The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Rotary donate projects to community

    Five life-changing projects, among them mosquito nets, vocational centre, power generating set, a signpost promoting communal peace and a micro-credit scheme, were handed over to the Olusanya Community in Agege, a Lagos suburb, by the District 9110 Governor of Rotary Club of Agege, Mr Patrick Ikheloa.

    The projects were executed by the club of Agege. Ikheloa, who led other district 9110 leaders, including two past district governors; Dr Dele Balogun, Chief Somo Omoniyi and the Secretary Samuel Ayetutu as well as other members of the club to the event, also inaugurated the community’s Rotary Community Corps (RCC), a Rotary projects’ ombudsman, a novel idea by the club.

    The Rotary chief praised the Agege community led by the Olu of Agege Oba Kamila Oyedeji Isiba, and other Baales under his domain for their support for Rotary Club in its determination to improve the quality of lives of the less-privileged.

    While turning the sod on the land, Okheloa singled out Bishop Julius Babatunde Olusanya for his selfless service and for giving the club a piece of land on which the vocational centre would be built.

    He described Rotary International as an assembly of business and professional people who are united in the cause of serving humanity, adding that the club would be happy if members of the community pick interest in becoming members.

    The club’s President, Gbenga Sunmonu said the Rotary Club of Agege has adopted Olusanya community, which is made up of Olusanya, Papa Ukwu, Agbajowo and Ifesowapo communities (OPAIC) for its star project for the current Rotary year.

    He said the club would donate an electricity generating set to the community to power the borehole which the club had handed over to the community in May and would be delivering a vocational centre later this year to same community in its desire to ensure that many of the unemployed youths are trained in some skills that would make them self-reliant.

    Sunmonu added that to promote peace among the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other nationalities who have been living in harmony in the community, the club also decided to unveil a peace and harmony signpost in the community, even as it is distributing mosquito nets in its quest to promote maternal and child health. He said three persons would benefit from the club’s micro-credit facility.

    He said each of the beneficiaries would be given N60, 000 repayable in eight months.

    Representative of the King, Chief Ishiak Dada praised the club for its commitment to the progress and development of the community. He said the vocational centre would change the face of Agege as many unemployed youths would be able to have new skills through which they could be job creators.

    Among other community leaders at the event were Bishop Olusanya, Prince Olubunmi Ogunji, Chief Musbau Adebari, Alhaji Ibrahim Olohunoyin, Abdulshuaib Hassan, Alhaji Abubakar Aliu, Adisa Adebayo, Pastor Olumide Akinpelu, Ayuba Ayodele and Lukman Olaiya.

    Others were Rotarian Agnes Olatunbi, Mrs Fawole and former Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, among others.

  • Community rallies at yam feast

    Community rallies at yam feast

    Mbaise, a community in Imo State, relishes unity at a memorable New Yam festival, OKODILI NDIDI reports

    It is not just a tuber to be dug up, roasted or boiled and eaten. There is quite a feast when the first yam is eaten, signalling the onset of the harvest season. Residents gather, sporting their best clothing. Cultural troupes showcase their skills. Tourists pour in to witness the feast. The traditional ruler, surrounded by dignitaries, reaches  for a knife and slices it through the roasted tuber, and the crowd roars in applause. That was the atmosphere at Mbaise in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State during this year’s edition of Iri ji, the new yam festival.

    The festival, reputed to be one of the foremost tourist attractions in the state, invoked fond memories of greatness through hard work. A man is considered to be wealthy only when he can feed his family all year round and still has a barn full of yams, the king of crops.

    At this year’s edition in Mbaise, hospitality, friendship and industry were on display as visitors were treated to uncommon scenes, including the royal dances and the traditional cutting of the roasted yam.

    The traditional rulers equally added colour and glamour to the event with their unique dresses and sundry dance steps. It was indeed a time to relish.

    At the event, great farmers proudly displayed their prize yams, some of them so big that one could wonder if they were actually dug out from the earth or produced by a craftsman.

    Not just in Mbaise nation but in the entire Igboland, new yam festival or ‘Iri Ji’ as it is called, is one of the most significant and popular traditions. It is celebrated at the beginning of every harvest season to thank the gods of the land for blessing the people with a bountiful harvest and to mark the beginning of another farming season.

    In Igbo land, new yams are not eaten especially by titled men until the new yam festival has been celebrated as a mark of respect for the crop that is regarded as the king of all crops in Igboland, which can only be cultivated by men.

    Celebrated in the time of plenty, as the harvest season is known,  the New Yam Festival is associated with heavy eating and drinking. Friends and visitors are lavishly entertained with various yam delicacies like pounded yam, yam porridge and roasted yam eaten with vegetable soup and red palm oil and smoked fish.

    In the past, it was a time great farmers with large barns of yam were recognised and rewarded with traditional titles.  Nowadays, New Yam Festivals are no more the exclusive reserve of great yam farmers. It has become socio-cultural event where the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people is showcased.

    One of the greatest yam farmers, Ezeji Felix Onwere, attributed this year’s rich harvest to the benevolence of God who ensured that the elements were in farmers’ favour. He noted that yam farming is one of the most intricate aspects of farming.

    He said that Imo State has the potential of producing yam for the consumption of the entire country and for export.

    “Imo State,” he said, “has been known for farming and we have the capacity to produce enough yams for the entire country and for export purposes. You can see the sizes of the yams on display today that tells you what we can do. But we need the support of the state government to enable us go into large scale farming.”

    The Iri Ji Mbaise has continued to gain national and international recognition and sponsorship, an indication that when properly harnessed, the festival could boost the state’s tourism sector.

    Receiving the sponsors of this year’s edition Grand Oak Ltd, makers of Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps, in his palace at Obohia, the chairman of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers Eze Chidume Okoro thanked God for a successful and bountiful farming season.

    The monarch noted that the iri ji Mbaise festival is a cultural heritage of the people, which has been faithfully observed from generation to generation, adding that it was a time set aside to appreciate God for blessing the people with bountiful harvest.

    He seized the opportunity to commend the state government for encouraging farming through its numerous agricultural policies, especially the grants given to farmers for palm cultivation, adding that if the agricultural policies of the present administration are sustained, it would guarantee food security and prosperity for the state.

    The traditional ruler further thanked the state governor for the massive infrastructure development in the state, especially the flag-off of the Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Campus of Imo State University and the free education programme, which he noted benefitted the people of the state.

    Commenting on the contributions of the sponsors to the development of the annual festival, Eze Okoro, noted that the Seaman’s brand has stood out among the lot and has been consistent with its support in the last ten years.

    He said, “The Seaman’s brand has added immense value to the iri ji Mbaise festival through sponsorship and we are most grateful to the brand. In Mbaise, we don’t just see the Seaman as just a drink, it has a history with our people and it is part of our culture. For

    example there is this belief among our people that when we pray with the Seaman’s schnapps our ancestors will answer, so it is the drink of the spirit and we use it in all our traditional activities”.

    The state government while commending the good people of Mbaise for preserving the cultural heritage of Ndi Igbo, assured of government’s decision to improve on infrastructure in the area.

    Governor, Rochas Okorocha, represented at the festival by his deputy, Eze Madumere, Governor of Imo shortly after performing the traditional cutting of yam,  “Iwa Ji”, urged the people to continue to use the iri iji festival as a tool to unite the people and revive farming in the state.

    He described the iri ji festival as the height of the celebration of Igbo culture, which he said is universal in every Igbo community, adding that “yam remains the chief crop of Igbo land and mainstay of agriculture in the traditional Igbo society and it is worthy of celebration”.

    Madumere noted that the Iri Ji festival is a symbol of the enterprise spirit of the Igbo man.

    He also asserted that development of agriculture is one of the measures taken by the state government towards the diversification of economy.

    Speaking further, he revealed Governor Okorocha has directed that construction work will begin on some of the roads as soon as the rains are over. He also asserted that academic activities will soon begin in Mbaise-Ngor-Okpala Campus of Imo State University.

    It will be recalled that Governor Okorocha had promised to build Campus of Imo State University in Mbaise-Ngor-Okpala axis as proposed under the administration of late Dr. Sam Mbakwe, which became a mere political tool but was begun and 80 percent near completion by the Rochas Okorocha led Rescue Mission Government.

    He also used the opportunity to call for the support of the good people of Mbaise Nation, saying that Rescue Mission Government’s strength does not lie on force and might but on the love, cooperation and massive support it enjoys from the people including the people of Mbaise Nation.

    The high points of the event were the visit to the barn and “Iwa Ji and Iri Ji” ceremonies, which afforded the people of Mbaise and other guests to appreciate Mbaise Nation by making donations for the execution of some of the community projects.

     

  • Rotary donates projects to community

    Rotary donates projects to community

    Five life-changing projects; among them mosquito nets, vocational centre, power generating set, a signpost promoting communal peace and a micro-credit scheme, were handed over to the Olusanya Community in Agege, a Lagos suburb by the District 9110 Governor of Rotary Club of Agege, Mr Patrick Ikheloa.

    The projects were executed by the club of Agege. Ikheloa, who led other district 9110 leaders, including two past district governors; Dr Dele Balogun, Chief Somo Omoniyi and the

    Secretary Samuel Ayetutu and other members of the club to the event, also inaugurated the community’s Rotary Community Corps (RCC), a Rotary projects’ ombudsman, a novel idea by the club.

    The Rotary chief praised the Agege community led by the Olu of Agege Oba Kamila Oyedeji Isiba, and other Baales under his domain for their support for Rotary Club in its determination to improve the quality of lives of the less-privileged.

    While turning the sod on the land, Okheloa singled out Bishop Julius Babatunde Olusanya for his selfless service and for giving the club a piece of land on which the vocational centre would be built.

    He described Rotary International as an assembly of business and professional people who are united in the cause of serving humanity, adding that the club would be happy if members of the community pick interest in becoming members.

    The club’s President, Gbenga Sunmonu said the Rotary Club of Agege has adopted Olusanya community, which is made up of Olusanya, Papa Ukwu, Agbajowo and Ifesowapo communities (OPAIC) for its star project for the current Rotary year.

    He said the club would donate an electricity generating set to the community to power the borehole which the club had handed over to the community in May and would be delivering a vocational centre later this year to same community in its desire to ensure that many of the unemployed youths are trained in some skills that would make them self-reliant.

    Sunmonu added that to promote peace among the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other nationalities who have been living in harmony in the community, the club also decided to unveil a peace and harmony signpost in the community, even as it is distributing mosquito nets in its quest to promote maternal and child health. He said three persons would benefit from the club’s micro-credit facility.

    He said each of the beneficiaries would be given N60, 000 repayable in eight months.

    Representative of the King, Chief Ishiak Dada praised the club for its commitment to the progress and development of the community. He said the vocational centre would change the face of Agege as many unemployed youths would be able to have new skills through which they could be job creators.

    Among other community leaders at the event were Bishop Olusanya, Prince Olubunmi Ogunji, Chief Musbau Adebari, Alhaji Ibrahim Olohunoyin, Abdulshuaib Hassan, Alhaji Abubakar Aliu, Adisa Adebayo, Pastor Olumide Akinpelu, Ayuba Ayodele and Lukman Olaiya.

    Others were Rotarian Agnes Olatunbi, Mrs Fawole and former Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, among others.

  • Community, school relish rebuilt bridge

    Community, school relish rebuilt bridge

    For 15 years the only bridge linking Phase One and Three  of  Jikwoyi  community  in Abuja  was abandoned after flood waters washed it off. Now, it has been rebuilt, much to the joy of the community as well as the Cheery Field College, which contributed to the construction effort.

    While the bridge remained unusable, commuters suffered greatly. The bridge served over 3,000 people.

    The Chairman, Board of Governors, Cheery Field College Ajune Emmanuel said the college  contributed to the  construction of  a new bridge  to link the two communities  because it wanted to help the host community following its request for intervention.

    Emmanuel said the move to embark on the bridge construction project was the only way to give back to the society which he described as partners in progress.

    He said, “I am happy to see that vehicles, okada and pedestrians now move freely from one end to another because of the new bridge.”

    Emmanuel who spoke at the 7th graduation   ceremony of the college on the school’s achievements in the ending academic year of  2016, disclosed that Cheery Field  since inception  in 2004 has continued to  maintain  a good relationship with the host  community and has  left no one in doubt of his developmental  projects for the people around.

    In the area of security, the college has also received commendation from the residents as it has mounted 24 hours security check point and streetlights to compliment the effort the security men.

    Emmanuel urged corporate bodies to always give back to the society as a way of complimenting government effort.

    Emmanuel explained that the school will continue to touch the lives of people living within the school and that the school has visited some orphanages homes in Abuja   and donated food items and learning materials for the less privileged.

  • Delta community reaffirms ultimatum to Chevron on its demands

    •Ugborodo residents end occupation of oil firm’s facilities

    Residents of Benikrukru community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have said they will not change u last Wednesday’s ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

    The community, which alluded to a statement by the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) on Friday, asking the company to disregard the deadline, said its demands were beyond the powers of the EGCDF.

    It advised CNL to stop what it called the co0mpany’s divide-and-rule strategy.

    Residents of Benikrukru had issued a seven-day deadline to the oil firm to address its demands, including non-compliance with local content laws, unresolved oil spill issues, employment and other associated benefits.

    In a statement by its Chairman Victor Eseimieghan and Secretary Boan Roland Ojogun, the community warned that the oil multinational would be taking a risk if it ignored the deadline.

    It said EGCDF, led by Michael Johnny and Jude Ukori, should mind its business.

    The statement said: “The leadership of the Benikrukru Community wishes to insist and state that we stand by the ultimatum issued to Chevron Nigeria Limited to shut down Abiteye field, if the grievances of the community are not addressed.

    “We wish to also state that the leadership and people of Benikrukru Community, just like any other community in Chevron operational area, are not answerable to the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation.

    “Michael Johnny and Jude Ukori are not the spokespersons of Benikrukru community and should allow Benikrukru people to speak for themselves. The demands of the Benikrukru people are beyond the powers of the EGCDF. In any case, contrary to Mr. Johnny’s claim, the EGCDF has not carried out any developmental project in Benikrukru community in the past three years under Johnny’s leadership.

    “The agitation of the Benikrukru Community for compliance with local content, dispute over land ownership, unresolved spill issues, employment and other associated benefits are legitimate demands and the security agents have been put on notice of Chevron’s maltreatment of the community.

    “We call on the Michael Johnny led EGCDF to face its business and not interfere in the affairs of Benikrukru Community with Chevron. If Chevron ignores our ultimatum, it would be doing so at its risk.”

    Also, after an 11-day unbroken occupation of the Escravos facilities of multinational oil and gas company, Chevron Nigerian Limited (CNL), the people of Ugborodo community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have suspended their protest.

    The community’s leaders, elders, women and youths protested alleged neglect and refusal of the oil company to work with its representatives.

    It occupied a section of the company’s environs on August 9 till August 19.

    Speaking with our reporter yesterday in Warri on why the community suspended the protest, a former chairman of Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa Sandys Omadeli said the decision was in good faith.

    He said it was meant to give Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the benefit of the doubt on the matter.

    Omadeli said the people left the company’s premises, trusting that Okowa would persuade CNL to respect the community’s right to choose its representatives.

    The community leader noted that collapsing the Interim Management Committee (IMC) into the Export Processing Zone’s (EPZ’s) Interface Committee, which was set up by the state government, was unacceptable.

    Omadeli, who said Okowa asked him to appeal to the protesters to vacate the company’s facilities, noted that the governor’s failure to play his part would send the wrong signals to the people.

    The former chairman said the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ikenwoli, was not happy about the way CNL treated Ugborodo people.

    He said: “The governor got in touch with me and I told him I would go. I went there and I spoke to the people and they left. It’s now left for the governor to keep his part of the deal. One, the governor should speak to the company to meet with the community.

    “Two, the idea that the community’s elected IMC should dissolve into the EPZ committee is not acceptable to the people. The community is insisting that it has its internal administration and that the idea of government setting up a body for it is unacceptable. It said the EPZ committee was not set up to administer the community.

    “If the community waits to see these happening and sees nothing, it will seem as though the government had tricked its leaders to get them out of the place. If the government is sincere indeed, this isn’t difficult to do.

    “The way it looks now, it is like the governor is hiding under the Olu’s advice. But he should realise that though the people are under the Olu’s lordship, they are the people suffering from the adverse effect of the company’s activities.

    “The Olu refused to talk to us at Ugborodo during the protest because he knew that our demands were just. This is because we learnt that when Chevron officials went to the Olu, he rebuked them that Ugborodo people had not been well treated; that they’d destroyed the whole place. That was why he refused.”

  • Osun community alleges plan to annex land

    •It’s not true, says OSCTDA

    The people of Ede in Osun State have alleged a plan by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to annex parts of their land.

    The people, under the aegis of the Federation Council of Ede Descendants, alleged that parts of their community in Ede North and Egbedore Local Governments have been annexed to Osogbo.

    Speaking through their president, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, at a news conference, the community said they would resist “any attempt to encroach on our land in the name of expanding the land of Osogbo, the state capital, through the Osun State Capital Territory Development Authority (OSCTDA)”.

    They urged the governor to have a re-think over the matter, which they warned could lead to violence between the people of Ede and Osogbo communities.

    They said: “Governor Aregbesola has recently directed the General Manager of OSCTDA to rename all government establishments, settlements and communities in areas within the capital territory as belonging to Osogbo.

    “We are calling the attention of the public to the decision of Osun State government to ignite the suppressed tension in the state through its obnoxious and biased decision to annex a large part of Ede North Local Government to Osogbo in disregard of consequence of such volatile policy.

    “Therefore, Ede community views the directive as a slap on our collective integrity and an attempt to personally cause confusion and tension in the state.

    “More so, such a draconian directive has never been implemented since 1991 when Osun was created. It does more harm than good.”

    But the General Manager of OSCTDA and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Dr. Asani Morufu Afolabi, said it was not true that Aregbesola mandated his agency to rename any government institution in the capital territory after Osogbo.

    He said what some people failed to understand was that there “is a difference between Osogbo as a capital city and other parts of the state recognised by law as capital territory”.

    According to him, there are parts of eight council areas – Osogbo, Olorunda, Boripe, Ifelodun, Obokun, Atakumosa West, Ede North and Egbedore local governments – designated as the capital territory.

    He added that the territory was not limited to parts of only Ede community, assuring that the operation of the OSCTDA was to ensure that people comply with the development principles of the government to avoid future conflict among communities.

  • Community savours Indian-built hospital

    Community savours Indian-built hospital

    An ultra-modern cardiovascular specialist hospital built by an Indian organisation is the talk of the town in Adukwu Ebe, a rural community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The facility, named Aruike Specialist Hospital, was built by Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust in collaboration with another organisation, Hard Rock Cafe and House of Blues.

    Catholic Church Rev Father Charles Aloma Ogada, who lives in India, facilitated the project and its siting in his hometown.

    The commissioning attracted a large crowd from the Indian community as well as a throng of excited local residents.

    The locals were thrilled that such a life-saving facility is in their backyard.

    Though a specialist centre for heart diseases, the hospital also caters to general interest including antenatal.

    One great thing about the hospital is that treatment is free, said chairman of the  organisation, C. Screenivas.

    A community leader Ethelbert Agu said they were “happy the  world-class hospital is in our community.”

  • New market for Ondo community, 10 years after

    New market for Ondo community, 10 years after

    Commercial activities will soon begin to boom in Ifara community in Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State after the construction of a new market 10 years after their market collapsed and killed a 12-year-old boy. The construction of the market was at the instance of the member representing the area, Mr Babatunde Kolawole. The new market comprises 14 open stores.

    The people, who are mainly farmers and traders, had been transacting their businesses under the sun and in the rain for the past 10 years when the only market in the town and which was constructed by the community, collapsed and killed

    Since then, they had hoped that successive administrations at the local and state levels would help in reconstructing the collapsed market which had been a death trap. Their hopes were dashed.

    Any wonder the people were ecstatic during the inauguration of the new market, during which 78 aged people from the three wards in Ile-labo zone which comprises ward 3 Ifira, ward 6 Ipesi and ward 11 Sosan Akoko were empowered.

    Kolawole said market women are the backbone of any family and should not be subjected to hardship.

    He reiterated his commitment to provide environment conducive to buying and selling for market men and women.

    The lawmaker, who frowned at the attitude of the chairman of Akoko South East, Mr. Sola Agunloye for playing politics with developmental projects meant to enhance people’s well-being, alleged that he (the chairman) attempted to stop the market project.

    He said: “I don’t know why a local council chairman should be working against the progress of a community under his domain. He should be appreciative that someone is coming to his rescue since he has failed in his primary assignment.

    “The Chairman should stop playing politics with progress of the community. They are afraid of the November 26, governorship election and that is why he has been sent to stop the market project because when the campaign starts, they may not have anything to campaign with.

    “We intended to also reconstruct the dilapidated market because we have budgeted N5 million for that but they preferred to send security operatives to stop the job; claiming they have this in their budget. We have given them sometime to start the reconstruction or we return to the site”.

    On the N5, 000 monthly stipends for the aged people, Kolawole said: “I do promise them that. As long as I am at the National Assembly, they will not go hungry again.

    “This is going to be a continuous empowerment programme because what we did was to take care of three wards and other wards will soon benefit from the programme.”

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council, Mr. Oluwasannu Ogunbi praised the lawmaker for coming to the rescue of the people, whom he said had been subjected to hardship due to non-availability of decent market.

    He, however, urged the lawmaker not to be distracted by the activities of his opponents, saying the community is behind him and appreciates his developmental projects.

    Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Joshua Orepo joined the APC.

    Dignitaries that attended the event were the state Chairman, Isaack Kekemeke, Secretary, Raman Rotimi, Financial Secretary, Moshood Ishola, Administrative Secretary and Smart Omodunbi, among others

  • Community to benefit from Guinness, WaterAid initiative

    To boost healthy living, Guinness Nigeria Plc and WaterAid Nigeria have constructed two solar-powered water facilities in Gwam, Ningi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

    The facility, which was unveiled at the weekend, is one of two major water schemes the brewing giant has delivered this year in collaboration with its international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners, and the 34th site for the Guinness Nigeria/Water of Life initiative in Nigeria.

    The Gwam water scheme – which comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of toilets – will benefit about 20,000 people.

    The firm’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale,  reiterated the company’s commitment to initiatives that improve access to safe water. He noted that Guinness Nigeria would continue to play a leading role to promote water stewardship in Nigeria, thanking WaterAid for its promoting health and hygiene in the country.

    “Diageo’s water blueprint articulates the role we will play as a business to tackle a wide range of water-related issues both in Nigeria and globally. In furtherance of this blueprint, Guinness Nigeria has prioritised interventions that improve access to safe water, especially in communities that face acute water scarcity. We have also invested in technologies that help us manage our water use. The construction of the Gwam water scheme is in furtherance of our efforts to help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. Our hope is that by improving access to clean water, we can help people in Gwam community improve their hygiene and overall well-being,” Sobowale said.

    The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Ghali Abdulhameed, expressed the government’s gratitude for the new water scheme.

    He observed that the facility would support the state government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for Bauchi state citizens.

    “This intervention is indeed timely and commendable. Water is an absolutely essential resource that is vital for the health and wellbeing of our citizens. We, the people of Bauchi State, are, therefore, delighted that Guinness Nigeria and Water Aid have joined forces to improve access to safe water in our state. We are immensely grateful for this intervention,” he said.

    WaterAid’s International Chief Executive, Ms. Barbara Frost, underscored WaterAid’s vision to help create a world where people will have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

    She said: “It is great to see that the Bauchi State government, Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid are working collaboratively to tackle the challenge of water scarcity in Bauchi state.

    ‘’I would like to thank the government of Bauchi State for creating a conducive environment that has enabled WaterAid to implement its programmes in the state. WaterAid will continue to partner various stakeholders in Nigeria to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation,” she said.

  • Tremor unsettles Kaduna community

    Tremor unsettles Kaduna community

    Since a rock shook and emitted sounds in Hayin Magina in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the residents have been in terror.

    One eyewitness Aminu Na Dare Abubakar said around 10pm on the fateful day, deafening sounds were heard in their community amid serious vibrations of all houses around the rock.

    He said, “People rushed out of their houses when they heard the loud sound. It was the first time we heard such a thing in the community.

    “The vibration by the rock sent fear into the minds of the people. That was why I immediately went to inform the police Divisional Officer (DPO) in the area. The vibration continued for days before it stopped. But it affected majority of the houses located close to the rock as they all have cracks on their walls.

    “The following day, I decided to look round the rock again, that was when I now discovered cracks around the rock base and I noticed some powder-like substances that came out of the rock, obviously during the explosion. Then, I went back to the police to inform them that the sound we earlier heard was from the rock,” he said.

    Similarly, a housewife in one of the houses near the rock, Zainab Abdullahi said they now sleep with one eye open.

    She said, “We are tenants in this house. If it warrants us vacating it  for our safety we are ready to do so because the situation is scary and beyond our powers.

    “The whole thing started around 10pm at night. We were seated in the compound when we heard a loud sound; even the chickens in the building were scared. The well was closed but opened by itself as a result of the loud sound. Our eyes were open till daybreak as we couldn’t sleep out of fear of loud sounds emanating from the rock.

    “It happened like a month before the commencement of the Ramadan fast. It happened for four days.

    “The second time, we experienced it around 4pm. We performed ablutions and were about to say our Asri prayers when it happened. It was as if someone was checking the house. The sound was like that of a gun sound. We saw cracks on the rock.

    “After an interval of say like 10 days, and when we were already thinking that was all, the thing reoccurred. In fact, we were thinking it was someone who was doing something to scare us, only for us to discover it was not so. A man was caught in respect to that but after investigation he was released when we discovered he was innocent.

    “The last time we experienced these was some days to the end of Ramadan fast. But as we speak to you we sleep with one eye closed. In fact, some of our neighbours have vacated the house.”

    Another housewife, Halima Nasiru said, “When people go on top of the rock and you hear the sound, you will think it is child’s play.

    “We were in the compound one evening when it happened. We ran outside and when people saw us, they asked us what happened and we told them the rock made another sound. So, the youths turned around to see what happened. They were on top of the rock when it made another sound with smoke coming out of it and everyone scattered and ran for their lives.

    “We stop experiencing this after some time now. But the unfortunate thing is the crack on the walls of our houses as a result of the loud sound. As it is any other strike anything can happen particularly that people are living inside the houses.”

    Village Head of Hayin Magina area of Ikara, Malam Umaru Garba confirmed the incidents and said they were ready to cooperate with the government on relocating people close to the rock.