Category: Northern Reports

The Plateau State Law School Students’ Association (PLALAWSA) has appealed to Governor Simon Lalong to pay their seven years backlog of bursaries.

Their spokesman, Mr J. R. Tahdok, made the plea in a statement in Jos.

Tahdok explained that since 2015, when Lalong entered Office as Governor of Plateau, he has not paid any law student the bursary, a situation which has negatively affected their studies and morale.

“It’s disheartening and shameful that our governor, who is a lawyer, has not demonstrated any love or kindness to his young colleagues in the law profession.

“What Lalong may not know is that it was former Governor Jonah Jang, who remodelled and increased the law school bursary.  Jang is not a lawyer, yet he did that to encourage law students in their quest for knowledge.

“All we want is for our governor to ponder on this as a lawyer and do the needful by paying the bursary.

“Let’s not forget that the anxious beneficiaries are young lawyers, who are finding life so difficult, His Excellency knows too well the plights of young lawyers in Nigeria, because His Excellency was once a young lawyer, who knows better,” he said.

He said PLALAWSA is an association of all who are indigenous to Plateau State, who studied Law from all the recognised universities all around the world and subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School.

The law student explained how Lalong’s late younger brother, Mr Tsenba Bako, told him how he (Governor Lalong) struggled and the role he (Tsenba Bako) played to raise money so that Lalong could go to law school in Lagos.

“The late Tsenba had to sell his rice farm, just to raise money so that Governor Lalong could go to the law school.

“Surprisingly, after benefitting from the bursary scheme, Governor Lalong has refused to pay his juniors, some of whom are still struggling to complete the law school programme,” he lamented.

Tahdok expressed hope that the governor would listen to their plea and consider the payment of the backlog of bursaries as expected.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to sign the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) bill into law to save the country from insecurity.

Commander of the Kebbi State chapter of the Nigerian Hunters’ Council (NHC) Mr Hussaini Musa-Rambo made the call in a chat with reporters in Birnin-Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, yesterday.

Musa-Rambo said: “We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the NHFSS bill into law as soon as possible to save Nigeria and Nigerians from the rising spate of insecurity.

“The assent of the bill into law by Mr President will provide employment opportunities to the teeming youths and reduce banditry and kidnapping in the country.”

Musa-Rambo recalled that the National Assembly had recently passed the bill and renamed it the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) bill, with the mandate to prevent forest crime and bush forest fire.

“We are to arrest, investigate and hand over to the police, for further prosecution, any person found committing any form of criminal activity in the forest, or any other matter as directed by the Minister of Interior.

“Senator Abiodun Olujimi, the former Senate Majority Leader, introduced the bill to the Senate for the first time on June 15, 2020, and it was read for the second time a few months later,” he said.

The commander also commended Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, the National Assembly and the Commander-General of NHC, Mr Joshua Osetimehin, for their efforts in ensuring the passage of the bill.

The Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Bayero has urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

Bayero made the call yesterday during the traditional Hawan Nasarawa at the Government House in Kano.

Hawan Nasarawa is the Emir’s payment of traditional homage to the governor of the state after the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The royal father described the PVC as an important document required for voting and identification, which all Nigerians of voting age must possess to avoid being disenfranchised.

“Voting is your right and everyone must ensure that he gets his or her voter’s card as this is the only way you can vote.

“With your voter’s card, you would be able to vote for the party of your choice,” he said.

The Emir also advised youths in the state to shun social vices, particularly drugs and violence. He also implored parents to monitor the movement and activities of their children and wards to avoid any anxiety.

He also commended the state government’s strides in health care, infrastructure development, education and the security sectors.

The traditional ruler called on Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje thanked the Emir for his contributions to peace, stability and unity in the state.

Ganduje attributed the relative peace enjoyed in the state to the adoption of new security measures, community policing and improved coordination among security agencies.

“We identified the issue of security as paramount to socio-economic development. Technology, community policing and full coordination among the security agencies made Kano the most peaceful state in the federation,” he added.

The governor maintained that his government adopted a strategy to further improve the markets by creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

On water scarcity in some parts of Kano metropolis, Ganduje said rehabilitation and expansion work embarked on by the Federal Government in some areas affected water supply to the state capital.

According to him, the exercise led to the blockage of the river which releases water to Challawa where it is treated for consumption.

Ganduje said the metropolitan councils had been directed to use water tankers to supply water to residents as an immediate solution.

Thousands ?of residents came out as early as 7:00 a.m., including children dressed in colourful attires to view the Sallah ceremony while security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order.

The traditional Hawan Nasarawa was attended by top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic community, members of the State and National Assemblies and heads of security agencies as well as community and religious leaders.

Former Chief of Staff to Benue State Governor and governorship aspirant for the 2023 general elections, Terwase Orbunde, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the  All Progressives Congress (APC).

He registered as a member of the party at Ajio, headquarters of Mbaketsa Council Ward in Shangev-ya, Kwande Local Government Area yesterday.

The APC Ward Chairman Godwin Ager presented him with the APC membership card and a broom.

Orbunde explained after the registration that the APC has promised to provide him with the opportunity to explore his political future on its platform.

He expressed appreciation to his political associates, supporters, and partners for their prayers, patience, support, as well as goodwill, and appealed that all these be sustained.

Orbunde, shortly before the registration, submitted a letter of resignation from the PDP to the ward chairman of the party, Tersoo Ukaa.

He expressed gratitude to the party for the privileges it gave him while he was a member.

Fire has gutted one of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara State.

The affected facility is the office of the electoral umpire in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state, residents said.

Neither the Zamfara State Police Command nor the INEC authorities in the state have confirmed the incident or if there was any casualty, as of the time of this report.

The INEC’s Head of Voters’ Education and Publicity in Zamfara State could not be reached as efforts to do so were unsuccessful.

Residents say the fire began at about 9:00 p.m. at the INEC office in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State on May 2, 2022.

Recounting how the incident occurred, residents told reporters that the fire began at about 9:00 p.m. on Monday and razed almost the entire building.

They stated that although firefighters arrived at the scene in good time to put out the fire, their efforts were unsuccessful as a result of the lack of water in their tank.

While the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, an eyewitness said in a telephone chat yesterday that no item could be evacuated from the burnt INEC office.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maj. Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim has hailed the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) for its contribution to the establishment of the NYSC museum.

The NYSC boss stated this when the President, the Historical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Okpeh Okpeh Jnr, led some members of the society on a visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, the NYSC boss stated that the NYSC has done a lot for the country, saying that anyone that had served the country would have passion for the NYSC.

The Director-General attributed his achievements in NYSC to the support of the management and members of staff of the scheme.

“I assure you that the NYSC will continue to call on the Historical Society of Nigeria for your services and support.

“I thank you for all the support. I also urge you to continue on that good stead,” the D-G said in the statement.

The President of the HSN commended the Director-General for his giant strides since he assumed duty as the 18th chief executive of the NYSC.

He said the society has been tracking General Ibrahim’s performance since he assumed duty at the NYSC.

He added that the NYSC chief has been the major factor in all the activities of the HSN.

The HSN President also praised the D-G for supporting the society more than any other member.

Prof. Okpeh said the HSN decided to congratulate General Ibrahim on his elevation to the rank of Maj. Gen. in the Nigerian Army.

“The Historical Society of Nigeria also sent us to thank you for not disappointing the society as a member and a Fellow of HSN.

“Leadership is neither an office nor a title, but it is organising people to achieve organisational goals and objectives,” Okpeh said.

Also, the NYSC has won the “Most Innovative Service Provider Award” organised by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

The award recognises excellence in business innovation, online user experience, and commitment to the Nigerian internet community while embracing sound business practices based on the level of local and original content promoted with the domain name.

Other nominees in the category were Sea Concept, LifeBank Nigeria, Hotel Booking Limited and Landwey.

State Coordinator NYSC Lagos, Yetunde Baderinwa received the award on behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim.

Other winners in 2022.ng awards are Best E-payment Website/Portal Alat by Wema Bank, Best Print Media website Guardian Nigeria, Best Local Hosting Company Smartweb Limited, Best E-commerce Website Jumia Nigeria, Digital Innovation in Federal Government of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Digital Innovation in State Government Akwa Ibom Government and the host of others.

The President of NIRA, Muhammad Rudman commended the various organisations that have projected their businesses using the.ng brand over the years

The NIRA President appreciated the winners and also nominees of the award.

He also encouraged Nigerians to embrace its internet domain.