The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa

  • Man docked for palm oil fraud, granted bail

    A businessman, Ebere Okorie, is standing trial in a Mararaba Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State, over alleged N500,ooo palm oil fraud, but was granted N100, 000 bail.

    The judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, ordered the defendant, who denied committing the offence to produce a surety in like sum.

    ‎Shekarau also ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case till April 26 for hearing.

    Okorie, who resides at No. 1, Building Materials Market, Mararaba , Nasarawa State, is facing a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Hamen Donald, told the court that one Mrs Ebogbue Udoka of One Man Village ,Mararaba, reported the matter at A Police Division, Mararaba on Aug. 19, 2016 at about 4: p.m.

    Donald said that the complainant, who is also a businesswoman, alleged that the accused went contrary to the agreement they reached and duped her of N500, 000.

    “The complainant said that the accused deceitfully collected N500, 000 from her, that he was going to supply her palm oil.

    “The accused further promised the complainant that after supplying the goods, he would assist her in selling the said goods, in which he did, but converted the money for his own personal use.

    “Meanwhile, he gave a fake address to the complainant and absconded to unknown destination, until he was seen and arrested,” Donald said.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Nasarawa NLC decries salaries delay, lack of promotion

    Nasarawa NLC decries salaries delay, lack of promotion

    The Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decried the “unnecessary delays” in the payment of salaries to civil servants in the state.

    The NLC also expressed disgust that no worker had been promoted “in the last six years”.

    Mr Abdullahi Adeka, NLC Chairman in the state, voiced the workers’ concerns at the 4th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of Nasarawa State Chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), in Lafia.

    The NLC Chairman, who was represented by Yusuf Sarki-Iya, the Treasurer, said that such delays had subjected workers to lots of hardship.

    “The situation is appalling; government will just deliberately delay salaries for up to four months before they pay for one month.

    “Another issue of concern is that no worker in Nasarawa State has been promoted in the last six years.

    “Also, no worker has been given annual increment and there has been no attention to staff development in terms of training, in the last six years,” he added.

    He said that government was killing the civil service by categorising it into two – senior and junior civil servants – and explained that stagnation had stalled carrier progression, created a vacuum and wiped out the middle cadre.

    Adeka regretted that outstanding salaries, pensions and gratuities had not been paid in spite of the Paris Club Refund that came with a categorical instruction that the payments be effected.

    “Government recently released N300 million for the payment of gratuity of some retirees, but the money is grossly insufficient and certainly not up to half of the Paris Club Refund,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Gabriel Agbashi of the Trade Union Congress, rejected suggestions that Nasarawa was poor and lacked sufficient money to meet its obligations.

    “The only problem in Nasarawa State is that government does not consider workers’ welfare as its priority. We work in this state and have all records on how much is in the coffers of the state,” he said.

    He urged government to pay salaries promptly and also promote civil servants to avoid stagnation that had lowered morale.

  • Meningitis: Expert calls for effective response strategies

    “The committee should be responsible for reviewing the antibiotic vulnerability of Neisseria meningitis serotypes in the country.

    “Such committee can then use current trend and data on antibiotic resistance to formulate appropriate prophylaxis and treatment by state, zones or the country as a whole,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that there has been an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across 16 states of the country since November 2016, of which a new strain of the disease called “stereotype C’’ had emerged.

    As at April 3, there were 2,524 suspected cases with 336 deaths recorded in 90 local government areas in the affected states.

    The states included Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa , Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

    Meningitis outbreaks peak in the dry season in certain states in the Northern region due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually end as the rainy season approaches.

    The bacteria that cause it can be spread through exchange of saliva, which can occur during common activities such as kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

    The risk factors for meningitis also include living in close quarters such as dormitories, sneezing and coughing as well as smoking or being exposed to smoke.

    Also, particular lifestyle such as staying out late or irregular sleeping habits could put people at greater risk for meningitis, by weakening their immune system.

    Some common symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, headaches and vomiting.

    According to the WHO, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment begins, five per cent to 10 per cent of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

    Vaccination against the three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis still remains one of the most effective ways to be protected against certain types of bacterial meningitis, alongside avoiding the risk factors.

     

  • Nasarawa unaware of Dogo’s resignation

    Nasarawa unaware of Dogo’s resignation

    Uncertainty surrounds Nasarawa United technical adviser, Kabiru Dogo’s purported resignation following his side’s 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars in a match day 9 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday.

    Nasarawa United took the lead in the 53rd minute through Suraj Ayeleso before Sunday Oluwadare got an equaliser for the visitors.

    In a telephone chat with SportingLife, the club’s chairman Isaac Danladi denied any knowledge of Dogo’s resignation.

    “We just finished our game against Sunshine Stars and I am not aware of the resignation story. I have to get in touch with him to confirm it. He is still our coach and nobody put pressure on him to do so,” Danladi said.

    Also, the Team Manager Solomon Babanja said the club is not aware of their coach’s resignation.

    “Officially, he is still our coach,” Babanja told SportingLife. “I also read on social media that he has resigned but I am trying to get in touch with him but he has switched off his mobile phone. After our game against Sunshine Stars he did not say anything about resignation to management and we cannot confirm speculation based on social media report.”

  • 10 communities appeal to Nasarawa Govt. for power supply

     Ten communities in Lafia North Development Area of Nasarawa State on Friday appealed to the government to provide them with electricity to boost their socio-economic activities.

    Mr Agule Christopher, the Spokesman for the communities, made the appeal when members of the communities paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Ibrahim Alkali, a member representing Lafia North Constituency at the State House of Assembly.

    Christopher listed the 10 communities to include Ashige, Ashangwa,Zagyo, Sabon Gidan, kirife, Gidan mai Akuya, Agyaragu Kwaro,Kurmin gogo,Yelwa and Kantsakuwa.

    He said that the provision of electricity would discourage rural-urban migration, reduce crime and improve the standard of living of the people.

    “We are here to express our happiness to you for equal and quality representation at the state house of assembly.

    “And we will continue to be loyal and supportive to you and the State Government to enable you succeed.

    “We also appeal to you look in to our problem, especially to step down electricity from Adogi community to our communities in order to reduce our suffering and better our standard of living.

    “The importance of provision of infrastructural facilities like electricity in any community cannot be over-emphasised, apart from bringing speedy development, it reduces youth restiveness and poverty.

    “Also the provision of power supply will also reduce crime, discourages rural-urban migration as well as improve standard of living of the people,’’ he said.

    Christopher said the absence of electricity in their communities had hindered socio-economic growth and standard of living.

    He said the commitments of the communities to continue to support the state government policies and programmes in order to enjoy dividend of democracy for the overall development.

    Earlier, Alkali (PDP, Lafia North) and the Minority Leader of the House, assured the communities that he would channel their complaints to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

    “I will continue to embark on projects and programmes that have direct bearing on your lives and the people of the state’’, he said.

    He urged members of the communities to continue to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and to live in peace irrespective of their ethnic, religion and political affiliation.

  • FG distributes relief materials to IDPs in Nasarawa

    The Federal Government on Friday distributed relief materials worth three million naira to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nasarawa State.

    At the distribution exercise in Lafia, Hajiya Sadiya Faruck, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, said the gesture was to reduce the hardship of the IDPs.

    The commissioner, who was represented on the occasion by Bello Mohammed, the Assistant Director, Field Operations, called for proper utilisation of the items.

    She explained that the IDPs were indigenes of Taraba State, who were displaced as a result of the sectional crisis that had affected the state since 2013.

    “The gesture is the Federal Government’s response to mitigate the suffering of the IDPs. The government is giving similar support to IDPs in all the states affected by the crisis.

    The commissioner listed the items distributed to include: grains, clothings, shoes, drugs and educational materials.

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of the state, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the support.

    Al-Makura, who was represented by Mohammed Abdullahi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), assured that the State Government would ensure judicious utilisation of the items.

    Two of the beneficiaries, Salisu Ibrahim and Hazatu Aminu, expressed gratitude to the commission for the gesture, which they said had put smiles on their faces.

  • Nasarawa: LG boss suspends youths` activities over leadership tussle

    The Overseer, Agwada Development Area in Nasarawa state, Mr Adamu Kasimu-Danlami, has suspended  All Progressives Congress youths forum`s activities in the area over leadership tussle in the interest of peace.

    Kasimu-Danlami gave the directive on Wednesday when some members of the forum paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Agwada, Agwada Development Area of the state.

    He urged the youths of the area to continue to be law-abiding, respect constituted authorities, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved in any society without peace.

    Kasimu-Danlami expressed sadness over the attitude of some members of the forum, who desired to become leaders at all cost, thereby causing division among the youths.

    “I will not fold my hands and watch some youths trying to instigate crisis in the council in the name of leadership because no meaningful progress could be achieved in any society in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.”

    He urged youths to embrace education and skills acquisition programmes in order to be self-reliant and to contribute their quota to national development.

    He added that education is the bed rock of every society, hence the need for the youth to acquire both western and religion education.

    The council boss, who opined that knowledge is power, noted that when one is well informed he/she can go to places; even beyond the borders of his or her local milieu.

    “Without the contribution of youths, no nation, society could experience meaningful progress and development this is because youths are the pillar, foundation, backbone, agents of change and vanguard of peace of any nation.’’

    According to him, good education prepares one to impact positively on the society.

    ‘‘It prepares the mind of the youth for the leadership of their communities as no country can really develop unless its youths and citizens are educated,’’ he said.

    He called on the people of the state to support Gov. Tanko Al-Makura and Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari to enable their administrations succeed.

    The overseer reinstated his commitment to continue to key into positive policies and programmes that would have positive impact on the citizenry.

  • Al-Makura appoints new SSG, HoS

    Al-Makura appoints new SSG, HoS

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura has approved the appointment of Mr Mohammed Abdullahi as the new Secretary to Nasarawa State Government [SSG].

    A statement by the outgoing SSG, Mr Umaru Azores issued in Lafia on Wednesday also named as the new Head of the state Civil Service.

    It said that the new SSG had served as the Attorney General of the state during the tenure of former governor Abdullahi Adamu.

    The statement further said that Ari-Ogiri, was until his appointment, the Permanent Secretary in charge of General Administration in the office of the SSG.

    “With these two key appointments, the engine room of the state’s public service has been infused with new blood to face the challenges ahead,” it added.

  • Medical Centre probes alleged theft of patient’s kidney in Nasarawa

    Medical Centre probes alleged theft of patient’s kidney in Nasarawa

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has called for an independent professional investigation to unravel the truth behind allegation of stolen kidney at the hospital.

    The Medical Director of the centre, Dr Giyan Joshua-Ndom, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Keffi.

    Joshua-Ndom said the proposed inquiry would ascertain the truth behind an allegation by a patient that his kidney was removed at the centre by a consultant.

    “It is better for an independent professional qualified arbiter to look in to the matter of alleged kidney removal so that the patient can properly be educated since, as it is now, he has lost confidence in the centre,’’ he said.

    NAN recalls that there is ongoing report on the social media and some radio stations that one Mohammed Barau alleging that one of his kidneys was removed during an operation in FMC, Keffi.

    “One of the ridiculous allegations by a former patient is that one of his kidneys was removed by a doctor in my centre during his abdomen operation.

    “I therefore do not speak in defence of any one, but as the accounting officer of the centre.

    “Having investigated the issue thoroughly, I am in a position to give you adequate information that guided us aright that the said patient came here in 2010, critically ill and the doctors battled to save his life.

    “They removed pussy tumour on the left side of his abdomen that was suspected to be cancer but tests failed to confirm that. He was nursed and discharged about a month.

    “He returned six years later for treatment of another ailment, at which time his left kidney was discovered to be missing as adequate analysis and information at this stage was the needful as one of the kidney drivers of patient satisfaction which he did not get.

    “Without proper education, he jumped in to the conclusion that his kidney has been stolen. Histopathology report would have helped identify what was removed but the report showed that it was rotten beyond reasonable analysis,” he said.

    According to him, “the patient also claimed that an unknown number called offering him N10 million to drop the matter, this beats logic and common sense.

    “In contentious cases like this, it would be better for an independent professionally qualified arbiter to look in to the matter so that the patient can properly be educated since, as it is now he has lost confidence in us”.

    Joshua-Ndom urged journalists and members of the public to always confirm information, especially about the centre with the management, before reporting in the interest of peace and national development.

    The medical director restated the commitment of the management of the centre to continue to key in to policies and programmes that have direct bearing on patients and the lives of the staff. (NAN)

  • Gunmen kill Chinese miner, three others

    Gunmen on Monday ambushed and killed four workers of a mining company, including a Chinese at Alongani village in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the killing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lafia on Tuesday.

    Idirisu said the victims were returning from their mining site in a company truck at about 4p.m. when the assailants shot them from different directions.

    Idirisu said a Chinese, a police escort and two others were killed during the ambush while another Chinese survived with bullet wound and was being treated in a hospital.

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello had deployed officers to the area to work in collaboration with other security agencies as well as the vigilantes to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

    According to Idirisu, the commissioner of police had visited the Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area and the mining company.

    The commissioner called on the people of the state to encourage foreigners willing to do business in the state rather than attacking them.

    He reiterated the commitment of the police to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and assured that the command would not relent in its effort to rid the state of crime and criminality. (NAN)