The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SOKOTO

  • Partial compliance in Sokoto, Kebbi, Enugu, Katsina, Anambra

    The nationwide strike recorded partial compliance in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Enugu and Anambra states, according to reports.

     

    Sokoto

     

    In Sokoto, workers were on their duty post at federal and state government owned hospitals, as well as higher institutions.

    Although courts visited were not sitting, primary and secondary schools were operating while some offices remained opened at the federal secretariat.

    Commercial banks opened for business in spite of attempt by labour leaders to make them stop operations.

    However, Aminu Umar, State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said the trike had recorded substantial compliance and would be total in next coming days.

     

    Kebbi

     

    In Kebbi public schools have been shut in compliance with the strike order.

    A teacher in one of the public schools in Birnin Kebbi, Mrs. Richeal Ngozi, told NAN that they had to send back pupils after the state branch of Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered teachers to remain at home.

    When NAN visited a branch of Keystone Bank, normal operations were going on.

    However, a worker of the bank, who sought anonymity, said: “We are just waiting for an email message from the bank head office in Lagos,  by 12 noon, we will close and join the strike.”

    Also, activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, have been paralysed as staff joined the strike.

    At the state secretariat, normal official work was going on as at the time of this report.

     

    Enugu

     

    It was observed that banks, other corporate bodies and most schools failed to carry out the directive of organised labour to embark on strike.

    Except for few institutions like the Federal  Government College located at Independence Layout, others public schools were open.

    Some of the teachers of the schools that failed to embark on the strike, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they did not receive any directive to go on strike.

    But the Chairman of Enugu State Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, said the compliance level was 60 per cent.

    He attributed their inability to actualise 100 per cent compliance to the gap in communication, adding that the deadlocked meeting they had with government ended very late and hence their inability to get across to all the workers.

     

    Katsina

     

    Workers in Katsina State, including those from the civil service and commercial banks yesterday, partially complied with the directive of the national leadership of the organised labour.

    Investigation by The Nation showed that the workers shunned their various duty posts even as the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Tanimu Lawal Saulawa, held another round of meeting with about 30 leaders of affiliated unions in the state to ensure full compliance with the directive on the strike.

    The meeting, which took place at the NLC state Secretariat located at Sabo Layi area in Katsina, according to one of the leaders, was to strategise on the enforcement of the warning strike and ensuring compliance

    Saulawa told reporters that the strike was nationwide and that he and the leadership of organised labour have the responsibility to ensure its success.

     

    Anambra

     

    The warning strike was partial complied with in Anambra State.

    When The Nation monitored the situation yesterday in the state, banks and hospitals and schools were opened.

    But at the state secretariat in Awka, there were movements of some workers, while the offices were locked.

    However, the state Chairman of NLC, Jerry Nnubia, said he was satisfied with the level of compliance.

  • 2019: APC chieftain, Dahiru defects to Sokoto PDP

    Few days to the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress(APC), a Chieftain of the party in Sokoto state, Alhaji Dahiru Yusuf Yabo on Monday officially announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) with a pledge to support Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s presidential aspiration.

    Yabo who was one time gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) in Sokoto state made the declaration while addressing thousands of his supporters drawn from across the 23 Local Government Areas.

    The former commissioner in the state was a hard line voice against President Muhammadu Buhari’s critics not until the current development.

    He said his defection to the opposition PDP was sequel to the failure of the President to deliver his electoral promises to Nigerians.

    “Despite working hard for Buhari’s election in 2015, the APC leadership failed to honour the merger agreement reached with former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko with the defunct CPC members since 2015.”

    “My resolve to join the PDP is because of the failure of Buhari to deliver on the promises made to Nigerians especially in the area of provision of security. I was one of his political footsoldiers and close allies in the past years but he can not even recognized me now.

    “Also, the ruling APC also failed to honour the merger agreement reached with Senator Aliyu Wamakko with defunct CPC members since 2015.

    ” We hereby resolved not to show any trust towards Senator Wamakko as the APC leader in Sokoto state, due to his penchant for betraying his associates,” he stated.

    Expressing further concerns against the ruling APC at the centre, the PDP convert, however, regretted that APC only succeeded in promoting hardship and sufferings against the expectations Nigerians.

    ” Unfortunately, rather than the change it promised to the
    electorates, the party only caused socio-economic discomfort to Nigerians whose lives have been impacted negatively due to impeccable failure of the ruling party.”

    He however, denied any move to contest for PDP governorship ticket, saying there was no plan to do so while assuring to brace the party’s support by mobilising more people in order to ensure the attainment of Tambuwal’s presidential aspiration as well the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Manir Dan Iya.

    “On behalf of APC members especially the defunct CPC executive members and their supporters across the 23 local government areas, we hereby endorse the presidential aspiration of Governor Tambuwal and Hon. Manir Dan Iya as our governorship candidate in Sokoto State in 2019 polls,” Yabo added.

  • I’m still in the APC race for Sokoto governorship seat – Yabo

    A leading All Progressives Congress(APC) Governorship aspirant in Sokoto State, Farouk Malami Yabo has denied withdrawing his aspiration to contest the state first seat.

    Yabo said he had never contemplated such nor was he in the race to withdraw from what he is determined to accomplish for the prosperity of the state and its people.

    ” My attention has been drawn to a false statement circulating to suggest that I have withdrawn from the race to the Sokoto Government House

    In a statement he personally issued on Monday in reaction to what he described as false information being circulated alleging that he had withdrawn from the race to the Sokoto Government House, Yabo insisted that he is fully and surely in the contest with confidence braced by the overwhelming support of Sokoto people.

    ” My attention has been drawn to a false statement circulating to suggest that I have withdrawn from the race to the Sokoto Government House. On that note therefore, I hereby, categorically state that I am not in the race to withdraw in the first place, rather, I am in it to rescue our dear state from terminal illness that bedevils our chances of development.”

    According to the two time former Commissioner of Finance and Local Government respectively, democracy was all about number, strength of popularity, competence, credibility and acceptability.

    He stressed that” democracy is a game of number where every single decision is taken by the people and for them. So this struggle is not my show but of the good people of sokoto state.

    ” I also want to on behalf of my humble self, my supporters, the APC family and the entire people of sokoto state assure the general public that, at no point I intend or would consider withdrawing from this contest for whatever reason.

    ” Sokoto belongs to all of us and we must work hard enough to restore it’s past glory no matter how tough or rough the road may be. In God we trust”, he said.

  • Sokoto to disburse N2 billion loan to traders

    Sokoto state Government has announced plans to commence the disbursement to members of the business community in the state a N2 billion loan signed with with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    Making the revelation during an interactive session with Executives of the state Chamber of Commerce weekend, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal  said the essence was to boost trade activities and enhance the economic and commercial strength of businesses across the state.

    Tambuwal explained that both the state and BoI had since paid their counterpart fund of N1bilion respectively.

    The governor however, stated that the delay in encountered in disbursing the loan to beneficiaries was sequel to ensuring that proper arrangement were made so that the funds got to the right people according to plans.

    According to Tambuwal” the money is not meant for political patronage but rather to assist genuine business men and women to boost their business activities.

    While assuring the business community of his adminstration readiness to allocate lands to those wishing to commence small, medium and large  scale ventures, the governor further issued a directive to the state ministry of lands and housing to identify a suitable land for approval for the establishment of a new industrial layout in Sokoto.

  • Sokoto assembly APC lawmakers donate form to Guber aspirant

    THE twelve All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers of the Sokoto State House of Assembly on Friday purchased and donated the governorship nomination and expression form to a frontline and one of the hot contenders of the party’s Governorship ticket, Hon.Farouk Malami Yabo.

    The form was picked for the aspirant in the afternoon in Abuja.

    The lawmakers gesture is coming two days after the state chapter of the party resolved at its meeting to adopt the Indirect method of primaries.

    Similarly, the move seem to be a clear signal that the aspirant may have garnered for himself the unshaken support of the legislators to sail through at the upcoming primaries.

    Read Also: Group buys nomination form for Niger governor

    Yabo is said to be one of the three contenders believed to be eyeing the state number one seat ahead of the 2019 polls.

    However, others believed to be jostling for the position within the party include sitting Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and former Minister of Transport/ Youths and Sport, Yusuf Suleiman who recently defected to the party.

    Accordingly, Yabo is coming from same Southern senatorial zone with Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while Suleiman and Aliyu Sokoto are from the Eastern and Central zones respectively.

  • 2019: Sokoto PDP commences registration of members

    …issue 100,000 membership cards

     

    GEARING up ahead of its primaries, Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) on Wednesday began the process of revalidation and registration of its members across the 23 LGs of the state.

    No fewer thannm100,000 members had so far been issued with membership cards according to the party.

    Handing out the cards to members through respective councils party chairmen at a brief ceremony in Sokoto, PDP state Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma who made the disclosure at the Zuru road party Secretariat, appealed to the party leaders to work hard and make sure that only genuine and eligible party members collect the membership cards so as not to misuse them.

    According to him, two committees each across local governments in the state were inaugurated to ensure a hitch free process that would smoothen its success.

    ” The essence is to make sure that each bonifide member of the party gets his or her membership card without been missed.

    Read Also: 2019: Rivers APC adopts indirect primaries

    Milgoma further explained that the committees comprise of former chairmen of APC and PDP so as to monitor and ensure proper distribution of the membership cards to PDP supporters.

    He hitherto, urged the distribution committees to ensure justice and fair in the discharge of their assignment adding that local government with ten wards will receive no fewer than 400,while those with eleven ward were scheduled to collect 440 membership cards for onward distribution to party members.

    The party chairman however, described the exercise as the first step on the path of the party’s anticipated victory come 2019 general elections in the state.

    Milgoma who rated APC’s government performance low , expressed optimism that the opposition party ‘s three years of failures had widened PDP’s chances of win elections in the state and Nigeria next year.

  • 2019: Sokoto APC endorses Buhari

    …confident of Wamakko’s leadership

     

    LESS than three weeks to the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) primaries ahead of the 2019 general elections closely coming, members of the Sokoto State chapter unanimously opted for the indirect primary with the endorsement of the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari as sole candidate to fly its flag.

    Similarly, the chapter passed vote of confidence on the Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and affirmed him as its only leader in the state .

    The decisions were part of the resolutions reached at the end of the party’s routine stakeholders’ meeting held in Sokoto on Tuesday attended by the executives of the party at the state and local governments levels, as well as other key stakeholders of the party.

    However, the meeting held behind closed doors, was presided by the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, described Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as the Iconic leader of the party in the state .

    Briefing newsmen shortly after, Aliyu Sokoto further said , ” the meeting also expressed happiness with the exemplary and unparalleled way and manner Senator Wamakko is manning the affairs of the great party .

    ” Accordingly, we endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the forthcoming polls”‘ he said.

    The state chapter of the party also declared unflinching support to its National leadership adding that, ” we have unanimously adopted indirect primary election and consensus as the process to select candidates for all positions in the state ,” the deputy governor, added.

    Read Also: APC to pick presidential candidate Sept 20

    He explained that the meeting was a periodic one to brainstorm on the progress of the party, as well as to review its general activities with the view to assess its strengths and weaknesses, hence, chart the ways forward .

    Notably in attendance, were the seven incumbent House of Representatives members of the party, as well as the twelve members at the State House of Assembly .

    Similarly, were a former deputy governor, Alhaji Chiso Dattijo Abdullahi, former Culture Minister, Senator Bello Jibril Gada, APC Chieftains , Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal, Ambassador Abubakar Shehu Wurno and Alhaji Farouk Malami Yabo.

    Others were former Speakers of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawalli Labbo Marghai and Alhaji Shehu Goronyo, as well as fourteen out of the twenty three immediate past local governments councils chairmen in the State, among others .

  • Police arrest girl, 19, for drugging Okada rider

    The Police Command in Katsina State has announced the arrest of a 19-year-old girl, Zinatu Abubakar,who allegedly drugged a commercial motorcycle operator and attempted to snatch his motorcycle.

    A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isa, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Katsina, said the suspect belonged to a syndicate operating in the state.

    Isa said the suspect drugged a motorcyclist, Gide Wada, who was conveying her from Kofar-Kaura to Sokoto Rima Quarters in Katsina metropolis.

    The police spokesman said Wada had to park his motorcycle when he started becoming drowsy after he ate a piece of chocolate the suspect gave to him as they were moving to her destination.

    Read Also:Second chance for 6,000 out-of-school girls

    According to him, it was after the victim parked the motorcycle that he became unconscious and the suspects’ accomplices,one Abubakar and Chairman, now at large, attempted to snatch the motorcycle.

    He explained that the accomplices ran into the bush when the condition of the motorcyclist attracted the attention of people nearby, who apprehended Zinatu and handed her over to the police.

    Isa claimed that the suspect had confessed to have been committing such offence in Kaduna and Kano states, adding that the police were on the trail of her accomplices.

    He advised Okada riders and commercial drivers not to take food from people they know nothing about, so as not to become victims of robbery.

  • Man remanded in prison over theft of laptop

    A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 22-year-old man, Nura Dahiru, in prison over alleged theft of laptop and a phone handset valued at N90, 000.

    Dahiru, who resides at Minanata area of Sokoto, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft brought against him.

    Chief Magistrate Abubakar Adamu had ordered his remand to allow the police to carry out further investigations.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Khalid Musa, told the court that the case was reported at Ugwuan Rogo Police Station by the complainant, Abubakar Abdullahi of the same address on July 16.

    Read Also:Kenyan court halts criminal action against deputy chief justice

    He said Dahiru, who allegedly conspired with Abdulaziz Bawa now at large, entered the complainant’s room and stole a laptop and a Nokia phone all valued at N90, 000.

    The offences contravened Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    Further hearing has been fixed for Sept. 10

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted influx of moisture and increased heat energy expected to produce thunderstorms and rains over most places in the country for Monday.

    NiMet made this known in its Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday.

    It envisaged Thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau and Kano in the morning hours and thunderstorms over most places in the afternoon and evening period.

    It added that, day and night temperature in the northern states would be in the ranges of 28 – 30 degree Celsius and 20 – 22 degree Celsius respectively.

    NiMet said that, moderate rains would be expected over Bauchi, Gombe, Mambilla Plateau, Jalingo, Jos and Abuja in the morning hours.

    According to it, thunderstorms and rains are expected over the entire north central area in the afternoon and evening hours.

    It said that, day and night temperature in the region would be in the range of 27- 29 degree Celsius and 21- 23 degree Celsius respectively, except for Jos that would be between 22 – 15 degree Celsius.

    The agency predicted light rains over Uyo, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Eket in the morning with moderate rains over most places in the southern states in the afternoon and evening hours,

    NiMet said that, day and night temperature would be in range of 27and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.