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Tag: Nigeria News

  • INEC commences CVR in Madagali LGA

    INEC commences CVR in Madagali LGA

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has commenced Continuous Voters Registration ( CVR ) in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, Alhaji Kasim Gaidam, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said.

    Gaidam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Tuesday that the exercise was initially stopped following Boko Haram attacks on villages in the area.

    He said the registration followed intensive stakeholders’ meeting between security agencies, government officials and elders from the area.

    He added that “finally, INEC has fixed Wednesday, Sept. 20, to start Continuous Voters Registration in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa.

    “The exercise was halted due to insecurity challenges.

    “However, security situation has improved now and following stakeholders meeting, CVR can now start.”

    He announced that a total of 86,631 eligible voters had earlier been registered across the state.

    He said there were about 130,000 unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards in the state and appealed to genuine owners to come forward and claim them.

  • Yobe to empower farmers with Irrigation scheme

    Yobe to empower farmers with Irrigation scheme

    Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture Mustapha Gajirema says the state government will empower farmers in Nguru and Muguram with irrigation scheme before the end of the year.

    Gajirema told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Tuesday that work on the construction of channels from the Nguru lake was almost completed.

    The commissioner said that yobe government constituted Irrigation Task Force project to promote 12 calendar months farming activities in the state.

    He said that the water channels were being constructed to provide farmers with water from the Nguru lake.

    “The project is designed to make farming an all year round activity where farmers will be switching off from wet season farming to irrigation and vice versa.”

    According to him, this will help to improve the economy and enhance food security.

    “The 35 hectares rice irrigation trail project in Muguram village and the maize farm in Jumbam village recorded bumper harvests.”

    He said that farmers would cultivate wheat from November to March, while rice would be cultivated between April and October.

    He said the state had 500 hectares of arable lands in Nguru and 400 others in Muguram for gradual expansion of the irrigation scheme.

    The commissioner assured that government would support wet season and irrigation farmers with inputs to promote agricultural production in the state.

    Gajirema also cautioned farmers against rushing their harvests to the markets.

    “We must resist temptations of extravagance, you are encouraged to preserve your harvests,” while assuring that government would also provide markets for the harvests.

    “Government will buy the products for the Strategic Grains Reserve programme to be sold out to the public at a subsidised rate during periods of need.”

  • Ekiti students, bus drivers clash over rape of student

    Ekiti students, bus drivers clash over rape of student

    Tension rose in Ikere Ekiti yesterday following a violent clash between some students and commercial drivers over the rape of a female student, (names withheld).

    A 200 level student of the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti was allegededly raped by a commercial driver along College-Igbara Odo way on Sunday.

    The lady, who was said to have suffered from malaria fever who went to town to seek medical treatment, was allegedly raped by a commercial driver fondly called ( Akoto driver ) at about 8pm.

    Enraged by the action, students of the College on Monday took to the streets and dealt with any known commercial driver sighted along the way.

    This led to the blockage of the Ado-Ikere-Akure way, which caused disruption of traffic flow for several hour

    The violence also disrupted commercial activities at Odo Oja area of ikere Ekiti, as many of them hurriedly closed shop to prevent looting of their wares.

    It was gathered that the lady has been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

    Speaking with  the police public relations officer of the state command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, described rape as the highest point of criminality which he said would not be tolerated.

    Adeyemi said normalcy has returned to the beleaguered town and that the police had launched a serious manhunt for the alleged rapist.

    “Yes, the lady was sick and was being conveyed to the College when she was raped. The police don’t tolerate any criminal action in any way and this won’t be an exemption.

    “We have launched a manhunt for the man. The police are on his trail and we shall bring him to justice by the grace of God”, he said.

  • Customs’ Eastern Area Command generates N4.89bn

    Customs’ Eastern Area Command generates N4.89bn

     The Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service ( NCS ) has generated N4.89 billion within eight months.

    The Area Comptroller, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, made the disclosure to newsmen on Monday at a stakeholders meeting in Enugu.

    Mohammed said that the N4.89 billion was about 45.3 per cent of the projected revenue target of the area command for the year.

    According to him, the 2017 revenue target of customs for the three states is N10.84 billion

    “The total amount realised as at August (from Jan. 1) stood at “Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Three Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Five Naira, Seventy Seven Kobo (N4, 895,311,805.77) representing 45.3 per cent of the target for the year,’’ he said.

    The comptroller attributed the shortfall in revenue of the agency to the lack of border areas in the three states under the command.

    He said: “the three states covered by the command have no land borders and as such no frontier stations, rather it’s an excise oriented area with at least 20 excise factories under its control.

    “Besides, only 14 excise factories are functional presently whole six are temporarily closed-down.”

    Also speaking, Chief Raymond Okonkwo, the Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF ), urged stakeholders in freight industry to tackle facilities related problems at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

    Okonkwo said: “there is a need for stakeholders who have interest in the development of the airport structure to come together to ensure that things are the way they should.

    “The run-way at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is not of the standard to attract international flights.

    “When facilities at any airport runs short of international regulations, you know that there is a problem as no airline will put his aircraft at risk.’’

    Speaking, the representative of Triax Group of Companies, Chief Emeka Okeke, called on South-East governors to join hands with the Enugu State governor to see that the airport becomes truly international in its operation.

    “We should not leave this thing for one state alone. I don’t know why the governments of the South-East states should not come to support this international airport project.

    “Let us start with one international airport before talking of cargo airport and the rest of them.

    “Enugu is the main eastern-base and this problem should be addressed squarely,’’ Okeke said.

  • Macron to address terrorism, climate at UN

    Macron to address terrorism, climate at UN

    French President Emmanuel Macron will give his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, with terrorism and climate change as his top priorities.

    Elysee officials were tight-lipped about the likely contents of Macron’s speech ahead of his travel.

    But his agenda included a security-focused meeting on Monday evening with fellow heads of state from the Sahel region of West Africa, where French troops are supporting local forces against militants.

    Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni would host a meeting on preventing terrorist use of the internet.

    The French president, who took office in May, would also open a summit on a French-backed proposal for global pact on environment, aimed at creating binding international code of environmental law.

    French officials say Macron will also discuss the Syrian conflict with leaders of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council – Britain, China, Russia and the U.S.

  • Osun doctors embark on a seven-day warning strike

    Osun doctors embark on a seven-day warning strike

     The Osun State Chapter of Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA ) on Monday ordered its members working with state government to proceed on a 7-day warning strike over unpaid salary arrears and poor working condition.

    The NMA Chairman in the state, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke gave the directive after an emergency general meeting of the association in Osogbo.

    Olajumoke said the 7-day warning strike was coming after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government by the association to meet its demands.

    “The 7-day warning strike is to commence immediately because the 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government to look into the pending issues raised by the doctors has expired.

    “Within that 7-day there will not be any form of clinical activities in all the state- owned hospitals and no doctor is allowed to treat any patient for that seven days.”

    Olajumoke stressed that the warning strike was to allow the government to engage the doctors in a dialogue to look into their demands.

    Other demands by the doctors are nonpayment of CONMESS salary scale, over taxation, mutilated and outstanding salaries of doctors, among others.

    Reacting to the strike, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu lsamotu, appealed to the doctors to be patient with the state government , saying their requests are being looked into.

    Isamotu said the government was committed to providing quality healthcare delivery for the masses as well as ensuring that the doctors get the best from the government of osun.

  • Police confirm murder of Islamic cleric, 16 others in Borno

    Police confirm murder of Islamic cleric, 16 others in Borno

    The Police in Borno on Monday said that Boko Haram insurgent had killed an Islamic cleric at Kurumari village in Magumeri local government area of the state.

    DSP Isuku Victor, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Victor said that three other persons were killed when the insurgents stormed the village on Sunday.

    “On September 17, at about 22:30 hours, some suspects reasonably believed to be Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kurumari village, about 14 kilometres east of Magumeri town, in Magumeri local government area.

    “Four persons including the Imam of the village were reportedly killed during the attack.”

    Victor disclosed that 13 other persons were also killed in multiple suicide bomb attacks at Mashemeri village in Konduga local government area of the state.

    “On Monday September 18, at about 10:50 hours, two male and a female suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks at different locations at Mashemari village in konduga Local Government Area.

    “The first explosion occurred when there was echo of sporadic shooting in a farm. In the ensuing stampede, the first suicide bomber detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs).

    “The other two suicide bombers detonated their explosives inside the village close to the house of the village head.

    “Thirteen persons including the three suicide bombers died while sixteen other persons sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.

    Isuku said that the victims were referred to the General Hospital, Konduga for treatment.

    He added that Police EOD team and Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) were deployed; adding that normalcy had been restored to the area.

  • IPOB: Saraki faults South-East Govs, Army over proscription

    IPOB: Saraki faults South-East Govs, Army over proscription

    President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, says Nigerian Army’s branding of Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) as a terrorist organisation is unconstitutional.

    Also unconstitutional, according to him, is the proscription of the group by the governors of South-East states.

    Saraki, in a 10-point statement on Monday in Abuja, said the pronouncements by the governors and the military did not follow due process.

    Read also: IPOB: Army not under Political Pressure – Buratai

    He said that such declarations would not take effect because the laws had made clear provisions for taking such actions.

    “I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process.

    “This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world that we are a country that operates by laid down process under every circumstance.

    “So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool,’’ he said.

    While commending the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of the country and sustaining the unity, he urged it to be guided by their training in the face of provocation.

    Read also: IPOB: Opposition’s plot to destabilise Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

    According to Saraki, military training emphasises respect for human rights, even in war situations.

    He added that given the nature of the situation in the South East, the military should have been hesitant in the use of force.

    The president of the senate urged the executive not to over-stretch the military, adding that “we need to protect our military against dissipation of their fighting strength.

    “This means we need to strengthen the police and equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crisis.

    “That is why we in the National Assembly are already reviewing the Police Act and  looking at possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help curb civil unrest and maintenance of law and order.’’

    He said that the national assembly would embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at determining what happened during the military exercise in the South-East.

    Saraki said that it was to enable it sift the facts from the fiction and determine who did what, adding that all the facts were not yet known.

    He assured Nigerians that there would be no cover-up, saying that all facts would be laid bare.

    He called for calm and restraint by all Nigerians to provide the right solution to the current problem rather than worsening it.

    The president of the senate further urged the people of the South-East to continue to maintain peace and tranquility and go about their lawful business.

    Read also: Fayose has link with IPOB funding, says Ekiti APC

    He explained that if allowed to continue, the crisis would only expose innocent people to unwarranted danger.

    He commended Nigerians in other parts of the country who had worked to ensure that the crisis did not spread beyond the South-East.

    Saraki called for peace and stability to ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe and creed, remained protected and safe under the law.

    “It is also important that commentators and purveyors of information on all media platforms should be conscious of the need, at all times, to maintain the unity of the country.

    “Therefore, they must refrain from circulating information that has the potential for aggravating the crisis.

    “We should all realise that Nigeria is all we have.

    “It is therefore in our individual and collective interests not to stoke the fire of crisis and fan the embers of discord through the messages we spread.

    “We must all protect and strengthen our country rather than contributing to her collapse and disintegration.

    “We want to remind Nigerians that the reason for constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among us.

    “We have promised that the exercise will be continuous. We intend to keep that promise by further taking decisions that will strengthen and improve on our structures,’’ he said.

    Saraki assured that the national assembly would on resumption, play its constitutional role by addressing all issues agitating the minds of Nigerians.

    He called on political, religious and traditional leaders to continue to engage with the people on the need to maintain peace.

  • PENGASSAN to FG – ‘settle marketers debts to avert mass sack’

    PENGASSAN to FG – ‘settle marketers debts to avert mass sack’

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN ) on Sunday called on the Federal Government to settle all debts allegedly owed oil marketers to engender growth of the oil and gas industry and develop the nation’s economy.

    The union made the call against the backdrop of threat by the marketers to embark on massive retrenchment of their employees if the government refused to pay the over N720 billion subsidy arrears.

    Mr Fortune Obi, National Public Relations Officer, PENGASSAN in a statement said the debts were the outstanding subsidy owed on the importation of petroleum products, accrued interest on loans from banks and exchange rate differential.

    The union said the debts resulted in halt in the importation of refined petroleum products leaving only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) doing the business.

    PENGASSAN appealed to government to pay the debts owed the marketers to speed growth  and attract more investment  in the downstream sector.

    “The government should try as much as possible to verify the authenticity of the claims by the oil marketers and ensure quick settlement of the genuine debts.

    “The government should try to separate the genuine claims by the importers from spurious ones and pay them because we will not like to be engulfed in the mistakes of the past where briefcase marketers milked the nation through dubious subsidy claims.

    “A situation where the workers in the industry bear the inability of the government to honour its obligations as part of the importation deal will be unfair and unacceptable to our Association. This is against the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration major policy of job creation.

    “As a responsible trade union, as much as we will support any move by the government to end subsidy regime and spurious claims by the marketers, we are also canvassing for the payment of debts that can hinder the growth of the downstream sector and attract investments into the sector,” PENGASSAN said.

    The union noted that in the last five years about 70 per cent of the workforce in the downstream sector, especially the marketing sub sector have been thrown into the “over-bloated labour market.”

  • Nigerian wins 2017 UNHCR Refugees Award

    Nigerian wins 2017 UNHCR Refugees Award

    A Nigerian, Mr Zannah Mustapha, the Director, Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School, has won the UN High Commission for Refugees ( UNHCR ) 2017 Nansen Refugees Award.

    Mustapha, the first Nigerian Laureate of the award, will be unveiled on Monday in Abuja.

    UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugees Council said on Monday that Mustapha was chosen as the winner of the award for his humanitarian works in championing the rights of children.

    They noted that Mustapha’s NGO not only provides education for children but also caters to the needs of orphans, widows and abandoned children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, thereby bringing succour to them.

    In a statement issued in Geneva on Monday, Mr Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said: “Education is one of the most powerful tools for helping refugee children overcome the horrors of violence and forced displacement.

    “It empowers young people, equips them with skills and works to counter exploitation and recruitment by armed groups.

    “Conflict can leave children with physical and emotional scars that are deep and lasting as it forces them from their homes, exposes them to unspeakable atrocities and often rips apart their families.

    “The work Mustapha and his team are doing is of the utmost importance, helping to foster peaceful coexistence and rebuild communities in North-Eastern Nigeria.

    “With this award, we honour his vision and services,’’ Grandi said.

    Speaking with NAN in Abuja, Mr Jose-Antonio Canhandula, UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, said that Mustapha was recoginsed for his efforts in championing the rights of children.

    “In addition to his education work, Mustapha has demonstrated commitment to helping all parts of the society affected by the conflict which includes setting up cooperatives for widows and supporting nearly 600 women in Maiduguri.

    “The UNHCR recognises his role as a mediator between the government and the insurgents for the release of the 82 chibok girls and the 21 young women held captive by Boko Haram for two years,’’ Canhandula said.

    In a separate statement, issued by the Norwegian Refugees Council, its Secretary-General, Mr Jan Egeland, said that the recognition of Mustapha’s brave works highlighted the importance of education for the future of Nigeria.

    “Schools lie at the heart of a society and destroying them crushes the chance of Nigeria’s next generation succeeding,’’ Egeland said.

    In his reaction to the award, Mustapha told NAN in Abuja that he felt humbled and honoured to be “listed among great icons’’ in the world for his humanitarian works in the North-East.

    He said that the award would give impetus to his humanitarian works as his vision is for the activities of his foundation to serve as a template for peaceful reconciliation in the North-East and other parts of the country.

    He said that in just a decade since its inception, the school had recorded tremendous success, which gives him the assurance that peaceful reconciliation through education and integration is achievable.

    Mustapha told NAN that founded his NGO in 2007 to provide free education, meals, uniforms and healthcare to children and orphans among others, in an effort to engender peace and reconciliation.

    “We started with 36 students and have graduated more 1,000 students; enrolled 626 in 2017, more than half of whom are girls, including 186 IDPs with 5,000 on the waiting list.

    “These children include children from both the military and the Boko Haram and they have grown to see themselves as one.

    “If it continues like this, then we are sure of peaceful reconciliation and an end to the insurgency,’’ Mustapha said.

    NAN reports that the 2017 Nansen Refugees Award will be presented to Mustapha on Oct. 2, in Geneva.

    The UNHCR Nansen Refugees award was established in 1954 and awarded annually to an individual, group or organization in recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced and stateless persons.

    The award includes a commonwealth medal and monetary prize of 100,000 dollars donated by the governments of Norway and Switzerland to begin a project in consultation with UNHCR, to complement the laureate’s existing work.