The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Education, hardwork, secrets of success – VC

    Education, hardwork, secrets of success – VC

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Pro-chancellor of Benue State University, Chief Sebastine Hon said, Education, hard work and fear of God are necessities to success.

    The legal luminary gave the advice at his Gboko residence while being presented with an Award of Excellence in the Legal Practice and Services to Humanity by a non-governmental organisation, Social Media Digest Summit

    The Pro-Chancellor admonished youths to shun acts that are capable of leading to failure. He recounted how his parents denied themselves of clothing and luxuries to ensure he and his siblings acquire education.

    Chief Hon, who pleaded with parents to consider the training of their children a necessity no matter the situation, also made known his readiness to offer support and expressed satisfaction with the love, respect and solidarity demonstrated by the people towards him.

    Presenting the award to the legal silk, the convener/team leader, Comr. Jacob Wuese, explained that the organisation is non-political, as the award was purely on merit.

    He lauded the numerous contributions of Hon to communities and humanity, saying installation of boreholes across the communities, building of schools for training of youths, as well as creation of jobs for the teaming youths through the establishment of companies among others are what merited him the award.

    He noted that towards ensuring peace and unity among the people, the awardee also instituted an annual unity football cup competition, which sixth edition was played on the eve of the 2022 New Year, with different prizes and gifts doled out to all participants.

    Wuse noted that the aim of the competition is encapsulated in its theme: “Giving life to the future of younger generation.”

  • Zamfara warns against hasty accusations against Matawalle

    Zamfara warns against hasty accusations against Matawalle

    Zamfara State Government has warned politicians and organisations against hasty accusations against Governor Bello Matawalle.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Mr Zailani Bappa, gave the warning in a statement in Gusau yesterday.

    “We have noticed an increasing trend of reckless accusations against the person of Governor Bello Matawalle from disgruntled quarters across the state,” he said.

    He stated that those who have the penchant for accusing the governor are “disadvantaged politicians seeking for relevance and some so-called professional organisations seeking for recognition by all means.”

    Bappa said those politicians and organisations had cash in on the open-door policy of the governor to bring his name to disrepute.

    “It must be stated that democracy and freedom of speech are sacrosanct but in no way a ticket to abuse the institution of authority with slander and libel,” he said.

    He added that anybody or organisation with complaints against any misdeed must follow due process in seeking redress.

    According to him, they should do this by reporting any matter to the security operatives and approach the court for redress based on the outcome of investigation.

    He warned that henceforth, no person or group of people should publicly accuse the state governor or his administration with “baseless innuendos.

    “We hereby draw the attention of all people and organisations to be cautious as the law will take its course on any further slander or libel against the governor.”

    On Tuesday, an online medium had accused the governor of sponsoring thugs to attack its office in Gusau.

  • Centre rehabilitates 788 vulnerable children

    Centre rehabilitates 788 vulnerable children

    A Bauchi-based privately-owned rehabilitation centre, Malam Kawu Youth and Orphanage Centre said yesterday that it has rehabilitated no fewer than 788 orphans and vulnerable children.

    Malam Abdullahi Tahir, the Chairman of the Centre told reporters in Bauchi that the rehabilitation took place in the past five years.

    He said 111 kids were enrolled into primary, secondary and tertiary schools, adding that some of them had already graduated with good grades.

    He said the majority of the beneficiaries were vulnerable children that included orphans and drug addicts. He added that the addicts were voluntarily brought to the centre by their parents.

    According to him, the centre trained some of the beneficiaries in skills which included tailoring, barbing and embroidery.

    He appealed to the state government and rich individuals and organisations to assist the centre financially to enable it to expand the scope of its services.

    “Our centre is duly registered with the relevant authorities, “he said.

    The centre located in Yakubu Wanka Community in Bauchi metropolis has been operating since 2017.

  • ‘Insecurity will not distort Katsina education’

    ‘Insecurity will not distort Katsina education’

    Katsina State Government has assured its citizens that the education sector will not be distorted by insecurity and other attendant calamities, including diseases and other social challenges.

    Commissioner for Education, Prof. Badamasi Lawal Charanchi gave the assurance while receiving a combined team of delegates from the Federal Ministry of Education and National UNICEF officers from Abuja who were on an inspection visit to the state. He said the visit came at the right time with opportunities that will address the state’s educational challenges.

    He said: “The state government is ready to partner with the Federal Ministry of Education and other development partners to develop education in the state, by using  technology to encourage the teachers who will inspire learning based on global challenges.”

    The leader of the team Dr Muhammed Mahmud, who is also the Technical Adviser to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, disclosed that the team was in the state to inspect the E-learning passport equipment supplied to Katsina State by the Federal Ministry of Education in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/GPE-NIPEP for the establishment of an E-Learning Passport studio/laboratory

    Mahmud further maintained that E-Learning has become a priority considering prevailing challenges to the education sector, especially in the Northern part of the country.

    The Nigeria UNICEF National Office representative, who is also a monitoring and evaluation specialist, Baba Yahaya Aminu, informed the gathering that E-Learning, apart from educating the populace, also provides vocational training and vocational skills for the society for meaningful development.

    The visiting team was also received by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Alhaji Musa Abdu Dankama, SUBEB Chairman Alhaji Buhari Lawal, as well as all directors of the ministry and those of SUBEB.

  • CAN, FOMWAN call for end to Plateau attacks

    CAN, FOMWAN call for end to Plateau attacks

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), in Plateau State, have called for an end to incessant bandits’ attacks and other criminal activities in the state.

     The two organisations made the call in separate chats with reporters yesterday in Jos.

     Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, Chairman of CAN in Plateau, said criminal activities were major setbacks to development in any society.

     He urged Nigerians, particularly in Plateau State, to work in collaboration with the government to end the menace.

     “I pray that this year, things will be better for us as Christians and every Nigerian. The relative peace in Plateau State should be sustained and the government should ensure that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice,” he said.

     Lubo emphasised the need for Nigerians to imbibe peaceful co-existence and mutual respect this year.

     He urged miscreants in the state to repent and put the interests of Plateau above personal consideration.

     “Let us think Plateau and act Plateau. I wish Plateau people a wonderful year with peace, progress and development,” he added.

     The CAN official urged Nigerians not to sell their soul for “peanuts” as the country prepares for its general elections, advising the people to elect only those that would facilitate development in the country.

     “People should not waste their lives for anybody. I call on Christians to get their voter cards because that is their power of change for good in the state and the country,” he said.

     In the same manner, the leader of FOMWAN in Plateau, Mrs Muhibba Abdulrazak, prayed for peace and stability in the country this year.

     She urged Nigerian leaders to be selfless in their dealings and lead with the fear of God.

     Abdulrazak also prayed for God’s guidance, protection and blessings for Nigerians.

  • Oil-producing states should not compromise on environment

    Oil-producing states should not compromise on environment

    The National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) Mulade Sheriff has called on environmental stakeholders in oil-producing states, especially those in the oil and gas communities not to compromise by palm-greasing from oil companies as this does not operate with environmental best practices.

    A statement by Mulade Sheriff, an environmental rights activist from the Niger Delta, said one of the challenges faced in promoting growth and development in the oil communities is a compromise from those who are naturally believed should fight to ensure that the needful is done which will benefit the greater majority of the people at the long run.

    He said there is a need for leaders to strive at all times to work for the economic growth and advancement of the people, even as he appealed to leaders of oil and gas host communities, to protect and save their environment from further devastation this year.

    He also advised that oil companies should tackle the challenges of pollution in order to reverse its original status of the degraded environment in the Niger Delta as well as protect and sustain the environment for future generations.

    “It is worthy of note that the National Oil Spill Detection and Responses Agency (NOSDRA), Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other environmental regulatory agencies now seemingly appeared to be tools in the hands of multinational oil and gas exporting companies in Nigeria by compromising and taking biased actions against the local people,” he said.

    Worried about the discovery of the degraded environment of oil spills activities, he noted that the economic damage as a result of oil spillages may not be recovered in the next 30 years.

  • How I will restore Benue’s glory, by aspirant

    How I will restore Benue’s glory, by aspirant

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Mr Terlumun Ikya, has promised to strengthen the revenue base of the state  to make the state compete favourably with other states in Nigeria.

    Ikya spoke with reporters in Makudi while declaring his intention to contest. He stated that Benue being an agrarian state can compete with other oil-producing states ,if properly harnessed.

    Ikya added that Zaki-Biam Yam Market alone is capable of giving the state N50 billion per annum if the revenue leakages are blocked and mechanisms strengthened.

    He lamented that Makurdi still remains one of the worst state capitals in Nigeria, a situation he attributed to the failure of successive regimes, even as he praised the late Aper Aku and Senator George Akume for doing well during their respective administrations as governors of the state. He called on other administrators to take a cue from them.

    Mr Ikya said his administration will also deeply involve the traditional rulers in the area of security, pointing out that traditional rulers are at the grassroots. He said he will work closely with them to eradicate the security challenges bedevilling the state.

    He said he will make Makurdi a model state capital where tourists’ centres such as Ikyogen Cattle Ranch and Raaav Ranch will be like Obudu and other places in Zones A, B and C senatorial districts for economic activities to thrive.

    He pledged that health and education will be given a boost in order to achieve quality education and affordable health care delivery for all citizens of the state, especially women and children.

    The aspirant said already he has set up political and strategic committees to assist him to restore the glory of Benue State if he is elected in 2023 with the support of God and the Benue people.

    He solicited the support of all irrespective of political inclination to actualise his ambition in 2023.

  • Ortom reshuffles exco

    Ortom reshuffles exco

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has approved the partial dissolution of the Benue State Executive Council.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Tony Ijoho, said those retained as commissioners include Michael Gusa, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Godwin Oyiwona, Commissioner for Energy, Science and Technology overseeing Ministry of Education, David Olofu Commissioner for Finance, Dr Joseph Ngbea, Commissioner for Health and Hunan Services.

    Others are Chief Dennis Ekpe Ogbu, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development overseeing Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and Mrs Nylazungwe Igirgi Commissioner for Women Affairs.

    Samuel Ortom has also forwarded the names of those nominated to the Benue State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners. They are Terna Kester Kyenge, Uungwa Sachia Jude Agbatar Rodney Wiliams, Michael Umoru Inalegwu, Agber Senjamin Aemnan, Dr. Jane Ogoma Aja, Saawuan Tamongo, and Nguher Teryima Levi.

    Ortom expressed his profound appreciation to the outgoing Commissioners for their service to the state and wish them well in their future endeavours.

  • Bauchi tourism board to train 350 in wildlife protection

    Bauchi tourism board to train 350 in wildlife protection

    The Bauchi State Tourism Board said it will train 350 forest rangers to enhance wildlife protection and conservation.

    Malam Nasir Yusuf, General Manager of the board, disclosed this to reporters yesterday in Bauchi.

    Yusuf said the three-day training, which will be facilitated by resource people drawn from public and private security outfits would be conducted this month.

    He said the exercise was designed to expose the participants to basic security rudiments on the protection of animals from internal and external threats.

    The board, he said, would not relent in the protection of the 139 different species of animals spread across the existing game reserves and wildlife parks across the state.

    According to him, the board will organise similar training exercises for community leaders on the protection and preservation of existing tourism sites and cultural artefacts.

    He said the exercise would be conducted in collaboration with the state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

  • ‘4,000 Jigawa PDP members to join APC’

    ‘4,000 Jigawa PDP members to join APC’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State said it has concluded arrangements to receive 4,000 people who will defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to its fold.

    Alhaji Aminu Sani-Gumel, the Jigawa APC Chairman, told reporters yesterday that all necessary procedures for their smooth transition had been concluded.

    Sani-Gumel said more than 2,000 members of the PDP had earlier dumped the party for APC in Maigatari and Kafin Hausa local government areas of the state.

    He said 4,000 PDP members had indicated interest to join the APC in Garki and Birnin Kudu local government areas, adding that their reception would soon hold.

    “Preparation for the official ceremony to welcome them into the ruling party in the state is on top gear,” he said.

    Sani-Gumel attributed the successes recorded by the APC to the leadership qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari at the centre as well as that of Governor Muhammad Badaru at the state level.

    He said the defecting PDP members were equally attracted by the party’s style of leadership towards fulfilling its campaign promises at all levels.

    He reiterated the commitment of the party’s leadership towards ensuring good governance and accountability in the country.

    The Chairman urged the APC members to embark on mass mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of its national convention billed for February.