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Tag: Kaduna

  • N50 per meal cost claim in Kaduna untrue – NSIO

    The National Social Investment Office (NSIO) on Wednesday described as misleading, claims that the Federal Government was spending N50 per meal to feed pupils in public primary schools in Kaduna State.

    Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Maryam Uwais, in a statement made available to The Nation, said the correct amount was about N70.

    Uwais said: “When the Kaduna State Government commenced funding the school feeding programme in January 2016, the engaged cooks were paid N50 per meal for each of the pupils assigned to them.

    “After, the Federal Government through the NSIO took over the funding of Kaduna State School Feeding Programme in August 2017; the cost of feeding per child was increased to N70 per meal.

    “Consequently, for Monday to Thursday of each school week, N62.50 is paid directly into each cook’s bank account, taking into account the amount of N30 which is paid directly to the Kaduna State Poultry Association for the supply of eggs to all of the cooks as part of the menu selected for Wednesdays.

    “For Fridays of every week, however, N70 is paid directly to the account of the supplier of biscuits and juice.’’

    According to her, the claim that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme had made provision for the N15 as profit on each meal was spurious.

    She said the profit expected to accrue to the cooks from feeding pupils in classes 1-3 in primary schools derived from the bulk provision for an aggregate number of children assigned to each cook, which figures range from between 70 and 150 pupils per cook.

    Uwais explained that under the programme’s framework, standards and costing models had been developed for each menu, based on the nutrient targets for each child’s age group.

    She added: “After the state selects the content of its menu based on the food items that are accessible and affordable in each jurisdiction.

    “And guided by the basic nutritional requirements prescribed by the Federal Government’s team, coordinated efforts are then made to directly link all the cooks to farmers, thereby availing them of the benefits of farm gate prices.

    “In other words, concerted and deliberate efforts are made to connect the cooks to the agricultural value chain, to enable them source for fresh and organic food produce from farmers at affordable rates and not necessarily from the open market.

    “This strategy has had a multiplier effect of stimulating productivity and providing a regular and sustainable income for the farmers.”

    According to her, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently offering free meals to over 9.3 million public school children in 26 states across Nigeria.

    The states include Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Jigawa.

    The remaining states are expected to engage with the programme within the year, as they are at various stages of compliance.

  • PDP governors disagree on consensus presidential candidate

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have collectively rejected the consensus option for picking the party’s presidential candidate.

    They have insisted that all the 12 presidential aspirants must go through primary election for a winner to emerge.

    The governors however agreed on the choice of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital as venue of its convention where the party’s presidential candidate will emerged. The convention is billed to hold from October 5-6.

    The resolutions were adopted after a marathon meeting of the governors, under the platform of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

    The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) had earlier canvassed the consensus option and had even resolved to meet the 12 presidential aspirants any time this week to persuade them to agree on consensus.

    But the governors were said to have reasoned that the consensus option could trigger crisis that might throw the party into turbulence and that they wanted the most popular among the aspirants to emerge through the ballot.

    Those in the race for the presidential ticket of the PDP are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; and a former Special Duties Minister, Tanimu Turaki.

    Others are a former President of the Senate, David Mark; a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; and a former senator, Dr. Baba Datti Ahmed.

  • ‘85% of mad people in Nigeria are youths’

    Dr Aliyu Abubakar of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has said that the youths account for about 85 per cent of mad people in Nigeria.

    Abubakar made the remark in a paper he presented at a sensitisation workshop for youths organised by Bizara Youth Development Association in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paper is entitled: “Drug Abuse in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Solutions.”

    Abubakar said: “According to a recent study, 85 per cent of mad people in Nigeria are youths within the age bracket of 18-38 years.

    “The major cause of mental challenge in Nigeria has gone beyond drug-abuse as the youths now inhale lizard feces, putting their noses into pit toilets, smoking matches, smoking dried horse feces and mixing lizard feces with dye powder.

    “Drug abuse disorder is a common problem affecting about 5 per cent of the of the world population with an estimated 10.2 per cent in the USA.”

    He recalled that in Nigeria, it was recently reported that about three million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine is consumed daily in Kano State and about six million bottles consumed in the North-West.

    Abubakar added that in 2016, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency reported that about 40 per cent of Nigerian youths engaged in drug-abuse.

    The medical doctor stressed that the consequences of drug-abuse include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis, lethargy and cardiovascular disorder among others.

    Abubakar added those those abusing drugs mostly drop out of school, engage in cultism, violence, arm-robbery, thuggery, rape, lawlessness, murders and are culturally disorientated.

    Read Also: Desist from illicit drugs, sex, youths told

    In his speech, the Chairman, Bizara Youth Development Association, Malam Yahaya Nuhu advised parents to draw their children closer to monitor their movement and those they relate with.

    He advised government to introduce stiffer penalties against drug-dealers, fish them out and punish them accordingly.

    Nuhu advised the youths to be cautious of peer group influence and always ensure that they serve as worthy ambassadors of their families and communities.

    “Members of the society also have a role to play towards curbing the menace the of drug-abuse, especially by monitoring activities of the youths.

    “Additionally, community members can advise parents where necessary, and also supply vital information to relevant authorities for prompt action.”

  • 2,003 Kaduna pilgrims return home – Official

    The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said 2,003 Kaduna pilgrims had returned home by Monday after successfully performing the 2018 hajj.

    The board Public Relations Officer, Malam Yunusa Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

    Abdullahi said the 5th flight arrived in the early hours of Monday with 509 pilgrims via Max airline.

    ‘‘Total number of flights recorded are five; Max Air two flights and returned 1,069, Med-View three flights and returned 934 pilgrims.

    ‘‘Total Kaduna pilgrims back home, 2,003,’’ he said.

    He said the 6th flight is expected on Tuesday via Max Air.

    He said all pilgrims were given five litres of Zamzam water while claiming their luggage at Hajj Transit Camp, Mando.

    Yunusa gave assurance that the remaining pilgrims would soon return home.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 3,238 pilgrims from Kaduna performed the 2018 hajj.

  • ‘Train crushes 52 cattle to death in Kaduna’

    The Kaduna State Police Command on Sunday said no fewer than 52 cattle were crushed to death by a train along Kasarami – Jere axis in Chikkun Local Government Area in Kaduna State.

    The Commissioner, Malam Ahmad Abdulrahaman refuted reports that the cattle were killed by other means.

    ” Their is nothing like attack but purely it was train accident, so nobody should panic”, he told newsmen in Kaduna

    According to him, the cattle  were crushed to death at about 11:45  this morning by a speeding train going  to Abuja from Rigasa Railway Station.

    He also explained that  the 27 cattle that sustained injuries were  slaughtered by the chief butcher of Kasarami village.

    He said  no human casualty was recorded.

    “When the information of the accident reached the command, I quickly mobilised our men to the scene  to assess the situation.

    The CP  described the accident  as pathetic. He said the herdsmen  were moving  to Funtua Local Government in Katsina State.

    “They innocently inquired on whether there were rail services on Sunday, but were misinformed that there was none.

    ” I have summoned the traditional rulers of the area, youths and farmers on the need to continue to live in peace and to avoid crossing the rail track indiscriminately with farm produce and animals.

    He added that a similar meeting will hold with officials of the railway corporation on how to avert such an accident in future.(NAN)

  • In Kaduna, senators kick, as party adopts indirect primaries

    IN Kaduna, the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party rose from its Thursday meeting, adopting the indirect primaries, but its only Senator from the state, Shehu Sani, alongside some other stakeholders kicked against indirect primaries.

    Senator Shehu Sani though, for the first time since his suspension by the party in 2016, was in attendance at the party’s SEC meeting, where the indirect primaries mode was adopted. He however quickly addressed the media to register his disagreement to the party’s decision.

    While briefing newsmen shortly after the SEC meeting, the state chairman of the party, Air Cdre Emmanuel K. Jekada, had hinged the party’s rejection of direct primaries on what it called non-applicability of the election mode in Kaduna State. He stated categorically that, “Direct Primary method is not applicable in Kaduna State.”

    According to Jekada, “The Kaduna State Executive Committee (SEC) in line with the directives of the National Executive Committee (NEC), sat today, Thursday, 6 September, 2018 and adopted “Indirect Primary” as the mode of conduct of the party primary elections in Kaduna State.

    “The ‘Direct Primary method’ is not applicable in the state due to the following reasons: Absence of a comprehensive register of party members; the APC Kaduna party leadership has made spirited attempts to acquire a comprehensive database of party members from the party’s National Headquarters but to no avail. Without a comprehensive membership register, any direct primaries may be disrupted by non-members, including individuals from other parties who may come up with fake membership cards to cause confusion in the process.

    “Experience of Direct Primaries from the recently concluded primary elections for councillorship in the state, where the party adopted direct primaries to select its candidates, was marred by significant disruption and controversy and over stretched the security agencies. Using this mode for the upcoming primary elections would definitely not produce the desired results and its credibility may be called to question.

    “The direct primary method would result in significant logistic challenges for the party; with party membership running into hundreds of thousands in the state, printing of ballots, deployment of election materials, accreditation, voting, collation and declaration of results would be very expensive with financial cost surpassing a billion naira in Kaduna alone. These are costs that the party may not be able to shoulder in view of the fact that it was not envisaged, and no budget provision has been made for it.

    “In order to deepen and broaden the democratic practice, the party looks forward to the adoption of direct primaries in future elections at which time the limitations listed above would have been resolved.

    “Therefore, in recognition of 2a-c above, the State Executive Committee adopted the ‘Indirect’ mode of primaries for nomination of candidates in the 2019 elections in the state. This decision will accordingly be communicated to the National Executive Committee of the party as required,” he stressed.

    Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani and his predecessor in the Senate, General Mohammed Sani Saleh while addressing journalists at the NUJ secretariat after the SEC meeting said, the decision of the SEC is not final, as they, as aspirants, have equally submitted their position in favour of direct primaries to the national secretariat of the party.

    According to Senator Sani, “The party has just concluded the state executive committee meeting at which they read out a resolution that they prefer the indirect method in the forthcoming primary elections.  Well, that is the state’s position and not the final say; national headquarters required that every states executive committees must submit a written request signed by state’s executive committee members, critical stakeholders as well as aspirants to various offices in the state.

    ‘So far, out of these three categories of people, the state executive committee has taken its own stand; it is left for critical stakeholders and aspirants to state their own position on this matter. And as an aspirant to the office of senator for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, I do not agree to indirect method of conducting the primaries because of obvious reasons.

    “One of the reasons is the manner in which the congresses were conducted. It was conducted in such a way that certain individuals were given the opportunity to select the entire executive members from every wards and LGA in the state.  It was not free and fair so I don’t think I will be doing justice to myself, to subject myself to general election under that condition.

    “The safest, fairest and best thing is for us to throw this thing open if you are not afraid of the people that you are aspiring to represent, subject yourself to election by them,” he said.

  • APC Primaries: Disquiet in Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Rivers, others

    There are grumblings in some states as All Progressives Congress state chapters resolve on direct, indirect or consensus modes of selecting candidates for the next elections, report our State Correspondents

    FOLLOWING All Progressives Congress’ recent resolution to allow its state chapters to decide on the method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, there are ripples in most of the states as some of the aspirants have expressed open disagreement with the decision reached by their state’s working committees.

    The party’s national leadership had urged the state chapters to choose between, direct, indirect or consensus method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming primaries.

    Our state correspondents report that in some states, some factions have gone ahead to take different decisions, a development that may lead to greater confusion except the party’s national leadership steps in to resolve the issues. For now, the situation has remained a mixed bag.

    THE battle-line has been drawn between the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers and the Southsouth zone; and the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, who is a governorship aspirant on APC’s platform.

    Amaechi was Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007, then as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Abe was Minority Leader of Rivers Assembly from 1999 to 2003, then as a member of the All Peoples Party (APP), which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    Abe was Rivers Commissioner for Information between 2003 and 2007. Shortly after Amaechi became Rivers State Governor on October 26, 2007, following the previous day’s landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, which sacked Sir Celestine Omehia, he (Amaechi) appointed his bosom friend (Abe) as the Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG). He proceeded to the Senate in 2011.

     

    Senator Abe was APC’s governorship aspirant in 2015, but a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, emerged as the standard bearer of the party for the 2015 poll, with Abe returning to the Senate.

    Abe, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni (upland) in Gokana Local Government Area, is again aspiring to be governor on APC’s platform, but Amaechi, the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Reelection Campaign Organisation, prefers APC’s governorship candidate in 2019 to be a riverine person, in the multi-ethnic state, to ensure even development, justice, equity and fairness, considering the fact that Rivers governors since 1999 (Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Amaechi and Nyesom Wike) are all from the upland part.

    Stakeholders of the main opposition APC in Rivers, on August 30, during the apex leadership caucus meeting in Lagos, which was attended by most of the governorship aspirants and presided over by transportation minister, before he travelled to China, as part of Federal Government’s delegation, endorsed the co-founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate of APC for the 2019 election.

    Cole, an architect, hails from riverine Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA and he was born in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on January 11, 1967. He is the son of a former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, who is also an ex-Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil.

    In attendance at the Lagos meeting were some of the governorship aspirants: Cole, a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and hails from coastal Opobo, the seat of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, as well as an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also an indigene of Abonnema as Cole.

    In spite of the endorsement of Cole as the governorship candidate of Rivers APC, Abe, who was not at the Lagos meeting of stakeholders, insisted on participating in the primary election of the party.

    Abe said: “I am not aware of any meeting of APC stakeholders in Rivers State that has been held and endorsed anybody. I have not known Tonye Cole to be a member of the party (APC). I will vie for the governorship ticket of APC.”

    Abe had earlier opened a parallel secretariat of APC at Waterlines Bus Stop on Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, with a former Rivers Deputy Chairman of the party, Prince Peter Odike, as the Acting Chairman, while a suit was filed at the Rivers High Court in Port-Harcourt by Abe’s allies to challenge APC’s congresses in Rivers, but the duly-elected Chairman of APC in the state, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, maintained that there was no faction in the party in Rivers, stating that Abe’s inaugurated secretariat was his governorship campaign office.

    An Abuja High Court 14, Bwari, presided over by Justice A. O. Musa, on September 4, granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining APC and its National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, from tampering with the mandates of Flag-Amachree-led executive of the party and other elected officials at the ward and local government levels in Rivers State.

    In view of the controversy generated by the May 2018 ward, local government and state congresses of the APC in Rivers, the State Chairman of the party, (Flag-Amachree) and members of his executive, approached the Abuja High Court in suit number: FCT/HC/BW/CV/115/2018, seeking perpetual injunction against the APC, its national chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) from tampering with the Rivers executive of the party, until all pending matters regarding the congresses were resolved.

    The order of perpetual injunction was to the effect that the officials/delegates elected at the APC’s ward, local government and state congresses in Rivers State on May 19, 20 and 21, 2018 respectively, should not be removed and their elections should not be nullified, while ordering that new congresses must not be conducted in Rivers State by the national leadership of APC.

    The court affirmed the validity of the congresses which took place on May 19, 20 and 21, which culminated in the election of Flag-Amachree-led executive committee, with the congresses having been conducted in compliance with the constitution of the APC.

    Justice Musa also ordered that both the APC and its national chairman were bound to give effect to the outcomes of the congresses in Rivers State.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC in Rivers, Chief Chris Finebone, declared that the party in the state had one authentic executive, led by Flag-Amachree, and a secretariat, with Amaechi, remaining the leader of APC in Rivers and Southsouth zone.

    Finebone said: “The implication of the perpetual injunction graciously granted by the Abuja High Court is that all the lies and deceits by the supporters of Senator Magnus Abe have expired forthwith. Every lie has an expiry date, as can be seen in this case.

    “The ruling, which has effectively retired a set of baby politicians with overrated ego, is underlining the need to be grateful to God and those whom God has used as vessels to bring about succour and uplift to you. When you bite the hand that feeds you and feels that you are winning, just watch it, because you will pay the price at God’s own time. Many studied history, but never learnt from history.”

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC also stated that the reality was that a set of individuals had dribbled themselves out of the system and only God Almighty could help them, adding: “That is what inordinate ambition brings.”

    Members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC in Rivers, on September 6, adopted indirect primaries for picking candidates of the party for the 2019 General Elections.

    The APC stakeholders from across the 23 local government areas of Rivers, at the SEC meeting, which took place at the new state secretariat of the party at 63, Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, suggested the three options: direct, indirect and consensus, in line with APC’s constitution.

    The three suggestions were put to vote, with indirect primaries recording 106 votes, consensus with three votes and direct primaries having just one vote.

    The SEC meeting, which was presided over by Flag-Amachree, was also attended by other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party; Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers-East); and the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of Rivers State; among other chieftains of the party.

    Flag-Amachree said: “Let me sincerely thank you for taking this decision (on indirect primaries). You are aware that at the NEC meeting (of APC in Abuja), it was agreed that each state should adopt its mode of primaries.

    “I want to announce to the whole world that members of the Rivers State APC, having sat down and considered all the various options, agreed to go for indirect primaries, based on reasons including insecurity, lack of data base and logistic challenge.”

    While also speaking, Uchendu stated that opting for indirect primaries was particularly considering the peculiarity of Rivers State, which he described as insecure, thereby not exposing APC faithful to danger of being killed by opposition politicians and their thugs.

    The senator said: “I am a foundation member of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and APC. I must praise the Rivers State Chairman of APC (Flag-Amachree) for organising this type of platform for us to air our views.

    “We will definitely not have a safe venue, at which we will call all our teeming supporters together for direct primaries. We know that the government of Nyesom Wike does not want APC to exist in Rivers State. If we gather at a place for direct primaries, we will be in trouble. We know what Wike and his supporters are capable of doing and what they had done over the years. Opting for direct primaries in Rivers State will be putting the lives of APC faithful at risk.

    “It is better we spread out to the various wards and LGAs and conduct indirect primaries. By the time they attack one or two places, I am sure the weakest security will be available to arrest the situation, than mobilising and focusing on just one point.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC, in his remarks, also alleged that Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, could not be trusted, in view of his desperation to win reelection next year, which he said would never happen.

    Giadom said: “As a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC and also from Rivers State, I am back home to participate in taking decision on the primaries of my party. The collective decision of APC members in Rivers State will be respected. That is what the people want. Majority will always have their way, while the minority will have their say. That’s why the decision was democratically taken.

    “The NWC of APC does not want to force any state to a particular mode of primary, especially when the constitution of the party is very clear that the states can adopt direct, indirect or consensus. So, it became obvious that we must throw the options to the people. The people have decided that they prefer indirect primaries. We have no option, but to allow the wish of the people to prevail.

    “Rivers people, especially members of APC, should pursue the path of peace and come together, to have a united party, so as to enable us to face the members of PDP, who are already jittery, because of the strength of APC in Rivers State.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC also admonished Nigerians to continue to support the focused administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Odike, on September 7, suddenly described himself as the chairman of APC in Rivers (no longer Acting Chairman) and he signed a notice of meeting, inviting APC stakeholders in Rivers to a State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting on Monday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at the party’s “secretariat” at No. 173, Aba Road, Catholic Mission Estate, Port-Harcourt.

    Odike said: “Those to attend are as contained in Article 12.1 and 12.8 of the APC Constitution.”

    It was gathered that Abe group’s SEC meeting would adopt direct primaries in electing candidates for 2019 elections in Rivers, in order to spite Amaechi, Flag-Amachree and their loyalists. Observers said this will likely cause confusion.

    Abe also declared that Rivers APC would not adopt indirect primaries to elect its candidates.

    He said: “Rivers State is one of the states where we cannot have indirect primaries. The entire structure of the party in the state is embroiled in legal controversy with about four or five court cases. So, if you want to do indirect primaries, which particular list of delegates are you going to use and which particular congress?” Indirect primaries breed corruption, through financial inducement of delegates.

    “They say where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit. What you call indirect primaries is a situation where known party members meet in a place to elect candidates.

    “The known party members are invariably part of a structure that is already organised. So, when people have control of such structure, the entire exercise is predetermined, because they already know who they are going to elect.

    “You have to understand that life is dynamic and part of what we promised Nigerians is that we were going to bring change into the country and make it better. Part of the challenge people have with indirect primaries is that the outcome is predetermined.”

    The senator also stated that indirect primaries would be very vulnerable to financial inducement, since the delegates would be known.

    He said: “In bringing our message for change in Nigeria, there is every need for us to look at these things and improve the processes, as the country grows older and our democracy matures.

    “No matter the argument one may have or may not have, I believe that as far as Nigerian democracy is concerned, the days of indirect primaries are fast drawing to a close.”

    As things are in Rivers APC, the national leadership of the party must quickly intervene, to prevent an implosion, if members of APC are determined to unseat Wike next year.

  • RTEAN vows to support Oshiomhole

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN ), has vowed to support the political strategies of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    It said Oshiomhole’s leadership style since he emerged National Chairman of the APC has created leeway for the ruling party in winning elections.

    National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Sheu Isiwelle, who spoke when some APC supporters visited him in Bénin City said the victories recorded in Ekiti, Kaduna and Bauchi States were testimonies and pointer to how the APC will win next year’s general elections.

    Read Also; Direct Primary: ‘APC’s decision should go beyond individual interests’

    Alhaji Isiwelle noted that Oshiomhole’s activities have led to an unprecedented number of decampees from other political parties to the ruling party.

    According to him, “The defection of great personalities is a pointer to the fact that Comrade Oshiomhole is not only a National party Chairman of great value, but also a bridge builder and crowd puller.”

    The APC supporters led by Vice Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, Prince Saturday Iyoha urged Alhaji Isiwelle to continue in his good works of helping the needy and providing good leadership in the transport sector.

  • Kaduna group rejects indirect primaries

    All may not have been heard of the decision to adopt indirect primaries for selecting candidates by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Kaduna State chapter, as some stakeholders said they object to the decision.

    Leader of a group called ‘Aspirants Forum’, Jalal Falal, who is also a governorship aspirant under the platform of the APC,  stated this while addressing newsmen on Friday, in Kaduna

    According to him, the indirect primary system, by its very nature is prone to the manipulative influence of the few and the corruptive practice of vote buying.

    He  said their rejection was a  collective decision in favour of the adoption of Direct Primaries as the most ideal mode of nominating candidates for the 2019 general elections in the state.

    “We adopted this position after a very careful analysis of the dire geopolitical situation of Kaduna State in particular, and that of Nigeria in general.

    “The role of the APC, as the ruling party is, to say the least, very crucial in moving forward the political-economy of our great country.

    “It is an open secret that the APC in Kaduna state has been under the total control of the Governor and his anointed godsons and daughters,” he said.

    He alleged that the bulk of the members of the party, including critical stakeholders who gave their all to enthrone APC in the state, have been marginalized and excluded from the mainstream affairs of the party.

    “Perceived enemies of the governor are hounded and persecuted to no end. Jobs are lost, homes and businesses are demolished with careless abandon and extreme premeditated malice,” he said.

    According to him, the group holds the view that the APC must walk the talk, adding that the party came to power on the mantra of fighting corruption and the enthronement of the ideals of participatory democracy.

    “This process in itself begins with recruiting for elections the most capable, popular and trusted candidates, through processes that are credible and widely accepted by members of the party,”he said.

    Falal urged the state governor and the party to be on the same page with the Aspirants Forum in having the moral courage to do what is right by taking the path of honor.

  • I want to become a Pediatrician, says 17-year-old cripple

    A 17-year-old cripple, Miss Zakiyya Ibrahim, says her desire in life is to become a pediatrician, to assist sick children in her community.

    Zakiyya who resides at Aminu Street, Rigasa, Kaduna told our reporter on Friday that she would never allow her condition to derail her from achieving her goal.

    The girl who has concluded Junior Secondary School, said she has been receiving tremendous support from her family and school mates.

    ” With the help of my hands and tricycle, I can go to school and come back by myself.

    “I thank God for the friends I have in school because non of them had ever mocked or bullied me, and with that, I have been able to concentrate well on my studies,” she said.

    Her mother, Sadiya Ibrahim, said the Zakiyya was crippled when she was two years old after she was diagnosed with pneumonia and since then she could not walk.

    Read Also: Vulcaniser arraigned over alleged cell phone theft

    “My daughter started walking when she was a year old, but since that illness, she had never walked again.”

    The mother said they did not go back to the hospital after the girl became crippled, but resorted to herbal treatment for her condition.

    “We had thought that her problem was a spiritual attack and we continued with herbal treatments to no avail; all efforts did not yield any positive result.”

    When asked if she had taken Zakiyya for immunization after her birth, the mother said she did not, but had only allowed her to be administered with polio drops at home.

    Meanwhile, Zakiyya’s father, Ibrahim Sani, has pledged to support his daughter attain her life’s dream of becoming a pediatrician.

    “I will do my best to ensure all my children are educated, I will never allow my daughter to be a subject of pity,” he asserted.