Category: Northern Reports

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has expressed outrage over the attack on Danda Chugwi village of Vwang in Jos South Local Government Area where some persons were reportedly killed and others injured.

 Lalong described the incident as callous and condemnable, and also directed security forces to ensure those behind the attack are apprehended and punished.

 The governor described the attack as another ‘desperation by crisis merchants to instigate disharmony, suspicion, fear and orchestrate agony among the people leading to further violence’.

 According to the governor, security agencies including the police, Operation Safe Haven, DSS, Operation Rainbow, have been tasked to work with the local intelligence and ensure those behind the act are fished out.

 The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Makut Macham, sympathised with the bereaved families, and those injured, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Peace Building Agency (PBA) to visit the area and ensure that succour is given to victims.

 He also urged the people to continue to cooperate with security agencies, the traditional institution, community leaders and others community security architecture in supporting government towards exposing the criminals.

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said the government pays the highest wage bill in Northern Nigeria which has compounded the issue of salary payment.

Ortom, who spoke yesterday on a television programme, also decried the ‘lawlessness’ that has engulfed the nation, saying ‘Nigerians are living in distress’.

He explained that Benue State, which is predominantly an agrarian state, is paying the highest wage bill in the north, ranking after Lagos and Rivers states. He emphasized that his administration has been able to reduce the burden of unpaid salaries.

Governor Ortom also noted that despite the paucity of funds, his administration was working assiduously to clear outstanding salary arrears, stressing that with the domestication of the PENCOM law, the state government has contributed over N5 billion to take care of pensions in the near future.

He said: “This is the first time in Benue State the government has made the efforts we have made to clear pensions. As soon as a certain benchmark is reached with the domestication of the Pension Commission law, we will be able to source the funds and clear the arrears.”

The governor further explained that his administration inherited pension and salary arrears of N70 billion ‘but we have drastically reduced it to N40 billion’. He noted that all the labour unions are aware of what comes into the state, and that is why there are no industrial actions as was the case before now.

Governor Ortom challenged anyone who accuses him of misappropriating funds to come out with their facts. He however decried the incessant attacks on his people by marauding herdsmen which he said has impacted negatively on the state’s agricultural fortunes, as well as other sectors of the economy.

The governor reiterated his call for self-defense by the people, condemning lawlessness and impunity of whatever form in the country.

Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State Isah Kalanjine and eight councilors of the council have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The councilors are Zakariyya Madugu, Abubakar Kalanjine, Abubakar Aliyu, Halilu Aliyu, Ibrahim Tudu, and Musa Sakkwai. Abdullahi Garba and Jamilu Muhammad are former councilors.

APC leader Senator Aliyu Wamakko, and governorship candidate in the 2023 election Ahmad Sokoto, received the defectors yesterday. They said APC will be victorious in the 2023 election.

Senator Wamakko assured the defectors they will be carried along in the development of the party and the state as a whole. He was confident that APC will sweep all the seats.

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has suspended the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, Alhaji Musa Achuja, following his arrest and detention by security agencies.

Bello, in a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over the breach, that that he replies within 24 hours.

The governor’s directive follows the recent security breach where some security personnel died. He warned other traditional rulers who may have connection with criminals to desist because his ‘administration will deal with anybody who romances criminals, no matter how highly placed’.

Governor Bello also restricted all unofficial movement of council chairmen out of their territory, and other journeys without due process. He vowed that no amount of connivance with criminals will deter him from his fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Kaduna State governorship candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) Hayatuddeen Makarfi has urged youths to use the social media to create jobs for themselves.

Makarfi, who said the youths can create jobs by developing and promoting online businesses, also promised to transform Kaduna State into the economic hub of West Africa if he becomes the governor in 2023. He noted that though social media is literally meant for interactions ‘yet, it’s a huge industry full of opportunities for businesses globally’.

He was a special guest of honor at the ‘Youth Summit’ organised by the Kaduna State Youth Awareness Forum, where he said there is need for the government to explore ways to invest in the internet related platforms, through which the global businesses can thrive, which has also become a sector that provides employment on a large scale.

The candidate also said one of his major agenda is to expand the cities and towns in the state for economic opportunities that will attract local and foreign investments. According to him, the best way to tackle insecurity is an effective social justice reform, and not bullets.

He noted that when the All Progressives Congress (APC) government came into power, the security challenge was just a mere farmers/herders clash. ‘But the way and manner the challenge was handled made it metamorphose into banditry and terrorism’, Makarfi lamented.

“My mission involves a plan to make Kaduna an outstanding economic centre, not only in Nigeria, but in the entire Africa. My target is to leave an outstanding legacy in the state and that can only be achieved by focusing on development projects and a human capital based policy that can add value to the lives of the masses,” he added.

A Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has fixed September 13 to hear the substantive suit by Senator Barnabas Gemade seeking the nullification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary which produced Rev. Hyacinth Alia as candidate.

Gemade’s lawyer, Martins Ozueh told the court that the matter was for hearing but Alia’s lawyer, Mike Agber, filed and served on him his notice of preliminary objection and counter affidavit two days ago.

He noted that his colleague was currently filing his response to the objection and counter affidavit at the court registry. He urged the court to prevail on the defendants to file all their processes on time so that by the next adjournment, the substantive suit can be heard.

Ozueh also objected to attempts by INEC’s lawyer to move his application for extension to file his memorandum of appearance and counter affidavit, saying he was not served.

Agber earlier told the court that he had filed notice of preliminary objection to the suit.

Gemade is seeking for a declaration that the May 27 and June 9 primary which produced Alia as the  APC governorship candidate was not held in compliance with Section 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and INEC guidelines.

The plaintiff is also praying for a declaration that the primary and return of Alia by APC is invalid, null and void and of no effect, and prayed the court to set aside the declaration, and order for fresh election in compliance with the relevant law.

Justice Dogo, after listening to all the counsels in the matter, adjourned till September 7 for hearing of the substantive suit.

He also ordered that court processes be served on Alia, through substituted means, in the suit instituted by Prof. Terhemba Shija, seeking the nullification of the APC primary.

Justice Dogo issued the order after Prof. Shija’s lawyer, Kenneth Ikonne, brought a motion for substituted service saying efforts by the court bailiff to serve court processes on Rev. Alia proved abortive.

The judge ordered that the processes be served on Alia at his residence in Makurdi, and adjourned till September 13 for hearing.

A boy has been confirmed dead in an early morning flood caused by heavy downpour yesterday at Bajoga in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Houses around Dadinkowa River became flooded on Saturday following an early morning downpour that lasted for more than six hours.

The Director-General, Press Affairs to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Malam Uba Misili, who confirmed the death of the boy in a statement, said the governor has already sent a condolence message to the family.

He said Governor Yahaya has also directed the Ministry of Environment, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA and other relevant agencies to provide assistance to affected persons.

“Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sympathised with the victims of flood disaster that wreaked havoc on some areas at Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area of the state following a heavy downpour.

“The Governor, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of a boy who lost his life as a result of the flood, also sympathised with all those who sustained injuries or lost their properties and other material resources,” he said.

According to him, “The governor directed the State Ministry of Environment, Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the local authorities to immediately move in, assess the level of devastation in the affected areas such as Shara-Massur as well as provide succour to the victims to cushion the effect of the disaster.”

He assured of his administration’s commitment towards the wellbeing of the citizenry, adding that government will offer assistance to minimise the suffering of the affected persons.

The Governor however urged the people to heed to flash flood warnings, and avoid flood-prone areas as a preventive measure.

The chairman of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, has reiterated that his domain remains a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and will continued to lead the party to victory.

Garga, in a crucial meeting he held in Kanam town, directed all stakeholders to return to their wards and discuss progress and development of the party.

He also urged them to further interface with all concerned towards addressing challenges if there were any.

Meeting with all elected and supervisory councillors, special advisers, senior and special assistants, former councillors, former deputy chairman of the council as well as elders and other critical stakeholders, Garga pointed out that they have no choice but to preach the APC because of how impactful it has been to them as a people in the area.

He said the Governor Simon Lalong administration has tried its best in getting to the grassroots, hence its attraction of development to Kanam.

Garga said in a democracy, challenges are bound to be faced as well as solutions, hence the meeting with them.

“We have the Badawa Zone, Dugub, Gagdi and GidGid wards, as such it is imperative that we consolidate on the gains and strength that we have. We will continue to initiate and execute projects that will touch the lives of our people positively as directed by His Excellency, Governor Simon Bako Lalong; so I am further directing you all to act in compliance as you have always done”.

The Executive Chairman said the APC is parading very qualified candidates in the persons of Dr. Nentawe Yilwada for Governor, Hon Diket Plang for Senate, Rt.Hon. Yusuf Gagdi for PKK, Hon. Bala Noma and Karlmax all of Kanam LGA, and  as such victory is sure in the coming elections.

Various sums were thereafter donated by the Chairman and some stakeholders to facilitate movement of the stakeholders to the nooks and crannies of the LGA.

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has sacked the Director General of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Alhaji Arah and the Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Isah Adamu.

The NSUBEB chairman was sacked over the misappropriation of funds meant for the board while the DG SDG was sacked due to the non-implementation of reforms in the sector.

It was also learnt that the chairman of NSUBEB has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

Although the letter from the government signed by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane stated that the chairman was suspended, sources in government have disclosed that he was actually sacked.

The letter signed by Matane read, “The suspension of the chairman is for suspected anomalies in the operations of the board.”

On the part of the SDG, the letter read, “The removal of the Director General is to facilitate accelerated implementation of the reforms being initiated by the government towards the attainment of the SDGs in the state”.

The Nation learnt that Adamu was arrested in Minna by the EFCC following reports and complaints of extravagant spending on acquiring assets within and outside the state capital as well as the conversion of contracts worth millions of naira to himself.

An acting chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Nafuntua, has been appointed to the NSUBEB board.

The Katsina State government has launched the Nigeria Learning Passport as part of its efforts to fast-track learning amongst students of primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

Investigation by The Nation reveals that the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) is an electronic distant learning platform fortified with both audio and video for intended beneficiaries for self-based learning.

It was further revealed that the application contains video, audio and written contents consisting of all the books needed by students.

The UNICEF National monitoring & Evaluation Consultant, Babagana Aminu, told newsmen at the launching that  the application can be accessed both offline and online.

He said, “Tablets would be provided for schools for the implementation of the programme that would see the users using local language for effective communication.

“Due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the security situation in the state especially, this application is an opportunity to narrow digital inequalities and provide opportunities to empower boys, girls and young women in the state.

“100 schools would receive internet connection while 45 schools would benefit from offline learning passport in the state,” he added.

Aside the global COVID-19 pandemic, Katsina State has been witnessing renewed bandits’ attacks, which has led to the abduction of students and closure of schools across the state.