic empowerment. The governor has prioritized the construction of roads that are designed to link rural communities to centres of trade and commerce. The overarching plan is to harness the huge potentials in these underserviced communities, especially in agriculture and solid minerals and bring the people to the mainstream of development. Governor Sani believes that with the opening up of these underserviced communities, crime and banditry will be greatly reduced in Kaduna State.
In line with this goal to link communities in the state to development centres and opportunities, just two days before he distributed the second batch of palliatives, Governor Sani performed the groundbreaking for the construction of a 327 kilometres road linking College Road to Mashigi, stretching down to Eastern Bypass of Millennium City. The road will cut across Igabi, Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas. The 327 kilometres road include the main road linking College Road to Millennium City and other feeder roads within the various districts.
The governor envisages that during the construction period, employment opportunities would be created for hundreds of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the state. When completed, the road will ease movement of people and goods. The flag-off of the construction of this road on the 16th of March, brought to 21 the number of roads Governor Sani has performed their groundbreaking across all the local government areas of the state since assumption of office. About 827 kilometres of roads are currently under construction in the state.
“We are ramping up our Infrastructural Development Drive. Our Rural Transformation Programme is being executed concurrently with upgrade of infrastructure in the urban areas. The new investments flowing into Kaduna State are being supported by infrastructure upgrades. We are determined to make Kaduna State a safe and secure business hub in the North and a choice destination for investors. We are putting Kaduna State on a sure path towards actualizing its God-given potentials,” Governor Uba Sani said.
The federal commissioner of the commission, Tijani Ahmed said the study would guide migrants and young people who travel out of the country in search of greener pastures.
He also explained that undertaking the study will reduce cases of death, maltreatment and other ills associated with irregular methods of migration.
He disclosed this in Keffi, Nasarawa State while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the university to partner in the establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for Migration and Humanitarian Development Studies (ICEMIDS).
On the essence of the partnership, he said: “We are here to sign an MoU with the Nasarawa State University to protect migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.
“Today in Nigeria, many of our youths leave the country for greener pastures. Some of them go through the irregular method and some through the regular methods.
“So many of our youths die across the oceans all in a bid to go through the irregular route. So, we want to give them the knowledge and understanding of how to go about things because migration is very important for both the country and the participants but the need for them to go through the regular means is absolutely necessary and one of the ways to catch them young and to get them informed is the university.
“The university will give them the knowledge for them to understand the processes so they don’t fall into the wrong hands.”
Ahmed while stating that the study will commence as research, added that it may go into full academic activity in the future.
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) Executive Secretary, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, said the federal government, through the agency, is providing support valued at N1.6bn input package to ginger farmers in three states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The input support is under the GRATE package, which is the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment.
He disclosed this at the Launch of Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce support Initiative supported by the office of the Vice President held in Kaduna on Wednesday.
According to him, 15,000 ginger farmers from Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory were affected by the recent ginger blight epidemic in the country.
According to him, this happens when the country has started witnessing considerable growth in ginger export.
Abu said the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) reports that revenue from ginger export increased by 17% to hit N10bn in Q2 of 2023 compared to N4.6bn over the same period in 2022.
According to him, it is in response to the epidemic crisis that this task force was set up. “At the first instance, the Federal Government through the NADF is providing support valued at N1.6bn starting out with 1 ha input packs appropriately named the GRATE package, which is the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment.
“The recent ginger blight epidemic, while affecting an estimated 15,000 farmers across Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa States, and the FCT, came at a time our country had started to see considerable growth in ginger exports,” he said.
He however explained that the support package to be given to the farmers contains 1pc 20kg bag of high-yield seed variety, 4pcs 50kg bags of NPK fertilizer, 2pcs 50kg bags of urea, 2pcs 1kg bag of fungicide. Others are 1pc 1ltr of insecticide, 2pcs 1 litre of herbicide, 1pc 2 litre of post-emergence herbicide.
He said the team is eager to see ginger being grated in rural communities again in the immediate term.
In her remarks, the Technical Assistant on the Agriculture office of Vice President Marian Moon said the presidency is taking the issue of agriculture and ginger farming very seriously as part of the government’s renewed agenda program.
According to her, many countries, among them Mexico, are busy trying to grow Nigerian Ginger because it’s one of the best in the world. She also urged farmers to increase ginger production in the country.
The State Governor Uba Sani represented by his Deputy Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe commended the federal government for its support to the affected farmers in the state.
He described the state ginger as one of the best in the world urging them to be more dedicated to their farming business.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has called for enhanced collaboration with security agencies and improved research to end the country’s ravaging insecurity.
He made the call on Wednesday, March 27, during an operational visit to the headquarters, Logistics Command, and other units and formations of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Lagos.
Abubakar, who also visited the air component of joint taskforce Operation AWATSE, noted that the NAF has made significant progress since its establishment in 1962.
According to the Air Chief, there was good synergy between the security services like the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Army, and Navy, adding that exchange of intelligence and joint operations were key components of the NAF’s collaborative efforts to enhance national security.
On the planned 60th anniversary of the NAF, he said the service had evolved from having limited platforms and training facilities at inception to having 30 different aircraft types and a personnel strength of over 35,000 officers and men spread across all geopolitical zones of the country.
Abubakar acknowledged the transition from conventional to guerrilla warfare and counter-insurgency operations, emphasising the challenges posed by enemies embedded within civilian populations.
According to him, this scenario sometimes resulted in unintended civilian casualties, reassuring the public of the NAF’s commitment towards minimizing such incidents.
Underscoring the importance of research and development in driving innovation within the NAF, the CAS highlighted ongoing efforts, including the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the Gulma and Tsaigumi, which were nearing mass production stages.
He also noted that several NAF research products had been patented, demonstrating the service’s commitment to technological advancement.
In a benevolent aim to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for underprivileged individuals such as women and children, the Caleb Danladi Foundation (CDF) has successfully registered 200 beneficiaries into the Kaduna State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
The beneficiaries who are mostly less privileged, women and children were carefully selected across the four chiefdoms of Jaba, Kagoma, Barde, and Bajju in the Southern Kaduna senatorial zone of Kaduna state.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Caleb Danladi Foundation underscores a commitment to improving the welfare and health outcomes of vulnerable populations within Kaduna State.
Most of the beneficiaries identified for enrollment belong to socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, where access to quality healthcare services is often limited.
In a statement, the Director General of the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Agency (KADCHMA), Alhaji Abubakar Hassan, expressed gratitude towards the Caleb Danladi Foundation for its proactive efforts in addressing healthcare disparities.
Although unable to attend personally, Hassan’s positive reactions were conveyed by the Director of Admin and Finance, Suleiman Mustapha, who represented him at the enrollment exercise.
Hassan praised the NGO’s commitment to societal welfare and its role in advancing the state’s healthcare agenda.
He emphasised the importance of such partnerships in achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that even the most vulnerable segments of society have access to essential health services.
The initiative not only provides immediate relief to the beneficiaries but also sets a precedent for collaborative efforts between non-governmental organizations and government agencies in tackling pressing social issues such as healthcare access.
“It is hoped that this partnership will serve as a model for future endeavours aimed at uplifting underserved communities across Kaduna State”, he stated.
The founder of the NGO Mr. Caleb Danladi Bako said as a person who grew up in the village, he was moved to assist the downtrodden by enrolling them on the health insurance scheme to enable them to have access to free medical healthcare and reduce maternal mortality which is becoming alarming.
He said the gesture would be extended to cover all the three senatorial zones of Kaduna state.
Caleb Danladi who also expressed concern over the high rate of out-of-school children in society and said that plans are on the way by the foundation to embark on a sensitization campaign towards enrolling school-aged children to reduce the menace of out-of-school children in society.
I didn’t even see this coming. The day a politician doing iftar with his followers will become a talkshow on radio and former senate president Senator Bukola Saraki will become a gateman in Kwara. But “the come has come to become,” apologies to late 1st republic minister and nationalist Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, and it is a comedy of comedies.
Over the course of the week, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took over the media with salacious tales of how Senator Saraki wined and dined with them. They said he ate with them on the same chair, shook hands and took selfies after the meal, and therefore, was no demon as was being painted in the media. In his rather Oscar-deserving praise singing errand, a certain Mudashir Babaita said he could not believe his eyes when he saw Saraki standing at the gate to usher visitors in.
Before I get into the kernel of this piece, I must commend Senator Saraki for two things. One, it is very good he continues to come home for this annual ritual to eat and dine with the people. After all since he left office, his successor has largely been on self-imposed exile — and it now takes an EFCC arrest for him to know God and the way home. Two, it is good Saraki makes no pretence of this year’s fete to be a pure image laundry stunt. Did I hear you ask how did I know? Read my lips: forget that one, _osiso_. But it is better late than never.
Due to the histrionics of opening gate probably for the first time in his life, a certain Babaita think he is human after all. It matters less to his logic that if he never saw him did routine things like sharing tables and embraces with his followers in the last twenty years, it goes more to confirm the ‘media reports’ about him than his tales by moonlight. Like others behind the #IftarWithSaraki radio jabberwocky, they understand less that the fact that they have to pay heavily for airtime to paint him as an angel is a confirmation that he’s overly bossy and had things to hide.
The thing about image laundering is that you mostly need it to conceal unpleasant characteristics of the subject to make it more acceptable, or overstate a bright patch to represent its whole existence. Interestingly, it works little on those who come in close contact with the subject or experience it.
In the case of a person like Saraki, what do you tell a woman whose misguided child pick up guns and die in defence of his political cause? Or a forebear of any of the chiefs that matched and queued under the sun to receive a foreign musician? Or those who had to crawl to court his favours and those who were shut out of opportunities because they could not kiss his feet?
So, there are few issues with this comedy, or sorry iftar laundry. The first problem is that lies do not outlast the truth, and second is humility is not a show, it is a lifestyle. Have these launderers accept the truth yet? And is a 61-year-old Saraki ready for a new life?
These are some of the issues with “gateman” Saraki story. It is all good if they don’t rubbish the experience people had with him. Kwarans didn’t tell lies against no one. Majority of the people across age groups, including former aides and allies could not be wrong. What about those from outside the state who have had to work with him? After all, to err is human, to forgive is divine. Instead of brandishing him a new child, with no sins and no history, they could just say here is our leader, a former arrogant, power-drunk, desperate politician who has now changed eighth years after O’to ge wrecked his dynasty. You would not be lying. You would not be wrong.
We also need to come to one more realisation. And Sarakites need to own up here. Sarakites have not only gotten the memo from Kwarans that they would not accept less than dignity and respect from no one. They have also realised that Governor AbdulRazaq got remarkably popular with the people because of his calmness, frugality, and humility — and that has remained unchanging after about five years in office. How can they level up, I am thinking they wondered. Enters the “gateman” at iftar story. But when will they acknowledge and credit AbdulRazaq for this charismatic style of leadership instead of jumping the processes and beginning the show? There is the hypocrisy.
Hardly had he settled into office before he began to show he was a man not afraid to mix up with the people, a leader who could break bread with them anywhere. He made the rounds to various mosques on Fridays to say prayers, and flew same plane with them carrying his own bags. These were unprecedented in the history of the state and it didn’t take long before they dubbed him fake, an artiste. Five years after, not only has AbdulRazaq been steady and consistent, his style has seemingly become the model for leadership Sarakites cherish and now wished their leader Senator Bukola Saraki were known with. But when will they own up and acknowledge this? Never. And I understand them. It is enough if our people ultimately get leaders that respect and court their honour instead of the old way of lording over them.
I only have one worry. Humility is a lifestyle. If Saraki makes a show of it by acting gateman and chef, can he make it an art? We shall see.
Abdullateef is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications.
The vice chairman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Grace Ike, on Sunday, March 24, urged concerted efforts among stakeholders to ensure the welfare of vulnerable groups in the society.
This was as she urged thousands of orphans and other vulnerable groups across the country to nurture hope and belief in their dreams and set goals.
She expressed confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams if they set their minds to it.
Ike, who is also the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps, gave the call when she spoke at the Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, where she spent her birthday with the orphans.
The journalist, who distributed educational materials and provisions among other items to the Home, called on public-spirited individuals and philanthropists to support and empower the underserved groups across the country.
She said: “Today, as we gather to mark another year in my life, I am deeply humbled and grateful to be surrounded by such warmth and love, especially in the presence of these wonderful children from the orphanage here in Abuja.
“Each year, as I celebrate another milestone, I am reminded of the precious gift of hope and the fulfilment of dreams. I may have had over a hundred other places to celebrate my birthday but I chose to come here to share in your plight and to identify with you.
“But ultimately, to encourage you to nurture hope and belief in your dreams and set goals. Let me assure you that you can be anything you want to be.
“Hope is a powerful force that sustains us through life’s trials and tribulations. It is the beacon of light that guides us through the darkest of times, reminding us that better days are ahead.
“As we look into the eyes of these beautiful children, I am reminded of the importance of nurturing hope within them, for it is hope that will carry them through life’s challenges and propel them towards the fulfilment of their dreams.
“But hope alone is not enough. We must also take action to support and empower those who are less fortunate, such as the children in orphanages like this one.
“These orphanage homes play a vital role in our society, providing love, care, and support to children who have been orphaned or abandoned.
“They serve as beacons of hope, offering these children a chance for a brighter future, despite the circumstances they may have faced. I am committed to supporting you and I call on all my friends to come here once in a while and support this worthy cause.
“As we celebrate today, let us not forget the role that the media plays in shaping our society and preserving the rights of orphans. The media has the power to amplify the voices of the marginalized and shine a light on the issues facing orphaned children.
“It is through their storytelling and advocacy that we can raise awareness, inspire action, and drive positive change. So, my dear friends, as we come together to celebrate another year of life, let us recommit ourselves to fostering hope, fulfilling dreams, and supporting the most vulnerable among us. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect, One Chinonso Nwakpo, 32, after a foiled armed robbery attempt near Holy Ghost axis of Ogui Road in Enugu metropolis.
The NSCDC operatives recovered locally made pistol and expended catridge.
Announcing the arrest on Monday in Enugu, the NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer, SC Emmanuel Nwatu, said that Nwakpo was arrested on Sunday by gallant officers conducting routine patrol in Ogui Road axis of Enugu.
Nwatu, who is a SP of Corps, said that the notorious suspect hailed from Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
“The suspect was intercepted while attempting to deprive a lady of her handset (mobile phone) and other valuables.
“The swift response of the victim, who promptly raised an alarm and sought assistance, led to the apprehension of the suspect by vigilant NSCDC operatives conducting routine patrols in the vicinity.
“Upon apprehension, the suspect was found in possession of incriminating evidence, including a locally made pistol and an expended cartridge.
“During interrogation, the suspect mentioned an individual named Onyebuchi, currently at large, as the source of the firearm.”
The NSCDC spokesman said further investigation uncovered that the suspect and his syndicate frequently operated within the Abakpa and Ogui axis.
According to him, it has been verified that the suspects, Nwakpo and his accomplices, have been under surveillance by law enforcement agencies for several months within the state.
The Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Cyprian Otoibhi, emphasised the commitment of the command to ensure the safety and security of all residents within Enugu State.
“The state NSCDC boss also warned criminal elements that the full force of the law will be applied without hesitation.
“The commandant urges citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative with security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence, thereby facilitating the apprehension of criminals and the preservation of public safety.
“The state commandant also lauded the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Audi, for supporting the Enugu State Command in its operations, which is yielding results already,” he said. (NAN)
