Chairman, Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, has asked Nigerians to look forward to a great year 2022 with optimism and hope, even as they prepare to make personal sacrifices and unite in supporting government in addressing the critical issues militating against the peace, unity and progress of the nation.

In his New Year message, Governor Lalong said the nation has a lot to thank God for, having experienced highs and lows in many sectors. He said though there were many challenges, so much was equally achieved in many areas, which affirmed the resilience of Nigerians.

He said with the determination and collaboration of the people, insecurity and unemployment which are major factors that threaten the future of the country will be overcome.

“Nigeria is tremendously blessed and endowed with not only natural resources, but good people who want to live in peace and pursue legitimate endeavours in peace, unity and tranquillity.

“That is why we must all work together in the New Year to confront those who want to take away the collective destiny of Nigerians through terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities.

“We must deny them such opportunity and also ensure that we put them to shame. We should do so, believing that evil cannot triumph over good,” he said.

Governor Lalong, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Machan, said in 2022, his administration will continue with its rescue mission of developing human capital and physical infrastructure by completing those in progress as well as carrying out others which are coming on board.

This, he said, will ensure that the government fulfils its promises to the people.

Among others, the governor said the Lalong Legacy Projects will be completed while work on the British-America flyover bridge will be carried out, including other ongoing projects across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.

Police have rescued nine kidnap victims in Sabon Birnin, Birnin village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the rescue operation to Channels Television on Saturday.

He explained that the operation was conducted by operatives of the command in collaboration with personnel of the Force Intelligence Bureau and Special Tactical Squad of the Force Headquarters.

Jalige said the security operatives stormed a notorious bandits’ camp on Friday, following intelligence that some victims were held hostage for ransom in the said forest.

The camp, he stated, belongs to one Isiya and is located in the forest of Sabon Birni village. The command’s spokesman said the mission was cautiously and successfully executed and resulted in the killing of one of the bandits while several others escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds.

He disclosed that two suspects, Rabe Baushe and Badamasi Usman, were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.

Banditry has been rife in Kaduna and other states of the Northwest region despite assurances by the government and security agencies in tackling the issue.

Two weeks ago, bandits killed a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rilwanu Gadagau, on their way to their hideout in the forest.

The lawmaker was among many people the bandits kidnapped along the Kaduna – Zaria road.

According to a security report presented by the Kaduna State Government, at least 888 people were killed in violent attacks by bandits in various parts of the state from January to October 2021.

The report also showed that a total number of 343 people were killed by bandits between July and September last year, while 2,553 people were kidnapped by bandits in various communities across the state from January to September 2021.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the family of late Dr. Datti Ahmed in Kano.

The duo also attended the wedding Fatiha of daughters of one of his close associates, Alhaji Hassan Kafayos.

The Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Ola Awoniyi, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

The statement reads: “The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan paid a visit to Kano on Saturday to attend the wedding Fatiha of daughters of one of his close associates, Alhaji Hassan Kafayos. The Senate President embarked on the trip from Abuja with the Governor of Yobe State and Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Mai Mala Buni and Senator Barau Jibrin.

“They were received on arrival at the Aminu Kano International Airport by a delegation led by former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.

“Alhaji Hassan, who hails from Gashua in Yobe State, gave out three daughters in marriage at Al-Furkan Mosque in Kano.

“Shortly after the wedding, the Senate President and the Yobe State Governor headed straight to the residence of late Dr Datti Ahmed at Yandutse Road, Nasarawa, GRA in Kano to pay condolence visit to the family.

“Dr Ahmed, who was until his death the President-General of Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, died on Thursday.

“In his brief remarks, the Senate President paid glowing tribute to the late elder statesman describing his death as a great loss to ‘all of us.’

Lawan said the late Dr Datti Ahmed “was one of the prominent northerners who lived a decent and an exemplary life worthy of emulation and prayed Allah to forgive his son and accept his soul in Aljannah firdaus.”

A Group, under the auspices of Arewa Defense League (ADL) has pledged support for Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari’s alleged plan to support residents of the state to acquire weapons for self-defence against bandits terrorising the state.

The information was contained in a statement by the President of the Arewa Defense League, Murtala Abubakar yesterday.

The group said: “We welcome with optimism the statement by the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari to the effect that his government is going to assist communities to acquire weapons to defend themselves against rural bandits and other criminal gangs.”

The group stated that the governor’s action might have been motivated by the “apparent failures of our military and other law enforcement agencies to protect citizens against bandits and other dangerous criminals,” adding that “it has created an atmosphere where heavily armed bandits operate freely in the Northwest and parts of Niger State with impunity as they rape, plunder, maim and kill citizens.”

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has presented the Staff of office to the Emir of Lere, Alhaji Suleiman Umaru.

The Emir succeeded his uncle, the late Sarki Abubakar II.

Governor El-Rufai urged the royal father to follow the steps of his late uncle.

The late emir was a military governor and a retired Major-General, who, together with his wife, established the famous and highly elitist Essence College in Kaduna.

Governor El-Rufai said: “I enjoin you to emulate the late Emir Sarki Abubakar II, and rule the people of Lere with the fear of Almighty Allah and justly.”

El-Rufa’i assured the people of Lere that his administration would soon inaugurate the building of the Agricultural Department of the Kaduna State University in Lere.

Emir Suleiman Umaru thanked the governor.

Dignitaries at the event included the Chairman of Kaduna State Council of Traditional Rulers and Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, numerous sons and daughters of Lere Emirate from within and outside Nigeria, prominent politicians, senior government functionaries from the state and federal level, among others.

The Idoma traditional council has selected a new paramount ruler for the Idoma nation. He is Dr Elaigwu Odogbo.

This followed the death of the Ochi’ Idoma, His Royal Highness (HRM) Elias Ikoyi Obekpa.

The selection of the new Idoma paramount ruler was through the election process.

The College of voters for the new Och’ Idoma stool has elected among the three contestants a new paramount ruler for the Idoma nation OCH’IDOMA V, in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State yesterday.

Results of the election which was contested among three Idoma sons showed 28 total accredited voters.

Andrew Idakwu got one vote while Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo polled 19 votes. Sunday Echono polled eight votes.

Going by the results Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo, having scored 19 out of the total 28 valid votes cast, emerged winner and was returned as the substantive new Och’Idoma V.

Also yesterday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom congratulated the Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo on his election as the 5th paramount ruler of the Idoma nation.

Governor Ortom yesterday,  at the Government House Makurdi, received the Och’Idoma-let when the latter was presented to him by the selection committee, led by the Commissioner for Housing, Chief Ekpe Ogbu.

The Governor prayed God to provide the anointing on the new paramount ruler to be able to discharge his duties effectively, even as he pledged sustained support of his administration to the traditional institution.

He also pledged his administration’s commitment to justice, fairness and equity at all times.

The Och’Idoma-elect, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo pledged not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him through his selection.

While presenting the Och’Idoma-elect to the Governor, team leader of the selection committee, Chief Ekpe Ogbu said the election was transparent and peaceful.

He explained that out of the three contestants that went to the final stage, the Och’Idoma-elect polled a total of 19 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sunday Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education who scored eight votes while Andrew Idakwu got one vote out of the overall 28 votes cast.

The Och’Idoma-elect, who is of the Deeper Life Christian denomination was born on March 27, 1969, as the 5th born to the family of Mr Elaigwu Ekoja in Obagaji the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Och’Idoma graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1994 with B.Sc. Honours in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration from Benue State University in 2012.

The new Och’Idoma also has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from National Teacher’s Institute as well as an M.Sc in Accounting and Finance, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting from Nasarawa State University Keffi.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCITN), 2001, Fellow Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, (FCNA), 2002 and also an associate member of Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM.

Comrade Elaigwu started his professional career and worked with Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS for 23 years and rose to the position of Assistant Director.

He also held so many positions in the organisation, one of which included Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria for two tenures from 2004 to 2012.

He also served as National Ex-officio of the same Association from 2012 to July, 2018.

His Royal Majesty Elaigwu comes to the traditional institution as an erudite trainer (resource person in FIRS) and a thorough professional with vast experience in taxation and accounting through international training and development.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has inaugurated an eight-member committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

This, according to the party leadership, is part of efforts to reposition it ahead of the 2023 general elections.

During the inauguration which took place at the Jos North Local Government Council Conference Hall, the Chairman of the party in the area Alhaji Sani Gangare said the constitution of the Committee is part of efforts to galvanise, reconcile, harmonise, integrate and unite aggrieved members of the party and proffer solutions to the problems noticed.

Sani Gangare further stressed that members of the committee were carefully selected based on experience and an excellent record of commitment and dedication to the party.

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He urged them to be open, sincere and allow members to ventilate their worries so that a lasting solution could be sought.  The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment.

The Committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Transport Muhammed Abubakar. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-party Affairs Bashir Sati Musa, Deputy Chief of Staff Government House General Administration Salihu Idris Kwando Council Secretary Jos North Local Government Pastor Samuel Gyang Chollom are members.

Other members include Musa Shina, Agatha Arin and Tanko Azi as well as Paul Zaruma, who is to serve as the Secretary to the committee.

The Chairman of the committee who spoke on behalf of other members of the committee said they wholeheartedly accepted the responsibility, even as he promised to bring their wealth of experience to bear to make the party stronger in Jos North Local Government Area.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State on Inter-party Affairs who was the immediate past APC Secretary in the state Bashir Sati Musa assured that they are ever ready to make the necessary sacrifices to strengthen the party.