Category: Northern Reports

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Operation HADIN KAI, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has lauded troops of 112 Task Force Battalion Mafa in Borno, for effectively thwarting a midnight attack by ISWAP terrorists on March 19.

Shaibu, who visited the troops yesterday, applauded their fierce fighting spirit during the encounter, describing their tenacity as one of the “hallmarks of soldiering”.

He said the troops not only defended Mafa, but also successfully neutralised scores of the attackers with the support of the air component of Operation HADIN KAI.

The GOC charged all troops to remain resilient and alert and deal decisively with the remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) terrorists.

Shaibu said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya was impressed with the performance of the troops and urged them to smoke out and deal with the remaining terrorists.

He equally admonished the troops to remain courageous, disciplined, vigilant and professional, as well as focus on completing the operational objectives of neutralising all terrorists in their area of operation.

• Hails Buhari on Financial Autonomy for State Assemblies, Judiciary at the States

A leading civil society organisation, Parliamentary Advocacy Network (PAN), has described as unfortunate the disdain and lack of respect governors accord members of State Houses of Assemblies.

It said lawmakers in many states appear like paupers and are often treated like errand boys by governors because of lack of financial autonomy for state assemblies.

The organisation spoke against the backdrop of President Muhammadu Buhari signing into law bills granting full financial autonomy to both the Legislative and the Judicial arms of government in states.

Convener of the Advocacy Group, Prince Sunny Anderson Osiebe and the General-Secretary, Mr. Fred Itua, in a communiqué released after a meeting held in Abuja, said that history will be kind to President Buhari for some of the landmark reforms and achievements that he has made in the nation’s polity.

The advocacy group said the signing into law by President Buhari of 35 bills presented earlier this year to him by the outgoing 9th National Assembly as part of the result of the Constitution Alteration Exercise, embarked upon by the lawmakers, was an action that defined patriotism.

While calling on the governors across the states not to treat the new laws as another set of insignificant aspects of our statues, the group observed that the signing of the bills, which will now make for better independence and more productivity of the other arms of government at the level of the states, was a step in the right direction, as the nation evolves in its quest to becoming an ideal democracy in the comity of other democratic nations of the world.

It also urged the 10th National Assembly and the incoming government to strive to deepen democracy in Nigeria from where the current democratic state actors will leave it in on May 29, by ensuring that the issue of financial autonomy for the 774 Local Government Councils still remained germane to achieving the needed development at the level of government that is closest to the people.

The group decried a situation where state assemblies have for the umpteenth time continued to shy away from issues surrounding financial autonomy for the councils; while adding that it makes nonsense of any elections at the councils if council chairmen who emerge from the usually defective exercise at the level of the states called Local Government Elections, do not directly receive what is due to their councils from the federation account.

The communiqué read: “We call on the incoming 10th Assembly and the emerging Administration to demonstrate real patriotism and go beyond what the current leaders have done to make a decisive statement on the autonomy of our Local Government Councils!

“We find it quite curious and disingenuous in the operations of our current democratic structure that monies intended for Council Areas are still being channelled to them through the highly-criticised State-and-LG Joint Accounts. What we are indirectly saying is that elected Council Chairmen and their Council members cannot be trusted to judiciously handle the funds allocated to them, yet they are expected to account for such funds. This is why our Governors are still having a field day with the Local Government funds. We think this is one issue the 10th Assembly and the Incoming Administration must revisit with all sense of patriotism.”

NIGERIAN youths have been asked to shun all forms of social vices.

A drift driver, Jamus Muhammad, gave the advice in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Muhammad, popularly known as Jaybash, urged the youths to embrace hard work to achieve success.

He said: “In Nigeria, becoming a medical doctor, engineer, accountant, lawyer, or any of the other professions was a big deal among the youths. Back then, young people didn’t mind taking multiple JAMB exams in order to gain university admission and study a professional course.

“Even parents were more interested in having a doctor son or a lawyer daughter at the time; it was a source of pride.

“All of that is changing now, unlike in the past, when young people sought professional careers that would provide them with well-paying jobs, the pursuit of fame and fortune has become the norm. Even those who have obtained professional certificates from both Nigerian and foreign universities have left them in order to pursue a career in showbiz. And based on the level of the success in the industry, the trend appears to be here to stay.”

Speaking on challenges, Muhammad said: “One of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced is lack of support; most people around here regard this career as a risk and a waste of money.”

The United Kingdom has earmarked a £10 million grant for innovators in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia, and South Africa, to address the energy situation in the benefitting countries under its Energy Catalyst programme.

The programme is designed to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

President, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, Ayo Ademilua, said the intervention would boost clean energy access in the country.

Ademilua said the association would mobilise its members across the country and connect them with partners in the UK to benefit from the grant.

Transfer Manager for the Innovate UK Nigeria, Mr Joshua Adedeji, said the project is one of the UK’s biggest energy access focused on grant funding initiatives.

At an energy catalyst meeting, Adedeji said the objective of the programme is to look out for innovations that could end energy poverty in benefitting countries.

He said: “One thing we do with this programme is to ensure that organisations are able to bring in their ideas, their solutions and utilise the fund that is available. It is a 10 million pounds fund that people can apply for. The fund is open till June this year.”

He said the mission of the energy catalysts was to accelerate the intervention needed to meet SDG 7 by providing financial and advisory support to innovators.

According to him, to qualify for the grants, innovators must look for partners from the UK and present their proposals, stressing that the project must address transforming energy access and clean energy.

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it arrested four vote buyers in Sokoto and Katsina States during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

The anti-graft agency also disclosed that some of its operatives deployed on election duty were also harassed and attacked in the two states.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwa, on Saturday.

The Commission said its monitoring team in Sokoto arrested the three male vote buyers, namely, Mahe Bello, Musa Adamu and Mustapha Mohammed, all of Kauran Miyo Bodinga.

“In its election monitoring operations across the States of the Federation, officers of the anti-corruption agency encountered some vote buyers at Kauran Miyo Primary School in Bodingo Town of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the Commission, Mr Bello was caught in possession of N38,000 cash, along with two PVCs, one ATM card and an Infinix phone.

It added that Mr Adamu had CFA 228,000 in his possession, which was being offered to voters, while the third suspect, Mustapha Mohammed, was arrested in possession of PVCs.

The Commission said its monitoring team came under attack while carrying out the arrest of the three vote buyers.

It said an officer of the Commission, Rabiu Ibrahim, suffered a head injury from being hit by stones and has been admitted to a hospital. The victim is reported to be in stable condition.

The vote buyers were kept in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) before being conveyed to ICPC’s detention facility in Sokoto.

A similar case was reported of thugs attacking operatives of the EFCC in Kaduna, after it arrested a suspect for alleged vote buying in the state.

In a related development, the ICPC said its monitoring team in Katsina arrested one Tanimu Tabale for vote buying at Tashar Yamma polling unit in the Zango Local Government Area of the State.

Mr Tabale, a 35-year-old man, claimed he was an observer in Makama polling unit but was arrested at Tashar Yamma polling unit with N20,000 in different denominations attempting to buy the votes of the electorate.

Also, one of the ICPC monitoring teams in Delta rescued a female voter, Oge Nwaomose, from mob action by agents of some political parties who accused her of vote buying.

Ms Nwaomose was seen parading herself at Unit 13 Ward 6, shortly after casting her vote at Unit 8 Ward 13, Ogbu-Utu Primary School, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta.

ICPC operatives at polling unit 13 Ward 6 in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta, prevented the lady from further attacks, and whisked her away for interrogation.

During a search conducted on her, N6,000 in 500 naira denominations was found on her. She was granted bail after her statement was obtained.

A group has described the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the last presidential poll as one that will better the future of the country.

The political group, under the auspices of  Progressive Movement for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PM4BAT), urged Nigerians and the entire world to support the president-elect.

The Founder and Convener of PM4BAT, Prince Adedamola Awodola, in a congratulatory letter signed by him and issued in Abuja on Saturday, said: “I am writing to you today with a heart overflowing with emotion and pride. Congratulations on your victory! Your tireless efforts, unwavering determination, and steadfast commitment to your ideals have led you to this momentous occasion, and I could not be more proud of you.

“As I watched the election results roll in, my heart was filled with hope and joy. Your victory is not just a triumph for you personally, but for all those who share your vision for a better future. It is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose.”

“As you prepare to take on the enormous responsibility of leading our great nation, please know that you have my unwavering support and the support of millions of others who believe in you. We know that the road ahead will be challenging, but we also know that you are more than up to the task.”

PEOPLE living with disability in Minna have expressed satisfaction in exercising their franchise.

The People with Disability in Minna cast their votes at various points across Minna metropolis, including Tanko Garage 001 for the Blind, Orphanage Polling Unit for people with Spinal Cord Injuries, and the Leprosy Community in Chachanga.

Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the people with Spinal Cord Injury, Usman Nagogo said they feel fulfilled that they had exercised their franchise.

Nagogo complained that they had to thumbprint on the ground because the table was too high for them to use, a development that should be improved upon in the next general elections.

He asked the incoming state government to give them priority in the areas of education, access to healthcare, and job opportunities.

From: Grace Obike, Abuja

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore citizens’ confidence in our democracy.

The CSOs, led by Connected Development (CODE), said INEC can only redeem its image to Nigerians by ensuring that their technology is functional and INEC’s guidelines on its usage are adhered to.

Founder CODE, Hamzat Lawal, made this known in Abuja at a pre-election press briefing leading to yesterday’s gubernatorial polls in collaboration with Accountability lab and Ready to Lead Africa.

He said, “There’s also cause to point out that the BVAS and IREV technologies put a lot of faith in the electorate and this forthcoming election is another opportunity for INEC to redeem its image and ensure that their technology is functional and INEC’s guidelines on its usage are adhered to. This is a call to INEC to restore the citizens’ confidence in our democracy.”

“Another crucial point to address is the percentage of voters recorded for Presidential and National elections. At 27%, Nigeria recorded its lowest voter turnout despite recording the 87.2m PVC’s collected. From our reports, there were many cases of technical disenfranchisement where materials were not deployed to many polling units across the country, and many other cases where INEC officials arrived late to polling stations.

while in some cases.  the BVAS machine failed, with no replacement provided. And for these reasons, thousands or perhaps millions of Nigerians were not able to cast their ballot.”

 “While we expect INEC to have addressed these issues, it’s important to drum the fact that the general outcome of the 2023 elections will determine citizen’s engagement and participation in our democratic processes in the future and so it is pertinent that INEC led by Chairman Yakubu Mahmood step up and ensure a seamless gubernatorial and state assembly election. It’s the first step towards rebuilding trust in the electorate and it’s important to save our democracy.”

• Borno trains 130 school dropouts in entrepreneurial skills

Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum yesterday donated six surveillance vehicles to troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) fighting Boko Haram in Izge community in Gwoza Local Government area of the state.

Zulum, who made the donation during a working visit to the town, said that the vehicles would enhance security around the community.

He said the vehicles include three for the military and three for volunteers, made up of the CJTF, hunters and vigilantes fighting alongside the military.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also donated hundreds of wrappers and brocade to 4,000 residents of Izge.

In addition to the social support, the governor directed the renovation and equipping of Izge Primary Health Centre, and the fencing of Primary and Secondary Schools in the community.

“We are here basically to support our brothers and sisters in Izge to provide humanitarian support and to examine the capability of the institutions in this town, especially the school, the hospital and other public structures.

“We want to construct the road from here (Izge) to Gwoza through Bita and from here (Izge) to our own side of Gulak (in Adamawa State) insha’Allah”, the Governor said.

The governor also announced the state government’s plan to resettle displaced residents of Yamtake, Bita and Modube communities in different parts of Gwoza Local Government Area, following restoration of relative peace.

The Borno Government said 130 school dropouts have benefited from its entrepreneurial skills training.

Commissioner for Education Lawan Abba-Wakilbe, made this known at the closing of the graduation of the first set of trainees of the ”Second Chance Women/Girls Skills Entrepreneurship programme, in Maiduguri.

Abba-Wakilbe said the programme supported by the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Projects (MCRP), was organised to enhance self-reliance and reduce social vulnerability amongst women who have dropped out of schools.

He said the ”second chance women/girls skills acquisition school, which is a project of the Borno Ministry of Education, targets the vulnerable and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) women who are victims of Boko Haram insurgency who dropped out of schools.

”The graduants, who were enrolled in February 2022, completed their training and each went home with a certificate, start-up pack donated by the MCRP and Dignity Kits donated by Multi Aid and Charity initiative,” he said.

Wife of the Borno Governor  Dr Falmata Zulum, hailed the ministry for the initiative and called on the trainees to utilise the skills they acquired and start-up packages for the benefit of themselves and loved ones.

She also commended the MCRP for supporting the initiative by providing start-up packages for the trainees and renovating the school and multi aid and charity initiatives, for donating Dignity kits to the women.