The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • UNICEF calls for increase in stakeholders commitment to issues affecting children

    The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased commitment of stakeholders in Niger, including families and communities, to issues affecting children.

    Dr Zakari Adam, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Kaduna, said on Wednesday in Minna during mid-year review meeting on UNICEF activities in Niger, that such commitment was necessary to ensure healthy development of children in the state.

    “We are calling on stakeholders to improve their commitment especially at family, community levels.

    “We need their support and commitment in areas we are having challenges such as understanding the population of the state and halting traditional practice by families towards children.

    Read Also: SystemSpecs seeks special fund to drive financial inclusion

    “A situation where children who are supposed to be in school are roaming the street begging because most parents refused to enroll them in school due to some traditional belief or practice, should be discouraged ,” he said.

    Adams appealed to Niger government to treat children issues using its domestic resources before seeking for external support.

    “The international environment is not favourable in terms of fund mobilisation for UNICEF, this is why we need the cooperation of government and relevant stakeholders in the state ” he added.

    The official urged the media to back up UNICEF efforts by providing necessary information to change the perspectives of families and parents concerning children.

    The objective of the meeting was to review the progress made in the implementation of  2018 work plan, and agree on priority activities in the next six months.

    It will also review the implementation of plans on early child enrollment, routine immunisation, child feeding and hygiene and prevention of violence against children.

    NAN

  • Kaduna bans urban gangs

    •Culprits to bag seven-years imprisonment

    The Kaduna State government has banned street gangs, popularly known as Sara Suka. It declared them an unlawful society.

    The government said any gang member arrested would be prosecuted and if found guilty, would be sentenced to seven years imprisonment without fine.

    The Solicitor-General, Chris Umar, who addressed reporters yesterday at the Government House in Kaduna, said the decision is to promote public safety and uphold law and order.

    According to him, the gangs, variously known as Sara-suka, Yanshara and others, are notorious theft, robbery, rape and murder.

    “This order, which has been gazetted, became effective on June 27. It declares as unlawful societies, urban gangs that have been unleashing mayhem on innocent persons. The criminal actions of these gangs threaten the peace, tranquillity, security and development of the state.”

     

     

     

     

  • 2019: Youths commence moves to unseat Buhari

    … Says “We will unveil youths’ candidate in Abuja soon”

     

    Despite the plea by President Muhammadu Buhari while signing the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, on Nigerian youths not to contest presidential race against him, youths have commenced move to unseat the President come 2019.

    The youths however said, they were set to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘young President’ in 2019 and make a national declaration in Abuja to unveil their Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Nigerian youths under the auspices of Intellectual Revolution Group (IRG) made this declaration at Arewa House, Kaduna on Saturday while inaugurating its state executives and zonal leadership for the North West zone.

    Inaugurating the zonal executive, the National Coordinator of IRG, Salaudeen Lukman said, 2019 must usher in ‘Young President’ with proven record of purpose and determination, adding that “old age politician who have milked our dear nation dry must go to rest and assume advisers role. Its a sin to rule their generation and still be forcing themselves on our generation.

    “Our resolve includes mobilizing our teeming youth to form strong ideological political movement that will support ‘Young President’ come 2019.

    “We are aware of ‘First Force’, the Assembly of liars and deceivers, like wise the ‘Second Force’ the assembly of looters, suspects on trial for corruption and other criminal related matters, we equally believe that the newly formulated ‘Third Force’ is a gathering of aggrieved First and Second Force, expired political elites who are desperate to kajole Nigerians again to smuggle themselves into power.

    “Therefore, we rise to appear as ‘Fresh Force’ with total commitment to birth A New Nigeria. We declare recycling of politicians on position of power unacceptable hence we call for its end.

    “Today we have just inaugurated all state executives for the North West States and the zonal leadership, we shall replicate same for other five zones and continue to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘Young President’ come 2019 with national declaration soonest in Abuja to unveil our Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Read Also: Youths protest marginalization in Ondo

    The youths leader continued when he said that, “The rating of our dear nation as poorest in the world and incessant killing of innocent citizens by terrorist boko haram and Fulani herdsmen, massive looting of our common wealth and misplacement of our priority is a pointer to note the failure of government of old generation in old Nigeria from their primary responsibility .

    “We have observed in the recent the coalition of old retired military personnel who are imposing themselves on Nigerians under the guise of repentant democrats to rule us by force again even when they lack innovative programmes and idea to improve our dear citizenry’s living standard.

    “This necessitates our rise as young Nigerians with passion to make Nigeria work again by taking the bull by the horn and champion the course for New Nigeria.

    “The new Nigeria of our dream is a great united Nation where Justice, equity, transparency, rule of law and prosperity for all irrespective of religion, tribe or background will be hallmark. We believe it is achievable with commitment of all young Nigerians to this New Nigeria project.

    “We are sincerely worried with level of decay in our education, poor economy, obsolete infrastructures, arrogant disobedience of court orders, disrespect for rule of law, unstable power supply, nepotism and favoritism characterized in our dear nation day to day activities of government, the increased in crime rate and uncontrollable rise in number of out of school children including *almajiris* call for holistic rescue of our future.

    “It is unfortunate that people who enjoyed free and qualitative education with standard infrastructures in Nigeria those days are the one making education unaffordable for us today.

    “We have resolved to step up beyond social media rants, nagging and complains every time, hence we resolved to get to work in the spirit of way forward to take full control of our future, we hereby commence the Run For a New Nigeria”, Lukman said.

    The Zonal and state executives however took oath office and were given mandate to go and mobilise youths in their thousands from their respective state for their new course.

  • Plateau crises deliberately planned with political, religious mindset – JNI

    The apex Islamic body in the north, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has raised alarm that, the recent crisis in Plateau state that led to the killing of scores of residents and motorists was deliberately planned and orchestrated with political and religious mindset.

    JNI, while lamenting the devastating effect of the crisis especially on innocent passers-by, after three years of peaceful and harmonious coexistence among the people of the state, decried the return to the “black-dark days of bloodbath”.

    In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday called on security agencies to immediately fish out the culprits of the dastardly acts for punitive measure to be meted to them.

    The religious body however urged Federal and state governments to immediately rehabilitate the Saminaka-Jos road to create alternative routes for motorists and to establish intelligence strike forces along the Abuja – North east route to safeguard motorists passing by in case of another crisis.

    Read Also:Violence, street begging have no place in Islam – JNI

    According to JNI, “It is very demoralizing after experiencing three solid years of success stories of harmonious coexistence between the citizenry on the Plateau to have woken up back to the black-dark days of bloodbath of the past.

    “After critical and careful perusal of the sad and painful happenings of the recent horrific carnage on the Plateau, JNI national headquarters observed with dismay that the most recent attacks on the Plateau were well orchestrated with political and religious mindset.

    “Despite the fact that in the past three years, there has been success stories of peaceful coexistence between the inhabitants of Plateau state. It is disheartening that once again, human life does not matter to some disgruntled elements within the nation.

    “Aren’t we making ourselves a laughing stock before the comity of nations? Why must we allow ourselves to be used by miscreants and senseless politicians at all cost? As a matter of fact, the dastardly acts went on for some days unabated and why?

    “It is with utmost concern and sorrow that the JNI condemn in-toto such dastardly acts and calls on security agencies to intensify efforts in fishing out the culprits. We call on the Federal, Kaduna and Plateau state governments to as a matter of utmost urgency rehabilitate the Saminaka – Jos Road, as Muslims and other innocent passersby are no longer safe plying the Southern Kaduna to Jos Road, as well as the Abuja North-East routes through Plateau state.

    “An intelligence strike force unit should be mounted at the Southern Kaduna – Jos, and the Abuja to North-East routes through Plateau state, for the safety of those who don’t have any choice but to ply same road. This is because most victims of the recent carnage are innocent Abuja to North-East travelers through Plateau state. We also advise that serious security measures should be taken on all the identified villages that have been notorious in causing distress to motorists, particularly in Kaduna and Plateau states.

    “If perchance crisis erupts on the Plateau and/or Kaduna state, Muslims are always the soft targets on the Southern Kaduna Road to Jos. The Plateau state under the present leadership is trying it’s best to share the state resources in equity and justice. But the bad ones are busy trying to make things difficult and inaccessible to the poor in order to frustrate the state and federal government.

    Plateau state has appreciated positively. It is this development that is being envied by the enemies within and outside Plateau state. The developments in terms of agricultural, human and land resources have seemingly progressed. We call on all to propagate the mission of peace, tranquility, humility and humbleness, for no one has the right of living over and above the other citizens in Nigeria. Moreover, we cannot be humans without humanity,” the JNI scribe added.

     

  • $322m Abacha loot: Cash transfers to poor homes begin in July

    The Federal Government says it will commence disbursement of the recovered 322 million dollars Abacha loot through Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to 302,000 poor households in 19 states in July.

    Mr Tukur Rumar, of the National Cash Transfer Office (NTCO), said this at a roundtable on assets recovery organised by the Swiss Embassy on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The event was organised to intimate citizens and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the efforts both nations were making on asset recovery after the Post-Global Forum on Assets Recovery (GFAR) held in Washington D.C. in Dec. 2017.

    At the forum, Nigeria made commendable commitments on beneficial ownership, tax transparency, asset recovery, transparency management of recovered funds and payments to victims of corruption.

    The states are: Niger, Kogi, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Cross River, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarrawa, Anambra and Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) in Borno.

    According to Rumar, the benefiting households will receive N5,000 monthly and are derived from the National Social Register (NSR) that the 19 states are already on.

    He said the programme was designed to also train beneficiaries on livelihood skills, social skills and other programmes that would change their lives completely.

    Rumar, however, said that NCTO had been making payments to the 46,000 poor and vulnerable households across the 19 states since Dec. 2016, adding that the number had increased to 290,000.

    Mr Iorwa Apera, the National Coordinator, National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), said 503,055 households were already on the NSR register from the 19 states, adding that by July, there would be a social register for all the states of the federation.

    He said that of the Abacha loot, about 302,000 poor homes across the 19 states would be mined by the NCTO to begin to receive the Abacha loot.

    Apera told the participants that the Federal Government would begin with those states, because they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASSCO to put in place certain infrastructure to empower the national register.

    “Some of the states delayed, but the other ones were quick enough to set up infrastructure that allowed us to start work there, but all the states are now on board as they have set up their state operating offices and donated office equipment to us.

    “As states come on board, we enroll and so they extend to the beneficiary register, and presently we are generating data in all the states now,’’ he said.

    Read Also: EFCC launches probe as $500m Abacha loot goes missing

    Mrs Linda Ekeator of the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment said the Abacha loot was invested in the social investment programme, because it was a programme that was already supported by the World Bank.

    She said that before the money was returned to Nigeria, there was an agreement with the Swiss government that it should be used for alleviating poverty and this was to be done with the supervision of the World Bank.

    The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Eric Mayoraz said the 722 million dollars of the Abacha family money that was hidden in Switzerland was fully repatriated in 2005.

    He also said that the 322 million dollars that was repatriated in Dec. 2017, was money that was frozen by the Swiss Attorney-General, but was not domiciled in Switzerland, but in other countries, mainly Luxembourg.

    He, however, said measures had been put in place to ensure that Swiss banks were not used to hide stolen funds from other countries.

    “For possible new cases, the Swiss legislation has fundamentally changed.

    “The law in Switzerland does not allow bank secrecy anymore, and all banks and financial institutions have a due diligence duty to ask everyone coming with money where it is coming from.

    “That does not mean that there are no illegal or stolen assets now in Switzerland, but then there is another instrument I signed myself with the Nigerian Ministry of Justice and Switzerland two years ago on mutual legal assistance and this is for new cases.

    “Now, this agreement with our own Ministry of Justice and Nigeria is that there will be direct communication and exchange on mutual legal request and we are really collaborating with EFCC and other agencies in Nigeria,’’ Mayoraz.

    The Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, said for Nigerian citizens to not keep spreading rumours about the whereabouts of recovered loots, the government must be transparent in all the processes.

    He also said that CSOs should be given access to the social register to enable it monitor properly whether or not the beneficiaries received what was due to them.

  • Trader in court over defilement of 9-year-old girl

    An 18-year-old trader, Lawal Daura, on Tuesday appeared in Daura Road Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna over alleged defilement of a 9-year-old girl.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Hinga Nyimze, told the court that one Tukur Ibrahim reported the case at the Rigasa Police Divisional Headquarters in Kaduna on June 19.

    He said the defendant, a resident of Tukur Ibrahim in Kaduna, committed the offence on June 2 and charged with defilement.

    Nyimze said that the girl was returning home from Islamiya School on June 2, at about 2.00 p.m. when the accused lured her into his room and forcefully had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

    Read Also: Trader docked for defiling minor in Lagos

    The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant was arrested after the girl reported the act to her mother, adding that the defendant confessed to the crime during police investigation.

    Nyimze said the offence contravened Section 209 of the Penal Code Laws of Kaduna state 2017.

    The Magistrate, Mr Abdulaziz Ibrahim, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison, pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The magistrate, who refused to take the plea of the defendant, adjourned the case until Aug. 2, for hearing.

    NAN

  • We’re not responsible for Kaduna Mopol’s death – Shi’ites 

    ….say, police, thugs responsible

     

    The Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky led Shi’ites group, otherwise known as Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has denied responsibility for the killing of a Mobile Police Officer in Kaduna on Thursday, saying the police and some hired thugs were responsible for the act.

    The movement which addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Saturday said allegations levelled against its members protesting the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Zakzaky was not true.

    Addressing the press on behalf of the IMN leadership, Secretary of its Media Forum,   Abdulmumin Giwa, said since the existence of the movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh El Zakzaky, it has never resorted to use of violence, despite series of persecution meted on its members across the country.

    According to him, “We have it on records that Senior Police Officers had met thugs called Civilian JTF a day before the incident at a place called Kinkinau Quarters of Kaduna and plotted this callous and unfortunate murders to be carried out when we come out to conduct our free Zakzaky processions.

    Read Also:Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

    “This was to discredit us in order to turn the tables against us. Thus the reported killing of the policeman was a handiwork of some desperate people out to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It was the result of a joint handiwork of policemen and thugs.

    “Furthermore, the state Police Public Relations Officer was overheard a day before saying that there was going to be war the following day, and that he would personally take an AK47 and come out. Another police officer had warned friends living around the Central Market, Tudun Wada, Rigasa that the police would engage on some special operations the following day and that it would be best to avoid such places.

    “There are also reports reaching us that indicate that Police, in an unholy alliance with thugs called Civilian JTF, have planned a house-to-house attacks on certain targeted members of the Islamic Movement living in Kaduna from yesterday. According to our sources, the police had assured the thugs of state backing and cover.

    Giwa explained that: “As the thugs were callously and unjustifiably killing a policeman, the police were actively sporadically shooting on members of the Islamic Movement with live ammunition as they scampered for cover.

    “Since December 2015, on the streets of Kaduna alone, we have lost 23 members to police bullets, and at least 5, this year alone. What have we done in response other than resort to Courts seeking the enforcement of our rights to peacefully protest? He asked.

  • Policeman killed as Shi’ites protest in Kaduna, Abuja

    •El-Zakzaky’s trial stalled

    A riot policeman died yesterday when members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, protested in Kaduna.

    This protest followed their inability to access the court where their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, was billed for trial.

    Exits and entrances leading to the court located inside Gabasawa police station were blocked.

    Reporters, who arrived at the court as early as 7am, were barred from the premises, and only stood far away to observe happenings.

    An eyewitness said the policeman, who was among troops deployed to stop the protesters, was overpowered around Ahmadu Bello Way.

    He said: “The policemen fired tear gas and live ammunition and initially succeeded in pushing the protesters back, but the protesters overpowered a mobile policeman and he was mobbed to death. His gun was also taken away.”

    Meanwhile, El-Zakzaky’s trial did not hold as the trial Magistrate was said to be indisposed and absent.

    It was gathered that the Magistrate was in an accident on Wednesday, barely 24 hours before hearing.

    A source who pleaded for anonymity said: “The judge went to the barbing saloon on Wednesday and he was hit by an oncoming tricycle.”

    But El-Zakzaky’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) told reporters that the case did not hold as the Magistrate was indisposed and so absent.

    Falana, however, declined further comment, saying he would not comment on the charges against his client until they are read in court.

    The case, it was gathered, was adjourned till July 11.

    As at press time yesterday, a detachment of military team had been deployed in the affected area, patrolling between Leventist and Katsina Roundabout of the highway.

    Members of the sect also  marched on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja to protest El-Zakzaky’s “unlawful prosecution”.

    They were received by the NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu.

    The protest halted vehicular movement.

    Their spokesman, Abdullahi Musa berated the police for attacking the Kaduna protesters with live ammunition.

    He said: “The police have continued to violate our right to peaceful gathering. Yesterday (Wednesday), they opened fire on us in Kaduna and 23 people were injured. They arrested 10 of the injured people and we have only 13 of them with us receiving treatment.

    “As I speak now, the police are still shooting at our members in Kaduna and the carnage continues.”

    Musa urged President Muhammadu Buhari to release their leader, El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since December 2015.

    Ojukwu, who emphasised the right of every Nigerian to embark on peaceful demonstration, described it as a constitutional right which the NHRC will protect as long as the demonstration is peaceful.

    “We will stand with you as long as you are peaceful. Nobody has any right to use live ammunition on anybody carrying out a peaceful demonstration. We urge you to continue to be peaceful because the truth must come to light one day.

    “It is good that somebody is taken to court than to be perpetually kept in detention because in court, unless you prove a case beyond every reasonable doubt, nothing can be done. All you need is to put evidences together, get a good lawyer and put across your case,” Ojukwu said.

    The protesters later dispersed upon Ojukwu’s advice.

     

  • Absence of judge stalls El-Zakzaky’s trial

    The absence of Justice Gideon Kurada of a Kaduna High Court on Thursday staled the arraignment of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat over alleged culpable homicide.

    The Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader and his wife.

    They are being charged for alleged conspiracy, abating culpable homicide and other related offences.

    Journalists were however stopped by the police from entering the court for the proceedings.

    However, Zakzaky’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the News Agency of Nigeria  that the judge was unavoidably absent to take the case.

    He said both prosecuting and defence counsel have decided and picked July 11 as the next adjourned date.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky: Shi’ite members protest in Abuja, demand his release

    Falana decried the action of police in stopping journalists and commuters who were interested in the case to witness the proceeding.

    He said that there was no law in the country which stops people from witnessing the proceeding of a trial of any citizen.

    NAN reports that on May 15, Zakzaky and his wife were brought to court for arraignment.

    The prosecuting counsel, Dari Bayero however asked for more time to enable the prosecution serve the two other persons standing trial with the Shiites leader.

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains on Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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