The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Minna

  • 28 lives lost in three boat mishap in Niger

    The Niger state Commissioner of Transport, Engineer Ibrahim Panti has disclosed that 28 lives were lost in three boat mishaps in the state.

    Just as he said that 3000 life jackets have been purchased to be used by boat travelers in a bid to reduce casualties recorded during boat mishaps.

    The Commissioner said that from 2019, the state government would make it compulsory for the use of the life jackets by water travelers.

    “As part of efforts to reduce casualties during boat mishaps, 3,000 life jackets were purchased and launched for use by boat travelers. Wearing of such life saving gear would soon become compulsory for all water travelers.”

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria has highest capex on crude’

    Panti further said that 4000 coded reflective jackets has also been purchased for commercial motorcycle riders saying an ultimatum has been given to motorcycle riders in Minna metropolis regarding the use of the reflective jackets.

    “The Ministry procured 4000 coded reflective jackets for easy identification of commercial motorcycle riders and to improve safety of lives especially at night.

    “This is the only alternative to identify the genuine motorcycle riders in the state as majority of these riders are not from the state. We have issued an ultimatum that in 2019, if a motorcycle riders do not wear reflective jacket, they will not ride their bikes in the state capital.”

    Panti also disclosed that a 12 seater watercraft with 7.5 horse power engine have been purchased for surveillance, rescue and patrol on case of any eventuality in the waterways.

    He said that plans are at an advanced stage to establish Motor Vehicle Administration Agency as a one stop center for motorcycle administration, traffic regulation and traffic rented revenue generation.

     

  • Sani-Bello Swears in six New Permanent Secretaries

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has inaugurated six new Permanent Secretaries calling on them to make positive difference in their various ministries.

    The swearing in which was performed by Justice Zainab Gaddafi on behalf of the Chief Judge was held at the Government House in Minna.

    The Governor called on the appointees to inculcate the spirit of accountability and responsible conduct in the conduct of their duties.

    ” You have been appointed today not by assent but by your eligibility to hold this post as permanent secretaries so the best you can do is to pray for God’s guidance and protection.

    Read Also: Ambode swears in six permanent secretaries

    “To whom much is given, much is expected so I hope you will serve your respective ministries as expected.”

    He then congratulated them and wished them well as they take up their new responsibilities.

    The six newly sworn in Permanent Secretaries include Engineer. Abubakar Sadiq Balarebe posted to the Ministry of Works, Hajiya, Jummai  Idris Muhammad to the Ministry of Education,  Barrister Adamu Panti to the Ministry of Justice.

    Others are Mallam Baba Wachiko posted to Economic Affairs, Office of the SSG,  Alhaji Isah Bala to the Ministry of Information and Strategy and Musa Rogo Ibrahim as Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Office of the SSG.

  • We will not join planned petroleum strike – IPMAN

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that it is not party to the planned strike by other oil marketers.

    The marketers, including Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIS) had given the Federal Government a 7-day ultimatum, threatening to shut down depots across the country.

    The marketers claimed that the Federal Government is owing them a total of N800 billion Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF).

    However, the IPMAN, through its Kano State chairman, Bashir Ahmad Dan-Mallam,on Monday, said it would not join any strike action that is capable of inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

    According to Dan-Mallam, the Federal Government is also owing IPMAN about N150 billion PEF, but the association was not threatening any action against  the government.

    He maintained that the aggrieved oil marketers should rather engage the Federal Government in dialogue in order to resolve their differences amicably, noting that, the debt was inherited from previous administrations.

    He boasted that even if the oil marketers insist on the strike, the public should not panic as all the deports across the country are filled with the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petroleum.

    “All the deports in Kano, Minna, Warri and other places across the country are filled with petroleum that is enough for the consumption of the people throughout this festive period and even beyond.

    “So, let me use this opportunity to call on the general public that they should not panic about petroleum scarcity as we, the IPMAN, will not join the strike.

    “We are not pray to any action capable of inflicting hardship on the public. We have enough petroleum in our deports. So there is no course for alarm,” he said

    Dan-Mallam also called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop supplying petroleum to those associations that threatened to embark on strike.

    He also stated that, IPMAN  challenges all private deport owners to show when they ate supplying PMS to the association, stressing that, the era of the traditional end-of-year petroleum scarcity is over in Nigeria.

    He however called on the Federal Government to endeavour to settle the debt for the interest of the masses who bear the brunt whenever there is industrial action in the country.

     

     

  • Gov. Bagudu approves N400m for indigenous students in tertiary institutions

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has approved over N400 million for the payment of 2017/2018 registration fees for indigenous students of the state in various tertiary institutions across the country.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, made this known on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.

    Dakingari said that about N111 million would be spent for students in Federal University, Birnin Kebbi for the 2017/2018 session.

    He added that N149 million would also be used for the payment of fees for students in Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, for the  2017/2018 academic year.

    Read Also: Igbinedion University student wins N100,000 in Spot Kick challenge

    Dakingari said that approval of N107 million was also given for the payment of registration fees for indigenes of the state in Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu for the same session.

    “While N2.7 million is for our students at the Federal College of Technical Education, Gusau; another N2.5 million will be paid as fees for students in Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State.

    “A similar gesture of N2.5 million has been offered to students of the state’s origin in College of Education, Minna, Niger State,’’ the governor’s spokesman added.

    He said that N25.7 million would be for those in College of Basic and Advanced Studies, Yauri and N7 million for students in Federal College of Education, Kontagora in Niger.

    According to him, the governor also approved N600, 694 for students in Federal College of Education Zaria, Kaduna State.

  • Man jailed five months for stealing phones

    A Magistrate Court in Minna on Friday sentenced a 28-year-old man, Mohammed Yakubu, to five months imprisonment for stealing two phones.

    Yakubu, who was arraigned on two charges of criminal trespass and theft, had pleaded guilty but appealed for mercy.

    In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs Sa’adatu Gambo, sentenced the accused to five months in prison.

    Gambo, however, gave the convict an option of N15, 000 fine.

    Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Ali, had told the court that Danlami Kassim and Christiana Auta, both complainants, reported the matter at the Tudun Wada Police Station on Nov. 6.

    Ali quoted the complainants as alleging that the convict trespassed into their respective offices at the State Secretariat, Minna, and made away with their phones.

    He said both phones were recovered from the accused during police investigation.

    Ali said that the offences contravened sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.

    He prayed the court to try Yakubu summarily in line with section 157 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

    NAN

  • Court remands three in prison for allegedly stealing 31 cows

     A Magistrates’ Court in Minna on Thursday ordered that three men be remanded in prison for allegedly stealing 31 cows.

    Baje Shehu, Abubakar Majo, and Aminu Usman were docked on three counts of criminal conspiracy, theft and cattle rustling.

    Magistrate Paul Adama, who gave the order, adjourned hearing in the matter until November 20 for further mention.

    Earlier, Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Ogiri Emmanuel, had told the court that one Pastor Jeremiah Nmadu in Gusadi village, Katchia Local Government Area reported the matter at the station on March 13.

    Emmanuel told the court that complainant told the police that some hoodlums attacked one of his farms at Kateregi Fulani settlement camp and stole 31 cows.

    Read Also: Court convicts yam thief

    He said police detectives swung into action and arrested the accused persons in connection with the crime.

    He noted that the offence was contrary to provisions of Sections 3(1) and 8(1) of Niger State Kidnapping and Cattle Rustling Law.

    When the charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty.

     

    NAN

  • CBN revokes nine micro-finance banks’ licences

    The National Association of Micro Finance Banks on Monday said that nine out of the 34 micro finance banks in Niger have lost their operational banking licences.

    Mr Sado Daniel, North Central Secretary of the association made the remark in Bida while inaugurating a micro-finance bank established by the Federal Polytechnic, Bida.

    “These micro-finance banks lost their licences because they fell short during the regulation exercise carried out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),’’ he said.

    He said that non adherence to corporate governance contributed to the collapse of the banks, urging the management and staff members of the new bank to adhere strictly to the rules establishing it.

    “Banks do not die, people kill them; please do not kill the Federal Polytechnic Bida Micro-Finance Bank; ensure you adhere strictly to the rules of the game,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Hajia Hajara Mohammed, a representative of the CBN in Minna, said that insider abuse was another huge factor that contributed to the failure of micro-finance banks across the country.

    Mohammed urged business people to stop diverting loans collected from banks to other purposes such as marriage among other things different from what the loan was meant for.

    Read Also: Supreme Court condemns APC, Appeal Court handling of Rivers congresses

    According to her, “until we stop using business money and loans to get married and buy clothes, businesses in the country will not progress.’’
    She called on the people to work toward ensuring that all loans collected were paid back to enable them to benefit more.

    “If you don’t return your loans there is no way you will benefit from loans being made available by the Federal Government through the CBN,’’ she said.

    Earlier, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, the Rector of the polytechnic, said that the micro-finance bank was established with a capital base of N20 million adding that it would be increased to N50 million by the year 2019.

    Dzukogi, who is also Chairman, Board of Directors of the micro-finance bank, said the bank would make banking easy for students and staff members of the polytechnic.

    He also said that the measure would ease the cashless policy being planned by the CBN.

  • NSCDC arrest three suspected vandals in Niger

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Niger says it has arrested three suspects for allegedly vandalising Federal Low Cost Housing estate transformer belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in Suleja.

    The Commandant of the Corps in the state, Mr Philip Ayuba, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Friday.

    Ayuba said that the the corps’ Anti-Vandal Team in Suleja arrested the suspects at the transformer site that was feeding the estate.

    Read Also: Mobile court convicts 37 motorists in Jos

    He said three suspects had since confessed to the crime,adding that they would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.

    He called on the public to report any person or group of persons found tempering with public facilities to the command for prompt action.

  • Farmer, 20, remanded over motorcycle theft

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Minna on Friday ordered a 20-year old farmer, Sunday Danjuma, to be remanded in prison for alleged theft of motorcycle.

    Danjuma is standing trial on a count charge of theft, contrary to section 287 of the penal code law.

    The Police Prosecutor, ASP. Daniel Ikwoche, told the court that one Nura Usman, a vigilante member arrested and brought the accused person to the Bosso station on Sept. 8

    Ikwoche said the accused person was alleged to have stolen a motorcycle, valued at N62,000, belonging to one Suleiman Tasiu of Dutsen Kura, Minna.

    When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor thereafter asked the court for an adjournment to enable the police to complete its investigation into the matter.

    In his ruling, the presiding magistrate Nasiru Muazu ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter until Oct. 25 for further mention.

  • Twitter handles bearing my name, photographs fake – IBB

    Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retired), former military president, has said that twitter handles bearing his names and photographs were fake.

    Babangida, in a statement signed by his media aide, Zubairu Abdulrauf, said that he had no social media account, and advised members of the public to ignore claims to that effect.

    The statement made available to our reporter, on Tuesday in Minna, said that the social media accounts were targeted at misleading unsuspecting members of the public.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the existence of several twitter handles purportedly owned by the former military president; members of the social media community should know that Babangida currently has no twitter handle.

    Read Also: Fayose sues EFCC for N20b over security watch list

    “We wish to state that the twitter handles bearing the name and photographs of Babangida are fake, and also advise the general public to be wary of the fake accounts and discountenance whatever message conveyed therein,” the statement said.