Category: Northern Reports

Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved immediate construction of perimeter fencing around the permanent orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

AbdulRazaq announced this yesterday at the state Security Council Meeting in Government House, Ilorin.

The governor said the perimeter fencing would enhance security in the axis, while various security agencies were also deployed to the area.

The security council meeting was also attended by Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Kayode Alabi; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Jubril; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Brig-Gen. Saliu Bello.

Others are the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and all the security chiefs in the state, including the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force and DSS.

The security commanders unanimously said Kwara remains relatively safe compared to its neighbours, saying isolated incidents of illegal mining activities, cultism, flooding and its aftermaths, drug abuse and opportunistic abductions are being tackled head-on.

They called on citizens to be alert and to volunteer actionable intelligence to security agencies to prevent crimes, urging political parties to play by the rules and avoid violence of any kind.

The council, among other issues, also extensively discussed the security challenges around Gaa Osibi-Alagbado and Oko Olowo area of Ilorin, Edu, Patigi and Kaiama Local Government Areas of the state.

Kogi State Government yesterday called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and other security agencies to invite activist, Mrs. Natasha Uduaghan, for questioning over alleged terrorism involvement.

Mrs. Uduaghan, who’s the Senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Kogi West in the forthcoming general elections was accused by the government of fuelling terror in the state.

Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, made the allegation while speaking as a guest on a television programme following Mrs. Uduaghan’s call for the release of one Safiu, arrested on allegations of terrorism.

The Nation reports that Safiu was rearrested last week by security operatives at Trademore Estate in Abuja, and was currently being interrogated over his alleged involvement in several terror attacks in Kogi and other parts of the country.

But the politician who was also a guest in the programme dismissed the allegations against her, insisting Governor Yahaya Bello was trying to discredit her as a result of her political strength.

Mrs. Uduaghan alleged that she had received information from sourced within the state government that Bello was trying to plant explosives, other incriminating weapons at her country residence in order to stage a public search, retrieve them and accuse her of fuelling terrorism in the state.

She said they had since petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IG) Usman Alkali and other security agencies after the got information about the governor’s plans.

She noted that her petition to the security agencies was long before the re-arrest of Safiu. She also denied having any ties with the arrested suspect, insisting that her call for his release was based on her believe that he was being hounded for leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The politician said the governor was afraid of her popularity and so looking for ways to dent her reputation.

Fanwo who also issued a statement said the government was worried about deliberate grooming and importation of terrorists by politician despite heavy secueity interventions to rid the state of the menace.

He said Mrs Natasha Uduaghan had exhibited enough actions to be invited over terrorism-related activities, especially with the manner by which the PDP and organisations linked to her had been advocating for the release of Safiu.

The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated 12 members of the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC).

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), while inaugurating the new Council Members, enjoined them not only to uphold the standard and guidelines of the profession but raise the standard in order to surmount the challenges faced in urban planning and development.

He explained that the essence of constituting the TOPREC was to ensure that the country has a professional council that would in turn ensure that the professional Town Planners are registered as members of the Council.

The minister also stated that the 12 members were representatives of their different states, adding that as more members are appointed from other states, they would join the council in accordance with the law.

Among the TOPREC members inaugurated were Dr. Simon Kanobi-Osoww Ajom, Cross River State; Danbaba Umar Idris – Niger state; Liman Gana – Borno State; Ogunlewe Adebisi Adesoga – Lagos state; Aniekan Ubong Akpan – Cross River; Davies Tonte Joseph – Rivers State; Aliyu Abubakar Mohammad – Jigawa state; and Ogbugo Victor Filzgerald representing Delta state.

President of the TOPREC, Isiaku Mukhtar Kura, urged the inaugurated members to form a habit to read and meditate on the Act that established the council.

He explained that being member of the council was a call to service that would involve sacrificing their time and resources.

The Yoruba Welfare Group has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, address allegation of fraud over procurement of requisite equipment for the 2023 Census exercise.

The group said if the allegation is not addressed before the census exercise begins, it may cause its failure.

A statement by the National President of the Yoruba Welfare Group, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, argued that stakeholders must urgently take the needed steps before the allegation becomes too late to handle.

The statement reads in part: “The contract with the project title: ‘Supply of PDA Tablets, Chargers, Power Banks, SD Cards and Tablet Pouch for Data Collection Exercise in the Coming 2023 National Population Census’ is worth about N300 billion. For there to be a safety net in the case of malfunction, various companies were approved to supply this equipment.

Read Also: The odds against 2023 population census

“However, we got it on good authority that this has been changed and all the contracts have been given to just one company.  The worrying aspect of the whole drama is that stakeholders found out that all the five companies that would be presented before the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday are all from the same individual. This isn’t safe. It is unhealthy for this very important exercise.  

“While we commend the NPC for its commitment to digital census and sticking with indigenous companies to procure the equipment for the exercise, we frown at the brazen compromise of the procurement process. 

The group therefore urged the government to immediately set up a committee to ensure the safe delivery of the 2023 census exercise.

•NLC to honour labour friendly leaders

The Director-General of Micheal Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, has said President Muhammadu Buhari should be appreciated for dignifying the organised labour unions in Nigeria.

He said it is notable that under the Buhari administration, labour unions have freely exercised their freedom to declare and suspend strikes without victimisation by government.

He also applauded President Buhari for successfully managing the economic crisis of the country without retrenching civil servants as a result of economic recess.

Comrade Aremu spoke in Jos, the Plateau State capital during a one-day retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

Speaking with journalists after the event, Aremu said, “One of the things which Buhari’s administration has done is that despite the COVID-19 challenges, recession one and two, crude oil theft, and collapse of oil revenue, he has never retrenched.

“It is highly commendable that he has ensured job retention. In 1999, we never had it as bad as we are experiencing. The Obasanjo administration declared war on the public service. He stated that it was over-blotted and he started downsizing and right-sizing.

“This administration deserves commendation because the best way to dignify labour is to let people have something to do. Don’t criminalise employment or turn workers into commodities which can be thrown away. But Buhari has shown that despite the fall in oil revenue, he kept jobs; and not only that, he pays salary as due.

Read Also: Don’t panic over US/UK security alert, Buhari tells Nigerians

“He went further to look at the plight of workers who are in uniforms. Also, when some state governors in 2017 were complaining that they couldn’t meet the challenges of the new minimum wage, he gave them bailouts more than once. These are facts. You may not like Buhari, but these are his legacies. And I hope that any future government will uphold these legacies and promote labour as an important factor in development.

“President Buhari paid consequential adjustments. Some state governments have done that. Let’s commend Governor Lalong, who as a result of prompt payment of salary and clearing the backlog is named, “Governor Alert”. We are willing, as part of our 40th-anniversary programme, to honour all employers of labour, be it federal, state, or public sector, who have respect for decent work, work that is secured and paid for on time.

“We would honour President Buhari as a president who has kept to the spirit of decent work. Even in ASUU, President Buhari allows freedom of association, and he has never harassed any labour leader on account of their union activities.

“You know very well that when we were confronting Obasanjo in those days, he was willing to dissolve the NLC if he had his way. All of us must work together to make that freedom go with responsibility. Just as you cannot overuse your power, the government cannot overuse its power; and unions, as well, cannot abuse their power,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, yesterday solicited the support of governors of sugar producing states in the country towards the revitalisation of the sugar sub-sector, saying the guidelines for the implementation of the Phase 2 of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan requires the inputs of critical stakeholders like state governors to succeed.

The Executive Secretary made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman, Forum of Governors of Sugar Producing States, Engr. Sule Abdullahi in Lafia, stating that state governors as landlords of sugar projects in their respective domains have contributed to the modest success so far recorded in the industry.

Adedeji commended the Forum of Governors of Sugar Producing States for creating a safe and enabling environment for sugar operators to go about their business activities without hitches such as perennial disagreements over land ownership, communal hostilities and other associated challenges, noting that the forum has contributed to the peace enjoyed across communities hosting sugar projects across states.

Read Also: Nigeria targets self-sufficiency in sugarcane cultivation

He added that the government had in 2013 began the implementation of a 10-year master plan to revamp sugar sector. The policy plan code-named ‘the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP)’, has four major objectives, which are for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in sugar production, stem the rising tide of sugar importation, create job opportunity for Nigerians and the generation of electricity and production of ethanol for industrial purposes. The first phase of the plan is expected to end in the first quarter of 2023.

The ES expressed satisfaction with the forum chaired by the governor, stating, “We are quite pleased with the invaluable contributions of the forum you chair to the faithful implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan. We’ve made considerable progress in critical segments of the NSMP, especially as it relates to the refining component of the plan. Our next plan of action is to replicate the successes recorded in the area of sugar refining in our field and agricultural operations”.

Governor Sule  pledged the continuous support of the Forum he heads to revitalising the sector.

The Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has spent N7, 879, 432,390 billion on intervention projects at the College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Minister of Environment, Muhammed Abdullahi, said on Thursday.

The minister added that the commissioning of the projects would further enhance teaching and learning in the institution.

The minister, who disclosed this during the commissioning of three newly-completed TETFund projects at the college in Akwanga, said the interventions were on infrastructure, academic staff development, and content, among others.

He said the newly completed projects – Home Economics Department Complex; Undergraduates Programmes Complex and School of Education Complex gulped N954, 804,436.14.

The minister stated that the projects were a continuation of the agency’s intervention in the institution.

On academic staff development, Abdullahi said TETFUND has sponsored 108 lecturers from the college for Ph.D degrees, 179 for Masters Degrees, in both foreign and local institutions totalling N799,570,466.00, while 119 staff were sponsored to attend conferences, totalling N150, 925,069:00.

Read Also: APC risks disqualification in Nasarawa Eggon,Wamba, Akwanga Reps seat

He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to education has been undaunted, as observed in his recent review of the two per cent education tax to three per cent.

The Commissioner for Education, Nasarawa State, Hajiya Fatu Jimaita, said TETFund, through its interventions, has played a remarkable role in the provision of quality education in the country.

Provost of the College, Rev. Jonathan Thani, noted the impact of TETFund on all aspects of the college, including staff training, infrastructure, and facilities among others.

He however lamented lack of a befitting library in the institution.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the current administration has invested heavily on infrastructure in its over seven years of existence to aid teaching and learning in tertiary institutions.

Represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at TETFund, Babatunde Olajide, the TETFund boss said the agency’s interventions across tertiary institutions were carried out in line with enabling laws.

•Bank commits $1.8 billion to Nigeria’s development

EMIR of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has appealed to Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to fund the education of out-of-school children, particularly the girl child.

The emir said he was worried by rising out-of-school children in the country and North.

He spoke when he received President of the bank, Dr.  Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasir, in his palace.

Calling on IsDB to create a special funding to enable the children go back to school, the monarch decried the socio-economic danger posed by the menace of out-of-school children.

“According to statistics from UNICEF, Kano accounts for about 1.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he lamented, and urged the bank to assist.

He commended the role of IsDB in infrastructural and agricultural development in Kano and other member countries.

Read Also: Tertiary education and changing world of work

IsDB President, Dr Mohammad Al-Jasir, said the bank would improve the standard of living and livelihood of the people, and promised that the bank would take the emir’s demand serious.

He said IsDB has concluded plans to support Nigeriwith $1.8 billion.

Al-Jasir was in Kano to monitor projects of Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), being funded by the IsDB.

He inaugurated an animal laboratory financed by the bank at Gwale veterinary and visited the IsDB-funded multi-million irrigation project at Wateri village in Bagwai local government.

The IsDB president also inspected the rehabilitated 964-hectare dam under the state Agro-pastoral project.

He said he was satisfied with the achievements recorded, and urged KSADP officials overseeing the project to continue with the good work.

The bank chief said the project funded by the bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds (LLF), had contributed to poverty reduction and strengthened food and nutrition security.

According to him, the bank had been monitoring Kano’s performance and was impressed Kano was working hard to meet the bank’s expectations.

“The $1.8 billion facility is made up of $971 million for project financing by the bank and about  $288 million provided by the Islamic Corporation for Development (ICD)-IsDB’s private sector affiliate.

The member representing Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency of Taraba State in House of Representatives, Danjuma Shiddi, has called for the release of Director General of his campaign council, Mr Samaila Yakubu, who was arrested by the police.

Shiddi, a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), who is contesting for Taraba South in the Senate in next year’s election, spoke while briefing reporters in Abuja yesterdday.

Governor Darius Ishaku, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also contesting the same seat.

Shiddi said Yakubu was arrested for allegedly inciting the public while addressing supporters on removal of his posters and the need to remain calm.

He noted that the move was harassment, targeted at crippling his senatorial ambition.

“Sumaila, the director general of my campaign organisation, was whisked away in a commando-style operation on Monday by a combined team of  security operatives, led by of the Police.

Read Also: All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate

‘’He was severely beaten up, with wounds all over his body, stripped naked before being whisked to detention where he still remained till now.

“The trumped-up charges cannot be farther from the truth as there were video recordings of the victim placating the people not to resort to violence…” he said.

He said when the case came up at the State High Court yesterday, “nearly impossible” bail conditions were given for the release of the directtor general.

He said the conditions consisted of a reputable state indigene worth N50 million, two first class chiefs, and two top civil servants of permanent secretary level.

Shidi said all necessary legal options were being taken to secure the release of the DG of his campaign organisation.

He said the APC at the national level was being updated on the development. 

He said if not checked, the politics of high-handedness being played by the PDP controlled Taraba State Government led by Gov. Darius Ishaku, has the tendency to derail democracy and cause crisis in the state.