The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Jibrin to supporters: disregard judgment rumour

    Jibrin to supporters: disregard judgment rumour

    Senator Isah Jibrin  (Kogi East) has denied claims that he emerged victorious in his appeal. He described such rumours as ‘false and calculated work of desperate opponents’ to circumvent the judicial process and mislead the public.

    The Kogi East Senatorial Election Tribunal in September sacked Jibrin and ordered a rerun in 94 polling units following a petition by Dr Victor Adoji, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party on irregularities in the last general election.

    The Senator had said he disagreed with the judgement and decided  to appeal the outcome at the Appeal Court.

    In a statement by his media office, Jibrin affirmed his commitment  to due process of law while awaiting the unbiased and respected judgment of the court on the scheduled date.

    The representative of  Kogi East Senatorial District urged the public to disregard the falsehoods, adding that they  are nothing but the fabrications of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as politicians.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our attention that baseless and malicious rumors are circulating, suggesting that Senator Isah Jibrin representing Kogi East Senatorial District has emerged victorious in his appeal. These claims are entirely false and are the calculated work of desperate opponents aiming to disrupt the judicial process and mislead the public.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Tribunal verdict: Don’t use religion to incite tension, Jibrin warns

    of the court on the scheduled date.

    “We strongly advise the public to disregard these deceptive falsehoods. They are nothing but the fabrications of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as politicians. Senator Isah Jibrin  is not engaged in any desperate actions and categorically denies any attempt to preempt or interfere with the court’s decision.

    “The senator upholds the rule of law and holds utmost respect for the judiciary. Any premature claims suggesting otherwise are unequivocally untrue and should be treated as such.

    “We appreciate your understanding and urge everyone to await the official, legitimate judgment from the appellate court.

    “As for the peddler of this satanic rumour, for whatever intent, either in mockery or otherwise, posterity shall stand in verdict for us.”

  • ‘Tinubu’s vote of confidence on CoS blessing for youths’

    ‘Tinubu’s vote of confidence on CoS blessing for youths’

    The immediate past Senior Special Assistant on Youth Matters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, has described the vote of confidence passed on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamilla, is “a blessing to Nigerian youths.”

    He said  Gbajabiamila is the face of  youths in the country’s leadership.

    Alli-Balogun said this while speaking with reporters in Abuja  on Wednesday.

    He said: “The Chief of Staff has shown that he loves the youth of this country.

    “Don’t forget that as Majority Leader, Gbajabiamilla supported the ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’ when it was passed.

    “As Speaker House of Representatives,  the bill for the Students’ Loan Act was passed and He single-handedly sponsored the bill for An Act to Amend the Constitution for the inclusion of young persons and persons with disabilities in appointments, and others that directly impact youth development.

    “As Chief of Staff, he has championed the course of the youths, and looking at the cabinet of His Excellency,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the large number of youths in the administration says a lot about his love for them.”

    Read Also: UPDATED: Be ready to perform or you leave us, Tinubu warns ministers

    While condemning those who sponsored unfounded allegations against the Chief of Staff, Alli-Balogun emphasized that security agencies should go after the purveyors of fake news.

    “I understand that there is a bill against fake news. I urge relevant security agencies to take it seriously and go after those that are sitting in their rooms to write damaging news on key stakeholders in the polity,” he said.

    Alli-Balogun, who has worked with the Chief of Staff for several years, insisted that Gbajabiamila is a man of integrity.

    “My boss, the Chief of Staff, is a man with proven integrity. I can vouch for him anywhere. Those who are spreading the rumor don’t know who Gbajabiamila is.   He will never do anything to tarnish his name and integrity.”

    Alli-Balogun urged Nigerian youths to believe in the government of President Bola Tinubu, saying the country will witness rapid development under him.

  • Pensioners beg Tinubu for intervention over 36 months areas

    Pensioners beg Tinubu for intervention over 36 months areas

    Pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over the non-payment of their 36 months pension arrears.

    Spokesman of the group, Mr. Kunle Ojo, in a statement said, while the pensioners are grateful to President Tinubu for his continuous effort to pay the monthly pension yet the outstanding emoluments was yet to be paid.

    According to Ojo, after their appeal last year October, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered their outstanding pension to be paid but that nothing has been done over the issue since then.

    “We thank Mr President for his kind gesture. It shows his deep love for the pioneer builders of the Nigerian project. Yet we are sad to let you know that only a meagre fraction of what we are owed was released.

    Read Also: Tinubu reforms turning Nigeria to a regional, global powerhouse – British High Commissioner

    “As it stands, we are still being owed 36 months, which the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the behest of the Ministry of Finance, promised to clear early this year. The challenges are getting tougher by the day more especially that the year is coming to an end.

    “However, up until now, we are yet to receive any joyful news on this very significant balance of 36 months owed us. In the light of this, seeing and having felt the empathetic strength of your government with a listening ear, we appeal once again that you come to our aid using your exalted office to intervene in this settlement of our remaining 36 months arrears as we all are in dire need.

    “As we write, many have died and many decrepit, resulting from the tough challenges that have remained unattended as a result of this deprivation of our arrears,” Ojo said.

  • Humanitarian group seeks action on child marriage

    Humanitarian group seeks action on child marriage

    • Says Nigeria has 23 million child-brides

    An international humanitarian group, Save the Children International( SCI) has called on the Federal Government to put measures in place to address the rising cases of child marriage.

    In a report titled “Budgeting to End Child Marriage in Nigeria” launched by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye at a Girls led conference organised by SCI in Abuja, the organisation said that there are about 23 million child-brides in the country.

    Read Also: AU set to fight child marriage

    The report showed that Northern Nigeria, recorded the highest number of child-brides, as 48 per cent of women are married before age 15, while 78 per cent are married before age 18.

    The report also showed that adequate funding was required at all levels of government to effectively and sustainably curb the menace that endangers the future of the girl-child.

  • UNICEF, Jigawa, disburse N500m for RUTF

    UNICEF, Jigawa, disburse N500m for RUTF

    Jigawa Executive Council has approved the disbursement of N250 million counterpart grant for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to fight acute child malnutrition.

    The state Chief Nutrition Officer, Mr Saidu Umar, made this known at a news conference in Dutse yesterday..

    He said UNICEF had also approved its counterpart fund of N250 million for the procurement of necessary commodities for the RUTF.

    The official said that under the agreement, UNICEF would facilitate and supervise the process of the procurement of the RUTF and equally assist in its management and distribution to various Centres for Management of Accurate Malnutrition (CMAM).

    Read Also: UNICEF, NASSCO, British High Commission for CORN conference on social protection

    He added that no fewer than 10,000 children currently suffering from acute malnutriton in the state would benefit from the support.

    Umar said that in addition to the RUTF, the state was also supporting various programmes to enhance maternal and child nutrition.

    The Chairman, Jigawa Coalition of Civil Societies on Nutrition (JICCON), Mr Shuaibu Musa, said that the fund approval was timely, which would hopefully save many lives.

    “Already, all the 67 CMAM centres in the state are out of stock, now, our hope is rekindled. RUTF will soon be available for malnourished children,” he added.

  • Fed Govt to prepare for population upsurge

    Fed Govt to prepare for population upsurge

    The Federal Government said it intends to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of population.

    It said adequate preparations would be through effective urban planning, management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks.

    The government said urban dwellers now account for more than 50 per cent of the population and are expected to increase to 60 per cent by 2030.

    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains the cardinal focus.

    Read Also: 24 million Nigerians homeless, says Population Review

    Dangiwa said this in Abuja at the commemoration of 2023 World Habitat Day/World Cities Day.

    He said: “The Federal Government is paying very thoughtful attention to the issues and challenges of urbanization. The issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains our cardinal focus and we solicit collaborations from our development partners and other stakeholders.

    “It is a phenomenon that can be harnessed to enhance economic productivity, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability. Urban dwellers now account for more than 50 per cent of our population and are expected to increase to 60 per cent by the year 2030.

    “It is our duty therefore to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of population in our towns and cities through effective urban planning and management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks.”

  • Shettima seeks U.S govt’sassistance on food security

    Shettima seeks U.S govt’sassistance on food security

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has sought the assistance of the United States Government on President Bola Tinubu administration’s food security agenda.

    Shettima made the request when he met with Mr Cary Fowler, U.S Special Envoy for Global Food Security, as part of his schedules in the United States of America.

    The vice president also identified key areas where Nigeria would require urgent support to overcome challenges in the agricultural sector.

    ”We seek the support of the United States Government, be it technical or otherwise, towards addressing challenges in our agricultural sector. Mechanisation is absolutely essential, good quality seeds, fertilization, improved agricultural practices, smart agriculture, these are the solutions we seek.

    ”Because the whole mantra is on increase in yield, it is about improving productivity. It goes beyond the acreage that is used for production. So, I am here surrounded by other stakeholders who have all the figures, facts and knowledge to make this partnership easy and smooth sailing.”

    Shettima assured the U.S Special Envoy for Global Food Security of the readiness of the Tinubu administration to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve agricultural productivity across the Africa.

    Read Also: Shettima: Farm centres in 774 councils to take off soon

    He said Nigeria would sustain existing relationships with partners in the agricultural sector, adding the country would nurture the alliance.

    ”On the crop side, we are extremely concerned about climate change and its effect on Africa. So, this programme that we have with the AU and FAO is focused on Africa.”

    He disclosed that the programme would look at indigenous African crops that have long suffered from massive underinvestment.

    “We have established a multi-donor trust fund at the IFAD to provide long term funding for the programme and the USAID is also involved. The US government has allocated 100 million dollars to the programme,” he said.

    He, however, emphasised that stakeholders need to work in a collaborative way with countries like Nigeria.

  • Chibok, Dapchi girls, others not abandoned, says NSCDC boss

    Chibok, Dapchi girls, others not abandoned, says NSCDC boss

    • 48 kidnap attempts/attacks foiled in schools..

    The Federal Government and security agencies are on the trails of kidnapped schools boys and girls across the country,  the Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, stated this yesterday.

    Audi said security agencies have keyed into the strategy adopted by the Federal Government to locate the whereabouts of the students who are still missing and ensure their safe returns to their homes.

    The CG spoke at the headquarters of the Corps in Abuja while briefing reporters on the forthcoming maiden National Summit on Identified Threats and Security Elements Affecting the Safe Schools Project in Nigeria.

    He said within the past few months about 48 kidnap attempts and attacks on schools  had been foiled by security agencies, especially in Zamfara and Nasarawa states,  while intelligence gathering had been enhanced to further nip such attacks in the bud.

    Audi said security agencies would continue to search for the missing Chibok, and Dapchi girls, asserting that neither the government nor security agencies have abandoned them to their fate.

    He said: “It is no longer news that education is known and described as the bedrock of any society. Globally, unfolding trends of events have however presented serious attacks on education with Nigeria as one of the countries badly affected.

    Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

    “The abduction of 276 girls in April 2014 from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State, 110 girls from Government Girls Science School, Dapchi in Yobe State, Bethel College Kaduna, Government Secondary School Kagara in Niger State and killing of school boys in Buni Yadi, Yobe State and Greenfield University Kaduna among other numerous attacks on education can attest to the prevalence of such attacks and consequences on the sector.”

    The CG noted that the establishment of the Safe Schools Initiative has reduced the spate of attacks in schools, stressing that more successes are being recorded across the country as a result of the project.

    According to him, over 1,800 security operatives and participants in the Safe Schools Initiative have been trained in the six geopolitical zones of the country on various mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of schools in Nigeria.

    Audi expressed the unwavering commitment of Security agencies to bring an end to attacks on education arising from banditry, kidnapping, armed conflict and terrorism, saying the summit would provide opportunity for stakeholders to further brainstorm and strategise on the issues.

    He explained that the summit which would begin on Thursday in Abuja at NAF Conference, Kado, would enlighten key relevant stakeholders on the coordination role of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Center as a product of the financing of Safe Schools committed by the government.

    It would also foster a nationwide dialogue that seeks to present systematic reflections and offer practical advice for effective implementation of the Safe Schools Project, the CG added.

    He said besides the participation of all security agencies in the summit, over 300 other institutions and critical stakeholders are expected at the event.

  • Taraba: Tribunal affirms Useni as winner

    Taraba: Tribunal affirms Useni as winner

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo yesterday affirmed the election of the former speaker Taraba State House of Assembly and Member representing Takum/Ussa/Donga federal constituency, Mark Bako Useni.

     Istifanus Gbana of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rimam Shawulu of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) had challenged the victory of Useni as a member representing the federal constituency at the tribunal.

    The petitioners approached the tribunal on grounds of non-compliance of the Electoral Act in the rerun election.

    Both parties sought for the nullification of the election over non-compliance with electoral laws by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Read Also: Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    They also said Useni did not acquire the lawful number of votes to be declared as the winner of the election.

    The three-member panel led by Justice Benson Ogbu during his ruling dismissed the petitions of the two candidates and their parties, stating that “the petitions collapse on failure of prove by the petitioners”

    Ogbu, who read the judgment stated that during the cross examination, counsel to Useni proved that the candidate of the APC won the election with lawful votes “and his election remains valid in the eyes of the law.”

    Useni described the judiciary as the last hope for common Nigerians. He called on Gbana and Shawulu to take the judgment in good faith.

  • Alia seeks Army’s support for tackling insecurity

    Alia seeks Army’s support for tackling insecurity

    Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has called on the Nigerian Army to focus on the state to secure it.

    The governor made the call yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

    He said the once very peaceful state has been  besieged by criminals ranging from murderous armed herders, bandits and local gangsters.

    He said: “A week hardly passes without reports of two, three or more persons being killed in the villages, mostly on their farms by armed herders. Most of these are not reported in the media.”

    He decried the lack of manpower for other formations operating within the state, including Operation Whirlstroke and the 401 Special Forces  Brigade, adding that if properly equipped, the men of the formations might begin to enter the hinterlands to tackle the menace and would not only be standing on the roads as it is the practice.

    Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

    He called for the establishment of Force Operation Bases in Anyiin, Naka, Ukum, Agatu, Udei and Gbajimba.

    The COAS stated that he had served in the state for nine years and had a good understanding of its security situation.

    “In my capacity as COAS, I do receive on a daily basis security reports both formal and informal from Benue State,” he said.

    He promised that the Nigerian Army would turn its attention to Benue, especially now that the dry season is about setting in, adding that it is the time that the state usually witnesses a lot of crisis.