The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • ‘Use of polystyrene items by food vendors destructive to environment’

    An environmentalist, Jibril Mohammed, says the usage of polystyrene items by food vendors to serve foods at social occasions is destructive to the environment.

    Mohammed, who is an environmentalist with an NGO, Metrol Environment in Nigeria, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria  in Kaduna on Thursday.

    He said that millions of ‘‘take away food items” in polystyrene bags were being used daily by thousands of food sellers in market across the 36 states.

    ‘‘The demand for polystyrene packs is on the increase due to how food vendors and buyers use it as takeaway packs for comfort.

    ‘‘The problem is that polystyrene material is contributing in causing more danger to human, animals and even aquatic lives,’’ he said.

    According to him, polystyrene packs do usually take 500 years before they decompose, and this is harmful to the environment.

    ‘‘Polystyrene items are dominating our trash dump centres, streams, drainages and rivers, which is causing serious challenges to farmers, causing floods and diseases.’’

    ‘‘Hot foods and liquids actually start a partial breakdown of the Styrofoam, causing some toxins to be absorbed into our bloodstream and tissue.

    ‘‘Polystyrene food containers leach the toxin Styrene when they come into contact with hot food or drink, alcohol, oils and acidic foods causing human contamination and pose a health risk to people.’’

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    He advised that people should avoid drinking tea with lemon, coffee with dairy cream, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages and wine from Styrofoam cups.

    ‘‘Millions of aquatic lives died as a result of increasing dumping of polystryrene bags into the oceans and small streams.

    ‘‘It (polystryrene bag) pollute the environment and this is a big threat to the existence of human beings,’’ he stressed.

    Mohammed said that burning polystryrene bags also contribute to pollution of the environment through constant release of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous for respiration in humans.

    ‘‘Government must encourage recycling companies in bringing new innovative ways of recycling take away packs so as to save the community against burning it,’’ he said.

    He urged environmental NGOs, CSOs and other stakeholders to join hands in raising more awareness on how to mitigate the effects of these hazards on humans and animals.

  • How we grew IGR, by Edo, Kaduna, Kwara

    Governors of Edo, Kaduna and Kwara states have explained how they were able to increase their states Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last three years.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara said his government has achieved growth in its average monthly IGR from N600 million in 2015 to N2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2018.

    On his part, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna said  the state annual IGR of N11.8 billion in 2015 has moved to a total of N26.5 billion in 2017, while Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, said his state had increased its monthly IGR from N600 million to N2.4 billion.

    The governors spoke yesterday at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat’s 4th Annual National Peer Learning Event in Abuja.

    Ahmed explained that difficult economic challenges in 2014 pushed the government to think outside the box, especially when its IGR dropped to an all-time low, with the defunct Kwara State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) raking in about N600 million, which could not augment the allocations to pay salaries or fund the state infrastructure.

    “In that same year, a study of the infrastructure needs of Kwara State identified a N255 billion gap.

    “This discovery led to the Kwara State Infrastructure and Financing Strategy, a comprehensive and targeted plan to systematically address the infrastructure deficit.’’

    The deficit, according to the Governor, made the government to embark on urgent financing strategies and reforms in its revenue generation.

    He said the reforms included the passage of some laws, signing of the Kwara State Revenue Administration Law, and replacing the state BIR with Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).

    “Based on these changes, KWIRS achieved growth in the monthly IGR from N600 million monthly as of 2015 to a monthly average of N1.45 billion in 2016, and a monthly average of 2.2 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

    “On account of these growths in our internal revenue, we have consistently been able to augment monthly federal allocation to ensure prompt payment of salaries.

    “It also helped to fund major projects, introduce new ones and pay off existing debts owed to contractors in the state,’’ he said.

    Ahmed added that it was incumbent on all stakeholders in the governance of states to strike the necessary balance between economic and social costs of generating increased internal revenue through taxes, fees, levies and fines.

    He said that was necessary as the nation prepared for a new minimum wage law which was expected to put even greater strain on states’ finances.

    Ahmed posited that the current situation in the country called for sub-nationals to increase the revenue generating capacities.

    He said that it was clear that the new minimum wage was coming with an added responsibility and the current revenue profile was not likely to take it on.

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna on his part said that the state had grown its annual IGR of N11.8 billion in 2015 when he assumed office to a total of N26.5 billion in 2017.

    “In 2015 we collected a total N11.8 billion, in 2015 it jumped to N22.5 billion which was the first year of implementation of tax code; in 2016 it rose to N26.5 billion and as at the end of October 2018, we have collected N24.5 billion.

    El-Rufai listed some of the steps taken to increase to state’s IGR was the establishment of a tax code, the update and consolidation of the state tax laws from 1914 to date, as well as engaging consultants’ service to reform the state tax agency.

    He said that also included the establishment of a new revenue collection agency which eliminated cash collection; as well as the constitution of the Joint Tax Board between the state and its local governments.

    El-Rufai said that the objective of the state was to live within its means.

    He, however, disagreed with the idea of a uniformed or national minimum wage that was being determined by the Federal Government, but that each state should be allowed the pegging of its minimum wage according to the level of its income.

    “If you look at the 1963 constitution, minimum wage was not in the inclusive list, it was added during the military rule.

    “There are number of laws that were enacted during the military rule and there is a need to look at them and do something about them.’’

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, in a presentation on “Mobilising Domestic Financing for Development’’ said his state had increased its monthly IGR from N600 million to N2.4 billion.

    Obasaki said what the state did was to engage revenue agents, consolidate collection into a single account, and to use technology to drive both assessment and collections.

    He said that the plan of the state was to grow its IGR by 50 per cent year-on-year.

    Obaseki added that the state IGR was linked to its infrastructure development plan, saying “you cannot improve IGR if there is no economic growth and one of the key drivers of economic growth is infrastructure.

    “When you build roads, schools, hospitals, things that aid and enable businesses, you begin to see economic growth.

    “As people do well, income goes up and businesses grow, then you have a basis to levy taxes which you will now have to improve the state.’’

     

  • Air Peace resumes Kaduna flights

    Air Peace on Monday resumed its Kaduna flight services, pledging that it would continue to observe high operational standards to ensure the safety of its customers, crew and other categories of staff.

    Air Peace suspended its Lagos-Kaduna-Lagos flights on October 21, saying the action was to safeguard the lives of its customers and staff.

    The development was sequel to a 24-hour curfew imposed by Kaduna State government to address security threats in the state.

    A statement signed by the carrier’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the airline restored its Kaduna flights based on the state government’s assurances that the security situation had improved.

    The airline empathized with members of the flying public who were affected by the suspension of its flights into and out of Kaduna, commending them for their cooperation and understanding while the development lasted.

    In a related development, Air Peace said it would continue to sustain its observance of strict safety standards in its flight operations to safeguard the lives of its customers, crew and other staff.

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    The carrier said it had a reputation for grounding its aircraft for simple technical and weather challenges because of the premium it placed on the lives of its customers and staff, saying its pilots were mandated by its standard operating procedure to return to base or divert whenever they were not sure there was a perfect weather condition or there was a technical challenge with the operating aircraft.

    “We are reputed for running a very strict safety and maintenance programme and have sustained this in the four years of our flight operations. In the last four years of our flight services, our operations have been subjected to the scrutiny of reputable corporate and regulatory organisations and we acquitted ourselves creditably. Just within two years of our operations, we secured our International Air Transport Association Organisational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. Our IOSA certificate was renewed in April 2018 after our operations were subjected to a tougher scrutiny by IATA.

    “We quite understand that aircraft are machines and as such can malfunction without warning. Besides, weather is a recurring issue in aviation all over the world. When there is a technical or weather challenge, our practice is never to take any risk however slight the situation may be. We have mandated our pilots to always err on the side of safety and they have continued to display professional discipline in this regard. When our pilots have any doubt with regard to technical or weather issues, the practice is to return to base or divert to the closest airport for checks or to wait till it is safe to operate the flight.

    “Although our pro-safety approach comes with a huge financial burden, we are pleased that its guarantees the lives of our valued guests, crew and other members of the Air Peace family, including our chairman and directors who fly us because they are sure of the depth of maintenance we do,” Air Peace said.

  • El-Rufai elevates Esu Chikun to first class chief

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has elevated the Esu Chikun (previously known as Sa Gbagyi), Dr. Danjuma Barde to a first-class chief.

    El-Rufai said the elevation of the traditional ruler was informed by his contribution to peace and promotion of integration among the diverse population in chiefdom, which falls within Kaduna metropolis.

    A statement signed by the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said, “Malam Nasir El-Rufai has approved the elevation of HRH Dr. Danjuma Barde, the Esu Chikun (previously known as Sa Gbagyi), to a first-class chief. HRH Dr. Barde was appointed Sa Gbagyi on 29th December 2000 and installed on 18th January 2001, as a third-class chief. He was upgraded to a second-class chief in 2007.”

    Congratulating the chief on his elevation, Malam Nasir El-Rufai said that, “HRH Dr. Barde deserves this exceptional recognition for his role in promoting peace. The decision to upgrade the Chikun Chiefdom to first-class status follows a recommendation to that effect by the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.

    “The ministry, in a proposal signed by the Commissioner, Prof. Kabir Mato, noted HRH Dr. Barde’s contribution to peace and his active role as a bridge-builder among the ethnic groups in the chiefdom, a fact the government recently acknowledged in a letter of commendation to the chief.

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    “Prof. Mato also drew attention to the fact that much of HRH Dr. Barde’s chiefdom is within Kaduna metropolis, noting that the chief has been able to promote integration among the diverse population of the chiefdom, which covers the entire Chikun local government area of the state. The ministry therefore recommended that he be elevated, to recognise his efforts, and to encourage people who make peace and harmony a priority.” He said.

    Speaking further on the recent change of names of chiefdoms in Kaduna State, Governor El-Rufai said, “The name of the chiefdom was recently changed from Gbagyi to Chikun chiefdom to reflect government policy that anchors the authority of traditional leaders on territory, not tribe. This is to ensure that the traditional rulers include and command the allegiance of every group within the territory, rather than just the people with whom the ruler shares a common ethnicity.”

    HRH Dr. Barde holds a degree in Education and has worked as a teacher and chief education officer. He is also a former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

  • Tension in Kaduna as abductors kill monarch

    There is tension in Kaduna as a first-class traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, who was abducted last Friday with his wife has been killed.

    The traditional ruler is believed to have been killed on Thursday and his body dumped at Kateri along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway before it was taken to St. Gerald Catholic Hospital in Kaduna early yesterday morning.

    The Nation gathered that the late Agom was shot twice in the head, as there were bullet wounds piercing through his ears and neck.

    Report also has it that the kidnappers collected N10 million ransom before killing the traditional ruler.

    The killing of the traditional ruler caused tension in Kaduna, as people   started running back to their houses out of fear, even as fresh crisis was said to have started in the Sabon Tasha area of the metropolis

    In a swift reaction, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reinstated a 24-hour curfew on the metropolis and environs.

    The Nation recalled that Agom Adara was kinapped last week on his way back to his palace in Kachia from Kasuwan Magani, where himself and other leaders of the area alongside the state governor went on the assessment tour of the crisis area.

    Unconfirmed report has it that the kidnappers, who had on the spot killed four of the chief’s aides while abducting him last week, had collected ransom of N10 million before killing him.

    Governor El-Rufai in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Media And Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the reinstated 24-hour curfew was a necessary step to help maintain peace as the state mourns Agom Adara.

    According to him, “The state government has reinstated a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs, Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru, Kateri and Kachia. The curfew is effective from 11am today(yesterday) and will remain in force until further notice.

    “This is a necessary step to help maintain peace as we mourn the death of HRH Agom Adara who we lost in the early hours of today (yesterday) to the criminals who abducted him last week.”

    The governor has explained that his government and the security agents worked strenuously to rescue the traditional ruler from his abductors.

    Governor El-Rufai, in another statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, said he is pained and heartbroken that criminal elements have taken away a man who did his best for peace and harmony in Kaduna State.

    He described Dr. Galadima as a man of peace and a traditional ruler who consistently made positive contributions for the peace and tranquillity in his chiefdom and the entire state.

  • Tension in Kaduna, as kidnapped traditional ruler is killed

    There is tension in Kaduna as a first class traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima who was abducted last Friday with his wife has been killed.

    The traditional ruler is believed to have been killed on Thursday and his body dumped at Kateri along Kaduna-Abuja expressway, before it was taken to St. Gerald Catholic Hospital in Kaduna early Friday morning.

    The Nation gathered that, the late Agom was shot twice in the head, as there were bullet wounds piercing through his ears and neck.

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    Report also has it that the kidnappers collected N10 million ransom before killing the traditional ruler.

    The killing of the traditional ruler caused tension in Kaduna, as people on Friday morning started running back to their houses out of fear, even as fresh crisis was said to have started in Sabon Tasha area of the metropolis

    However, in a swift reaction to the brewing crisis, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reinstated a 24-hour curfew on the metropolis and environs.

    The Nation recalled that Agom Adara was kidnapped last week on his way back to his palace in Kachia from Kasuwan Magani, where he and other leaders of the area alongside the state Governor went on assessment tour of crisis area.

    Unconfirmed report has it that, the kidnappers who had on the spot killed four of the chief’s aides while abducting him, had collected ransom of N10 million before killing him.

    Governor El-Rufai in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said the reinstated 24-hour curfew was a necessary step to help maintain peace as the state mourns Agom Adara.

    According to him, “The State Government has reinstated a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs, Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru, Kateri and Kachia. The curfew is effective from 11am Friday, 26th October 2018 and will remain in force until further notice.

    “This is a necessary step to help maintain peace as we mourn the death of HRH Agom Adara, who we lost in the early hours of today to the criminals who abducted him last week.

    “The Kaduna State Government calls for calm in all our communities. The criminal elements who perpetrated this crime should not be allowed to divide us.

    “This is a struggle between good, decent, law-abiding people trying to uphold the peace and criminals who want to divide and destroy. It is not a struggle between religious or ethnic groups. Let no criminal find succor in faith or tribe.

    “Let us unite against every criminal activity. Let us stand together as human beings who have a right to live in peace,” El-Rufai said.

  • Kaduna reimposes 24-hour curfew

    The Kaduna State Government on Friday reinstated the 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs, as well as Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru, Kateri and Kachia.

    Mr Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity said in a statement that the curfew is effective from 11am till further notice.

    He said this became necessary to help maintain peace following the murder of the Chief of Adara, Mr Maiwada Galadima in the hands of his abductors who took him away last Friday.

    “The Kaduna State Government calls for calm in all our communities. The criminal elements who perpetrated this crime should not be allowed to divide us.

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    “This is a struggle between good, decent, law abiding people trying to uphold the peace and criminals who want to divide and destroy.

    “It is not a struggle between religious or ethnic groups. Let no criminal find succour in faith or tribe.

    “Let us unite against every criminal activity. Let us stand together as human beings who have a right to live in peace,” he said.

  • NGO provides educational support to girls in Kaduna

    A Kaduna-based Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) says it will provide education subsidy to girls.

    It said that the subsidy would be given to the girls in public secondary schools to promote their retention and completion rate in Kaduna State.

    Miss Bilkisu Gwabin, EWEI’s Finance and Supplies Officer, made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, at the opening of a one-day Empowerment Seminar for 10 new beneficiaries.

    Gwabin explained that the support, under the NGO’s Educational Subsidy Programme (ESP), supported by Inti Raymi Fund, was designed to assist the students with fees, uniforms, and learning materials.

    According to her, the goal is to improve retention and completion rates of female students in public schools to enable them to acquire basic education and live a quality life in future.

    “The beneficiaries also benefit from EWEI’s empowerment seminar where young girls are equipped with productive life tips and income generating skills’’.

    Mr Babatunde Ajiga, EWEI’s Board of Trustee Secretary, explained that 13 girls had benefited from the programme from 2008 to 2017.

    According to him, 40 per cent of Nigerian children from six to 11 years of age are not in school, adding that EWEI’s programme was to support the education of intelligent girls from poor families.

    Mrs Grace Attah the NGO’s Programme Officer, Organisational Development and Learning, said that the beneficiaries were selected based on needs, ethnicity and religion.

    Attah explained that 10 new beneficiaries were selected to benefits in 2018, from Government Girls Secondary School, Doka, Government Secondary School, Television and Government Secondary School, Barnawa.

    Also speaking, Safiya Garba, the Founder and the programme Director of the NGO, commended the Kaduna State Government for taking steps to provide free education to girls in the state.

    “Although we do not know what it would cover and for how long, we nonetheless, want to ensure that we prepare secondary school girls and equip them with income generating skills to support their tertiary education.

    “We provide long term support to the girls up to the end of secondary school and provide additional six months life skills support as intern in EWEI, to develop their leadership capacity.

    “What we expect in return is for the girls to do well in school,” she said.

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    Garba called on parents of the beneficiaries for support to ensure that the girls’ study hard and grow up to be leaders in their homes, their communities and the nation at large.

    “Let’s work together to ensure they all finished secondary school and excel beyond.”

    Mr David McGrain of Inti Raymi Fund expressed joy that the fund had helped put a smile on young girls’ lives and pledged to do more.

    McGrain told the beneficiaries that they could do anything in life if they remained focus.

    One of the beneficiaries, 20-year old Jessica David, said she had been a beneficiary since 2014, describing the support as a life changer that had added value to her life.

    “Besides taking care of my educational financing and providing the needed learning materials, the NGO had equally equipped me with income generating skills which is helping me take care of my financial needs.

    “EWEI also enlightened me on my rights as a lady and how to set long term goals for a meaningful future, and thanks to them. I am soaring higher and higher to my goals,” David said.

    Another beneficiary, Mary Ayantokun, 19, said that EWEI paid her school fees from junior secondary school until she graduated from secondary school.

    “EWEI paid my fees for WAEC, NECO and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examinations. I am so thankful to this life-changing support.

    “Not only that, I have learned several income generating skills like beads and cake making and other self -reliant skills that are helping me meet my financial needs.”

  • PDP, APC lose Reps in Kogi, Kaduna

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday lost a member each at the House of Representatives.

    The lawmakers are: Hassan Omale (PDP, Kogi), and Muhammad Soba (APC, Kaduna).

    Omale, who represents Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, told his colleagues that he had left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    “I wish to inform the Speaker and other members of the House that I have resigned from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with effect from October 17,” he said.

    The lawmaker conveyed his defection in a letter read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara at plenary in Abuja.

    Soba, who represents Soba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, announced his departure from the APC.

    He said his next destination would be announced soon.

    Announcing the defections, Dogara cited relevant sections of the constitution to justify the actions of the defectors.

    The Speaker said Soba attributed his action to an alleged injustice he suffered during his party’s primary.

     

  • 22 people killed, 44 injured in Sunday crisis in Kaduna, says El-Rufai

    •ACF condemns crisis

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said 22 people died in last Sunday’s crisis that engulfed Kaduna metropolis.

    He said 44 others sustained injuries and property estimated at millions of naira were damaged.

    The governor vowed to enforce the various laws that impose costs on communities that permit violence to stem the intermittent crises across the state.

    Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) condemned the crisis, saying it threatened the polity, politics and socio-economic development of the North.

    El-Rufai issued the warning yesterday in Kaduna in an address he delivered at an emergency meeting of the state’s Council of Chiefs.

    The governor said laws will be imposed on community residents to bear the cost of repairing the damage arising from the crisis.

    He asid the various provisions of the Riots Damage Laws of 1958, the Collective Damage Law of 1915 and the Peace Preservation Law of 1917 will henceforth be enforced.

    El-Rufai said: “These laws impose on communities that permit violence in their midst, obliging community members to be charged and levied money for the costs of repairing damage done during episodes of violence.”

    The governor said his administration would provide details of the enforcement of the extant laws.

    He warned royal fathers that government would no longer accept excuses from them when crises erupt in their domains.

    El-Rufai said: “In situations of unrests, it is common for traditional rulers to disclaim any control over unruly youths. It is an excuse we can no longer accept. Where significant sections of a community disdain the counsel or authority of their traditional ruler, it imperils the rationale for keeping the traditional institution and the occupant of the office.”

    The governor, who traced the genesis of the crises in Kaduna State, noted that ethno-religious clashes first occurred in Kasuwan Magani in 1980, adding: “Since them, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequences for the perpetrators.

    “It is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose.”

    The governor, who vowed to prosecute the perpetrators of the crisis, regretted the slow pace of prosecution in the courts.

    He said Kaduna State was working to secure the approval of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to expand the Bench with 20 additional high court judges.

    El-Rufai also said his administration was working with the police command to establish a police division at Narayi and Sabon Tasha.

    He expressed gratitude to the police authorities for agreeing to establish a police division at Kasuwan Magani.

    Also, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said it was saddened by the spate of communal clashes in parts of the North, particularly the recent one at Kasuwan Magani village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State where many people were said to have been killed.

    The statement said: “The communal reprisal clash over simple disagreement with its consequent loss of lives and destruction of property is most unfortunate and condemnable. Communities that have lived together peacefully over the years should refrain from such avoidable violent conflicts that in most cases also destroy trust and harmony among communities, which is not helpful.

    “Threats to our peace as one united people and a region over the years have affected our peaceful coexistence, unity, polity and socio-economic development. We must, therefore, come together and stop this unfortunate and condemnable carnage that does no one any good.

    “Reprisals are certainly not the best way to resolve disputes. ACF, therefore, calls upon the warring communities in Kajuru and in other states to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue in resolving their disagreements. Leaders of the various communities should also play a greater role in ensuring that peace and harmony are restored in the affected areas.

    “ACF urges the security agencies to swing into action and not only fish out the criminals who perpetrated these dastardly acts, but also ensure that they face the wrath of the law to serve as deterrence to others.

    @The police and Judiciary should, therefore, fast-track its investigating and prosecuting processes, as justice delayed is justice denied.

    “ACF also commends the prompt intervention of security agencies in the Kasuwan Magani crisis and its spill-over to other parts of Kaduna and urges them to sustain surveillance in the areas until normalcy is restored…

    “ACF extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, the government and people of Kaduna State over this unfortunate incident.”