The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger

  • Man sentenced to death by hanging in Niger

    Man sentenced to death by hanging in Niger

    After an extensive trial, a Minna High Court has convicted and sentenced a man, Tunde Tayo, to death by hanging, over the murder of Abdullahi Janiya Yahaya in Maitumbi, Minna, Niger State in 2019.

    The judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Mohammed after a comprehensive two-hour trial.

    During the trial, Justice Mohammed reviewed the case and concluded that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecutor against the accused was strong, cogent and direct.

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    Tayo was charged with two counts of robbery and culpable homicide under sections 298 and 221 of the Penal Code.

    Tayo, along with his friends, who are  at large, allegedly decapitated the deceased and buried his body in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in Maitumbi on September 13, 2019.

    Although Tayo denied killing the deceased, in his statement to the police, he admitted that he owned the uncompleted building, while the police said the circumstantial evidence available indicated his involvement in the crime.

  • Agriculture: Niger offers to pilot FG’s planned cultivation of 500,000 hectares

    Agriculture: Niger offers to pilot FG’s planned cultivation of 500,000 hectares

    The Niger State has has offered itself for the pilot programme of the planned 500,000 hectares of agricultural production announced by President Bola Tinubu in his New Year message.

    The Governor, Mohammed Bago, said this after a meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja.

    Governor Bago said Niger State is now the leading state in terms of the food security initiative of the President as it has already started the implementation of a total of 250,000 hectares dry season farming.

    “We’ve already signed an agreement with some companies for off-take and just to keep him up to speed with what we’re doing in agriculture,” he said on his visit to the President.

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    Speaking on partnering with the federal government, he stated: “The Federal Government, if you had listened carefully to the Mr. President’s New Year’s speech, you will have seen the emphasis on agriculture and also the 500,000 hectares the government is planning to farm this 2024.

    “Niger State has also provided itself as a pilot state for that project, and that we are also ambitious to also match with the federal government 500,000 for 500,000.”

    “President Tinubu is positive about it, he is very delighted and happy with what we’re doing and he has given us his blessing and encouragement.”

    On insecurity affecting farmers’ desire to return to their farms in the state, Governor Bago said, “They are already back at the farm..”

  • Niger secured more than 1mn hectares of land for farming – Bago

    Niger secured more than 1mn hectares of land for farming – Bago

    The Niger state governor, Umar Bago, on Sunday, December 31, said his state has secured more than 100 hectares of land in the state, which would be prepared for agriculture uses.

    Governor Bago spoke to journalists in Lagos after meeting President Bola Tinubu at his residence, saying he met him to pay Christmas homage to and commiserate with him over the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last week.

    Speaking on the priority placed on agriculture in the 2024 Budget, the governor said he hope to have gotten not less than 250,000 hectares of the total expanse ready for cultivation before the start of the rainy season.

    “Yes, definitely food security is a priority in this government and we have just told the President that we are very, very much ready in 2024 From January 1 to hit the ground running. 

    “We have secured over a million hectares of land. I will start preparing this land and I’m sure before the next rainy season, I would have over 250,000 hectares prepared and I will also inform him about the irrigation investment we have put in irrigation. 

    “In Niger State we’re very ready to do as a leading state in rice paddy want to improve the rice production and cotton production. We’re also very, very ready for that. 

    “We’re also very prepared to do a lot of maize, you know, because the demand for maize by especially poultry farmers is high and so many other initiatives that we brought forward. 

    “You know, Niger state is also a leading state in production of sesame’s, which you know very well, and we’ve told Mr. President, exactly what we’re about to do.”

    Speaking on the massacre in Plateau State, Bago described it as very unfortunate, noting there is a need for states in the North-central, which have all had their share of a similar experience, to meet and discuss on situation.

    “Yeah, it’s quite unfortunate, you know. Niger, state and other states in north central have also been victims of this kind of carnage. What happened in Plateau is very unfortunate. And we are hoping that it does not repeat itself. 

    “We have just decided on Tuesday, we’ll go and pay a condolence visit to commiserate with the people of Plateau state on this issue. Other issues are not issues for camera. There are strategic issues that we must discuss on them. 

    “But the most important is that we need to start discussion. When we start talking to each other as a people you know, we need to discuss so we need to  bring out people, voices to be heard. You know, a lot of these issues are just centric.”

  • Niger Govt dismisses report on ban of alcohol 

    Niger Govt dismisses report on ban of alcohol 

    The Niger State Government has dismissed reports that it has banned alcohol as untrue.

    According to the debunked reports, alcohol would be banned in Suleja and eight other local governments of the sharing boundaries with suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The report, which quoted a purported statement by one Ibrahim Mohammed, the secretary of the state’s Liquor and Licencing Board, indicated the ban will take effect from January 1.

    But Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said there was no such board.

    Bago, popularly known as the Farmer Governor, said he has been busy initiating and overseeing many people-centered projects across the state, and never issued such a directive. 

    He directed security agents to arrest the self-appointed secretary, Mohammed, to understand the motives of the imposter.

    He said in a statement, “The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to a report making the rounds of some blogs claiming that the Niger State Government, through the state’s Liquor and Licensing Board, has prohibited the sale of alcohol in nine Local Government Areas of the state, including Suleja. 

    “The Liquor and Licensing Board is yet to be constituted; as such, no directive of this kind can come from a board yet to be formed.

    “In light of the above I have directed security agents to arrest the self-appointed Secretary of this board by name Mohammed Ibrahim, and to understand the motives of the imposter and the reasons behind the pronouncement.

    “We invite the good public and our friends in the media to ignore any such pronouncements and to, henceforth, seek clarification from known government officials who are authorized to speak for the state and government.”

  • Niger revokes 650 Certificate of Occupancies

    Niger revokes 650 Certificate of Occupancies

    Niger State Government has revoked the Certificate of Occupancies (CofO) of 650 companies, residential houses, banks, schools, churches and commercial organizations for substantial non-compliance with the conditions of payment of ground rent and development.

    The Coca-Cola Nigeria Bottling company Limited, Matrix energy oil and gas, Anglican Diocese of Minna, Sudan Institute for Islamic and General Studies, Peace Mass Transit and several banks were among those whose CofOs were revoked.

    The revocation notice was stated in an advert placed by the Niger state Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Barrister Maurice Bello Magaji.

    The advert stated, “Notice if revocation of Certificate of Occupancies for non payment of ground rent and/or development in Niger state.

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    “By the Power conferred on the Governor, by section 9(3) of the Land Use Act, and the substantial non-compliance with the conditions of payment of ground rent and /or development within the stipulated time, the Niger State Ministry of Lands and Survey, Minna, hereby conveys the approval of the Governor of the revocation of the underlisted Certificate of Occupancies.”

    It would be recalled that a month ago, the Commissioner of Lands and Survey while speaking to newsmen had said that there are several organizations who have not paid ground rents for years and the government would take serious steps towards ensuring that the ground rents are collected.

    The advertisement which was placed in The Nation Newspaper showed that PZ Nigeria Limited owed the highest amount of ground rent which stands at N3, 350,000, while others with high amount of ground rents include Alhaji Sani Karaye whose ground rent stands at N2,190,000, Al-imran Ind Ltd with ground rent at N1, 770,940, Union Bank, Niger state Housing Cooperation with ground rent of N1, 725,000.

    Banks like Jaiz, GTB, UBA, FCMB, Zenith, First Bank, Union Bank were affected; the Federal Medical Center Bida, Teachers Social Security Scheme (Endwell), Abuja Steel Mills, some farmlands were also affected.

    The billing period for some of the affected organizations or residential houses went as far back as 1992 in some of the major cities in Niger state which includes Minna, Suleja, Bida, Kontagora, New Bussa, Mokwa while some minor towns like Tafa, Dikko, Dachi, Lambata, Sabon Wuse and Lapai were also included.

  • NAF airstrikes kill another terrorists’ kingpin Ali Kachalla in Niger

    NAF airstrikes kill another terrorists’ kingpin Ali Kachalla in Niger

    There are strong indications that a notorious terrorist leader, Ali Kawaje alias Ali Kachalla, has been killed by the military.

    Kachala was killed on Sunday, December 10,during air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF’) near Mangoro in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, according to a military source.

    The source told The Nation on Tuesday December 12, that NAF aircrafts under Operation Whirl Punch bombarded the terrorists and and his fought soldiers after they had attacked a detachment of security operatives deployed at Mangoro Community in Munya local government area of the state.

    The source said: “Overhead the location, Kachalla and his foot soldiers were sighted withdrawing from the operatives location on 11 motorcycles, but unknown to them, they were being trailed to their hideout near Kopa Hills where they took cover under a thick tree covering.

    “It was at this point that the air strikes were authorized, which were decisive and swift, thereby ensuring effective and maximum damage to the terrorists.”

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    Sources in Munya who craved anonymity due to the security implication of this report said several of the terrorists including the terrorists Kingpin Ali Kachalla, were eliminated as a result of the strike. 

    “The news of Kachalla’s demise has already led to jubilation in Mangoro and surroundings with many locals praying for the same outcome on Dogo Gidei, whose notorious activities have continued to inflict unimaginable injuries on their well being and livelihoods,” a source said.

    When contacted, the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, refused to comment on the development.

    Gabkwet said he was yet to receive any brief about the air strike. 

    The strike comes barely 24 hours after the NAF confirmed the elimination of another deadly terrorist kingpin, Yellow Jambros. 

  • Terrorists abduct eight passengers in Niger

    Terrorists abduct eight passengers in Niger

    Terrorists have killed one person and abducted eight passengers returning from an installation ceremony in Borgu local government area of Niger State.

    The abduction occured on Saturday evening between Luma and Babana communities.

    It was learnt the installation ceremony the victims attended was that of the chairman of Borgu Kingmakers and Chief Priest Bakarabonde.

    It was learnt the deceased was the driver while the terrorists burnt the vehicle while carting away their victims.

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    The Chairman of Borgu local government area, Alhaji Sulaiman Yerima, confirmed the incident. 

    He said the terrorists contacted him asking the local government to provide N17 million to secure the release of the abductees.

    He lamented that the local government had no such money but stated that he had informed the Commissioner for Local Government who will pass the information to all relevant authorities.

  • COP28: Niger govt seeks partnership with NDDC, others on afforestation

    COP28: Niger govt seeks partnership with NDDC, others on afforestation

    Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has sought the partnership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to plant trees as a means of tackling climate change.

    Bago urged the NDDC to join in the crusade of planting trees at an event organized by the Commission on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates.Bago afforestation would check the high emission of green house gases.

    The governor said Niger State has 76, 000 square kilometers of arable land which serve planting to plant trees as efforts towards balancing the ecosystem.

    He said in addressing climate change issues it was critical to address three areas which are the root causes, its impact and the the way forward.

    He said Nigeria understands its importance on the African continent and in the world and cannot be taken for granted. Bago said the country has woken up to the realities to understand that global warming is a reality.

    He expressed the readiness of the country to combat global warning.

    He said, “I am really happy to be part of this auspicious occasion. When the MD Of the NDDC spoke he spoke very well. Now in undertaking climate change there three very important levels.

    “One, the root causes which you explained very well, the exploration of oil and also flaring of gas. The second issue is the impact of that activity to humanity and environment. The third one one that I am sure you would have enumerated is what I would help you to do which is the way forward. How do we mitigate this?

    “Now I am from Niger State. It is 76, 000 square kilometers of arable land. It has two major rivers flowing through, it has four hydro-powered dams. And this land is arable.

    “Now that we are here, we need to encourage the NDDC to join in the crusade of planting trees to balance the ecosystem. When you spoke about carbon credit, one of the advantages is planting trees. Where you have high emission, the ecosystem is affected.

    “Now where you have low emission and you have plenty reserve of land, what we need to do is to make sure we increase our capacity in afforestation, first. Secondly to also prepare us to understand the challenges of agriculture is land preparation.

    “So the companies who are in this exploration should come in as a corporate social responsibility in making sure that we afforestate our land and reduce emission.

    “When you do that you change alternative source of energy. Instead of fossil fuel, we come back to green fuel or blue energy.”

  • Agric: Niger govt, German firm sign MoU on comprehensive farm estate

    Agric: Niger govt, German firm sign MoU on comprehensive farm estate

    Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago of Niger State has signed an agreement with the management of Sun Farming in Germany.

    The agreement was centered on establishing a comprehensive farm estate in the State.

    Under the arrangement, the investors is expected to construct the Comprehensive Farm Estate which will encompass several key areas.

    According to Governor Bago, the Farm Estate will serve as an educational hub, offering training and resources related to agriculture and sustainable practices.

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    Furthermore, it will include a crossing center to assist newcomers and integrate them into the community.

    The proposed Farm Estate will also focus on energy, likely incorporating renewable energy sources to power its operations sustainably.

    He added that a substantial aspect of this initiative is food security, gearing toward producing and distributing food locally to ensure a stable food supply.

  • Niger govt signs MOU on sustainable development

    Niger govt signs MOU on sustainable development

    The Niger State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Alternative Bank on sustainable development of the State.

    According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the signing of the MOU which was done in Abuja was on some basic segments of the economy such as Education, Health, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, and infrastructure among others.

    Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago signed on behalf of the State Government while the Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, signed for the Financial Institution.

    The Governor who expressed delight with the financial institution for its readiness to partner the State government, said the state will maximize the opportunity to harness its agricultural potential.

    Governor Umaru Bago who observed that the state has not been able to cultivate up to 1% of its arable land disclosed that the State government intends to procure some earth moving equipment like Caterpillar, bulldozers, pale loaders graders on a long lease to prepare land for cultivation of about 4.5m hectares which is half of it cultivable land in the next 10 years.

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    He further announced that the State is discussing with Almarai; a Saudi multinational dairy company for the production of Alfalfa plant havens discovered the economic value of the plant, adding that the protein content of the plant will be studied with a view to getting better seedlings for planting.

    The Governor then directed his Deputy Chief of Staff and the Chairman, Niger Foods Limited to liaise with the Financial Institution to achieve the desired result of the collaboration.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, explained that the Financial Institution has created multi-million U.S dollar opportunities for Agricultural investment in the State.

    He said an international partner has expressed willingness to invest 65 million U.S dollars to have a sugarcane plantation on five hectares of land in the State, with an estimated output of 50,000 tonnes of sugar annually, about 4,767 job opportunities, production of methanol, 40,000 tonnes of animal feeds and generation of 11mgwt of electricity.

    The Executive Director also said another development partner from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ready to invest between 1 to 10 million U.S. dollars for the exportation of the Alfalfa plant and that 100,000 hectares would be required for the cultivation of the plant.

    On the purchase of earth moving equipment, Mohammed suggested that the State government should get Ijarah Sukuk at the capital market for between 5 and 7 years pointing out that it would reduce cost and the equipment would return the investment made without the State necessarily putting in much money into it.