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Tag: Karu

  • Osinbajo launches door-to-door campaign in Nyanya, Karu

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday launched door-to-door campaign for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and himself in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.
    Osinbajo, who took the campaign to Nyanya and Karu areas of the FCT, declared that President Buhari’s honesty, integrity and performance in the past three years in office as evidenced in the ability of the administration to do more even when the country is earning less, set him apart from all other contenders for the exalted office.
    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, the Vice President visited two homes: Alhaji S.K Ahmed’s family in Nyanya and the Jimiko compound in Karu.
    “No sooner the VP’s Coaster bus arrived in the communities than the people thronged out en-masse in both places, chanting praises of the President and singing party songs.” Akande said
    After meeting both families, he said that Prof. Osinbajo addressed the mammoth crowd and spent time interacting with the excited people who thronged out in their numbers, often fascinated to see him unannounced in their neighborhoods.
    According to the Vice President “for the honest, decent and hardworking Nigerians, Mr President has devoted his life to ensuring that their lives are made better even when it is sometimes not easy to do so.
    “All of us are going higher. I want you to believe that President Muhammadu Buhari is going to do even better. We have to create more jobs for all these young people. We have to give our market women credit so that they can do more business; our young people money so that they can do more business.”
    Speaking on the President’s concern for the common man, Prof. Osinbajo said, “when he ask us to start the Trader Moni, he said, this is one way by which we can help people to start doing their own business.”

    Read also: High fertility rate a problem for Nigeria – Osinbajo

    He said Nigeria’s future was brighter with President Buhari on the saddle, noting that no public funds would be stolen under his watch.
    “So, I am here to say to you that the future of our country is great. All of you that are here, you are going to see a better Nigeria and that greater Nigeria can only come if the government is honest; If the government is not stealing our money.
    “If the government is honest, it will build all the roads in Nigeria, for instance, like we are doing the Lagos-Kano rail and others, now.  You can see that with little money we are doing much more because we will not agree to the stealing of our resources.
    “We will go forward and we will move forward. It is a bit difficult now because we are building the foundation. When we came into office; We found no savings. Oil which was our biggest earnings, we had earned so much in four years but there was little to show for it.  They didn’t build the railway, no roads. So, when we came we decided to first of all do the right thing,” he added.

  • Barber, 23, docked over alleged phone theft

    A 23-year-old barber, Philip John, was on Friday arraigned at a Karu Magistrate Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing an Infinix brand of phone.

    John, a resident of Jikwoyi, was docked on charges of criminal breach of trust, theft and criminal misappropriation.‎

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Prosecutor, Vincent Osuji, had told the court that one Danjuma Alalakpe of Karu, Abuja, reported the matter at the Karu Police Station on June 27.

    Osuji said that the defendant committed the offences on June 26 and at about 9.00 p.m.

    “The complainant alleged that his daughter by name Faith Danjuma went to the defendant’s barbing salon to have her hair cut and in the process plugged her Infinix phone and left.

    Read Also: Court remands varsity students for death of colleague

    “Upon her return, she discovered that the defendant has dishonestly stolen the phone and all efforts to recover the phone proved abortive.

    “During police investigation, the defendant confessed to have stolen the phone and sold it to one Abubakar at the rate of N1,500,” Osuji said.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 312, 287 and 309 of the Penal Code.

    The Judge, Abubakar Umar, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Umar adjourned the case until Aug. 14 for hearing.

  • Man in court for allegedly threatening police officer

    The Police on Friday arraigned a 51-year-old man, Nasiru Abdullahi, in a Karu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly threatening a police officer on duty.

    The defendant, who resides at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, was arraigned on a two-count charge, bordering on intentional insult and threat to public servant, offences he denied committing.

    The prosecutor, Edwin Ochayi, said that the defendant committed the offences on April 16.

    “The defendant was invited for interrogation by the Area Commander, Karu, Abuja, FCT Command, through O/C Surveillance, Asp. Daniel Kwaji for threatening the life of one Mr Gabriel Amu.

    “Instead of honouring the invitation, the defendant intentionally insulted, threatened and warned the officer never to come to his house again.

    “The defendant also added that the officer should have himself to blame should anything happen to him if he dares step foot into his house again,” Ochayi said.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 155 and 153 of the Penal Code.

    The judge, Hassan Ishaq, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50, 000, with one surety each in like sum, and adjourned the case until June 11 for hearing.

  • 2019: Former Nasarawa SSG joins governorship race

    The former Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Mr Philip Dada, on Tuesday declared his interest to run for governorship of the state in 2019 under the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Dada made the declaration when he met with APC ward officials of Karu, Karu Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that he joined the race because of his plan for the development of the state through people oriented programmes.

    “For the past one year, I have been consulting with stakeholders especially the Gbagyi among other elites about my interest to join in the governorship race in the state come 2019 to enable me contribute my quota.

    “The door is now open; I will continue my consultations to the zonal and state offices of the party even to the national party office.

    “I will also be consulting key stakeholders in the state to seek for their support and blessings,” he said.

    According to him, he has gathered enough experience to appreciate the problems of the state and best way to tackle them.

    “I want to use my experience in government to develop Nasarawa State, if given the mandate and opportunity to serve the good people of the state.

    “As a former SSG and a retired director at the State House Abuja, I can say I am qualified to rule the state,” he added.

    Dada solicited the support of all APC stakeholders across the state for the realisation of his governorship ambition.

    Read Also: Nasarawa to train 2,140 teachers on classroom management

    He commended Gov. Umar  Al-makura and the leadership of the party under Mr Philips Tatari Shekwo, for providing a free play field for all the aspirants to exercise their rights.

    Dada advised delegates to shun money bag politics, to guarantee the emergence good leaders that would take the state to the next level of growth and development.

    The aspirant also admonished the youths to avoid all acts capable of tarnishing their image, and allow politics to be played according to the rules.

    Alhaji Abdul Rauf, the Karu ward chairman of APC,  described Dada as a humble and dedicated party member who has contributed to the development of the state.

    He assured the aspirant of their support, noting that he is the only Gbagyi man to indicate interest to contest for the governorship position in the state.

    News men reports that Dada served as SSG under former governor Abdullahi Adamu.

    NAN

  • Buhari’s visit: Security beefed up in Nasarawa

    Buhari’s visit: Security beefed up in Nasarawa

    Security measures have been beefed up in in Lafia and environs as security personnel have been deployed in strategic locations ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Nasarawa on Tuesday.

    A correspondent, who went round the state capital on Tuesday, reported that officers and men of the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and other security agencies were stationed at all nooks and crannies.

    Read also: Buhari wants Tinubu to reconcile aggrieved APC members

    Reports say that more security personnel had also been deployed in Akwanga, Keffi and Karu Local Government areas of the state.

    Mr Bello Ahmed, the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, had on Monday, said that over 4000 personnel had been deployed in strategic locations in the state.

    The commissioner said that police officers were collaborating with other security personnel to ensure hitch free visit by the President.

    President Buhari is paying a one-day visit to Nasarawa State where he will also inaugurate some projects of the state government.

    NAN

  • Al-Makura tasks students on discipline, hard work

    Al-Makura tasks students on discipline, hard work

    Gov. Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State, has urged students in the state to be disciplined and hardworking in order to justify the huge investment their parents make on their education.

    Almakura, gave the advice on Friday while addressing the students of Government Secondary School, Nyanya Gbagi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.

    He charged them to face their studies and excel in their academic pursuit and shun laziness and other vices, adding that only hard work paid.

    He advised them to read hard and be obedient to their parents and teachers in order to excel in their academic pursuits for the betterment of the society.

    The governor restated his administration’s commitment to uplifting the standard and quality of education in the state.

    Almakura said that his administration had invested so much in the education sector in order to provide quality education to children in the state.

    According to him, education is the best legacy any government could leave for its citizens.

    Read Also: Al-Makura  inaugurates power station to boost electricity supply

    “The essence of all our efforts is to provide education to all children irrespective of their status in the society as my administration has given topmost priority to the education sector.

    “This administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for learning and teaching through the provision of furniture and more classrooms in order to improve on the standard of education.

    Almakura told the students that they were entitled to enjoy all the support and patronage of government for them to be able to become the best they could in life.

    The governor called on the residents to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

    “Peace is paramount and a necessary requirement for the development of any society,” he said.

    NAN

  • Man in court for alleged sodomy

    Man in court for alleged sodomy

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Friday, granted a N100, 000 bail to an applicant, Mike Ugochukwu, 30, who is facing a case of alleged sodomy.

    The accused is facing trial for allegedly attempting to sexually abuse four male teenagers.

    The defendant, who resides at Kurudu, Abuja, is facing a one-count charge of attempting to commit sodomy, an offence, which contravenes Section 95 of the Penal Code.

    The Presiding Judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko, admitted the defendant to the bail with a reasonable and reliable surety in like sum.

    He said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and submit his drivers’ licence or National Identity Card and passport photographs to the court clerk.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Mahmud Ismail’la, had informed the court that the neighbours of the defendant, Mrs Grace Monday and Ezekiel Shiga, reported the matter to Kurudu Police Station on December 29, 2017.

    He also said that the boys, whose ages are below 18 years, had reported the sexual advances made to them by the defendant to their parents.

    Ismail’la said the defendant had made several attempts to abuse the boys by luring any of them at various times and they had been warned against it by their parents in the past.

    The prosecutor said that the defendant had earlier admitted committing the offences during police investigations.

    After listening to the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the matter was adjourned to January 31 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Almakura opens road in Karu

    Almakura opens road in Karu

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Almakura yesterday inaugurated a four-kilometre road in Uke, Karu Local Government Area.

    He said the project was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to open up rural communities. The governor promised to link the road from Karshi to Apo in Abuja.

    Almakura said his administration would work with the Federal Government to ensure that the Mararaba Nyanya is decongested, saying as a policy, his government built three kilometre roads in each of the councils.

    The governor added that his administration built over 200 kilometres of asphalt roads.

    Almakura, who presented the first Staff of Office to the Emir of Karshi, Dr. Sani Muhammadu Bako III, urged communities to promote peaceful co-existence, despite ethnic, religious and political diversities.

    According to him, his administration has overhauled the infrastructural landscape of Karu, saying the government committed enormous resources to provide roads, potable water, mass housing, economic and marketing outlets, in the quest to enhance socio-economic activities.

    He said he would open roads to connect Karshi to the FCT.

  • Minister directs reopening of Karu General Hospital

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has directed that the 135-bed Karu General Hospital be opened for immediate use by the public.

    Bello, in company of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, inspected the health facility in Karu, a suburb of Abuja.

    Up and running, the Karu General Hospital is expected to take enormous pressure off the Asokoro District Hospital, Nyanya General Hospital as well as Maitama District Hospital.

    The Karu General Hospital was initially a 225-bed facility built by the FCT Administration with 40% of the hospital leased to the Primus Super Specialty Hospital (an Indian Hospital) for management.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister further directed that the hospital should immediately commence General Out Patent Department (GOPD) services, Antenatal services as well as the mortuary be opened to the public, in addition to the Behavioral Medicine Unit that had since been operational in the Hospital.

    The Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey-Achu and the Medical Director of the Karu General Hospital, Dr. Marcus Mamman led the Minister and his entourage round the entire secondary health facility.

    Meanwhile, the Minister paid an unscheduled visit to the Zuba Hospital where he instructed that the Hospital should commence operation by May 1, 2017.

    The Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey-Achu who led the Minister round the Zuba Hospital assured that the Secretariat is ready to commence operation on that appointed date.

    She reiterated that everything needed to enable the Hospital commence services is already on ground and that they are ready to hit the ground running.

  • Police decry inadequate manpower, communication gadgets

    The Nasarawa State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it lacked adequate manpower and communication gadgets to tackle crime in the state.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, made this disclosure in Lafia in a welcome address to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Shuaibu Gambo, who was on a two-day working visit to the state.

    “The command has a paucity of manpower, the problem that is compounded daily by the transfer of men in large numbers out of the command.

    “Presently, the command has a staff strength of 4,000 men to police the population of more than two million residents of Nasarawa; I believe this is grossly inadequate,” he said.

    According to him, the command also lacks adequate communication gadgets to effectively cover the entire state, gather and share useful information on crimes.

    “The command’s communication system does not cover half of the state for effective coordination of tactical operations across the state; there is the need to communicate with all divisions in the state.

    “Presently, some divisions as Keffi, Mararaba, Karu are cut off from the command headquarters,” he lamented.

    The CP also said that the command did not have enough patrol vehicles and a befitting office accommodation for officers of the command headquarters in the state.

    “We do not have enough patrol vehicles to patrol the state. The state is vast, as it takes up to four hours or more to travel from the state capital to some Local Government Areas.

    “Also, since the creation of the state in 1996, the command is still at the temporary site; the offices are dilapidated. When we had the first rain last week, virtually all the offices, including the commissioner’s office leaked,” he said.

    He noted that despite all the challenges, the officers had remained focused and committed to their performance for effective service delivery.

    Responding, the DIG, who is of the Department of Finance and Administration, assured that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Idris Ibrahim, was taking steps to improve on the welfare and working conditions of police personnel and other staff nationwide.

    “The issue of your welfare and working condition is very paramount to the IG; that is why he deemed it necessary to send all the DIGs to visit all commands under their jurisdiction for supervision.

    “I want to assure you that the IGP is doing all he can to provide better welfare packages and working conditions for you all,” he said.