Category: Northern Reports

• No sale of properties approved by govt, says SSG

Some concerned residents of Niger State have raised concerns over the last-minute employments, appointments, and sale of government properties by the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello-led administration.

In a letter signed by a group under the auspices of Concerned Nigerlites titled, “Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s Last Minute Employments into the State Civil Service, a Banana Pill for Incoming Administration”, the group said that the last minute decisions by Bello are a calculated attempt to set the people against the incoming administration.

Although the letter was not signed by a particular person, the group claimed that they comprise of critical stakeholders and people who are concerned with the development of the state.

Some of the last-minute decisions include the ongoing mass employment into the state civil service with less than one month to the end of the administration, the indiscriminate sales of government property, and the allocation of lands to members of the state Executive Council and other stakeholders which include the three arms zone, the NSDC Suites, the proposed five-star hotel under construction, the open land at the old Minna market, the ductile water pipes left behind by the former governor of the state, late Abdulkadir Kure for water reticulations.

The group said that they had kept quiet because they wanted the transition of government to be amicable and rancour-free but the way the government is in a hurry to sell the properties and assets of government has raised calls for concern.

The stakeholders condemned the decisions of the state government and called on the incoming administration to take a second look at some of these decisions with a view to correcting them in the overall interest of the state.

“This decision by the outgoing government is to empty the state for the incoming administration, consequently the buyers of these properties and lands should know that any decision that is not in the interest of the people of the state will be reversed, regardless of group or individual involved. The buyers of such property are doing it at their own risk.”

Responding to messages sent by our correspondent, the Secretary to the Niger state Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said that nobody has directed the sale of the five star hotel,  the NSDC Suites or the ductile pipes while clarifying that the government had already sold three hectares of the Minna City Center land to Jaiz bank last year for development.

“For the five Star hotel, nobody has directed the sale of the hotel; for the ductile pipes, no approval was granted by Government. For the Minna City centre land, three hectares was sold to JAIZ for development while the concept of the three arms zone isn’t changed and institutional allocations are intact. The zone is remodelled for further development.”

Matane stated that it is unfortunate that people peddle information without verification, stressing the need for the people to be wary of those who are trying to raise tension in the state.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it has made necessary provisions for the vocational training of school children across the six area councils.

This is coming as the administration had approved, provided a venue and released funds to a non-governmental organisation, Ladi Memorial Foundation for sewing competition for schools.

Speaking at the championship finals, ‘up -skilling sewing boot camp’ held in FCT Youth Centre, Nyanya at the weekend, the director FCT Department of Mass Education, Mrs Titilayo Alayande said the exercise is aimed at assisting the students to learn skills that will help them to be self-employed.

The pilot project,  which she said had received full blessing from the minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello, targets 54 students and learners in junior and Secondary schools alongside non-formal students under the age of 20.

“It targets 54 students and learners in Junior and Senior Secondary Schools alongside non formal students under age 20 across the FCT Area Councils. The pilot scheme is aimed at skills development for economic independence.

“It was born out of the desire to empower the participants to start earning money even before leaving school as a way of helping to curb the rising number of unemployed graduates,” Alayande said.

The Executive Director, Ladi Memorial Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Oshikoya said her foundation is driven by the desire to dignify skills acquisition among students.

“At the end of the Boot Camp, winners who emerge would be given starter packs including industrial sewing and weaving machines among many other items” she said.

The Federal Government has been advised to include Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the global emerging technologies, in school curriculum across the country.

 The Head of Operations/Programme, Afrelib Academy, Joyce Gomina, gave the advice, saying such a move would save teachers’ time and at the same time make learning fun.

Gomina outlined some of the academy’s initiatives aimed at promoting literary and technology appreciation for improved education outcomes in West Africa, starting from Nigeria.

She said every child has a unique voice and the academy listens to it as a team of expert educators committed to supporting learners, parents, teachers and schools to achieve the best educational outcomes.

Gomina said: “We curate innovative EdTech platforms and successful teaching practices from around the world in order to deliver better educational outcomes at scale.

“In our engagement with schools in the FCT region in Nigeria, we came across an independent school not without a broken classroom window or two, and teachers without smart devices to access teaching resources on apps or platforms.

“A school where the head teacher buys equipment out of pocket when the parents can’t afford it. And yet, these were some of the most passionate and enthusiastic educators we have come across.”

She, however, said schools operating in these environments do what can be done with what they have, which is typically not a lot.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Province II, has empowered 22 indigent people who have acquired fashion designing skills with N1.7million worth of sewing machines.

The event, which took place at the RCCG Province II Headquarters in Abuja, at the weekend, was aimed at supporting the beneficiaries to start and grow their fashion designing businesses.

The beneficiaries were selected from the church’s skill acquisition program, which trains and empowers indigent members of the church with various vocational skills.

Speaking at the event, the Continental Overseer of the church, Pastor EA Odeyemi, enjoined religious organisations to minister to the needs of their congregants, especially the less privileged.

He emphasized that the church has a responsibility to empower its members with the necessary skills and resources to become self-sufficient and contribute to the society.

Similarly, the Pastor-in-charge of the province, Gabriel Adewuyi, tasked the beneficiaries to take good care of the sewing machines and use them for their intended purpose. He reminded them that the machines were not given to them as gifts but as tools for them to become self-reliant and support their families.

“We have provided you with these sewing machines to enable you to start and grow your businesses. You must take good care of them and use them for their intended purpose. Remember that these machines are not gifts but tools for you to become self-reliant and contribute to society,” he said.

The beneficiaries thanked the church for the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and the sewing machine to start his own business. They promised to use the machine to make a positive impact in his community.

The federal government has commissioned over N2.2 billion primary healthcare clinic and road projects at Birnin Kudu and Buji local government areas in Jigawa state.

The projects, which had been executed through the constituency projects under the member representatives representing Birninkudu/Buji, Magaji Da’u Aliyu, includes upgrading and rehabilitations of Birninkudu Township Stadium, Nafara Primary Healthcare Clinic and Gantsa to Giginya road.

Speaking shortly after commissioning of the projects, Aliyu said, the projects were parts of the numerous constituency projects executed in the constituency in various sectors of human lives.

He enjoined the residents to make best use of them and protect them for everlasting benefits.

The Chairman House Committee on Power said that the Gantsa to Giginya road is a 10km road linked over 14 communities with an access road executed at the sum of N1.8 billion.

Speaking on behalf of the road project beneficiaries communities, Malam Ibrahim of Giginya village said, the access road will enable them to transport their farm produce to the market.

“In fact we are now unlocked and connected to the larger world,”  he said.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, has denied  allegations of “breach of contract code” raised by Donnington Nigeria Limited.

Salihijo, while responding to a petition to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by the firm denied any wrongdoing.

The allegation had claimed that the MD/CEO was a Director in Velocity Logistics and Marine Services Ltd (Velocity) while equally serving as the MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency.

In providing clarification on the issue, Salihijo, said, “It became necessary to respond to this claim as it is untrue and defamatory. For the sake of clarity, I want to emphasise that my employment history had been thoroughly vetted and approved by the appropriate authorities, upon my assumption to the role of MD/CEO at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on the 29th of December, 2019.”

Continuing, he said, “Prior to taking on this critical role at the Agency, I had been in the private sector and had equally relinquished my position as one of the Directors of Velocity as far back as 25th of April, 2019, long before I was appointed MD/CEO of the REA.”

These details, he affirmed, are accessible and available at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

In addition, he said as an administrator committed to serve while upholding the mandate of the Agency, he acted with the highest ethical standards and has never engaged in any behaviour conflict with the interest of my position as the MD/CEO of REA.

“I am in no way privy to any and all business dealings between Donnington Nigeria Limited and Velocity as I have had no connection whatsoever with Velocity since 25th of April, 2019. It is unfortunate that this publication was made and directed to harm my reputation, defame my character and that of the agency I lead.

“I hereby demand that, the publisher and the petitioner retract this unfounded allegation, publish a rejoinder to set the records straight, and desist from further defamatory publications.

Executive Director, Women in Global Health in Nigeria (WGH), Dr Peju Adeniran, has called for more inclusion of women in decision making positions in the health sector.

Adeniran spoke during the launch of the WGH Nigeria chapter in Abuja, to set an agenda for the organisation in the next decade.

Women in Global Health in Nigeria is a movement featuring women who work in global and public health.

According to the organisation, its aim is to ensure that more women get to leadership roles in the health sector in Nigeria.

Adeniran said: “We are not seeing enough women in leadership positions. Our aim is to see that the work of women in the health sector is well advertised, so that we can have equal number of men and women making leadership decisions in Nigeria.

“The health sector is one of the most important sectors in Nigeria. Without health, there is no security, economy and national progress.

“We want women to be fully represented in the health sector because we believe this will bring more advancement in the health sector. The more women are in the room, the more they will make decisions.”

Country Director, Pathfinder International, Dr Amina Dorayi, said the movement would push the agenda to make sure there are more women in the leadership of the health sector in the country.

She urged the incoming administration to invest more in the health sector.

“We have to put our money where our mouth is to make sure that the funding goes down to the primary healthcare sector.

In her contribution, wife of former Senate President, Toyin Saraki said if Nigeria recognises women in leadership in global health, the world would appreciate it.

The Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee (NNPPC) of Rotary International has honoured key stakeholders for their tremendous contributions in the nation’s fight against polio disease.

The award ceremony was held at Tahir Quest Palace, Kano.

Three awardees each were drawn from Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Sokoto states.

The late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, got a posthumous award, while a Special Recognition Award was given to a lawyer, Barrister Ayuba Burki Gufwan.

Gufwan, a polio survivor, is being hailed for co-running Foundation-Wheelchairs for Nigeria, which has built and given away more over 14,000 wheelchairs across the country.

The chairman of NNPPC, Joshua Hassan, a past district governor of the international humanitarian organisation, said the awardee field workers have been at the forefront of the struggle to eradicate polio disease.

Hassan said it was impossible to celebrate or reward everyone who has made significant contributions to the eradication of polio in Nigeria, so the National Polio Field Workers Award held in Kano was an  attempt to encourage all those willing to put “just that little extra into getting the job done”.

“The selection of the awardees was done by those involved in the process, starting from the ward level to the local government level and then the state level, involving all the partners for each of the three categories of immunisation, town announcer and community leader,” he said.

Hassan noted that while Nigeria had been certified polio-free, the recommendation from the Expert Review Committee was that there was a need for sustained efforts from the government and partners to continue funding support for in-between-round activities, including a partnership with and engagement with security forces to reach security-compromised areas across the country.

Hassan said: “Rotary’s key role in this partnership is fundraising, advocacy, awareness raising and mobilising volunteers.

“On our part, we will continue to do this. And we are now talking of going to Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states, which have security challenges that have made immunisation much tasking in the past.”

The Director-General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph N. Ari, has expressed shock at the death of ITF Governing Council chairman, Mallam Musa Gwadabe.

The ITF D-G, in a statement through its Director, Public Affairs, Suleyol Fred-Chagu in Jos, described the late Gwadabe OFR, who died on Tuesday, 25th April, 2023, as a distinguished and deeply patriotic Nigerian, who served the country in various capacities.

The DG stated this in a condolence letter to Gwadabe’s family.

Ari added that the commitment to service of late Mallam Gwadabe to his fatherland at a time most Nigerians of his age considered themselves to have retired was commendable.

Ari especially noted the invaluable contributions of the Late Governing Council Chairman who evolved policies and programmes that have contributed to the outstanding achievements made by the ITF.

“In the ITF, we were lucky to benefit from his insights and wise counsel as Governing Council Chairman until his death. He will be fondly remembered for evolving policies and programmes leading to the outstanding achievements and numerous accolades that the ITF has continued to receive,” Ari stressed.

A coalition of leadership of Plateau youths have vowed to embark on self-help, if government allows killings to persist in the state.

The coalition made their position known in a press conference in Jos yesterday.

The Group Chairman, Plateau Youth Council, Lot Sunday, Joshual Paul Chairman, Coalition of Plateau State Indegenous Youths and Pham Markus Kanda Chairman, YOWICAN, Plateau State said, “It has come to the notice of the above mentioned coalition that Fulani militias have resumed and are also planning coordinated attacks and killings in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State.

He said no fewer than 30 people have been reported killed in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections in Plateau villages by some men suspected to be Fulani herders/ marauders coming  from the neighbouring Congo, Chad, Niger, Mali and Senegal; causing upheaval to the natives of North-Central Nigeria.

The Plateau youths condemned the renewed killings by Fulani militants wrecking havoc to create panic and tension to stop them from farming as the raining set in, blaming the attacks on poor security networks

“These attacks are orchestrated largely to disrupt farming activities, economic livelihoods, displace population and grab lands in these communities.”

Recounting the prevailing attacks, the group said, “From April 15th, 2023 to date, the following villages and hamlets have come under attacks, our people killed, and properties worth millions of naira destroyed while others have been displaced from their ancestral homes.

In Mangu Local Government, villages of Murish, Mai-tumbi and Jwak were attacked on the 15th and 16th of April, 2023 and four people were killed. On the 12th of April, five people were killed at a mining site in Mangor in another attack.

In Barkin Ladi LGA, NTV village, two people were ambushed and killed on the 17th April 2023, while one person was killed in Rawuru in an ambush, and in Tapo of Heipang, four people were killed on April 23rd, 2023.

In Heipang-Kwi road (Chit), two people were ambushed and killed on the 27th April, 2023.

In Riyom LGA, farmlands were destroyed in Wereng village. Then in Kuru Station of Wereng, two people were killed on the 23rd April, 2023. While in Rim-Bachi road, three people were ambushed and two fatally injured on the 23rd April, 2023.

Similarly, in Jol, it was a case of willful destruction of farmlands on a massive scale and one person was ambushed, robbed of his motorcycle and abducted on the 24th and 25th April, 2023 respectively. And in Wereng Camp-Darwat road, two clergies were ambushed and one fatally injured on the 24th April, 2023. Also in Gako-Rim, one person was killed on the 26th April, 2023.

“Also under these organised attacks, village of Turu (Farin Lamba), six people were killed and one injured on the 25th April, 2023. In Marish, three people were also attacked and killed…”

“Unfortunately for the victims in all these villages and hamlets of Plateau State, the response of security agencies, particularly the Operation Safe Haven *(OPSH)* has always come too late and too little to save their lives and situation despite the early warning signals sent to them by members of our coalition.

The Coalition therefore urged the special military task force code-named Operation Safe Haven to remain neutral and professional in their management of these attacks.

They also called on the State House of Assembly to expedite legislative actions to pass the Anti-Open Grazing Law of Plateau State, to restrict free cattle roaming and hopefully check the influx of alien Fulani herders.