Category: Northern Reports

The Coalition for Regional Development and Good Governance, has hailed former Zamfara State governor, Abdul’aziz Yari on his election as senator – elect to represent Zamfara West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The civil society group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Attahiru Samaho, described Yari’s victory as well deserved and a reflection of the people’s choice.

Samaho noted that Yari is a visionary leader with experience as a former House of Representatives, a former governor, and former chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

According to Samaho, Yari will use his experience to bring meaningful and good dividends of democracy to the people of the Senatorial zone, and the county at large.

Samaho further described the victory as a round peg in a round hole looking at his light of political achievement as time passed.

“Yari victory will bring uncommon and unmatched leadership that entrench the development transformation of the zone and the state. We congratulate a leader with great vision who will use his experience to make a remarkable difference in national assignment.”

President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan Buhari, and the Smart Parenting Coaching Academy, have embarked on sensitising Apo -Dutse community in the FCT on appropriate parenting and ending all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the society.

The exercise was the first phase of the smart community outreach organised by the Smart Parenting Academy to support residents in some communitities in the FCT.

Hanan Buhari said her foundation, Hanan Buhari Foundation supported the academy to sensitise  parents on the need to inculcate good moral values in their children, in view of the high recorded cases of SGBV and misconduct in the society.

“We are here to support them in advocating against sexual and gender based violence.

” Parenting goes a long way and it is very important for parents and guardians to protect their children and teach them how to protect themselves.

“We can’t do everything by ourselves, the community also has to support in parenting our children,” she said.

She also stressed the need to stop all forms of stigmatisation and abuse against survivors of SGBV,  rather they should be supported and encouraged to seek assistance.

Also, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogunkanmi, Founder, Smart Parenting Coaching Academy said the outreach was necessitated by the need to reduce the increasing number of GBV, rape, kidnapping cases in the community.

Ogunkanmi, who is also a psychologist, said the exercise would enable community members to speak with experts and be educated on SGBV, its effects, how to stop it, as well as  measures to ensure justice to curb the trend.

” The outreach is to help parents raise their children into becoming well balanced and responsible individuals.

“We want to reach out to people in the suburbs and everywhere on how to teach them how to raise their children to be well balanced individuals and how to protect them from sexual molesters and predators.

” As parents, go out there today, take care of your children, be deliberate in raising them, have the right discipline, build the right character and values in them so that at the end of the day, they end up becoming responsible citizens in the society,” she said.

According to her, over 250 women and girls will benefit from food items, sanitary pads, therapeutic sessions, counselling amongst others in the community.

Mrs Irene Ugbah, an educationist and gender advocate, encouraged parents to ensure their children, especially the girl child, access education to enable them have a source of livelihood, curb SGBV and contribute to national development.

She said: “We have a good number of out of school children in Nigeria, out of which 60 per cent are girls.

” So, all hands need to be on deck to reduce it and ensure girls get educated so that there is a future for them and for the nation.”

Ms Halima Abubakar, family parenting coach and counsellor, said: ”Parenting in Nigeria used to be community based, not one parent, we all joined hands together to raise the children. Unfortunately this is not what we see today, however,

” We are trying to change the narrative of what we see today to say that parenting is something that we all in the community need to put our hands together to raise responsible and successful children.”

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mrs Omolara Olagbedo, Women Leader, expressed appreciation to the organisations for their support, enlightenment on education and parenting.

”We are happy with this organisation because they have enlightened us on the appropriate way of parenting our children and the value of education,” she said.

The Katsina state Governor-elect, Dikko Umaru Radda has vowed to hit the ground running from day one of assumption of office.

Radda gave the assurance during an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja yesterday. He also unveiled the policy thrust of his administration which was tagged “Building a Future”.

The former director general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) said priority attention would be given to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and a land reform policy will be pushed to reposition the state.

According to the governor-elect, “a year before I aspired to become a governor, I already had my blueprint. We call it “Building a Future” and we have a strategic policy. This strategic policy has some focus areas and that is why it is dear to my heart because it’s something that we’ve conceived. It’s something that we analysed, it is something that we produced.

“Our focus area is security. We want to tackle the issue of insecurity in Katsina state. This is our major area of concern. Secondly, we want to also reform the public service by digitalising it. We need to provide training and retraining for our public servants because they are the bridge through which you can be able to carry out your policies. If you don’t reform the public service, you cannot be able to carry your policy down to the local level. So we need to reform the public service in terms of training and re-training, digitalising the system, and making them very knowledgeable and skilful, so that they can achieve the policy direction of our administration.

“We also want to look at education which is also a cardinal part of any development in any nation. Healthcare is also our major concern because when you look at the social aspect of our society, because of this insurgency, there are so many people who are displaced from their houses, and there are so many old men who cannot care for themselves. They need the help of the government. So we want to also establish a public care scheme and this public care scheme will need at least 15 Public Social Care centres that will cater for those categories of people in Katsina state.”

On the economy, the governor-elect said he will boost the local economy of the state through the development of small and medium enterprises in the state, which he said would help provide the job opportunity for our teeming youths of the State.

He said: “This is where I will bring my experience as the DG of SMEDAN to bear in the lives of the people of Kastina State. I also want to establish an agency like SMEDAN which will be under the office of the governor so that I can handle it seriously and ensure that it’s effective down to the people.

“We shall also want to look at the IGR. We don’t want a situation whereby the state will continue to rely on the federal allocation for its activities. We also want to look at the land reforms. We want to review our land and also review our master plan so that we can have a state of our dream, a capital of our dream, and this is the policy direction of our administration.”

To actualise the blueprint, Radda said a strategic budgetary policy would be put in place, adding that his administration would engage a round peg in a round economic hole.

“Our approach is going to be the community-based approach. We will do it from the bottom to the top. We will not stay at our offices under the comfort of Air Conditioners and design policies for our people. We must carry the policy down and that was the only thing that informed my decision to go down to every ward in the state during my campaign so that I can have first-hand information from the people,” he said.

Kaduna State Governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani has said that he would involve all in his administration, assuring that he would be fair to all including those who voted for him and those who did not.

Senator Sani who gave the assurance in a chat with newsmen in Kaduna at the weekend, also reiterated his allegation that the PDP was allocated votes during the governorship election in some polling units, which he said he would be challenging in the court, despite his victory.

According to him, “when we became victorious, what came to my mind was that power is from Allah, He gives it to who He wants and at the time He wants. We came out looking for power and we pleaded with the people to come out and vote for us. We promised them that by the grace of Allah, we would not betray them and shall hold the power in trust.

“We promised to be just and shall be fair to all without any prejudice, and without being unjust to anybody. Alhamdulillah, the people came out and cast their votes for me; they cooperated with me and I’m extremely grateful about that. The people have shown me love and affection in that election.”

Asked about his feelings when the election results were being awaited, Uba Sani said:  ”I swear, I was not disturbed, perhaps those who were with me. This is because to me; I consider leadership as something that no matter how long it takes, Almighty Allah has already destined who would win the election. We mortals are just hoping. But whatever happens to a human being has already been destined by Almighty Allah.

“I have contested several elections; there was a time I contested and lost the election. There was another time I contested and won. Even when I lost the election at that time, I did not blame anyone or accused anybody. I believed it was not yet my time. Things only happen at the time Almighty Allah wants it to happen. Alhamdulillah, the entire electorates in Kaduna, whether you cast your vote for us or not, and even those completely divorced from politics, we are going to be just to all and we shall lead them equitably and fairly. We are hopeful that Almighty Allah will give us the wisdom to lead and guide us so that we hold this burden of trust, given to us by the people of Kaduna State,” he said.

Reacting to the opposition who said he stole their mandate, the Governor-elect said, “politics has always been so. When in 2011 I contested the Senatorial election, I lost the election, majority of my supporters alleged that we were cheated, that we should go to court. I sat with them and preached to them. I told them power comes from Allah and at the right time, He will give us power. And by the will of Allah, in 2019, Allah made me a Senator. I contested twice, the one I emerged victorious, the one I lost; I ascribed all to Almighty Allah. This is because no matter how wise and smart you are, Allah is still the decider.

“But this election was done openly. In fact, in my thoughts, I want to assure you that I’m doubting how the PDP even got that number of votes. Let me give an example. The votes they claimed to have gotten in Chikun Local Government were votes allocated to them not earned. Over 89,000 votes that were irrational.

“In my view, I am supposed to have  surpassed the PDP with a wide margin. I should have surpassed the PDP with 60,000 votes. So, I may even be the first to go to court. I want you to know that I am even on my way to court to challenge some of the votes allocated to the PDP.  You should know by my antecedents. I struggled for the entrenchment of democracy, those who contested with me were military apologists; they worked with the military. We are those who fought for the return of democracy in Nigeria.

“I am an experienced activist. For those who know me; I have been incarcerated in my quest to entrench democracy, justice and human rights in Nigeria,” he said.

The Concerned Nigeria Group has come out to defend the role former Kogi State governorship aspirant, Col. A. U. Suleiman Rtd, played in the recent state gubernatorial election.

The group in a release by its spokesperson, Olayinka Dada, debunked a statement issued by the Department of State Security Services, where the service referred to Suleiman as suspected member of a criminal gang, saying the statement is a misrepresentation of who the retired military officer is and represents.

The group described Suleiman as a renowned officer who served the military meritoriously and retired without blemish.

Dada said: “He served the military for 30 years in various capacities and retired in December 2005. He was one time adjutant to Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, former Military Head of State in Lebanon on peacekeeping efforts.

“After retirement from active military service, he ventured into politics and community service where he also distinguished himself without bitterness to anyone. He contested for the governorship of Kogi State in 2007 under the platform of Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and Development.

“Ever since, he has been in active service of his people and nation.
We aver that Suleiman is a responsible family man, foremost community leader and compassionate politician whose love for the people is above self pursuits.

“He was the founder of the Babanawa FC, a football club that has been in existence for more than three decades. His love for sports and youth developments made many youths his natural admirers. Aside sports, he is involved in many charitable endeavours, including assisting widows in small scale businesses, encouraging youths in pursuing careers in education and military where he served. How come such a giant is now described in unprintable terms? Just because of politics?”

According to Concerned Nigeria Group, since the schedule of the gubernatorial election in Kogi State was released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the grand plot by some individuals in Kogi State has been to keep every dissenting voice out of circulation against their selfish pursuit of power.

Noting that the retired colonel is known for his independent, dogged and progressive mind, the group said it has unfailing trust that he has never all his life been involved in any criminal activity.

Dada therefore rejected the suggestion as issued by the DSS that their leader is a suspected criminal, stating that Suleiman has never been in his continuous avowed service to humanity referred to as a suspect in any endeavour.

“We are not in doubt that Suleiman is being framed up by the enemies of the people in Kogi State since he is a grassroot leader whose influence cannot be waved aside.

“We implore the DSS to investigate the authenticity and circumstances of their claims and refuse joining the service with this political frameup. Kogi state belongs to all and no one should be sacrificed for another’s ambition,” the statement read.

The group said for his detractors to now resort to tarnishing his hard earned reputation is nothing but a desperation taken too far.

Concerned Nigeria Group therefore called on Nigerians and Kogites in particular, to resist the evil about being hoisted on the state, noting that Suleiman will come out clean.

They also urged the DSS to come out with the facts as comprehensively investigated on the matter, so that Nigerians would not be mislead.

The Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria has made a case for forest preservation. 

Executive Director of the civil society group, Splendour Agbonkpolor urged Nigerians to shun forest abuses through felling of trees and in some cases, setting it on fire.  

Splendour spoke at a roundtable on Afforestation and Forest Conservation organised by the civil society in Abuja. 

He said the roundtable on forestry development in Nigeria was a laudable programme by identifying the issue of forest abuse at a time when countrymen are preoccupied with economic matters.

He said: “This programme is a multi-objective one that is intended to change the psychology of Nigerians towards forest, support the efforts of the government towards forest management in terms of policy making and implementation, and significantly contribute knowledge about forest to Nigerians, through intensive advocacy.

“People erroneously see forest as a mere bush that is meant to be destroyed for beneficial purposes without actually realizing that the so-called bush is instrumental to their survival in this world. The creation of forest by God was not to hinder man, but aid him.

“Therefore, I passionately appeal to everyone present here today to see it as a clarion call to salvage the Nigerian people from the ills of their ignorance. 

“I charge you to use this forum to develop simple workable strategies that can be adopted to a transformation in the relationship of people, corporate bodies and government with forest in Nigeria.

“While hoping that we shall all leave here filled with solutions to the menace of forest abuse in Nigeria, I wish everyone a wonderful experience that will leave an indelible mark on the sand of time.”

Elder Leke Abejide, a renowned politician and lawmaker, has joined the Kogi gubernatorial race ahead of the forthcoming elections in the state. 

Abejide, who hails from Kogi West senatorial district, picked the interest form of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday to signify his intention to contest in the polls.

The move by Abejide is seen by many as a boost to the agitation for power rotation to the west senatorial zone of the state. The EBIGO mantra, which stands for Ebira, Igala, and Okun, is a clarion call for equity and fairness in the distribution of political power in Kogi State. 

The advocacy for power rotation is hinged on the fact that the Igala people have ruled the state for about 19 years, while the Ebira people have had their turn for eight years. It is believed that it is only fair and just that the Okun people, who have not tasted the position of governor in the state, be given a chance to produce the next governor.

Elder Leke Abejide, who has been described as the most performing and rated politician in Kogi State, is seen by many as the right man for the job. As a lawmaker, he has recorded numerous achievements that have endeared him to the people of the state. One of his most notable achievements is the establishment of the WAEC payment system for students in both private and public schools across his constituency and beyond.

The lawmaker who has over 100 of his constituents under payroll, with some of them earning as high as a Hundred Thousand Naira every month, created numerous jobs for the people.

Apart from that, Hon. Leke Abejide has also played a key role in the passage of several bills that have had a positive impact on the lives of the people of the state. One such bill is the bill for the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019. The law seeks to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and has been hailed as a major achievement by disability rights advocates in the country.

Elder Leke Abejide is also a grassroots politician who has a good understanding of the needs and aspirations of the people of Kogi State. He has been involved in several community development projects in the state and has used his position as a lawmaker to attract development to his constituency and the state at large.

Abejide, who is the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Customs & Excise, has also massively empowered traditional rulers in Okun land with the provision of executive vehicles for scores of them. His achievements paved the way for his seamless reelection by his people in a state dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

With his experience, track record of achievements, and commitment to the development of Kogi State, many believe that Abejide is the right man to lead the state and take it to greater heights. 

Addressing Supporters at the ADC National Secretariat Abuja, Hon. Leke thanked thousands of supporters who came all the way from across 21 LGAs of Kogi state to show Solidarity and support and assured them of a better Kogi by the Grace of God when he becomes  Governor of Kogi State.  He promised to address issues bothering on infrastructure deficit,  youth development,  special welfare package for Civil Servants,  Enhancing the educational and health sector. Leke Promised total transformation of Kogi State.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC)  National Chairman  Chief  Ralph Nwosu praised Hon leke Abejide for his sterling qualities and described him as  a Man with the midas touch, who is very determined to turn around the fortunes of the Good People of Kogi State.  He said, ” Leke is the Pillar and a very distinguished ambassador of ADC.”

In a similar development, the Kogi State Chairman of ADC applauded Hon  Leke Abejide  for making ADC the strongest and number opposition Party in the Kogi State. He praised Leke for ensuring the smooth running of the Party in Kogi State and congratulating the People of Kogi State for having a credible person as Hon. Leke Abejide at this very crucial time of nation democracy.

Chief David Dare Olatunde, who is  the Director General of Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organization ACCO2023, front-line Political leader and Close Associate of Honourable Leke Abejide described Leke as a Humanist, A Philanthropist,  and with  Politician with a Large heart whose impact cut across the length and breath of Kogi State and Nigeria.

Chief David Dare, popularly known Mayegun of Isanlu kingdom, assured kogites that Hon. Leke will totally transform Kogi State beyond their imagination based on his track records as a Private business man and a legislator at the National Assembly.

As the race for the governorship seat in the state heats up, it remains clear that Abejide will emerge as the flag bearer of the ADC and most likely the next governor of the State owing to the massive supports he enjoys from across the 3 senatorial zones.

The Nasarawa State Police Command said it has arrested 17 political thugs, recovered 13 firearms and 22 ammunition during the just concluded general elections in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Maiyaki Baba, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

According to the commissioner, following the existing synergy, on 17/03/2023, the eve of election, military operatives patrolling along Umaisha, Toto local government areas intercepted a Toyota pickup vehicle and a Toyota Sienna loaded with persons suspected to be political thugs.

” A thorough search was conducted on them, where two English pump action guns, nine locally fabricated guns, twenty live cartridges, twenty four handsets of different brands, two unregistered vehicles, fifteen pairs of desert booths, a bag containing belts, bullet proof jackets,” he said.

CP Baba, who spoke through Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said police operatives attached to Masaka Division on 15/03/2023 at 2035hrs, acted on credible information and arrested two suspected armed robbers.

He said the suspected armed robbers have been on the wanted list of the command for various offences, before police operatives were deployed to their hideout located at Angwan Police, Masaka where they were arrested.

“Consequently, one locally fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from them as an exhibit. Upon cross-examination, they confessed to have carried out many armed robbery operations within Masaka and its environs,” he added.

CP Baba further disclosed that a gang of two men, armed with dangerous weapons, were arrested for attempting to kill one Ali Misalam of Toto LGA for allegedly initiating their mother into witchcraft.

He gave breakdown of the arrest to include: 17 suspected political thugs, two armed robbery suspects, two for attempted culpable homicide, two vehicles recovered, 13 firearms recovered and 22 ammunition recovered.

Baba said the command would not be beaten by the antics of criminals, as it would rather continue to modulate its enormous security measures in order to be several miles ahead of the men of the underworld.

The chairman of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Alhaji Suleiman Yarima has appealed to the people of Babanna to remain calm over the death of a family of three who were killed by a soldier.

The Nation learned that the three people, who include a man, his wife, and their baby, went to the Babanna market from Niganji in Benin Republic to trade and on their way back, were stopped by the soldier whose name is currently unknown.

An argument ensued between the man and the soldier and in an attempt to threaten the man with his gun, the soldier accidentally shot them and they died on the spot.

Yarima, who confirmed the incident, said the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation and the culprit is currently under investigation.

He said the local government has sent a powerful delegation to the People of Niganji in Benin Republic to console the family of those who were killed.

Yarima urged the people not to take matters into their hands but allow the designated authority to handle the issue.

The chairman further said that the local government is working to reconstruct the collapsed bridge in Babanna district, which served as a boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic due to the commercial benefit it has for the people and the state.

He said, when constructed, the hardship faced by the farmers during the rainy season would end.

THE Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Baba Alkali has been dragged to court by Moses Pam Dalyop and Abdulmumini, for their arrest and detention by the men of the Nigerian Police.

The two business men are demanding from the IGP the sum of N10b as compensation for breaching their fundamental human rights.

In the suit filed at Jos High Court by their counsel, Gyang Zi Esq, from the  Gyang Zi & Co Knight Firm, the complainants are claiming the N10b  as compensation for unlawful arrest, assault, torture, detention, embarrassment, harassment, pain and inconveniences caused them for days in detention.

They also requested from the court an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents either by themselves, servants, previews or officers from further arresting, torturing, humiliating, harassing, threatening and or further torturing or detaining their clients in connection with this case.

They also demanded an order directing the respondents to release their clients from custody forthwith.

The grounds upon which the reliefs were sought was that the two businessmen were arrested on the 13th and 14th of March 2023 by men of the Police Force Intelligence  Unit and were taken to A Division Police Station Jos and later moved to FCT Abuja and detained in the custody of DCP Olatunji Disu Officer In Charge of Police Intelligence Response Team.

Counsel to the complainants, Gyang Zi who filed the suit at the Jos High Court, described the conduct of the respondents against his clients as a violation of the provision of Chapter IV of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The case will come up for hearing on the 11th of April before Justice G. D Fomyon Court.