The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Niger to boost transport sector with 500 buses

    Niger to boost transport sector with 500 buses

    The Niger State government has partnered a private company to boost the transportation sector with 500 buses.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this to newsmen in Minna on Friday.

    According to him, the private company, Samzung, and Rakiyat Project Ltd. would supply the state with 500 Suzuki and Toyota Hiance buses through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

    Vatsa stated that the buses would be distributed to the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and ACOMORAN and put to use at a reduced transportation rate to the residents of the state.

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    Vatsa noted that the issue of transportation is a very pressing problem in the face of the increase in fuel prices and that the PPP arrangement shows the determination of the state government to reduce the hardship on the people.

    He said that the state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago is embracing the concept of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) as one of the engines to achieve his dreams for a new Niger.

      The Special Adviser stated that though naysayers are criticizing the dreams and projects of the governor, it can be realizable if all hands are on deck and all political and elected officials set aside selfishness and focus on delivering the agenda of the Governor.

  • Zamfara governorship polls: group welcomes Appeal Court’s decision sacking Gov Lawal

    Zamfara governorship polls: group welcomes Appeal Court’s decision sacking Gov Lawal

    The recent decision by the Appeal Court to nullify the election of Dauda Lawal as the governor of Zamfara state and order a rerun of the governorship election has been hailed as a welcome development by the Northern Democratic Development Alliance (NDDA).

    NDDA, through its spokesman Comrade Danjuma Sani, expressed its satisfaction with the Appeal Court’s ruling, stating that it is a vindication of the claims made by Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the former governor of the state.

    He said: “Matawalle, who is now serving as the Minister of State Defense, had challenged the declaration of Dauda Lawal as the winner of the governorship election held in March as erroneous and misplaced.

    “NDDA’s support for the court’s decision is based on the belief that the electoral process should be fair, transparent, and free from any form of manipulation or irregularities. The nullification of Lawal’s election and the subsequent order for a rerun is seen as a step towards upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the electoral outcomes.

    “Furthermore, NDDA’s endorsement of the court’s ruling highlights the importance of accountability and the need to address any discrepancies or malpractices that may have occurred during the election process.

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    “By acknowledging the flaws in the initial declaration of Lawal as the winner, the Court is sending a strong message that no individual or political party should be allowed to subvert the democratic process for personal gain.

    “The ruling also underscores the significance of credibility and public trust in the electoral system. The court’s decision to order a rerun not only rectifies the errors made in the previous election but also restores faith in the democratic process. It demonstrates that the judiciary is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails, even in politically sensitive cases.

    “Moreover, the Appeal Court’s ruling also serves as a reminder that no one is above the law. Regardless of one’s political affiliation or position of power, the principles of fairness and justice must be upheld. This decision sends a strong message to politicians and political parties that they will be held accountable for any wrongdoing or manipulation during elections.”

  • Sultan hails Makinde for building mosque

    Sultan hails Makinde for building mosque

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday, inaugurated the Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen Mosque, Adogba, Iwo Road, Ibadan, built by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

    Governor Makinde had, on October 19, 2019, promised to rebuild the Adogba Central Mosque from his personal resources, following plans to pull down the former structure to allow for the development of the Iwo Road Bus Terminals.

    The Sultan commended Governor Makinde for making a commitment to build the mosque and fulfilling it, saying: “When you see the way this mosque was before and it actually turned out to be this, you cannot but thank Allah for the life of Seyi Makinde for thinking this way and also doing it. A lot of people say something but implementing it is always a problem,” he said.

    The NSCIA President-General, who conferred his name ‘Sa’ad’ on the governor for embarking on building a house for Allah in such a beautiful manner, said the new mosque, which also has an Islamic School, would help people to strive to be more educated for the world and thereafter.

    He said: “I am the one called Sa’ad, but today I want to rename you Sa’ad. We thank Allah for bringing us to Ibadan for this very important programme.

    “About three years ago when I spoke with the governor on phone, he told me he was building a mosque in a strategic place in Ibadan, and I told him I know where the place is. He told me I would commission the project and I assured that I would fulfill his request.

    “I have moved around the whole area here and I can tell you that this is the most beautiful structure here. Whenever you pass along here, you won’t miss it and that is what we are supposed to be doing for the people. We should build houses of Allah in the most beautiful manner.

    “The mosque is not just a place of worship but a school also. Now, having an Islamiya with a beautiful mosque, we cannot but strive more to be educated for the world and hereafter. So, let us use such facilities to educate ourselves, our brothers and sisters so that we live peacefully with one another as peaceful coexistence is important to us.

    “Today, we are here by the will of Almighty Allah and this is a very good work, which we believe the governor has taken up. This is a good history we want to be replicated everywhere. So, we thank you, His Excellency.”

    The Sultan charged that the edifice should be well-maintained.

    Makinde commended the Muslim Community in Oyo State for its support during the March 18 governorship election, reiterating his promise to run an administration that is fair to all religions in the state.

    The governor explained that when he decided to pull down the Adogba Central Mosque and a church, which both stood on the spot where the state government is building its mega Bus Terminal, there was insinuation from the Muslim Community, as some people had already begun to view the appointments made by his government as one-sided.

    He said: “I went to the mosque and I worshipped with the Muslim Ummah. I told them that the mosque and the church around it will be demolished, because we already put forward a roadmap for accelerated development, which means we had to focus on the development of our infrastructure.

    “I understood the fact that there was trust deficit between the government and the people. So, before we even said anything, some people were already insinuating.

    “But when I spoke at the mosque that day; I saw that 90 per cent of the people believed me and every time I ran out of money building this mosque, because it was built with my personal money, I always remembered those 90 per cent who believed me that I would rebuild the mosque as I promised.

    “We are here today and I am sure that everyone knows the story. We actually completed this project before the election. But some people said I should not be re-elected because I am a Christian. Today, I can tell the entire world that I got over 70 per cent of the votes from the Muslim community in Oyo State.

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    “So, I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the Muslim leaders and the community for believing in us and I want to make that solemn promise that in the next three years and some months, we would run an administration that will balance out any leaning and ensure that people get what they are entitled to.”

    Explaining his reason for building the mosque, the governor stated it was imperative to also cater to people’s spiritual needs by building what he described as spiritual infrastructure, after his administration has embarked on a massive building of physical infrastructure by connecting all zones of the state with good roads.

    He noted that his government has also been taking care of what is known as ‘stomach infrastructure’ through the infusion of billions of Naira into the economy of the state on a monthly basis by paying salaries and pensions as and when due and had also implemented policies in the education and health sectors, which have yielded positive results.

    Also speaking, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, commended Governor Makinde, describing his act as something that will not be forgotten in the history of Oyo State.

    “We gather here today to celebrate this mosque, which was personally built by our amiable governor with his personal money. How are we going to recognise a Muslim? If we confer on him the Amir’mumeen of Oyo State, I think he is worth it. When you see the worth of this mosque that an individual built from his pocket he deserves everything.”

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, equally hailed the governor for fulfilling his commitment, even as he appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto, who he described as the unifier.

    Also in attendance at the grand inauguration were the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; top Islamic clerics and government functionaries in the state.

  • How heads of MDAs become victims of corrupt practices

    How heads of MDAs become victims of corrupt practices

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained how heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are put under investigation when they are appointed.

    The commission noted that some of the heads of government organisation fall prey to corruption and blackmail from their subordinates because they did not read and understand some of the rules of the agency.

    It said these subordinates who misled the head of some agencies, would turn around to send anonymous petitions against them to the commission.

    The agency attributed this to lack of administrative experience which has led some heads of agencies, particularly academics into culpability in acts of corruption.

    The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said this in Abuja at the Behaviour Change Conference and Exhibition 2023, with the theme, ‘Anti-Corruption Interventions in Nigeria-A Behavioral Change Perspective Of What Needs To Shift’ organised by MacArthur Foundation, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Accountability Lab Nigeria and other partners.

    Owasanoye specifically recalled that those in the academics who headed one agency or another, became ICPC’s suspects within one year as a result of one infraction or the other.

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    “And you could see that many of them, walking blind, lacked administrative experience either because they are misled or because they have not read circulars and guidelines that say you can do this, you can do this, you can’t do that,” he said.

    He added: “Imagine somebody who hitherto held a global reputation, who won consultancy, earns $20,000, why does he want to come and steal money from an MDA? Except somebody has set a banana peel for him to enable them to do what they want to do and they need to put him in that trap. And then, if he refuses, then they will orchestrate a petition to ICPC, to EFCC, then the man will come and then embarrass him.”

    Owasanoye said most of the people who indulged in such acts were faceless civil servants who led the heads of agencies into default in the first place.

    The outgoing ICPC chairman recalled the experience of a head of an agency who wanted to embark on an international trip and was mischievously misled by the agency that his estacode was $900 instead of the approved $600.

    Owasanoye said but for circumspection and refusal by the head of the agency, he would have walked into a booby-trap of official abuse culminating in corruption.

    state government is trying, it is not enough,” he said.

  • Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker in the Yobe State House of Assembly, Lawan Musa Majakura, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ceremony which took place at the official residence of Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Government House saw the Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly, Chiroma Buba Mashio, the Deputy Speaker Yau Daachia and other lawmakers accompanied their colleague for the event.

    Buni praised the dedication of the member to serving his constituency, emphasizing the importance of politics as a means of providing effective service to the people.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with Majakura’s commitment and the notable politicians who accompanied him, indicating widespread acceptance within credible political circles.

    Majakura explained that his decision to leave the PDP for the APC was motivated by the commendable efforts of Buni’s administration in bringing transformative infrastructure to his constituency.

    He specifically highlighted the construction of roads, housing estates, and medical facilities that have positively impacted local communities.

    He said:  “I want to join hands with you and support you in serving my constituency to improve the lives of my people. I am convinced that we can achieve more if I am on the same page with you in the APC; it will benefit the people of my constituency better.”

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    Speaker Mashio lauded Majakura’s outstanding commitment to representing the interests of his constituents.

    “This defection is as an advantage to the APC and the government of Yobe State. I am  optimistic  about the positive impact Majakura’s move would have on the party and the state’s governance landscape,” he said.

    The Nation  reported that Majakura, a 28 year old former volunteer primary school teacher defeated the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly Mohammed Mirwa in the March 18 House of Assembly election to represented Nguru II Constituency at the State House of Assembly on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

    Though the former Speaker had challenged the victory of Majakura at the tribunal, he could not get his prayers as the tribunal ruled against his petition declaring Majakura as being validly elected and returned as member of Nguru II constituency.

    With the defection of Majak ura to the APC, only Sadiq Yahaya representing Bade Central State Constituency is now left in the opposition PDP out of the 23 members in the House.

  • Taraba Assembly reduces local govt tenure to two years

    Taraba Assembly reduces local govt tenure to two years

    Ahead of Saturday Local Government elections in Taraba, the state House of Assembly has hastily amended the Taraba State Local Government Law to reduce the tenure of elected officials from three years to two years.

    The Chairman House Committee on Information, Nelson Len, while reacting to questions about the close door session conducted by the House some days ago, said the new law would be binding on the new local government officials that would emerge on Saturday.

    He said: “The Law is simple. It talks about the local government elections and the tenure of the elected officials of the local government. It was an amendment from three years to two years.We needed to amend it to a new one so that it can be binding on those that would be elected.”

    On why the sitting was done under close door, the lawmaker said it was due to the strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which paralyzed activities.

    He added that due process was followed towards the passage of the Law in the open chamber.

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    “We had our normal sitting two days ago and it is just our constitutional duties we went to perform. We had a serious business which concerns state matters. Just because we needed time to go through those bills, we went to the House earlier than usual. That was what transpired, there was nothing extraordinary.

    “We had bills that were already laid before the House and we needed to consider those bills to make sure that we passed them so that they can be assented to. As I speak to you we had our sitting today and we took the third reading of one of those bills and it has been passed into law. We are waiting for the governor so that he can give assent to the bill. It is a bill for Local Government administration tenure. You are aware that the local government elections are around the corner and for such a bill to be pending, it would jeopardize the good intentions of the governor. That is why we had to give ourselves enough time to see how we can pass that bill,” he said.

  • Coalition greets Kogi Governor-elect Ododo

    Coalition greets Kogi Governor-elect Ododo

    The coalition of some opposition Political Parties in Kogi State, led by the State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has congratulated the state’s governor-elect, Usman Ododo, and commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

    The NNPP State Chairman appealed to aggrieved parties to accept defeat and advises governor-elect Ododo to ensure an all-inclusive government.

    In the congratulatory and commendation message made available to the media in Lokoja on Wednesday, the state chairman of the NNPP, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar, urged aggrieved Kogites to accept defeat for the spirit of sportsmanship and the overall interest of the state.

    Suleiman hailed the security agencies and INEC for their conduct during the November 11 governorship election.

    Read Also: Yobe PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    NNPP called on all political leaders in the state to collaborate with the governor-elect and prioritize the peace and stability of the state above all other considerations.

    He commends the people of Kogi for the relatively peaceful governorship election, devoid of violence in most places.

    The NNPP Chairman and other members of the Coalition, comprising nine Political Party Chairmen, also commend President Bola Tinubu for his statesmanlike stance of non-interference in the electoral process.

    Ododo was declared the winner of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday night.

  • ‘Govt should invest more in education’

    ‘Govt should invest more in education’

    Government at all levels have been advised to further invest in eduction to meet up international standard.

    An educationist, Adepoju Oluwatumininu gave the advice after launching a book titled: “where is the money”.

    She said, it is the best legacy to give children by parents and their guidance.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, Oluwatumininu who is also an Engineer said: “I love to teach and educate people on personal development and financial literacy because I believe that it’s a much needed skill in the world we are today

    “The main thing I hope to achieve with the book is to change people’s mindset about money and help them to achieve their God-given goal and by that the society at large will become a better place. One of the things I wrote about in the book is money we believe a lot of things that are not true, and what we believe become our reality, so one of the major focus of the book is to help people start believing the right things.

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    “The title of the book is “where is the money” everybody is literally running up and down looking for money, countries of the world, families, individuals are looking for this money from mornings till night, marriages and families are being torn apart, because people don’t have time for themselves anymore while looking for money. So my main focus is to help people direct their energy on the right thing and to make life easier. Another thing I spoke about in the book is common money mistakes, because we all have money but what we do with it is what will determine if we become wealthy or not.

    “So I think government can set up training institutes to help train youth and even adults, I see women doing a lot of things like this and even men. I know a medical doctor that with YouTube his making serious money, we know of a pastor that is earning millions on YouTube. The old traditional way of doing things has gone, the new way we need to educate ourselves. We need to bring down the cost of internet to make it more affordable to people so they can up skills themselves and with that I believe our world will be a better place.”

  • Foreign trip: Jigawa Assembly Suspend three council chairmen

    Foreign trip: Jigawa Assembly Suspend three council chairmen

    By: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

    Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended three local government council chairmen for alleged illegal foreign trip.

    The three council chairmen were said to have left the country without seeking permission from the state executive or legislative in accordance with the Jigawa State Local Government Law.

    The suspended chairmen are Mubarak Ahmed of Birniwa Local Government, Rufai Ahmed, Gumel Local Government and Umar Baffa of Birniwa Local Government who was said to have traveled to Rwanda.

    The House took the decision, after Chairman House Committee on Local Government Affairs Aminu Zakari Tsubut forwarded a motion for their suspension.

    He narrated that, prior to their travelling; the house gave an order for the local government council chairmen in the state to not travel anywhere due to the preparation of 2024 state appropriation bill and its presentation to the assembly by Governor Malam Umar Namadi.

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    Tsubut described the action of the chairmen as an insubordination, nonchalant attitude to the primary responsibility which ought to be investigated and punish according to the law.

    Members representing Malam Madori and Guri constituencies Usman Abdullahi Tura and Hamza Guri seconded the motion moved by Tsubut.

    The House than unanimously approved for the suspension of the three local government chairmen and directed their vice to take over.

    The house constituted a committee led by the Majority Leader Lawan Muhammad Dansure to investigate the matter.

  • Fed Govt launches Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme

    Fed Govt launches Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme

    The Federal Government has launched the Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme.

    The scheme is designed to enable Nigerians living overseas participate in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme so they can access up to N50 million to own their homes in Nigeria.

    Participants can access the loan via the NHF loan, Rent-to-Own or the Individual Construction loan window.

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa said the terms are affordable and best market rates which includes a single-digit interest rate of 9 per cent, and a payback period of up to 10 years.

    Dangiwa said this yesterday in Abuja, at the ongoing 6th Edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Commission.

    He also said under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the present administration is particular about boosting local manufacturing of building materials and Nigeria’s shortfall in the supply of quality housing stock presents a good opportunity for investors.

    He said: “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are also particular about boosting local manufacturing of building materials. Nigeria’s shortfall in the supply of quality housing stock presents a good opportunity for investors. To drive this, we aim to create an enabling environment for private sector players to produce building materials locally to lower cost, create jobs, grow the local economy, and ultimately ensure inclusive growth.

    To do this we are planning to establish six manufacturing hubs – one in each of the six geo-political zones in the country.

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    “The hubs will be provided with relevant facilities, including access roads, electricity, fit for purpose housing and relevant linkages for manufacturers to site their firms and operate. We are also proposing relevant incentives that will make it more profitable and rewarding for the private sector to manufacture building materials locally.

    “The Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme is designed to enable Nigerians living overseas participate in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme so they can access up to N50million to own their homes in Nigeria. Participants can access the loan via a National Housing Fund (NHF) loan, Rent-to-Own or the Individual Construction loan window. The terms are affordable and best market rates. This includes a single-digit interest rate of 9 per cent, and a payback period of up to 10 years.

    “So, today, I want to say that I am excited to be the Minister of Housing and Urban Development to launch the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, which I initiated as the MD/CE of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on this auspicious occasion. Indeed, I consider it a positive twist of fate and I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians in the diaspora to seize the opportunity the Scheme affords them to actualize their dreams of owning affordable homes in Nigeria.

    “I believe it is important to communicate and assure the Diaspora that Nigeria is open for business in the housing and urban development space. That His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has a bold vision for the sector and is committed to backing it up with the necessary political will to break down all barriers that discourage investment in the sector.

    “A notable part of our housing sector reforms that is of particular interest to the Diaspora interested in investing in the housing and real estate sector is land reforms. What we envision is a streamlined land administration that cuts through the bureaucratic bottlenecks and systemic inefficiencies to ensure cost effective and efficient access to land for both individuals and investors in our country.”