The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa

  • Council seeks maximisation of ginger, moringa potential

    THE Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC) has advocated the full utilisation of locally produced ginger (oleoresin) used as a base product in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.

    At a workshop in Lagos on Thursday, with the topic: The utilisation of Locally Produced Ginger Oleoresin by Nigerian Industries, the RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Hussaini Dikko, unveiled a national strategy for Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials especially ginger.

    According to him, the country has the largest area in the world under ginger cultivation and ranks third in production after India and China. This, he said, underscores the need for a strategic plan by government to support producers of raw materials in terms of exploitation and development.

    He said: “Nigeria’s ginger is highly valued in the international market for its high oil and oleoresin content. Although ginger is mostly grown in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Oyo, Imo, Abia, and Lagos states, Southern Kaduna is the main producing area, with over 95 per cent of the country’s total production.

    “This position is supported by the Food & Agriculture Organisation Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) which stated that Nigeria produced 349,895 tons of ginger in 2017 with a world share of 11.5 per cent.”

    Represented by the Director, Technology Development Department, Dr. Abimbola Ogunwusi, he  said sadly, the bulk of ginger produced in the country is exported in slit-dried form. The importing countries further process it into industrial products mainly ginger powder, essential oils, oleoresin and re imported by manufacturers at higher cost.

    While underscoring the need for value addition to commodities within the country, he said statistics from Nigeria Customs Service Database in 2017 suggested that Nigeria spent over N182 million to import 524,991 kilogramme of ginger resinoids from January, 2016- February, 2017.

    He pledged the preparedness of the agency to promote, support and expedite industrial development and self-reliance through optimal utilisation of local raw materials as input to the nation’s industries especially ginger, who’s sector as a high employment opportunity.

    “RMRDC is seeking indigenous manufacturer’s buy-in as it promotes the utilisation of locally produced ginger oleoresin by user industries. Your buy-in will go a long way in developing the ginger value chain, reduce the importation of oleoresin into the country, save foreign exchange, and create job, wealth and diversify the economy,” Dikko said.

  • Three killed as locals, Hausa community clash in Nasarawa

    THREE persons were feared dead yesterday as a result of a crisis that erupted between locals and Hausa community in Panda, Panda Development Area of Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.

    It was gathered that the crisis erupted on Tuesday, when the locals (Yeskwa), were holding their festival.

    A masquerade allegedly whipped a Fulani woman, who was passing by.

    It was also learnt that when the Chief Imam in the area complained about the assault, the masquerade whipped him too.

    Another version of the story indicated that one of the masquerades was stoned by a Hausa boy and the masquerade pursued the boy in retaliation.

    Read also: Nasarawa attacks: NEMA takes headcount of IDPs

    But the strayed stone the masquerades threw allegedly hit the Chief Imam, a situation that raised emotions in the community.

    All efforts by the community’s traditional ruler, the Odion Nyankpa, Dr. Joel Aninge, to douse the tension proved abortive, as angry youths from the locals and Hausa community engaged in a fierce battle that took the lives of three persons.

    The Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, Samuel Akala, confirmed the incident to The Nation.

    “Yes, but I can’t confirm the cause at the moment. I’m waiting for a report from the overseer who is on the ground. This is because there is no network coverage in the area. However, we have mobilised men of Army and police to the area. The situation is under control,” Akala said.

    Police Commissioner in Nasarawa State Bola Longe also confirmed the crisis to in a telephone interview with The Nation.

    But, the police commissioner, who could not confirm the number of casualty, said he was yet to get the full brief from Divisional Police Officer (DPC) in Karu.

  • Tears at mass burial for victims of Nasarawa killings

    It was harvest of tears and anger as victims of the recent Nasarawa killings were laid to rest in Kochum-Numa village of Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State.

    A total of 16 out of the 17 victims of the attack were committed to mother earth after the performance of Christian rites.

    One of the deceased, believed to be a Muslim, was buried according to Islamic rites on Monday, a day after the mass killings.

    The mass burial, which was held around noon after the deceased bodies were moved from the Akwanga General Hospital mortuary to the village for final internment, was a moment of grief for family members, relatives, friends and other sympathisers.

    They wept profusely over the untimely departure of their loved ones.

    No fewer than 17 persons were gruesomely massacred on Sunday night when suspected herdsmen opened fire on them in Kochum-Numa village in Akwanga local government area while they were holding a naming ceremony.

    Nasarawa

    Several others, too, were wounded and are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the state.

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who visited the Chun Mada, His Royal Highness, Samson Gamu Yare, at his palace in Akwanga on Wednesday before he was led to the Akwanga General Hospital where most of the deceased bodies were being kept, sympathised with families of the victims and the entire Mada nation.

    READ ALSO: Man kidnapped on his wedding day in Nasarawa

    He pledged his administration’s commitment to fishing out the perpetrators of the dastardly act within days.

    Al-Makura, who was accompanied by his deputy, Silas Agara, some top government officials and security chiefs, pleaded with the affected people to remain calm while the law enforcement agencies carry out investigations and possible arrest of the culprits.

    Speaking after the burial, the Chun Mada, HRH Gamu Yare, said the Mada nation has put off its annual cultural festival, the Nzeh Mada, billed to be held this week till further notice.

    The monarch also directed his subjects to ensure that all social activities terminate by 6pm until nerves are calm and normalcy restored.

  • Man kidnapped on his wedding day in Nasarawa

    The last two weeks have witnessed serial kidnappings and murder in Nasarawa state, especially in Nasarawa local government, as one Kamilu Dalhatu of Bursery Department of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa was kidnapped alongside three of his friends on his wedding day.

    They were kidnapped on Saturday, 16th March, 2019 on their way to Nasarawa from Udege-Mbeki having attended the wedding ceremony. They were later released after their families paid an undisclosed amount to the abductors as ransom.

    In a related development, Alhaji Jibrin M. Usman, the Managing Director, Nasarawa Micro Finance Bank, also in Nasarawa local government was kidnapped at his Marmara residence on Sunday, 24th March, 2019. He, like others, was released after payment of an undisclosed amount to his abductors.

    A newly wedded man by the name Shuaibu Owuna was reportedly murdered in cold blood by unknown gunmen on his way to Nasarawa from Onda. He was said to have wedded last Saturday, 23rd March, 2019 at Onda, his community.

    Similarly, gunmen on Wednesday attacked vehicles along the busy AkwangaAkwanga-Akwanga-Keffi expressway kidnapping four women in the process.

    Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nasarawa State, Suleiman Abubakar’s wife, Yahanasu Abubakar, was among those kidnapped.

    Suleiman told newsmen that the incident happened around 7:00 p.m. along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

    He further disclosed that negotiations for the release of the women was ongoing as the kidnappers have demanded for N5 million ransom.

  • Gunmen kidnap four women in Nasarawa

    Gunmen on Wednesday attacked vehicles along the busy Akwanga-Akwanga-Keffi expressway kidnapping four women in the process.

    Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nasarawa State, Suleiman Abubakar’s wife, Yahanasu Abubakar, was among those kidnapped.

    Suleiman told newsmen that the incident happened around 7:00 p.m. along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, the gunmen shot at the union bus they were travelling in from Keffi, where his wife had gone to register at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp.

    He said the bus ran into a ditch after it was shot at which gave the gunmen the opportunity to abduct his wife, the wife of a former state assembly member, who was on the bus as well as two other women from another vehicle.

    Meanwhile, ASP Samaila Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said the command had mobilised officers to the area to search and rescue the abducted women.

  • Gunmen kidnap four women in Nasarawa

    Gunmen on Wednesday attacked vehicles along the busy Akwanga-Keffi expressway, kidnapping four women in the process.

    Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nasarawa State, Suleiman Abubakar’s wife, Yahanasu Abubakar, was among those kidnapped.

    Suleiman told newsmen that the incident happened around 7:00pm along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

    READ ALSO: Police arrest kidnapping syndicate, recover AK 47 in Katsina

    According to him, the gunmen shot at the union bus they were travelling in from Keffi, where his wife had gone to register at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.

    He said the bus ran into a ditch after it was shot at which gave the gunmen the opportunity to abduct his wife, the wife of a former Assembly member, who was also on the bus as well as two other women from another vehicle.

    ASP Samaila Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said the command had mobilised officers to the area to search and rescue the abducted women.

  • Why revenue from mining is low, by NIMG DG

    Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Prof. Suleiman Hassan, on Monday attributed the low revenue from the mining sector to use of obsolete equipment by artisanal miners operating in the industry.

    Hassan stated that this has prevented the Federal Government from getting the revenue that is expected from the mining sector.

    He stated this on the sidelines of an ongoing seven – day training on human capital development for employees of NIMG in conjunction with Geocardinal Engineering Services Limited in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

    Hassan said the government had started to train artisanal miners in order to grow its revenue from the sector.

    According to the DG, artisanal miners run widespread operations in the sector but their returns to the government have been minimal.

    On whether the government was making the required revenue from the industry considering the widespread operations of artisanal miners, Hassan said: “The government is not be making enough revenue now because the equipment they (artisanal miners) use are not the ones that can give us the best in mining activities.

    “This is because after you mine the resources, you still have to put value to the minerals and to do this you need to use some of the sophisticated equipment in the sector.

    “So until our miners have access to some of the equipment that will enable them to take the minerals from the earth, process and put value to them and get quality price in the market, the revenue may not come as required.

    “So right now the government may not be getting as much as is expected because the minerals are not sold in their final qualities that should bring in more money.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt to boost gold mining in Osun, others

    “This is why the ministry is making frantic effort to ensure that some of these miners are equipped with latest equipment to transform their raw materials into finished goods.”

    Hassan stated that it was not right to call artisanal miners illegal miners because the government knows most of them and have their records

    He said: “We don’t call them illegal miners rather they are called artisanal miners because the government is aware that these people are at most of the mining sites.

    “However, because of the crude method they use to get some of these mineral resources, people call them illegal miners. But we call them artisanal miners.

    “My ministry is trying as much as possible to train them and expose them to the equipment that will make them move away from the crude method of mining that exposes them to dangers posed by such activities.”

    Hassan further stated their activities were coordinated by the government, adding these activities were tailored in such a way that the miners had set up a body and that most of the known mining sites that they mine from were on the government’s records.

  • Suspected herdsmen sack 2 communities, raze 27 houses in Nasarawa

    Suspected herdsmen have sacked Merte and Nendem villages in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa state following a dispute with some youths in the area.

    ASP Samaila Usman, spokesman of the Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lafia.

    According to Usman, trouble began on March 23, when a suspected herdsman allegedly assaulted and raped a lady in the area, who later died at the General Hospital Akwanga.

    “Suspected Mada youths mobilised and attacked a Fulani settlement in the area, killed one person and some animals in the process.

    READ ALSO: Suspected herdsmen ‘kill’ council secretary

    “Later, some suspected Fulanis, in a reprisal attack, touched Merte and Nendem villages burning 27 houses,” Usman said.

    He said that apart from the lady and the Fulani that was killed, no further lives were lost to the skirmishes.

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, had deployed a detachment of officers to the area to forestall escalation of the situation.

    Usman also said the police was working hard to ensure amicable resolution of the problem by summoning a stakeholders’ meeting for dialogue.

    He appealed to the people to desist from taking laws into their hands and to give peace a chance. (NAN)

  • Police arrest two over kidnap of five-year-old in Warri

    The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in the kidnap of a five-year-old girl.

    The Suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’ 30yrs and his mother, Mrs Jummai Salihu 62yrs old, both of Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    Abubakar who is said to be well-known to the family of the victim kidnapped the girl under the pretext of helping her to cross the road.

    The girl, Aisha Ibrahim was kidnapped on 16th March 2019 at Ibudu 1 Area of Warri, Delta State.

    Abubakar abducted her and took her from Warri to Lafia, Nasarawa State where he kept her with his mother while he contacted the parents of the victim for ransom.

    Details of how the arrest was made is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba.

    It reads: “On receipt of the information, Police detectives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, acting on the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu swung into action which led to the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victim.

    “The two suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’ 30yrs and his mother, Mrs Jummai Salihu 62yrs old, both of Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Abdullahi Abubakar the principal suspect, who is well-known to the family of the victim, under the pretext of helping the victim to cross the road, abducted her and took her from Warri, Delta State to Lafia, Nasarawa State where he kept her with his mother (second suspect) while he contacted the parents of the victim for ransom.”

    The Police said the suspects have made useful statements to the Police on the roles they played in the kidnap adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects, particularly one Inusah Ibrahim ‘m’ 58yrs of No.7 UCC Road, Hausa Quarters, Warri, Delta State, connected to the crime.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has observed that parents and guardians should be aware that most criminal harms done to children, including child stealing, child trafficking, rape, defilement, abduction, and kidnap are usually carried out by persons they are familiar with.

    He advised Parents and Guardians to pay close attention to their children and wards especially on their movements to and fro school in order to prevent any untoward situation that might endanger or bring the children to harm’s way.

  • APC wins Eggon-East, PDP Panda/Gitata in Nasarawa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the winners of the re-run elections in Nassarawa-Eggon East and Panda/Gitata state constituencies.

    The re-run was ordered by INEC following the inconclusive elections in the two constituencies during the March 9th,  House of Assembly election.

    Dr Adofu Illemona, Returning Officer (RO) of Eggon East, declared Muluku Aga of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.

    Aga of APC got 11, 960 to defeat his closest rival, Kasimu Bakyono of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who got 9, 867 votes.

    Professor Dauda Ena of Federal University Lafia, the returning officer for Panda/Gitata declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election in the constituency.

    According to him, David Maiyaki of the PDP got 16, 361 votes, while the runner-up, Hashimu Gurku of  the APC polled 10, 622 votes.