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Tag: Jos

  • Jos dry port to be ready in June

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council ( NSC) Barrister Hassan Bello has assured that the Jos Dry Port (Inland Container Depot) under construction at Heipang should be completed in June this year.

    Bello spoke to newsmen at the sidelines of an inspection tour of the project by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Lalong.

    He said the facility, concessioned to Duncan Group of Companies, has capacity to handle 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, (TEUs), of containers at the first instance but can be upgraded to higher capacity later.

    Earlier, Mr. Amaechi said the Lagos-Ibadan standard rail project will commence before April even as he reiterated that the dry ports will also be linked to rail facilities.

    He also said the Kaduna-Kano and Port Harcourt-Calabar dry ports should also commence this year if the Chinese EXIM Bank releases its counter-part funding for the project.

    Governor Lalong promised he will provide the necessary enabling environment to ensure the project succeeds.

    It will recalled that the  Heipang – Jos Dry Port Project which was among the six gazetted projects granted approval by the Federal Executive Council in 2006 was concessioned to Duncan Maritime Services Nigeria, Nigerian and is based on a tripartite arrangement involving the federal governemnt , the host state government  and the private investor.

  • Cheap labour: main cause of quackery in medical profession

    Cheap labour: main cause of quackery in medical profession

    The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria, (AMLSN), has identified quest for cheap labour by some health centres as factor for the rise in quackery in the medical profession.

    Mr Solomon Chollom, Chairman of the association, National Veterinary Research Institute, (NVRI) Chapter, Jos, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Wednesday.

    He said that the desire of some health care centres and professionals to recruit cheap labour had led them to engage untrained individuals as against certified professionals.

    “This they do by giving some hands on training to the quacks.

    “In a situation where an untrained and unlicensed person is allowed to participate in surgical procedures over a time, he may want to assume the position of a trained professional.

    “The quacks may later break out and set up clinics or diagnostic centres in the rural areas, a development that gives them a platform to harm some Nigerians.

    “It is even worse in the medical laboratory science profession where undergraduates of different disciplines are posted to medical laboratories for industrial attachment or National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC).
    “In the process; they learn a few laboratory procedures and later open medical laboratories in secluded places,thereby impersonating medical laboratory scientists,” he said.

    Chollom further said that this development accounted for the several ‘’bizarre medical laboratory results’’ given by some medical laboratory centres.

    He called on the professional regulatory bodies in the medical fields to rise up to their statutory responsibilities by regulating the training and practice of their various professions.

    Challom also called on them to ensure strict surveillance on their constituencies, and keep ‘’the hard and high line against quacks.’’

  • Plateau agog for ‘Jos Chillin’ soccer tourney

    Plateau agog for ‘Jos Chillin’ soccer tourney

    The organizers of one of the most lucrative grassroots football competition ever organized in Jos, Plateau State, have said that the basic reason of footing and organizing the competition known as ‘Jos Chillin’ Football Competition is to tell the whole world that peace has finally returned to Plateau State.

    The week-long competition is staged among sixteen teams which were selected from some areas that were affected by the religious crisis that befell Jos and its environs, and play themselves and showed them the benefits and importance of living in peace and showing love to one and another.

    The ‘Jos Chillin’ Football Competition, which is being played at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, has reached the semi-final stage with the quartet of Nike Boys FC of Tudun Wada, Jazzy Stars FC of AngwanRukuba, De-Bless FC of Bassa and Flying Arrows FC of Alheri.

    The semi-final which will come up on Saturday will see Flying Arrows FC confront Jazzy Stars FC by 1pm, while the second semi-final will be between De-Bless FC and Nike Boys FC by 3pm.

    All the semi-finalists were given free sets of jerseys each. The winner of this competition will smile home with a sum of #150,000 (One hundred and fifty thousand naira), Runners’ up will be given #100,000 (One hundred thousand naira) and the third placed team will receive #50,000 (Fifty thousand naira).

    Some great Nigerian musicians are expected to add flavour to the tournament. They include great musicians like 2Face Idibia, MI, Iceprince, etc. There will also be free medicals at Churches and Mosques, Musical concerts, Christmas Carol, Road Shows and many others.

  • There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai has assured residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital that they will never witness frequent bombing at markets, schools and worship centers as they witnessed in Jos in recent past.

    Gen Buratai gave the assurance in Jos on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace in Jishe Jos.

    Gen Buratai who was on a familiarization tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army told the Gbong Gwom that the Nigerian Army has already defeated Boko Haram and rendered the insurgent incapacitated.

    In his words, Gen Buratai said, “Your Royal Majesty I’m here this morning to pay a courtesy call on you before embarking on my familiarization tour to units and formations under the 3Division and indeed Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) here on the Plateau.

    “You can see that our efforts in the Northeast has really paid off as you can recalled the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and population areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau state that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.

    “For a long time now we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North East, we have been able to blocked these criminal elements from crossing up to this areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

    “I want to assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties, I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.

    “Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army, it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State. I know there has been little challenges here and there and the most recent one is the one that happened last two to three weeks or about, but not withstanding we still got your full backing and full support and the Army in particular will ensure that we maintained the needed peace at all time.

    “The Commander Operation Safe Haven just assumed duty I personally chose him to head this Command because of his experience and knowledge and diplomatic skills when he was the Chief of Civil Military Affairs in Army Headquarters. I want to assure  you that the Army will give all the corporations within it’s duties as enshrine in the Constitution, and we want to reassure you that permanent peace will return back to Plateau State” said Gen Burati.

    In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said, “The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army

    historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.

    “Let me on behalf of Plateau State thank you and your men whom over the years have been paying sacrifices to work towards restoring peace, law and order not in Plateau State but all over Nigeria. Just some months back, Nigerians were apprehensive to whether Boko Haram will consumed Nigeria or Nigeria would overcome it.

    “But we thank God Almighty for your efforts and that of your men by restoring hope to Nigerians. The sacrifices you have made that have translated to almost a total end to this destructive elements

    “We note that upon the discharge of this responsibility you have lost some men who sacrifice their lives for peace of this Country, we pray that God in his Mercy would grand them internal rest and console their families.

    “My appreciation goes to the President and Commander in Chief of the Army Forces, President Muhammad Buhari for waging a successful fight against insurgency in the country.

  • Sterling Bank fetes IDPs in Jos

    Sterling Bank fetes IDPs in Jos

    It was all smiles for children at the Internally Displayed Persons (IDPs Camp) in Jos, the Plateau State Capital as top Management of Sterling Bank Plc joined them in the celebration of the 2016 Children’s Day.

    Apart from celebrating and dining with the children at the Camp, the Bank’s Management team, headed by its Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Abubakar Sulaiman, represented by the Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, also donated various food items, clothes and toys to the delight of the kids.

    In other activities to mark the day, the Bank according to a statement, also hosted students from both public and private schools to a party at its corporate head office in Lagos. The Bank also donated its financial literacy books; “Funds” and “My Little Money Book’ to the Lagos State Government for onward distribution to pupils and students of the schools in a bid to promote financial literacy among the students.

    Ensuring the online community was not left behind, a “selfie campaign” encouraging parents to post “selfies” taken with their children was initiated; family and friends of contestants were encouraged to vote and the top three posts were awarded prizes. A “selfie” is a photograph taken of oneself with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.

    Speaking at the reception held for the children in Lagos, Abubakar explained that as a responsible financial institution, the Bank will continue to support any worthy initiative that would impact children positively irrespective of the financial institutions the kids or parents bank with.

    At the IDP camp, the Bank’s Director stated that the kids were a product of circumstance. He therefore called on all to support these ones to ensure their dream of a bright future can become reality.

  • Why Police cannot protect all Nigerians

    Why Police cannot protect all Nigerians

    The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has said that the current number of Policemen in Nigeria is far too inadequate to provided security to all Nigerians coupled with poor funding of the force.
    According to the IG, the size of the Nigerian Police currently put at 305,000 policemen and women is not enough to guarantee the security of all segments of Nigeria.
    The Police Force and other security agencies in the country have come under severe criticism from members of the public over recent spate of attacks and killings of innocent citizens by herdsmen across the country with particular reference to the invasion of Agatu people of Benue state by suspected herdsmen and that of Enugu state.
    The IG, while delivering a public lecture on the topic, “Police and Public Partnership in prevention and control of violent crime and conflicts in Nigeria” at the MultiPurpose Hall of University of Jos on Friday, said the current numbers of policemen and inadequate funding accounts for the inefficiency of the police and its inability to be everywhere in the country.
    According to IG Arase, “The organizational structure of the Force consists of the Force Headquarters, 12 zonal commands, and 37 State commands including the Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria Police Force’s staff strength by 31st December 2015 was 305,000. This is inclusive of 1,331 Cadets currently on training at the Police Academy, Kano as well as specialist branches and civilian support staff.
    “Female officers in the Force constituted 30,854 (9.47%), while there are 127 area commands; 1,130 police divisions; 1,579 police stations, 2,165 police posts, and 1,591 village police posts (NPF Annual Report 2013: 137).
    Speaker further, IG Arase said: “The work of the police in any society is a very difficult, complex and dangerous vocation. The expectations of members of the public in Nigeria are many and varied and exceed the resources and support given to the police. Failures on the part of the police are easily observed and widely reported and condemned while achievements of the police are rarely recognized, applauded and rewarded.
    “Police are in constant contact with dangerous persons and in dangerous situations. In spite of the inherent hostile policing environment and sundry challenges, the Nigeria Police has remained steadfast to its responsibility of guaranteeing the safety of the lives and property of the citizens even at the risk of their own lives.
    “Between January 2014 – December, 2015 a total of 278 police officers paid the supreme sacrifice in the discharge of their statutory Mandate in relation to enhancement of community peace and security, while 194 others sustained varying degree of injuries. Similarly, between January – April 2016, we have lost a total of 72 Police personnel with 78 others injured in the line of internal security duties. Cases of killing of police personnel have increased since 2009 due to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram.
    “Policing in Nigeria is particularly difficult because of several inadequacies. Many scholars and government police reform committees in the country have identified several factors that inhibit police efficiency. Some of the identified problems are:
    Inadequate logistic and resources (especially transportation, telecommunication, arms and ammunition, accommodation, etc.) for police services, Inadequate personnel with training, skill and orientation required for policing a country with complex security challenges,  Inadequate resources for effective law enforcement, intelligence gathering, criminal investigation and prosecution.
    “Other challenges include lack of appropriate police stations, offices, facilities and accommodation, lack of modern forensic laboratory and other technological aid to law enforcement, inappropriate use of arms and ammunitions, absence of reliable and comprehensive criminal database and poor conditions of service, including low remuneration and pension benefits.
    “The challenges notwithstanding, Citizens also have a responsibility towards the police. The police will be ineffective if the citizens constantly disrespect, distrust, assault, insult and antagonize the police. The Constitution, in chapter 2 obliged citizens to assist law enforcement agencies as civic responsibility. Unfortunately, most citizens are either unaware of this obligation or chose to ignore it.
    Arase suggested that, “In order to enhance police efficiency, develop and sustain effective police-public partnership, citizens and communities should appreciate the duties and powers of the police and avoid criticizing them just of the inconvenience arising from law enforcement intended to guarantee public peace and safety and promote the rights and liberties of others.
    “We expect the public to have respect for legitimate authority and laws, parents, religious, traditional and educational institutions should inculcate in children and youth respect for legitimate authorities and laws at all levels of society without shying away from holding those in authority accountable for their actions, decisions and conduct.

  • COAS decries decay of barracks infrastructure

    COAS decries decay of barracks infrastructure

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has decried the level of decay of infrastructure in Army barracks across the country.

     

    Buratai said this at the inauguration of some renovated residential accommodation for soldiers at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.

     

    Buratai blamed the condition on long years of neglect and poor budgetary allocation to renovation and construction of barracks accommodation.

     

    “It is an unfortunate situation but over the years you can see the state of dilapidation and state of decay in the barracks.

     

    “The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate but these are just the measures that we are taking to address the situation and we will continue to solicit for more support from government.

     

    “The decay is enormous but thank God that in this year’s budget there is provision for barracks renovation,” he said.

     

    The chief of army staff said the present Army administration was looking inward to find solutions to the infrastructure decay in the barracks.

     

    He said the Army headquarters had commenced the renovation of ten blocks of 30 flats each at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, as part of efforts to address the problem.

     

    Buratai added that strict measures for maintenance would be put in place to entrench maintenance culture in the barracks.

     

    He assured soldiers and officers of the present administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of their families at all times.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff has also inspected other ongoing construction of soldiers’ accommodation at the Obienu Barracks in Bauchi.

  • Court sentences man for disturbing religious assembly

    Court sentences man for disturbing religious assembly

    A Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced a 22-year-old man, Adamu Yakubu, to 12 months imprisonment for disturbing a religious assembly.

    Yakubu of Terminus Market, Jos, was charged with criminal conspiracy and disturbing a religious assembly contrary to Sections 97 and 212 of the Penal Code.

    The Magistrate, Mr Ashaibu Wase, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    Wase, who gave him an option to pay fine of N3,000, said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

    Prosecutor Thomas Amuku had told the court that Insp. Danladi Sabo of the ‘A’ Division Police Station, while on patrol arrested the convict and took him to the station on March 28.

    Amuku said that the convict and another now at large conspired and interrupted a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Easter rally.

     

    “The duo undressed themselves and started to interrupt an Easter rally organised by CAN around the Charcoal Market in Terminus.

    “They were trying to also incite others to join them in interrupting the rally but the police arrested the convict while the other man escaped,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the convict confessed committed the crime

  • Three Jos clerics kidnapped in Kaduna

    The National President of Fellowship of Churches of Christ In Nigeria known in  as “Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nijeria” Rev Emmanuel Dziggau and two of his subordinates have been kidnapped along Kaduna Abuja road.

    They were kidnapped at about 5:30pm on  Monday evening while the victims and other leaders of the church were inspecting a building site for the church in Kaduna state state.

    The site of the church project is located at Sabongari-Kasau, an entrance village that welcomes travelers to the state.

    Other clerics kidnapped along the President are his Vice Rev. Illiya Anto and retired Rev. Yakubu Dzarma.

    The national General Secretary of TEKAN Rev. Moses Ebuga disclosed the incident  during a press conference held at TEKAN headquarters in Jos the Plateau State capital on Tuesday.

    Rev. Ebuga said, “The abductors has so far released Rev. Illiya Anto due to his health condition but the rest are still been held by the captives.”

    He said, “The kidnappers whom has been using the mobile phone of Rev. Anto demanding for N100 million ransom before they could release the President and Rev Yakubu Dzarma.”

    According to Rev Ebuga, “We are not ignorant of the prevailing political scheming in the country over the planned national election of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) where the leaders have become the subject of attack particularly the leadership of TEKAN/ECWA Bloc in CAN”

    He called on the federal government and the Security agents to do everything possible to ensure the safety of it’s leaders and have the perpetrators fished out.

  • Four women held for child theft in Jos

    2 men held for kidnapping

    The Plateau State Police command has paraded four women for allegedly stealing a one month-old child while the child was asleep.

    The suspect criminals, Rukaya Abdulahi, Nancy Ezekiel, Tongret Amos and Jeniffer Sati Sabo were among 26 other criminals paraded at the Jos police headquaters on Monday by the State Commissioner  Mr. Adekunle Oladunjoye.

    According to the commissioner, “One Talatu Abdulahi of new Abuja, Dadin Kowa Jos left her one month-old baby on bed in her room and left to visit a neighbor. The mother of the baby returned to the room in ten minutes to discover her baby had disappeared from her room.

    “The mother promptly reported the missing baby to the police and the police immediately sprung into action in a short while and recovered the baby from the suspects” he said

    While explaining her involvement in the crime, One of the suspects, Nancy Ezekiel, who trades in palm oil between Jos and Imo claimed that she took the baby after the mother of the baby agreed to sell the baby.

    According to Nancy Ezekiel “We both agreed to carry out the deal, we also vowed never to disclosed the deal to anyone while the baby remains with me. I was shocked to hear the mother report her baby was stolen after she agreed to sell the baby.

    However, mother of the stolen baby Talatu Abdullahi who earlier reported the alleged missing child to the Police denied any agreement to sell her baby. She however said, “I decided to sell the child because my father threatened to kill me if have a child out of wedlock.” The police commissioner said the suspects will be taken to court as soon as the processes are completed.

    The command also paraded suspected kidnappers who lured a 3 year old boy from Jos and took him to Bauchi from where the criminals called the family to demand N250,000 ransom.

    According to the police boss, “the 3 year old boy, Ahmed Hanif Abubakar was sent on errand by his mother when he was abducted by the suspect Umar Isa. The suspect took the boy to Bauchi, hid him in costudy of one Islamic teacher and returned to Jos.

    “The same suspect sent a phone number to the parents of the boy asking them to call the phone if they want to know the whereabouts of their son. He also directed the parents to go and pay the demanded ransom in Zaria.

    The parents of the boy however negotiated the ransom down to N150,000.00 which the suspect agreed to collect in a bush along Kaduna road, but unknown to the suspect, the police laid ambush near the point where the payment was to be made. The suspect was apprehended while trying to pick the money from the point it was dropped.

    The suspect led the police to arrest the Islamic teacher Jibrin Musa from Soro village in Bauchi state where the abducted boy was eventually rescued. The boy has been returned to his parent while the police prepare to arraign the suspects in court.

    The police commissioner, Mr. Adekunle maintained that the landmark successes recorded within the first quarter of the year by the Command is as a result of the  security mechanism and robust strategies put in place against criminal elements in the state.

    He appealed to citizens to be vigilant and report any criminal elements aimed at causing mischief in the state.