The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Zamfara APC crisis: Yari’s faction slams Yarima

    Zamfara APC crisis: Yari’s faction slams Yarima

    The faction loyal to the former Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Yari in the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday condemned Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima over his comment that the litigation challenging the dissolution of the party executive will soon be dispensed off.

    They alleged that his utterance was nothing but an attempt to unduly influence the decision of the court, a move the group vowed to resist.

    The party’s state executive, controlled by the Yari group, had approached the court in June, challenging its dissolution by the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni shortly after the defection of Governor Bello Matawalle from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    The group boycotted the various congresses conducted by the party last month in line with the court order that the leadership status quo should be sustained until the case is determined.

    Read Also: Zamfara APC crisis: Yari faction accuses Caretaker Committee of impunity

    Yarima was quoted to have said in a meeting last weekend that the suit challenging the dissolution of the executives would soon be thrown out.

    Yarima, in a video clip of the meeting that had gone viral, said the court would not recognise any faction of the APC in the state, saying since the “national leadership of the party is with the Governor, the court cannot do anything.”

    Slamming Senator Yarima, the Yari camp, through its Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Liman, faulted the former governor’s statement, accusing him of attempting to influence the ongoing case in court.

    “It’s rather unfortunate that Yarima is only interested in politics and issues that further compound the problems of the people of the state. Yarima has never commented on the security situation of the state. Even when his local government (Bakura) was in the eye of the storm, he never found it necessary to raise an ordinary motion on the floor of the Senate where he represented the people for 12 years.

    “We don’t know when Yarima became a judge. The courts cannot be bought, influenced or intimidated, the worthy example of the Supreme Court judgment that brought Yarima’s new master to power and the recent judgment recognising Shekarau’s faction in Kano is enough for all failed politicians such as Yarima to know that Nigeria’s judiciary has come of age and will always do the right thing regardless of which side the Federal Government is supporting in a particular case.

    “The dissolution of the SWC by Buni was illegal and no amount of blackmail or intimidation by the Yarimas of this world would stop the courts from righting the wrong,” he said.

  • Fed Govt clarifies interim management for AEDC

    Fed Govt clarifies interim management for AEDC

    The Federal Government has clarified issues surrounding Tuesday’s appointment of interim management for the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    AEDC franchise areas include the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states.

    Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

    Aliyu said: “The ministry wishes to notify all stakeholders that the AEDC has, of recent, been facing significant operational challenges arising from a dispute between the core investors (KANN Consortium) as owners of 60 per cent equity in AEDC and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as lenders for the acquisition for the majority shareholding in the public utility.

    Read Also: KAEDCO to distribute one million pre-paid metres

    “The situation has currently deteriorated due to lack of access to intervention finances, leading to a point whereby legitimate entitlements of the members of staff are being owed thus; leading to service disruptions on December 6, within its franchise area,” he said.

    Aliyu said the ministry’s engagement with the organised labour had led to the restoration of electricity service to the AEDC franchise areas.

    The Minister said UBA, as a lender, and in exercising its rights over the shares of KANN Consortium in AEDC, has taken over the shares of the obligor in the AEDC.

    He said the takeover of the majority stake in AEDC by UBA has consequently led to the reported changes in the management of AEDC.

    “The changes in shareholding in AEDC and the appointment of an interim management for AEDC by the shareholders has been endorsed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as co-shareholders in AEDC,” he said.

    Aliyu re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to work with all stakeholders to ensure service continuity in all areas served by the AEDC.

  • 2023: I won’t disappoint you by not running, says Bello

    2023: I won’t disappoint you by not running, says Bello

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has assured traditional, political, religious stakeholders from Kebbi and Sokoto states that he will yield to their calls for him to run for the presidency in 2023.

    Bello stated this on Sunday when he received the delegations at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja.

    Bello also alleged a deliberate attempt by some people who are supposed to support President Muhammadu Buhari but pulled his government down instead.

    He noted that those who were supposed to support and advise the President are pulling him down by their actions, utterances, inactions and by their silence.

    Bello maintained that the President found himself in a very difficult situation when he took over the government in 2015 up till this moment.

    Bello, however, recalled it was during the President’s tenure as Head of State and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) that three or four refineries were built in the country which he said were operating in 100 per cent capacity.

    While noting that the clamour for youth to become president in 2023 was right, Bello  advised Nigerians to vote for youth with capacity, zeal, integrity, determination and impeccable records.

    “We always ask that youths should come on board. There are some elders who have the capacity, are passionate, patriotic and ready to sacrifice for this country. We need youth with capacity, zeal, integrity, determination and impeccable records. Going to 2023, our records will speak for us,” he said.

    The leader of the delegation, Murtala Kaoje, said the visit was to pledge their support for the governor’s presidential ambition.

  • Buhari sacks AEDC management

    Buhari sacks AEDC management

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    He approved a new interim governing board appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the electricity distribution company.

    His actions followed the recent industrial action embarked on by its members of staff over non-payment of arrears of pensions, allowances, salaries and promotion.

    The sack of the management team conveyed by the Presidency to the Federal Ministry of Power takes immediate effect.

    Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy Agba disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

    The Minister of Power Aliyu Abubakar and Agba had earlier on intervened through dialogue with the Ministry of Labour, Bureau of Public Enterprises, and the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE), to resolve and call off the 14-hour strike action.

    The statement recalled the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and parts of Edo states were in total blackout between 7:00 a.m. and about 8:00 p.m. on Monday following an industrial action by the members of staff of AEDC.

    The statement reads in part: “The presidential directives as conveyed has also directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises to set up a new management team of the AEDC. However, in a memorandum of understanding (MoU), jointly signed by the Minister of State for Power Goddy Jedy Agba, the Chairman Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC0, Sanusi Garba, Director-General Bureau of Public Enterprises, Alex Okoli, Comrade Joe Ajaero on behalf of the union, the Federal Government has ordered the suspension of the strike, given 21 days within which the outstanding emoluments and entitlements of members of staff will be paid.

    “The government has described the non-performance and incompetence of the AEDC as a national embarrassment, saying the suspension of the management team subsists until further notice.”

    The Headquarters in zone 4, Abuja was calm yesterday when The Nation visited there soon after the announcement of the suspension of the management.

    The Chairman of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), FCT chapter, Comrade Godfrey Aba, who spoke to The Nation on the suspension on phone, said it was at the government’s discretion.

    He added that: “We told them we are not a party to it. It was at their discretion. If they think that is good for the company, it is good as far as they meet our requirements.”

  • Etsu Nupe mourns former COAS Wushishi

    Etsu Nupe mourns former COAS Wushishi

    The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Niger State, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has said that the sacrifices by former Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammad Wushishi to the country would never be forgotten.

    Describing him as a dutiful and committed soldier who served Nigeria passionately, Abubakar said the death of Wushishi was shocking, especially as the country was in dire need of his services at this critical time of the intense fight against insurgency and banditry.

    “The death of the late Gen. Wushishi is a painful loss to the people of Niger State and the country, especially now that the country desires pious and trustworthy community leaders that would preach and dwell on things that can promote peace and tranquillity as well as foster the unity of the country.”

    “The news of the death of the former COAS with great shock, adding that his death had created a wide vacuum that would be too difficult to fill.

    “Wushishi had a rich military career and had held several command positions with distinction, an experience the country hoped to gain from as a former Army Chief. His death is a personal loss and very painful,” he said in a statement made available to The Nation.

    The royal father urged the deceased family to sustain his good legacy.

  • ‘How to check youth unemployment’

    ‘How to check youth unemployment’

    President of the Ugwumba Leadership Centre for Africa and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Nwosu has urged the Federal Government to partner with private organisations and individuals to drive its women and youths’ empowerment policies and programmes.

    He said such measures will eliminate sharp practices that have undermined the government’s efforts at tackling youths’ unemployment.

    Nwosu, who spoke at the grand finale of the 2021 Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge, advocated the need to incorporate vocational training in universities and other institutions of learning, to equip the youth with the necessary skills needed to be self-employed.

    He said the Ugwumba Leadership Centre has been committed to identifying youths with business ideas to nurture and empower them with startup grants to establish or expand their existing businesses.

    Commending the efforts of the Centre at promoting security and social order in the society, the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, enjoined Nigerians to support efforts of the government to empower women and youth.

  • KEDCO urges clients to report acts of sabotage

    KEDCO urges clients to report acts of sabotage

    The Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) yesterday urged its customers to report all forms of activities that could threaten the current improvement in supply being experienced across the 32Kano franchise.

    A statement by the KEDCO Head of Corporate Communications Ibrahim Sani Shawai said for the past one week, there had been constant supply with a minimum of 14, 18 and 24 hours of supply.

    “With the constant supply, the company needs to be complemented to sustain the tempo,” Shawai said in his statement to The Nation yesterday.

    He said: “We need our customers to report cases of illegal connections, meter bypass, vandalism and other forms of sabotage as doing this will enable us to strengthen supply and improve on our services.

    “The improvement will gladden the hearts of our customers as the year ends. That will make us happy too.

    “We are also appealing to our customers to always pay their electricity bills regularly.

    “In the past one week, we had supplied constant light with a minimum of 14, 18 and 24 hours of supply and the company’s effort deserves to be complemented.

    “KEDCO is committed to improving service delivery but we cannot do it alone as we need all the support and encouragement from our customers.”

  • Group gives ultimatum to Benue over salary arrears

    Group gives ultimatum to Benue over salary arrears

    A group known as Save Benue Workers’ Movement (SBWM) has given the Benue State Government before the end of this year to clear the seven months’ salary arrears for state workers and the 10 months owed to primary school teachers and members of local government staff as well as ensure the full implementation of their promotions.

    However, the chairman, Benue State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Godwin Anya, said the workers should exercise patient as labour has commenced discussion with the state government over the issue of salary arrears and pensions.

    Comrade Anya told The Nation on the phone that even though the group which called themselves “Save Benue Workers’ Movement” is not known to labour law, for the fact that things are hard in the country, Labour is discussing the matter with the state government.

    He said they have drawn the attention of the government to critical issues concerning workers’ welfare. He pleaded with the government to reason with the workers by fulfilling its part of the bargain by paying workers as earlier agreed.

    In a letter which they addressed through the Chairman of NLC, Benue State, Save Benue Workers’ Movement (SBWM) also demanded the implementation of the N30, 000 new minimum wages to all Benue workers within the same period.

    The Save Benue Workers’ Movement which made the demands in a statement by its President, Titus Tyonande and Secretary, Msugh Aondoakaa also called for the stoppage of pension deductions as well as the State Health Insurance Scheme until full implementation of the new minimum wage.

    It sought the restoration of leave bonus for workers, 28 days, payment of six months death benefits as well as 36 months pension/gratuity arrears.

    The group commended the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, for the 21-day ultimatum it gave the government to pay workers and retirees’ outstanding salaries and pensions or face industrial action.

    It also hailed the Trade Union Congress, TUC in Benue State for mounting pressure on the government to pay workers’ and pensioners’ entitlements as well as stop deductions of PENCOM.

    The Save Benue Workers’ Movement said it considered the actions of the NLC and TUC long overdue, even as they urged the bodies to remain resolute in their pursuit of the demands.

    Also, the Benue State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), John Ngbede has restricted members of the exco of the party from undue patronage of gubernatorial aspirants of the party.

    Ngbede stated this at the PDP secretariat in Makurdi, Benue State capital when a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Dominic Terkaa Ucha visited the office to intimate the State Working Committee (SWC) of his intention to contest the Benue State governorship position on the platform of the party in 2023.

    He said all the gubernatorial aspirants are members of the PDP and the party exco will be fair to all of them and will treat them equally.

    The aspirant, Dominic Ucha said as a legislator, he has garnered the requisite experience to govern the state for more development.

    He said if, given the mandate, he will implement the state anti-open grazing law to the letter for peace and development in the state.

  • Buhari, Magashi urge military to shun politics

    Buhari, Magashi urge military to shun politics

    President Muhamamadu Buhari and the Defence Minister, Major-General Salihi Magashi (rtd) have advised the Nigerian military to stay out of politics and operate within the framework of the principles of fundamental human rights and laws of armed conflict.

     Buhari, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, advised officers and men of the Armed Forces, “while performing your constitutional role, I urge you to remain apolitical and continue to operate within the framework of the principles of fundamental human rights and the laws of armed conflicts.”

     The President, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, maintained that “it is pertinent to note that for democracy to thrive and survive, there must be the protection of lives and property, your role in securing the country is paramount.”

     He assured that his administration is doing everything possible to address the issue of lack of equipment for the military, adding that, “in performing this role, the required equipment, training and motivation as a government we are doing all that is possible within available resources to equip the Army and, indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria to perform its constitutional role.

     “In addition to the indigenous efforts to build our military-industrial complex, we are also in talks with many countries to equip you optimally for efficiency and effectiveness in the various operations that you are undertaking. Some of the equipment and platforms been procured are now being delivered, others will be received shortly.”

    The President, however, observed that “war against insurgency is intelligence-driven, it requires the gathering of information, processing it into timely and actionable intelligence for the conduct of operations. It also needs synergy of efforts and collaboration among all security agencies.

     “I’m aware of successes achieved so far in the Northeast operation as well as other theatres following the increased surrendering of some of the insurgents that we have witnessed in the past few months. You must maintain the tempo to ensure that more of these insurgents continue to surrender until normalcy is fully returned in the region. I’m aware some soldiers have paid the supreme price; I assure you that their deaths will not be in vain. We’ll continue to cater for their families.”

    The Minister of Defence advised the military to stay committed to its core mandate of defending the country and shun all forms of partisanship.

    He maintained that the military must be “apolitical and non-tribal as a professional Force.”

     According to Magashi, who was represented by the Director Army at the Ministry of Defence, Mr Sunday Attah, “it is pertinent to emphasise here on the need for the Armed Forces to remain professional in carrying out its constitutional roles.

     Magashi also harped on the need for collaboration among the Services, especially in all ongoing military operations.

  • NALDA supports Gombe wheat farmers

    NALDA supports Gombe wheat farmers

    Four hundred wheat farmers from Dogon Ruwa and Fafa in Kaltungo and Bafada local government areas of Gombe State are to obtain special supports for dry season wheat production from National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

    NALDA Executive Secretary, Paul Ikonne who disclosed this at Dogon Ruwa yesterday said this was at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate to boost food security and provide job opportunities to the youth through the agricultural value chain.

    He said Nigeria is in dire need of wheat production in view of the fact the country’s value import is more than its output and consumes more than what it produces.

    Nkoni said the prevailing scenario presents a lucrative opportunity for farmers in Gombe State to explore and make a fortune.

    The NALDA Executive Secretary noted that Gombe State is favourably endowed by Mother Nature for the production of wheat.

    He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his disposition towards the development of agriculture in the state, saying the 100 hectares of land provided by the Gombe State Government in Dogon Ruwa and another one hundred in Nafada Local Government Area will be used to engage 400 youths in dry season wheat production.

    Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said in order to strengthen agricultural production in the state, his administration will continue to partner with the Federal Government in its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) geared towards facilitating the development of various value chains.

    The Governor, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 2021 Dry Season Wheat Production by NALDA, said the ceremony forms part of the commitments of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration and the Gombe State government towards boosting the agricultural sector and ensuring food security in the country.

    He said the Dry Season Wheat Production is in line with the ongoing efforts to bridge the national deficit in wheat production in the country and reduce importation, maintaining that the project which targets nine states with a land size of about 2,500 hectares is expected to yield about 10,000 metric tons of wheat.

    The Governor revealed that the state governments are to provide the lands while inputs such as seeds, pumping machines, generators, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are to be delivered to the selected farmers by NALDA.