The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger Republic

  • Kano, Niger Republic sign MoU on twin colleges

    kano State government and Niger Republic have signed agreement that would recommit them to ensuring full implementation of Niger-Kano Bilingual Collage established in Niamey.

    A technical committee comprising representatives of the state and country met at Niamey where they came up with document that would see the institution succeed.

    Niger-Kano Bilingual Collage was established in 2013 to strengthen mutual relationships between the people of Kano and Niger.

    Signing the agreement on behalf of the Kano State government, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof Hafiz Abubakar said the agreement stressed the responsibilities of the two governments as well as measures to adopt in improving the institution.

    Hafiz, who is also the state deputy governor, explained that based on the agreement, Kano State takes responsibilitiy for constructing students hostel and staff quarters, while Niger Republic puts up classes, libraries and computer centers.

    Hafiz added that the state would provide the remaining 120 beds and mattress to fully equip the hostels, pointing out that the Governing Council has equally approved procedures to mobilise the contractors.

    “With these components, Kano State government has completed its own share of construction as expected at Bilingual Collage in Niamey,” he said.

    On the construction of Girls Bilingual Collage in Zinder, Hafiz said the responsibility lies on the government which he described as a demonstration of Ganduje administration to respect the agreement.

    In his remarks, Niger Republic Minister for Secondary Education Mohammed Sani Abdulrahman, said the establishment of the male and female institutions is the appropriate way for training youths to address the linguistics barriers between the regions.

    “The peaceful cooperation between Niger and Kano State on secondary education is in line with our dream, vision and aspirations to promote mutual relationships that had existed for long period,” he said.

    He praised the two governments for the commitment they exhibited through provision of conducive learning environment in the institution..

    Earlier, the Governor of Niamey Hamidu Garba Moumoduhad said:

    “The students will at the end of the day posses two nationalities-Niger and Nigeria and that is the right way for integration between the two nations,” he stressed.

     

  • Katsina United off to Niger Republic

    Promoted Katsina United are to leave this week to neigbouring Niger Republic for pre-season training .

    Katsina United opted for Niger for full concentration, officials said.

    Coach Bala Nikyu said: “We started late and so we need to put the boys in the right frame of mind and for them to be physically fit ahead of the new season.

    “We have recruited some experienced players from Warri Wolves, Kwara United and FC IfeanyiUbah ahead of the new season.

    “No club should be underrated knowing fully well that the league is better now as you can pick points anywhere, that’s why your team needs to recruit formidable players who can fight at any time.”

  • NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it arrested 21 suspected drug traffickers at the Seme border in the last six months.

    It said it seized 28.572million CFA and N7.5million from them.

    The suspects, it said, include eight females and 13 males, three of whom are foreigners – a Ghanaian and two Niger Republic citizens.

    Eight suspects have been tried at the Federal High Court and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, NDLEA said.

    Its Seme Commander, Mr. Odotong Essien, said the agency seized 1,457.867 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, weighing 1.457 tonnes, valued at over N100million.

    Essien, who briefed newsmen at the Command’s headquarters at Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos State on the agency’s activities in the last six months, said NDLEA has adopted new strategies in its war against illicit drug traffickers.

    No fewer than 13 drug dependent persons were counseled during a public enlightenment programs on the dangers of abuse and trafficking, Essien said.

    “We have modified some of our strategies by blocking the waterways in partnership with the marine unit of the Nigeria Customs Service and the marine police, as well as many track routes, which has paid off tremendously.

    “The inter-agency cooperation and synergy at the Seme Border, especially with Seme Command of Nigerian Customs and the police has helped. All this was made possible through the officers’ commitment and leadership of our amiable Chairman, Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah (rtd),” Essien said.

  • Boko Haram remainants  pushed to boarders- Buratai

    Boko Haram remainants  pushed to boarders- Buratai

    Nigeria Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has said that the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents have been pushed to the boarders of Nigeria with Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon.

    According to him, the pockets of those insurgents operating in the borders are being cleared by the Multi-National TaskForce.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who spoke to journalists in Damaturu after paying  courtesy call on the Deputy Gov of Yobe State who stood in for Gov Ibrahim Gaidam said the Army  is consolidating on the peace in the region by opening up strategic roads that were hitherto closed due to the Boko Haram activities, adding that they will continue to give confidence to the civil population in the region by chasing out the remaining insurgents in the fringes.

    His words: “We are further consolidating the successes by opening roads to allow people move about freely without the fear of any attack. We will continue to do that. Yesterday I was in Maiduguri and a day before yesterday  We have been able to open the DIKwa road up to Gamboru Ngala. We will continue to do that. We must certify that all the routes are safe and to also get people to be more confident and we have to assure them of that. Otherwise virtually all parts of the Northeast can be moved in but people are still apprehensive but you can see that the Multi-National Joint TaskForce is operating in the northern part of Borno and southern parts of Niger Republic and parts of Chad. These is where you see must of the remnant of Boko Haram are concentrated now.

    “But I must tell you that joint efforts are on the way to make sure that these terrorists are further pushed away from these areas. That is the clearance operation we are doing. I was in Kangarwa just a few meters to the boarders and that is where our troops have been operating and they would continue to advance to clear the remnants there.  It’s a joint effort now where you see the Chadian, Nigerien, Cameroonians and our troops doing the clearance operations,” Lt. Gen. Buratai said.

    Earlier at the courtesy call, the Army Chief praised the commitment and contribution of the Yobe State Government in the fight against the insurgency.

    He announced that a large sum of money has been earmarked in the 2016 budget for the building of the Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi and a logistics military hospital in Damaturu which he noted the choice of the location wasn’t by accident but for the strategic nature of Buni Yadi,Mahilyow thanking the state government for providing the land for the school and for a logistics military hospital in Damaturu?

    Buni Yadi is one of the towns in Yobe State that was taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents before it was liberated by the military.

    The deputy governor in his remarks said the greatest problem of the state at the moment is to resettle the displaced people as peace returns to the state.

    He maintained that Yobe government will continue to solicit assistance from wherever possible for the reconstruction of the destroyed communities, schools, hospitals, and other government facilities which is put at over N30 billion.

     

  • Buhari congratulates President Issoufou on re-election

    Buhari congratulates President Issoufou on re-election

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written to congratulate President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic on his recent re-election.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, extended his best wishes to President Issoufou and the people of Niger Republic after the peaceful elections, saying that it bodes well for the progress of the country.

    He acknowledged an invitation to attend President Issoufou’s swearing-in for a new term in office, but regretted that he will be unable to attend due to his ongoing participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.

    Wishing President Issoufou a successful new term in office, President Buhari expressed the hope that peace and progress will continue to prevail in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

  • Niger Republic urged to release editor

    The management of Media Trust Ltd (MTL) has urged the Nigerien authorities in Agades town to release Lawan Danjuma, the deputy editor of the Daily Trust, who was arrested last Saturday.

    In a statement by the Editor-in-Chief of MTL, Mannir Dan-Ali, the company said it expected the release of the reporter.

    Danjuma went to the town, which sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert, to investigate how it serves as a staging post for thousands of youths from Nigeria and other West African countries, who make the perilous journey across the desert into Libya in their quest to go to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.

    “As an experienced cross border reporter, Danjuma sought and got the relevant documentation from the Kano Consulate office of the Nigerien Embassy after stating his mission to Agades. It was the same documentation that he used at checkpoints, including the Nigeria/Niger border post at Kongolom, Katsina State and was only stopped and arrested on reaching Agades.

    “We see the arrest as an infringement on his right as an ECOWAS citizen and have reached the Nigerien authorities to ask for the release of the reporter. We are shocked that more than 24 hours after the arrest, he is still being held and his freedom is being curtailed,” the statement said.

  • Customs promise Niger Republic easy cargo transit across borders

    Customs promise Niger Republic easy cargo transit across borders

    The Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Mr Abdullahi Dikko, has promised the Republic of Niger easy transit of cargoes to facilitate trade between Nigeria and Niger.

    Dikko, represented by Mr Kohn Atte, the Deputy Comptroller-General (Finance Administration and Technical Services),  made the promise when a delegation of the Nigerian Shippers Council and Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja yesterday.

    He said the main responsibility of Customs was to facilitate trade and ensure that goods moved easily across borders.

    Dikko said most challenges faced by Niger in terms of delay of movement of cargo and issues at the various border posts would be resolved.

    ” The customs have tried to see that we ease off the system so that goods can move faster. With the help of Shippers Council the system has been decentralised and capacity built.

    “We have officers that are well trained to lead cargoes to the next environment; we have also noted the two-week delay or more at the borders.

    “In conjunction with Shippers Council, we will look into the matters and make sure that those complaints are eliminated,” he said.

    According to him, Customs have mandate to move cargo quickly out of the ports within 48 hours.

    He said the arrangement had given a good image for the service and promised that improvements would be made on the operations.

    The Comptroller-General said NCS would collaborate with Shippers Council and the ministries of transport of both countries as well as Niger Republic Customs to ensure smooth border operations.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of Niger, Mr Alguima Abdoulaye, expressed appreciation to NCS for the audience given to them.

    He said he believed the two countries were one, but noted that with difficulties Nigeriens faced in moving goods through Nigerian borders, they preferred to go to more distant countries to ferry cargo.

    Abdoulaye acknowledged improvements in services at Nigeria’s borders with Niger, but expressed the hope that areas of conflict between both countries Customs Services would be resolved to ease cargo movement.

  • Niger Republic’s emirate ‘confiscates’ Nigerians’ farmlands

    •Jigawa border residents seek Fed Govt’s intervention

    An Emirate in Niger Republic has allegedly confiscated over 86 farmlands owned by residents of Jobi border community in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

    Residents in the area, who petitioned the member of House of Representatives representing the area, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Zoro, said “the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Niger Republic may  be in serious crisis owing to the land issue.”

    They said their farmlands straddled between Maigatari in Jigawa State and Dingas local government area of Damagaram State in Niger Republic.

    The people accused the Niger Republic emirate of confiscating the over farmlands legitimately owned by them in the neighbouring country for over 100 years.

    The Jobi community also accused the Niger Republic’s traditional rulers of using the country’s security agents to intimidate and arrest them during attempts to claim their farmlands.

    But Sani Zoro, who was accompanied by reporters, paid fact-finding visit to the area at the weekend and met with the community leaders and affected farmers.

    One of the community leaders and the village’s Chief Imam, Malam Abdullahi Danlaminu, said the two border communities were leaving in peace and owned farmlands in the two countries since the “period of their grand, great grandparents”. He explained that “about two to three years ago, the Niger Republic traditional rulers stopped us from farming on our lands. At the early stage, we did not take it serious because they (Nigeriens) have farmlands on our side in Nigeria. We tried to resolve it amicably.

    “We sent a delegation comprising the village head, myself and met their traditional leaders to discuss and resolve the matter. We agreed and they asked for some amount to be paid annually. But to our surprise after we came back, they changed the decision.”

    He said over half of their farm lands, which they inherited and some which they bought before the partitioning of the countries are now in Niger Republic.

    Danlaminu added:  “We own this farmlands. But for the last two years, the Dingas Emirate of Niger Republic embarked on illegal confiscation of our farmlands, which now create untold hardship to our people who are 100 per cent peasant farmers.

    “As a result of this land confiscation, about six people of our people lost their lives due to the trauma inflicted on them by the action.”

    The representative of the community’s village head, Malam Mustaha Imam, added that their representatives visited Dingas Emirate for over 30 times to plead with their traditional authorities to stop the confiscation, “but all in vain”.

    “Some of our people who attempted to resist the confiscation of their land, were arrested and detained by the Niger Republic security,” he said.

    Imam called on Nigeria’s border management agencies and all other relevant agencies to intervene.

    The community handed a document comprising the list of farmlands confiscated and their owners to Sani Zoro for action.

    But the lawmaker pleaded with the residents to be more patient and not to take law in their hands to allow the authorities of the two countries resolve the matter through diplomacy.

  • Phase3 expands aerial fibre to Niger Republic

    Phase3 Telecom  has commenced the deployment of aerial fibre optic infrastructure from Kano to Gazaoua in Niger Republic. The network, which will run from Kano State through Katsina State before arriving at Gazaoua. It will be 228kilometre (km) long and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

    Its Chief Executive Officer,  Mr. Stanley Jegede, said the opportunities that internet delivers are critical to the acceleration of sustainable socio-economic inclusion and growth for Niger Republic.

    He said this will open new opportunities for residents to enjoy the benefits of the internet such as being able to work from the comforts of their homes or study online. Businesses will also be better positioned to use the internet to boost productivity, offer better service, connect with customers faster and work anywhere at reduced costs, he said, adding that. today, easier and reliable access to information from anywhere drives development.

    He said: “This deployment is part of our wider West Africa roll out plan to deliver regional connectivity through a single network across the region. It is a confirmation of our commitment to ensure that the digital divide diminishes, delivering connectivity to new urban and rural areas.

    “I believe that this milestone is a positive step towards sustainable economic development in West Africa. With the support we have received thus far from both the governments of Niger Republic and Nigeria, we are confident that this will mark the first phase in a long term partnership and we look forward to the dividends in the sub-region as a whole and in particular Niger Republic will benefit from the integration of this telecommunication infrastructure.”

    Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson said the project will help unlock the  potential of the sub-region.

    She said: “Africa’s true economic potential will be harnessed by increasing the level of internet connectivity we currently have.  This is one of the many ways to tap into the economic and social benefits Africa has the potential to deliver. “The Ministry of Communication Technology and the Federal Government have worked very hard and closely with Niger Republic on integrating both countries under a single telecoms infrastructure and projects such as this will deliver the infrastructure to connect us to our neighbors and the rest of the world is the first step in the realisation of that vision.

    “Establishing strong and sustainable partnerships across the sub-region will deliver benefits for us all. I am delighted that Phase3 Telecom has the capacity and is delivering a homegrown solution that will deliver significant long term value.”

    The project is being facilitated by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) through the extension of the Backbone Transmission Infrastructure Programme (BTRAIN) programme to Niger.

    This will also increase the existing power sharing infrastructure that is already in place between both countries. Phase3 telecom’s, aerial fibre is more reliable than its terrestrial equivalent, and with over 7000km of existing fiber infrastructure in Nigeria alone, Phase3 is ideally positioned to deliver a wider regional solution.

     

     

  • Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    The Defence Headquarters on Thursday gave insights into how a Boko Haram leader and other suspected members of the sect were captured in Niger Republic.

    All the suspects are presently undergoing interrogation in an unnamed military facility.

    According to a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the breakthrough was recorded through intelligence gathering.

    He said the intention of the sect leader and those arrested was to rearm from Niger Republic and launch deadly attacks on Nigerian communities.

    The statement said: “The plan by a band of terrorists who relocated to Niger Republic to remobilize and rearm insurgents with the aim of carrying out fresh terrorists attacks on some Nigerian communities has been foiled.

    “The leader of the group who had fled Nigeria when the terrorist camps were sacked was reportedly recruiting fresh hands and training them for renewed terrorist activities in Nigeria.

    “The intention of the group is to focus its attacks on some towns around the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.”

    “Intelligence operatives of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had been on the trail of the leader until he was eventually arrested in Karanga, Niger Republic on Saturday with the cooperation of Nigerien forces.

    “His other accomplices were later picked up in other villages in Nigeria. They are currently being interrogated.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, added: “Investigation revealed that following their dislodgement from their camps in Nigeria, the Boko Haram leader relocated to Niger Republic with his cell members.

    “While in Niger Republic, they tried to regroup and recruit more hands to be able to attack Nigerian communities. When we got intelligence report, we contacted our Nigerien counterpart. The Boko Haram suspects were trailed and their leader was captured.

    “We succeeded in arresting other members of the cell and they were brought down to Nigeria from Niger.”