The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jos

  • Jos: When gunshots are louder than mics

    THE once peaceful cosmopolitan city of Jos, Plateau State, has witnessed so many crises in recent times, rocking a long serene atmosphere that had produced some of the best talents in the Nigerian creative sector.

    With the most recent being the killing of over 200 persons in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, one begins to wonder if the city can ever remain the same again. This doubt puts a huge burden on the creative growth of Nigeria, knowing that Jos, has proven to be, arguably, the most fertile ground for creative talents in the country.

    The heavily armed gunmen were said to have invaded villages, including Exland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk, all in Gashish district as well as Rakok, Kok and Razat villages in Ropp district of the local government area, shooting sporadically, killing people, injuring others and setting structures ablaze.

    In the midst of these serial massacres, the loud and thrilling musical pitch that has quenched the appetite of the entire country for good music and celebrations from Jos, has been submerged by the violent sound of guns, with so much blood on the dance floor. How do we dance?

    I once talked about Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba not singing loud enough against killings in Benue – his home state – not knowing that the land where he cut his musical teeth was next in target. Now, there are more voices that should speak up against these bloodbaths, and it appears they are in slumber. No nagging singles by individual singers to condemn the act, no concerts by artistes from Jos to protest the gruesome killings, no marching to the National Assembly or television stations, nothing. Yet, you can’t beat the list of artistes from Jos who are doing just great in their music careers, even in the movie industry.

    Like 2Baba, other artistes whose artistic cakes were baked in Jos include, Peter and Paul Okoye, aka P-Square; Jude Abaga, aka M.I; Panshak Zamani, aka Ice Prince; Jesse Garba Abaga, aka Jesse Jagz; Emmanuel Bez Idakula, aka Bez; Jeremiah Pam Gyang; Ruby Gyang; Retyit Seth Maxwell Dayok, aka Mista Seth; Victor Chinedu Onyewuch, aka Charass;  Emmanuel Obiako, aka Young I.B and Chukwuka O. Michael, aka Chupizu, Panam Percy Paul, and Suka Andrew among others.

    As pointed out in my last piece on the subject, if the powers that be – including political leaders in the State have lost the volume with which they seek political offices in this seemingly unending war against their own, ravaging homes and sniffing life out of harmless women and children – what has become of the voice of musicians and their heavenly gift that we know commands attention?

    If this new age nomads who operate as a terrorist group have enjoyed a blackmailing hold on the political sensibility of this country than the Boko Haram insurgents, how have they also cowed the artistes from speaking up?

    It is sad that over the year, more than 100 farmers have been reportedly killed in Benue, as the violent confrontation between armed herders and unarmed farmers is on the rise, with the nation’s security agency yet to arrest the situation.

  • NiMet predicts rains, thunderstorms for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy skies over the central states of the country on Monday morning with prospects of rains over Abuja, Bauchi, Gombe, Jos, Jalingo, Niger, Yola and Kaduna cities.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 33 and 17 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that localised thunderstorms were probable over the region in the afternoon and evening period.

    The agency predicted southern states would experience cloudy conditions over inland cities with intermittent rains over the coastal cities in the morning hours.

    It also predicted prospects of thunderstorm and rains over the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 32 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience thunderstorms with cloudy morning over Maiduguri, Nguru and Potiskum, with day and night temperatures of 30 to 36 and 20 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over Maiduguri, Nguru, and Potiskum axis, while the entire region is likely to be cloudy.

    “There are indications of increased cloudiness with prospects of intermittent rains and thunderstorms over the country within the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy weather, thunderstorms for Friday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospects of thunderstorms and moderate rains over the Central States such as Minna, Abuja, Jos, Lafia, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Jalingo and Lokoja on Friday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Thursday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 26 to 33 and 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    It added that there are also chances of thunderstorms over places like Makurdi, Abuja, Mambilla Plateau, Jos, Yola, Ilorin and Ibi in the evening and night hours.

    The agency predicted that the Southern states would experience morning cloudiness with prospects of light rains over the coastal cities such as Ikom, Calabar, Ijebu Ode, Lagos and few cities around the South-West.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains in central Nigeria on Tuesday

    It also predicted thunderstorms and moderate rains over Osogbo, Akure, Ado Ekiti, Benin, Asaba, Abakaliki, Enugu and Owerri including the coastal cities like Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Lagos and Ijebu Ode respectively.

    NiMet further predicted that the region would have day and night temperatures in the range of 29 to 32 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience cloudy to partly cloudy situation with chances of thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau and Kebbi during the morning hours.

    “Northern States will also experience day and night temperatures in the ranges of 32 to 36 and 22 to 24 respectively.

    “Cloudy to partly cloudy condition is expected with prospects of thunderstorms and rains with varying intensities over the Country in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.

     

    NAN

  • Plateau Killings: Residents on guard against attack

    Following the recent killings that has continued in Barkin Ladi, Gashish, and several villages, residents of Jos, Plateau State have opted for keeping watch all night.

    At Abbatoir Junction, most residents could not sleep Tuesday night as they ordered their youths to stay up and watch in case of any possible  of any attack.

    Going from house to house, members of the age groups armed themselves with clubs and formed patrol gangs.

    In the wee hours of the midnight at the boundary hill right to Abbatoir complex, some persons were spotted moving on the mountain in vantage positions and while some Christians patrol groups stayed together in anticipation of  imminent attack.

    Read Also: Plateau and other killings

    In other to forestall any attack in the volatile area where both Christians and Muslims resides; a Christian delegation went to meet the Muslim community by a communication mast where their peace talks lasted for some time.

    In the end, both parties resolved that they were equally at watch for any Fulani herdsmen attack in case it spreads further to the city centre to avoid the other group misinterpreting the attack as inter tribal.

    The peace talks lasted long till 3am, but both groups resolved to sending the people away to prevent panic brewing in the area.

    “This evening, a meeting will be called by the head of the age group to speak to the youths on matters on insecurity,” said the leader of the youth group in black.

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains on Thursday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospects of thunderstorms with rains over the central states such as Makurdi, Jos, Taraba, Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Abuja, Bauchi and Gombe on Thursday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Wednesday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 26 to 30 and 18 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that Bida, Minna, Abuja, Lafia, Lokoja, Jos and Ilorin axis were envisaged to experience thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours.

    The agency predicted that the southern states would experience moderate rains over the entire coastal cities and southeast inland such as Enugu, Owerri, Awka and Abakaliki axis in the morning hours.

    It also predicted localised rain/showers over the coastal and inland states later in the day with day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 30 and 21 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, northern states will experience thunderstorms with rains over Maiduguri, Nguru, Katsina, Kano and Dutse axis in the morning hours.

    “Sokoto, Gusau, Yelwa and Kebbi will have prospects of thunderstorm with rains in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 33 to 37 and 21 to 27 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “There are prospects of thunderstorms and rains over several parts of the country with varying intensities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicts.

  • Court sentences 35-year-old to two years jail term for rape

    An Upper Area Court 3 sitting in Kasuwan Nama in Jos on Wednesday sentenced a 35-year-old applicant, Raymond Adamu, to two years in prison for for raping a minor.

    The judge, Yahaya Mohammed, sentenced Adamu without any option of fine.

    Mohammed said it would serve as deterrent to others who would want to indulge in such act.

    The prosecutor, Sgt.Ibrahim Gukwat, had earlier told the court that the case was transferred from 3 Armoured Division, Rukuba, to Force CID Jos on March 20.

    Read Also; Man jailed three months for theft

    Gukwat said Adamu, in company of two others now at large, conspired and drugged and raped the 17-year-old girl.

    When arraigned, Adamu pleaded guilty to the charge, which the prosecutor said contravened sections 97(2) and 283 of the penal code law.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy skies, heavy rains on Friday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the Central states of the country on Friday

    It also said there were high chances of thunderstorms over Abuja, Lafia, Kaduna, Jos, Bida and Makurdi in the morning hours.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Thursday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 25 to 37 and 16 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that thunderstorms were likely over Lokoja, Bauchi, Mambila plateau and Jos later in the day.

    The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy skies over the inland cities with chances of thunderstorms and moderate rains over Awka, Enugu, Akure, Benin, Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta and Osogbo.

    It further predicted prospective thunderstorms and moderate rains over the coastal cities in the morning.

    It said there were greater chances of heavy rains over the region later in the day with day and night temperatures in the range of 30 to 35 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern states will experience cloudy conditions throughout the forecast period with thunderstorm activities over Sokoto, Gusau, Katsina, Kano and Yelwa in the morning hours.

    “Northern states will also have day and night temperatures in the ranges of 36 to 43 and 24 to 29 degrees Celsius respectively throughout the forecast period.

    “Cloudy conditions are expected over some selected cities with prospects of thunderstorm activities and moderate rains in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicts.

    NAN

  • Alleged N4b fraud: Court grants bail to Jang

    Justice Daniel Longji of Plateau High Court, Jos, on Thursday, granted bail to the immediate past governor of Plateau and Senator representing Plateau North, Jonah Jang.

    In his ruling, Justice Longji said the prosecution’s submission that Jang would jump bail and interfere with investigations was a mere speculation and without prove.

    He said he would not act on speculation to deny bail to the defendant, as he admitted Jang to N100 million bail and two sureties in like sum.

    Longji also granted bail to Pam Yusuf, a cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, standing trial alongside Jang, in the sum of N50 million and two sureties in like sum.

    The judge said that in Jang’s case, one of the sureties must be a first class traditional ruler and the second a civil servant of not less than GL 17, and both must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He ordered that in Yusuf’s case, one of the sureties must be a permanent secretary with the state government, adding that the two must also submit their international passports to the court.

    He adjourned the matter until July 17, July 18 and July 19 for definite and accelerated hearing.

    Read Also: Alleged N4b fraud: Jang remanded in prison

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Monday, May 7, preferred a 12-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and misappropriation on Jang.

    Jang is alleged to have misappropriated over N6 billion, two months to the end of his tenure as governor of Plateau in 2015.

    According to the charges, the former governor also embezzled over N4 billion from the state coffers through Pam Yusuf, who was a cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    Yusuf, who is a co-defendant in the suit against Jang, is also facing another case of allegedly enriching himself to the tune of N11 million.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy skies, rainy activities on Wednesday

    Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy morning conditions over the central states of the country on Wednesday, with chances of localised rain showers over Kaduna and Abuja.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Monday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 25 to 33 and 18 to 25 degrees celsius.

    It added that places like Jos, Abuja, Mambilla plateau and Makurdi axis were expected to have localised thunderstorms later in the day.

    The agency predicted that the southern states would experience increased cloudiness over most parts with chances of rains over Port-Harcourt, Eket and Calabar axis during the morning hours.

    It also predicted prospects of isolated rains/showers over the inland cities like Oshogbo, Ado-ekiti, Enugu and Awka, including the coastal cities like Port-Harcourt, Yenagoa, Warri, and environs during the evening period.

    NiMet further predicted that southern cities would have day and night temperatures in the range of 30 to 34 and 21 to 24 degrees celsius.

    According to NiMet, northern states will experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions over most parts during the forecast period with day and night temperatures in the ranges of 33 to 39 and 21 to 28 degrees celsius.

    “There are chances of isolated thunderstorms over Maiduguri, Potiskum, Yola, Gombe and its environs during the afternoon and evening hours.

    “Increased cloudiness is anticipated over most parts of the country with prospects of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon within the next 24 hours,” NiMet added.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy skies, thunderstorms on Tuesday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy morning conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday, with chances of localised thunderstorms over Lafia, and Jos in the afternoon and evening hours.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Monday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 25 to 37 and 17 to 25 degrees celsius.

    The agency predicted that the southern States would experience cloudy conditions over the Inland cities with chances of isolated thunderstorms over Owerri, Awka, Enugu, Umuahia, Eket and Ikom in the morning hours.

    It also predicted chances of isolated rains over Uyo, Calabar, Port-Harcourt, Eket and their environs in the morning with localised thunderstorm over the entire coastal cities in the afternoon and evening period.

    NiMet further predicted that the southern cities would have day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 32 and 19 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience cloudy conditions with chances of localised thunderstorms over Kano, Kaduna, Zaria and Dutse axis in the morning hours.

    “Localised thunderstorms are anticipated over Sokoto, Gusau, Gombe, Maiduguri, Katsina, Bauchi in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures in the ranges of 34 to 40 and 21 to 26 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “Cloudy conditions are expected over the north and central cities with prospect of localised thunderstorms over few places and the southern cities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicts.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts cloudy weather for Tuesday