Category: Northern Reports

Commissioners in the Plateau State state executive council have raised more than N60 million to purchase form for Governor Simon Bako Lalong to contest the Senate seat of the Plateau State Southern Zone Senatorial District.

This was stated by Yakubu Datti, the Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum of Plateau State.

According to the statement, the commissioners said Governor Lalong has restored Plateau to its place of reckoning by promoting peaceful co-existence and developmental projects for the benefit of the common citizens irrespective of tribe, religion and creed.

The commissioners further enumerated the leadership qualities of Governor Lalong who, as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum has promoted unity and accommodation among different spheres.

According to Yakubu Datti, the Senate position will enable the entire country to benefit from his demonstrated leadership potential.

They encouraged the youth, women, elders, and appointed and elected beneficiaries to join other stakeholders who are meeting regularly.

The commissioners have concluded plans to purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms along with Prof. Danladi Atu, the Secretary of the Government of the State (SSG) and the Chief of Staff, Noel Donjur yesterday, in line with the APC guidelines released by the national secretariat.

The Yobe State Government said it has reduced the rate of malaria prevalence in the state from 42 per cent to 27 per cent since 2013.

The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Management Board, Dr Kundi Machina stated this during a chat with reporters in Damaturu on Monday to mark this year’s Malaria Day.

Dr Machina explained that the success was achieved through various scientifically-proven interventions that took place in the state, including mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention targeting children less than five years and intermittent preventive therapy for expectant mothers.

“The Yobe State Government has made huge progress in the fight against malaria since 2013; resulting in a significant reduction in malaria burden.

“The 2013 NDHS shows that malaria is now responsible for two out of 10 deaths in children less than five years, as against 30 per cent in previous years…the NMIS 2015 shows a remarkable fall in the malaria prevalence from 42 per cent to 27 per cent which is a commendable stride in the government’s effort to stem malaria,” Dr Machina said.

He added that the state government, with partners, distributed 2.2 million long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) in a massive campaign across the 17 local government areas.

According to him, plans are at an advanced stage to carry out another massive campaign with partners which is scheduled to commence in August this year and the third round of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in the councils.

Dr Machina called on the private sector to commit more resources to the fight against malaria, stressing that the huge resources required to fight the scourge can only be realised with the commitment of philanthropists, the private sector and the government.

He thanked the partners for their commitment to the fight.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of goodwill messages from the World Health Organisation (WHO), AHNi and the malaria consortium.

Adamawa youths have staged a protest in the state capital, Yola, yesterday over an alleged plan by the State House of Assembly to remove a member who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The member, Ayuba Joseph Kwada, who represents Michika State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, had, at the weekend, announced his defection from the PDP to the APC, saying the PDP and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri had been sidelining him in activities and decisions that should involve him.

His defection from the PDP allegedly caused panic within the House leadership and in the state government, and talk became rife that the House would, at its sitting yesterday, remove Ayuba by declaring his seat vacant.

That the PDP enjoyed only a slight majority of 14 members to APC’s 11 members while Ayuba was still in PDP, gave strength to the speculation that the PDP government was desperate not to let Ayuba go unpunished.

So, it was rumoured yesterday that the House would, at the day’s sitting, declare Ayuba’s seat vacant.

Pro-Ayuba youths had responded by gathering in front of the House of Assembly Complex in Yola as early as 9:00 a.m., protesting the alleged plan to remove Ayuba.

Ayuba, in a chat with reporters at his Yola residence, while the protest was on around the Assembly Complex, said he left the PDP because the PDP and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri were making him look like an orphan and he needed a refuge.

“I was left in the sun and I could no longer bear the heat. So, I left for the APC where I would find shade,” Ayuba said.

On the alleged plan to declare his seat vacant, he said: “I heard all that, but I don’t know how they will do it. Not long ago, Musa Bororo (who represents Mubi South in the House of Assembly) left the APC for the PDP. His seat was not declared vacant. I don’t know how they will do this one.”

Our correspondent reports that when the House of Assembly eventually had its sitting yesterday, no mention was made of Ayuba’s defection.

The Speaker of the House, Aminu Iya Abbas led members in the sitting, treated three bills, but said nothing about Ayuba Kwada.

Not a word was uttered by either the Speaker or any member until the House adjourned sitting to today.

The silence of the House on the Ayuba issue gave rise to the fresh speculation that the House is resting its alleged plan for another day.

Former Senate President Ameh Ebute has been nominated as the National Leader of the National Assembly Senators and Members’ Forum.

In a statement by Chief Tony Mike Akpan, the National Coordinator of the Forum said Senator Ebute was nominated to replace the late Senator Joseph Wayas. Ebute is currently the most senior Senate President in Nigeria.

Responding to the nomination letter which was conveyed to him after a recent meeting by the executive members of the forum in Abuja, the Senate President in the Third Republic said his choice as the new national leader of the legislative association is another call to serve as the Forum represents all the country’s federal legislators from 1957 till date.

Senator Ebute also stated that he appreciates his call to service through the Forum because it’s another means of deepening the gains of democratic governance in Nigeria as membership cuts across all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to Senator Ebute, while the Forum has always stood for the deepening of democracy, the entrenchment of an enduring democratic tradition and genuine dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people,  “our mission and vision is to ensure that a former and present Senator and member emerges the President of Nigeria in 2023.

The Forum, which had the late elder statesman Alhaji Maitama Sule and the late former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas as founding fathers, has influential former and present Senators and members of the National Assembly in 36 states, Abuja, FCT and 774 local government areas of Nigeria.

Senator Ebute noted that the Forum will have its next national meeting soon in Abuja. He, therefore, called on former and serving federal legislators of the National Assembly to support the Forum, particularly in its mission and vision to ensure that one of them emerges Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2023.

The residents of Jibia, a town in Katsina State sharing a common border with the Niger Republic, have commended the Federal Government for reopening the border between the town and the Niger Republic, which has been closed since August 2019, to curtail smuggling and boost local rice production.

The residents told The Nation during a chat in the town that they will reciprocate the Federal Government’s gesture by obeying laid down rules and regulations guiding the operations of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

A report by our correspondent, who visited the border town yesterday indicates that commercial activities had resumed in earnest following the announcement of the opening of the border last week after about three years of closure.

The Nation recalls that the Federal Government had, on Friday last week, approved the re-opening of Idiroko, Jibia, Kamba and Ikom borders.

The reopening of the Jibia Border was, however, delayed due to a low level of compliance by residents with the government’s directive.

Dr Suleiman Bello, a Jibia resident, told The Nation that the people of the border town are ready to reciprocate the Federal Government’s gesture.

He said: “The atmosphere is much tensed. A lot of economic activities have been down before; that’s why we are recording insecurity and other related issues everywhere. We are ready to adhere to the dos and don’ts regarding contraband items and other related laws.”

Another resident, Abubakar Idrisu resident, also said though the government has denied them several benefits previously due to the closure, with the reopening of the border, their neglected plight will be salvaged.

He said: “The government has really assisted us with the reopening of the border. Jibia Border is just like a refinery built for us. At least, we can feed ourselves and go about our daily business activities.”

A food vendor, Hajiya Maryam Mai Abinci, said she has recovered from the plight of border closure after a few days of reopening.

She said: “Truthfully, within these few days, I have recorded tremendous success. We pray this is what will bring lasting solutions.”

The Coalition for Regional Development for Transparency and Good Governance has urged the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio to join the presidential race for the 2023 general elections.

The coalition said Nigeria was in dire need to be rescued, adding that the minister has the proven records and achievements to rescue the country.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Bashir Lawal, the coalition said as governor, Akpabio moved Akwa Ibom from a backward state to a world-class masterpiece driven by a process known by all as “an uncommon transformation.”

The statement said: “The one man that stands out with proven records of achievements and still in the right frame of mind to replicate similar feat across the length and breadth of Nigeria as our opinion poll confirmed is no other one than Godswill Akpabio.

“We, therefore, urge the minister to declare his presidential intention and obtain nomination form as we are fully prepared as a group to adopt his aspiration as our project in 2023.

“This persuasion to run for the position of the president is a patriotic call on the man Akpabio based on his sterling leadership qualities and exemplary lifestyle as well as a display of rare courage whenever critical national issues are at the front burner.

“We believe, apart from replicating uncommon transformation feat across Nigeria, the strategic advantage of Akpabio’s presidency would resolve issues about the inconclusive tenure of the Southsouth known over the years as traditional allies of the northern political equilibrium.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday conducted a damage assessment at the International Cattle Market, Iware in Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State where a bomb blast occurred recently.

The blast occurred in a drinking joint in the market. Six people were killed and 19 others were injured during the incident.

The Head, Taraba/Adamawa Operations Office of NEMA, Mr Ayuba Ladan, who led the team on the assessment tour, said the officials were at the site of the incident to ascertain the level of damage.

He said the visit was at the directive of the Director-General of the agency, Mr Mustapha Habib, whom, he said, had expressed concern over the unfortunate occurrence.

While commiserating with the Taraba State Government and the victims, Ladan said 121 households were affected by the blast.

He added that nine people died and 28 were injured while many others were displaced.

He gave the assurance that the operation’s office of the agency would forward the report to its headquarters for quick response to the victims.

The NEMA team also visited the Village Head of the community where the blast occurred, the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, and other medical facilities where victims were receiving medical treatment.

The team also visited the Police Command in Taraba State.