The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Independence Day: Protesters storm High Commission over Kano tribunal ruling

    Independence Day: Protesters storm High Commission over Kano tribunal ruling

    As Nigeria marked its 63rd Independence Day celebration, citizens in the diaspora stormed the High Commission in London, United Kingdom, to demand justice in the Kano governorship election trial..

    The protesters, on Sunday, waved placards to drive home their insistence for an impartial and apolitical justice system that will be fair to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) government in Kano.

    The messages on the placards include: “The Independence of a country depends on the Independence of its judiciary”; “Kano must not be robbed, Tinubu should allow justice to prevail in Kano”; “Kano people’s mandate must be allowed, no more unjust rulings”; “Abba’s mandate must not be stolen”.

    “Tribunals must be just, Kano case must not be an exception”; “Keep politics out of our courts”; “Tribunal neutrality is non-negotiable. Kano people deserve justice, not politics”; “Defend democracy, demand fair tribunals. Kano people deserve justice.”

    The convener, Dr. Aminu Bello, told journalists that they were at the embassy to protest the judgment delivered by the tribunal as it raised serious questions.

    Bello said the 2023 general polls were a pivotal moment in the country’s history but that the recent verdict left many Nigerians disheartened and concerned about the integrity of the electoral process.

    Protester

    “We want to emphasize a crucial point: it is only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has the legal authority to cancel votes, not tribunal judges. The judiciary’s role is to interpret the law and ensure justice is served, not to alter the will of the people expressed at the ballot box.

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    “We believe justice must be blind and that the rule of law must prevail in all circumstances. The recent judgment has raised questions about whether justice has truly been served in this instance. We call on all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation, to rise and fight for justice,” he charged.

    The convener reminded the public that democracy thrives on the diversity of political voices and the competition of ideas, noting that Nigeria should never be reduced to a one-party system.

    “The strength of democracy lies in a vibrant multi-party system where all citizens have a chance to express their choices. The mandate given to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf must be upheld and respected; stakeholders must ensure justice is served.

    “We urge Nigerians to engage in peaceful, lawful, and constructive ways to demand transparency and accountability. Civil society organizations, political parties, and the international community should monitor the situation. The votes must not be stolen.

    “We also ask relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial review of the Kano election tribunal judgment to ascertain its fairness and punish any judge who is found to have compromised,” Bello urged.

  • Ex-Kaduna gov Yero dumps PDP

    Ex-Kaduna gov Yero dumps PDP

    Yhe former Governor of Kaduna State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has resigned his membership of the party.

    Yero was Deputy Governor to Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa in 2011, but became the substantive governor of the State, following the death of Yakowa in a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012.

    Read Also: Ashiru beats ex-Gov Yero, Shehu Sani, others, picks Kaduna PDP Gov ticket

    The resignation letter dated 30th September 2023 was personally signed by Yero and addressed to the ward chairman of the party in Kaura ward, Kaura, Zaria Local Government Area of the state.His resignation came 48 hours after the petition of the PDP candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, in the March 18 governorship election was dismissed by the tribunal.

  • Kogi indigenes demand arrest of APC supporter’s killers

    Kogi indigenes demand arrest of APC supporter’s killers

    Scores of Kogi indigenes have called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello to immediately put machineries in motion to curtail the excesses of thugs allegedly loyal to one of the governorship candidates.

    They accused the thugs of killing a supporter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kotonkarfe and other cases of violence recorded lately in the State.

    The over 5,000 indigenes,  under the auspices of Kogi for Kogites Movement, whose members are drawn from all the 21 Local Government Areas, said from non-partisan information gathered from eyewitnesses at the scene of the event, it was reliably gathered that thugs allegedly loyal to the candidate attacked APC supporters o  a peaceful rally in Kotonkarfe on Friday.

    In a statement by the Coordinator, Kogi for Kogites, Ahmed Ojonugwa, the indigenes said the stock in trade of the party was “to commit gruesome crimes and turn around to play the victim”.

    Parts of the statement read:

    “We call on the Governor Yahaya Bello, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that these strange politicians, who have, right from the beginning of the campaign, shown that they have nothing to offer Kogites other than hate campaign and violence, are seriously cautioned. Perpetrators of this gruesome act must also be immediately fished out and brought to book.

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    “Has anyone seen the Accord Governorship Candidate, Admiral Jibrin Usman (retd), being involved in this kind of senseless propaganda where human lives are traded? He is a well respected Igala man who has also pointed out the lies of the party in public fora.

    “We call on the supporters of the APC not to take laws into their hands in the interest of patriotic indigenes. But if things go on this way, true sons and daughters of Kogi State would have no choice but to drag the candidate to the highest courts of the land for this evil attempt to drag Kogi State back to the dark days.

    “We also call on law enforcement agencies to immediately arrest all his collaborators as well as question the security agents attached to the candidate on why they watched thugs unleash mayhem on peaceful and defenceless people. This is unacceptable.”

  • Minister laments poor sanitation, rolls out strategic plan

    Minister laments poor sanitation, rolls out strategic plan

    Joshua Oboh Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr. Joseph Utsev has expressed concerns over the prevalence of poor water, sanitation and hygiene with its devastating effect in the country.

    During a three-Day retreat by the ministry for top management staff, Utsev pointed out that approximately 48 million Nigerians still practice Open Defecation (OD) which has placed Nigeria as the second largest country practicing OD behind India.

    He added that about 122,000 Nigerians, including 85,000 children under the age of five, die each year of diarrhea and other poor sanitation related ailments.

    According to him: “The federal government in November, 2018 declared a state of emergency on water, sanitation and hygiene. And launched the WASH action plan. This was followed by the approval of the Federal Executive Council in May 2019 to institutionalize a national road map for ending OD in Nigeria by 2025.

    Read Also: Lassa fever: Traditional ruler cautions against poor sanitation, hygiene

    “The campaign was backed up with the signing of the executive order 9 in November, 2019 aimed to unite all stakeholders in combating the menace of OD which has placed Nigeria as the second largest country practicing OD behind India.

    “According to the 2021 Water Sanitation Hygiene National Outcome on Routine Marping Survey, approximately 48 million Nigerians, equivalent to 23% of the population, still practice OD. It is no gainsaying to state that the economic, social and health impact of OD on national development is enormous.”

    While he admitted that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources plays a significant role, Utsev maintained that collaboration across different stakeholders including government agencies, non-government organizations, community-based organizations and private sectors is essential to achieve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in the country.

  • Dosh Entertainment Empire: why we are committed to nurturing talents

    Dosh Entertainment Empire: why we are committed to nurturing talents

    Dosh Entertainment Empire’s commitment to nurturing talent goes beyond the initial discovery and promotion stages.

     The label is dedicated to ensuring the long-term success and well-being of their artists.

     Their approach includes comprehensive support systems that encompass professional and personal growth. This holistic strategy, which incorporates mentorship, artistic development, and emotional support, is geared towards not only fostering the flourishing of their talents but also ensuring their longevity in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.

    Mentorship plays a pivotal role in Dosh Entertainment Empire’s support system. Established artists and industry experts within the label offer guidance and expertise to emerging talents. This mentorship not only helps artists refine their craft but also equips them with valuable insights into the nuances of the entertainment industry, paving the way for sustained success.

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    Artistic development is another cornerstone of the label’s commitment to its talents. Dosh Entertainment Empire invests in the continuous growth and improvement of their artists. Whether it’s honing their musical skills, refining their stage presence, or exploring new genres, the label provides resources and opportunities for artists to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the industry.

    Moreover, the label recognizes the importance of emotional support in an industry known for its pressures and challenges. Dosh Entertainment Empire fosters a supportive and nurturing environment where artists can thrive without the burden of excessive stress. This approach not only ensures the well-being of their talents but also allows them to focus on their creative endeavors.

    In an industry where longevity and consistent growth are rare, Dosh Entertainment Empire’s commitment to the holistic development and well-being of their artists sets them apart. By providing ongoing support, mentorship, and artistic development, the label is not just shaping careers but also nurturing a community of artists poised for long and successful journeys in the entertainment world.

  • Tinubu rescuing Nigeria through foreign investment drive, says NW-APC

    Tinubu rescuing Nigeria through foreign investment drive, says NW-APC

    • Lauds Kano tribunal ruling

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Northwest zone has commended President Bola Tinubu for taking critical decisions to save Nigeria from collapsing, while attracting investors into the country.

    APC Northwest Zonal Chairman, Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed, who stated this in Kaduna after a meeting between the APC chairmen of the seven Northwest states and zonal executive committee, also welcomed the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal judgment, saying that the party would support the upper court.

    He said apart from the critical decisions,Tinubu had met with various heads of state and government, as well as holding several bilateral talks in the sidelines of major global meetings to ensure that the fortunes of Nigeria is turned around and the economic and security situations are vastly improved.

    He expressed confidence that the upper court would overturn the Zamfara governorship tribunal ruling, which upheld the election of People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) governor, Dauda Lawal.

    He said: “We want to thank President Bola Tinubu for taking critical decisions to save this country from imminent collapse. He was in South Africa, India for the G20 meeting, he was at the (United Nations General Assembly) UNGA, he has held several bilateral discussions with various heads of states.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    “We assure him that the Northwest Zone that has the largest number of votes is with him and we would continue to support him.

    “We are here to assess the judgments of the tribunals in various states of the North-west. We are happy with the outcome of the judgment of Kano state which confirmed the court as the last hope of the common man. We congratulate the winners and other party faithful in Kano.’’

    “We would support the judgment up to the Supreme Court because it is a good judgment. We would challenge the Zamfara state tribunal judgment because we have hope that the judgment would be upturned at the higher court.

    “We are going on a familiarisation tour of all the seven states in the Northwest zone to see and assess what is there. In consultation with the chairman of Governors Forum, we are convening a stakeholders meeting with governors, National Assembly members, ministers and other critical stakeholders to see how we can move the party and the nation forward.

    “We commend our Governors for sustaining the party at all levels. We also resolve to have functional offices of the party from the ward to the local government, state, zonal and national levels,” Hon. Datti said.

  • Bago warns against planned protest over teaching hospital

    Bago warns against planned protest over teaching hospital

    Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago has dared youths who are planning to protest  the decision of the government to site the IBB University Teaching Hospital in Minna to go ahead.

    According to the governor, anybody who holds such a protest would be arrested alongside their parents.

    The governor gave the warning when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Lapai, Umar Bago III, in his palace over the death of his brother.

    The state government has handed over the Shiroro Hotel in Minna to contractors for its conversion into the IBB University Teaching Hospital.

    The governor, who spoke in Hausa, said, “There are some people in this city, I heard them talking about staging a protest because we took the university teaching hospital to Minna. May God help them to do so.

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    “If they do, they will know who Bago is. Not only will I arrest them but I will also arrest their parents.”.

    According to the governor, several university teaching hospitals across the country are usually sited away from the main campus of the university, adding that there is no need for anyone to raise dust about it unless it is for mischievous reasons.

    He said the IBB University would be the first to offer medicine among the Federal and state- owned institutions in Niger.

    The governor further assured the monarch that the government would provide potable drinking water to Lapai, Agaie, and Katcha local government areas to address the age-long scarcity of water in these areas.

  • ARCON decries quackery in oncology

    ARCON decries quackery in oncology

    The Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON) has decried the rising cases of quackery and unprofessional practices in the oncological profession across the country.

    Oncologists are cancer and turmoil doctors.

    The association expressed their concern at their Sixth Annual General Meeting (AGM) and scientific conference yesterday.

    In a communique issued at the end of the conference in Jos noted that cases of unqualified and improperly registered physicians practising as radiation/clinical oncologists were becoming worrisome to the association.

    The association called on relevant authorities, including MDCN,NMA and ARCON, to proactively address the issue of unqualified and improperly registered physicians practising as radiation/clinical oncologists.

    The association appealed to the government along with other stakeholders to expand the National Health Scheme coverage for oncological patients in line with Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate’s dedication to implement the Nigeria Health Act.

    It stated: “We resolved to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to draft a policy brief containing recommendations for improving healthcare financing and ensuring equitable access to oncology services.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    “The AGM encouraged members to actively participate in meetings and conferences to enhance the association’s visibility and influence.’’

    “The AGM encouraged members to involve in cross professional collaborations globally to achieve professional growth and address health sector challenges.

    “The AGM urged stakeholders involved in employing resident doctors to create simple and easy employment strategies for radiation and clinical oncology resident doctors to address the shortage of resident doctors in training.

    “The AGM charged the authority involved in residency training to always make necessary information available to the resident doctors regarding their exams and practice”

    High point of the annual conference was the election of Dr.Nwamaka Lesebikan as the new  president of the association.

    Other elected members of the executive are Dr.Adebayo Afolabi Oladeji as Vice President; Dr. Ololade Kehinde as General Secretary; Dr.Bolaji Lateef Salako as Assistant General Secretary; Dr. Samuel Kwis as Public Relations Officer; while Dr. Bolanle Adegboyega emerged as Treasurer, and Dr.Foluke Oladele Sarimiye as Financial Secretary, Dr.Temitope Agunbiade as Welfare Secretary and Dr.Temitope Agunbiade as Editor-in-Chief .

  • Floods: Adamawa communities seek Dasin-Hausa dam actualisation, River Benue dredging

    Floods: Adamawa communities seek Dasin-Hausa dam actualisation, River Benue dredging

    People of Adamawa State who live in communities near the River Benue who are prone to flooding have called for the dredging of the river to mitigate flooding.

    The people have also called for actualisation of the abandoned Dasin Hausa Dam, a project, which was initiated in 1982, to avoid flooding that usually results from release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon Republic.

    Communities around the River Benue or its tributaries in Fufore, Yola South, Girei and Numan local government areas made their plea during a sensitisation and training on climate change conducted in the places by the African Activists for Climate Change Justice (AACJ) and Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), better known simply as HEDA Resource Centre.

    The Executive Secretary, Centre, Sulaiman Arigbabu, explained to each community they visited that the purpose was to sensitise them on flood preparedness and resilience as well as to gather their views and needs for transmission to relevant authorities.

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    At the outreach programme tagged ‘Amplifying the Voices of Climate Frontier Communities’, the host communities who consisted mostly of farmers, said a well-built Dasin Hausa dam and dredged River Niger would curtail flooding.

    The Ward Head, Wuro-chekke of Rugange Community in Yola South Local Government Area (LGA), Alhaji Sa’ad Muhammad, said the failure to build the dam had thrown Nigeria into a panic each time the Cameroon authorities announced that it would release water from their Lagdo dam, and flood resulting from such release had often caused havoc for his people.

    One of his people, Kabiru Abba, told reporters during   that he had no farm and had to live in abject poverty after the last flood in the area devastated his farmland.

    At Dasin Hausa, the community at which the much-talked about abandoned dam project is located, the community leader, Shitu Ahmodu, said the project and dredging of surrounding rivers are important if perennial flooding is to be effectively addressed.

    The Assistant Village Head, Imburu Community in Numan LGA, Chief Imyaleyo Bulus, said a vital thing that the Federal Government could do is to drain the River Benue of sand.

    “The river has become shallow because it is full of sand, such that the moment there is some water, either from rainfall or some other source, water rushes out to adjourning communities, causing harm to people and their belongings,” Bulus said.

  • Yobe distributes food items to 137,000 households

    Yobe distributes food items to 137,000 households

    Yobe has so far distributed food items to 137,000 households as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

    Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Muhammad Goje, yesterday at a news conference in Damaturu, said rice, maize, pasta and condiments were distributed to the beneficiaries.

    He explained that the items were distributed to beneficiaries in Damaturu, Fine, Potiskum, Bade, Geidam and Jakusko local government areas.

    Goje said each household received between 20kg and 50kg of the grains, depending on its size.

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    “Sixty-nine per cent of the beneficiaries got the items correctly while the remaining 31 per cent got theirs through clusters,” he said.

    Goje added that beneficiaries were identified by registration and recommendations by traditional leaders, places of worship, political parties, and orphanages and by people with disabilities, among others.

    He assured that other vulnerable groups in the remaining 11 local government areas of the state would benefit from the items as soon as possible.