The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • SGBV: Niger Govt moves to domesticate Family Courts

    SGBV: Niger Govt moves to domesticate Family Courts

    The Niger Government said it has begun arrangements to establish Family Courts to speed up Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases, in order to get justice for the victims in the state.

    Hajiya Hadiza Shiru, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sideline of a free medical outreach yesterday in Minna.

    Shiru said the free medical outreach was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the state office of National Human Right Commission (NHRC) as part of activities to mark the 16 day activism against SGBV.

    She expressed optimism that by 2024, the court would be domesticated and fully operational in the state.

    The permanent secretary said that one of the obstacles militating against victims of SGBV to come and report cases was stigmatisation.

    According to Shiru, on this issue, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had directed that the victims must be given full protection.

    “She also directed that family courts be established, where all the stakeholders in SGBV will be free to speak out.

    “Here in Niger state, we are working with the Ministry of Justice and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), to speed up the process of establishing family courts in the state.

    “Already, we have set a day aside to visit the Attorney-General of the State to fine-tune the process,” she said.

    Shiru said that there were already existing laws in the state protecting women and children against violence, such as Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Right law.

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    “These laws have been domesticated in Niger state and are fully active,” she said.

    Shiru said that there had been several reported cases of child abuse, defilement, Gender Based Violence in the state.

    “We have been dealing with reported cases, we have done everything possible to protect those who reported their cases, toward getting justice for them.

    “Already we have over 1,700 cases of GBV cases reported in the state this year, out of the figure we have secured 20 prosecutions,” she said.

    In his remark, Dr Nuhu Mohammed, the State Coordinator, NHRC, said that the 16 day exercise against GBV was an annual international campaign from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

    Mohammed said that the theme for the 2023 event; “Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children,” focusses on the importance of financing different prevention strategies to end violence against women and girls.

  • Fed Govt urged to improve quality of education through tech

    Fed Govt urged to improve quality of education through tech

    The Chairman, Committee of Directors of ICT of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions (ComDICT-NTI) and Director, ICT University of Jos, Daniel Yakmut, has called on the Federal Government to fund and improve the quality of education and research through the effective use of technology.

    He made the call at the inauguration of the COMDICT-NTI Executive Council in Abuja.

    Yakmut said the organisation would be advocating for policies and standards that support the integration of technology in higher education.

    He said: “We also will be advocating for policies and standards that support the integration of technology in higher education. Particularly, we are calling on our esteemed intervention and funding partners such as TETFund, NCC and NITDA to work closely with our committee to chart more efficient and effective ways to provide interventions that meet the needs of our public tertiary institutions.

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    “To our regulatory agencies, NUC, NCCE and NBTE, we want to reiterate that you have a partner in ComDICT-NTI to ensure that the plans of promoting and entrenching ICTs in our institutions is achieved and sustained.

    “The committee will serve as a platform for discussing emerging trends and challenges in the field of ICT in tertiary education. By fostering discussions and sharing experiences, the committee aims to address common problems and find solutions that benefit all institutions.”

    The Chairman, COMDICT-NTI Inauguration Planning Committee, and Director, ITMS, University of Abuja, Mohammed Sani, said the responsibility of the organisation was to advice government regulators, industry partners, public and private funding bodies and other stakeholders about the collaboration and intervention opportunities viz-a-viz ICT infrastructure, enterprise services, software solutions and capacity development in tertiary institutions in the country.

    Sani said: “As we inaugurate the Executive Council of the COMDICT-NTI, let us reflect on the shared vision that unites us all. It is a vision of progress, inclusivity, innovation, and technological transformation.

    “This space is not merely a structure, it is a hub of ideas, a crucible for creativity, and a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise, all with the aim to radically improve the adoption, integration and operationalisation of ICT in our tertiary institutions.”

  • Fed Govt to recover billions of naira from welding

    Fed Govt to recover billions of naira from welding

    The Federal Government said it is working on recovering the billions of Naira the country loses annually to foreign welders and artisans.

    Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Nnaji, who made the statement said the country is losing billions of naira due to lack of skilled artisans.

    The minister said the administration is already establishing technological and innovation centres across the six geo-political zones in the country to accommodate the training of welders to acquire the International welding certification (ISO) in order to meet up with the international standards.

    He said this in Abuja at the official signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) and its Technical Partners in Academia and Industry.

    He said the collaboration is vital to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

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    Nnaji added: ” The government is harnessing the full potentials of Innovation, Science and Technology to drive the desired diversification of economic development and empowerment of its citizen.

    “The National Centre for Technology Management has been at the forefront of our national technological endeavours, working tirelessly towards harnessing and disseminating knowledge, by fostering technological advancement in the country.

    “Private sector with its invaluable expertise and resources, plays a vital role in shaping the trajectory of our Nation’s workforce towards addressing the current challenges as well as prepares for future demands.

    :We are already establishing technological and innovation centres by the Ministry across the six geo-political zones in the country will accommodate the training of welders to acquire the International welding certification (ISO) in order to meet up with the international standards, emphasizing that the country is losing billions of naira due to lack of skilled artisans.”

    Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management, (NACETEM) Dr. Olushola Odusanya, said that the agency’s mandate is to serve as a training centre for the development of skilled man power in the area of Science, Technology and Innovation management in all tiers of government and the private sector.

  • Northeast govs to build regional power plants

    Northeast govs to build regional power plants

    The North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), at its 9th regional meeting which was held in Yola on Saturday, expressed dissatisfaction with energy and road infrastructure around the region.

    The governors hinted at a resolve to tackle the energy situation independent of the Federal Government, announcing a collective plan for each of the states to own a power plant.

    In a communique jointly issued by the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, the governors said they had noted “the poor energy situation in the region,” and to mitigate the situation, they had resolved to work with Shanghai Electric to construct 60mw coal or 50mw solar power plant in each state of the region.

    Also lamenting the state of federal roads around their states, the governors stated, “Forum is continuously disturbed about the poor infrastructural base of the region. The Forum is more concerned that the federal roads within and between the states in the region have been neglected. The poor road network is fuelling insecurity and stalling development and making life more difficult for our people in the region.”

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    To this effect, the Forum called on the Federal Ministry of Works to follow through with road contracts awarded in the region, and urged the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to work with state governments, “to remove the encumbrances and find more practical ways to intervene on these roads.”

    On rail infrastructure, the North East governors said in their communique, “The repairs on the old gauge rail lines are not useful and sustainable technology. Forum calls for inclusion of the region in the Nigerian National Railway Transport Plan using the Modern Guage rail.”

    The 9th meeting of the NEGF in Yola announced a plan to hold a regional trade fair in one of its member states, Bauchi, early next year.

    “Forum notes with appreciation, the readiness of the Bauchi State Government to host the North East Regional Trade Fair between 26th February – 3rd 2024 and calls on all the subnational entities within the region to actively participate in the fair.

     while inviting the nation, Africa, and the world to come and experience the rich culture, tourism potentials, hospitality, and economic opportunities that abound in the region,” the communique said.

  • Sani gives Hajj seats to winners of Qur’anic recitation competition

    Sani gives Hajj seats to winners of Qur’anic recitation competition

    Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has announced Hajj seats for the overall winners of the Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition in the State for male and female categories.

    The two winners, according to the governor, would  be among the official clerics that will serve as guides and preachers for pilgrims from Kaduna State in the 2024 Hajj exercise.

    The governor who made the announcement at the Finals for the Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Kaduna on Saturday also in his personal capacity donated cash prizes to winners of the competition from first to fourth positions across different categories of the competition.

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    Speaking further on the 2024 Hajj  exercise, the Governor said he has inaugurated a committee to ensure that the next Hajj exercise is hitch-free and a great improvement on the 2023 exercise, which was characterized by accommodation and feeding hitches.

    While noting that, many people have approached him seeking contracts on Hajj services like pilgrims uniforms, foods, accommodation and others. “What I want to tell whoever gets contract for Hajj services, is that, they should fear Allah and give the best to the pilgrims so that, they can earn the prayers of the pilgrims

  • 74 percent in Kwara have access to clean water, says UNICEF specialist

    74 percent in Kwara have access to clean water, says UNICEF specialist

    Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with any donor agency to eradicate open defecation in the state. 

    Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, gave the assurance when the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Wash Specialist, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, visited his office in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The Commissioner stated that the government has set aside N200m to provide toilets and other wash facilities in the health, and education institutions and marketplaces.

     Lade stressed that the State Government has recently flagged off a campaign against open defecation as part of effort to educate, enlighten, and sensitise the public on the need to have toilet facilities in their domain.

    He emphasised that the State and National Assembly members have been contacted on the need to complement the effort of the state government by providing wash facilities in their constituencies to eradicate open defecation across the state.

    He also appealed to well-meaning individuals, organisations, and non-governmental organisations to join the government’s efforts in this direction.

    UNICEF Wash Specialist from the Kaduna office, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, briefed the management of the Ministry that she was in the State to see how her organisation could support the state in eliminating open defecation. 

    Pammer said that the percentage of Kwarans with access to clean water has greatly moved from less than 50% in 2018 to 74% as of 2021 according to Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASH-COM) survey, adding that stringent measures must be taken to sustain the improvement already being recorded in the sector. 

    She said that education institutions, health centres, and other public places across the state should all be provided with Wash facilities, stressing that hygiene is key to any healthy environment.

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    She urged the state government to work towards a 100 percent drinkable water supply to the people of the state, explaining further that the state has what it takes to set a pace for others to emulate.

    She reiterated the UNICEF’s commitment to continue assisting the state in this regard.

    Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christiana Omolola Asonibare, appreciated the UNICEF Specialist for taking the time to visit the state and wanting to assist the state government.

    She called for a strong collaboration between the organisation and the state government to move the state to greater heights.

  • Teenager allegedly kills mum’s boss over phone

    Teenager allegedly kills mum’s boss over phone

    An 18-year-old teenager simply identified as Mubarak has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother’s boss, Mrs. Sidikat Anuoluwapo, over a phone worth N80,000.

    The victim was last week found in a pool of blood inside her room in the afternoon by one of her granddaughters, who just returned from school.

    Investigation by the police in Ikare Akoko led to the arrest of the suspect and the victim’s phone was found on him.

    Mubarak reportedly named another suspect, Riliwan, aged 20, as his accomplice and they took detectives to Similoluwa area of Agbaluku Arigidi Akoko, the crime scene, where they demonstrated how they scaled the fence.

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    It was learnt that Mubarak is a son of a casual house keeper and cleaner to the victim.

    Witnesses said he always accompanied his mother to the house to work.

    His mother, identified as Oluwasuen, was said to have been arrested.

    It was learnt that the case has been transferred to the police headquarters in Akure.

  • Fire razes 15 shops at popular Kwara market

    Fire razes 15 shops at popular Kwara market

    Fire on Wednesday night gutted popular Oja Tuntun Market in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

    The inferno started around 10:30 pm and razed no fewer than 15 shops.

    The market has about 1,072 shops, 984 stands and 27 warehouses, it was gathered.

    Kwara State Fire Service spokesman Hassan Adekunle confirmed the incident, saying the damage was minimal. He could, however, not ascertain the cause of the fire at press time.

    Adekunle said: “The fire service’s prompt and efficient response helped to save goods and property valued at over N25 billion.

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    “The cause of the fire cannot be affirmed yet, investigation is ongoing.

    “We advise traders to cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances before leaving for home, as this will help prevent fire outbreaks.”

    Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq has visited the scene of the fire.

    He sympathised with the victims and praised the efforts of firemen in containing the inferno.

    Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also commiserated with the victims.

    He expressed worry about incessant fire outbreaks in Ilorin and called for urgent steps to address them.

  • Magodo residents to Sanwo-Olu: prevent access to wetland, others

    Magodo residents to Sanwo-Olu: prevent access to wetland, others

    Residents of Magodo GRA Phase II, Shangisha, Lagos, under the aegis of Magodo Residents Association (MRA), have urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu not to allow access to wetland through Magodo Phase II Estate.

    Addressing a news conference in Lagos yesterday, their Chairman, Sheriff Daramola, an engineer; said to force access to the wetland through Magodo Phase II in the proposed urban development scheme would lead to higher incidence of flooding, soil erosion, insecurity, dilapidation in infrastructure, among others.

    He reminded Sanwo-Olu of his promise not to allow access through the wetland from the estate after meeting with them.

    According to him, activities at the wetland are affecting existing building foundations with land shifts/slides pulling down part of the properties along the corridor of the proposed road and those close to the boundary.

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    “We consider it a potential natural disaster for wetland to be built up, but more importantly plead that the security, cleanliness, peace and tranquility of a settled estate such as Magodo Phase II are not destroyed as this exactly is what will definitely happen if the access roads to the wetland are taken through Magodo Phase II. Accessing the wetland through Magodo Phase II creates an obstruction for water discharge, thereby creating a major problem for the estate,” he said.

    Daramola alleged that land speculators and developers, aided by top officials of Lagos State Physical Planning & Urban Development, decided on building the wetland and were bent on making an incursion therein through the estate.

    He said in the past six months, the community had been experiencing serial vandalism of vehicles, theft cases and criminal activities with exposure to the wetland. 

    He urged the state government to build a road from the Otedola underpass to access the wetland, while seeking approval to rebuild the fence, which was allegedly pulled down by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

  • Bello freezes Kogi accounts

    Bello freezes Kogi accounts

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has directed the immediate freezing of all the state and local governments’ accounts with immediate effect.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris confirmed the order.

    The statement reads: “No imprest or any form of payment should be made to anyone from Government Account henceforth.

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    “Standing Orders and Investment Instructions are hereby cancelled forthwith.

    ”All Kogi State and Local Government Accounts are hereby FROZEN with effect from today, Thursday 22nd November 2003.”