The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger

  • Display of royal culture

    Display of royal culture

    Culture was on display at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, when the Hausa-Fulani Students’ Association (HAFUSA) held its Cultural Day and Bikin Dawra Rawani (coronation) for its new Sarkin (leader). MAHMUD ABDULSALAM reports.

    By 10 a.m, the Fada (palace) had been filled. Made from bamboo straws, the makeshift palace was beautifully decorated. Seated at the palace’s entrance were guests and students, waiting for the emir.

    Moment after, sounds of Kaakaki (traditional trumpet) permeated the air, heralding the arrival of the ‘emir’ and his entourage.

    Welcome to the Bikin Dawra Rawani (coronation) and cultural day of the Hausa-Fulani Students’ Association (HAFUSA) at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, which was held last Saturday.

    The emir, Isah Yahaya, his Gimbiya (queen) and chiefs made their way into the palace on royal horses adorned with chains of coins and leather materials. Clad in Baban Riga (flowing robes) and Rawani (turban), the emir and his chiefs in the Masarauta (emirate council) were cheerfully received by the guests.

    As he prepared to get off the horse, the emir  threw kola nuts at his ‘subjects’ . In response, they chanted Ranke ya dade! (Long shall you live, Your Highness). Others hailed the emir, screaming: Sarki, an gaishe ka (Your Majesty, we salute you), Allah ya jazamin Sarki (May God prolong your reign, Your Majesty).

    Surrounded by a group of red-cloth palace guards, the emir held a staff with his left hand and raised his firmly-clenched right fist to acknowledge the compliments.

    As the coronation rites were going on in the forecourt of the Management Lecture Theatre (MLT), the Yan Wasan Kwaikwayo (traditional palace jesters) threw rib-cracking jokes to entertain the audience. After the coronation, the emir and his chiefs stepped out for ‘special prayers’ by religious clerics.

    The association’s Patron, Mallam Idris Kusharki, explained the importance of the event in Hausa-Fulani society. Coronation of emir, he said, is an important heritage in Hausa-Fulani culture, without which a society is doom, if the coronation rites are not performed.

    He said the ceremony would help foster peace and promote love among diverse members of a community, adding that integrity, moral character and leadership credibility of the emir could be put to question if the rights are not performed.

    He said: “Coronation is seen as harbinger of positive changes in a traditional Hausa-Fulani society. It is a belief that, only emirs who are likely to be oppressive, arrogant and egocentric will shun coronation.”

    Kusharki prayed for divine wisdom to direct the affairs of the incoming leaders. He advised them to be humble and to seek counsel in the running of the association’s affair.

    The outgoing emir, Muhammad Salihu, expressed gratitude to Allah for having a “hitch-free”reign, saying: “The association has achieved outstanding progress under our reign.”

    He added: “We have projected the association to become strong and influential, even beyond the campus. By our humble achievements, we have redefined the concept of service and servant leadership. These are part of the legacies my administration is leaving behind.

    “We projected our culture by organising strategic cultural events, which we used to build bridges of unity by ensuring our members cohabit peacefully with students from other ethnic groups. The legacy projects we promised when we came had been completed.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, who was the special guest of honour, noted that Hausa-Fulani’s culture promotes social order and unique belief system, advising members of the association to reject negative values that would tarnish the image of the association and their heritage.

    He said: “As Hausa-Fulani ethnic groups, we have been portrayed wickedly by stereotypical words and languages. The onus lies on you all to always show decent public conduct. This will help in correcting the wrong stereotypes about northerners, Muslims and Hausa-Fulani in particular.”

    The emir conferred a traditional title of Na’isan (Dependable trustee) on the VC during the ceremony. In his acceptance message, Prof Maiturare appreciated members of the association for the honour, admonishing them to be law-abiding and take their studies seriously.

    The VC said: “The Hausa-Fulani are renowned for their scholarship. Historically, they are not known to have condemned any form of knowledge. Instead, they are passionate about education. We have northerners becoming renowned clerics, professors and industrialists. You must reject any idea that says you should not acquire education.”

    Stepping out to address the guests, Isah hailed his predecessor for making “valuable contributions” to the growth of the association, promising to consolidate on Muhammad’s achievements.

    He said he would welcome constructive criticisms from members of the association, adding that he would not reject “wise counsel” that would help the association’s progress. The emir cautioned his ‘subjects’ against vices that may bring disrepute to the name of the association.

    After the emir’s speech, the guests were entertained by a troupe of Yan mata (young ladies) that performed traditional dance steps. As this was going on, sumptuous traditional delicacies, such as Dambu, Dan Wake, Fura da Nono, Alewa, Kunu, Tuwo, Masa, and Zogale, were served.

    Some students told CAMPUSLIFE that the event as spectacular, saying it was a display of a tradition.

    A 300-Level student, Happiness Christopher, said the event erased the wrong impression she had about Hausa-Fulani people. Fascinated by the cultural display, Happiness said: “The Hausa-Fulani people are not actually what they are perceived to be. I learnt many things about their tradition, belief system and food, which changed my impression about these unique people. I have been shown that Hausa-Fulani people are intelligent, literate and accommodating.”

    Another student, Zainab Abdulmalik, said the event made her proud of her heritage, adding: “It was fun to be served my best meal at the event.”

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Aliyu Ma’ali, advised members of other cultural groups on the campus to promote values that would foster peace and unity in the school. He described the emir’s coronation as a “colourful display of tradition”, noting that Hausa-Fulani culture does not support illiteracy and laziness.

    He said: “There is no culture that does not have its values and distinct belief system. As we have seen from this event, the culture of Hausa-Fulani people promotes co-habitation, respect and good virtues. It is an act of mischief to use actions of a few misguided people should to judge a whole race. From what we seen here, illiteracy and laziness do not have basis in our culture. I advise other cultural groups to emulate the association by showcasing their cultural heritages in this colourful manner that would enable their colleagues learn and respect their cultures.”

  • FUT MINNA rebuilds burnt clinic

    THE Health centre of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) in Niger State, has come back to life, five months after it was razed by students during a violent protest. The clinic, located on the Bosso campus, was re-built by the management. The facility was opened for operation last week.

    At a ceremony held to reopen the clinic, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Musbau Akanji, said he was delighted by the speedy completion of the project, saying: “Members of the university community who suffer any kind of health impairment can be assured of getting first-class medical attention at a more befitting, functional and state-of-the-art health facility adequately furnished with modern diagnostic equipment.”

    Recalling the ugly incident that led to the destruction of some structures and facilities on the Bosso campus by aggrieved students, Prof Akanji said there was no justification for the vandalism, advising students to be peaceful in channelling their grievances.

    He said: “We took a painful decision to shut down the school for a period of one month. This was done in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order, and to allow for massive rehabilitation work to be carried out on damaged facilities.”

    The VC disclosed that several other damaged facilities had long been repaired, adding that the restitution fee of N4,500 paid by each student was judiciously expended to finance the repair work on the destroyed facilities.

    “The riot that followed the death of the student alleged to have died as a result of medical negligence, to say the least, was traumatic. However, we have put in place necessary measures to forestall a recurrence. The complete renovation of the burnt clinic is the first step. Henceforth, our clinic staff will have no choice than to abide and steadfastly adhere to the work ethics,” he said.

    The VC cautioned the students against resorting to violence in any circumstance, urging them to avoid actions that may disrupt the academic calendar. He warned that the management would not condone acts of rebellion and violence.

    The clinic was burnt down on February 15 by irate students protesting the death of a 300-Level Chemistry Education student, Emmanuel Olalekan, who allegedly died because of negligence of the clinic staff.

  • Niger records N5b gross premium

    Despite the  challenging  economic  environment in the 2016 financial year  Niger Insurance Plc posted a Gross Premium Income (GPI) of N5.08 billion.

    The underwriting firm also recorded a N42.13 billion Profit After Tax (PAT)   with assets worth N22.51 billion.

    Its gross premium for the period was N5.96 billion and profit N99.05 billion.

    Its Chairman, Yusuf Abubakar, made this known during the firm’s 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

    He disclosed that the firm restructured its investment by reclassifying some investment properties to non-current assets held for sale, noting that as a result, investment properties worth N6.39 billion were earmarked for disposal in the year.

    He said the main objectives of the decision were to comply with regulations, engender liquidity and grow investment income, thereby creating more value for shareholders.

    The firm’s Managing Director, Dauda Adedeji, said as part of efforts to reposition the firm for improved performance, some measures had been put in place.

    “We reinforced a robust and integrated marketing approach, business development/research and statistics and information communication and technology. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the socio and macro-economic environment, his strong confidence and reliability on the firm’s diversified product portfolio and robust asset base remained undeterred.

    “We also have confidence on the quality of our management team and the support of our stakeholders that give us strength and resilience to navigate the storms of uncertainty in its operations,” he added.

  • NAF builds transit quarters in Niger

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, at the weekend inaugurated a 30-room transit quarters for new intakes at the 407 Air Combat Training Group in Kaini, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

    He said the gesture would  motivate officers and men, especially the new intakes, and  give them a sense of belonging.

    Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Lawal Shittu, urged the intakes to emulate the force’s high standard.

    He admonished beneficiaries to maintain the facility, warning that any misuse will be sanctioned.

  • Why students need efficient counsellors, by don

    Why students need efficient counsellors, by don

    A professor of Guidance and Counselling, George Eweniyi, has delivered the 9th inaugural lecture of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, with the focus on the benefit of good counselling. MAHMUD ABDULSALAM reports.

    Making powerful decisions that can affect students’ career positively requires professional counselling from experts, George Eweniyi, a professor of Guidance and Counselling at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, has said.

    The don called for the institutionalisation of guidance and counselling in public schools, saying many youths chose wrong career paths because of the lack of good counselling.

    Eweniyi spoke while delivering the 9th inaugural lecture of the university entitled: Strengthening the third main force of Nigerian education system for effective academic performance of students: A counsellor’s clarion call.

    The event was held at the main auditorium.

    Describing Guidance and Counselling as a “selfless vocation”, the inaugural lecturer said the profession was purposely created to help students to develop abilities to make informed and realistic choices in their academic and personal life.

    He said proper counselling would help in checkmating the spate of vices among students, while also assisting students in developing efficient study cultures to overcome obstacles responsible for poor academic performance.

    Eweniyi said: ‘’It is through counselling that students find their spiritual and ethical bearing necessary to overcome life challenges. If this fact is admitted, there is need for institutionalisation of this noble profession in all public schools. When implemented, it will help students making good decisions and drop bad ideas that can lead them to criminality.

    “No matter how efficient our education policies may be, if guidance and counseling is not prioritised and made an integral part of the education curriculum, we would keep producing disoriented youths from our academic institutions. Guidance and counselling is the last pillar of the nation’s education tripod after teachers and school administrators. The profession is fundamental, because it helps to deal with psychological issues affecting their studies.”

    He said effective counselling would help shape students’ behaviour and inculcate a culture of discipline in them. Eweniyi added that the profession can help bridge the communication gap between students and schools’ authorities.

    He, however, noted that guidance and counselling services were yet to fully take off in most public schools, linking the challenges to dearth of professional counsellors and absence of necessary facilities. He added that lack of funding, inadequate time allotted for counseling activities, students’ nervousness over full disclosure and government’s lukewarm attitude towards counselling programmes remained the bane of the profession.

    He said: “Guidance and counseling is a rehabilitation process for students. It is an instrument to fight ignorance, trauma, depression, mental and emotional disorder, drug addiction, relationships’ issues and sexual abuse. Domesticating the profession in all categories of schools becomes imperative.”

    Eweniyi urged the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) to organise periodic sensitisation programmes to galvanise interest among school administrators, teachers, parents and policymakers.

    He recommended that guidance and counselling be given prominence in the education policy, saying: “CASSON should collaborate with the federal and state governments to enforce guidance and counselling practice in public schools. The association needs to ensure the profession receives legal backing and adequate funding for efficient counselling.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, described the lecturer as a “quintessential scholar”, noting that many African countries had adopted guidance and counselling as a tool to combat students’ depression and emotional problem.

    If the recommendations are implemented, the VC said it would lead to socio-economic development, adding: “Counselling is a vital tool for efficient manpower development.”

  • NGO secures release of 21 inmates in Niger

    The Sani-Bello Foundation has facilitated the release of 21 inmates in Niger State. Of the 21, 15 were released from the Kontagora medium prison while the others were from Lapai prison.

    A statement by the foundation’s Director-General Mr. Zachary Ikani said the foundation is concerned about the plight of the detainees, adding that securing release of those detained for civil offences is part of its corporate social responsibility.

    According to him, more than 50 per cent of inmates awaiting trial, especially on civil cases, would spend more time than necessary in detention if.

    He lamented that the large number of inmates makes the country the fifth highest in pre-trial detention population in Africa, saying more than three of every five inmates have not been convicted of any offence.

    He called other NGOs and well-meaning organisations to intervene in releasing inmates. “We implore other NGOs and well-meaning individuals to do same, as our collective effort will make a great difference. “At Sani Bello Foundation, we believe that everyone’s right to the dignity of life counts, and we will always do our best to ensure that,” he added.

  • Niger partners Italian firm on housing

    To provide affordable houses for residents, the Niger State

    Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Italian firm, Italworks Nigeria Limited, for the construction of 1,000 housing units of two and three bedrooms.

    The project, to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, is valued at N8 billion. Already, more than 3,000 off-takers have bidded for the 1,000 units of the two and three bedrooms detached bungalows to be constructed.

    Niger State Housing Corporation General Manager Ahmed Abdullahi, at the MoU signing, said the government would provide 91 hectares of residential land along the Minna-Abuja express way in Paikoro Local Government area, while the Italian company, Italworks Nigeria Limited, would fund the project.

    According to him, Niger State is gradually becoming a haven for industrialists and civil servants, and the 1,000 housing units will reduce accommodation problem in the state.

    “This is part of the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s effort in providing affordable houses for Nigerlites. This project is one of the steps being taken by the state government to reduce the housing deficit in most towns in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    Italworks Managing Director, Mr. Gaetano Crisa, explained that the project will commence next month and it will have backward integration benefits as it is planned to create employment for thousands of youths in the state and enhance business opportunities, especially in the state’s building materials market sector.

    Crisa assured that his firm has executed 10 projects successfully in Nigeria, and that Italian engineers and architects would be brought in to ensure the construction of quality and affordable houses in record time as contained in the MoU.

  • Customs Seizes N37.5m worth of imported rice, vegetable oil in Niger

    Customs Seizes N37.5m worth of imported rice, vegetable oil in Niger

    Two Thousand, four hundred and thirty one (2,431) 50kg bags of rice and 1,421 of 25 litres jericans of vegetable oil have been seized in Niger state by the Customs Area Command of Niger, Kwara and Kogi.

    The Customs Area Controller of Niger, Kwara and Kogi, Comptroller Benjamin Binga who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Minna said that the duty paid value of the seized rice is N20.5 million while the vegetable oil is worth N17 million.

    According to him, the seizures were made along Minna-Bida and Tegina-kontagora roads in Niger state by the men of the custom anti-smuggling squad who were working based on information.

    “The Command made a monumental seizure in an operation which was undertaken between 21st and 23rdJuly, 2017. This involves a ten tyre DAf Truck, loaded with bags of imported Rice which was intercepted by the Command’s operations squad.

    “As at now, we have made a total seizure of 2,431 of 50kg bags of Rice with Duty Paid Value of N20, 551,549.55. The Command’s patrol team also intercepted two 20 feet containers loaded with 1,421 of 25 litres jericcans of vegetable oil. The duty paid value of the vegetable oil is Seventeen million, Fifty-Two thousand naira (N17, 052,000.00).”

    Binga further said that the Command has generated over N1.4 billion and made a total of 42 seizures at the end of the second quarter of the year, “In the area of anti-smuggling, the command has made a total of forty two (42) seizures, comprising of rice, used vehicles, textiles and other general goods with a total duty Paid Value of N57, 323,165.55″.

    The Comptroller who said that war have been declared on smugglers in the zone adding that smuggling would no longer thrive in Niger, Kwara and Kogi as the Command is working towards ensuring that they rid the zone of smuggling activities.

    “We would continue to a seize as long as the smugglers continue to bring in smuggled goods. We are warning every smugglers that it is no more business as usual.

    “The Command has been well motivated by the management and so we shall not relent in our efforts until we rid the command which comprises Niger, Kwara and Kogi states of the menace of smuggling of rice, new/used vehicles and other unwholesome goods.”

     

  • UN Security Council urges support for Joint Task Force

    UN Security Council urges support for Joint Task Force

    The UN Security Council has welcomed recent efforts by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to combat Boko Haram and called for support by UN member states for the team.

    The Security Council President for the month of July, Liu Jieyi, in a  statement, expressed the body’s concern over the threat of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.

    Liu  condemned all terrorist attacks in the West African sub-region, especially in Northern and Central Mali and the Lake Chad Basin by Islamic State in Iraq and Boko Haram respectively.

    He expressed concern over attacks on civilians, the primary victims of terrorist violence and urged a holistic approach to degrade and defeat the terrorists in compliance with international law.

    “The Security Council encourages member states and multilateral partners to lend their support to the MNJTF to ensure its full operationalisation.

    “This includes the provision of modalities to increase the timely and effective exchange of intelligence to further the region’s collective efforts to combat Boko Haram, whenever possible and appropriate,” Liu said.

    He expressed the commitment of the Council to work through the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to strengthen cooperation in addressing cross-border security threats and curbing the spread of terrorism.

    “The Security Council notes the collaboration undertaken between UNOWAS and the Peace-building Commission and encourages continued close and effective cooperation in support of sustainable peace in the region,” Liu said.

    He said the Council noted the dire humanitarian situation caused by the terrorists’ activities in the Lake Chad Basin.

    He called on the international community to “immediately support the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance for the people most affected by the crisis in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria”.

    Liu said support to provide urgent humanitarian assistance for Boko Haram victims included honouring the UN appeal for the Lake Chad Basin region.

    He urged regional governments to facilitate humanitarian access and to work with the UN in developing aid delivery options.

  • Bello appeals to lecturers to resume work, promises to address all issues

    Bello appeals to lecturers to resume work, promises to address all issues

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has appealed to lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions to call off their ongoing industrial action.

    Bello made the appeal in Minna during a meeting with the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, and Prof. Muhammad Maiturare, Chairman, Governing Board, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University.

    The governor gave an assurance that pending issues concerning the demands of the lecturers would be addressed immediately.

    He said that the Head of Service and the affected ministries would meet with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress to address pending issues.

    He noted that the industrial action by the academic staff of state-owned institutions was not healthy for the state and future generation.

    Similarly, Madugu also appealed to the affected workers to return to work because the state government was committed to meeting their demands.

    “The governor is very passionate about education and committed to meeting the demands of the striking workers.

    “We have a responsible and a responsive governor; I am appealing to our striking workers to call off their action and return to work.”

    Maiturare also urged the state government to resolve all pending issues for immediate resumption of academic activities in the state.