The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Court takes Ribadu, Binani’s appeals in Adamawa APC suit, reserves judgement

    Court takes Ribadu, Binani’s appeals in Adamawa APC suit, reserves judgement

    The Yola Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday heard the appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two of its governorship hopefuls: Senator Aishatu Binani and Malam Nuhu Ribadu on the party’s governorship primary that was voided by a high court.

    The appeals were instituted by the three after the Federal High Court last month voided the APC governorship primary conducted earlier in May 2022 which had produced Binani as the party’s candidate.

    The high Court had declared that the APC had no candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State, but Ribadu who instituted the case was dissatisfied with the judgement as the APC and Binani, and the three had gone on appeal.

    Read Also: IPOB: Court adjourns Kanu’s trial indefinitely

    While Ribadu is asking the court to set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on October 14 and declare a fresh primary in which he will participate, the APC, through its Counsel, Rotimi Ogunreso (SAN), is similarly praying the court to declare a fresh primary so that the party could elect a candidate.

    On her part, Binani, through her lead counsel, Chief Akim Olujinmi (SAN), is praying the court to set aside the judgement of the lower court and uphold her as the lawful winner of the initial primary election.

    After hearing the appeals, the three-man pre-election zonal panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Tani Yusuf, said the panel was reserving judgement to a date to be communicated to the appellants.

  • Ngala: How Zulum Shared N255m, food, textiles To 70,000 Indigents

    Ngala: How Zulum Shared N255m, food, textiles To 70,000 Indigents

    As part of his two-day humanitarian activities across Ngala Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, at the weekend shared N255 million, food items and textile to about 70,000 low-income residents for livelihoods.

    The distribution was conducted at three locations: Ngala town, Gamboru and Wulgo, all in Ngala LGA, with male and female beneficiaries.

    Zulum arrived Gamboru on Friday and spent two nights coordinating humanitarian and other developmental activities.

    Read Also: Zulum disburses N814m to 9,100 beneficiaries

    “Most of the communities in Ngala Local Government experienced flooding which has denied many of them access to their farmlands. Therefore, we made the intervention to mitigate impact and we will continue to support our people in need until they are able to stand on their feet”, Zulum said.

    Before Sunday’s distribution of food, cash and textiles, Governor Zulum on Saturday re-opened Gamboru International Cattle Market which was closed for about seven years due to Boko Haram activities.

    Immediately after reopening, several trailers, loaded with cattle, left Gamboru for Maiduguri and other parts of Nigeria.

  • Kogi declares war against health sector quacks

    Kogi declares war against health sector quacks

    The Kogi government says it has declared war against quackery in its health sector following its devastating effects on lives of innocent residents of the state.

    Commissioner of Health Dr Zakari Usman, made the declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting of private medical practices held at Lokoja.

    The commissioner said the state government would no longer fold its arms and see lives of innocent citizens being destroyed by desperate money mongers operating in the guise of medical personnel.

    He said: “Enough is enough of the evils of quacks in our health sector. Quackery is a menace, which we are prepared and ready to deal with it decisively this time around.

    “Already, the war against quackery has been declared, as we have put all machinery in place to use mobile courts to prosecute any quack arrested operating in this state.

    “Any hospital or clinic, whose license has expired but not renewed but still operating is a quack and would be treated as such until sanity is restored in our health sector.

    Read Also: How floods destroyed our crops, turned us into beggars, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa farmers lament

    “Clinics or hospitals using only auxiliary nurses without qualified doctors will also face the wrath of the law as they shall be classified under quackery.

    “We have Primary Health Cares (PHCs) aside our referral centres and hospitals well equipped spread across the state, yet the quacks are diverting the people’s attention with their fake, diabolic and wicked practices.” he said.

    Usman said Governor Yahaya Bello has committed so much to healthcare delivery system.

    According to him, the state government has constituted a central inspectorate team to deal with state health issues such as quackery.

    The Commissioner said that all hands must be on decks to shut the quacks out of business and save the lives of innocent residents of Kogi.

    Responding, the Leader of the inspectorate team, Dr Barnabas Segun-Isaac, described the government decision as the right step in the right direction towards ensuring the safety of citizens.

    He said the committee had begun work in earnest to fish out all quacks operating within the state to keep the health sector one of the best in the country.

    Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Kogi chapter Dr Bauku Sola, expressed worry over the way and manner unsuspecting and innocent people die carelessly due to the activities of quacks.

    Sola advised on the need to decentralise the inspectorate team to the senatorial districts for effectiveness and efficiency.

  • Rights group decries failure of states to domesticate VAPP Act

    Rights group decries failure of states to domesticate VAPP Act

    A Civil Society Organisation, International Human Rights Observatory Africa has expressed concern over the delay by some state governments to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) act.

    The bill was signed into law by former president, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    Addressing Journalists in Abuja, the Patron of the group in Africa, Kenneth Ibe-Kalu said the domestication and implementation of the Act would help curb Gender-based violence in the country.

    Read Also: Group urges Lalong to gazette VAPP law

    Ibe-Kalu called on states where the Act has been domesticated without being implemented to commence the process in order to safeguard the rights of women in such states.

    He said: “We are worried that the VAPP Act has not been domesticated by some states. Our delegations arrive and we hope to visit the national assembly to parley with the state government yet to domesticate the Act.

    “The Act is very important to help protect the rights of women and children in the country. We would not just want it to end at domestication, we want the act to be implemented.”

    He said the group would ensure the protection of women’s and children’s rights in the country.

  • 15,688 vulnerable people to benefit from GEEP in Borno

    15,688 vulnerable people to benefit from GEEP in Borno

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, said 15,688 people will benefit from the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) in Borno.

    GEEP is one of the National Social Investment Programme, designed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to empower and encourage the vulnerable people in the society.

    Speaking at the roll-out of the programme in Maiduguri yesterday, Farouq said that the beneficiaries were selected from the 38,374 people who registered for the programme in the state.

    Farouq, who was represented by the Director, Humanitarian in the ministry, Alhaji Ali Grema, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan for maximum result.

    Read Also: Zamfara begins donation of food items to vulnerable

    “These selected beneficiaries are currently undergoing enumeration and today, I have gracefully come to roll-out the programme in Borno. Successful beneficiaries of the GEEP programme will start receiving credit alerts from Acess Bank from today,” Farouq said.

    While expressing the Federal Government’s commitment to adding more beneficiaries to the scheme, she said that a new date would be announced for the second phase of registration.

    The minister explained that with complementary support from the state government and other stakeholders in creating awareness, the target beneficiaries and many more citizens would be on their way out of poverty.

    “As a country, we will, by the grace of God, remain on the track of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030,” she said.

    Many of the beneficiaries, who received N50,000 each, lauded the federal government for the initiative and pledged to use the money to start or boost their businesses.

  • Bagudu releases N100m to farmers for fish production

    Bagudu releases N100m to farmers for fish production

    Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu has approved the release of N100 million to the Kebbi State Fishermen Cooperative Union (KSFCU).

    A statement by Commissioner for Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries, Alhaji Aminu Garba-Dandiga, in Birnin Kebbi yesterday, said the gesture was in line with Bagudu’s commitment to boosting fish farming as well as empowering fishermen in the state.

    Read Also: Bagudu approves two-year leave grant for civil servants

    “Not less than 2,000 members of the association will benefit from the loan package which the governor pledged when they visited him in Government House, Birnin Kebbi, recently,” the commissioner said.

  • Kwara donates new patrol vehicles as AbdulRazaq restates commitment to security

    Kwara donates new patrol vehicles as AbdulRazaq restates commitment to security

    Kwara State Government on Monday donated 10 new patrol vehicles to the ‘Operation Harmony Tactical Team’.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said will help to strengthen security of lives and properties and build confidence within the business community.

    The tactical team is a combined security outfit under the State Command of the Nigeria Police.

    It is the third time the administration is giving out operational vehicles to the police to beef up security in the state. It has similarly donated patrol vehicles to other security agencies at various times.

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq speaks live on first radio in Kwara north

    At a brief ceremony handing over the vehicles to Police Commissioner Paul Odama in Ilorin, the Governor said: “We are supporting our security agencies by giving them additional equipment to make their jobs easier. As you have seen, the security issue in the country is getting better daily. We want to keep it that way.”

    AbdulRazaq commended the Police and other security agencies in the State for their gallantry in making Kwara one of the safest states in Nigeria.

    “Kwara State is arguably the safest State in Nigeria. We are doing our best to keep it that way by ensuring that the citizens remain safe. And part of what we need to do is to keep supporting our security agencies. I thank them for the work they have been doing to allow us to sleep with our eyes closed at night. We are truly grateful for the efforts,” he said.

    Odama appreciated the Governor for always responding to their operational needs and promised not to let the State government and the people of the State down on their duties.

    “I am really thankful to Your Excellency the Governor of Kwara State for giving us these vehicles. As you rightly said, Kwara State is one of the most peaceful states in the country presently. And we need to keep that position and even improve on it,” he said.

    He also thanked the Inspector General of Police Alkali Baba Usman for playing an important role in this respect, and for making sure that every part of the country is properly policed.

  • Police arrest 10 kidnappers, others in Plateau

    Police arrest 10 kidnappers, others in Plateau

    POLICE operatives in Plateau State have paraded 10 suspects for abduction of persons in various parts of the state.

    The ten alleged kidnappers were paraded at the Plateau State Police Command Headquarters in Jos, alongside persons arrested for crimes ranging from unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, railway vandalism, culpable homicide and cattle rustling.

    Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, warned that the state is no longer safe for criminals.

    On the arrest of suspected kidnappers and rescue of kidnapped victims, Onyeka said,

    “On 23/10/2022 at about 1630hrs, while acting on a tip-off that one Muhammed Buba ‘M’ aged 20yrs of Gimbi village, Wase LGA was seen at Sunnah Clinic in Dengi, Kanam LGA with a deep cut on his right hand and suspected to be a criminal, Police operatives attached to Bashar Division swung into action and arrested the suspect.

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to belonging to a gang of notorious kidnappers and further disclosed that he sustained the injury during one of their operations where they kidnapped one Hafsatu Abdulkadir, a nursing mother and her 2 years old baby but were almost countered by the victim’s husband.”

    CP Onyeka said further investigation led to the arrest of one Aliyu Kiruwa, Muhammed Usman alias KABO, both males of Gimbi village, Wase LGA suspected to be members of his gang.

    He however informed that the victim had been rescued unhurt by the Police in collaboration with local security help groups of the community and reunited with her family without paying any ransom.

    The Police boss also said, “On the 3rd November 2022, at about 10:30 hours through credible intelligence, one Gideon Gyang 21 years, an escapee of the recent Jos jailbreak who has terrorised and dispossessed unsuspecting residents of Vom in Jos South LGA, was apprehended by Police operatives attached to Kaduna Vom Division led by CSP Abuh Emmanuel.”

    He further stated that “On 3rd November 2022 at about 22:30 hours, a distressed call was put through to Rantya Divisional Police Headquarters that unknown gunmen were shooting aimlessly at River Side, Rantya.

    “On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Division, SP Iliya Ayuba aggressively led his men to the scene of the incident but the gunmen kidnapped and took off with one Pam Dauda, 36 years old and Victor Goewan, 41 years old, both males of River Side Rantya.

    “In a bid to arrest and rescue the victims, the police operatives trailed the suspects and engaged them in a fierce gun battle, where they fled and abandoned the victims. The victims were rescued and reunited with their families.”

    On the case of criminal conspiracy, cattle rustling and kidnapping, the CP said, “Sometime in the month of October 2022, a case of Cattle Rustling was reported at Wase Divisional Headquarters by one Alh. Sale Bahago of Safiyo Village, Bashar District of Wase LGA that about two weeks ago some unidentified bandits attacked his children at gunpoint while grazing at Sabon Layin Safiyo Forest and rustled away his two hundred cows, valued at sixty million naira and fled.

    “On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Bashar, CSP Atiku Yahaya and team swung into action and arrested one Shuaibu Abubakar aged 24years, Sale Hassan aged 23years and Adamu Saidu aged 26years in connection with the case.

    “Their arrest further led to the recovery of Sixteen (16) Cows from Mikang LGA. The suspects also confessed their involvement in the kidnap of one Dauda Mohammed, village head of Pinau in Wase LGA sometime in September 2022, who was later rescued by the security operatives.”

    CP Onyeka said the police also arrested Adamu Koplang, male, of Kongyel Village, Tell District LGA for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition on 23/10/2022 who disguised himself as a local medicine seller, at a police check point by  operatives of Mikang Police Division.

    “When thoroughly searched, one locally made Barretta pistol with three rounds of live ammunition, a YY tool knife for cutting glass and the sum of three thousand naira (N3, 000) were recovered from the suspect.”

    He advised members of the public to report suspicious movements and persons to the Police and other law enforcement agencies to help nip crimes in the bud.ax

  • Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle road ready soon-AbdulRazaq

    Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle road ready soon-AbdulRazaq

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the 11.1km Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle road will be delivered this year — a feat monarchs and community leaders say is a dream come true in 50 years. 

    Already, the travel time on the border road has gone from 45-minute excruciating journey to barely 10-minute drive. 

    The Governor said the work on the road is in fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people. 

    AbdulRazaq was speaking at Obbo-Aiyegunle Day in Ekiti Local Government Area where he bagged the title of Jagunmolu Atayero of Obbo-Aiyegunle.

    Followed by a retinue of aides and party leaders, the Governor had earlier held a town hall in Osi town for the people of Oke Ero and Ekiti Local Government Areas — the fourth in the series. 

    He also said the government will soon deliver the Osi Campus of the State University (KWASU) ahead of next year’s academic session.

    He also promised his government’s relentless efforts to enhance the people’s access to adequate presence of basic amenities, and find a lasting solution to their security challenges.  

    “Our coming here today is to hear from you what you still want the government to do for you. We knew we have done some, and we did them without seeing you because we knew they are important. It is so far so good. Glory be to God,” he said to the applause of the people.

    “It is no longer news that the government is constructing KWASU’s Campus in Osi, the school campus will begin academic session next year, by the special grace of God. And in few years to come it will translate to a full-fledged institution of learning.”

    AbdulRazaq said the routine security sweep of the axis by conventional government forces will continue while the government also enlists the support of local security architecture, including the traditional rulers. 

    The Governor, who expressed shock at the arrears of 42 months of salary to Ekiti/Oke Ero traditional rulers by the past administration, said the administration will continue to fix the issues. The present administration has not been owing the traditional rulers. 

    Dignitaries at the  town hall meeting were Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South); Deputy Kwara SpeakerAdetiba Raphael; House of Assembly member representing Ekiti LG Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel; cabinet members; TIC Chairmen for Oke Ero and Irepodun Hon. Victor Ganiyu Yusuf and Hon. Jide Oyinloye; State APC Chairman Sunday Fagbemi;

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq’s nominates two to Kwara exco

    other party executives and elders; representative of TIC Chairman for Ekiti Mrs. Adeyeye Funmilayo; women and youth support groups of APC among others.

    Olosi of Osi Oba Abdulkareem Saliu Adesofegbe and Alofa of Ilofa Oba Samuel Niyi Dada led other traditional rulers from Oke-Ero and Ekiti to the town hall meeting. 

    Fagbemi, for his part, said the people of Oke Ero and Ekiti will reward the administration with huge votes for the infrastructural projects in the two local governments and the appointments of their sons and daughters into key offices.

    He called it a unique development in the history of the towns. 

    Senator Ashiru said the AbdulRazaq administration prioritises the interests of Kwara Southerners and needed to be compensated with massive votes to consolidate on the gains, noting one good turn deserves another. 

    Commissioner for Works Rotimi Iliasu listed Koro/Egbe; Osi/Isare-Opin; Obo-Ile/Ora and Eruku/Iyemero, among other road projects, that the administration was ready to construct under the Rural Access Agricultural Marketing Projects (RAAMP). 

    He also mentioned the Osi township road and Idofin Igbana road as some of the achievements of the government in the axis.

    Chairman Kwara SUBEB Prof Raheem Sheu Adaramaja, said both Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGs got a total of 427 teachers of primary and secondary schools under the SUBEB/TESCOM teachers recruitment exercise in 2021, while several schools have also been renovated or remodelled across the two local governments.

    General Manager KWASSIP AbdulQuowiyu Olododo said a total of 2,385 people of Ekiti and Oke-Ero benefited from the government’s social safety programme (Owo Arugbo and Owo Isowo) between year 2020 and 2022. 

    Representative of Osi Community Michael Adewumi thanked AbdulRazaq for responding to their own infrastructural needs like roads and electricity, and pledged to work for a continuity of what he called people-focused government. 

    Owalobo of Obo-Ile Oba Michael Oluwasegun, who spoke for Ekiti rulers, praised the government’s swift actions to check security challenge in Ekiti, and requested for security posts in strategic places to guarantee maximum safety. 

    “We have seen your good job all around unlike what we had before. It is in your administration that every community counts in terms of access to projects, without necessarily lobbying or knowing anybody in government,” said the Owa L’Obbo.

    Obajisun of Ilu Aiyedun Dr. Olufemi Rotimi, while speaking for Oke-Ero royal fathers, said: “There is no ward in Oke-Ero that your administration has not touched in terms of developmental projects. We are grateful for that. The only things we lack in Oke-Ero and Ekiti is the Federal government’s presence. Apart from that you have done very well. And we pray God to grant your second term bid.”

  • Group urges Buhari to appoint new AGF

    Group urges Buhari to appoint new AGF

    The  National Intervention Group of Nigeria, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to conclude the process of appointing a substantive Accountant-General of the Federation.

    In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr.Akinloye Oyeniyi, the  group noted that an AGF should be picked from  the pool of the qualified candidates already screened.

    It alleged that the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, had  proposed that the appointment be shifted to the  first quarter of 2023 to accommodate some interests.

    Read Also: Nigeria in safe hands with Tinubu, says Aisha Buhari

    The statement read in part: “According to the Head of Service of the Federation’s proposal, it then means the almost completed process would be stalled until the first quarter of 2023 when the interested candidate would be qualified to take over from Mr. Sylvia.”

    It said the move could hamper the anti-corruption drive of this administration.

    “We, therefore, call on the President to disregard the HSF’s latest request and appoint a substantive Accountant-General of the Federation from the pool of the qualified candidates already screened,” the group added.