The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Board urges pilgrims to pay N399k balance

    Board urges pilgrims to pay N399k balance

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed N4.9 million as the final cost for the this year’s Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The announcement is in conformity with the one as announced by the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi over the weekend.

     Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, in a statement signed by the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede, urged the intending pilgrims, especially those that had fully paid the initial deposit of N4.5 million to endeavour to pay the balance of N399,000 on or before February 12, to meet up with the deadline given by NAHCON.

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    Expressing the state government’s regrets over the increment, Layode said that the development was least expected at a time when every Nigerian was trying hard to survive the economic downturn in the country as a result of the instability in the dollar to naira exchange rate.

    While pleading with the intending pilgrims to show understanding, he stated that the situation was beyond the control of the state government. He explained further that the expectation of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration and other stakeholders was to have the initial deposit of N4.5 million reduced to the bearest minimum. He however, prayed that Allah would make the payment of the balance easy for them within the stipulated period and also make the spiritual exercise an acceptable one for them.

    The commissioner assured the intending pilgrims of a seamless exercise throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

    He affirmed that the state government had secured a conducive and comfortable accommodation befitting its status nearer to the Haram in Makkah, adding that other initiatives have also been put in place with a view to making the intending pilgrims enjoy maximum comfort whilst performing the Hajj rites.

  • New Airforce aircraft will boost war against terror, says Alia

    New Airforce aircraft will boost war against terror, says Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia yesterday said the new aircraft for the Nigeria Airforce will boost the war against terror, banditry and kidnappings in the Northcentral State.

    Speaking with reporters, shortly after the commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, in Makurdi,  the state capital, Rev. Fr. Alia said the unveiling of the aircrafts would also help in curbing the insurgents in the country,

    He said the commissioning would also assist  the Nigerian Air force to intensify its  operation to end the killings and enable the people go to bed with their eyes closed.

    Fr. Alia said improved security will also facilitate the return of IDPs to their ancestral homes.

    The governor expressed hope that the Nigerian Air Force, will use the new aircraft to dislodge Bandits, Kidnappers, and other criminal elements causing problems in the State, and commended the security agencies for the resilience in their efforts to restore peace and order, in the country.

    He also commended President Tinubu for the milestone achievements he has recorded, since assumption of office, which according to him, has brought relative peace in the state, and other parts of the country.

    Read Also: Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde

    The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, who said the induction of the aircraft underscored President’s determination to equip security agencies for effective performances, assured that he would ensure judicious use of the aircrafts to achieve the desired results.

    The two aircraft were T-129 Attack combat Helicopter, and Beechcraft King Air – 360 Air fighter jet, according to a statement by Benue Governor’s Principal Special Assistant on Media, Donald Kumun.

    Vice President Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, directed all heads of security formation in the country to unite in their efforts in ending insecurity.

    He promised to deploy the entire mechanisms and state powers to ensure the security of life and property.

    President Tinubu, who said his administration would support the Nigeria Air Force and other security agencies, in the fight against insurgents, commended the Chief of Air Staff and his officers and menfor the successes recorded over the years.

    The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Hassan Balla Abubakar, promised that the Air Force will rest untill the battle against insecurity  is won.

    He disclosed that pilots have been trained within and outside the country on how best to use and manage the new equipment to ensure a seamless operation.

    At the ceremony, Fr. Alia was presented with souvenirs as a mark of honour by the Nigerian Air Force.

  • Group to sue Army over unlawful detention of herder’s President

    Group to sue Army over unlawful detention of herder’s President

    A Katsina-based group, Arewa Center for Peace and Development, yesterday in Katsina threatened to drag the Nigerian Army to court over what it called ‘’unlawful’’ detention of the President of Miyetti Ala Kutai, Abdullah Bello Bodejo, without appropriate legal trial for over two weeks now.

    Its Executive Director, Abubakar Aminu Birchi, told newsmen in Katsina that the detention of Bodejo without trial is unacceptable.

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    He said: “The recent arrest and detention of Bodejo by the army is unacceptable. ‘Bodejo has been held for over two weeks now without any reasonable explanation from the army or defense headquarters’.“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, military authorities to as a matter of urgency release Dr Bodejo or hand him over appreciate legal authorities or appropriate security agency.

    ‘’Just because he launched a Nomadic vigilante in Nasarawa and has intention of forming it in all state of the federation, should not warrant his detention by the army. We may have no choice than to sue the military authorities if Dr Bodejo is further held without trial.”

    The Nation recalled that Dr Bodejo was arrested on January 23 by the Nigeria Army and since has been detained in military facility without proper trial.

    The military authority in Katsina is yet to respond to enquiries as at the time of filing this report.

  • CNG calls for urgent action to address rising costs of commodities

    CNG calls for urgent action to address rising costs of commodities

    The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) on Tuesday, February 6, expressed deep concern over the indiscriminate rise in prices of essential commodities in Nigeria.

    The group said the soaring costs of food items and other necessities have left Nigerians in a state of despair, struggling to provide for their families and faced with unaffordable necessities.

    The national coordinator of the group, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, made the call in the statement issued in Abuja.

    Aliyu said: “Despite the existence of the Consumer Protection Board, which should safeguard the interests of the people, the inaction on their part has only worsened the situation, fueling frustration and anger among citizens.

    “This inaction has further aggravated the suffering faced by the majority of Nigerians, while a privileged few continue to live in opulence.

    “It is disheartening to witness such a stark contrast between the lives of the elite and the suffering of the masses, and it is high time that resources are utilized for the benefit of all citizens.

    Read Also: CNG Project: Why vested interests may jeopardise Tinubu’s good intentions

    “The exorbitant hike in food prices in Nigeria is not a result of natural market forces, but rather the self-serving interests of unscrupulous elites. These elites have manipulated the forex market, causing a scarcity of foreign exchange and subsequently driving up the cost of importing essential food items.

    “The current forex racketeering and hikes in commodity prices can be attributed to officials from the previous administration who are seeking to conceal their ill-gotten wealth. These individuals are converting their looted funds into foreign currencies, particularly dollars, as it is easier to hide large sums in foreign currency.

    He added: “Additionally, these officials are responsible for hoarding foreign currencies, creating an artificial scarcity that fuels the demand and subsequently increases the prices of essential commodities.

    “The CNG firmly believes that the individuals responsible for the current hardships faced by Nigerians are those who have historically received substantial unregulated allocations of foreign currencies from the government. However, with the government now closing the doors on such practices, these individuals have resorted to manipulating commodity prices to maintain their profits.

    “Additionally, influential business holders who control production and importation further contribute to the prevailing difficulties. These individuals, often operating within monopolistic structures, have a significant influence on the availability and pricing of essential commodities. By controlling the supply chain, they can dictate prices and exploit the market to their advantage.”

    In addition to these factors, the CNG finds it unacceptable for the government to complicate the situation further with multiple taxation.

    CNG said the Nigerian Customs Service, among other agencies, imposes excessive taxes and levies on businesses, hindering their growth and increasing the cost of goods.

    This burden, it said is ultimately passed on to the consumers, exacerbating the already high prices.

    The group said the recent hikes in tariffs for utilities, such as electricity, only add to the financial strain faced by Nigerians.

    In light of the prevailing circumstances, the Coalition of Northern Groups calls for swift and decisive action from the federal and state governments.

    He said: “It is imperative that these manipulative practices are exposed and those responsible are held accountable. We demand that the government identifies, exposes, and prosecutes those individuals responsible for the current hardships imposed on its citizens.

    “Furthermore, we urge the government to recognize the adverse effects of excessive taxation and tariff hikes and take immediate steps to review and reverse these policies. This action will alleviate the financial burden faced by citizens and create an environment conducive to economic recovery.

    “We demand that a national executive council meeting be convened, bringing together representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria, banking and financial institutions, Bureau De Change operators, and other stakeholders. Urgent action is needed to address the free float of the naira and other damaging policies that further impoverish the majority while enriching a few.

    “The time for action is now. Failure to take urgent measures may result in national chaos as the frustration and anger of the people reach a breaking point, potentially leading to a complete breakdown of law and order.”

  • I owe you better years, says Fintiri

    I owe you better years, says Fintiri

    Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, has pledged his administration’s commitment to greater benefits of governance, including functional public education system, among other things.

    The governor who was addressing Adamawa people for the first time after his Supreme Court victory on Wednesday, said now is time for his government and people of goodwill to concentrate in delivering development to the people.

    Fintiri said the judgment is a tonic to spur him and his deputy, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, to do more for the state.

    “As a government, we are humbled by the fact that the best way to pay back is to serve you well,” he said, explaining, “By serving you well, I mean a renewed dedication to our ongoing policy of free education through functional public school system and payment of WAEC and NECO for our children; provision of healthcare and health insurance that makes it easier for the vulnerable to access quality service with ease.”

    Read Also: I owe you better years: Fintiri rededicates self to governance

    He similarly pledged “continuity in the provision of urban and rural infrastructure; continuity of policies that empower our women and youths; continuous onslaught against the nefarious urban miscreants known as the Shila boys; continuity in a system that confers on you pride, dignity and self- respect as brethren of Adamawa State.”

    The governor appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for standing firm as an unbiased electoral umpire in the election”; as well as the judiciary which he said gave judgment that resonated with the people.

    He called on all Adamawa people with the overall interest of the state at heart to join him in delivering good governance.

  • Benue IDP needs special assistance, says Alia

    Benue IDP needs special assistance, says Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has said that Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) needs the support of men of goodwill, corporate organisations and governments

    He spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, when the United States Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, visited him over the humanitarian crisis in the state.

    The delegation, led by Senior Humanitarian Advisor to USBHA, Patrick Robinson, was received at the Government House.

    Benue State is facing the cjallenges of banditry and farmer-herder clashes, which have led to killings and displacement of millions of people.

    Alia said over 1.5 million displaced people in the state lacked access to potable water and other necessities of life.

    He said apart from insecurity arising from herdsmen attacks, kidnapping, and banditry, the state has also been affected by natural disasters.

    Alia said: “Benue State has continued to experience intense conflicts and tensions as a result of herder/farmers clashes, kidnapping, and banditry, which have disrupted the agrarian lives of our people.

    Read Also: Alia: I need prayers to survive landmines of anti-people forces

    “Insecurity is yielding a growing concern in our state. However, our administration is committed to finding lasting solutions to these disputes and fostering peaceful coexistence among all residents in the state.

    “Towards this end, we decided to adopt the three Rs: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Rebuilding in the affected areas of the state.

    “My administration is working assiduously to resettle the Internally Displaced Persons back to their ancestral homes.”

    The governor thanked the officials of the United States Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and the International Organisation for Migrants for assisting the state.

    He urged other development partners to support his administration in its bid to develop a comprehensive template to bring a lasting solution to the humanitarian crisis in the state.

    The leader of the USBHA delegation, Robinson, said the team came to Benue to assess the humanitarian situation to see areas they could assist in resolving the crisis.

    He said the USBHA had been intervening in humanitarian crises in the Northeast since 2016, especially in Borno State.

    Robinson said the agency had also moved its intervention to the Northwest.

    He assured the governor of USBHA’s commitment to assist Benue to address its humanitarian crisis.

  • ‘Phase out higher notes to strengthen naira’

    ‘Phase out higher notes to strengthen naira’

    The Registrar, Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM), Olumide Adedoyin, has urged the Federal Government to phase out N1, 000 and N500 Naira notes in order to strengthen the Naira.

    He said N1, 000 and N500 notes were more susceptible to counterfeiting, and illicit financial activities, hence, they must be phased out in a bid to reform the nation’s currency.

    He said: “To reform the nation’s currency, there is need for the Federal Government to implement a currency reform that involves demonetisation or gradually phasing out higher denomination notes, such as the 1000 and 500 Naira notes.”

    Adedoyin commended President Bola Tinubu for taking proactive steps in addressing flagrant abuse of the Nigerian currency and by extension the Nigerian economy.

    He urged the federal government to embrace cashless policies and promote the use of electronic payment systems, such as mobile money, online banking, and electronic fund transfers.

    According to him, this would help to reduce the demand for physical cash and limit the circulation of higher denomination banknotes.

    He called on the government to enhance financial inclusion initiatives that would bring more people into the formal banking system, adding that it would reduce the reliance on physical cash.

    He added that it would make it easier for the government to manage currency supply.

    Adedoyin state that to further strengthen the naira, there was a need to implement and enforce robust anti-corruption measures to reduce illicit financial flows

    He restated the need to promote economic diversification to reduce reliance on oil exports and enhance foreign exchange from agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and services.

  • Jigawa approves N10,000 for workers

    Jigawa approves N10,000 for workers

    Jigawa state government has approved a token of N10, 000 to each of the civil servant at the state, local government and local education authority in the state.

    Commissoner for Information Sagir Musa announced that it takes effect from January.

    Musa explained that amount is wage award to each of the personal on the payroll of the state, local government and local education authority for the state where each would collect a token of N10,000 from January to March this year.

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    According to him “this is after a deliberation on the memorandum presented by the State Head of Civil Service (HOS) for payment of salary awards to workers at the state executive council meeting presided over by Governor Malam Umar Namadi.

    “The payment is pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law and other palliative”.

    It could be recalled that the Federal Government and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have agreed with N35,000 wage award to civil servants following the removal of fuel subsidy.

  • NAHCON announces N4.9m for hajj fare

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has announced the sum N4.9 and N4.7 million for this year’s Hajj fare.

    Its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Malam Jalal Arabi, said the foreign exchange made the commission to increase the amount from the initial N4.5 million that was charged as initial deposit.

     Arabi had actively negotiated substantial discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, striving to alleviate costs for intending pilgrims.

    He stated that the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj from about N6 million.

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    He said: “Consequently, intending pilgrims from the southern are required to pay N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the North will pay N4,699,000, for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri center will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.”

    While expressing his regret, Arabi stated that this is the will of Allah, because the commission, facing a tight deadline of February 25, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5million.

    NAHCON urged intending pilgrims to balance their Hajj fare by on or before February 12 to enable the commission transfer the funds before the imminent deadline.

    NAHCON assured the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors.

  • Women call for implementation of gender policy in agric

    Women call for implementation of gender policy in agric

    Women coalition group, under the Development Research and Projects Centre (DRPC), has called for the implementation of the gender policy in agriculture.

    The coalition group pointed out that more investments in agriculture, climate change and gender would accelerate national growth and development.

    The group’s National Coordinator  and President of the Association of Women in Agriculture, Mrs Ruth Agbor said the optimal implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture would enhance Food and Nutrition Security in the country.

    She said this in Abuja at the maiden edition of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture forum.

    She said: “This forum is organised to also  ramp up support as a Community of Practice for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture, enhance conversations and collaborative actions among key stakeholders from the Government, Academic and Research Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, Private Sector, Farmers Associations, and the Media towards the successful implementation of the Policy and promotion  of Food Security across the country.

    “This forum will continue to serve as a ssupport ramped up as a Community of Practice for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture, conversations and collaborative actions enhanced among key stakeholders from the Government, Academic and Research Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, Private Sector, Farmers Associations, and the Media towards the successful implementation of the Policy and promotion of Food Security across the country.”

    Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari , who was represented by Mrs Oluwatoyin Alade, Director of Human Resources department, assured Nigerians that the federal government will continue to invest in food security and climate change, especially towards improving gender participation.

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    She added: “The ministry is highly committed to the socio economic empowerment of women and men in the sector, through various programmes and initiatives, there is renewed hope for food security, therefore, acknowledging that acting in line with the Sustainable Development Goals declaration. gender priority is a prerequisite for eradicating poverty and promoting a sustainable human development

    “The Ministry’s intervention plan for food security include availability of fertilisers to farmers and households, massive employment and job creation in the agricultural sector, ensuring that all Nigerians can afford to eat, increase in exports revenue from food and agriculture, enhancing trade facilitation through cooperation with Nigerian customs and a lot more.”

    On his part, the Director Programs development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr Stanley Upkai said the DRPC is currently providing filled needs of women’s voices by bringing women economic collectives to the table to dialogue with government and tell them what their real needs are.

    He said vver time, they have found that there’s a divide between the government processes and the women at the grassroot level, so they are trying to bridge the gap.

    He added, “Having supported them to integrate gender into their agriculture policy. We are trying to bridge the gap by bringing women to the table to let government know what their problems are, as well as government tell them what they have in store for the women. So this policy dialogue provides that forum for the kind of discussion.”