The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Khadijat Saidu

  • Rape cases on the increase in Kebbi

    Rape cases on the increase in Kebbi

    Rape cases have been on a steady increase in Kebbi state and the rising incidents have become very alarming and worrying.

    All over the country, there is a new kind of unheralded harvest of rapes and rapists. The prevalent upsurge of rape and sexual abuse in the northern states is unfathomable, especially now that children are not exempted.

    People who have been raped can be severely traumatized and may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to psychological harm resulting from the act, rape may cause physical injury.
     
    However, findings reveal that the main reason rape cases are hardly reported to the appropriate authorities in Nigeria is that the victims fear being ostracized and most victims of rape have lost faith in the judiciary’s securing justice for them. Rapists walk the streets free while their victims remain traumatized for life.

    Some weeks ago, I speak to a brave 5-year-old girl in Birnin Kebbi. As she and her mother walked into my office building, where she was standing with her Mother, she became startled at the sight of what she must have identified to be a stranger and quickly grabbed her mother’s wrapper to hide behind. I welcome them, took out a bag of sweets from my bag and I  offered them to the frightened little girl.

    With my hands full of sweets outstretched, the little girl failed to recognize my gesture as an act of goodwill. After some encouragement from her mother and after my numerous failed impressions of Disney characters, the little girl eventually came out from hiding behind her mother’s wrapper and accepted one of the sweets from me.

    After some time, and after some more impressions by me, she slowly relaxed and finally looked at me. As she raised her head to look at me, just as quickly as I smiled at her, my smile became a frown; because within those beautiful eyes, I saw sadness; I saw pain; I saw agony. Within her eyes, I saw a girl that had been through torture, because standing before me was a Five-year-old little Monsura who had just been brutally raped by a 32years old man called Umar in Argungu local government area of Kebbi state.

    When asking the mother why she didn’t report the case to the security agency, she claimed to have reported the case but she was denied justice. By some so-called politicians who influenced the matter at the police station and stop the matter from going to court that was why she came to report the matter to the pressmen for her to get justice for her child. And these perpetrators should be exposed and be brought to book, she lamented.

    Within the same week in Kebbi, another baby girl, Umuh 4 years old was brutally defiled by one Faruq  Abubakar from Anguwan Zoromawa in Gwandu local government area of Kebbi state by a shop owner popularly called Mai Sha Go in Hausa. Her father lamented to The Nation that he sent his daughter to buy something from his nearby shop that day and he Faruk griped her and defiled her.

    “All of a sudden I had the girl was crying I asked what happened she continued to cry pointing at Faruk shop” (pointing at her private part saying faruku ne yasa mun abu a nan)” meaning Faruk put something in my private part”  and her clothes were up even the hijab she put on was not on her body again they discover that the baby was hurt. Meanwhile, Medical reports indicated that the baby was raped.

    Right now, another call was put to me by the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDS) command in Birnin Kebbi drawing my  attention to another fresh case reported  of a 3 year old minor who was brutally raped by her school teacher in a private School name (withheld) GRA NEPA area of Birnin Kebbi the state capital. The investigation is still going on. but a medical report shows that the baby was brutally raped too. This is a teacher who parents trust to teach their girl child in school. With this and many more of such incidents are happing in Kebbi state schools.

    As so many disquieting issues in our social and political life dominate the front burner and the covers of our national dailies, the various corruption scandals, kidnappings, elections saga, and drug abuse, most people tend to forget or ignore this horrendous issue that has and is still ruining many lives and devastating many families in Kebbi state.
     
    While, in this particular Cases, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, North West Zone in collaboration with Federation of international women Lawyers FIDA  have taken an interest in making sure that this abused little girls get justice, the reality is that the crime of rape in the state, especially of minors, is on the increase at an alarming rate. Most especially here in Kebbi State.”

    Hence, this salient question needs to be asked; why is rape on the increase and what is the government of the day doing to curb this social anomaly?

  • Kebbi sponsors free eye surgery

    Kebbi sponsors free eye surgery

    The Centre for Community and Rural Eye Care Initiative (ICARE), in conjunction with the Kebbi state government, is holding a free Cataract Microsurgical Eye-Camps in the new Kalgo Medical Center in Kebbi State.

    The free-Sight restoring cataract surgery with the intra-ocular lens for patients blinded by cataract commences on Wednesday 25th October to November 2017.

    Highly trained specialists conduct the cataract surgeries, bringing this much-needed service to the doorsteps of the less privileged.

    Post-surgical medication and eyeglasses are also being provided free by the Moses Lake Medical Team currently having a medical outreach in the same hospital.

    Present at the surgery are Surgeons and Board members of ICARE, whose motto is Reducing Blindness in our Communities, like Dr Fatima Kyari FWACS MSc PhD, Professor Nasiru Muhammad FWACS MSc, Dr Mohammed Adamu FWACS MSc, and Dr Saka FWACS.

    Read Also: Kebbi to retrain unqualified teachers

  • Kebbi: UNICEF presents ‘faith for life’ to Gov

    Kebbi: UNICEF presents ‘faith for life’ to Gov

    UNICEF has presented publications entitled “FAITH FOR LIFE” on Islamic and Christianity perspectives about preventive medical care to Kebbi State Government. 

    Quoting extremely from the glorious Qur’an and the Holy Bible, the publications continued endorsement by the two scriptures of immunization and vaccination to children and adults against diseases. 

     UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Sokoto Zonal Office Muhammad Mahiuddin presented the documents to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in Birnin Kebbi at the inaugural ceremony of Kebbi State Advocacy and Community Engagement Workshop. 

    He said UNICEF recognized the efficacy of traditional rulers and Religious Leaders to mobilizing people to embraced immunization and dropped the wrong conception about the programme. 

    Muhammad Muhiuddin expressed unhappiness that, immunization coverage in the zone emanated to a decimal 4%. 

    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu welcomed the publication which highlighted the approval of Islam and Christianity on immunization against diseases. 

     He emphasized that the involvement of communities as major stakeholders in Health Matters was a paramount importance, adding that, no development could be achieved without commenting advocacy and engagement. 

    Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu gave an assurance that Kebbi State would continue to fulfil its obligations to UNICEF and requested the United Nations to increase funding to UNICEF because its present allocations were too meagre. 

    The Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri expressed the belief that most outbreak of diseases could be prevented if there was community involvement. 

    The representative of the Emir of Gwandu Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar, the Bunun Gwandu, Abubakar Zaki Wala acknowledged the immense contributions and assistance of UNICEF to the development of Education and provision of health care services to Muslim, Christians and general populations of the world. 

    In a vote of thanks the Commissioner for Health Alhaji Umaru Usman Kambaza expressed gratitude to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for giving prominence to improving Health care services in the state and expressed appreciation to the UNICEF Chief Zonal Office Sokoto for his untiring efforts to ensure that, all children in Kebbi State benefitted from this services rendered by UNICEF.

    On the occasion UNICEF signed separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government and media partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ).

  • Kebbi: PDP’s lingering litigation, leaders’ differences

    Kebbi: PDP’s lingering litigation, leaders’ differences

    In 2015 general elections, Kebbi People massively decided to elect All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom, reposing the much-needed confidence in the ability and manifestoes of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to lead in the capacity of the Governor of Kebbi State for the next four years.

    Since then his election has been subject to series of litigations several condemnations,  rejection and divisions within the ranks of the opposition party in the state.

    The matter is still subject to litigation at a court of law hence could not comment further as not to be preemptive.
    Part of campaign promises then was improvement of educational standards,  agricultural revival,  quality healthcare delivery, sustainable economic empowerment and jobs creation.

    Two years after, the Atiku Bagudu led administration has shown it’s commitment to translating the promises into reality.
    The return of Rice Pyramids,  the Mobilisation of over 200 Thousand Farmers into Anchor Borrowers Program, attracting a Private Sector driven Multi-Billion Naira investment from WACOT,  Initiating the popular LASKEB agricultural partnership that gave birth to Lake Rice as well as expanding the horizon of Kebbi commodities to cover enviable Lagos Markets are by no means easy.

    By 2015, available statistical records indicated that annual rice production in Kebbi State was a mere 400,000 metric tonnes but with strategic planning,  diversification drive and commitment by the Atiku Bagudu led administration, Kebbi State today produces over two million metric tonnes of Rice: the feat which was  acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide broadcast  during the 57th  independent  anniversary day.

    Arguably, the euphoria that greeted the arrival of Lake Rice in the Country fingered Kebbi State as the latest hub of rice, impliedly responding to the country’s needs and aspirations for import substitution, foreign exchange earnings and food security.

    It may also interest one to know that Kebbi State currently attracts internal investments from the Sister States more than others as Lagos alone invests more than two billion annually in rice and livestock supply as part of the LASKEB partnership arrangements/agreement

    Similarly whoever lives in Kebbi observes the daily movements of trucks loads of rice and other commodities from all parts of the State heading to other States,  the neighbouring West and Central African Countries as a result of massive production by Kebbi farmers, this is in addition to the local demand running into hundreds of thousands from the two leading Rice Mills, The Labana and WACOT based in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu respectively.

    The same period under review saw the revival of power supply in a deliberate effort done to ensure its constant supply to aid small and medium services,  cater for daily needs of households, commodity processors,  fabricators and all manner of electricity users in major parts of the State.  This credit too, goes to the decisiveness of the Atiku Bagudu led administration.

    Other notable attributes of the State under the present leadership include : enjoying peace at all times, regular and prompt payments of salaries to workers,  training and retraining of workers, implementation of promotions to workers as well as creating sustainable peacebuilding mechanism through the engagement of traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought in the scheme of governance.

    In furtherance to implementing campaign promises to the electorates. Over 200 Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the State have been rehabilitated, while others have new classrooms, offices and laboratory blocks with ultramodern instructional materials to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

    Tuition fees and other scholarship payments are done as and when due for all Kebbi State students within and outside the Country

    Healthcare delivery too received similar attention with the upcoming take off the 200-bed capacity ultra modern Specialist Hospital fully equipped by this administration.  Already it hosted two successful medical outreach programs manned by Professionals and Consultants from the United States of America and Nigerian Doctors. Similar outreach is being planned this October. All these are essentially done to ease access,  provide affordability and bring such rare healthcare services close to the people of the State free of charge: which hitherto are not only costly,  inaccessible but beyond the reach of common man.

    Pregnant Women and those on antenatal Care as well as Children are well catered for with free medication in all the 225 wards of the State.

    The State Capital and major Towns are not left out in the developmental drive,  as Roads, Drainages, Street Lights are being laid and erected across their streets. Within the state capital.

    Accomplishing these laudable tasks and several others missed out here is not only herculean, tasking but teething considering the State of the Nation’s income that largely depends on oil sector with dwindling and meagre internally generated revenue.

    Several persons are of the opinion that the lingering Court case instituted by the PDP Candidate in the 2015 General Elections is not only diversionary but also a big disservice to the State.Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a  loser  while other top  political

    Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a  loser  while other top  political class see the court case as a welcome development where justice they say must  prevail especially when 2019 has started loading preparatory for a rematch.

    Kebbi electorates as at today remain divided in their opinion some awaiting the arrival of yet another opportunity to reelect  GovernorAtiku Bagudu, while other electorates are strongly awaiting with key interests to hear the outcome of the court case.

  • Bagudu urged peaceful co-existence among Nigerians

    Bagudu urged peaceful co-existence among Nigerians

    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended the four Emirate of Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru for maintaining peaceful co-existence and brotherly love among people of different religious and ethnicity in their domains.

    The Governor made the commendation in a statewide broadcast making Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary in Birnin Kebbi.

    The Governor was full of praise for the four Emirs of Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru for mobilizing their subjects to champion the cause of unity in diversity within a single entity.

    Bagudu acknowledged the commendation made to Kebbi State on Agricultural production by President Muhammadu Buhari in his Anniversary speech which the Governor described as an added impetus to galvanize farmers in the state towards improved cultivation to increase yields.

    He said already two modern rice mills Labana in Birnin Kebbi and WACOT in Argungu have since begun production, while another one in Kamba was nearing completion by an indigenous businessman.

    In addition, an International Business Mogul Alhaji Aliko Dan Gote is partnering with the state government to establish a gigantic rice mill at Dugu-Raha in Shanga Local Government Area in furtherance of efforts to harness and process the immense paddy rice potential in Kebbi state.

    Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said his administration has also placed a premium on road construction throughout the state and economic empowerment to people through, materials and financial assistance to groups especially less privileged and women association.

    The government has also renovated and improved infrastructure in primary and secondary schools to enhance quality education.

    Similarly, the administration has renovated improved primary health centres in each of the 225 wards in the state towards the provision of good health care services.

    Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu announced that Kebbi state has accessed 2.3 Billion Naira from primary education funds and added another 2.3 Billion Naira as its grant which brought to total 4.6 Billion Naira expended on the renovation and upgrading of 16 secondary schools as well as 200 primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

    The governor debunks media reports that Ten Billion Naira was accessed by the state from the primary education funds.

    He commended Kebbi State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House, Sama’ila Abdulmumini Kamba for their support and cooperation to the execution projects which record major achievement in all sectors of human endeavours. 

    The Governor thanked the people of Kebbi state for ensuring Nigerian remain as one entity where everyone could pursue his/her objectives in life.

    He said a team of American Medical expert revisit the state for another medical outreach, while investors from Malaysia were also due in the state for cooperative agreement on bio-fuel. 

    Answering reporter’s question, the Governor announced that the Argungu International Fishing Cultural Festival would be staged next year to boost tourism in the state.

    He said his administration would provide an enabling involvement with vigour to attract investors to set-up soya-beans processing mill in Danko-Wasagu Local Government.

    Furthermore, general electric is looking into the possibility of establishing a 200 Megawatts solar-plant in Kebbi State to generate electricity. 

    On local governments, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu consented that, there have been significant challenges in the Local government system, saying that, it was unacceptable that, resources of local government were being shared amongst few people, with nothing left for development.

    The Governor made it’s clear that the state government was committed to sanitizing the system towards achieving the target objective of creating local governments as the third tier of government. 

    Responding to question on the need to improve the services of State-owned broadcast stations, Kebbi Radio and Kebbi Television Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said his administration would soon embark on the digitalization of the two the stations in line with a modern broadcast.

    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu renewed his standing order for the automatic employment of Doctors and Nurses to make up for shortage being experienced in some hospitals in the state.

    In commemoration of the 57th Independence Anniversary of our great country Nigeria.

    Governor Atiku Bagudu, therefore, advised the citizens to live and lead a perfect life towards attaining economic prosperity peaceful coexistence and brotherliness.

  • UNICEF votes N220m for water sanitation projects in Kebbi

    The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF)   has donated N220m for water sanitation projects in Kebbi state.
    The donation was announced by UNICEF during the celebration of the 2017 World Water Day with  Kebbi State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development  in Birnin  Kebbi, the state capital.
    UNICEF supported by European Union according to a press statement by its Sokoto Zonal officer,  Mohammad Mohiuddin  will contribute N 220 million for a  two year water and sanitation project in kebbi state this year.
    The intervention is aimed at  addressing   the poor coverage of water and  sanitation in some of the primary Health centres by   ensuring that there is sustained access to water and sanitation facilities.
    The UNICEF officer said  the project will be done  through rehabilitation of defunct WASH facilities where they exist and construct new ones where there are no facilities.
    He added that investment in water and sanitation provision in health facilities will also be complemented with sensitization of health facility staff on the importance  of  promoting  hand washing at critical times so as so incorporate this in their routine heath talks.
    UNICEF however reaffirms its commitment to deliver the result for children and make sure children ‘s access to safe water for drinking is a priority above other needs.
    In  a press release,  he stated that  to be in line with Northern Nigerian context, the focus in Kebbi state is on ‘’Sustaining access to safe drinking water and Cultivating a Water Saving Culture’ ’ in  urban, peri-uban and Rural communities while working toward increasing access to safe drinking water for more communities ,schools, health institutions, markets and other public places.
    “It is important  that all water users and all water service providerS  in the state  should work towards ensuring that every drop of safe water is kept safe and never wasted,” Mohuddin stated.
  • 2017: Kebbi presents N139.3billion budget

    2017: Kebbi presents N139.3billion budget

    Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has presented N139,334,317,97 billion as 2017 budget before the state’s House of Assembly.
    Governor Bagudu, who presented the budget said the last year’s budget was full of challenges but the 2017 budget focuses on agriculture, empowerment, education, health and infrastructural facilities.
    The Governor also said that his administration would settle all the outstanding pensions and gratuities inherited by his government before the end of the year.
    He promised that the 2017 budget would ensure that into Kebbi people’s hand and ensure that they were independent citizens.
    While analysing the 2016 budget, the governor said, the state has recorded great achievement in agriculture, provision of electricity, water supply to the people of the state and rehabilitation of selected Primary and Secondary schools in the state.
    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Samaila Kamba, assured the governor that the lawmakers would deliberate on the budget and ensure it speeding passage.

  • Bumper harvest: Kebbi surpasses one million tonnes of rice

    The importance of Agriculture to the economy cannot be quantified more especially in the present economic crunch where all other sources of revenue have dwindled. Besides, agriculture is the only dependable activity that could guarantee food security apart from its economic benefits, hence, the federal government saw the need to diversify the economy with much priority to agriculture. Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land that can sustain commercial agriculture for both cash crops and food crops. Oil revenue in the global market has continued to shrink and agriculture becomes the alternative economic base that could replace dependency on oil. The Federal Government, therefore, did not hesitate to go back to agric which used to be the mainstay of the economy prior to the discovery of oil. “Go back to the land and develop agriculture because the era of depending on oil is over’’ that was the message of President Muhammadu Buhari to farmers when he lunched the dry season and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Rice Borrowers Programme in Birnin Kebbi on the 17th of November 2015. It could also be recalled that the President has made no secret of his determination to improve the base of Nigeria’s economy by reviving agriculture and opening the mines among other measures. 
    This month’s   clock one year of the CBN Anchor Rice Borrowers Programme in Kebbi state; the program aims to boost rice and wheat production in Nigeria by providing loans to farmers.
     Thousands of farmers have seized the opportunity created by the Central Bank Anchor Borrowers Programme to expand rice output it has been celebration galore for rice farmers in the state as they claimed to have recorded high  bumper harvest in comparison with previous years. The kebbi state Governor , Chairman  National Task Force on Rice and wheat  Atiku Bagudu and  his Deputy Samaila Yombe  along with Chairman of the state’s Rice Farmers’ Association, Alhaji Sahabi  Augie  conveyed  journalists  round to see for themselves place like Augie, Kalgo, Dandi, Bunza, suru, wasagu and Birnin kebbi local government areas where farmers where seen  displaying and celebrating their bumper harvest . 
     Interestingly, Kebbi state has surpassed the one million tonnes of rice targeted for harvest in the year with over eight hundred and fifty tonnes. The chairman rice farmers Association Sahabi Augie said the yield increase was due to improved seedlings and the assistance rendered to farmers through the  Anchor Borrowers Programme of the CBN with over 500,000 hectares of cultivated land across ten local government areas of the state. He explained that the variety of rice cultivated in kebbi include Nerica7 and 84 as well as faro 44,52, and 61 with farming occurring thrice through the dry, wet, dry season within a year with Rima and sokoto river serving the dry season irrigation farming.
  • How breast feeding reduces death toll of children under five

    How breast feeding reduces death toll of children under five

    The Kebbi State EU- UNICEF C4D Consultant, Mr Idris Nagia has called for improved awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding in the state.

    Nagia made this known on Thursday while addressing pressmen in his office, stressing that Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 percent of infants less than six months old are exclusively breastfed in Kebbi State.

    “With so much at stake, we need to do more to reach women with simple and powerful messages like: Breast feeding can save your baby’s life.

    “No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays,” he said.

    However, he called for more advocates to be cultivated using new and innovative ways to communicate with mothers and families, adding that raising awareness beyond the confines of the maternity ward is critical to reach these broader audiences.

    According to him, “initiation of breastfeeding within 30 minutes after birth saves mothers from the risk of maternal death and exclusive breastfeeding on demand in the first six months of life without water or any other food will start every baby on healthy path in life, providing all the nutrients the baby requires for optimum growth and development.

    He further noted that UNICEF has embraced the idea of using all possible means of communication and encourages others to do the same, using the opportunity of World Breastfeeding Week to trigger actions throughout the year.

    He said this year’s world Brest feeding has emphasised the role that every member of the society can play to raise awareness about breastfeeding – a natural and best way of feeding babies.

  • Kebbi NUT declares support for new labour leadership

    Kebbi NUT declares support for new labour leadership

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in kebbi State has declared their strong support for the new leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassah kebbi state council.
    This is following the removal of the  chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kebbi State council Comrade Murtala Usman from office last week.
    According to a statement  singed by the NUT Acting chairman  Comerade  KakaleDan- Ashibi made available to newsmen  stated that the State wing of the NUT has join other Union in the State in  recognising Alhassan as the new NLC Chairman in Kebbi State.
    Pointing out that  after  a serious meeting with the standing committee of the NUT they have finally resolve to  give 100% of  their support to the new chairman of the NLC.
    Comrade Dan-Ashibi therefore called on all members of the NUT to give their loyalty to  the New Leadership of Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan  in other  move both the NLC and NUT in the State forward and to a greater height.