The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa State

  • Ramadan: Focus on peace, salvation, Al-Makura charges religious leaders

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has charged Muslim clerics to focus on the promotion of peaceful coexistence and path of salvation in their sermons during the holy month of Ramadan.

    The governor also urged the  Muslim faithful to use the period of Ramadan to offer supplication to Allah for the progress, peace and unity of the state  and Nigeria.

    Governor Al-Makura stated this in a statement signed by Musa Elayo, his Chief Press Secretary.

    According to Al-Makura, the Holy month of Ramadan brings goodwill to mankind by refreshing stronger ties with Allah.

    He appealed to the religious leaders to preach love, unity and message of reconciliation devoid of attacks on others and desist from controversial issues that are capable of causing disunity in the society.

    The Governor however said Tafsir during this period should be focused on proffering solutions to endemic societal problems and prayers for the nation leaders, preach love to one another including those of other faith as an expression of the life and virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammadu (S.A.W) as a messenger of Allah.

    Al-Makura called on the Muslim faithful to be steadfast with all sense of decorum and modesty by avoiding extravagance and ostentation living during this Holy month of Ramadan.

    The Gevernor called on all and sundry to continue to support the effort of the administration to improve the living condition of the people.

  • ASUP seeks establishment of body in tertiary institutions

    The Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has called for the establishment of a special body to monitor finances in higher institutions in the country.

    The Chairman of the branch, Dr Yusuf Hussaini, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State on Tuesday.

    He said that establishing the body would checkmate the under-hand activities of the management of most of the tertiary institutions.

    According to him, the body will also help in improving the standard of learning in the institutions by tackling corrupt activities in the institutions.

    Hussaini said that many of the institutions were generating a lot of money but that such funds were often stolen by the management of the institutions.

    “I want to call on the government to set up a special monitory body to supervise what is coming in and how the resources are been used.

    “There is need to monitor and to ensure that resources are well managed, in order to improve the standard of education in Nigeria.”

    The unionist, however, appealed to the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocations to the education sector to discourage Nigerians from leaving the country to seek education overseas.

    “If government funds education adequately and provides science and other necessary equipment in institutions of learning, people will be encouraged to study at home rather than going overseas.

    “I believe that increase in funding of the education sector will help in addressing challenges in our institutions of learning.

    Hussaini stressed the importance of education in the development of the country, pleading with government to create the enabling environment to foster development.

    The lecturer also appealed to teachers in tertiary institutions to avoid practices capable of tarnishing their personalities and that of their institutions.

  • Troops arrest militia gang leader in Nasarawa

    The Nigerian Army said Tuesday that a militia camp has been destroyed during a raid at Ugya village in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State, while the spiritual leader of the gang has been arrested by troops.

    Its Director of public relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the operation was carried out by troops of the 177 Guards battalion.

    Gen Chukwu said: “Troops of 177 Guards Battalion   while on raid operation at Ugya village in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State destroyed some armed militia camp.

    “The Spiritual Head of the militia group, one Angulu Idaku was also arrested.

    “Items recovered include: Seven locally made guns, twelve cartridges, 200 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition and 76 rounds of 7.62MM NATO special ammunition.

    Others are; four knives, fifteen cutlasses, 6 mobile phones, One DSTV decoder set, and 4 solar panel sets.”

    He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the security agents.

    Read Also: Troops arrest culprits in Benue raid

  • “Okrika”dealers in Nasarawa express worries over quit notice

    Fairly Used Clothes a.k.a Òkrika traders Association, in Mararaba, a commercial hub along Abuja-Keffi road, have expressed worries over the quit notice issued by the Nasarawa State Government.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Chairman of the Task Force on relocation, issued the notification on April 30 in Karu, during a meeting with officials of the Traders and Marketers Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    Mr Suleiman Hassan, Chairman of the Association, told the News men on Monday that the state government through a special task force had directed that they vacate the area before May 15.

    He added that the directive was hinged on government’s efforts to free the road of the usual traffic gridlock on that axis, partly caused by trading activities along the busy road.

    He, however, noted that many of the traders, who sell their wares along the road-side market, were not happy with the directive, alleging that it was sudden and without a proper alternative.

    Read Also: Nasarawa State to probe MDAs – Commissioner

    “They have asked us to relocate to the newly commissioned Muhammdu Buhari International Market, Karu, Nasarawa; but the areas assigned to us is not properly developed the way it ought to be for convenient trading.

    “The allocated place is an opened ground without structures, no shops or packing stores where we can keep our goods and will not be accessible by customers, meaning we cannot make sales there.

    “The raining season is here, and when it starts raining we do not have a place to take refuge and keep our goods for safety since they are clothing,”he said.

    Hassan appealed to the state government to extend the ultimatum to allow relevant authorities in charge of the management of the new market to make it suitable for the traders.

    The affected traders are to be relocated to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa council warns staff against truancy, sharp practices

    Mr Samuel Namami, the Overseer of Ekye Development Area of Nasarawa State, has warned members of staff of the council against truancy, absenteeism, non-challant attitude and other  sharp practices.

    Namami gave the warning at a meeting with union leaders of the council in Agbashi on Wednesday.

    He said that the warning became necessary to ensure productivity among workers of the council as well as to justify the huge investment of government at the grassroots.

    Namami said the council would take proactive measures against any staff found wanting, urging them to be dedicated to their duties.

    “I want to use this medium to advise workers to desist from truancy, lateness, absenteeism and other sharp practices; the local government will not condone such acts among its staff.

    “This meeting is very crucial to the development of this development area, the state and the country at large,“ he said.

    He said the meeting would also provide an opportunity for union leaders to discuss on the way forward on how to move the council to greater heights.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Communal Clash: LG boss warns against inciting statements, sues for peace

    Namami enjoined them to work in synergy with each other to ensure unity and optimal productivity among workers of the council.

    “I want to also call on the staff of the council to be punctual, dedicated, and diligent and be more serious to their duties in order to be more productive.

    “Workers ought to discharge their duties without fear or favour, there is need for workers to work tirelessly so as to contribute their quota as part of efforts to ensure national development,’’ he said.

    He urged the people of the area to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

    Mr Job Isa and Aminu Iwashu,  leaders of  the National Union of Local Government Employee ( NULGE ) and  Medical and Health Workers Union respectively, commended the council boss for organizing the meeting.

    They assured him of their readiness to work tirelessly for the progress and development of the area and the state at large.

    NAN

     

  • Nasarawa Communal Clash: LG boss warns against inciting statements, sues for peace

    Mr Nuhu Duada, the chairman, Interim Management Committee ( IMC ), Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, has advised the people of the council area to shun provocative statements and embrace peace.

    Nuhu made the call on Tuesday during peace and stakeholders meeting held in Toto following recent communal clash in the council area of the state.

    News men reports that on April 24, there was a communal clash between the Ibira and  Bassa ethnic groups of Ugya, Toto LGA of Nasarawa state where many lives and property were destroyed.

    He said that peace was necessary ingredient for the development of any society, hence the need for the people of the area to live in peace and be their brother’s keeper.

    The council boss said that the meeting was aimed at brainstorming on way forward and to take a proactive step in order to achieve permanent peace in the area and the state at large.

    According to him, there is reason for God creating people with different background and tribes, hence the need for Ibira, Bassa and other tribes in this area to live together peacefully.

    “Peace is priceless and non-negotiable, that is why, I want to sue for peace among my people, especially among Ibira and Bassa among other tribes so that all of us will enjoy the fruits of our labour.

    Read Also:  21 political parties to participate in Nasarawa State LG polls

    “Peace is the best and necessary requirement for the development of any society, hence the need for all of us to see ourselves as brothers and sisters in the interest of development.

    “God did not make a mistake for creating people with different background and tribes.

    “No society will develop in an atmosphere of rancor and confusion,” he said.

    He said that peaceful co-existence among communities would also boost food production and the socio-economic development of the state and the country at large.

    He urged the people of the area and Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun violence.

    The council boss restated the council commitment to continue to initiate good policies and programmes that would promote peace in the area.

    Mr Yusuf Musa Omaki, a former state lawmaker from the area and Mr Saidu Galadima, member representing Toto/Gadabuke state constituency were among stakeholders that preached message of peace at the meeting.

    NAN

  • Ekiti 2018: 27 APC aspirants reject continuation of primary, want fresh exercise

    Twenty seven governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have vowed to resist the plan by the National Secretariat to continue last Saturday’s primary election from where it stopped.

    The shadow poll was aborted by violence unleashed by suspected thugs when voting was underway. The exercise was suspended by the Electoral Committee led by Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, was reported to have said that the primary would continue from where it stopped on Saturday.

    Addressing a news conference on Monday, the aspirants led by former Governor Segun Oni rejected the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) as canvassed by Abdullahi insisting that anything short of conduct of fresh primary won’t stand.

    They called for the constitution of a fresh electoral committee to conduct a fresh primary saying they have lost confidence in the Governor Umaru Al-Makura-led panel which oversaw the botched primary.

    The aspirants said “ballots used for last Saturday’s primary are no longer valid and tenable” having not been counted in the presence of everybody that witnessed the shadow election.

    Present at the parley were Oni, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, Hon Bimbo Daramola, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Debo Ajayi, Dr. Bayo Orire, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Ajayi Olowo, among others.

    The spokesperson of the aspirant, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, said the integrity and credibility of the ballot papers used for the primary could no longer be vouched for hence the need to conduct a fresh primary.

    She said: “The whole world could see how they smashed the ballot boxes and displayed it on swampy ground that day. The ballot papers were not counted and we can’t vouch for its credibility any longer.

    “By this act, the voting process had been violated and we are requesting for a fresh and new primary. We also request for a new committee to conduct the primary, because many of those in the panel are business associate of an aspirant. Some of them are incurably one sided.”

    On the rumour that it was a gang up against Fayemi, Mr. Kola Alabi said: “This is not true, it is a statement that we need transparency, because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands”.

    Adesua said: “The ballot papers used for the Saturday primary are no longer valid, they are no longer tenable because they ought to have been counted at the venue and the result announced at the venue.

    “Nobody knows what has happened to them and in whose custody they are kept. Some of the ballot papers were even destroyed in the violence.”

    Another aspirant, Debo Ajayi corrected the impression that the party is divided; saying their demands for transparent primary should not be misinterpreted to mean a rebellion against the party.

    Oni, also used the forum to condemn the removal of Jide Awe as the state Chairman by a group of party members who installed a caretaker exco after sacking the party secretariat.

    Oni said: “This is a political party and nobody can just wake up and say he wants to remove party leaders without following due process.

    “There are processes spelt out for the removal of a state Chairman and other members of his council. Unfortunately, these people are getting desperate and they continue to get desperate and this will lead us nowhere.

    “We can’t be coerced, intimidated or repressed by anybody, this party belongs to all of us. They should be careful, so that they won’t lead us into chaos.

    “We beg those propelling them, those behind them to take caution in the interest of our party.”

  • Provost appeals to Nasarawa to increase funding for COEA

    Dr Rebecca Umaru, the Provost, College of Education Akwanga ( COEA ), has implored the Nasarawa State Government to increase funding for the institution.

    Umaru made this appeal on Monday when the House of Assembly Committee on Education paid a courtesy visit to the institution for an oversight function.

    The provost, represented by the Deputy Provost Administration, Mohammed Alhassan, said inadequate funding was hampering the smooth running of the college activities.

    Umaru added that all departments in the college had inadequate academic staff, saying,”we have a very big challenge of manpower in all our departments.

    “We also have challenges of promotion arrears, which we were unable to carry out due to insufficient funds,” he added.

    She also said that so many of their retired staff were not included in the pension list and their salaries were stopped immediately they retired from service.

    Read Also: 21 political parties to participate in Nasarawa State LG polls

    Umaru also said that the problem had become more serious now with the introduction of treasury single account in the state.

    She said that for any single thing that required money, the institution had to write to the office of the State’s Accountant-General for approval and release.

    Umaru, however, lauded Gov. Umaru Al-Makura for giving due attention to the college in infrastructure development among others.

    Responding, Daniel Ogazi, the House Committee Chairman on Education, assured the college management that the House would give urgent attention to all their challenges.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa warns fishermen against use of chemicals in fishing

    The Nasarawa State Government has warned fishermen to desist from the use of chemicals in fishing or face the wrath of the law.

    Mr Jameel Zakari, the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, told the newsmen on Thursday in Lafia that the illicit activity of the fishermen was becoming alarming.

    He said that some arrested fishermen were currently facing prosecution, adding that fishing with chemicals action was a criminal act which would attract appropriate sanctions.

    “These fishermen using chemicals are endangering the lives of the people by contaminating water sources with the chemicals, while their action has attendant health hazards.

    “They also put the different fish species at risk of extinction and we are poised to check their excesses,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said that the ministry was collaborating with security agencies, traditional rulers as well as fishermen’s associations to curb the menace.

    He noted that the illicit activity was becoming rampant in many rural communities, especially the riverside neighbourhoods.

    Read Also: Monarch advises youths in Nasarawa State to shun drug abuse

    “It is a security issue which has been going on for some time in parts of the state and since it is our responsibility to protect the people, we have to take some measures to stop the practice,’’ he said.

    Zakari enjoined stakeholders to always report defiant fishermen who still engaged in fishing with chemicals in their communities to the security agencies for appropriate action.

    “Apart from the fishermen, fish merchants should also be warned over the illicit practice since they are the ones buying the fishes and selling them to unsuspecting consumers,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • Police arraign two pregnant women for stealing four plasma Tv sets

    The Police on Thursday arraigned two pregnant women, Mimi Abbas, 21 and Sofia Sulaiman, 25, in a Karu Grade I Area Court in Abuja for stealing four plasma Tv sets.

    Abbas and Sulaiman who reside at Masaka, Nasarawa State, were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on joint-act and theft, offence they denied committing.

    The Prosecutor, Edwin Ochayi, told the court that one Mrs Favour Eyo of Millipat Lodge, Airport Road in Abuja reported the matter at the Wuye Police Station in Abuja on April 14, around 11.30a.m.

    He said that the complainant alleged that on April 13, the accused persons who were guests at the lodge, stole four plasma television, valued at N260, 000.

    “Though one of the televisions was recovered along Airport Road, but the suspects were traced and arrested on April 15 at Masaka and they confessed to have committed the crime,” Ochayi said.

    Read Also: Police rescue kids from ‘kidnapper’

    He added that it was the fifth time, Suleiman, the second accused was committing similar offence.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The Judge, Hassan Ishaq, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one surety in like sum.

    Ishag also ordered that the sureties must write a letter of undertaking that the defendants would not commit further offence. He adjourned the case until May 16 for hearing.

    NAN