The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Boundary Commission to check insecurity along Nigeria-Niger border states communities

    Boundary Commission to check insecurity along Nigeria-Niger border states communities

    The National Boundary Commission of Nigeria has pledged to build a platform to tackle insecurity along the Nigeria-Niger border.

    Seven states bordering the two countries include Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Jigawa and Kebbi.

    The Director-General of the Commission, Adamu Adaji, stated this at a sensitisation workshop in Sokoto.

    Adaji said the platform would avail the states and communities along the border coast to rub minds and share ideas on the best ways to curtail the spate of insecurity occasioned by the proliferation of small and light arms, trafficking and other cross border crimes.

    He explained that the essence of the initiative was to build, strengthen and foster unity and purposeful integration between the two neighbouring countries’ border communities against any security threats.

    Adaji said the states shared frontier with Niger across 21 LGAs adding: “These states suffered security challenges resulting from the activities of Bolo Haram, bandits and other criminal gangs which displaced many citizens to become refugees in their states.”

    He recalled that the colonial masters created barriers separating the two neighbouring countries, an action Adaji said the commission hoped to reverse and transform into bridges of cooperation and integration between the two African nations.

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

    However, the Commission’s top echelon described as counterproductive , the forcible breaking of the border lands’ transnational identity through imposed state partitions.

      “The inability to effectively engage border communities and convert the borders to bridges of cooperation most often create ungoverned spaces and vaccines for cross border crimes such as armed banditry, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking and smuggling of small and light arms. Getting these right requires composite regional and local authorities support and cooperation, ” the DG called.

    Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto represented by his deputy, Idris Muhammad Danchadi, pledged to support the piloting of the platform initiative to success, explaining that the state government was on track as it had concluded plans to establish community security guards to complement conventional security agencies in fighting insecurity across the 23 LGAs.

  • Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits kill one, abduct 25 in Southern Kaduna

    Bandits have killed a farmer, injured two and abducted 25 others at Ungwan Baka of Agunu Ward in Kachia Local Government of Kaduna State.

    Although the Kaduna State Police Command was yet to react to the incident, reporters were told that the bandits invaded the community with guns and machetes in the early hours of yesterday while the indigenes were sleeping.

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

    A survivor who craved anonymity, said: “Twenty-five people were kidnapped in Unguwan Baka of Agunu Ward in the early hours of today (yesterday).

    “Two people were injured and one person was killed.

    “We rushed those that were injured to hospital. We wish them quick recovery and those that were kidnapped we pray for their safe return. Please pray for us. This is the third attack on our community,” he said.

  • Army kills notorious bandits’ kingpin in Kebbi

    Army kills notorious bandits’ kingpin in Kebbi

    The Nigerian Army stationed in Malekachi, operating in Sangeko forest in Danko Wasagu Local Government of Kebbi State, has neutralised a suspected notorious bandits’ commander, nicked-named ‘Mainasara”.

    The Director of Security, Cabinet Office, Birnin Kebbi, AbdulRahman Usman, disclosed this to reporters yesterday in Birnin Kebbi.

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

    He said: ‘’As the troops were on routine patrol in Sengeko forest around 0730hrs, they suddenly engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.

    ‘’During the exchange of fire, the bandits tried to escape, but were neutralised by the Army and two of their bikes were also recovered and destroyed in the process before the troops withdrew back to FOB Malekachi  by 1230hrs.”

  • Provide facts, figures of your wealth, anti-graft group asks Zamfara gov

    Provide facts, figures of your wealth, anti-graft group asks Zamfara gov

    An anti-corruption group, Advocate for Social Justice (ASJ), has challenged the Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal, to provide the public with facts and figures behind his financial deposit declarations with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    The group also demanded the CCB to explain how it verified the submissions by the governor, including his sources of income.

    The executive director of the group, Gamji Guana Joseph, made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, October 31.

    According to Joseph, documents in possession of the organisation showed that the Zamfara governor should be listed on Forbes as one of the richest men in Africa, “with cash deposit in one account alone, out of several others, showing a balance of $5 billion.”

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    The group lamented that Zamfara state is one of the most affected states (if not the most affected) on issues of insecurity, terrorism and syndicated illegal mining, adding that the state is among the most disadvantaged states in northern Nigeria.

    Tracing Lawal’s career path, Joseph said the governor spent the larger chunk of his career as a banker with First Bank of Nigeria.

    He said: “After he left the banking industry in 2014, Lawal alongside his friend Munir Umaru Baba started Credent Capital and Advisory Limited which they launched with an initial Capital base of $500 million. They claim to have invested & managed over $2 billion for 175+ clients across the world since then. Outside these 2 known career involvements, there is no other known venture he has participated in except politics.”

    The group said: “In total, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a total cash deposit in banks of 1. $5,013,357,125.13, 2. N1,522,865,024.00, 3. £841,704.77

    “These monies are deposited in numerous personal accounts in GT Bank, First Bank & Taj Bank while his Credent Advisory Limited corporate account has a fixed income of N200 million

    “We therefore wish to use this press conference to call on His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, to please without further delay avail the people of Zamfara State and Nigeria with facts and figures behind these financial deposit declarations to allay their fears that their governor is not a fraudster or sponsor of terrorism.

    “It is also important to note that this plea is not open-ended, and if the sources of these figures declared are not made public within 1 week, we intend to mobilise Nigerians and people of Zamfara state to march to the National Assembly and ensure a state of emergency is declared in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to enable the authorities and international agencies conduct proper probe on the governor’s sources of wealth to be sure he is not a sponsor of terrorism & illegal mining in Zamfara and Northern Nigeria.

    “We will not only be challenging the authenticity of the figures he declared while exposing sources of earnings, but also we want to put the CCB, an agency of the federal government, on notice that they have to explain to Nigerians how they verified the submissions including the sources of income where applicable.

    “The governor might have immunity from prosecution, but he cannot be immune from revolt from his people and Nigerians!”

    The group wondered about the sources of the inflow of $5 billion cash balance in one of the governor’s First Bank personal accounts, termed fixed deposit.

    “These financial inflows, are they through legitimate transactions or dubious engagements bothering on money laundry, fraud, illegal mining or sponsorship of terrorism?

    “If the claim of having more than $5 billion in his accounts are proceeds from his joint investment venture, it implies their gross earnings over the period would have been more than $12 billion when you consider his partner’s due earnings and taxes to be paid. Can this be proven and verified in detail?”

  • Accord unveils Kogi Governorship Election Campaign Council

    Accord unveils Kogi Governorship Election Campaign Council

    Ahead of  November 11 Governorship election, Kogi State chapter  of  Accord party has  named  members of  its campaign council.

    The unveiling of the Jibrin/Olamife Campaign Council sets the stage for the  commencement of campaign  for the party’s   candidate  Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (rtd).

    According to a statement  by the Secretary of the Campaign Council, Alhaji Abu Fab Zakari, the council tagged: “Jibrin/Olamife Governorship Campaign Council” with the theme: “Council of Victory for the Masses,” has Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane  as Chairman.

    Joining Ugbane are  Sen. Abubakar Abdularahman as Alternate Chairman and Alhaji Abu Fab Zakari as Secretary of the Campaign Council.

    Read Also: Kogi Accord candidate mourns Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

    The council also  has Prof  Daniel Isah  as  Director General,  Yakubu Ogwu Daniel,  Deputy Director General for Kogi East  and  Fadile Kabiru, a lawyer  is  Deputy Director General for Kogi West. Additionally, the council includes representatives for various federal constituencies such as  Hassan Omala, Positive Ihiabe,  Umane Okeme, and  Aka’aba Ibrahim, emphasizing a wide-ranging regional focus.

    Women leaders like Princess Vera Otini Atodo, Josephine Ayeh Joseph, and Lami Ahmodu form an integral part of the council. The youth segment is represented by  Husseini  Idris, Comrade Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana  and Comrade Honorius Aromeh.

    Protocol, media, strategy and welfare are entrusted to Emmanuel Ekele, Christopher Sunday, Goodman Akuh, and Samuel Danjuma. Complementing the team are individuals handling digital media, special duties, and contact and mobilization, including Emmanuel Iyede, Amb. Muhammed Jibrin, and Emmanuel Omebije.

    Alhaji Abu Fab Zakari, serving as the Secretary of the Campaign Council, emphasized the significance of each individual’s role within the council, urging a dedicated and responsible approach in fulfilling the task  at hand.

  • Mutfwang calls for calm over Appeal Court’s judgment against PDP

    Mutfwang calls for calm over Appeal Court’s judgment against PDP

    Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has appealed for calm over the Appeal Court’s judgments against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mutfwang said in spite of the judgment against his government, he still has confidence in the judiciary.

    Addressing party supporters and top government officials who came to receive him at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang, Jos on his return from foreign trip, the governor said: “I was following the judgment at the Appeal Tribunal while I was away, and I know that Plateau people who actually voted massively for the PDP are not happy with those judgments.

    “Let me appeal that in a contest, the wind can blow but does not mean it will bring you down. And I want to assure the people of Plateau State that the victory they gave us will be sustained. We have had some setbacks, we will be looking at it these few days to see what we will be able to do to remedy such situations.

    “We are on top of the situation, and there is no cause for alarm. Our confidence in the judiciary has not been broken. We have confidence that the judiciary consists of men and women of integrity that will still do what is right when the time comes.’’ I, therefore, want to appeal to our people to remain patient and calm, and that by the grace of God we will work together to ensure our victory is not taken away.”

    On his first overseas trip since becoming governor, Mutfwang said: “I travelled to the United States of America in search of potential investors for Plateau State and to build relationships with the United States government and some states in U.S. towards attracting global attention to Plateau State. And I am glad to inform you that it was a very successful visit, and that visit is going to bear fruits in the days to come.

    Read Also: Mutfwang appoints chairmen, executive secretaries for pilgrims welfare boards

    “One thing we also did during the visit was to attend an agric investors’ conference together with the Vice President of the Federal Republic. I’m glad to inform you that we have gone very far in discussions with the Africa Development Bank to set up a special agro processing zone in Plateau State. This is going to be an economic game-changer for us on the Plateau.

     “I can also report to you that we were able to make contact with several institutions of learning that are ready to partner our institutions of learning in terms of exchange of programmes, capacity building. One of the institutions, particularly Liberty University, offered Plateau State indigenes five postgraduate scholarship slots in Engineering. We also have secured commitment with some of the American institutions for medical equipment that we will use to equip some of our hospitals. Discussion will continue in the next few days and we will keep Plateau people informed.”

  • NEDC donates N2b to Maiduguri Monday Market inferno victims

    NEDC donates N2b to Maiduguri Monday Market inferno victims

    The Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) has donated N2 billion to support the affected traders of the Maiduguri’s Monday Market fire.

     The Monday Market, which was consumed by flames on February 26, this year, resulted in the loss of goods, shops, and properties worth billions of Naira.

    The Managing Director of NEDC, Goni Alkali, announced the donation during a visit to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.

    He expressed the commission’s commitment to helping the affected traders. He said: “Some months ago, the famous Maiduguri Monday Market was ravaged by fire, causing traders to lose their goods and shops. Today, we are here to assist the traders. The NEDC is providing a grant of N2 billion to support them in restarting their businesses.”

    Alkali further highlighted Zulum’s promise to rebuild the market, which has been fulfilled.The grant from NEDC aims to offer the traders a fresh start.

    Read Also: ‘NEDC will re-discover socio-economic possibilities for Northeast region’

    Chairman of the Commission, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), emphasised the NEDC’s determination to fulfill its mandate. “We are here to understand what the state needs from us. We have visited Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and now Borno, and soon we will extend our support to Adamawa and Taraba states. Borno State has made commendable progress in education, health, and agriculture,” he said.

    Zulum reiterated his commitment to ensuring that every NEDC donation reached the affected traders.

     He commended NEDC for its continuous support to traders, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the governments of the Northeastern states.

    Zulum also urged the commission to address the causes of the Boko Haram insurgency by investing in security, education, health, mechanized agriculture, infrastructure, and roads.

      He stressed that failure to do so could have severe consequences not only for the Northeast but for the entire country.

    He stated: “Boko Haram and ISWAP have caused extensive destruction, including over 500 classrooms, 800 municipal buildings, 1 million houses, displacement of over 3.5 million people, and the suffering of thousands of widows and orphans. They have also destroyed property worth over $6.7 billion, with a significant portion of this damage occurring in Borno state, according to a UN report.”

      Zulum expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by NEDC, particularly to IDPs in Borno, and he hoped that the commission would support President BolaTinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • Gombe’s revenue generation sees 78.3% increase with Recovery Tribunal

    Gombe’s revenue generation sees 78.3% increase with Recovery Tribunal

    Gombe State has seen a significant increase in revenue generation, going from N10.6 billion to N18.9 billion between October 2022 and September 2023. This 78.3% increase is thanks to the Revenue Recovery Tribunal that was set up by the state government.

    The Revenue Recovery Tribunal was established to recover revenue owed to the government by individuals and organisations. The tribunal has been successful in recovering funds from defaulters who had previously ignored payment obligations. This was disclosed by the state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya while speaking during the court sitting/stakeholders appreciation to mark the one year anniversary of the Revenue Recovery Tribunal.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, the governor said that the work and activities of the court have been transparent.

    He disclosed that the revenue recovered by the court has helped to strengthen the state’s finances and that it will be put towards funding various development projects.

    He said: “To God be the glory and gratitude for granting us the privilege to witness this one-year anniversary of the Gombe State Revenue Recovery Tribunal which is a very important tool in the improvement of revenue aspect in governance the world over.

    “While the drive for revenue generation, collection, and utilisation has been the magnet towards which leaders are attracted, the administration under the transparent, accountable, and good governance of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya saw the compelling need to set up the Gombe State Revenue Recovery Tribunal. Records available, indicate that this is the first of such in the Northeast geo-political zone”.

    “Basically, this tribunal was conceived and created to avoid the situation of a master-servant relationship between those who govern and being governed. Hitherto issues were just presented to members of the public without being given the chance or opportunity to make observations, comments, or complaints as the case may be. This is horrible and inhuman. Common to those implementing government policies is the quick reference to the dictum. Under such circumstances, people are compelled to carry burdens/yokes that are beyond them.

    Read Also: NLC threatens boycott of today’s review meeting with Fed Govt

    “Accordingly, this tribunal gives rights and privileges to all those involved in the payment of revenue to the state to seek redress on the criteria/reasons for the demand of the revenue so demanded by the state government. Indeed, they can dialogue with members of the tribunal to understand each other, but based on mutual understanding by the parties. Where they are not satisfied, they can always appeal to higher government officials, where dispute resolution will be implored,” the Governor added.

    Speaking earlier, the Secretary of the Tribunal, Hannatu Dauda Simon said the event was to mark the first anniversary of the Revenue Recovery Tribunal and to use the opportunity to appreciate the Stakeholders for contributing to the success of the tribunal.

    She said at the inception of the tribunal, people thought it was meant to witch-hunt others but with sensitisation, they are now well abreast of the role of the tribunal and the importance of payment of tax.

    In his remarks, the former Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak, expressed his gratitude for the progress realised by the Revenue Tribunal within its one year of existence. He said that by their performance it has shown that the aim and purpose of establishing the tribunal under his watch at the eve of his retirement has proven its worth.

    Awak stressed the need for the staff to maintain such tempo to complement the efforts of the state government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to achieve its desired goals in providing dividends of democracy to the people of Gombe State, calling for the need to ensure that the tribunal is sustained to greater heights.

  • Digtal Nigeria 2023: Gombe wins Most Digitally Compliant State Award

    Digtal Nigeria 2023: Gombe wins Most Digitally Compliant State Award

    • Inuwa restates commitment to automate government operations

    Gombe State has been conferred with the ‘Most Digitally Compliant State’ Award by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    The award was presented to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya by the Minister of Communications,  Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani during a ceremony at the end of the Digital Nigeria Conference 2023, organised by NITDA at the International Conference Center in Abuja.

    The Gombe State Governor was represented at the ceremony by Retired Federal Permanent Secretary and member of Gombe State Special Advisory Council, Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu and Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Abdullahi Bappa Garkuwa.

    Receiving the award, Governor Inuwa reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensuring that Gombe State becomes the hub of information technology (IT) and innovation in Nigeria.

    The governor emphasised that digitalisation has created a conducive environment for business in the state and outlined plans to further improve internal revenue generation (IGR) and transform Gombe State into Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.

    He revealed that his administration aims to automate all government operations within the next four years, citing the successful implementation of the biometric personnel management system in the state civil service.

    “Gombe State is poised to lead in the digital revolution and address real-world governance, business, and social challenges through innovative projects”.

    The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, had in a letter conveying the nomination to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, stated that the award was a direct result of Inuwa’s impressive strides in the field of Information Technology.

    Read Also: ‘NNPCL withholds N13.27tr from FAAC’

    As reported earlier, the recognition was earned through a series of remarkable initiatives of Governor Inuwa Yahaya- led administration through exceptional policies which encompass a wide range of accomplishments, including reducing Right of Way (RoW) fees, enhancing digital infrastructure development, supplying essential ICT devices to government departments, and implementing automated revenue collection systems.

    Also, Gombe State has made strides in digitising the Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) for improved land management, revolutionizing salary payments through automation, and introducing Biometric Machines to combat truancy and enhance efficiency and productivity among civil servants.

    Recall that just recently, Gombe State stood out brilliantly among many Federal establishments and state agencies at the GovTech Digtal Governance Award organised by the Presidency through the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, and received three prestigious awards for its remarkable achievements in advancing digital governance. 

    During that event, Gombe State Geographic Information System ( GOGIS) received the coveted “Best State in Geographic Information System” Award, Gombe State Due Process Office clinched the best State MDA in innovative Digital Services and Gombe State University ( GSU) was recognised as the best State University in Website Operations. 

  • Inuwa’s industrialisation plan making headway, says commissioner

    Inuwa’s industrialisation plan making headway, says commissioner

    The Gombe State Commissioner of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Nasiru Muhammad Aliyu, has affirmed that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his team are consistently working to actualise the vision of transforming Gombe into an industrial state and a business hub for the Northeast region.

    Mr. Aliyu notes that the state government has introduced various innovative initiatives towards achieving this end, including the establishment of an Industrial Park designed to attract investors, promote entrepreneurship, and create numerous job opportunities for the people of Gombe.

    The commissioner, who stated this in an interview, added that the government has also prioritised the improvement of the state’s infrastructure, such as the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and water supply, in addition to business-friendly policies to enable smooth operations of businesses and industries in the state.

    Furthermore, the commissioner highlighted the state’s immense potential in various sectors, such as agriculture, trade, solid minerals, and hospitality, which provide numerous investment opportunities for local and foreign investors.

    According to Nasiru, the efforts being made by the state government to transform the state into an industrial and business hub have started yielding the desired results, with the signing of an investment commitment worth N70.5 billion between the government and investors from within and outside the country.

    Read Also: NLC threatens boycott of today’s review meeting with Fed Govt

    The commissioner also disclosed that other efforts and strategies being employed by the state government include the establishment of the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency (GOSIPA) and the development of other sectors such as peace and security as well as the development of skilled and unskilled workers and markets for goods and services.

    “We already have an international airport with about four kilometers of runway to accommodate any type of cargo for shipping and supply. Being at the center of the northeastern states, we have succeeded in making Gombe the state for ease of doing business and Gombe State has been designated as a business-free zone, meaning factories and inventors can ship their goods and produce without hiccups or challenges of hectic paperwork,” Nasiru assured.

    He announced that the state government is working to host the second phase of the Gombe State Investment Summit (GoInvest) which is a consolidation of the first summit that was held in October 2022.

    “Our GoInvest 2.0 will be coming in November this year, therefore, we are calling on investors who missed the first one, to attend the upcoming summit to explore potentials and investment opportunities in Gombe State,” Nasiru stated.