The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Ortom seeks mineral-producing status for Benue

    Ortom seeks mineral-producing status for Benue

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has called on the Federal Government to include the Benue State Government on the list of states to benefit from the 13 per cent derivation revenue funds as a solid mineral-producing state.

    The governor made the call on Tuesday at the State Executive Council meeting at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

    Governor Ortom acknowledged that Benue State has abundant mineral resources such as cement, zinc as well as gold, which he pointed out were recently discovered in large quantities in the Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

    He, therefore, stressed the need for the state to be designated a non-oil-producing state to also derive maximum benefits from its natural resources.

    The governor said the Benue State Government would equally secure a license from the Federal Government to regulate mining activities within its territory. He directed the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals to facilitate the process of acquiring the license.

    He stated that exploration of more mineral resources within the state has already commenced which he said would boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the state.

    According to the governor, even though Benue State was without an industrial base and as a non-oil-producing state, the state government was doing its best to meet its obligations to the people, pointing out that Benue was paying the highest salary ranking after Lagos and Rivers states.

    Governor Ortom further reaffirmed that the establishment of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVG) was not targeted at intimidating anyone as alleged in some quarters, saying the mandate of the home-grown security outfit was to “complement the conventional security agencies in taming insecurity in the state.”

  • 2023: Court suspends judgment in case to stop Jigawa APC’s participation

    2023: Court suspends judgment in case to stop Jigawa APC’s participation

    The Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State capital, Justice Hassan Dikko has put off the judgment earlier slated for today in the case between the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Faruk Adamu Aliyu and the ruling APC to a day yet to be announced.

    During the court’s proceedings yesterday, Justice Dikko announced the court’s decision to change the date for the verdict on the case from today to another day to be communicated to the plaintiffs and respondents.

    The High Court earlier fixed yesterday and today for judgment delivery, but Justice Dikko deferred the judgment to a new date yet to be announced.

    In a chat with reporters shortly after the deferment, the lead counsel to the plaintiff Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) said: “We were in court to challenge the wrongful nomination of the APC governorship candidate which failed to comply with the constitution of the party and its failure to comply with the party’s notice and how the primaries should be conducted.”

    Read Also; Yobe North’s senatorial ticket: Court adjourns Machina’s suit against Lawan

    “The law is very clear. We have established, in our opinion, to the satisfaction of the court on the wrongful nomination.”

    The lead counsel to the defendants Mr Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba (SAN) said the court has listened to all parties and adjourned the judgment on the day to be communicated later.

    Faruk Adamu Aliyu contested for the governorship position of the state on the platform of the ruling APC and participated in the party’s primary election in Jigawa State.

    The former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives who represented Birnikudu/Federal Constituency dragged the APC to court praying the court to stop the party from participating in the 2023 governorship election on the grounds that it has no candidate.

    The complainant also asked the court to compel the party (APC) to refund him N50 million which is the cost of the nomination form fee and to pay him N500 million as damages.

  • NGO empowers youths to strengthen electoral process

    NGO empowers youths to strengthen electoral process

    The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has empowered youths with N2 million to develop applications that will proffer solutions to problems of the electoral system.

    The Executive Director of the organisation, Olasupo Abideen stated this during the grand finale of the Yvote Naija CivicTech Hackathon 2022; an initiative of the BBYDI supported by Christian Aid in Abuja.

    Abideen said the hackathon, in addition to addressing Nigeria’s major election concerns of vote-buying, voter apathy, and electoral violence, aimed at exploring civic-tech solutions to improve public participation in the political process.

    Youth Let’s Talk Politics emerged as the hackathon winner with a point of 34.67 and went home with N2 million.

    The group developed a mobile application solution called “We included “that would enable people with disabilities to find polling units that are accessible and inclusive while Bota came second with 31.47 points and team Elect Tracker came third with 29.83 points.

    Read Also; Civic Tech solutions to Nigeria’s electoral challenges

    Abideen said: “The hackathon aims to bring together young social innovators and developers between the ages of 18 and 35 to develop ideas, build skills and connect with others working towards a shared goal of strengthening the electoral process and civic participation in governance in Nigeria.”

    He noted that Nigeria’s democracy was verging on a state of emergency due to sustained disinterest in active politics and political participation.

    Abideen said: “Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the country has recorded massive voter apathy because of unhealed wounds of electoral malpractices.

    The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa noted that the initiative would help to discover lasting solutions to the prevailing challenges in the electoral system and ensure the active participation of Nigerians in the process.

    Inuwa, who was represented by the National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Yau Garba said: “As the 2023 general elections approach, the importance of this civic tech hackathon cannot be over-emphasised because citizens’ participation in the electoral process democracy and is an indispensable pillar of good governance.

    “Participation mechanisms provide the government with regular feedback for developing policies and designing decisions that promote democratic ethos and processes. With our general elections around the corner, Nigeria needs programmes such as this civic tech hackathon to help bolster inclusive and accountable decision-making, equitable civic participation and voice, effective public service delivery and the government responsibility.”

  • Ganduje to inaugurate probe committee for KUST

    Ganduje to inaugurate probe committee for KUST

    The Kano State Government yesterday announced its decision to probe the State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil.

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has approved the constitution of an Inter-agency Investigative Panel into the state institution, a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said yesterday.

    Read Also; Dethroned Emir Sanusi, Ganduje reunite after two years

    The decision to investigate KUST followed a recommendation by the Draft White Paper Report of the Visitation Panel to the university, which has been adopted by the State Executive Council (SEC) Garba said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Office of the Head of Civil Service is the chairman of the committee.

    The council had adopted the Draft White Paper Report of the Visitation Panel to Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, part of which include the constitution of an Inter-Agency Investigation Panel.

    Ganduje said he will soon inaugurate the committee.

     

     

  • Bagudu approves appointment of 12 districts heads

    Bagudu approves appointment of 12 districts heads

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has approved the appointment of 12 district heads.

    This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammed Sani Umar and made available to reporters yesterday.

    Read Also; Bagudu approves N17m for training of Kebbi youths

    According to the statement, those appointed are Mustapha Usman Adamu as District Head of Kaoje (Sarkin Bargun Kaoje), Bagudo Local Government, Alhaji Musa Usman Bashar as District Head of Makera (Marafan Makera), Birnin Kebbi Local Government, Alhaji Haruna Iliyasu Bashar ChikaSoro as District Head of Raha, (Magajin Raha), Bunza Local Government, Aliyu Badaji Kwakkwaba as the District Head of Kwakkwaba, Dandi Local Government, Abubakar Saidu Y. Abarshi  as the District Head of Yelwa (Ubandoman Yauri), Yauri Local Government while Musa Garba is appointed as the District Head of Ribah, Danko/Wasagu Local Government.

    The other District Heads appointed are Dr Sahabi Sule Manga as District Head of Manga, Zuru Local Government, Bala Danbaba Waje, as the District Head of Waje, Danko/Wasagu Local Government, Kamaludeen Abdullahi as the District Head of Marafa, Fakai Local Government, Isah Umar Bajida as the district head of Bajida, Fakai Local Government, Alhaji Dauda Haruna Noma as the District Head of Banizumbu (Wasalin Banizumbu),  Dandi Local Government while Mansur Hassan was appointed as the district head of Gumundai (Mai Arewan Gumundai), Arewa Local Government Area.

  • Market union battles FCTA over land grabbing

    Market union battles FCTA over land grabbing

    Aggrieved traders of Kugbo International Market Abuja have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, to prevail on the Abuja Investment Company Limited to stop any act of land grabbing within the precincts of the market.

    The President of United Kugbo Market Traders’ Association for Building Material, Timber, Furniture, Mechanic and Cement, Prince Emeka Egwuekwe, in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja said a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled in their favour.

    Read Also: Minister appoints new Solicitor-General for FCTA

    Egwuekwe said the market union also has all the necessary papers, already approved by the FCT Administration. It wondered why an agency under the FCT Administration would want to embark on a journey of illegality that will not end well.

    The statement reads: “We’re aware of a statement jointly made by Abuja Investment Company Limited and MESOTHO Group Limited, which in our view and under whatever guise, contravened the FCT administration’s stance on land grabbing.

    “In the said statement, carried in selected print and electronic outlets, the two organisations that spoke during a media tour of the disputed Kugbo International Market made spurious ownership claim to the Kugbo commercial layout which was lawfully allocated to members of Mararaba Building Material Market; the Kugbo Market Traders’ Association for Timber, Furniture, Mechanic and Cement, by the FCDA.”

  • USAID disburses N82.4m loan to Gombe, Yobe farmers

    USAID disburses N82.4m loan to Gombe, Yobe farmers

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – funded Feed the Future Nigeria Resilience Activity yesterday disbursed N82.4 million loans to 262 smallholder farmers from Gombe and Yobe states as part of efforts at boosting food production in the Northeast.

    The loans sourced through Mercy Corps and Sterling Bank partnership were given to farmers who are in three clusters namely Motherhen Farmers Akko Cooperative Society with 107 members, Motherhen Farmers Kwami Cooperative Society Limited with 97 members and Motherhen Farmers Yobe Cooperative Society Limited with 58 members.

    All the participants received the loans at a disbursement ceremony in Gombe organised by the Sterling Bank and Rural Resilience Activity implemented by Mercy Corps in collaboration with the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) and Save Children International (SCI).

    On the gains of a partnership between Mercy Corps and Sterling Bank, the Acting Country Director of Mercy Corps Nigeria, Mrs Adesola Osuji said Mercy Corps was committed to improving food security in Nigeria.

    Read Also; AfDB to deliver certified wheat, seeds to 20m farmers

    The Chief of Party, Feed the Future Rural Resilience Activity, Mrs Margarita Aswani said she was proud to work hand-in-hand with Sterling Bank to support more than 204 maize producers on nearly 300 hectares of land in Akko and Kwami local government areas of Gombe State as well as 58 cowpea producers in Yobe State to access agricultural inputs and tractors to increase land productivity and jointly tackle food security.

    More than 262 participants, including women and young smallholder farmers and agribusiness owners in the Northeast states of Gombe and Yobe, benefited from the loan facility worth N82, 399,920.

    The participants are women-led farmers’ cooperatives formed by Motherhen Development Foundation, one of the Rural Resilience Activity’s Enterprise Investment Fund, EIF partners expanding its Sustainable Household Income and Enhanced Livelihood (SHIELD) initiative. to improve the livelihood of 10,000 rice, maize, groundnut, cowpea and small ruminant farmers in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Gombe states through improved financial capacity, income levels and crop and livestock yields.

    The loan is in response to the rising food insecurity due to the high cost of agro-inputs and high prices of food which are directly linked to the ongoing insecurity, the economic impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war and compounded by other macro-economic conditions.

  • Northern governors’ wives to empower drug abuse victims

    Northern governors’ wives to empower drug abuse victims

    Wives of the 19 northern governors have pledged to train and empower drug abuse victims as part of efforts to curb the menace of substance abuse in society.

    This was part of the resolutions reached at the end of their quarterly meeting under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Wives’ Forum.

    A communique issued to reporters after the meeting in Birnin-Kebbi which was made available to reporters indicates that the governors’ wives have agreed that such a project was chosen to round off their tenures in office. The communique was read by the forum’s Chairperson Hajiya Hadiza Isma El-Rufai.

    She said: “The group agreed to close their tenures, with a specific project that will address problems in their various states.

    “The group also indicated that some of their challenges included lack of education and women empowerment, especially in the entire North.

    Read Also: Your platform can end drug menace, Bagudu tells govs’ wives

    “The meeting also agreed to draw work plans towards alleviating these challenges.”

    They also emphasised that all projects agreed upon by the meeting should be completed and inaugurated on or before December 2022.

    ‘‘The Northern governors’ wives have also agreed to invite the “Nigeria for Women,” project to brief them.

    “The meeting also agreed that all states that are not on the “At-Risk-Children” project should key in for the benefit of the out-of-school children, in particular, and the society, in general.”

    The Chairperson of the group advised parents whose children have been sexually abused not to feel stigmatised but to report such cases to relevant authorities to forestall recurrence.

    The two-day meeting was hosted by the wife of Kebbi State governor Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu at the Government House in Birnin-Kebbi, the state capital.

  • Groups rally Kogi youths for Tinubu-Shettima

    Groups rally Kogi youths for Tinubu-Shettima

    A group, the Southwest Agenda (SWAGA) for Asiwaju Tinubu, in alliance with the Northcentral Agenda For Asiwaju 2023 (NCA ’23), Kogi chapter, has mobilised youth and women in the state to vote massively for Tinubu/Shettima APC ticket in next year’s election.

    They described the All Progressives Congress (APC) duo as an unassailable ticket, guaranteed to usher Nigeria into deserving and true greatness.

    The National Chairman of SWAGA 2023 Senator Dayo Adeyeye spoke on Saturday in Okene where he appealed to the youth to vote massively for APC Asiwaju/Shettima in the 2023 presidential election.

    According to him, Nigeria needs a very dynamic, creative and imaginative leader at this time, and that is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Read Also: ‘Tinubu presidency will give youths opportunities to be leaders in business, politics’

    He stressed that Tinubu did well as Lagos State Governor and he would replicate the same achievements across the country.

    The Coordinator/Chairman of NCA for Asiwaju Alhaji Ibrahim Raji said the event was to sensitise and mobilise Kogi youths to support Asiwaju next year.

    While expressing his satisfaction with the turnout of the youths at the event, Raji stressed that Tinubu remained a leader that can bring jobs, empowerment and development to Nigeria.

    Oladele Oye and Samuel assured the youth that Tinubu is a leader of vision, passion and action who would make Nigeria better and curb its security challenges.

    The Woman Leader said that Tinubu is hale and hearty and strong to deliver good governance to all Nigerians. irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliations.

    ”Nobody works with Tinubu and complains irrespective of religion or ethnicity. Nigeria will flourish under Tinubu as president,” she said.

  • ‘Nigerians must reject water resources bill’

    ‘Nigerians must reject water resources bill’

    The Ogoni Democracy and Development Forum (ODDF) has declared that well-meaning Nigerians must reject the water resources bill before the National Assembly.

    It maintained that the bill would deny the people access to water which is linked to the water-based livelihood support systems.

    ODDF, through its Convener, Legborsi Pyagbara, stated this yesterday in an online statement to mark the 2022 International Indigenous People’s Day.

    Pyagbara also called on the management of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoni land, Rivers State, to embark on a comprehensive livelihood and economic rehabilitation of Ogoni women.

    He noted that the international indigenous people’s day, whose theme was “The Roles of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge,” was being celebrated to raise awareness about indigenous people’s issues, educate people about their conditions and offer solutions to the problems they were facing in the political, economic, social, educational, health and cultural spheres.

    He declared that across the world, indigenous people were often among the poorest ethnic groups in society.

    He stressed that according to the United Nations (UN), indigenous people make up less than five per cent of the world’s population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest.

    Read Also: Inside the controversial National Water Resources Bill

    The convener of ODDF noted that this year’s celebration was coming at an auspicious time, when the world was being faced with the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, with the world being in desperate need of finding solutions to the gargantuan challenges.

    He said: “Despite the enormous contributions of our indigenous women, they have been under-appreciated and under-acknowledged. In spite of their roles as breadwinners, caretakers, knowledge keepers, leaders and human rights defenders, they often suffer from intersecting levels of discrimination, based on gender, class, ethnicity and socio-economic status.

    “Women’s rights to self-determination, self-governance and control of resources and ancestral lands have been systematically and serially abused over the years. Our women still suffer high levels of poverty; low levels of education and illiteracy; limitations in access to health, basic sanitation, credit and employment; limited participation in political life; and the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence. We must make a vow to end these violations against our women.

    “We must bring our indigenous women to the centre stage, and they must be adequately represented in decision-making processes.”

    The executive director of AIFES also called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately sign on to and ratify the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) Convention 169, which recognised the rights of indigenous people.

    He urged the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a committee to develop the national action plan, for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and embark on the deliberate process of legal empowerment of women’s inheritance rights.

    Pyagbara stated that all financial institutions were required to provide facilities to indigenous women, without stringent conditions, as was presently the case.

    He said there was also the need to provide and promote free education for indigenous women while establishing centres for the learning and promotion of traditional knowledge transmission.