Category: Northern Reports

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has charged nominees of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Senior Executive Course 44, to use their period of study to advance solutions towards improving Local Government administration in Nigeria.

Governor Lalong told the nominees at the Government House, Jos, that they are coming to Plateau State at a time when the state is enjoying greater peace and stability as well as an increase in visitors and investors.

He said the theme of the course which is “Strengthening Local Governance in Nigeria: Challenges, Options and Opportunities” is very apt because the Local Government system in Nigeria has been dwindling due to many issues.

The governor explained that this was why he was among the few governors to grant full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria after series of engagements with stakeholders.

He emphasised the importance of taking back governance to the people at the grassroots through strengthening the tier of government that has the closest proximity to them.

Lalong assured the nominees that the government of Plateau State will continue to do everything possible to make their stay at the institute very comfortable, urging them to use the opportunity to discover the true Plateau State that is reputed for Peace, Tourism and Hospitality.

Acting Director General of the Institute, retired Brig. Gen. Chukwuemeka Udaya thanked the governor for his constant support to the Institute and his participation in its engagements.

Following a one-month intensive practical training on entrepreneurship, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday presented N100m to 152 reformed youths who were prominent members of a violent political thuggery group code-named ‘ECOMOG’ in Maiduguri.

Zulum made the presentation at the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, venue of the one month training.

The 152 youths had renounced thuggery in response to Governor Zulum’s ban announced at the end of 2019. Following that announcement, the Governor in August 2019, directed the enrollment of 2,762 youths into a ‘waste for cash’ sanitation programme in which the youths cleaned the drainages to earn monthly stipends.

Satisfied with the improving conducts of the youths, the governor directed the selection of leaders and most prominent among them. 152 persons were then selected and made to under-go a one-month training in business enterprises, fishery, animal rearing and animal fattening.

The training was coordinated by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship at the Ramat Polytechnic, where Professor Zulum was an Engineering Diploma student from 1986 to 1988, and Rector from 2011 to 2015.

Declaring the training closed on Friday, Governor Zulum said 16 prominent leaders of the repentant political thugs will each receive N2m amounting to N32m, while the remaining 136 persons will each receive N500,000, amounting to N68m.

The governor said the government’s support is under the condition that none of them ever returned to political thuggery, while they are also required to repay half of what they receive, with the State Government is waving 50%.

Commissioner for Sports and Youths Empowerment, Saina Buba, described the programme as a bold effort by Zulum to stamp out violent political thuggery, especially from Maiduguri, which, between 2002 and 2008 had reached the extent of rival killings.

…to sponsor their 152 children in schools

As part of strategy to prevent children from towing the paths of their parents, Governor Babagana Zulum announced that the State Government will shoulder the education of 152 children, one each to be nominated by the 152 repentant political thugs.

Zulum charged the youths that it was in their best interest to accord dignity to themselves by being self reliant rather return to thuggery.

He reminded them to never allow themselves to be used because those who use them do not allow their children to become thugs.

Leaders of the youths, speaking in Hausa and Kanuri, said Zulum had proved his genuine love for them by not only setting them up for businesses, but also promising to educate their children.

“There is no better way for Zulum to prove that he genuinely means well for us. By the grace of God, we will not allow anyone to even look at us as thugs because our appearances alone will indicate that we are changed persons” one of the leaders said.

The Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has said there are jubilations across Nasarawa State over the recently energised Lafia 2X150 MVA & 2X60 /132/33/330 KV Transmission Substation that will add 240Mw to their supply.

It was earlier completed by Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC).

President Muhamadu Buhari is scheduled to formally commission the substation on Thursday next week.

Head, Communication & Public Relations, Mr. Emmanuel Ojor, revealed this in a press release at the weekend.

Speaking during a pre-commissioning inspection to the Substation by the Executive Director, Networks, NDPHC Limited, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele and his team on Tuesday, Engr. Sule, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, said with the completion of the substation has come “praise galore for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari across the state.”

He thanked President Buhari, the management and staff of NDPHC, and all those involved in the execution of the project, stressing that it will definitely improve the economy of Nasarawa State.

“Small, medium, and micro enterprises will all thrive because they need energy,” he said.

Earlier, Oyedele had commended the Governor and his predecessor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura for their doggedness in the pursuit for the development of their State.

He said, although the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), Lafia Substation was funded by the Federation, it was important to emphasise the contributions of Engr. Sule and his predecessor.

“On the day that we came to take over this site, a Certificate of Occupancy had been issued. In three years, no worker – whether expatriate or local has been harassed – not to talk of being kidnapped or any such thing.

“And since the incumbent Governor took over, he has assumed the role of Project Manager. He has visited this site more than 33 times. He is purely showing good example. To see a Governor who is interested in the progress and development of his people, is commendable. I remember that he visited the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Ministry of Finance to facilitate the early release of imported materials for the project when their clearance was being delayed. If all Nigerians are like this, this country would be a better place.”

The Lafia Transmission Substation is equipped with State-of-the-Art Digital Control and Protection facilities with fully functional Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) that enhances real-time operational flexibility, monitoring & control of all the substation electrical variables.

The project will also help to provide back feed to the FCT, whenever necessary since FCT is being served from Shiroro and Geregu Power Stations.

Leaders of Lunguda Communities of Nyuwar and Jessu in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State on Friday called for in-depth investigation into causes of recurring attacks on their communities by neighbouring Waja communities, despite various peace initiatives.

The District Head of Nyuwar, Chief James Pisaghi and the Village Head of Sabon Layi in Jessu, Mr. Busa Zwaye who made the call during an advocacy visit facilitated by West African Network for Peace building, WANEP in collaboration with Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre from Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Humanity First Nigeria in Gombe, said this has become imperative in order to find a lasting solution.

The two traditional rulers lamented that despite the intervention by both Gombe and Adamawa states governments, peace has continued to elude the two communities, leading to over one thousand Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, scattered in neighbouring communities of Cham, Bambam and Yolde.

The District Head of Nyuwar, Chief James Pisaghi, who was a former Secretary to Gombe State Government, said various peace negotiations/mediations, meetings, dialogues held and agreements signed would continue to be ignored and attacks would continue unless the matter was traced to its roots.

Pisaghi said the recent attack on Nyuwar on the 8th of February, 2022, came to them as a surprised, because they thought they had found a solution to the main cause of the crisis between the Lunguda and Waja speaking communities with the renewed interactions between them which had cooled tempers.

He said his people remained grateful to the various interventions from outside their communities, but that the interventions were mere scratches on the surface, unless the real reasons for the attacks were known.

“My own understanding of the crisis is that, I think it’s being brushed on the surface. We have not gone deep into it to know what the real causes, immediate and remote are.” he said.

The Village Head of Sabon Layi, Mr. Busa Zwaye, said his community was hosting about a thousand displaced people from Nyuwar, who were attacked on Tuesday last week, 8th of February, 2022.

He wondered how the two tribes who had lived together for over 300 years suddenly turned to sworn enemies.

The National Coordinator of WANEP, Mrs. Bridget Osakwe, said the most strategic move by both leaders of the Lunguda and Waja Communities should be the physical demonstration of forgiveness and the show of unity by them, so that the followership can naturally emulate it.

After the April 2021 attack both Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and his Adamawa state counterpart brought the two tribes leaders to sign a peace accord at Numa in Adamawa state but the attack continued especially on Nyuwar and Jessu communities unabated.

Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has secured a N50 million grant for COVID-19 research from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The university also said it has secured a £1,000,000 grant from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom for the Light Consortium project.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof William Qurix, said the grants are as a result of collaboration with reputable international and local institutions like Sumy State University, Ukraine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK University of Wolverhampton among others.

Speaking during the 17th matriculation ceremony of the institution in Karu, Nasarawa State on Thursday, the Vice Chancellor warned students of the university against drug abuse.

He said the authorities of the university have declared zero tolerance for drug abuse, threatening to sanction any student found wanting in the act.

Speaking on the general insecurity that has been confronting the entire nation, he reiterated that the management of the university has put in place several security measures in conjunction with other security operatives to ensure the protection of the campus from criminal elements.

He, however, entreated all students to be on the lookout and promptly report any suspicious activity to the security unit of the institution.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that there are twelve faculties, 64 academic programmes, out of which forty-six were established in the last four years, noting that the institution has part-time degree programmes in Sociology, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, English, Mass Communication, Political Science and Computer Science.

According to him, last year, the university matriculated 1,377 undergraduate and 387 postgraduate students for the 2020/2021 academic session.

He further explained that out of a total of 4,530 candidates that applied to the university this year, only 1,560 were granted admission to study various courses which included Pharmaceutical sciences, Basic medical sciences, Clinical Sciences, Health Sciences.

Others were Arts, Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Law, Education, Environmental Science and Admonition respectively.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has signed an Executive Order to tackle security challenges in the state, Information and Culture Commissioner, Yahaya Sirika announced yesterday.

The order is in exercise of the powers conferred on the governor by Section 176(2) of the1999 Constitution, Sirika said.

It took effect from January 1 and bans all forms of political thuggery and associated crimes in the state.

Also banned is indiscriminate posting of political parties’ posters and banners in roundabouts, government buildings as well as offices and public places.

He said: “Gathering and movement of political thugs known as Bacha, Kauraye under any other name or guise to intimidate, harass and maim the innocent populace are also totally banned.

“Any person or group that contravenes the provisions will be charged for an offence punishable under Section 114 of the penal code law.”

• Chairman donates 10 motorbikes for military operations

• Police: We are yet to receive the report

Four persons have been killed  while several others injured in another attack  at Tse Udeghe, Mabapa  council ward of Gwer West Local Government of Benue State.

According to a report from Naka, the herdsmen stormed the village at about 4:30pm heavily armed and in large numbers without any resistance.

Council Security Officer, Justine Chikpa told The Nation that one Iorwundu Ihyo and his son Shimayohol Iorwundu and Chiahemba Orkenevihi and Nyinongu Orkenevihi were all killed by the herdsmen militia.

Mbapa is the eighth council ward in Gwer West Local Government that has been taken over by the herdsmen.

When contacted, the chairman of Gwer West Local Government, Mrs Grace Igbabon, said she has donated ten (10) motorcycles to the military yesterday to facilitate movement of the military in fighting herdsmen militia in the local government and expressed concern on the persistent attack on her local government without provocation.

Report says the herdsmen yesterday at about 7pm blocked Naka, Makurdi highway and shot at a passing bus, killing one occupant at Ahumen area of the road.

Police spokesperson, Kate Anene, told The Nation that she was yet to receive the report of the attack from Gwer West.

Presenting the motorcycles to the military in Naka, Hon Mrs Igbabon urged the men of OPWS to deploy the motorbikes in areas their vehicles cannot access.

She however thanked Governor Samuel Ortom and the Special Adviser for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bar Ken Achabo for their support and assured that her council will continue to encourage any security operatives in the local government to fight the insurgency.

Reviving the motorcycles, the Unit commander operation, Lt Adeola Oluwatosin, thanked the chairman for taken security as her priority and promised to use the motorcycles to ensure that the local government is secured.

By Faith Yahaya and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Passion for Peace Initiative (PPI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), have urged the political class and citizens to avoid comments that are capable of throwing the country into turmoil ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Director-General of the NOA, Dr Garba Abari, noted that the country had been “plagued with sectional and divisive sentiments, fueled by rhetoric and innuendoes that play up our fault lines and pitch us against each other.”

Abari, who spoke during the unveiling of the “One Voice Nigeria” project said: “Our nationhood has been threatened by these centrifugal forces that thrive on fake news and hate speech.

“As the 2023 general elections approach, it is not unusual to see a spike in the use of such divisive narratives in our society, especially in the social and conventional media.”

The Director-General, who was represented by Director, Special Duties and State Operations, Mette Edekobi, said the NOA, together with PPI, will engage youths to adopt a peace-promoting disposition in all conversations about the country.

Executive Director of Passion for Peace Initiative, Lekan Jimoh, said the organisation was synergising with the NOA to raise awareness and re-orientate Nigerians on the values of transparency, accountability, nationalism and patriotism.

He said: “As a body, we are concerned about the agitations from parts of the country for a split. We have seen the enormous height we can attain as a country by being together.

“Nigeria is stronger and great when we stay together, work together, prosper together and overcome all divisive tactics together. Let’s speak oneness, peace, and progress together, let’s speak One Voice Nigeria together.”

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has asked the state’s Commissioners of Education and that of Finance, the State Accountant General, Head of Civil Service and Director, Salary Bureau to appear before the House next week.

The House said their appearance will enable them to explain to the people  why the salary of over 400 newly employed secondary school teachers were not paid three months after they were employed.

Speaker of the Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi gave the directive after Daniel Oga Ogazi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education raised the issue on Matters of Public Interest during the House’s proceedings yesterday in Lafia, the state capital.

Balarabe Abdullahi said for the standard of education to be improved in the state, teachers must be encouraged, motivated and their salaries should be paid promptly.

“First, let me appreciate Daniel Ogazi for bringing this very important matter and other members for your contributions on this issue.

“It is in view of this that we are inviting the Commissioners of Education and Finance, Accountant-General, Head of the Civil Service and Director Salary Bureau to appear before the House on Monday, February 21, 2022.

“This is to enable them to explain to us and the people of the state why they have failed to pay the secondary school teachers after three months of their employ,” he said.