The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Northern Nigeria

  • How desperate traders distort original plans of city markets

    How desperate traders distort original plans of city markets

    RENOWNED as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, Kano State does not only serve the commercial needs of other states in the northern parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger Republic, business men and women from the southern parts of the country also troop to the ancient city on a daily basis to buy and sell goods and services.

    Kano, the state capital, boasts no fewer than 305 markets, the major ones including the famous Abubakar Rimi Market otherwise known as Sabon Gari Market. Others include Singer Market, Kantin Kwari Textiles Market, Kurmi Ancient Market, Kofar Wambai Market, Yan Katako Market, Yankaba Market and Farm Centre GSM Market.

    Over the years, virtually all the aforementioned markets have had their original plans distorted by desperate traders via illegal erection of kiosks and make-shift shops on the roadsides and waterways, which often result in avoidable disasters like fire outbreaks, flooding and criminal activities.

    Upon assumption of office in 2015, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje initiated a comprehensive master plan geared towards returning the markets to the path of decency. Only recently, he performed the ground-breaking of 4,182 lock-up shops for medium-scale traders at the popular Kantin Kwari Textiles Market at the cost of N5 billion. The project was aimed at decongesting the market and doing away with the syndrome of clustering of make-shift shops.

    Governor Ganduje said the multi-billion naira ultra-modern market project was anchored on a public/private partnership agreement with two indigenous companies. Our reporter, who visited the site, confirmed that the Kantin Kwari multi-billion naira project was nearing completion. Ganduje also promised to replicate the same gesture in other markets across the state.

    However, The Nation observed that the markets mostly affected by illegal erection of shops, make-shift shops and kiosks include Abubakar Rimi Market, Kurmi Market, Dawanau Grain Market and Rijiyar Lemo Market, among others. at the popular Kantin Kwari Textiles Market at the cost of N5 billion. The project was aimed at decongesting the market and doing away with the syndrome of clustering of make-shift shops.

    Governor Ganduje said the multi-billion naira ultra-modern market project was anchored on a public/private partnership agreement with two indigenous companies. Our reporter, who visited the site, confirmed that the Kantin Kwari multi-billion naira project was nearing completion. Ganduje also promised to replicate the same gesture in other markets across the state.

    However, The Nation observed that the markets mostly affected by illegal erection of shops, make-shift shops and kiosks include Abubakar Rimi Market, Kurmi Market, Dawanau Grain Market and Rijiyar Lemo Market, among others. markets too are suffering the same thing.

    Lack of proper structure has made activities in the market very hazardous. We most of the time experience traffic-jam, making the environment very chaotic and sometimes causing avoidable accidents.

    “In most cases, cart-pushers, customers, motorists, tricycle operators and motorcyclists struggle on the narrow roads for passage. I believe that government and the market authorities should do something about the situation so as to avoid distortion of free-flow of traffic.

    “In most cases, criminals bank on the situation to operate—picking pockets and snatching of bags and purses are daily experience in the market.”

     

    Like Kano like Niger

    The Kure Ultra-modern market in Minna is one of the largest markets in the state. It was constructed by the administration of the late former governor, Abdullahi Kure, an engineer, and completed by his immediate successor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu. At the onset of the market, there were clear distortions of the market plan by traders as most of them left the shops that were allocated to them to find their ways to the roadside in a bid to make more sales.

    It took the joint efforts of the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) and the local government authorities to enforce the ‘stay in your shop/stall’ policies. However, immediately after the end of the tenure of the last administration, the traders tried to return to the status quo. There were instances where the traders’ goods were thrown by cyclists because they were blocking the road path.

    The Kure Market is divided into two parts, the ultra-modern market and the local market, which opens Wednesdays and Saturdays respectively. The Saturday market is called Kodobe, where traders, especially Gwaris, come to trade their farm produce. Kodobe is also a market for second-hand clothes and items in the state capital.

    While order and the market plan have been kept in the modern market, the other part is a cause of headache for the state government. Traders who are unable to get stalls display their wares on the road, making vehicular and human movement difficult.

    Even when NISEPA’s enforcement officers try to drive traders away from the road, it is often difficult because even the customers support the move of the traders on the basis that the market is only for a day. The Kodobe market is a continuous source of headache and a hard nut for the government to tackle.

    An Official of NISEPA told The Nation that the techniques they used in ensuring that the ‘stay in your stall’ order is effective in other markets cannot be used in Kodobe because the traders do not keep their goods there.

    “Most of them come on Saturday mornings and start selling where they find space. We are also short of staff and do not have enough manpower to be at strategic places. The problem is that while we succeed in driving some traders from one spot, we move to another spot and before we returned, some other traders would have occupied the spot we cleared earlier. So it is difficult. But if we have enough staff, I can assure you that Kodobe will be orderly like other markets,” he stated.

    The Kasan Gwari market is another market in Minna where the traders can be said to be the stubborn ones who refused to move when the main market was relocated from Mobile Roundabouts to the Kure ultra-modern market. These traders even trade on the rail track and close the roads in the evenings.

    While during the day the market may look calm with little or no distortion of traffic, once it gets to 4pm, it becomes difficult for cars to pass through the route.

    Mama Brenda, a fish seller, said: “How will they drive us when we come out after they have all gone home? They have tried so many times, but unlike what they did in Tunga Market where they took people’s goods to their office, we do not leave our goods here for them to take. So how will they drive us?”

    Asked if she did not know that the place where they were trading was not a market, she retorted: “Where will I go? Getting a shop in Kure Market is too expensive, and they will not allow you to put your table somewhere to sell what you want to sell.

    “I have been selling fish for long. I use it to support my husband and all the front shops have been taken. Will people leave the fish sellers at the front and come to where I will be to buy fish from me? It will not be possible.”

    Efforts made to speak with the General Manager of NISEPA, Mr. Lucky Barau, yielded no result as he was not in the office when The Nation visited. Efforts made to get him on the phone were also futile as the calls and text messages got no response.

     

    Lagos, the city that won’t stop growing

    Lagos is undoubtedly the commercial nerve centre of not just Nigeria but the West Africa region. There are many markets in Lagos, and each of them is unique in the kinds of items available and the services they offer. However, with the sprawling nature of the city and the influx of people on a daily basis, many of the shop spaces in the inner markets have been taken, forcing other traders to take over spaces meant for vehicles.

    For places like Ladipo Market, which is famed for auto spare parts, and Balogun Market, known for sales of household items and fabrics, wading through their paths is a nightmare for motorists and commuters alike, as traders have taken over the drive ways with wares. Sanity only returns to these sites on few occasions when men of the Lagos Task Force impound some of their goods.

    Oshodi, a major location in Lagos, records lots of vehicular movement and human traffic because it connects the other part of the city. It used to be a chaotic location until the government of Babatunde Fashola demolished some of the illegal stalls blocking passersby and motorists.  Only recently, there was another demolition exercise at the Owonifari Market in Oshodi, and the traders were asked to move to Isopakodowo where there are over 600 shops and hundreds of stalls selling goods that range from shoes to household items and fabrics.

    Mrs. Gift Adeboye, who sells sachet water and soft drinks along the ever busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, said she decided to move her wares to the road because she could not afford a shop. “If you can manage on the road, you do so till you are able to get money to rent a shop. Your income and my income are not the same. Cut your coat according to your size,” she stated.

    Another textile merchant in the market, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, bemoaned the fact that those who sell on the roadside not only distort market plans but also make more money than those with shops.

    She said: “If I have my way, I will sell at the roadside, because the rates for the shops are too exorbitant. For instance, in a month, I pay N36,000 without other statutory fees. That means in a year, I pay almost N400,000 for shop. What am I selling? How much money I’m I making anyway?”

    She pleaded with the government and the Iyaloja General to subsidise the rates for shops in the market so that the traders at the roadside can move inside.

    Mr Abdulwakim Ashafa, the facility manager at the Isopakodowo Market in Oshodi, believes there would be ease of movement if government makes provision for accommodating those who ply their trades on the road.

    He said: “Those people selling on the road are not members of this market. Most of these traders engage in this activity because of the kind of goods they are selling. For instance, a pure water hawker won’t be interested in renting a shop because of affordability.

    “The market executives have tried in curtailing their activities. There was a time we went to a prominent radio station to announce that the government should assist us in sending them away so as not to disrupt the original plans of the market”.

    “The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps are trying their best, but we would appreciate more efforts.”

    Another prominent market which has distorted the city landscape is the Ladipo Market located in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State. The market is the number one hub for mechanics, rewires, car owners and those who want to buy or sell fairly used cars, spare parts and phones.

    A young man who identified himself as John told the reporter that he was forced to sell on the road since he was selling phone accessories in an Auto spare parts market.

    “How do you expect me to get Customers? I don’t have a choice but to come close to the road where customers passing by can easily see me,” he said.

    Mr. Henry Jonathan, an auto spare parts dealer, is of the opinion that the people in the market are bigger than the market, and as such, the crowded pathways cannot be avoided.

    “If we do not have economic meltdown there will be different options for other to learn other things. People are forced to learn trade and after that, there is no shop for them to sell but they must survive”.

    The Alaba International Market is a well organised electronic market located at Alaba, Ojo, Lagos. The market is also patronised by people from neighbouring countries. It consists of over 5,000 shops, excluding attachments and sub-shops. More than two million people transact business in the market daily. The market can be accessed from Badagry on the Badagry-Oshodi-Apapa Expressway through Iyana Iba or Volks, and can also be reached from any part of Lagos via Mile 2/Festac Town to Volks.

    Mr. Lawrence Anaba, the Secretary General of Alaba International Market Association, told The Nation that the market has been distorted in recent times by the activities of desperate traders who go as far as blocking the main roads to the markets.

    “Many market men and women left where they were trading at Okakomaiko, Ajangbadi to trade on the road here in Alaba International. It gives us serious concern because there is no movement and it hinders commerce. Most of our customers want to come to the market, but when they remember the traffic, they get discouraged and decide not to come.”

    At Eko Idumota where the price of a shop can go as high as 1 million per year with payment of 5 years deposit, it didn’t come as a surprise that the market is burdened by roadside traders clustering streets and corners.

    Also, the formerly rowdy and disorganised Tejuosho Market comes close to what can be called an ultra-modern market save for desperate traders, many of them young men, who shove their goods in the faces of passersby and also claim spaces on the railway lines. It is a major reason why the Yaba axis linking Tejuosho is always engulfed in traffic snarl, leading to loss of man hours.

     

    Sad tale of Bola Ige International Market

    When The Nation visited Bola Ige International Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, absence of facilities such as convenient parking spaces and clear road paths were observed.

    A market leader who declined to give his name said the market would have today remained one of the best on the continent if the various distortions had not been done to its original plans.

    Also, a middle aged man who trades in clothes but pleaded anonymity said people scramble for space in the market to have a sense of belonging, but many of them still have makeshift places outside the market.

    He added that the market leaders with the knowledge of local government authorities, decide on which part of the market can take an additional structure, mostly containers, and they allocate same to those they wish. Such people, according to the source, now sublet the stores to those who sell their wares there.

    According to the man, who had been in the market for more than 30 years, many places and structures that could have made the market of international standard as designed by the initiator, the late Chief Bola Ige, has been removed with some remolded to become a store.

    He said the greed of some of the money bags and people who want stores in the market at all cost had made them to lobby the authorities, who upon seeing there was no vacant space decided to convert some facilities that were not originally designed as shops to become shops.

    Another female source, who was also not willing to have her name in print, noted that her own store pays the sum of N3,000 into government’s bank account. She, however, said she was not sure if the account belonged to the state or local government.

    She added that most times, because of low patronage, most shop owners still station some sales boys at major entrances to the market to woo prospective buyers.

    “Having a space in the market is just a sure way of having a sense of belonging and assure the prospective customers of the originality of the products they want to buy,” she said.

    A middle aged woman, who sells petty goods at one of the gates to the market, said she was managing the space when she could not afford the means for a bigger shop and space within the market. She stated that many of those who sell beside her at the roadside have also suffered a change in fortunes as many of them used to own big shops and stores within the main market but have to cling to the little they have left for survival.

     

    She, however, added that even the roadside where she trades was allocated to her by the market authorities and that she pays a certain amount to some persons on a daily basis. She refused to disclose the amount she pays and the person(s) she pays to daily.

    With the rate at which the market is falling into ruins, driving and moving cars around it in recent times has become a big issue, which is not in line with the template designed by the late Bola Ige who the market was named after.

    Efforts to get government’s reaction to the issue was futile. An email sent to the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism was not replied to at the time of filing the report. Earlier, series of calls and text message were sent to the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Isaac Ishola, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperative, Princess Taibat Adeyemi-Agaba, who later asked that all enquiries be directed to the Commissioner of Information.

    Their responses were still being awaited at press time.

  • Why North is opposed to implementation of 2014 Confab Report

    Why North is opposed to implementation of 2014 Confab Report

    Opposition to the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference report by the north may not be unconnected with its recommendations that the derivation to oil producing communities as well as other mineral producing communities and the creation of additional state for the south east.

    The report had recommended that in the principle of equity and true federalism, an additional state be created for the south east geopolitical zone to bring them at per with other geopolitical zones in the country.

    The conference believed that increasing derivation to oil producing states will help address the current agitations in the country, while attention to be given to the development of the solid mineral sector as well as attention given to rebuilding areas ravaged by insurgency and other forms of crisis.

    The pan northern socio-political Organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum has consistently expressed its opposition to the implementation of the report, even as the NationL Assembly ask the Executive to officially forward a copy of the report to them for consideration as part of efforts at addressing the growing agitations in the country.

    In a communique at the end of its meeting recently, the ACF explained that “the North’s opposition to implementation of recommendations of report of the 2014 National Conference is not so much because of any legal consideration, as to its legitimacy, but also because the selection of the conference delegates was skewed against the North”.

    However a close study of the report revealed that the conference recommended the fast tracking of the development of solid minerals as well as the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas ravaged by insurgency and conflict.

    A copy of the 763 paged report obtained by The Nation was signed by Chairman of the conference and Former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Deputy Chairman and Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Conference Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Valerie-Janette Azinge.

    The  current party in government at the federal level and in most states of the federation, the All Progressives Congress (APC) refused to attend the conference and there has been insinuations that even though the Senate has asked the government to forward a copy of the report, the party were not in a hurry to implement the conference report.

    While insisting that the states, rather than geopolitical zones should serve as federating units, it also recommend the rotation of the Presidency between the north and south and among the geopolitical zones, while the governorship position should rotate among the three senatorial zones in the states.

    The conference was of the view that the creation of additional states and rotation of power will reduce current agitations, as it has the potential of eliminating the feeling of marginalization especially by minority’s groups.

    On fiscal federalism, the report said recommended the separation of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the creation of a separate office of the Accountant General for the federal government.

    It said after an extensive deliberation on the issue of fiscal federalism, the conference recommend “creation of the office of the Accountant General (Director General) of the federation as a distinct separate office from the office of the accountant general of the federal government. The committee recommended that the function of both offices shall be clearly outlined and demarcated. 

    “The committee however noted that any name could be designated to the offices provided that their functions are clearly spelt out. The office of the accountant general (Director General) of the federation shall oversee the accrual of revenue into and disbursement from the federation account as and when due, and shall administer these funds as required by the constitution, while the office of the accountant general of the federal government shall oversee the accounts of the federal government.

    “The power of the federal government under section 162(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to proscribe the terms and manner of sharing nation revenue (federations account) shall be exercised through the Revenue Mobilisation and fiscal commission which shall consult the federal abd states governments before presenting a draft bill in the matter to the National Assembly for enactment into law.

    Conference agreed that local government should be stripped of their statusbas the third tier of public administered.”

    It said further that “Having critically examined the issue in contention, conference recognised the need to review the percentage of revenue allocation to states producing oil (and other resources); reconstruct and rehabilitate areas affected by problems of insurgency and internal conflict; and diversify the Nigerian economy by fast tracking the development of the solid minerals sector.

    “The conference also note that assigning percentages for the increase in derivation principle, and setting up special intervention funds to address issues of reconstruction and rehabilitation  of areas ravaged by insurgency and internal conflict ad well as solid minerals development requires some technical details and consideration.

    “Conferences therefore recommends that government should set up a technical committee to determine the appropriate percentages on the three issues and advise government accordingly.”

    While saying that states should serve as federating units, it said: “Conference agreed that federalism denotes a political arrangement in which a country is made up of component parts otherwise called federating units. Thus, in a federation, political power are constitutionally shared between the central government and the federating units. These powers basically represent the functions of each tier of the federation. 

    “Conference also notes the inherent advantages of a federal system of government in a heterogeneous society such as ours. These include the sustenance of unity in diversity; expanded opportunities for the various peoples including minority groups, to participate in the governance nthe country; thus minimising the fears of domination and or marginalisation among minority groups. It also promote broad-based development.

    “Consequently, conference unanimously resolved as follows: Nigeria shall retain a federal system of government. The core elements of the federation shall be a Federal (central) government with states as federating units and without prejudice to states constituting the federating units, states that wish to merge may do so in accordance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended). “

    While advocating financial autonomy for the state houses of Assemblies, it recommended that states wishing to merge must go through a process which must be supported by majority of the electorates in the states.

    He said such states can merge provided “A two third majority of all members in each of the Houses of Assembly of each of the states in which such merger is proposed , supporr  resolution, the merger; a referendum is conducted in each of the states proposing to merge with 75% of the eligible voters in each  the states approving the merger, while the national Assembly, by resolution of a simple majority of membership approves of the merger and states that decide to merge shall also reserve  right to demergez following the same procedure and process for merger.”

    The report frown against the idea of using the regions as federating units saying “the states shall be the federating units and  group of states may create a self-funding zonal commission to promote economic development, good governance, equity, peace and security in accordance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

    The conference recommend the creation of additional 18 states out of the present 36 states, adding that a separate state should be created for the south east in the spirit of reconciliation, equity, fair play and justice.

    It said “Conference resolved that in the spirit of reconciliation, equity, fair play and justice, there shall be crested an additional state for the south east zone and that all the request for state creation shall be considered on merit.”

    However states to be created, it said must meet approved criteria which include economic viability of the states, availability of human, Natural and mineral resources as well as the land mass.

    According to the report, “Conference approved the  for the creation of states. States sought to be created must be viable. In considering viability the following should be tsken into consideration: new states should be economically viable; it should have human, natural and minerals resources. 

    “It should have a minimum land mass/water mass; and the viability of the existing state(s) should be taken into consideration as well so as not to create a situation where new states would leave the existing state(s) unviable.

    “That state creation should be on the basis of parity between the geopolitical zones to ensure equally of zones; additional states should be created in eachbofbrhebsix geopolitical zones to bring the number of States in each zone to nine.”

    The recommended 18 states are APA from present Benue state, Edu from Niger, Kainji from present Kebbi state, Katagun state from present Bauchi, Savannah from present Borno state, Amana from present Adamawa,Gurara from present Kaduna, Ghari from present Kano, Etiti from the present South East Zone, Aba from present Abia.

    Others are Adada from present Enugu,Njaba-Anim from Present Anambra and IMO states, Anioma from present Delta state, Ogoja from present Cross Rivers state, Ijebu from present Ogun and new Oyo from present Oyo state. 

    “That the third state to be created from the south South zone will be named later along with its state capital, that the third state to be created from the south west zone will be named later along with its state capital and that the 1999 constitution shall be amended to allow allow for less onerous process for creation of states. The new states should have cultural/historical antecedents with strong cultural affinity.”

    The conference advocated for what it called home made model of government that effectively combined the presidential and parliamentary system and code named it Modified Presidential system.

    While advocating rotation of power at all levels of government, the 2014 National Conference acknowledge the fact that “Nigerians desire a nation in which every citizen can aspire to the highest office the land without hindrance. Hence, any arrangement that would erase the fear of marginalisation of minority groups should be pursued with vigour. 

    “The principle of rotation of power will also reduce the desperation and tempo agitation for creation of states. Conference noted the need to effectively provide for the active participation of women, the youth and physically challenged in evolving political process. 

    “To give the principles of zoning and rotation of public offices at all levels of government a legal backing, conference agreed that the Electoral Act and the constitution should provide for the principle of zoning and rotation of elective offices at the federal and state levels on the  of excellence equity, gender, justice”

    The conference also agreed that the  “office of the President shall rotate between the north and south and among the six geopolitical zones; the office of the governor shall rotate among the three senatorial districts in the state. The office of Chairman of a local government shall rotate within the local government area. 

    “The independent National Electoral Commission shall divide the local government into twonor three equal parts as the case may be for purpose of the rotation of the office of the chairman. 

    “The participation of women, youth and e physically challenged in the political process and domestication of the conventions the elimination of discrimination against women at all levels if governance and spheres of endeavor.”

    The conference report also made provision for Independent candidates at all levels of elections, calling for the repealed of section 221 of the constitution to provide for Nigerians who meets the specified conditions of the electoral act should be free to contest elections as an independent candidate. 

  • First Northern Nigeria’s solid minerals fair gets stakeholders’ support

    About eight federal agencies and 12 state governments have confirmed their participation at the First Northern Nigeria Solid Minerals Fair and Workshop slated for Kaduna next week.

    Corporate giants on board include Bank of Industry (BoI), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

    Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as well as Ministry of Budget and National Planning have also assured of support for the specialised fair.

    The fair, which is the first of its kind in the solid minerals endowed north, is scheduled to draw attention of relevant stakeholders to available opportunities in the sector.

    Organisers of the event, the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in collaboration with Proedge Limited, stated that the fair would provide a platform for stakeholders to be abreast of best practices in harnessing solid mineral deposits and minimising inherent hazards to individuals and communities.

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has endorsed the event and expressed hope that it would be a forum to “showcase the products and services in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as a means of diversifying the nation’s economy, increase revenue, as well as create job opportunities.”

    “The ministry therefore, endorsed the event in view of its importance to the change agenda and the nation’s quest for transparency and accountability, particularly in the solid minerals sector,” a letter signed by the Ministry’s Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. H. O. Davies, stated.

    He said already the forum is attracting support from relevant government agencies, and that participants will be drawn from all the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); relevant regulatory agencies, financial institutions, equipment manufacturers, private local and international investors and interested individuals.

    Discussants in the thematic areas who are carefully drawn from the academia, government and experienced industry players, would lead participants to explore legal and regulatory frameworks, collaboration among three tiers of government, management, environment and finance.

    Discussion will also touch on technology/equipment and geological studies to determine quantity and quality issues related to the sector.

    It would also serve as avenue to energise states and local governments to organise and register artisanal miners operating in their domain to ensure safer mining environment and improved revenue; curb environmental degradation and unhealthy practices that characterise illegal mining in many local communities’ activities.

    The forum would also be a rallying point for states and local governments to come up with templates to monitor, guide and support miners for optimal job creation and revenue enhancement.

    In addition, it would provide opportunities for miners to learn the benefits of cooperatives, safer mining processes, equipment leasing and financial support from sundry government agencies for improved productivity and profitability.

    They will learn, first-hand, the operation of government’s minerals buying centres across the country to ensure that minerals are properly priced and sold in a structured market setting as opposed to underground sales that had robbed both the local miners and the country of the expected financial gains.

  • ACF to Yoruba Elders: Don’t give ethnic coloration to Ile-ife crisis

    ACF to Yoruba Elders: Don’t give ethnic coloration to Ile-ife crisis

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has appealed to Yoruba elders to in the interest of national unity restrain from giving ethnic coloration to the unfortunate crisis that erupted in Ile-ife, Osun State recently.

    ACF said, described the clash between some Yoruba and Hausa traders as criminality, which it said does not know ethnicity or religion.

    The Northern socio-cultural group in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Muhammadu Ibrahim noted with dismay, accusations by some Yoruba leaders that the Police report on the clash was biased, as the suspects paraded by the police were alleged to be mainly Yoruba.

    It therefore cautioned that, disagreement between individuals or groups of persons that are regarded as ethnic or religious tend to deepen hatred and division among Nigerians, therefore, elders known for their wisdom in settling disputes should not fan embers of divisions among their followers.

    According to the statement, “after the unfortunate clash that happened two weeks ago at Ile-Ife, Osun State between some Yoruba and Hausa traders, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in our reaction condemned the killings and called on all and sundry involved to eschew bitterness and imbibe the spirit of accommodation and tolerance.

    “ACF commended the prompt action taken by the Security Agencies, the Osun State Government and Community leaders to restore peace and normalcy in Ile-Ife.

    “ACF also called on the various communities that have lived together in peace and harmony over the years to always exercise restraints in their utterances on such sensitive issues that might snowball into crises with reprisal consequences. Our position was widely published in both print and electronic media.

    “Unfortunately, subsequent events after the preliminary investigation report of the Police into the Ile-Ife crisis, there have been accusations by some Yoruba leaders that the Police report was biased, as the suspects paraded by the police were alleged to be mainly Yoruba.

    “ACF’s position in this regard is to appeal to the respected Elders of Yoruba not to give unnecessary ethnic coloration to the unfortunate Ile-Ife clash as criminality knows no ethnicity or religion.

    “Any slightest disagreements between individuals or groups of persons that are regarded as ethnic or religious tend to deepen hatred and division among Nigerians. Elders are known for their wisdom in settling disputes and not to fan embers of divisions among their followers.

    “ACF therefore, once more calls for restraints among the various community leaders and urge them to document their grievances and channel same through our known legal process of addressing such grievances, rather than making provocative and inciting statement capable of creating disunity”, the statement read.

     

  • ACF laments slow pace of FG projects

    ACF laments slow pace of FG projects

    ….Wants PHCN privatisation reviewed

     

    The mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has risen from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, lamenting what it described as slow pace of Federal Government projects.

    This was also as the Northern socio-cultural group asked the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency review the privatisation of the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN), which it said has gone bad in the hands of the private investors who acquired them.

    ACF in a communique issued at the end of the meeting presided over by its Deputy Chairman NEC, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande urged that provision be made in 2017 budget to complete projects that are of economic values and have direct bearing on the lives of the people, like Baro Port Terminal, Mambilla Power Project, the Kano-Maiduguri Dual Carriage Way and Kano-Lagos Railway.

    According to the communiqué signed by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, the meeting deliberated extensively on management matters and issues of national importance.

    “The meeting noted with serious concern the slow pace of work on some Federal Government projects that are of economic value and have direct bearing on the lives of the people. Projects like the completion of Baro Port Terminal, the Mambilla Power Project, the Kano-Maiduguri Dual Carriage Way, Kano-Lagos Railway, and many others. It therefore calls on the Government and the National Assembly to appropriate adequate funds in the 2017 Budget for the completion of these projects.

    “The meeting noted the abysmally low power generation and erratic power supply being experienced nationwide. It therefore questioned the wisdom of the privatization of the Power Holding Company (PHCN) and also the capacity of the private entrepreneurs that bought the power generation and distribution outfits.

    “The regular excuses of shortage of gas supply, low water level, vandalization of installations, lack of spare parts etc which have continued to be given as reasons for poor power supply over the years are no longer tenable. The new owners of the Generation plants and the Distribution outfits were expected to have complimented Federal Government huge investments by injecting more funds and expertise that will improve performance at minimum cost to the consumers.

    “ACF therefore calls on the Federal Government to take necessary and practical steps that will improve the power supply including reviewing the privatization. Government should also put in place policy framework that will encourage investments in the renewable energy sector, (solar and coal) to compliment the thermal and hydro generating plants.

    “The meeting commended the efforts of the Nigerian military and the security agencies in tackling the insecurity situation with its limited personnel and equipment. It however noted the on-going recruitment exercise into the various security organizations, Military, Air Force, Police Force, Para-military agencies, which will ultimately strengthen the security outfits, and urged the youth to avail themselves to this opportunity.

    “The meeting noted with dismay the recurrent ethnic/religious and farmers/herdsmen clashes in Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa and other states and resolved to visit the affected communities to commiserate with them over the unfortunate killings and destruction of property. It will also mediate between the warring factions with the view to finding an amicable solutions to the conflict.

    “It noted that the proposed Northern Security Summit to be held in April being supported by the Northern States Governors Forum will to a larger extent address causes of these conflicts and proffer enduring solutions.

    “The meeting also applauded the Federal Government’s policy on food security which encourages investment in agriculture and calls on our farmers to avail themselves to the revolving funds set aside by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions. Nigeria’s dependence on imported rice has not only deflated our foreign reserve and enriched other countries, but has made us to abandoned our potential greatness in agriculture.

    “ACF therefore calls on the Government at all levels to encourage our farmers to form cooperative societies in order to enjoy the agricultural facilities being provided by the financial institutions. Farmers should also endeavor to reciprocate the government’s gesture by promptly paying back the loans granted them to sustain the revolving fund”, the communiqué read.

  • Senator raises alarm over silent killings in Taraba

    Senator raises alarm over silent killings in Taraba

    Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, at the weekend raised the alarm over silent killings going on in Taraba State.

    Bwacha who represents Taraba South Senatorial District said that the silent killings were being perpetrated by dislodged Boko Haram insurgents who moved from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

    He noted that the alarm became necessary in order to alert the Federal Government and security agencies about the possible break down of law and order in the state.

    The insurgents, he said, were working to establish a new base in Taraba State having been dislodged from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

    He said, “Following the successes recorded by the military in the three North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the insurgents are beginning to relocate and they are finding themselves, a new haven in Taraba state.

    “It is very clear, by the massive movement of strange people into the state, across all the local government areas, in fact the highlights of those areas are there.

    “We are hereby calling on security operatives to go and begin to sniff around and cross check. I am saying this because we have facts on ground.

    “What the insurgents do, because they want to establish a new base, is that they entered bushes where they see people settle, they kill them.

    “We have recorded numerous cases of killings and silent killings are still going on. We now have internally Displaced Persons in Taraba, in their large numbers because those who were displaced from their villages, relocate to the towns.

    “In fact as I speak, this year’s farming season is being threatened already because the farmers would not be in their farms to cultivate anything having been chased away by the insurgents.

    “Once the farmers go to the farmers, the Boko Haram elements go to them and kill them.

    “To worsen the situation, the insurgents move around like herdsmen but they are not the original herdsmen we know because the Fulani herdsmen don’t move about with AK-47 riffle.

    “Boko Haram elements were caught, rearing over 300 cows, it is on record and the Nigerian security agencies are aware of this.

    “The situation is becoming more complex, and difficult because they move around like herdsmen where they don’t carry the Ak-47 riffle physically, they wrapped them and put them on the cows.

    “People will think they are luggage but they are arms. National Security is being threatened and that is why we have to raise alarm.

    “The local vigilante has limitations except when government gives the group, formal backing. They don’t carry arms like the Civilian JTF in Borno State who have official backing of the state.

    “The insurgents are just moving secretly in Taraba state looking for where to settle.

    “The senate committee will soon visit Taraba state to enable them to have on the spot assessment of the presence of the IDPs in the state.

    “As far as I am concerned, President Muhammadu Buhari, has recorded tremendous success in fighting Boko Haram and I also commend him for moving round some of the African sub region to collaborate with them to have a frontal approach.

    “But the insecurity involving traditional herdsmen clashing with farmers needed to be addressed urgently.

    “That is why we have been advocating for ranches to reduce these crises. The American cattle are fatter than our own, they are well fed but they don’t move around. If you keep them in a secluded place, backed with appropriate legislation, we would be able to reduce these crises.”

  • Athletes from Africa , Northern Nigeria invade Okpekpe `

    Athletes from Africa , Northern Nigeria invade Okpekpe `

    Athletes from some African countries and Northern Nigeria are currently in the hilly and mountainous community of Okpekpe for training ahead of the second edition of the Okpekpe 10 kilometres road race.

    The race, billed to take place on May 3, is already having registration of over 5,000 athletes across the world.

    A visit by our reporter to the hilly community, revealed that some of the athletes were training ahead of the event.

    An athlete, who simply identified his name as Usman from Kano State, said he missed the first edition of the Okpekpe road race, hence he decided to spend a week in the community to train and get himself used to the road .

    “Oga, I am here to train ahead of the May 3rd race. I came all the way from Kano. Insha Allah, I am training morning and evening. I will stay for a week, then travel back to prepare for the D-day.

    “As you can see right now, we are six from Kano, a friend from Ethiopia is training ahead of the 10 kilometres road race. One thing you must understand here is that, the money involved can turn my life around, so we are coming for business not for jamboree,”Usman said .

    An athlete from Kenya told our reporter that eight of them are already on ground in Auchi for the race. Though, the Kenyan athlete refused to mention his name, but said that they are already on ground for training and will remain on ground till May 3 for the competition.

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who resumed training weeks ago ahead of the race, promised to improve on his first edition position of 131.

  • Kano! oh, my dear Kano

    If I were to be a poet, there are two cities in Northern Nigeria that I would have written poems about. Poems that if they don’t possess the quality, international influence and reputation of Ibadan, J.P. Clark’s immortal and iconic poem about Ibadan city in Western Nigeria, I would have at least been able to make my attachment to the two cities known.

    Well, since I am not a poet and can no longer find myself writing poetry, or something as elevating as to be called one, I am going to reminiscence and pay my tributes to these two cities in the best way I can. The two cities in question are Jos and Kano. As I am always proud and quick to tell anyone who cares to listen: I was born and bred in Jos, Plateau State and had my adult and tertiary education in Kano.

    Jos is the lovely city of my childhood where I grew and made friends across all boundaries – religious, ethnic, nationality etc- while Kano is the city of my adulthood.

    For those who may have read my book, Home Away From Home: History of Ogbomoso People in Jos, in that book I paid glowing obeisance to the city of my birth and the good people made that city to be home to all. It was there that I formed my views and opinions about the world. I’ll not write much about Jos here as my opinion is already captured in that book.

    This piece is about Kano. In the eighties, I found myself heading to that city after working as a freelance reporter in Jos for about four years. Going to Kano was for me another level of education and getting to see further what the northern part of the country was like. Note the word ‘was.’ Schooling there was fun and exciting; life was easy going and there was no fear of any harassment or intimidation. I fondly remember that we had many students who came from the southern part, especially from Lagos and Ondo states, to join us as students. It was their first time of journeying that far to the north and most of them confessed that they loved it.

    Those ones saw most of us who grew up in the north as their chaperones and pathfinders. As students we always looked forward to weekends to leave the campus for the Sabon Gari area of the town. Here we were free to have our fun and we went from one drinking and fun spot to the other rollicking. It was here that our colleagues who were from the south always felt nostalgic. We met countless numbers of Igbo, Yoruba, Urhobo, Ijaw and other southern ethnic groups. Kano was no doubt a home away from home. We never thought ourselves to be strangers.

    It was in Sabon Gari that we met an elderly Igbo man who we all regarded as our father. He used to run a shop which we, as students, called ‘one stop stall’; the reason was that there was virtually nothing you were looking for that you would not get there. Papa, as we used to call him, was a mobile encyclopaedia, if not of the history of Kano, at least of that of Sabon Gari. When he knew we were students he was elated and anytime we went to his shop he was always ready to tell us the history of Kano as he knew it.

    He would regale us with the history of the civil war and how he survived the period of the war in the city without running to the east when almost all Igbo and other ethnic groups from that part of the country fled home. He told us of how his friend one Mallam Hassan ( I hope I remember the name correctly) saved his life by hiding him in his house and manning his own shop throughout the three years the civil war lasted. Every night Mallam Hassan came back home and rendered account of his sales to him without flinching a kobo off him. He instilled in us the resilience and love of the human spirit over fear, crises and turbulence. Emphasising that no one is bad because of his origin but by upbringing and choice. According to Papa, who then should be in his late seventies, the fact that he was Igbo was purely a choice by God which he as a human had no place in determining. He surely must be dead by now. This was over twenty five years ago.

    Kano was home and no one ever thought we were going to have to feel threatened anywhere one resided. Sabon Gari was the veritable watering hole for all ethnic groups. As many who have ever visited the core north knows, selling and drinking of alcohol is restricted in most parts of the old cities. However, Sabon Gari is a land free from those laws and because the university is located in the area of the city where alcohol is restricted those of us who felt the need of escaping the stifling environment at the weekend always journey there to have our fill.

    This was not restricted to only southerners; I know many of our northern colleagues who during the week observe the strict code of abstaining from alcohol but who we all at the weekend meet at Iya Sikira or Okoro’s bar in Sabon Gari!

    Some of the victims of Tuesday’s orgy of violence in Kano could have been any of us. Who would have thought that some blood sucking individuals would dream up such a devilish act to take other people’s lives? They could have been students like us. The devil has taken over and we no longer feel safe in our country. Will any parent ever feel confident to send their wards to the north again to study?

    I recently took a peek at the admission list of some universities across the country and what I saw was not encouraging. Many applicants from the south are no longer keen in applying for admission anywhere in the north while some from the north too are afraid to cross to the south. Is this how to unify a country and educate our kids? Why do we feel it is safer to send our wards to far-flung places in the Antarctica, Asia and even unknown and uncharted territories in the Americas and far Europe than anywhere in our country?

    How can we restore confidence in our country and begin to live and relate with one another as human beings? When will this bloodletting stop? Who will stop it? When will Kano return to its past glory?

    Kano, oh my dear Kano.

  • Insecurity: UK warns citizens against traveling to Nigeria

    Insecurity: UK warns citizens against traveling to Nigeria

    Britain advised its citizens on Wednesday against travelling to several regions in northern Nigeria, after an increase in attacks blamed on Islamist militants and the abduction of several foreigners earlier this month, Reuters reports.

    Gunmen killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers after storming the compound of Lebanese construction firm Setraco in Bauchi State on February 16.

    It was the worst case of foreigners being kidnapped in the mostly northern part of Nigeria since an insurgency by Boko Haram intensified two years ago.

    Britain upped its travel risk ratings on Wednesday, advising against any travel to Bauchi State and Okene in Kogi State where militants last month attacked Nigerian troops who were bound for Mali to counter an Islamist insurgency.

    It also advised against ” all-but-essential travel” to Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States, a statement from the foreign office said.

    Attacks by Islamist groups in northern Nigeria have become the biggest threat to stability in the country.

    Western governments are concerned the militants may link up with groups elsewhere in the region, including al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM, especially given the conflict in nearby Mali.

    France sent troops to Mali last month to help oust Islamist rebels.

    Islamist group Ansaru claimed responsibility for the Setraco raid in Bauchi and the Okene attack.

    The Setraco raid was “based on the transgression and atrocities done to the religion of Allah by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan and Mali,” said the group, which has kidnapped other foreigners in Nigeria in the past.