Kaduna Polytechnic chapter of the Academy Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has elected new executives, with Engr. Abubakar Jibrin Abdullahi and Comrade Hadiza Jamilu emerging Chairman and General Secretary respectively.

Other officials elected are: Engr. John Goji Usman, Vice Chairman; Engr. Jibril Bajeh, Assistant Gen. Secretary; Barr. Maryam Abdu-biu, Treasurer; Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir, Financial Secretary; Comrade Ali Yahaya, Internal Auditor; Engr. Abdussalam Aminu Abubakar, Welfare Secretary and Engr. Aminu Uba Alhassan, Publicity Secretary.

The new chairman in his acceptance speech, however, assured the Polytechnic Rector, Dr. Suleiman Umar, of industrial harmony, provided the management ensures justice and fairness, just as he tasked the management to work hard towards actualisation of conversion of the institution to a university.

He said aside the commendable infrastructural development strides of the polytechnic, actualisation of the government’s moves to convert Kaduna Polytechnic to university is key to its revolution.

While assuring that ASUP as a labour union under his leadership, will alongside the protection of its members’ rights, ensure that Kaduna Polytechnic is well positioned to achieve greater heights, he urged the management to work towards revival of staff development policy, provision of conducive learning environment for staff and student, revival of staff industrial training (SITCOM) for academic staff and payment of outstanding allowances and arrears.

Grants provided by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has enabled the deployment of 500,000 solar systems in rural communities.

The systems are deployed to homes, schools and hospitals to power communities without power supply.

The grant, which was awarded to BeebeeJump Int’t Limited, hopes to not only electrify homes in the hinterlands but security checkpoints in volatile areas in the country.

Regional Sales Manager, North Central, BeebeeJump Int’t Limited, Gloria Adewole, said the grant was given to them depending on the number of systems that are being deployed to the field.

Adewole said this in Abuja at the opening of the 17th Abuja International Trade fair.

She said, “Because of the nature and quality of our Solar Home Systems, the Nigerian government took interest in us. Through that, we were able to get grant through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). That has also helped us expand the distribution of our solar system.

“Currently in Nigeria, we have deployed 500,000 solar systems in rural communities, and this has also helped to expand our business operations and distribution. We have been able to go into hinterlands where there is no light.

“This grant is given depending on the number of systems that are being deployed to the field. It does not have specific amount, the more product you are able to deploy, the more the amount of grant. With this now, even from the verification process, I can say BeebeeJump is among the first three in Nigeria currently.

Niger State government on Saturday held its first Independence Day parade and match past in seven years.

The state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello expressed his desire to see more of the celebration in the state, urging incoming governments to continue with the practice.

The governor, whose administration began in the state in 2015, had not held any  Independence Day parade in the past seven years, as the activities usually held on the day in previous years were organised by ministries and do not include elaborate march past by security agencies and schools.

The governor noted that it would be the last Independence Day he would experience as Niger State governor and called on the people to adopt a change of attitude.

“This is my last independence day as Governor of Niger State, I sincerely hope that the incoming government continues with this practice, so that it would motivate and encourage our children to participate in public activities.

“Generally as Nigerians, we must change our attitudes; and this time around, I am not talking about the government. It is our collective responsibility to train our children, take good care of them and install the necessary discipline that would prepare them for leadership as they grow.”

The governor stated that the Independence Day celebration should be used to assess the level of progress and development of the people and government.

“As we celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd independence, we should reflect on the past 62 years, how we have matured, how we have developed, on whether we are moving forward or backwards. We need to do an assessment as a people and as a government if we have made progress. For those of us that experienced the 70s and 80s and 90s, we can easily tell you that we had a very safe environment, we were able to travel at any time, we had good hospitals and good schools and the practice of going to school abroad or going to hospital abroad started just some years back.”

The governor concluded with a prayer wish that the country “would get back to those old days”.

The Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna during the Independence Day Interdenominational prayers reminded Nigerians to do their best to bring about true independence and freedom.

He also appealed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his team both at state levels to be firm, upright and remain unbiased.

Indigenes of Lagos State living in Kaduna State will today honour 20 distinguished personalities, including the Kaduna State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uba Sani and son of the state governor, Bello El-Rufai, with awards.

Disclosing this during an awareness road walk for the programme tagged as ‘Isokan Omo Eko’ on yesterday, the Acting Chairman of the Lagos Indigenes Association, Mr Sheriff Olutusin said other personalities that would bag awards include those that contributed immensely to the development of Lagos and Kaduna State.

Olutusin said the event, which is scheduled to hold at the Gymnasium Hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, will witness showcasing of Lagos culture, including Eyo dance, chanting of Ewi and presentation of Lagos history.

According to Olutusin, “We shall be showcasing Lagos tomorrow. There will be Eyo dance; there will be Ewi and presentation of the history of Lagos for those who said there are no original Lagosians, so that they will understand that, the colonial masters met people in Lagos who were already ruling over their people.

“We shall also be using the occasion to sensitise our members and other guests on the importance of their participation in the 2023 general elections. In fact, in my prepared speech, there is a place where I said ‘Awa Loan’, because we believe in the leadership qualities of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we are advocating that, he should be given the chance to lead Nigeria to greatness.”

Kebbi State governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said Nigeria has done very well in the last 62 years, in spite of myriad of challenges facing the nation.

The chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, however, noted that there was still room for improvement to make the country better.

Bagudu spoke on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi at a media parley to mark Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary celebration.

He said, ”We spent centuries under the exploitative colonial system and it was so retrogressive.

“But the country has fared so well in so short a period of 62 years as an independent country.

“We must therefore appreciate and acknowledge the various successes recorded during the period under review.”

According to Bagudu, the population of the country has grown exponentially during the last six decades of independence, adding that, such demographic spike must come with some challenges.

The Kebbi State governor, however, noted that Nigeria has done so well, in spite of increasing demands for infrastructure and utilities.

Bagudu also said that most of the challenges currently facing Nigeria were global in nature, adding, “Yet Nigeria has achieved a lot.”

Bagudu also extolled the exemplary leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last seven years, saying that, he is worthy of emulation.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has ensured free, fair and transparent polls, with the ruling party, APC, even losing polls.

“The president has never interfered in the processes. All the political parties have successfully conducted their primary polls.

“For instance, the amazing story of the APC presidential primaries is a testament to this happy story authored by Buhari and the party.”

Governor Bagudu also fielded questions on the state’s economy with emphasis on ethanol project, an MOU signed with NNPC for the production of bio-fuel and agricultural production success recorded in the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme which has seen the state becoming largest producer of rice in Nigeria.

Other areas the governor dwelt on were security, power, education, infrastructural development, security and the Child Right Act.

Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, yesterday warned politicians in the state against any act capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state, stressing that the peace and security of the state is non-negotiable.

Addressing the people of the state in a state-wide broadcast on television and radio, Governor Yahaya said the peace and stability of Gombe State is bigger than the political ambition of any individual or group.

“As the political season kicks-off, I implore all stakeholders to play by the rules, embrace peace and eschew political violence and blackmail,” he said.

According to him, his administration is committed, in line with the reforms introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari, to provide a level-playing ground for all parties.

He, however, warned that, “Our commitment to the rule of law and democratic tenets should not be mistaken for timidity.”

“As the chief security officer of the state, I will stand firm and deal decisively with any individual or group seeking to disturb our peace for political gains. The peace and security of our State are non-negotiable. The peace and stability of Gombe State is bigger than the political ambition of any individual or group.”

Noting that the 62nd independence anniversary of Nigeria coincides with the 26th anniversary of the creation of Gombe State, the governor said: “From relative obscurity, Gombe has risen to become one of the fastest developing states in Nigeria, surpassing its peers and predecessors. Twenty-Six years down the line, Gombe State has remained faithful to the dreams of its founding fathers.”

As the 2023 general elections approach, the National Progressive Hub is set to host a violence-free elections and security summit in Abuja.

The event which is slated for October 6, 2022 has as its theme “2023: Curbing Political Violence and Promoting Issue Based Campaigns.”

Giving reasons for the Peace Summit, National Coordinator of the Progressive Hub, Hon Bukie Okangbe, said, “We are in the thick of another election cycle in Nigeria and the polity is already overheated with inciting and divisive tendencies and comments across party lines. Such rhetoric can trigger crisis and derail our democracy.

“As members of the largest political party in Africa, we deem it necessary to hold ourselves and the party leadership responsible for de-escalating the current tension within our polity and showing our commitment to sustaining peace before, during and after the elections.

“Consequently we felt the need to organise a national summit to discuss ways to curb political violence and redirect electoral strategies towards issue-based campaigns especially on critical areas of governance that affect the lives of the vast majority of the Nigerians. The 2023 elections have a lot at stake owing to the unprecedented interest among Nigerians especially the young people.

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“With emotions becoming riled up, it is necessary to have conversations on ways to lower the tensions and political temperatures. The Summit provides the platform for that conversation where political actors, security officials and the people from the grassroot converge to discuss very frankly.”

She said the National Progressive Hub is one of the foremost support groups of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with membership cutting across the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

“The Progressive Hub as a grassroot-based organisation has stood grounded in campaigning for the continuity of the progressive agenda, projecting and defending the progressive Government of APC and relentlessly preaching about unity of our great country Nigeria where peace and justice prevail.

“Over the years we have championed for transparency, accountability and a true internal democratic system for our party, APC. As we approach the 2023 General Elections, the National Progressive Hub is at the forefront of not just ensuring that the party emerges victorious in the Presidential election but across other national and state elections.

“Most importantly we want to achieve this in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of the usual political violence that has been associated with our previous elections, hence this Summit on Peaceful Elections,” she said.

Expected participants at the Summit, which holds at the NAF Conference Centre, include APC National Working Committee members; APC Candidates and other party stakeholders; Progressive Governors Forum; National Assembly members/Federal Executive Council members; security and intelligence officials/Civil Society Organizations; Diplomatic Missions and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); as well as National Progressive Hub members from the 36 and the Federal Capital Territory and APC members.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA) and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Ibrahim Ali has warned troops that the Nigerian Army will deal heavily with any personnel caught involved in illegal arms and ammunition deal.

Read Also: Police arrest notorious bandit, recover AK47, AK49 rifles, ammunition in Kaduna

The GOC handed down the warning during the inauguration ceremony of participants of Arms and Ammunition Storeman Refresher Course 1/22 at Headquarters 3 Base Ordnance Depot, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos.

General Ali said, the scourge of insecurity in the country must be tackled through training and retraining of personnel to enable them effectively secure the lives and property of law abiding citizens.

A property management firm, Shelta, has opened up its online rent payment platform to everyone to address payment issues between landlords and tenants and also ease the financial burden on tenants.

The Rent Payer 2.0 and The Smart Associate Promo have now been expanded to render services to not only users of properties managed by the firm but everyone.

The organisation said the new service will be available to residents of the Federal Capital Territory, with expansion targeted at other cities.

The Chief Executive Officer, Shelta, Austin Igwe, during the unveiling of the Rent Payer 2.0 in Abuja, said the service reaffirmed the commitment of the organisation to providing a sustainable living in Africa, starting with Abuja, Nigeria.

“The application is now open and accessible to all with a user-friendly interface and navigation. The Rent Payer service aligns with this administration on rent financing solution to bring the much sought-after relief needed in the housing sector to Nigerians.

“This creates a meeting point between landlords and tenants, where both parties go home smiling. Tenants unable to pay rent can apply for Rent Financing while landlords still get annual full rent payment (guaranteed).

“We believe that everyone can win, while living. Rent payment should no longer be a problem in Nigeria. Our vision is to make living affordable, sustainable, peaceful and rewarding for all,” Igwe said.

The Chief Operating Officer, Shelta, Stanley Odum, added: “The Rent Payer service can be accessed on the Shelta Platform by registering as a verified subscriber on www.myshelta.com.

Head of Legal, Shelta, Ehimen Dic-Ijiewere, said the organisation has secured strategic corporate partnerships with Fin-techs, insurance bodies, credit bureaus and financial institutions to drive its solutions.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State yesterday said in spite of all the challenges confronting Nigeria, there is so much to celebrate.

Yahaya in a message to mark the 62nd Independence of Nigeria and the 26th anniversary of the creation of Gombe State said the fact that the nation is still together as an entity and hopeful for lofty heights of greatness is worthy of celebration.

He urged the citizenry not to despair, but to keep hope alive in the quest to build a prosperous state and nation “as envisioned by our founding fathers”.

He said though Nigeria is passing through tough time occasioned by insecurity, the socio-economic effect of the war in Ukraine among others, the challenges confronting the nation are not insurmountable, urging the people of Gombe State and Nigerians in general, to rekindle their hopes and renew their commitment and love for the country.

While calling on the people to see the greatness and prospects of Gombe State and the country as a motivating factor, the Governor urged that “as the country celebrates its 62nd independence anniversary, all hands must be on deck to foster unity, peace, security and understanding regardless of our differences”.

Underscoring the importance attached to the twin celebration, Governor Inuwa said “for us in Gombe State, it is a double celebration: we are marking the 62nd independence as a nation and the 26th year anniversary of the creation of our dear state”.

He reassured that under his leadership, Gombe state will continue to wax stronger in all facets of human endeavours, vowing to keep initiating people-oriented policies and programmes that will better the lots of the people and the state.