The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • I would have been on the crashed chopper, says Gowon

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) recounted on Tuesday how he would have joined late Kaduna state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi in the Naval Helicopter that crashed last Saturday.
    General Gowon said in Kafanchan, southern Kaduna that the chopper was being arranged for them to fly to Port Harcourt when another one was provided for him and five others necessitating a change of plan for him.
    Gowon spoke newsmen at the special thanksgiving service to mark the 50th birthday anniversary of Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, the founder of Throneroom Ministry, Kafanchan insisted that the incident was not a sabotage.
    “We were with the aide of the President to pay our condolences and they started arranging for a Navy Helicopter to take us to Yenogoa (with Yakowa). But, another Helicopter was arranged for me and five others. And that was it.
    “So when I heard about this accident, it really pained me. And I want to say, well, you can never tell with some of these things. It was an accident. Don’t impugn any meaning to it. Don’t say that it is plan to get rid of some people or something like that.
    “It is an accident, yes it was an accident. There was this young pilot of the Helicopter, who came to me after another helicopter was found for us, and he said to me, ‘sir, but I was ready to take you to Port Harcourt, as part of my duty today’. And I said to him, ‘don’t worry, there will be another time. I really hope I will have the pleasure of flying with you again’.
    “These were nice innocent people. Something, probably mechanical, went wrong to have caused the accident. So it was not a plan to get ride of the Governor for whatever any reason people want to guess,” Gowon stated
  • Rain of tears as Yakowa’s body arrives in Kaduna

    Rain of tears as Yakowa’s body arrives in Kaduna

    WITH the arrival of former Governor Patrick Yakowa’s body in Kaduna yesterday, the grim reality of his death was fully felt.

    The city was thrown into mourning as the AirForce aircraft carrying the body — and the late Yakowa’s friend Dauda Tsoho’s — touched down at the Kaduna Airport in a golden casket draped in the green-white-green national colours.

    The body was conveyed from the airport through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Byepass to the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, accompanied by the widow and three of their children — all clad in black dresses.

    The airport was filled with sympathisers. Many wept profusely as the plane hovered before landing.

    The huge crowd defied the security barricades and rushed on to the tarmac as the casket was being brought down from the plane to catch a glimpse of it.

    Women fellowship groups and church societies were praying and singing choruses at the airport and when the casket was brought out of the aircraft, they burst into tears.

    While handing over Yakowa’s remains to Governor Multhar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, the leader of the Bayelsa State government delegation and Deputy Governor John Jonah said the government yesterday held a valedictory executive session in memory of the late governor who he described as a bridge builder. He urged the people to support Yero to enable him carry on with the foundation laid by the late Yakowa.

    Yero praised the government and people of Bayelsa State for their prayers. He assured the people that he would continue with the foundation laid by the late Yakowa for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress in the state.

    The Arch bishop of Kaduna Diocese of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Mathew Ndagoso, Bishop George Dodo of Zaria Diocese and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah prayed.

    A Valedictory Executive Council meeting will hold today (Wednesday) at the Government House by 10am. The wake-keep will hold at the Government House later in the day by 3pm

    The body is expected to leave St. Gerald Catholic Hospital on Thursday for the Fadan Kagoma, for the interment after a funeral mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan Kagoma.

    The bodies of Yakowa and his friend, Dauda Tsoho, arrived in Kaduna yesterday aboard a Nigeria AirForce cargo plane at about 2.45 pm. They were received by Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero and the widow, Amina Patrick Yakowa.

    The bodies were accompanied by former Governor of Bayelsa State and other top government officials.

    Others at the airport to receive the bodies were Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Bukola Saraki, family members and top government officials.

    The bodies were later conveyed in a St. Gerard Hospital ambulance and driven in a motorcade through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bypass to Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital where they were deposited in the mortuary.

    Senate President David Mark and his wife later joined the others at the hospital from where they proceeded to the Government House to see Yakowa’s family.

    Senator Nenadi Esther Usman and the Southern Kaduna People in the United States said yesterday that the death of Yakowa has robbed the state of a bridge-builder and a unifier.

     

  • Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday commiserated with the government and good people of Kaduna State over the death of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON, saying it was mourning the departed political leader on behalf of the Nigerian football family.

    Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON died on Saturday afternoon after a Navy helicopter he was travelling in with other eminent persons crashed and burst into flames in Bayelsa State.

    “News of the death of Governor Yakowa struck us like a thunderbolt. He was a real supporter and lover of Nigerian football and the Nigeria Football Federation deeply grieves at his sudden departure. We recall how he was always there for the NFF and Nigeria football. Governor Yakowa hosted the international friendly match between the Super Eagles and the senior team of Zambia in Kaduna in November 2011 and also hosted the Annual General Assembly of the NFF in December 2012,” recalled NFF President, Aminu Maigari.

    Maigari added: “He was even ready to host the Super Eagles’ FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, but other circumstances conspired to render Kaduna unattractive for those games. He is gone but we believe that Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and give his family and the good people of Kaduna State the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”

    Governor Yakowa died alongside former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), their personal aides and the helicopter’s pilots.

  • Who becomes Kaduna State deputy governor?

    Who becomes Kaduna State deputy governor?

    Following the death of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa last Saturday, the political arena is charged as the search for a new deputy governor is gathering steam. TONY AKOWE presents the intrigues, calculations and permutations by the godfathers and their wards.

     

    The death of Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, who was until Saturday, December 15, 2012, the governor of Kaduna State, has sent shockwaves across the state. It created a vacuum and a scramble has started.

    Already, the late Yakowa’s erstwhile deputy, Mukthar Ramalan Yero, has stepped in as the new governor.

    However, it is not the same story for the position of deputy governor, which consequently became vacant. The scenario has thrown open yet another contest and high-class lobbying among political players in Southern Kaduna where Yakowa hailed from. Interestingly, Kaduna, the heart of Northern Nigerian politics, is politically divided into two – Northern and Southern Kaduna. And the state is constitutionally divided into three senatorial zones.

    Since the creation of Katsina out of the old kaduna State, the tradition has been that when a Muslim becomes governor, a Christian is made the deputy. This is the crux of the interest currently going on towards the appointment of a deputy governor for the state.

    The Nation gathered that many names are currently being bandied by political actors in the state.It has been reported that less than 24 hours after Yakowa’s death, his Principal Private Secretary, Allahmagani Yohanna, is receiving critical support to atep up as deputy governor. This, an inside source said, has angered Yakowa’s wife who felt that it was a betrayal on the part of any of Yakowa’s aides to be showing interest in the office so soon after his tragic death.

    Further findings by The Nation revealed that many other names are being thrown up. They include the current Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga; former Minister of State for Power, Nuhu Wya; former Secretary to Kaduna State Government and ex-Minister, Felix Hassan Hyat; and Mrs. Charity Shekari, former Commissioner for Health who was wife of Stephen Shekari, the late Deputy Governor of the state..

    Southern Kaduna elders are believed to be against the appointment of Mrs Yakowa as deputy governor. According to sources close to them, they believe that appointing her to such a position would amount to belittling her husband.

    The source said: “The Bible says that the husband and wife are one. So, we believe that Yakowa and his wife were one and if they want to honour him in death with such an appointment, they should look for any of his relations qualifies for such a position since his children may not be up to the constitutionally required age.”

    Another source argued: “As the First Lady, the wife of Yakowa’s Deputy was always coming to take instructions from her. If you appoint her as deputy governor now, she will be taking instructions from the First Lady who was her subordinate before this unfortunate incident. That will amount to humiliating her and the memory of her husband.”

    This perhaps explains why the elders of Southern Kaduna are opposed to having her appointed to that position”. But such arguments mean nothing to those who are pushing for her appointment. They believe that there is nothing wrong in such an appointment.

    Some southern Kaduna elders, The Nation also learnt, are pushing for the appointment of Mrs Charity Shekari as the new deputy governor. The death of Stephen Shekari, an engineer, paved the way for Yakowa to become deputy governor in 2005 and she was later appointed a Commissioner by Yakowa when he assumed office as governor in 2010.

    Charity, a strong member of the ruling PDP, is considered one of the strongest women political players in the area. She is believed to be intelligent, articulate and a team player. And above all, she is believed to be close to the Namadi Sambo Group. Some of the elders in southern Kaduna believe that she will make a good deputy governor and is therefore considered one of the top contenders even though she has not shown any obvious interest in the position.

    However, the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who is currently building his political block in the North, is believed to favour his friend and former Minister of State for Power, Nuhu Wya. He is said to have spoken to some of the southern Kaduna elders about his preference.

    Investigations, however, revealed that Wya’s acceptability in the southern part of the state where he hails from has waned considerably. His people were said to have complained bitterly that when he was Minister, he did nothing to empower them.

    Under the Yakowa-led government, Wya headed the Committee on Power Generation in the state and has his closeness to the Vice President working in his favour. Observers are of the belief that for a man trying to build a political empire and for a government trying to gain the confidence of the people, the appointment of Wya may stand on his way to achieving success in that regard, especially in Southern Kaduna that is predominantly a PDP-controlled area.

    A meeting of the elders from the area is said to be taking place at the residence of Retired General Zamani Lekwot to deliberate on the issue in order to make their position known to the government. But at the time of this report, Wya and Charity still top the list of favourites.

    Another candidate who is reportedly enjoying good followership in southern Kaduna and thus stands a chance is Felix Hassan Hyet, a former Minister who served the Makarfi-led government as Secretary to the Government. Though reports say he is enjoying robust support from his people, he is not known to belong to the Sambo camp. Rather, he is well known as a member of Makarfi’s political camp. Some political analysts in the state believe that appointing him to such a position would mean strengthening the Makarfi camp and this is something that the Sambo camp where the new governor belongs would want to prevent. Though both Sambo and Makarfi have constantly told those who care to listen that they are still good friends, many believe that their relationship has grown worse over the years. The relationship between the two is one of the major factors that may work against Hyet’s candidature.

    The current Chairman of the PDP in the state, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, is another man that is close to the Vice President in the southern Kaduna’s political enclave. Bajoga is an ally of former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Hamisu Yusuf, popularly known as Mairago who is believed to be one of the Vice President’s most trusted allies in the state.

    Bajoga, a former top executive of Ashaka Cement is well respected among the old and the young in southern Kaduna, but he is said to have some health challenges, but his name is high on the stake and some of the Vice President’s men are backing and pushing him forward for the position.

    Among Yakowa’s aides, Allahmagani Yohanna stands as one of the most favoured. He has worked as a Commissioner in the state and was Yakowa’s Principal Private Secretary. But a group of youths from Yakowa’s Jama’a Local Government Area wants the position to go to Ayuba Natsa, an architect who is believed to be Yakowa’s relation and served as his Special Adviser on Project.

    The group’s spokesman, John Yuhusa, told The Nation that in the absence of Ayuba, the powers that be should consider the Commissioner for Water Resources, Sunday Marshal Katung or the man who represents Jama’a Sanga in the House of Representatives, Shehu Garba Sarki for the position.

    However, as the days go by, there is the possibility of a dark horse emerging for the job from the growing political camp of the Vice President especially in southern Kaduna.

     

     

  • Kaduna politics after Yakowa

    Kaduna politics after Yakowa

    KADUNA is mourning. The death, on Saturday, of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has cast a pall on the entire state. As the constitution provides, the erstwhile deputy governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, has stepped in as the chief helmsman.

    Prior to the ascension of Yakowa in 2010, following the elevation of the elected governor, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, no one from Southern Kaduna had been the chief executive of the state. They are in the minority and politics, being a game of numbers, the majority in Northern Kaduna had the upper hand and dictated the pace, leaving the Southern Kaduna people always grumbling about marginalisation.

    The appointment of Sambo was a turning point. It demonstrated that the people were not lacking in the materials that could run the affairs of the state. Yakowa was the deputy governor. He was not new along the corridor of power. If there was anyone from the South qualified to run the state, it was Yakowa. He was fully immersed in the politics of the state. He had been Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the State Government before his appointment as Deputy Governor, following the death of Stephen Shekari in the last years of Governor Ahmed Makarfi in office.

    Ethnicity and religion define the politics of the state. Since inception, until Yakowa arrived the stage, the Muslims in the Northern Kaduna had always occupied the number-one office, while the Christians in the South played the second fiddle. Now, Yero from the North is in the saddle. He did not expect it. Even, if he had nursed the ambition, he knew it was an illusion of hope because Yakowa’s second term ambition was already public knowledge. But fate catapulted Yero to the captain’s seat yesterday. In the presidential system, nature abhors vacuum. According to the 1999 Constitution, he succeeded his boss, following his sudden demise. His first task after being sworn in today as number-one citizen of Kaduna State by the Chief Judge is an emotional one. He will preside over the burial of his predecessor.

    Yakowa’s demise has implications for the politics of the state. Politics in the Northwest state has been shaped by the forces of religion and ethnicity. The tension between Muslims, who are in the majority, and Christians, who are the vocal and resilient minority, has always played a major role in the choice of governorship candidates, their running mates and occupants of other key political positions.

    In line with political tradition in the state, the mantle of deputy governorship fell on Yero, former Finance Commissioner under Sambo Administration. The goal was ethno-religious balancing. When Yakowa completed Sambo’s first term, powerful forces rose against him. Their intention was to effect a power shift from the Christian-dominated minority ethnic group to the Muslim-dominated majority ethnic group. However, reason prevailed because Yakowa was able to convince the contending forces that he had become a rallying point and symbol of unity. Indeed, as the first citizen, he braved the odds and built a bridge of understanding and harmony in the divided state.

    Now that Yero, a Muslim, is in the saddle, it is expected that the deputy governor would be selected from the other ethno-religious divide. Observers think that this has become more compelling as a mark of honour to Yakowa’s memory. The struggle for the number-two slot will be intense, nevertheless. But it would also be restrictive. Since Yero, who enjoyed cordial relations with Yakowa, won’t not be indifferent to the personality of his second in command. It is likely that his choice may be a politician from the South who enjoyed close intimacy with the departed governor.

    Expectedly, Yero is now on the firing line. At 44, he is a vibrant young man. All eyes are on him as the new leader. In 2015, he will be a major contender for the governorship on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As the chief executive, it may be relatively easier for him to stabilise immediately, unlike his departed boss. The first challenge is whether he would retain the cabinet composition or make some adjustments. Since politicians treasure loyalty, it may not be out of order to recruit dependable allies as new aides. Then, he should be able to allay the fear of marginalisation by the minority group the same way Yakowa allayed the fear of subjugation of the majority by the minority. The new governor has inherited the challenge of insecurity in the state compounded by the insurrection of Boko Haram sect. Yakowa Administration had started the implementation of some laudable projects in the state. The onus is on him to complete them and initiate more in the interest of the state.

    The new governor is a home boy. He was born and bred in Kaduna State. Born on May 21, 1968 in Akwan Kaura, Zaria City, Yero attended Local Authority Primary School, Kaura between 1974 and 1980. He attended Government Secondary School, Ikara, between 1980 and 1985. A year later, he completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC) programme. Yero is a distinguished alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he obtained a Diploma Certificate in Banking, Bachelors Degree in Accounting (1991) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is a Certified Public Accountant.

    After completing his youth service corps programme, he worked in the Bursary Department, ABU, in 1993. Between 2007 and 2010, Yero served as Commissioner for Finance. Later, he served as deputy governor.

    Who’ll be new deputy governor?

    Twice, the office had been vacant. On each of the two previous occasions, the jostle for the position of the number-two man had been intense. The first time was after the sudden death of Shekari in 2005. There was little dispute over where the deputy governor should emerge from. The deceased deputy governor, being from Southern Kaduna, it was obvious to all that it was not a time to bicker. Besides, Makarfi was fully in charge. He had served out a first term and had been resoundingly returned for a second term. No one who aspired to succeed in the politics of the state dared challenge his voice and choice at the time.

    But Makarfi had a dilemma in deciding whom to hand the mantle. Many of the party apparatchiks watched him closely. They wanted to have a glimpse into the working of the mind of their governor. Would he choose a politician or a technocrat? What part of Southern Kaduna would be lucky to fit the bill? Makarfi gave no reason for deciding on Yakowa from Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a local government area.

    However, when the office inadvertently fell vacant again in 2010, those who jostled for recognition were two former executive secretaries of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar and Alhaji Hussein Jallo. Jallo had also served as Political Adviser to Sambo. There was also a former Managing Director of Alhaji Shehu Ladan, while the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly also got a look in. The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Idris Mikati took interest in the office, too. At the end, Yakowa, a technocrat and establishment man triumphed.

    In the current contest for recognition, three men are central in deciding the fate of the contenders: Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor and representative of Kaduna Central in the Senate, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the new governor, Yero. They are the political power brokers who will decide the fate of the contestants. In the last contest, Sambo had the upper hand. Yero who was his protégé moved up the ladder from Commissioner for Finance to Deputy Governor.

    Who moves up the dais this time? The next few weeks leading up to the nomination of a candidate, screening by the House of Assembly and eventual swearing in will throw up scenarios leading up to 2015.

  • Yero sworn-in as Kaduna governor

    Yero sworn-in as Kaduna governor

    The Kaduna Government House was a beehive of activities on Sunday as sympathizers defiled heavy security cordon to pay their last respect to the late governor of the state, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and witness the inauguration of Mukthar Ramalan Yero as the new governor.

    It was hectic gaining access into the council chambers of the government house for the swearing in of the new government which was performed by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Rahila Cudjoe at about 1.06 pm.

    In his acceptance speech after the swearing in, Governor Yero assured the people of the state of his sincere desire to build on the good foundation laid by Yakowa who he called “my boss” and asked for the prayers and all as well as God’s wisdom, guidance and direction.

    Yero who promised to address the state later said “it is with heaviness of heart that I make this speech having just fulfilled a constitutional requirement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The sad event that befell Kaduna State yesterday, Saturday 15th  December 2012 is already public knowledge.”

    “Our amiable governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa  has suddenly left us by answering the call of our creator. Indeed, from Him we all came and to Him we would all, one day, return. In between these periods is the privilege we have to serve humanity.

    “We are living testimonies to the fact that our amiable Governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa  who came, did serve humanity, in various and diverse capacity, well and suddenly returned to our creator. His humility, dedication to duty, fairness to all and a sense of humour , endeared him to many, near and far, irrespective of religious, tribal or sectional inclinations. No wonder, he was given a pseudo name of Nakowa.

    “The vision of Sir Patrick Yakowa, Nakowa was to secure , unite and develop Kaduna State. He invested so much on this and started reaping the fruits of his labour. He wished to consolidate and advanced on the achievements so far made and hence tagged Kaduna State’s 2013 Budget , which he presented to the Honourable  House of Assembly on Thursday 13th , December

    “As the “budget of consolidation and advancement.” I sincerely desire to build on the good foundation that my boss has laid. I therefore covet your prayers for God’s wisdom, guidance and direction.

    “I take this opportunity to commiserate with the wife and immediate family of his Excellency, Sir Patrick Yakowa, in particular, members of the Government of Kaduna State and the entire citizens of the state over the sad moment we have found ourselves in. May God in His infinite mercies comfort us all. I shall later in the day deliver a state wide broadcast to the citizens of Kaduna state when more details of this sad event are known”. Yero stated.

  • Kaduna stands still for Sambo’s children

    Kaduna stands still for Sambo’s children

    There was heavy security presence in Kaduna yesterday as about 16 governors from across the country stormed the city to witness the wedding ceremony of two of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo’s children.

    The wedding ceremony which saw former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim badamosi Babangida representing the Vice President’s family took place at the Sultan Bello Mosque and was presided over by the chief Imam, Shielk Abdulhamid Balele Wali.

    Vehicular movements along the Ali Akilu road were diverted to other routes while many visitors found it difficult gaining access into the venue of the wedding which began at about 11.15am.

    Huwaila Muhammed Sambo was given away in marriage to Muktar Ruma after the payment of a dowry sum of N50, 000 while Aysha Muhammed Sambo was wedded to Auwal Abdulrahman after the payment of a dowry of N250, 000 and eight cows.

    Governors at the event include those of Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Imo, Nassarawa,Taraba, Cross River, Gombe, Katsina, Abia, Anambra, Kogi, Kwara, Bauchi, Oyo and Kaduna States.

    Others were the Secretary to the Federal Government Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Senator Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi, the DG NEMA, DG NSCDC, former Chief Justice of the Federal Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, Galadima Kano Alhaji Tijjani Hashim, former Presidential Aspirant Alhaji Lema Jibrin, Miniter of National Planning Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman, and a host of other top government functionaries.

  • ‘Half of Kaduna’s teachers unqualified’

    EARLY fifty percent of teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Kaduna State lack requisite qualifications while over 2,000 of them secured employment with fake certificates.

    Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa, disclosed this yesterday at the 2nd national graduation ceremony of the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Kaduna.

    He said his government has also set up a roadmap for the development of education in the state.

    The governor said the government has also assessed the needs of its qualified teachers and is in the process of addressing them through aggressive training with the support of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN).

    According to him: “the road map was aimed at addressing teachers quality through capacity building, infrastructural development, increasing access and provision of facilities, new quality assurance system and the development of tertiary institutions owned by the state government.

    “We are convinced that the teacher is the key factor in any learning situation. We therefore associate ourselves with any effort to develop teacher’s quality.”

     

  • Kaduna bombing: 111 discharged from hospitals

    Kaduna bombing: 111 discharged from hospitals

    •Bomber targeted 1,000 worshippers, says Yakowa

     

    No fewer than 111 victims of Sunday’s suicide bomb attack in Kaduna have been treated and discharged from three of the hospitals to which they were admitted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 146 victims were admitted at Barau Dikko, St. Gerard’s and 44 Military Hospital in Kaduna.

    Only 35 of the injured victims were still receiving treatment at the three hospitals yesterday.

    The figure was released during a visit to the hospitals by officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    According to the administrator of St Gerard’s Hospital, Sister Therasa Dung, 14 victims were brought to the hospital. Two have been discharged.

    Four of the victims on admission at the hospital are children.

    At the Barau Dikko Hospital, the CAN officials were told that of the 97 victims of the Sunday bomb blast, only 18 are left.

    The team leader of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr Aly Ouattara, who was seen treating some of the patients, said that the hospital had discharged 79 patients who were in stable condition.

    Officials at the Army Hospital confirmed that 30 patients had also been discharged. Five are still receiving treatment.

    In CAN Chairman Rev. Samuel Kujiyat, said: “In this situation, we are also grateful to God because we cannot question Him for allowing the attack.”

    “We are giving thanks because the attack was not more than this, and we pray for speedy recovery of the victims.”

    Kujiyat dispelled the rumour on the death of the St. Rita’s Catholic Church priest, adding that “he is alive and stable at the Multiclinic Hospital in Kaduna “.

    Troops were patrolling the streets yesterday.

    Many residents remained indoors as soldiers mounted checkpoints and frisked motorists and passersby. Many businesses remained shut.

    Residents said roadblocks were mounted around the scene of the blast and the two flashpoint districts of Goni-Gora and Tudun-Wada.

    “There has been heavy military deployment since yesterday, following the attack. This morning, two armoured cars and more troops arrived in these areas,” said Emmanuel Mayaki, a resident of Goni-Gora.

    Another resident, Hadila Johnson, spoke of an increased presence of soldiers and some checkpoints. He said the roads leading to the church were cordoned off by soldiers.

    Military spokesman Colonel Sani Usman told AFP the heavy presence of troops was “to restore law and order”.

    The attack on the church during the morning service left at least eight people dead, in addition to the bomber; 145 people were injured.

    Although no group has claimed responsibility for the church blast, the incident was similar to previous attacks blamed on extremist group Boko Haram.

    Boko Haram’s insurgency is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

    Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa said yesterday that the suicide bomb at St Rita’s Catholic Church in Ungwan Yero in Malali was intended to kill over 1000 worshipers.

    The governor, who returned from vacation abroad on Sunday evening, visited the scene of the blast and the various hospitals where the victims are receiving treatment.

    He noted that terrorism in the North is a great setback to the region, saying: “Let us all join hands in bringing an end to this act of terrorism. We must bring an end to the destruction of lives and property of innocent Nigerians. For me I feel so sad each time this thing happens and this is a very sad moment for me; but we thank God because it could have been wore.

    “We must all join hands and ensure that we expose and flush out these evil people among us. All these challenges will not distract us from developing the state. Never in the history of the state have we faced these challenges, but we remain unshaken. We remain focused and determined to succeed in ensuring quality life for our people,” he said.

    Yakowa said the government would assist owners of property near the church that were also affected by the explosion and foot the medical bills of the victims.

    He said: “I have gone to the affected Church, and I have visited all the injured patients and I am deeply saddened by what happened, but I thank God, because it could have been worse.

    “I met the priest who was officiating the Mass Service. His name is Rev. Fada Mike Bunni. He was able to tell me that the bomber was very determined to kill all the over 1000 worshippers in the church. And you could see how daring he was.

    “He did not go through the gate. He drove straight against the fenced wall of the Church. The Priest said that if the fence of the church were not strong, he could have driven through the walls of the church and detonated the bomb there.

    Kaduna House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr. Dogara Matto, said the House would pass under 24-hours any law that would improve peace and security.

     

  • Yuguda condemns attack on Kaduna church

    Yuguda condemns attack on Kaduna church

    •Evil, jealous forces behind attack, says Ndoma-Egba •Arewa decries bombing 
    •Makinde to Fed Govt: expose perpetrators •Activist: it’s barbaric

     

    Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has condemned last Sunday’s suicide bombing of a Catholic church in Kaduna.

    Eight worshippers were killed in the attack and scores of others were injured.

    The governor described the attack as barbaric, unfortunate and an act of cowardice aimed at creating disaffection among Nigerians.

    Yuguda commiserated with the government and the residents on the attack.

    The governor urged them to avoid reprisals.

    He said: “Vengeance is for God and He will do it at the appropriate time.”

    Yuguda spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Michael Ishola Adeyemi.

    The governor urged those killing their fellow beings to have a change of heart.

    He said: “Such an act will never take those killing others to Heaven but will rather lead them to the suffering of the Hereafter when every soul will be made to give account of every deed while here on Earth.”

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba yesterday blamed Sunday’s bombing on evil and jealous individuals, who want to create divisions between Christians and Muslims.

    In a statement in Abuja, the senator noted that the blast was coming on the heels of the euphoria that greeted the elevation of Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Bishop John Onaiyekan, as a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.

    He said it was worrisome that the incident happened after the Eid-el-Kabir in which Christians joined their Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate.

    The Cross River Central lawmaker congratulated Onaiyekan on his elevation.

    Ndoma-Egba noted that evil forces, which were not happy with the peaceful Sallah celebrations, with “Christians joining their Muslim brothers to celebrate the festival, were behind the weekend bombing”.

    He added: “It is curious that two days before the dastardly act, Christians and Muslims gathered together on Sallah Day and celebrated the festival.

    “This was an unprecedented first, which we all thought would usher in the much-needed peace for a state that has reeled from countless bombings in the past.

    “I find this new spate of bombings not only wicked but also evil, for anyone to wreak such havoc less than 24 hours after followers of both religions celebrated together in the spirit of peace, tolerance and brotherhood.”

    The Senate Leader advised those affected to avoid reprisal killings but leave vengeance to God.

    The North’s socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the Muslim umbrella body in the region, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, yesterday condemned the suicide attack on St. Rita’s Catholic Church at Ungwan Yero in the Malali area of Kaduna.

    The ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity, Anthony Sani, said the attack was inhuman.

    It noted that the attacked occurred when there was an agreement among religious leaders that killing is not a part of any religion.

    The forum noted that those who resort to killing innocent people to address perceived grievances should embrace peace in the interest of the nation.

    The statement reads: “The news of suicide bombing of a Catholic church in Kaduna, which took place on Sunday, resulted in the death of eight people and injury to many. It is totally condemnable because of its inhumanity, especially at a time leaders of all religions have agreed that killing oneself and other people in the name of God is not in line with God’s injunction in favour of the sacred inviolability of the individual with a clear sense of what is right and what is evil.

    “It is more distressing, considering the efforts being made by the youth across all faiths to bring about lasting peaceful coexistence in Kaduna.

    “Those who, therefore, derive pleasure in killing themselves in order to kill other people in the name of God to address their perceived grievances should lay down their arms and embrace constructive dialogue, precisely because resorting to violence can never solve the problems.”

    The JNI urged security agents to ensure that those bombing the country are brought to justice.

    In a statement by its Secretary-General, Sheikh Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the JNI prayed that those involved in the act would fail to cause chaos in Kaduna.

    The statement reads: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam, under the leadership of Sa’ad Abubakar (the Sultan of Sokoto), received with bewilderment the news of the bombing at Unguwar Yero, Malali, Kaduna, on October 28 during a church service.

    “We condemn the act in its totality and call for calm and restraint. It is our prayer that the perpetrators behind the act will never succeed in causing chaos in Kaduna.

    “However, we implore the security agents to be more vigilant and intensify measures of curbing this dastardly act of bombings. As for those affected, we pray for a better return of what they have lost and the families of those who lost their lives, may Allah grant them fortitude to bear the loss.”

    A rights’ activist Shehu Sani said: “The reported attack on the Catholic Church in Unguwan Yero Ward, Malali area of Kaduna stands condemned. It’s a dastardly, evil, ungodly, barbaric and unprovoked attack.

    “It’s an attack on our freedom, peace and humanity. The attack is a savage and despicable onslaught against civil liberties and our constitutional rights to life and religion. We condemn it without reservation…”