Tag: Kaduna

Kaduna was calm on Tuesday as the residents were complying with the 24-hour curfew imposed on the city and Zaria on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had declared the curfew in response to the breakdown of law and order when hoodlums hijacked the #endbadgovernance protests.

In the ensuing melee, the hoodlums vandalised and looted various public and private property, including one of the commercial banks in the city.

NAN Correspondents who monitored the compliance level of the curfew learnt that the residents have stayed indoors, with the exception of some few individuals seen in the vicinities of their residences.

NAN also observed that a mobile team of military men on dozens of motorcycles and patrol vans were seen patrolling the streets, enforcing compliance.

Also, stationery combined teams of security personnel including the Police, NSCDC and other plain clothes operatives were seen keeping vigil and enforcing compliance across the city.

Read Also: Curfew in Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau after looting of bank, businesses

Another mobile team of policemen was seen moving and asking the residents to stay indoors so as not to violate the curfew order.

NAN also learnt that aerial patrols, surveillance and reconnaissance were being conducted by some Nigerian Air Force helicopters and fighter jets.

Some of the residents interviewed by NAN said, “The curfew will affect our lives, but we welcome it.

“Majority of us don’t support the destruction of public and private property in the name of protests although Nigerians are really suffering.”

Some of the security agents who spoke to NAN on the condition of anonymity expressed happiness with the level of compliance by the residents.

The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, told NAN on Tuesday, “There is compliance with the curfew order.

“The residents are cooperating with the security agencies,” urging the residents to exercise patience, obey law and order.

A NAN Correspondent in Zaria also reports that there was a high level of compliance with the curfew by the residents, saying,”everywhere is peaceful and calm.”

(NAN)

Nigeria is on the way to earning multi-billion dollar revenue from lithium as UK-based Jupiter Lithium Ltd and US-based ReElement Technologies Corporation have commenced a project for lithium exploitation across 442 square kilometers of lithium-rich terrain in the northern part of the country.

President Bola Tinubu and the Solid Minerals Development Minister, Mr. Dele Alake have consistently emphasized the development of the country’s solid minerals sector towards accelerating national growth and economic development.

 With the global price of lithium at about $37, 000 (2022 rate),  the 167, 000 tons being targeted for production within the first two years is expected to yield a minimum of $6.2 billion. 

Read Also: Nigeria’s first large-scale lithium development project kicks off in Kaduna

Under the project  known as the Jupiter Critical Minerals Project, the two international companies and their Nigerian partners are to commercialize major lithium deposits in Kaduna State.

 According to the Chairman of Jupiter Lithium Ltd, Mr. Stephen Davis,  Jupiter Critical Minerals Project which is being undertaken with the support of the federal government is set to become Nigeria’s first large-scale lithium mine.

A media advocacy group, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has called for the release of two journalists based in Kaduna State, along with their wives and children, who were abducted over the weekend.

MRA expressed deep concern over the abduction and urged the federal government, particularly its security and law enforcement agencies, to take immediate action to secure their safe release, emphasizing its duty to ensure the safety of journalists and other media workers.

According to reports, about 15 armed men invaded the Dahjonu community in Millennium City, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on the night of Saturday, July 6, 2024, and abducted Mr. Abdulgafar Alabelewe, a reporter with The Nation newspaper, and Mr. AbdulRaheem Abdu of Blueprint newspaper, along with their wives and children.

In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said: “The kidnap of the two journalists and their families is a heinous act that underscores the growing dangers faced by journalists in Nigeria and the urgent need for the Federal Government to fulfill its obligation to ensure the safety of journalists and other media workers. We unequivocally condemn the abduction and call on the federal government, as well as all relevant security and law enforcement agencies, to take all necessary measures to secure the immediate and safe release of these journalists and their families. The government must also act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of this despicable crime to justice.”

He emphasized that the safety of journalists is essential for preserving media freedom and protecting human rights. 

“Journalists play a crucial role in informing the public, holding power to account, and fostering a democratic society”, he added, noting that any attack on them is an attack on the collective right of Nigerians to information and freedom of expression.

Longe pointed out that, according to Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the security of all Nigerians, including journalists, is the primary purpose of government. 

Furthermore, the Government has obligations under various regional and international instruments to which Nigeria is a party to ensure the safety of journalists, thoroughly investigate any attacks against them, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Read Also: Kaduna fire service records 25 fire outbreaks in two months

He urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to the safety of journalists by taking concrete steps to protect media professionals from threats, violence, and other forms of attacks. 

This, he said, includes ensuring that security agencies are adequately equipped and trained to respond to such incidents and implementing a clear and effective strategy for preventing future abductions and attacks on journalists.

Longe expressed MRA’s solidarity with the families of Mr. Alabelewe and Mr. Abdu during this incredibly difficult time and called on all Nigerians to join in demanding the safe return of the journalists and their families.

 Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged-off the distribution of palliatives to 2,400 less-privileged citizens of Kaduna State, including People With Disabilities (PWDs), orphanage homes, widows and women infected with HIV among others.

Senator Tinubu, who was represented at the flag-off of the palliatives distribution by the Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Hafsat Uba Sani, said the palliatives were designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship on the less-privileged across the country.

 The First Lady said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is working tirelessly to improve the economy of the country and therefore requires the patience and cooperation of the citizens to achieve the desired goals of delivering good governance to the people.

She, however, said the less privileged, poor, vulnerable and underserved people of Nigeria, especially People With Disabilities (PWDs) are dear to her heart, hence the need to distribute the palliatives, to assist them.

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 While urging the beneficiaries not to sell the palliatives, but use them to the benefit themselves and their families. She promised to sustain the assistance in Kaduna and across the Country.

Also speaking at the event, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu, explained that the 2,400 bags of rice donated by the First Lady, Senator Tinubu are being distributed to 2,400 less-privileged families.

 She said the beneficiaries were drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state and from different groups, including PWDs, orphanages, widows, people infected with HIV,  NYSC Corps members and the two religious bodies- the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) among others.

 In her own capacity, Wife of Governor Uba Sani, Hajia Hafsat gave cash donations to the respective beneficiary groups to complement the food item donated by the First Lady.

Chairman of the PWDs in Kaduna, Suleiman Abdullahi, said, “the palliative distribution is a sign that the APC government of President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani at Kaduna State level, care for the people, especially People With Disabilities (PWDs). In the past, when the elections were over, the people in government often forgot the less privileged like us.”

Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army,  Kaduna have arrested 47 suspected rail track vandals along  Kakau Daji-Anguwan Ayaba.

The suspects, who had loaded two trucks with the vandalised rail track items, said they were employed by one Alhaji Babawo, who is at large, to load the items and off-load them in a nearby bush along the road.

Parading the suspects at 312 Artillery Regiment Kaduna, the Acting Commander 1 Division Provost Group, Lt.-Col. I. Y. Rena, stated that the suspects were cross-examined to ascertain their level of involvement in theft.

Lt.-Col. Rena said some of the vandalised rail track items were found in the nearby bush, waiting to be evacuated by the criminals. Handing over the suspects to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kaduna Station  Divisional Crime Officer, ASP Inuwa Dahiru, Lt.-Col. Rena urged the security agencies to make adequate arrangements to secure the tracks against further vandalism.

Read Also: We don’t recruit terrorists as soldiers, says Army

ASP Dahiru  praised the Army for their proactiveness and collaboration with other security agencies in tackling the security challenges in the state. He assured the Army that the suspects would be investigated before they were charged to court to serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Whirl Punch Maj.-Gen M. L. D. Saraso, commended the troops for arresting the suspects.  He charged them to remain resilient and focussed to bring criminal elements in the Division to book.

The Kaduna State government, in a clear demonstration of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment, has launched the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.

The government has also approved substantial N4.5bn as a special intervention for 15,000 households in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, disclosed this at a one-day citizens’ engagement workshop organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to support the domestication of national policy in the state.

She also disclosed that the state is determined to invest in women and girls through various interventions in economic development, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

While commending the Development Research and Projects Centre for supporting the state in domesticating the policy, she assured that Kaduna State would be a pacesetter in promoting, developing, and uplifting the standard of living of women.

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According to her, “I want to assure you that so far, so good in the areas of social intervention, cash transfers, skills acquisition, education, and social development,” adding that launching the policy will enable more investment and inclusion in the state.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre, Dr Judith-Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnerships and Communications, Mallam Hassan Aliyu Karofi, said the rationale behind the support to the state is to support inclusion, adding that 24 more states have been earmarked to be supported to domesticate the policy.

He said Nigeria stands to earn over $2.5bn in investment and economic growth when the policy is domesticated and implemented by the sub-nationals, adding that with over 50% of citizens as women, Kaduna State stands to benefit from the immense economic opportunities drivable from empowered women.

In her presentation at the workshop, the Gender Lead at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Mrs Rinmicit Aboki, challenged the sub-national governments to explore the value inherent in domesticating and implementing the policy to unlock the potential of women’s economic empowerment.

The World Bank representative at the workshop, Mr Musa Yusuf commended the Kaduna State government for embracing the policy while assuring that the Bank will provide technical assistance to the state.

..sets to domesticate women empowerment policy

The Kaduna state government, in a clear demonstration of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment, has launched the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.

The government has also approved a substantial N4.5bn as a special intervention for 15,000 households in the state.

The state’s commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, disclosed this at a one-day citizens’ engagement workshop organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to support the domestication of national policy in the state.

She also disclosed that the state is determined to invest in women and girls through various interventions in economic development, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

While commending the development Research and Projects Centre for supporting the state in domesticating the policy, she assured that Kaduna state would be a pacesetter in promoting, developing, and uplifting the standard of living of women in the state.

According to her, “I want to assure you that so far, so good in the areas of social intervention, cash transfers, skills acquisition, education, and social development, adding that launching the policy will enable more investment and inclusion in the state.”

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre, Dr Judith-Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnerships and Communications, Malam Hassan Aliyu Karofi, said the rationale behind the support to the state is to support inclusion, adding that 24 more states have been earmarked to be supported to domesticate the policy.

Read Also: Reps committee suspends sales of Kaduna Poly property

He said that Nigeria stands to earn over $2.5bn in investment and economic growth when the policy is domesticated and implemented by the sub-nationals, adding that with over 50% of citizens as women, Kaduna state stands to benefit from the immense economic opportunities drivable from empowered women.

In her presentation at the workshop, the Gender Lead at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Mrs Rinmicit Aboki, challenged the subnational governments to explore the value inherent in domesticating and implementing the policy to unlock the potential of women’s economic empowerment.

The World Bank representative at the workshop, Mr Musa Yusuf commended the Kaduna state government for embracing the policy while assuring that the Bank will provide technical assistance to the state to support the domestication of the policy for the benefit of the citizens.

The workshop brought representatives from civil society, traditional and religious groups, women-led organization, the private sector and Ministries, departments and parastatals in Kaduna state.