The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jos

  • Long queues at ATM points, bank halls in Jos after holidays

    Long queues at ATM points, bank halls in Jos after holidays

    ATM cash dispensing points and bank halls witnessed long queues in Jos, the Plateau capital, as business activities resumed while workers returned to work after the Eid-el Fitr holiday.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round the city, observed that some ATM points were not dispensing, putting pressure on the few that were doing so.

    At the Ahmadu Bello Way in Teminus area, anxious customers were seen waiting for their turns to make withdrawals, with some of the customers telling NAN that they had just returned from their villages and needed “a little cash”.

    “I am just returning from Langtang and want to get some money before going to the hostel,” Martins Agai, a student of the University of Jos, told NAN.

    A housewife, Larai Mashat, who sells hand bags, told that NAN she closed her shop since Friday and traveled to Bokkos for the break.

    “I have just returned and want some money to meet immediate domestic needs,” she said.

    The story was the same at the banking halls with many people depositing proceeds from sales made during the break.

    A middle-aged woman, who refused to disclose her name, said she was in the bank to deposit monies collected during Church service on Sunday.

    At the Secretariat branch of First Bank, NAN met a long queue of customers undergoing the usual screening process before being allowed in, with the situation even rowdier inside the hall as customers struggled through bodies to undertake one transaction or the other.

    A visit to some offices, especially at the State and Federal secretariats, showed that people had returned to work after the weekend that dovetailed into the two-day holiday on Monday and Tuesday.

    NAN noticed heavy vehicular and human traffic at both secretariats as the refreshed workers resumed normal activities after the break.

    Mr Pam Dung, a civil servant, who works with one of the state ministries, told NAN that he was happy to be back to work after the break.

    “I am happy to be back after the break; I am fully refreshed, both mentally and physically, and ready to give my very best,” he said.

    Mrs. Sarah Aji, another civil servant, said that she used the break to reflect on her life and the future of her children.

    “Now that I am back, I am very determined to put in my best toward a better Plateau and Nigeria,” she said.

    At the Federal secretariat, the scenario was the same as workers were seen at their duty posts, while eateries closed during the break, roared back to life.

  • Striking workers lock up Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos

    Striking workers lock up Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos

    Striking workers of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, on Wednesday locked up the hospital’s gates, vowing to keep the hospital shut until their salaries were paid.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the hospital, reports that no one was allowed into the premises as the angry workers turned back patients and staff on morning and afternoon shift duties.

    Efforts to obtain details of the grievances proved abortive as workers of the ECWA Church-owned hospital are barred from forming a union, but a worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused management of being insensitive to the welfare of workers.

    “We do not have a union to articulate our concerns which has made us rather helpless, but management has taken our patience for granted,” the source said.

    Mr Nuhu Asama, the hospital’s Director of Administration, told NAN that the workers’ anger was “based on emolument arrears owed them”.

    “Management is working very hard to resolve the issues. We won’t want something like this to ever occur in this hospital again,” he said.

    He promised that issues raised by the workers would be tackled “expediently”.

    Asama apologised to members of the public, especially the patients, for the hitch, and stressed management’s commitment to providing qualitative service to its patients.

    NAN reports that management later convinced the workers to open the gates after promising to tackle their concerns “without any delay”.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy, thundery, rainy weather for Monday

    NiMet predicts cloudy, thundery, rainy weather for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the Central States of the country on Monday.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures of 25 to 36 and 16 to 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    According to NiMet there will be prospects of localised thunderstorms over Jos, Kaduna, Minna, Bida and Yola axis in the afternoon and evening hours.

    The agency predicted increase morning cloudiness over the southern states with chances of localised rain over Lagos and Calabar with day and night temperatures of 31 to 35 and 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    NiMet also predicted prospects of localised thunderstorms over Ado Ekiti, Oshogbo, Abeokuta, Owerri, Awka, Abakaliki, and Port Harcourt during the evening and night period.

    According to NiMet, northern states will experience partly cloudy conditions with day and night temperatures of 38 to 40 and 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    “ Influx of moisture laden winds observed over the entire country is expected to result in an increase in weather activities over most part of the country in the next 24 hours,’’ NiMet predicted.

  • “33” excites consumers in Jos, Uyo, Port Harcourt

    The ”33 Export lager beer is supporting “33” Export Friendship Experience parties has continued to excite consumers in different parts of the country. The parties, which started yesterday in Port Harcourt, will be held today in Jos and tomorrow in Uyo.

    In a statement, the company said “33” Export Lager Beer connects and engages with its target consumers by celebrating friendship and friends across the country.

    It said the brand had commenced this year’s Experiential Parties in March, and has hosted several top DJs and Comedians in the entertainment industry to thrill consumers with the best of music, games and comedy experiences. The experiential parties are targeted at bringing to live the values of the brand, and deepening the bond that exists between the brand and its customers.

    “My friends and I have not attended an event this interesting in a while. It is not just about the party, but the ambience of friendship, memories, and wonderful stories that we can share from this,” Abba Cornelius, a winner and guest at the event held in Abuja, said.

    “This week, the experiential parties will hold in Uyo, Jos and Port Harcourt. Lovers of “33” Export Lager Brand outside these cities need not feel left out, as they and their friends in those other cities across the country will definitely have a taste of this remarkable experience,” he said.

    According to the Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout, Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu, the parties are part of the brand’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for consumers of “33” Export Lager Beer wherever they are.

    “In line with the brand positioning as “Your No. 1 Friendship Beer”, the brand has continued to create consumer experiences that bring our consumers together, recognising that those moments are memorable to our consumers,” Agu said. “We have successfully created an opportunity for them to connect, and we can promise our dedication towards a more engaging and memorable experience for all our consumers across the country.”

  • My captors were angry I had only N20,000 in my account – Hirse

    My captors were angry I had only N20,000 in my account – Hirse

    Mr Bagudu Hirse, former Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), who was kidnapped in Kaduna, on Nov. 20, 2016, has said that his captors were angry when they confirmed that he had only N20,000 in his account.

    Hirse, who relayed his experience with the captors in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Jos, said that the captors confirmed the balance in his account when they checked his phone.

    “They went through my bank details and expressed deep disappointment that a former minister and Ambassador had such a little sum in his account.

    “That was when they started harassing my wife because they had earlier asked for a ransom of N50 million.

    “In fact, when they confirmed the figure, they started doubting if I was the Bagudu Hirse, a former Nigeria envoy to Namibia,” he said.

    Hirse said that the kidnappers kept ordering his wife to bring the money that her husband was hiding.

    “My wife told them the truth about our financial status, but they were not convinced,” he said.

    The former minister, however, confirmed that the captors were “paid something in dollars”, before he was eventually released.

    He said that the captors told him that they were graduates who were forced into kidnapping to survive because they were “jobless and frustrated”.

    “One said that he graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, six years ago, and had remained without a job, while another said he studied Chemical Engineering and had been jobless for five years,” he said.

    Hirse, who said he was “treated very well” by the kidnappers, said that he maintained a cordial relationship with them throughout the period of the captivity.

    He advised government to create more jobs, and stressed the need to concentrate on building the private sector.

    “If the private sector is supported to be viable, there will be jobs and most of these idle youths will be absorbed,” he said.

    NAN reports that eight suspects have been arrested in connection with Hirse’s ordeal.

    Mr Don Awunah, police spokesperson, who announced the arrest, said that the gang was apprehended based on intelligence reports and surveillance which led to the arrest of one Dominic Nwakpa, the gang leader, on Jan. 1.

    Among those arrested and paraded by the police was a dismissed police officer, Clinton Abere.

    Others included Ifeanyi Chukwu, Balat Paul (driver), Ibrahim Samuel, Jatau Peter and Afini Paul, younger sister to the driver of the gang and owner of the house where kidnapped victims were kept.

    The police quoted the suspects as admitting that they collected ransom before releasing Hirse.

  • Police seals off PDP secretariat in Jos

    Police seals off PDP secretariat in Jos

    The Nigerian Police on Friday morning sealed off the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Jos over clash of factions.

    Details soon…

    PDP Secretariat in Jos

  • Lalong, Tambuwal laud Catholic Church for its contributions to national development

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State have commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to the religious, educational, medical and infrastructure development of Nigeria.

    The governors made the commendations on Thursday at the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos.

    Lalong said that the impact of the church on the lives of Nigerians could not be quantified.

    He said that Plateau was blessed with numerous Christian institutions that had accounted for the training, character and spiritual formation of many citizens of the state.

    “The 50 years of existence of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary is no doubt worthy of celebration.

    “For a school that has produced 20 bishops and scores of priests, religious and laity that are in the service of the Lord at home and abroad, it is indeed worthy of our attention and support.

    “This seminary remains a real asset to the universal Church because as a spiritual hob for the training of ministers of the gospel, it is a vehicle through which ministers are thoroughly prepared to holistically address the spiritual and physical well- being of Nigerians in the Catholic Church and beyond,” he said.

    Gov Tambuwal also highlighted the contributions of the Church and promised to work with other state governors and friends to support the seminary, particularly in the rehabilitation of its infrastructure.

    He said that the seminary had contributed significantly to character moulding and morality.

    “We appreciate the contribution of this great institution and we pray God Almighty to strengthen the leadership and membership so that they will continue deliver on the good deeds.

    “I commend the Catholic Church for its contributions to the development of this country as the history of the development of Nigeria will not be complete without a chapter dedicated to the Church.

    “I am aware not only of the age of the institution but the ageing infrastructure, and we (governors) have agreed to contact our friends to assist the seminary handsomely,” he said.

    The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Mathew Kukah, in an address, said that the Church had many priests working outside Nigeria and promoting the image of the country.

    Kukah said that there were more than 1,500 priests and nuns  working and promoting the image of Nigeria abroad, including in places that Nigeria had yet to establish diplomatic missions.

    The bishop said that the Church had been involved in human capital development even before the emergence of the country  and urged the Federal Government to take the Catholic Church serious for its contributions to national development.

  • Jos community cry over deplorable roads, lack of potable water

    Jenta Adamu Community in Jos, the Plateau capital, have cried over lack of potable water and the deplorable condition of their roads.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that although the community is among the oldest and most populated area of Jos, it lacks good road network and the residents travel several kilometers to get clean water.

    Mr Jacob Pwakim, a member of the community and Executive Director, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse, told NAN in Jos on Tuesday that the Plateau Government should urgently intervene to bring succour to the people.

    “Jenta Adamu is one of the oldest and largest communities in Jos; it is the largest electoral ward in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
    “But this community has been neglected over the years by successive administrations, who only remember them during electioneering campaigns.
    “The road networks in Jenta are in a sorry and deplorable state. People travel for kilometers just to get good drinking water.

    “The terrain is also a difficult one, so even when you dig wells, accessing water under the ground remains a serious challenge.

    “Those who buy from water vendors end up drinking contaminated water because the source cannot be trusted, thereby, exposing the people to various diseases,’’ he said.

    Pwakim appealed to the state government to look into the plight of the community to ameliorate their sufferings, as a matter of urgency.
    “With good road networks in the community, economic activities in the area will surely be boosted, thereby, increasing revenue generation for the government,’’ he said.

  • Jos: 80 houses for completion in June – Minister

    Eighty units of houses, built under the National Housing Scheme, have reached 70 per cent completion and would be inaugurated in June, Mr Mustapha Shehuri, Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, has said.

    Shehuri disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos, when he paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Plateau, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.

    He said that Plateau was one of the beneficiaries of the pilot scheme ‎ of the housing programme.

    According to him, the project consists of 4 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached houses, 48 units of 2-bedrooms, semi-detached, and 28 units of 3 bedroom semi-detached homes.

    He said that the project, which commenced in February, would be completed and occupied in June this year.

    The minister said that Nigerians, who could contribute a specified amount to the Federal Mortgage Bank, were qualified to own a house in the scheme.

    Shehuri appealed to the state government to construct feeder roads that would link Rayfield to Laminga, where the houses were being constructed.

    Responding, Tyoden assured the minister of the state government’s readiness to construct feeder roads that would link Rayfield to Laminga.

    He appealed to the minister to address the issue of the abandoned 132 KVA line from Makara in Pankshin, noting that the abandonment had caused much hardship to the communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, who had earlier inspected the housing project, expressed delight at the level and quality of work.

  • Motorcyclist jailed eight years over illegal possession of firearms

    A Federal High Court in Jos has sentenced a motorcyclist, James Adamu, to eight years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a foreign-made pistol and 13 rounds of live ammunition.

    Adamu, 32, a resident of Du, Jos South Local Government Area, was jailed on Wednesday, by Justice Dorcas Ajisi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu, after pleading guilty to the crime, begged the court for leniency.

    NAN also quotes Adamu’s counsel, Mr. David Adudu, as praying the court to be lenient in its sentence, considering that the accused did not waste the time of the court.

    Ajisi, in her judgement, sentenced the convict to five years in prison for unlawful possession of firearm, and three years for being in possession of live ammunition.

    The judge, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said that both sentences would run concurrently.

    She added that the sentence was meant to serve as a deterrent to those who might want to engage in similar acts.

    The convict, who was first arraigned on Feb. 16, had immediately owned up to the crime.

    The police prosecutor, Mr. E.O Ochai, of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, had told the court that the accused person was arrested on Oct. 9, 2016 and when a search was conducted at his home, the firearm and live ammunition were found in his possession.

    Ochai said that the accused person had told the police in a confessional statement, that the firearm belonged to his business partner, one Mahmuda Hussaini, and that he was holding it as collateral for money he lent to him (Hussaini).

    In the statement, the accused said that sometime in September 2016, he agave Hussaini N80,000 to buy two cows for him, but that Hussaini did not deliver on his promise.

    Ochai further quoted the accused as saying that all efforts to recover his money from Hussaini yielded no results, which made the accused to collect the collateral from him.

    The accused, in the statement, said that Hussaini invited him to Mista Ali, Jos, to collect the collateral and when he arrived Mista Ali, he was handed something in a bag and told not to open it, until he arrived home.

    Adamu, according to the statement, opened the bag at home and discovered a foreign made pistol and live ammunition in the sack, but that out of fear, he did not report to the police, nor return the items to Hussaini.

    The statement further indicated that on Oct. 8, the accused person invited a lady to his house, but when she refused to sleep with him, he threatened her with the gun and raped her.

    The prosecutor said that the rape victim thereafter reported the matter to the police station and a search was conducted in the accused home and the firearms recovered.

    Ochai said that the offense contravened the provision of Section 27 (1) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    He further stated that the said Hussaini had been arrested and was standing trial for illegal dealings in arms and live ammunition.