The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kebbi

  • Sokoto agog as Atiku flags off Northwest campaign

    The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) on Monday flagged off the Northwest Zonal campaign of its Presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Kangiwa square, venue of the flag off has been a beehive of activities since the early hours of Monday.

    Read Also:2019 poll: Atiku meets Wike ahead of campaign kick off

    Already, the party’s chieftains , supporters and well-wishers from across the zone comprising of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara have converged on the multipurpose venue.

    However, the Presidential candidate and his running mate, Peter Obi, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, governorship candidates, National chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Senate President Bukola Saraki, serving and former PDP governors arrived the venue  at about 2pm.

  • Kebbi will partner NGOs to curb Almajiris – Commissioner

    The Kebbi State Government has expressed readiness to  partner with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to curb the menace of Almajiris in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Tsahara Bawa, made this known when she received members of Almajiris Support Initiative of Nigeria (ASIN) Kebbi state chapter, Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

    “The current state of the Almajiris portends real and existential threat that if left unchecked, could have profound consequences.

    “Addressing the menace is not the sole responsibility of the government, all hands should be on deck in order to have a holistic redress of the problem.

    “Some Almajiris systems have religious and cultural connection and government has found it difficult to address it without the involvement of all the stakeholders in the state,’’ she said.

    Earlier, the State Chairman of the NGO, Alhaji Shehu Umar, said that the only way to keep Almajiri children off the streets was by improving their status of their condition and provide them with sound Islamic and Western education.

    “We should also empower them and their teachers (Malams) with vocational skills as well as healthcare services,” he urged.

    Read Also: 15 cow traders die in auto crash in Kebbi

    According to him, the association has established a vocational centre for the Almajiris in Birnin Kebbi aimed at monitoring the activities of the Almajiris and training them on skills acquisition ventures.

    He said the almajiris were trained in carpentry, welding, tailoring, knitting, counseling as well as education to support their quest for self reliance and keep them off the streets.

    Umar said the centre was established in 2002, adding that it had graduated over 400 almajiris, apart from many others attached to various trade centres to learn how to be self reliant.

    “We relate with all categories of almajiris; from the blind, cripple and others with physical deformities, part of what we do is teaching them handicrafts and other trades,” he said.

    The chairman called on government and the well-to- do individuals to support the initiative by funding or providing materials to complement efforts of the association.

    He said the group lacked permanent office accommodation, enough training facilities and transportation to expand its scope of activities.

  • 15 cow traders die in auto crash in Kebbi

    Fifteen cow traders from four villages in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly died in an auto crash on their way to Lagos yesterday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the traders from Andare, Katenga and Maiyama, were heading to Lagos to sell their cows before the unfortunate accident.

    It was gathered that the truck, which was loaded with cows, lost control on Maiyama-Koko road, veered-off the road and tumbled into the bush.

    An eyewitness, Mallam Garba Maiyama, told NAN that “15 of the traders died in the accident and they have been taken to their respective villages for burial because they are Muslims”.

    He added: “The most unfortunate part of the incident is that a family in one village has about three to five victims.

    “We don’t really know the main cause of the accident for now.”

    Police spokesman Danjuma Possy, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told NAN that the incident had not been reported officially.

  • Kebbi absorbs new medical doctors into civil service

    The Kebbi Government has absorbed 40 new medical doctors from the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sudan and Indian universities into the state’s civil service.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Atiku Bagudu, Alhaji Muazu Dakingari on Tuesday in Kebbi, said the new doctors have been automatically absorbed into the state civil service.

    He said that the state government had distributed 40 laptops computers to them to serve as a source of motivation to them.

    Read Also:  Two in court for phones theft

    Dakingari quoted the governor as saying that the state government would sustain the provision of scholarship to students to study in any part of the world to attain excellence.

    He said that the training and retraining of those in service would also be sustained.

    “The government has begun searching for English speaking University in China where students of the state could be sent to study in pursuance of quality education,” he said.

  • World Food Day: FG restates commitment to zero hunger

    The Federal Government has restated its commitment to zero food hunger by the year 2030 if the present tempo of agricultural activities are sustained in the country.

    Speaking at a symposium to mark the 2018 World Food Day in Abuja with the title, “Our Actions are Our Future: A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is Possible,” in Abuja at the weekend, Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development Senator Heineken Lokpobiri pledged the commitment that, “In the next 12 years, Nigeria will join the League of Nations who would be able to feed the world.”

    But the minister was quick to add that this projection can only be attainable if all Nigerians see and treat Agriculture as serious business and not as mere programme.

    He stated that Nigeria must take advantage of its rapidly growing population to invest seriously in agriculture  and that the private sector must take the lead in this project while the Government provides the enabling environment, because Government has proven to be bad business manager.

    The World Food Day is celebrated each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.

    Lokpobiri maintained also that the state governments must collectively demonstrate seriousness in agriculture by committing at least five percent of their budgets to agriculture, this way, the country would be able to upscale the agricultural production.

    This was as he commended the efforts of some States like Kebbi, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Ogun, etc in agriculture and urged other states of the federation to emulate the same examples because collectively Nigeria will achieve the set target.

    According to the minister, if Nigeria is able to feed itself, it would have been able to solve the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the black race and by extension Africa, which is, “a bold step in guaranteeing food for all in the world.”

    The minister was worried that if we do not achieve the zero hunger target, he foresaw a situation where, “people will be eating food and it will be snatched away from them forcefully by the hungry citizens.”

    He said it is established fact that the world has made unbelievable progress in the fight against hunger, which has led to the decline in the number of hungry people in the world, but regretted that this success is being threatened by the growing global population.

    This is also as Lokpobiri expressed concerns that the resolve for Food self sufficiency may be hampered by the current herdsmen/farmers crises in some northern parts of the country.

    “Prolonged crisis, especially in the north eastern part and other parts of the country that have experienced incessant clashes of herdsmen and farmers is also an issue of concern,” the minister said.

    Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, Suffyan Koroma stated that over the past forty years, FAO in Nigeria has been working closely with the Government of Nigeria to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems with great optimism towards achieving Zero Hunger in in the country.

    He appreciated the continued commitment of the Government of Nigeria in forging strong partnerships for nourishing, nurturing and growing a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria where all Nigerians thrive and contribute to socio-economic development.

    According to him, achieving Zero Hunger is FAO’s shared commitment, which can be achieved through a Right based approach.

  • Court sentences reckless driver to death for killing FRSC official

    A state High Court in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State has sentenced to death Usman Aliyu, who knocked down Road Marshal Assistant (RMA III) Muhammad Babangida, a personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, to death.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem, at the weekend in Abuja, said Babangida was serving in Kebbi Sector Command.

    He said the incident occurred on Ahmadu Bello Way, Birnin Kebbi, on April 3, 2017, when the officer was reportedly performing his duty.

    Kazeem said Aliyu was reported to have absconded after killing his victim.

    The convict was arrested on Kalgo Road by the police after a tip-off. Kazeem said from reports, Usman Aliyu drove a Black Toyota Corolla saloon car, KLG 342 AA. He had also initially attempted to knock down Marshal Inspector (III) Abubakar Garba Abubakar of the same patrol team.

    “Noticing he couldn’t knock Abubakar down, he recklessly headed for the deceased and ensured that he knocked him down, as his first target, Abubakar, narrowly escaped,” he said.

    NAN reports that Corps Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi had reacted to the incessant killings of FRSC personnel, and lamented that the Corps had lost 74 personnel to reckless drivers in the last 18 months.

    According to Oyeyemi, the Corps will ensure the prosecution of erring drivers.

  • Partial compliance in Sokoto, Kebbi, Enugu, Katsina, Anambra

    The nationwide strike recorded partial compliance in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Enugu and Anambra states, according to reports.

     

    Sokoto

     

    In Sokoto, workers were on their duty post at federal and state government owned hospitals, as well as higher institutions.

    Although courts visited were not sitting, primary and secondary schools were operating while some offices remained opened at the federal secretariat.

    Commercial banks opened for business in spite of attempt by labour leaders to make them stop operations.

    However, Aminu Umar, State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said the trike had recorded substantial compliance and would be total in next coming days.

     

    Kebbi

     

    In Kebbi public schools have been shut in compliance with the strike order.

    A teacher in one of the public schools in Birnin Kebbi, Mrs. Richeal Ngozi, told NAN that they had to send back pupils after the state branch of Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered teachers to remain at home.

    When NAN visited a branch of Keystone Bank, normal operations were going on.

    However, a worker of the bank, who sought anonymity, said: “We are just waiting for an email message from the bank head office in Lagos,  by 12 noon, we will close and join the strike.”

    Also, activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, have been paralysed as staff joined the strike.

    At the state secretariat, normal official work was going on as at the time of this report.

     

    Enugu

     

    It was observed that banks, other corporate bodies and most schools failed to carry out the directive of organised labour to embark on strike.

    Except for few institutions like the Federal  Government College located at Independence Layout, others public schools were open.

    Some of the teachers of the schools that failed to embark on the strike, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they did not receive any directive to go on strike.

    But the Chairman of Enugu State Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, said the compliance level was 60 per cent.

    He attributed their inability to actualise 100 per cent compliance to the gap in communication, adding that the deadlocked meeting they had with government ended very late and hence their inability to get across to all the workers.

     

    Katsina

     

    Workers in Katsina State, including those from the civil service and commercial banks yesterday, partially complied with the directive of the national leadership of the organised labour.

    Investigation by The Nation showed that the workers shunned their various duty posts even as the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Tanimu Lawal Saulawa, held another round of meeting with about 30 leaders of affiliated unions in the state to ensure full compliance with the directive on the strike.

    The meeting, which took place at the NLC state Secretariat located at Sabo Layi area in Katsina, according to one of the leaders, was to strategise on the enforcement of the warning strike and ensuring compliance

    Saulawa told reporters that the strike was nationwide and that he and the leadership of organised labour have the responsibility to ensure its success.

     

    Anambra

     

    The warning strike was partial complied with in Anambra State.

    When The Nation monitored the situation yesterday in the state, banks and hospitals and schools were opened.

    But at the state secretariat in Awka, there were movements of some workers, while the offices were locked.

    However, the state Chairman of NLC, Jerry Nnubia, said he was satisfied with the level of compliance.

  • FG sets up group to monitor rights abuses in detention centres

    The practice where detained suspects are subjected to inhuman treatment and kept in unhealthy environment may soon be an offence as a committee has been set up to monitor detention centres nationwide to ensure that detainees’ rights are protected.

    The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Prisons De-congestion and Reform (PCPDR), Justice Ishaq Bello disclose this in Abuja on Thursday while inaugurating a working group to monitor the implementation of Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    Section 34 of the ACJA requires a Chief Magistrate to, among others, pay periodic visits to detention facilities to ascertain the state of detainees and the conditions under which they are detained.

    Bello, who is also the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said: “We are concerned about the way detainees are treated and the condition under which they are kept.”

    He said the challenge of lack of access to legal representation by the poor detainees also contributes to congestion in prisons.

    Read Also: Human rights abuses remain unreported, says Centre

    Bello noted that the problem was prevalent in states like Kebbi, Yobe and Sokoto states where many detainees are unable to procure the services of lawyers. He urged the Legal Aid Council (LAC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to provide pro bono (free legal services to the poor detainees.

    He added: “As a country we have to continue to try to measure up to international standard and best practices. It is my hope that the inauguration of the working group births the change we want to see in the observance of human rights of persons in police stations and other detention centres.

    “Police stations and detention centres across states should be ACJA compliant. This working group will also act as a monitoring mechanism and also enhance transparency on what goes on in these detention centres.

    “Finally, this working group is being tasked to come up with strategies for the effective implementation of this project. The proposed police stations visit will provide a platform to introduce a Legal Advice Scheme to ensure that suspects and victims have access to free legal advice, and that they are kept in humane conditions as the ACJA anticipates,” Bello said.

  • NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    These are indeed trying times. The floods are here again, and as usual, thousands are affected. Homes have been destroyed, farms have been washed away, and the list goes on. While it is succinct to state that just like in other climes where natural disasters such as hurricane, earthquakes, and floods have continued to wreak havoc, the responses of disaster management agencies come to bear in no small measure in cushioning effects and giving those affected a sense of belonging and a life afterward.

    And this brings us to the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Nigeria as a result of heavy rainfalls that causes rivers Niger and Benue to overflow. As at the last count, Niger Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states have been declared as National Disasters by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is also understood that Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are being monitored carefully by NEMA.

    In this regard, I will start on a high note. The preparedness and responses by NEMA have been excellent in my opinion. I recall when the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issued a warning that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, NEMA issued a statement informing Nigerians on its preparedness for the flooding and it also consequently issued precautionary information to these communities.

    Now, this is why I decided to pen this article. Kogi state is among the worst hit states and as at the last time I checked, the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has somewhat relocated to Kogi state. This was aside from the fact that he had held series of meetings with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact-finding committees that visited flood-prone states after the warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. I was more than impressed, and in my opinion, this was indeed a proactive approach and a radical departure from that norm that placed so much emphasis on reactionary activities.

    I stand to be corrected, NEMA in the past two years had indeed shown how and what it meant to have a disaster management agency in a country. This is in line with the adoption of the preventive disaster management operations introduced into the agency by the director general, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. I also recall that sometime in 2017, while addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico, the DG was quoted as saying “support from the political leadership in Nigeria has enabled a giant stride towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country. He also said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction already created in the agency.

    Now, this was why I wasn’t surprised and also impressed with the responses of NEMA in recent times in disaster management in Nigeria. Hear what the DG has to say: “President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation and it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure. An operational structure has been put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domiciled at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).”

    I am left in awe whenever I hear the DG of NEMA speak on issues concerning disaster management. His grasp and understanding thrill me, so much so that I have told all that cared to listen that one of the best decision of President Muhammdu Buhari was to have appointed a highly detailed and competent individual to head NEMA. And why they would always ask me.

    The reason is simple. Which category of people is mostly affected by disasters? The answer is obvious, and that is mainly why I am in praise of President Muhammdu Buhari because he has demonstrated that this is a government that is concerned about the ordinary Nigerians unlike in times past where our inefficiency in disaster management results in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

    Back to the crux of the issue, NEMA’s outings in disaster management in the past two years can best be described as impactful. It is instructive to state that DG has visited almost all parts of the country that has in one way or the other experienced any form of disaster, be it human-made or natural for on the spot assessment and also leading rescue and relief operations. For example, the DG of NEMA was on the ground during rescue operations when a building collapsed in Abuja recently. He was also in Benue during the September 2017 flood that affected scores of villages in the state. And the list goes on.

    Read Also: NEMA warns of impending flooding in 12 states

    In my opinion, what this signifies or indicates is that there is a government that cares and holds that critical constituency so dearly and the need for them to feel the impact of his administration. This is even aside from the efforts of NEMA in assisting the Nigeria military in the resettlement of thousands of Nigerians that were displaced as a result of the insurgency in North East Nigeria. It also suffices to state that under this arrangement, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their communities. This is also commendable.

    The list can go on without end. But what is instructive and a takeaway from the activities of NEMA is that once there is a will, there would always be a way. This much the DG of NEMA has demonstrated with the support he has received from the political authorities. And if most political office holders exhibit this much patriotism, Nigeria would indeed be better for it.

    Adamu is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from Abuja

  • Flooding: Edo intensifies work at resettlement camps, safe havens

    The Edo State Government has said that work has intensified at designated resettlement camps across the state to receive residents, who are displaced by flooding.

    Persistent rainfall in the past few weeks dislodged some persons from their homes, as the state government announced the opening of resettlement camps for residents that were adversely affected by the heavy downpours.

    The state government issued flood alert in parts of the state last week, following new predictions that the state will experience flooding incidence with the persistent rainfall and the release of water from dams in neighbouring countries.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Yakubu Gowon, said that an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the relocation of affected persons and running of the resettlement camps and safe havens has been set up.

    He disclosed that the committee is made up of officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), special assistants to the governor in the various wards, officials of ministries of infrastructure, environment and health, local council chairmen, members of the Red Cross, Fire Service and local government councillors, who are on standby to assist people in distress.

    He listed the areas earmarked as safe havens to include “the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Oghomere in Etsako Central Local Government Area and the skills acquisition centre in Fugar.

    Read Also: Edo intensifies promotion of local languages

    “In Esan South East Local Government Area, the council hall and the hall of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ubiaja will serve as safe haven.  In Ikpoba-Okha local council, Western Boys High School hall has been pencilled down to receive those displaced from their homes in the council area,” he added.

    He said that men and women will be separated in the camps to protect their rights and assured that effort is being made to procure more relief materials to be delivered when the camps are ready.

    “In Ovia North East, the local government chairman has donated a place in Okada while another place in Gelegele, in the same local council will provide succour to flood victims,” Gowon said.

    The governor’s aide maintained that the relevant ministries have desilted blocked drainages to ease the flow of water in the city.

    Two weeks ago, Edo State government donated relief materials to communities affected by windstorm in Esan West and Owan West local government areas of the state. Similar donation had been made in ten local councils where windstorm destroyed houses.

    Handing over the relief materials on behalf of the state government to chairmen of the two local councils in Benin City, the state capital, Gowon said “This is a continuous exercise, we have donated relief materials to communities in about 12 local government areas and we have been receiving letters of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hydrological Services Agencies (NHISA) have warned that 12 states across the country would experience flooding due to torrential rain falls.

    The two agencies gave the warning during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held with relevant stakeholders in Abuja.

    Mr Clem Nze, Director, Engineering Hydrology, NHISA, listed the states to include: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, from the River Niger axis.

    He also listed Taraba, Benue and Adamawa as states to be affected from the River Benue axis.

    He said that the decision to raise the alarm was to ensure preparedness among stakeholders and residents of flood-prone communities.

    The NEMA and NHISA alert followed a similar alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), warning of high floods in some identified states across the country including Edo.