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Tag: Nasarawa State

  • Monarch advises youths in Nasarawa State to shun drug abuse

    A traditional ruler in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Mahmood Umar, has advised youths to shun drug abuse and other social vices due to their negative effects on the society.

    Umar, who is the Sangarin Shabu, Nasarawa State, gave the advice in Lafia on Wednesday during a sensitization campaign against drug abuse among youths organized by Shabu Youths Movement in Nasarawa State.

    The traditional ruler, who was represented by Madaki Shabu, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu, said that drug abuse and other social vices had affected education of many Nigerian youths and the society negatively.

    Umar called for stringent laws on drug abuse to check the menace.

    “Drug abuse is taking a drug not prescribed by experts. Youths, women and other Nigerians must shun drug abuse,’’ he said.

    Umar expressed concern that the trend was taking a dangerous dimension, noting that there should be a collective fight to nip drug abuse in the bud.

    The traditional ruler advised government and other relevant stakeholders to come up with laws that would deal decisively with drug dealers and the victims.

    He commended the association for organizing the sensitization campaign, saying that the campaign would go a long way in educating youths about the dangers of drug abuse.

    Umar also advised indigenes and other Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

    Mrs Ikwu Uno, the Principal Officer, Drugs Reduction Unit of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasarawa State Command, also advised youths to shun drug abuse.

    She called on relevant stakeholders to join the fight against drug abuse and other social vices.

    Earlier, Mr Musa Ali, the President, Shabu Youths Movement, Nasarawa State, had said that the association decided to organize the programs to educate youths about the dangers of drug abuse and its effects on the society.

    He said that the association would continue to organize programs that would have direct bearing on lives of youths and Nigerians at large.

    Ali called for collective efforts of Nigerians to tackle drug abuse and other social vices.

    NAN

     

  • Nasarawa bans street trading, hawking along Karu-Abuja expressway

    The Task Force charged with relocating traders to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu, in Nasarawa State, has banned trading and hawking along the Keffi-Karu-Abuja expressway.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Chairman of the Task Force, announced this on Monday in Karu, during a meeting with officials of the Traders and Marketers Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    Buba, also a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Umaru Almakura, urged traders to move to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market in Karu, to boost sales and improve the state’s revenue base.

    “Traders must avoid street trading and hawking; they must move to the market to acquire spaces that will be allocated to them at no cost, on temporary basis.

    “When traders move into the market, traffic congestion will be reduced along the Karu-Abuja expressway,” he said.

    He warned that defaulters would face the full wrath of the law, and advised the traders to take advantage of the market to improve their business, fight poverty and end unemployment.

    Buba said that the ban would take full effect on May 1.

    He also warned commercial drivers against parking indiscriminately, saying that anyone caught would be penalised.

    Alhaji Shammasu Dantsoho, Chairman, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, in a speech at the meeting, promised to cooperate with the committee to ensure sanity in the market area.

    He also assured the committee that his union would educate and enlighten its members on government policies and the need to support them.

    NAN

  • Maku urges politicians to desist from politics of violence

    Labaran Maku, National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), has called on politicians to desist from politics of violence and give peace a chance in the country.

    Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call on Saturday in Lafia during his visit to communities in Lafia North to commission his billboards as an aspirant for Nasarawa State governorship election 2019.

    According to him, politicians are largely responsible for the crisis in the country was facing due to their selfish ambitions.

    Read Also: Al-Makura assures corps members of safety in Nasarawa

    He said that most of politicians who do not stand the chance of winning election often times cause crisis by using thugs and mercenaries to attack persons they perceive as opposing them.

    Maku urged the electorate to be vigilant and to avoid “bad politicians” who promote violence instead of focusing on issues of development.

    He said if elected as the next Governor of Nasarawa, he would ensure that farmers and grazers live peacefully. Maku called on the federal government to deploy more military personnel to crisis areas to check attacks.

    The former minister inaugurated ten billboards in different communities in Lafia.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa killings: Monarch, CAN sue for peace, warn against attacks

    The Andoma of Doma in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, has called for peace among farmers and herdsmen for the socio-economic development of the state and the country.

    Ogah made the call on Thursday at his palace in Doma during a peace talk with the officials of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ), Doma chapter.

    He said that peaceful co-existence among communities would also boost food production in the state.

    “When farmers and herdsmen co-exist peacefully, the situation will enhance food security and the socio-economic well being of the people in particular and the economic development of the state.

    “Peace is priceless and non-negotiable, that is why, I want to sue for peace among my people, especially among farmers and herdsmen so that both of them will enjoy the fruits of their labour.

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

    “As no society will develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion,” he said.

    The Andoma of Doma, who lamented the crisis in some parts of the state, advised communities against reprisal attacks.

    He urged his subjects to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live in peace irrespective of their differences.

    Read Also: Herdsmen kill seven IDPs in Nasarawa attack

    Rev.Joseph Anzaku, the Chairman of CAN in the area, said that the visit was aimed at partnering with the Emirate Council in order to promote peace among the people of the area and in the state.

    Anzaku advised communities affected by the recent mayhem against reprisal attacks, saying that no religion preached violence but all religions preached peace and unity.

    He assured the Monarch that he would continue to advocate for peaceful co-existence among religious groups in the area for sustainable development.

    The newsmen reports that areas in Nasarawa Southern Senatorial district such as Keana, Obi, Awe and Doka in Doma local government area of the state had recently faced attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    NAN

  • 7 IDPs killed in Nasarawa State

    Mr Peter Ahemba, President of the Tiv Youth Organisation in Nasarawa State, said seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed at Ihukan village in Awe Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen.

    Ahemba told our reporters on Wednesday in Lafia that the seven farmers were displaced by the recent attacks in the state.

    He said they had sneaked in to their deserted village to pick some food stuff when they were ambushed and killed on Tuesday.

    Ahemba, who lamented the unfortunate incident, called on the Tiv people to remain calm as the matter had been reported to the appropriate authorities.

    “We the indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa State have no other place to run to and that is why we continuously count on our Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, for solution to this carnage.

    “We appreciate the efforts the state government and other stakeholders have made toward the restoration of peace to our communities, but we will continue cry to the authorities until a lasting solution is found,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, told ourthat the command had yet to get report on the attack.

  • 20 killed as Kogi communal clash spills over to Nasarawa

    Over 20 people have been feared killed in Ugya, Toto local government area of Nasarawa state in a  communal clash that erupted on Tuesday between the Ebira and Bassa ethnic groups.

    A member of the vigilante group in the area, Yahaya Toto, said the Bassa people were seen moving out of Ugya village in large numbers on Monday without disclosing the impending attack to their Ebira neighbours.

    He said: “On seeing that Bassa people were leaving the town, some of our people started to move out in panic but prevailed on them not to because no reason was offered by the Bassa people to warrant them deserting their ancestral home”.

    Another vigilante leader in the area who craved anonymity alleged that the Bassa people had engaged the services of mercenaries who attacked the Ebira people in the early hours of Tuesday killing many and burning down houses.

    He said the mercenaries, clad in red, stormed the rural town on over 50 motorcycles and started shooting sporadically forcing residents to flee to the bush, who were still chased after and hacked to death.

    “As soon as soldiers arrived the town, the mercenaries deserted the town although one has been captured.” He added.

    DSP Kennedy Idirisu, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) told The Nation in Lafia that the skirmish was a spill-over of the attacks in Kogi.

    “We received information about the crisis this morning and our findings revealed that the situation is a spillover from the crisis in Kogi state over the weekend,” he said.

    Idirisu said although the Police could not ascertain any casualty figures at the moment, the state command was doing its best to contain the situation and avert bloodletting.

    He said the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Bello had directed the deployment of officer from the New Karu and Keffi area commands to reinforce the personnel already on ground in the area.

    He called on the people of the area to refrain from taking laws into their hands and seek redress over grievances through constituted authority.

    Meanwhile, the PPRO Kogi state command, ASP William Ovye told The Nation on phone that the attack in Bassa local government of Kogi state on Sundayled to the death 7 persons with so many houses burnt.

     

  • Al-Makura assures corps members of safety in Nasarawa

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has assured the NYSC members posted to the state of their safety, while serving in the state.

    The governor gave the assurance during the swearing in ceremony of 2018 Batch A, Stream One, corps members posted to the state at the Dan Yamusa Orientation camp in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

    Recent clashes between farmers and herdsmen had led to some deaths in some parts of the state.

    Al-Makura, represented by Engr. Mohammed Wada, Commissioner of Works, Transport and Housing, said despite the recent clashes, adequate efforts had been put in place to protect lives and property, including those of corps members deployed to the state.

    He urged the corps members not to panic, but carry out their national duty with vigour and patriotism, while enjoying the hospitality of their host communities.

    “Let me use the liberty of this occasion to reiterate and assure you that Nasarawa State is safe, peaceful and hospitable.

    “It is pertinent to admit that the state, in the recent past, had to contend with the spillover of clashes between herdsmen and farmers resulting from anti-grazing law enacted by a neighbouring state.

    “Despite that, government and security agencies in the state have designed strategies to ensure lives and properties are well protected. So I assure you that your safety in the state is guaranteed,” he said.

    The governor also urged the corps members to participate fully in all camp activities so as to be acquainted with the culture, values, occupation and traditions of the people of the state.

    “The three weeks exercise will also provide the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological condition for the challenges of the service year ahead,” he added.

    Also speaking, Hajia Zainab Isah, Coordinator of the scheme in the state, said 2175 corps members were duly registered for the 2018 Batch A exercise, comprising of 1075 females and 1100 males.

    She revealed that some of the activities lined up for the three-week orientation exercise includes paramiltary drills; citizenship and leadership training; physical training; lectures; skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development training; among others.

    “I am glad to inform your excellency that since the commencement of the orientation course, we have not recorded any problem in the area of health or any act of indiscipline,” she said.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa to establish plastic recycling plant

    Nasarawa State is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish a plastic recycling plant in the Karu LGA.

    The state Gov. Umaru Al-Makura made the disclosure on Wednesday while inspecting projects embarked on by his administration in the local government area.

    He said that the plant would help to reduce littering of plastics and polythene materials in major urban centres in the state.

    “This plant is going to be very useful because the plastic wastes heaped at the various dumpsites will be sorted out and converted into relevant materials.

    “The remaining waste from the recycling would become more environment-friendly and can be used as organic fertiliser and to generate electricity, among other uses,” he said.

    Al-Makura said that the state government had put in place a robust waste management structure for effective waste collection and evacuation across all urban centres in the state.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service will generate N15b in 2018

    The newsmen reports that the Nasarawa Urban Development Board ( NUDB ) had introduced refuse disposal bags to be sold to households to facilitate effective refuse collection and disposal.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Al-Makura’s Senior Special Adviser on Development Control, said at the event that the refuse bags would be sold for N50 each.

    He said that private individuals could venture into the business.

    “However, the board will regulate the process to ensure that the bags are not sold above the approved price,” Buba said.

    NAN

  • INEC swears in seven new RECs

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has sworn in seven new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) bringing the total number of serving RECs in the commission to 33.

    Performing the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the new RECs would contribute to the commission’s determination to make 2019 general elections the best in the country.

    He said “with the track records of service in the academia, public service and private sector, it is gratifying to note that the new RECs made positive contributions to the society in various ways.

    “I am equally delighted to note that some of you have managed elections at national level as RECs.

    “I am confident that you will bring to bear on your new assignments, the experience of the recent past that will contribute to our determination to make the 2019 general elections our best elections in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu advised the new commissioners to maintain openness and consultations, as well as be firm and courageous in carrying out their new assignments.

    The chairman disclosed that in addition to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the commission would be conducting four bye-elections this year to fill vacancies.

    These, according to him, include Takum state constituency in Taraba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in c, Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Kastina North Senatorial District in Kastina State.

    The INEC boss reassured newly registered voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) of getting their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) before the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “we have consistently reassured the public that for those who registered in 2017, their PVCs would be available for collection in the first week of May 2018.

    “Those who registered in the first quarter of this year, that is between January and March, as well as those who are registering right now in the second quarter of this year, would collect their cards thereafter.”

    Yakubu also reassured the public and those who applied for replacement of their PVCs that their cards would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Wanted: An ‘independent’ INEC

    “For those who registered in Ekiti and Osun in 2017 and 2018, priority attention was given to the production of their PVCs, such that all the cards would be available ahead of the July 14 and Sept. 22 governorship elections,’’ he said.

    Responding on behalf of the new RECs, Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Ekiti State, pledged the new commissioner’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    He said “by the grace of God, we shall finish well.”

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Yakubu, saying “with your style of leadership, we would
    not be surprised if 2019 elections turned out to be the best elections in the country.”

    The new RECs are: Mr Baba Yusuf and Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Borno and Ekiti states for second term.

    Others are Dr Uthman Ajidagba, Kwara;  Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State; Dr Emmanuel Hart, Rivers; Mohammed Ibrahim, Gombe and Dr Cyril Omorogbe, Edo.

    NAN

  • Former senator raises alarm over kidnap, assassination threat

    The immediate past senator who represented the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging that there is a plan to employ the services of kidnappers and militants to kidnap him or get him eliminated over political matters.

    In the petition, Otu alleged that information at his disposal was that some Niger Delta militants, and assassins from Nasarawa State, were those contacted to execute the deadly plot against him.

    Otu asked the IG to investigate the allegation, and ensure that he is given the necessary protection so as not to be harmed or killed by those allegedly planning to eliminate him over politics.

    The petition sent through Otu’s counsel, Utum Eteng, dated, titled, ‘Threats to the Life of Senator Prince Bassey E. Otu from Militants and Kidnappers from the Niger Delta and Paid Assassins from Nasarawa State’, read, “We write to you as Solicitors to Senator (Prince) Bassey E. Otu former Senator representing the people of the southern senatorial district of the Cross River State in the 7th senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011-2015).

    “We are writing the petition to you on his behalf to promptly raise an alarm with a view to investigate and intervene in the circumstances. 

    “Sir, though our client suspects no one particular person, he has ears to the ground and has strong suspicion, where such wicked plans may be coming from. In the circumstances, our client may wish to appeal to you to employ the privilege of your office to investigate and possibly protect him from any form of harm.

    “We also pray you heed our plea and in time too as a stitch in time saves nine,” the petition read.

    The petition stated further that on March 23, this year, after attending a business meeting in Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Otu was accosted by a young man who allegedly gave him the information about the plot.

    “He then inrmed our client of an on-going plan to kidnap and keep for as long as the sponsors who promised to pay N40 million for the assignment may wish. Before now the man sounded a caveat that Julius Ceaser was murdered in the Capital because he refused to listen to the warning of a Roman citizen about an impending plan against him, dismissing him as commoner.

    “He also reminded our client of a similar plan against him in 2010 which was hatched in Rivers State but aborted by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, who reported the incident to the Cross River State Police, consequent upon which some elements were invited by the Police in Calabar. This aspect of his narrative is real. Our client was then informed that some political elements from his senatorial district are worried about his renewed interest in the senate , and have therefore contacted a group of militants in the Niger Delta to kidnap him with a view to keeping him for as long as possible even when a ransom is paid. If this fails , the alternative plan, our client was told, a group of hired assassins has been contacted in Nasarawa State to kidnap and do away with him for a fee of N5 million”, the petition stated.  

    He stated that after reeling out the plan, the young man, who claimed to have come from Calabar South Local Government Area, warned him to take the information seriously.