The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Fuel subsidy: FCT minister distributes palliatives to Abuja residents

    Fuel subsidy: FCT minister distributes palliatives to Abuja residents

    From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), yesterday commenced the distribution of assorted food items to vulnerable residents of the territory.

    FCTA said the development is aimed at easing the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

    FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who performed the distributions of over 17,222 bags of rice, 8,400 bags of maize, assured that every deserving family in the six area councils and 17 chiefdoms of FCT will receive the free items.

    Mahmoud also assured that apart from the food items which would be released in stages, government is actively exploring other avenues to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

    She said: “There is no doubt that the policy has had a ripple effect on transportation, inflation and an overall burden on the citizenry.

    “It is in realization of these challenges that the Federal Government has been taking several measures to bring succour to Nigerians amongst which is the release of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve for urgent distribution to Nigerians. We will ensure that every deserving family in the FCT receive these items free of charge.”

    Read Also: Fuel subsidy: Otti rolls out measures to ameliorate effects on workers

    While calling on FCT residents to exercise prudence in their daily lives, she noted that the present administration under the dynamic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was committed to implementing measures that would stabilize prices, encourage economic growth, and promote prosperity and well-being for citizens.

    The minister, however, charged beneficiaries to use the food items wisely and endeavour to share with those who are most in need, stressing that Mr. President is striving to reposition the Nigerian economy and win the war against hunger and the attainment of self-sufficiency in food production.

    On his part, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that the administration, through relevant arms, has put in place measures to monitor the distribution of these essential food items to ensure that they got to the targeted beneficiaries in all the area councils.

    The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Operations, Planning and Strategy, Mr. Samuel Attang, also noted that the distribution was part of series of efforts being put in place by government to address the economic challenges and create an environment of stability and prosperity for all.

  • Adamawa floods claim 33 lives, displace households

    Adamawa floods claim 33 lives, displace households

    Some 33 lives have been lost to floods that have continued to cause havoc in some communities in Adamawa State.

    This was disclosed yesterday at an emergency meeting  organized by the state government with humanitarian actors and some relevant agencies to discuss the way forward.

    The developments are on the heels of increase volumes of water from the river banks, notably the banks of River Benue running through many local government areas of the state.

    As a result of the ravaging floods, the state government through Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) has established 11 camps  across the mostly affected local government areas of Yola North, Yola South, Lamurde, Numan and Demsa.

    Read Also:Ogun, Cross River, Zamfara, Adamawa highest in cholera cases, says NCDC

    According to the Executive Secretary of ADSEMA, Muhammed Suleiman, about 1,600 displaced households, comprising 9,960 individuals are taking shelter in the 11 camps.

    Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who spoke during the emergency stakeholders meeting through his deputy, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, said as people-driven government, his administration is up and doing to reduce the impact of the floods on the citizens.

    The governor said he had approved measures to ensure that the basic needs of affected people are provided, and that though some schools have been occupied by the flood victims, the government was taken steps to see that the situation does not hinder learning.

    At the stakeholders meeting, the commissioner of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reintegration, Bello Hamman Diram and his counterparts from Ministry of Information and Strategy Neido Geoffrey as well as that of Women Affairs and Social Development Wunfe Anthony said the meeting was necessary to save lives and property.

    They said the unprecedented displacement of people by the floods is now a source of concern, hence the need for stakeholders engagement to see how best to tackle emerging needs.

  • Bauchi to pay female pupils for school attendance

    Bauchi to pay female pupils for school attendance

    Bauchi State government will now pay girls in junior secondary schools N5000 per term and those in senior secondary schools will be paid N10,000 per term respectively to boost girl-child enrolment in schools.

    This is courtesy of the state’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.

    AGILE, a World Bank-assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education, is geared at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20.

    The Commissioner of Education, who also doubles as the coordinator of the AGILE programme, Jamila Dahiru, told journalists that the AGILE programme is aimed at doing things differently to improve education in the state.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    Dahiru said: “The project aimed at assisting the students who dropped out of school due to economic problems. The target is the poorest of the poor who do not have any means of payment of school fees and other requirements; mechanism has been put in place to determine those that will qualify.

    “Apart from boosting enrolment of the girl child in school, the AGILE project will ensure that the standard and quality of education did not decline but rather improved upon greatly as teachers will be motivated and well equipped to impart knowledge on the students.”

    Apart from paying pupils to attend schools, the AGILE programme will also build new spaces for learning in secondary schools, improve existing infrastructure and recruit more teachers.

  • Plateau ban Okada

    Plateau ban Okada

    In a bid to swiftly address the rising concerns over public safety, the Plateau State Government has issued a ban on commercial motorcycles, known as “Okada,” within the Bukuru-Jos Metropolis.

    Also, tricycles, commonly referred to as “Keke Napep,” are now subject to strict operational time restrictions, limiting their hours of operation to between 6am and 6pm.

    The Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, made this known, in a press briefing in Jos.

    Ashoms emphasized that strict adherence to these new regulations is mandatory, and any violations will be met with firm enforcement.

    The decision echoes a similar ban imposed during the previous administration under Governor Simon Bako Lalong.

    The previous ban on commercial motorcycles and operational time restrictions for tricycles was implemented with the aim of curbing the incidence of crime in the state capital.

    Hoever, in recent times, there has been a resurgence of violent crimes within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis, prompting the reinforcement of these measures under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    The Governor’s administration has prioritized public safety and security in light of these developments.

    Recall a tragic incident that occurred a few weeks ago when a young resident of Jos, Fwinbe Gofwan, was brutally murdered by suspected commercial motorcycle riders along Domkat Bali in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    This incident, among others, has raised concerns about the safety of residents and the need for stringent measures and strict regulations governing the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles.

    The government urged all concerned parties to comply with these measures in the interest of public safety.

  • Nasarawa: ‘stop heating up the polity’

    Nasarawa: ‘stop heating up the polity’

    Concerned People’s Democratic Party (PDP)  Muslim Leaders in Nasarawa State have called on politicians to refrain from seeking to use religious leaders to influence legal proceedings.

    The group said there was an attempt to infuse religious sentiment into the outcome of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict which sacked the governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress.

    The tribunal, on October 2, nullified the election of Governor Sule of the APC and declared David Ombugadu of the PDP as the winner of the March 18, governorship election in the state.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday, spokesman for the group, Ja’afaru Ibrahim stated that attempts to involve religion and religious leaders in the Nasarawa judicial process come with the risks of compromising the integrity of the nation’s legal system, undermining the rule of law, and upholding impunity.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    “Instead, let us all respect the principles of fairness and impartiality that is the cornerstone of our legal system,” he said.

    He reiterated the commitment of the leader to pray for peace, unity, and justice in the state, and nation.

    He said: “We encourage all politicians and especially our friends in the APC to resolve any differences amicably or by legal means and to respect the decisions of our judicial institutions rather than whipping up religious sentiments.”

    He lauded President Bola Tinubu for his plans, policies, and promises of reforms, praying for the country and wishing the leaders well in the discharge of their services to the nation.

  • Gov Alia has no problem with SGF, says CPS

    Gov Alia has no problem with SGF, says CPS

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Sir Kulas Tersoo said his principal Governor Hyacinth has no problem with the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

    Tersoo stated that the speculation was from the opposition camp.

    He said there is nothing of such as Governor Alia and Senator Akume enjoy the best of relationship.

    “There exists no bad blood between Governor Alia and the SGF. The governor has at different fora, and most recently during a victory parade organised for him by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, declared that the SGF remains the leader of the party in the state and that there is no issue between them as being speculated by people who don’t mean well for the state.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    He quoted the governor as saying: “jealous elements, especially, the opposition who are waiting to see a fight between us should be ashamed of themselves. I am working hand in hand with my leader, Sen. George Akume”.

    “The governor regards the SGF as a respected leader of the party not just in the state, but the North Central and therefore, will no longer continue to keep quiet as some opportunistic elements desperately seek to pitch them against each other for their inordinate pecuniary gain.

    “The opposition elements trying to foist a crack among the party’s leaders in the state by sponsoring malicious and vexatious press conferences should desist forthwith, as the Governor and the SGF’s relationship goes way back and will continue to wax stronger,” Tersoo said.

  • Kano to distribute 387,000 bags of food items

    Kano to distribute 387,000 bags of food items

    The Kano State Government said it plans to distribute 387,000 bags of food to vulnerable people in the second phase of palliative sharing to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

    Governor Abba Yusuf said this at the launch of the second phase of palliatives distribution in Kano yesterday.

    Yusuf said the gesture was to reduce the prevailing hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy on the people.

    He said that the government also plans to distribute 2, 600 livestocks including goats, sheep and rams to women toward boosting the economy of the state.

    The governor said that each ward out of the 484 wards in the state would receive 400 of 10 kg bags of rice and maize cross the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    “The gesture will alleviate the sufferings of the people and also fight against hunger in the state. You may recall that 30 days ago, we started the distribution of palliative to vulnerable in the state and we distributed over 50,000 bags of rice and maize. I have already directed that all members of the distribution committee should not benefits from the gesture, adequate arrangement have been made for upward distribution of palliative to the junior civil servants, security and all relevant stakeholders,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly yesterday at the Committee of the Whole

    passed the N58 billion supplementary budget submitted by Governor Yusuf.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    Speaking after passing the budget, the Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini, said that the budget would enable the state government to execute developmental projects.

    Hussaini said the budget would help administration to achieve its development target and appreciated his colleagues for their contributions toward its speedy passage.

    He said  the passage of the supplementary budget had raised the 2023 budget of the state to N326 billion.

    He said that the House would monitor the implementation of the budget through effective oversight to ensure that funds allocated to project were judiciously used.

    Similarly, the House also presented a commendation letter and cash reward of N1.5 million to a tricycle rider Malam Auwalu Danbaba who returned about N10 million forgotten by a passenger in his tricycle.

    Receiving the money, Danbaba thanked the lawmakers for the gesture.

  • NUT suspends strike following Wike’s intervention

    NUT suspends strike following Wike’s intervention

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory Wing has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following intervention of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    The Chairmen of the union, Mr Stephen Knabayi, confirmed the suspension in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

    Knabayi said that the strike was suspended from October 2, to November 13 to implement commitments by the Chairmen of the six Area Councils and the FCT minister.

    Knabayi explained that the strike was suspended after an agreement was reached between the striking teachers and the Chairmen of the six Area Councils following the intervention of the minister.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    He added that a 6-man committee was also set up and inaugurated to find a lasting solution to the issues.

    “We reconsidered our stand and suspended the strike following the intervention of the minister of the FCT. We proceeded on strike over seven issues. Five of them, we have an agreement for their implementation with effect from October.

    “The other two issues – peculiar allowances and payment of minimum wage arrears -, the minister has agreed to intervene with an agreement for their implementation in four weeks. So, we suspended the strike for six weeks to enable the minister to take action and see to the implementation of the commitments,” he said.

  • Kefas applauded for reinstatement sacked teachers

    Kefas applauded for reinstatement sacked teachers

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State wing, have applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for reinstating 16 teachers who were 18 months ago, sacked by the immediate past governor, Darius Ishaku.

    The union also commended the governor for the prompt payment of 18 months salary arrears of the reinstated teachers, stating that the governor’s action has proven to the people on his readiness to improve the education sector in the state.

    The Chairman, NUT Taraba State wing, Comrade Nathan Solomon, while speaking with journalists in Jalingo said the union remain grateful to the governor on his quest to boost the state’s education sector.

    Read Also: FG looking into gas exploration, solid minerals

    He called on the governor to pay the teachers five months salary arrears been owned by the immediate past administration, urging Governor Kefas to prevail on the Taraba State Primary Board to remit the union’s check-up dues which have been held for over two years.

    “We have been running our union without remittance of check-up dues for over two years, the dues have been withheld by the State Primary Board, we are pleading with the governor to intervene in the matter,” Solomon stated.

    The Nation learnt that the 16 teachers were sacked by the immediate past administration for opposing an alleged government-imposed candidate during the last NUT election. Consequently, the failure of the said candidate at the elections led to a division in the NUT.

  • Why Tinubu, govs must appoint PWDs as ministers, commissioners, by NGO

    Why Tinubu, govs must appoint PWDs as ministers, commissioners, by NGO

    TAF Africa, an international non-governmental organization, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors, to consider appointments of People With Disabilities (PWDs) as ministers and commissioners, saying that a group that constitutes 35million of the Nigerian population cannot be ignored.

    The NGO, which is currently working to strengthen institutions on governance and rule of law for disability inclusion at the Grassroots, made the call in Kaduna on Monday when it took its advocacy to the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board.

    Leading the TAF Africa team, the programme manager, Olayemi Samuel said that TAF Africa was in Kaduna to seek partnership with the board on ensuring participation of PWDs in the electoral process, with a particular target on the grassroots.

    He said: “We are here this morning to seek partnership on one of our projects supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives which aims to strengthen institutions on governance and rule of law for disability people improvement from the grassroots. 

     “A number of policies have been put in place that promote the participation of persons with disabilities, including the Electoral Act 2022. However, we want to bring this down to the state level, by ensuring the PWDs participate fully in the electoral process and we are going to do this with the Disability Affairs Board to engage relevant stakeholders and ensure that relevant frameworks are being enhanced to promote the participation of PWDs.”

    Read Also: Tinubu, governors to Kogi voters: don’t follow strangers, vote tested hands

    Speaking on the appointment of PWDs, Samuel said, the appointment of PWDs in public offices in Nigeria is very low and is worrisome, noting that, none of about 50 ministers so far appointed is a representative of the PWDs community, which he said shows that they are being neglected, and discriminated against.

    He, however, said: “We want a situation where we have representatives of PWDs as ministers, commissioners and heads of parastatals. If you want to initiate or implement a policy it will be good that you have the primary beneficiaries of such policy. The kind of input you get from them, and the support you get from them in the implementation of such policy is crucial.

    “As it is now, the disability community which constitutes about 35 million of Nigeria’s population are not being carried along and we have made frantic effort to reach the President through an open letter, demanding and advocating for the appointment of PWDs as Ministers. We are using this medium again to call on all relevant stakeholders and the President, Governors, and local government chairmen to consider the appointment of PWDs into government. 

    “Among PWDs, we have PhD holders, lawyers that have the capacity and can contribute to the governance and development of this country. Of course, if you have someone with a Disability as a humanitarian Minister, you should expect such a person to perform better being part of PWDs because they will be promoting the rights of PWDs and ensure their rights are not trampled upon. The issue of discrimination will be minimized.”

    In her response, the Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board, Hajia Rakiya Umar said the Board welcomes the partnership with TAF Africa, saying that, it will be willing to work with the NGO, especially in the area of awareness creation for Kaduna State Disability Law and prevention of diseases that can lead to some form of disabilities.

    Also speaking at the meeting, the President of Persons Living With Physical Disabilities in Kaduna State, Malam Rilwan Mohammed, said legal frameworks were no longer the challenges of PWD, but the implementation of the existing laws, adding that, if the Kaduna State disability law is fully implemented, all the challenges of PWDs will be addressed.