The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger

  • Police search Niger for cattle rustlers, kidnappers

    A detachment of riot policemen has been deployed in Shiroro Local Government of Niger State to contain cattle rustlers and kidnappers, it was learnt yesterday.

    Commissioner of Police Zubairu Muazu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the deployment was part of measures to guarantee the people’s safety. He urged the policemen to exhibit professionalism.

    “You must ensure implementation of the operational order designed to end cattle rustling, kidnapping and any security threat in Shiroro and the state.

    “I urge you to demonstrate high sense of professionalism that will pave the way for peaceful co-existence to enable residents move on with their legitimate businesses,” he said.

    Muazu added that the officers must be civil and courteous in dealing with residents and in protecting life and property.

    “People should go about their legitimate businesses as sensitive security measures have been put in place against any form of threat to their lives,” he said

  • Bello, traditional rulers call for repair of bad roads in Niger

    Bello, traditional rulers call for repair of bad roads in Niger

    Aside having the largest landmass in Nigeria, Niger State also boasts of the longest routes of Trunk “A” federal roads in the country. These roads include Suleja – Minna road, Lapai – Lambata – Bida road, Bida – Lemu – Zungeru – Tegina road, Gidigori – Kagara – Mokwa road, Makera – Kontagora road, Kontagora – Yawuri road, Kontagora – Rijau road and Agaie – Baro road. Others are Gulu – Muye – Gegu Road; Kontagora – Rijau Road and Mokwa – New Bussa Road.

    Most sections of this vast 2,317 km road network are however in such deplorable conditions, that travellers have described them as death traps. The experience of traveling these routes, they say, has been agonizing, to say the least, causing hardship and restricting free movement across the state. Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s efforts to rehabilitate some of the roads, especially Suleja-Minna road, also proved abortive, to the extent that they worsened after the repairs, forcing him to suspend the works.

    The state governor’s sincere effort was sabotaged, as the Suleja-Minna road attracted quite an unusual traffic of heavy-duty vehicles, leaving it in worse state. Recently, during an inspection of the road, the governor appealed to the federal government to intervene and complement his government’s effort in rebuilding the road infrastructure across the state, adding that the state has too much responsibility to be concentrating on rehabilitating Truck ‘A’ roads.

    He pointed out that the bad roads are deterring investors from the state, stressing that federal government’s  intervention will reduce the hardship faced by motorists and other commuters in the state. Gov Bello said, “The fact is, it is not Nigerlites alone that suffer the bad state of all these federal roads but all other commuters who travel from north to south and from south to north. We are however, the worst hit because the development has started to affect the people and the state economy.

    “We are appealing to federal government to quickly intervene in rehabilitating these roads, as the state-maintained roads are now been over-stretched and damaged by the heavy duty trucks, being the only  roads available to motorists”.

    In 2014, the federal government awarded a contract worth N17.5 billion for the Lambata-Lapai, Agaie-Katcha-Baro roads but sooner than the rehabilitation work was flagged off, the contractors abandoned the site. Traders and drivers along the Lambata – Lapai lament daily how the deplorable state of the road have affected their businesses, while the drivers lament dearth of passengers.

    Some of the roads that have been neglected over the years include the Mokwa-Tegina- Birnin Gwari road which for over 15 years was never included in the master-plan of roads to be rehabilitated in the country, and  roads around Kontagora –Yauri and Mokwa –New Bussa – Roffian road.

    The ever busy Minna –Tegina-Kontagora road though manageable because of the state government’s intervention, also needs serious attention if the entire Niger north is not to be cut off completely from the rest of the state. In the same vein, the Minna –Sarikin –Pawa-Kaduna road that was rehabilitated up to Sarkin Pawa, has been abandoned since 2004, thereby rendering the work earlier started useless.

    At the moment, only Bida-Mokwa road rehabilitated in 2014 is still motorable and in good shape.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, while speaking after a first-hand tour of federal roads across the state, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency revisit all dilapidated federal roads across the State, especially the Agaie, Katcha Baro road which was re-awarded last year.

    Vatsa who confirmed that no federal road in the state is motorable, extended an invitation to the federal government to visit Niger State to see for itself.

    Various traditional rulers across the state, including Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Alhaji Mohammed Dantoro (Mai Borgu), have also expressed their concern over the deplorable state of the roads. He singled out the Mokwa – New Busa – Wawa – Roffia road, which he said poses security threat to the people of the state.

    He said that the road contract was awarded by the federal government several years ago and that the contractors have since abandoned the project for lack of payment by successive governments, adding that the villages in the area have been cut off from the New Busa town and subjected to untold hardship.

    “When President Muhammadu Buhari was the chairman of PTF, he came to the rescue of Borgu people by awarding the contract for the construction of Mokwa – New Busa –Wawa – Roffia road. ‘Unfortunately when the civilian administration came on board, the contractors were not paid and the project was abandoned,” the royal father stated.

    The Traditional Head and Sheshi of Katcha, Alhaji Baba Adamu Umaru also called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency fasten the construction of Agaie-Katcha-Baro road because of its economic importance.

  • Niger NAWOJ trains members

    The Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has trained its members on the production of petroleum jelly. The state Chairperson, Hajiya Halima Bawa said that the training was to equip the women in the fundamentals of making some home essentials to save money especially in the face of  current economic challenges.

    She said now is a good time to produce jelly as the wet season gives way to a dry spell.

    The chairperson said that NAWOJ intends to broaden the knowledge of its members and prepare them for  multiple sources of income.

    Bawa urged the members not to take the training with levity calling on them to practice it continually and also to try various ways that will enable them have their trademark.

    The Resource Person, Amina Garba explained to the members the precautions to be taken during the production of the vaseline, the forms of production, apparatus and chemicals to be used for production.

    A member of NAWOJ, Maureen Dibie said the training will give the members a feeling of belonging to show that they have an association that shows concern about them. She urged the executives to be more proactive in organising more training that will benefit the members and the society at large.

    The association had earlier trained its members on liquid soap making.

  • 13 die in boat mishap, tanker fire in Niger

    A total of seven people have died in a boat mishap on River Gbako in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday, an official of the state emergency agency said.

    Similarly, six people also died when fuel laden tankers collided in Mokwa.

    Malam Ahmed Inga, Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency told newsmen in Minna on Saturday that four women and three children drawned when the boat they were travelling in capsised.

    He explained that the boat was conveying 10 female farmers from Balsa community to a rice farm across the river.

    Inga said that three women were rescued by local divers after the accident, which occurred at about 11 am.

    “Yabagi Ibrahim, the owner of the farm lost a wife, a daughter and granddaughter in the unfortunate incident,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gbako river is located on the border between Katcha and Lavun local government area of the state.

    Similarly, six people also died when fuel laden tankers caused multiple accidents in Mokwa, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government area of the state.

    The director general said that two petrol tankers were invoolved in the accident which occurred on Friday due to break failure.

    “It was said to have hit the one in front, which veered off the road and rammed against the wall of a guest house in the town,” he said.

    He said that the tanker with the failed break also hit another one parked with the product by the side of the road, causing an explosion and fire.

    Inga said many people sustained injuries, with two in critical condition and receiving treatment at Mokwa General Hospital.(NAN)

  • Niger governor’s wife leads walk against cancer

    Niger governor’s wife leads walk against cancer

    Wife of Niger State governor  State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Sani Bello has led a 5km breast cancer awareness walk in Minna, the state capital.

    It’s aim was to sensitise women in the state on the dangers and prevention of the disease.

    Everyone on the awareness walk tagged ‘Let’s Walk Breast Cancer Away’ had on a pink shirt and peak cap.

    Speaking to newsmen, Bello, who is the founder of RAISE Foundation, said the walk was to create awareness on cancer, how it can be prevented and how it can be detected earlier and to raise funds to treat cancer patients.

    She said, “It is an awareness campaign we are doing to bring to the fore the knowledge of cancer and how it can be prevented. This cancer walk is in commemoration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is always celebrated every October.”

    The governor’s wife said that exercise is a good way to prevent cancer, adding that exercise is also good for the body. She stated that her foundation also has a cancer screening centre which will be screening women throughout the year.

    The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Professor Musbau Akanji who was a participant in the walk, said the initiative of the walk by the governor’s wife is a good way of creating awareness of cancer in the state.

    Akanji, who said that his institution has lost two staff to cancer, said the institution will give the Dr. Amina all the support in her fight against cancer.

    “This is a laudable initiative. Cancer is always detected late and this awareness campaign is very important in that it will make the people aware of the scourge of cancer and go for early screening and also engage in exercise to prevent the disease.”

    Political appointees, civil servants and civil societies, NGOs, staffs from FUT Minna, members of the NYSC and people in the state participated in the walk.

  • Customs adopts community-based approach to combat smuggling

    Customs adopts community-based approach to combat smuggling

    The Niger Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said on Friday that it had adopted a community-based approach in the fight against smuggling in the areas.

    Alhaji Garba Kabir, the Area Comptroller of the zone comprising Niger, Kogi and Kwara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.

    Kabir said that the approach would enable residents, especially those at the border areas, to offer intelligence reports that could aid the command apprehend those involved in the illegal businesses.

    He explained that sensitive security measures had been put in place to frustrate the activities of smugglers.

    He said identified smugglers’ routes had been placed on strict surveillance while community leaders would be used to provide information to ensure their arrest.

    The area comptroller said officers in the border areas had been briefed on how the partnership would assist them in arresting smugglers.

    “We have deployed various strategies to enable us to get vital information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of smugglers,” he said.

    “My area of jurisdiction is a no-go area for smugglers as competent and dedicated officers are battle ready to carry out their constitutional responsibilities effectively,” he said.

    He warned that the service would not spare any arrested smugglers and urged officers and men of the service to rededicate themselves to duty.

  • Niger to stop payment of WASSCE fees

    Niger to stop payment of WASSCE fees

    Niger State Government will review its policy on the payment of West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) fees for final year secondary school pupils, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, has said,

    He spoke during an inspection of the renovation of Justice Idris Legbo Govt Science Secondary School, Kutigi.

    The governor expressed dismay over incessant failure of candidates in WASSCE and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, adding that money paid for these pupils might have to be diverted  to other areas.

    He said the government’s proposed action was hinged on the perennial failure of pupils in the exams, adding that his administration would not continue to pay for what had no value on the state.

    Instead of ‘wasting’ such large sum of money, Bello said the amount could be deployed towards infrastructural upgrade of public schools as well as  make teachers’ quarters habitable to improve performance.

    “We must review the policy,” Bello said.

    “At the moment, we are still owning WAEC and NECO almost N500 million to be paid for pupils that cannot have up to five credits and above. So, basically, we are throwing away money. We would rather stop and invest the money in school facility so that in time, we get a lot.”

    Bello said should the government decide to continue, the state would conduct mock exams, and only candidates who scored three credits and above, would the qualify for the free tuition.

    On the state’s indebtedness to NECO and WAEC, Bello said the government was negotiating with the two exam bodies to solve the problem.

  • 14 corps members died in Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, say officials

    14 corps members died in Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, say officials

    Seven members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 2015 Batch B stream one, serving in Kaduna State, died during the service year.

    State Coordinator Mr. Mohammed Momoh, who spoke during the Passing-Out Parade (POP) yesterday, said eight others, who absconded after their orientation last year, would repeat their service year.

    He said 15 had their service years extended for violating NYSC rules and regulations.

    “This is a punitive measure against erring corps members for violating rules and regulations of the corps,” he said.

    Momoh noted that three corps members won the state’s prestigious merit award; seven got the chairman’s award while 10 won the state coordinator’s commendation award.

    He praised the state and the people for the sustained moral and financial support to corps members, urging them to utilise skills acquired in their future endeavours.

    Five corps members also died in Sokoto State. State Coordinator Mr. Thomas Yamma said they died of natural causes.

    Yamma added that 11 would repeat the service year for absconding from their primary assignments, noting that seven had their years extended between two and four months for various offences.

    “Four corps members received state merit awards; four got the chairman’s award and six got commendation letters.

    “On the whole, corps members exhibited a high sense of commitment and diligence. I must also praise the management of the NYSC, Sokoto State government and the Sultanate for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said.

    State NYSC Chairman Muhammad Ladan hailed the corps members for being good ambassadors.

    Two corps members died in Niger State. Twenty four had their service years extended.

    Ten received the state merit award and another 10 received commendation.

    State Coordinator Mrs. Bolade Omolayo Loto spoke during their POP yesterday.

    According to her, the corps members had their service years extended because of their continuous absence from their primary assignments, without permission.

    Loto, who refused to state the cause of deaths, said the NYSC would take measures in preventing further deaths.

    She said 2,193 corps members passed out, adding that the ceremony was low key, as corps members will collect their certificates in their local government areas.

  • Downturn: Niger grows own rice

    Downturn: Niger grows own rice

    With the national economy down and federal allocations paltry, Niger State is stepping up rice and other food crops production, reports JUSTINA ASISHANA

    The profile of the national economy is public knowledge. Crude oil prices are down, so the federal government has pretty little cash to run the country. To prop up the paltry cash available, imports are tightened, resulting in the exorbitant prices of whatever goods which manage to get in from abroad. This has caused a lot of pain to the populace.

    But there is a solution: grow more of what you consume so you don’t have to import it, especially if you can produce it.

    Niger State has since woken up to the wisdom of growing what its people eat. Last year its farmers cultivated 1000 hectares of rice; this year, it is getting a boost to double the figure. With the Fadama Additional Financing, a facility of the federal government, 2000 farmers in the state will grow 2000 hectares of rice. Sorghum farmers will also get assistance to expand their produce, as will cassava growers.

    Such a development is good for a country in recession.

    Thankfully, some other states are keying into the new plan, collaborating with the private sector to boost rice production, a move which will also create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths, reduce poverty and fast-track federal government’s self-sufficiency plan for rice production.

    With the contribution of Fadama III Additional Financing which is currently making a huge impact in the agricultural sector in the country towards boosting food production with about 24 states working to improve various major crops, there is no doubt that there will soon be a change in the sector.

    In Niger State, Fadama III AF has been working towards improving food production by assisting 2000 farmers to cultivate 2000 hectares of rice farms and 1,860 farmers in sorghum.

    When added to the 1000 hectares of rice being cultivated last year, the state will be able to provide rice for the people in the state at a lower price. The Fadama coordinator in the state, Mr Aliyu Usman Kutigi, an engineer, told North Report that they are working to ensure that the farmers produce rice twice a year by rehabilitating the major irrigation schemes and rehabilitating the access roads to the schemes.

    He stated that instead of producing one or two tonnes of rice per hectare, with the assisted improved inputs and mechanised tools, the farmers are currently producing five tonnes and more per hectares.

    Kutigi said that this will minimise the importation of rice with the huge amount that is being used for importation used for other things.

    “Fadama has mandated six states to boost rice production in the country. We started last year, although the impact is not much, the yield realized by the farmers in rice production have been increased. With 1000 hectares cultivated last year and 2000 being cultivated this year, there will be significant impact in the country soon.”

    Kutigi further disclosed that Fadama in Niger state is aiming towards assisting 10,000 farmers of rice and sorghum while increasing their income and yield by 40 per cent.

    He said that 300 youths and women groups will be trained and empowered by Fadama in the area of livestock to reduce youth restiveness and boost the economy of the state.

     

  • River Niger drying up, warns Federal Govt

    The Federal Government has raised the alarm that the River Niger is drying up.

     

    To save the river from the fate that befell Lake Chad, the Federal Government along with countries bordering the River Niger has approved the environmental audit of the river.

     

    Addressing journalists at the end of the 6th Annual Meeting of African Organization do Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Audit (AFROSAI WGEA) in Abuja on Tuesday on the development, the Acting Auditor of the Federation (AuGF) Mrs Florence Anyanwu confirmed that that River Niger was drying up.

     

    She noted that countries bordering the river have approved the environmental audit of the river and that commencement of the audit of one of the longest rivers in Africa will begin at the end of the meeting in Abuja.

     

    According to Anyanwu, “talks are ongoing on the cooperative environmental audit project on River Niger by Niger Basin Authority consisting of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’ Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.”

     

    She lamented that the drying up of the River Niger posed social, environmental and economic treat to the communities bordering the river.

     

    When completed, the environmental audit of River Niger will afford the governments the information they need to save the river from further deterioration as well as ensure its continued benefit to bordering communities.

     

    With regards to Lake Chad that has significantly lost a large portion of it body of water, the chair of the AFROSAI WGEA, Mrs Mbah Acha Rose Fomundam said the environmental audit report of the Lake Chad has been sent to the governments of the four countries surrounding the lake to come up with laws to save the river from total evaporation.

     

    Lake Chad is a shallow lake that ordinarily should be fed with constant rain but environmental challenges have seen the lake suffer from sustained drop in the volume of rain fall feeding the lake and a growing population that depends on the lake for water, fishing and agriculture.

     

    Fomundam noted that “despite the signing of multilateral agreements on the environment and established institutions, current scientific studies reveal that many of the planet’s ecosystems have rapidly deteriorated over the last 20 years.”

     

    She added that “citizens have increasingly expected that organizations that hurt the environment be held accountable for their actions, with many citizens feeling that government declarations concerning the environment and sustainable development should be subject to independent audits to assess the extent to which they are implemented.”

     

    In her address the minister of environment Mrs Amina Mohammed said “environmental auditing is an essential component of sustainable environmental management as it provides the mechanism for allowing government to know what has gone wrong over time and highlights the need for urgent policy action.”

     

    She added that “our environment is our sustenance and unless we care for our environment, our lives will be at risk. Unless we have a clear knowledge of what is happening to our environment, we may not be able to make appropriate policies for sustainable environmental management