The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SOKOTO

  • Accident in Sokoto claims police officers, 30 others

    Accident in Sokoto claims police officers, 30 others

    Four police officers died while 30 others were severely injured in a fatal motor accident that occurred along Unguwar Rogo Area in Sokoto Metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Mr Ibrahim Abaras, The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sokoto State Command, who confirmed this to NAN on Tuesday, said that the accident occurred at about 7.30 p.m on Monday.

    Abaras said that the victims were all newly recruited officers who were participating in a training at the Police College, Sokoto.

    According to him, they were returning from a shooting range exercise at Kware Local Government Area when the incident occurred near that State History Bureau.

    The PPRO said that the dead bodies were handed over to their respective families and were buried accordingly.

    Abaras added that the injured were being hospitalised at Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Police Clinic and Kware Nueropsychiatric Hospital, all in Sokoto.

    According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Muhammad Abdulkadir, Deputy Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, Commissioners, some government officials as well as community members participated in evacuating the victims to hospitals and funerals.

    He added that state government had offered to provide the necessary logistical support to the victims, describing the incident as the first of its kind in Sokoto State.

  • Two Sokoto pilgrims die in Makkah

    The Director-General of Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, has confirmed the death in Makkah of two pilgrims, a man and a woman, following natural causes.

    The deceased are Luba Usman and Musa Haruna, from Illela and Gada local governments.

    The first flight of the state’s pilgrims had arrived Sokoto, with 550 pilgrims from Gada and Sabon-Birni councils.

    The second flight is expected to leave King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah for Sokoto by 11pm today with 520 pilgrims.

  • Sokoto pilgrims die in Makkah while eating, on queue back home

    Sokoto pilgrims die in Makkah while eating, on queue back home

    The Director General of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Ibrahim Umar has confirmed the death in Makkah of two pilgrims, a male and female from the state following natural causes.
    The deceased pilgrims  are  Luba Usman and Musa Haruna, from Illela and  Gada Local Governments respectively.
    Umar is said to have  made the disclosure while giving updates on the state’s pilgrims situation Sunday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
    ‎
    Umar explained that late Luba Usman was eating her breakfast on Saturday morning  when she collapsed and died. Late Musa Haruna who was in the first flight of Gada Local Government, was on the queue on Saturday night for the weighing of his hand luggage.
    ” The deceased who was also together with his son, just laid  down to rest and that was the end of his life”, the DG said.
    According to the PWA Boss,  the deceased pilgrims had since been buried according to Islamic rites after their funeral prayers were conducted at the Holy Mosque in Makkah.
    Meanwhile, the first flight of the state’s pilgrims had arrived Sokoto, with 550 pilgrims from Gada and Sabon-Birni Local Governments.
    The second flight is expected to leave the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah for Sokoto by 11pm on Monday, with 520 pilgrims.
    Umar further said that the officials of the agency and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON), had met with the officials of the airlines.
    The DG added that the meeting was to ensure that the airlines adhered strictly to the schedule of fights.
    ” They have assured us that all Nigerian pilgrims will be transported back to Nigeria before the October 5,2017 deadline given by the Saudi authorities.
    ” I am assuring all the pilgrims that none of them will be left here and everybody will be transported back to Nigeria in the respective flights they were brought into the Holy land,” Umar, added.
    Umar also stated that all the state’s 4852 pilgrims were hale and hearty.
  • Ministry of Transportation pilots bicycle riding in FCT

    Ministry of Transportation pilots bicycle riding in FCT

    Ministry of Transportation says the National Council on Transportation has approved the commencement of a ‘bicycle riding’ project, as a means of transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi told newsmen at the end of the National Council on Transportation on Monday in Sokoto.

    He said that the introduction of bicycles as a means of transportation would reduce congestion on the road and also improve the health of the riders.

    “National Council on Transportation is a policy making Council, if nothing else; we approved that we should do a pilot project on bicycle riding in FCT.
    “This is because Abuja is the only city that has facility for bicycle riding.

    “For other states who want to do it, we must provide facility before they can proceed with it; we want to separate them from the roads because some motorists are impatient.

    “So, we decided that we do it in Abuja because if you check, nearly all the roads in Abuja, there are lanes for bicycle.

    “Any other state that wants to go ahead can do that but they must provide lanes for bicycle so that we do not have numerous accidents,” he said.

    He said that using bicycles as a means of transportation was not new adding that countries including in China, UK and others already using it.

    Amaechi, who described the project as an investment, said it would also help in exercise and reduction in the number of passengers using other forms of transportation including cars within the cities.

    Commenting on other project, he said that the ongoing rail projects would really boost the economy.

    According to him, the Lagos-Ibadan railway construction would need about 150,000 workers before its completion.

    “Construction alone that is going on between Lagos-Ibadan would really boost the economy.

    “The railway work that is going on there will need about 150,000 workers and when it is done, the business it would generate would help employ people.”

  • Ngige restates FG’s commitment to combating unemployment

    Ngige restates FG’s commitment to combating unemployment

    Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to combating unemployment through supporting viable economic ventures.

    Ngige gave the  assurance at the end of a three-day retreat organised for workers of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Sokoto.

    A  statement issued on Friday by the directorate’s  Head of  Public Relations Department, Malam Sani Musa,  said the retreat was tagged: “Repositioning the NDE for Operational Excellence through Effective Leadership and Team Building.’’

    “Combating the unemployment challenge through creation of jobs and poverty reduction constitute very daunting tasks, which in turn, have always tasked the dexterity of governments the world over.

    “It becomes even more challenging in time of economic recession due to dwindling funds and the capital-intensive nature of employment creation,’’ Ngige said.

    According to the minister, the present administration included his ministry as key to its efforts to improve the wellbeing of its citizens.

    He said that the Federal Government would  increase access to productive employment as a  catalyst to the nation’s growth.

    Ngige, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Mr Eyewumi Neburagho, described the theme of the retreat as critical, relevant and able to broaden participants’ minds for achievement of government’s programmes.

    The minister commended NDE’s present leadership, saying that they made distinguished contributions in the recently concluded International Labour Conference.

    He urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the reintroduced employment programmes.

    Ngige pledged more support for the NDE and other related agencies to ensure maximum success in providing active entrepreneurship skills, good business conditions and training of Nigerians.

    He urged workers to complement government’s intentions through dedication and promoting transparent dealings.

    In his remarks, the NDE Director-General, Dr Nasiru Argungu, said he was impressed by workers’  participation and commitment, assuring them of more training avenues.

    Argungu said that training was a very vital incentive and motivational factor for employees in both the public and private sector.

    He described training as an effective tool for sharpening the skills of the workforce for efficient performance at work.

    “The NDE management realises that it is imperative to train and re-train its personnel to acquire the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude.

    “This will enhance productivity and efficiency to meet the special needs of directorate operations,’’ the NDE director-general said.

  • Sokoto businessman remanded over N639,500 fraud

    Sokoto businessman remanded over N639,500 fraud

    A Sokoto Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded in prison a businessman, Nasiru Garba, charged with  misappropriating N639, 500 entrusted to him by a colleague.

    Garba, a resident of Gidan Dare area of Sokoto, was arraigned on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, criminal misappropriation and cheating.

    Police Prosecutor Ashafa Jega, told the court that the accused was entrusted with N639,500 by the complainant, Muhammadu Ahmad of Gidan Bahuri area, Sokoto, to give his son.

    The accused was told to give the money to the complainant’s son, Al -mustapha Tukur, a phone dealer at Kasuwan Kure but converted it to his own, he said.

    According to Jega, gave no convincing explanation why he spent the money.

    He said the offence which was committed on Aug. 3, contravened Sections 309, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    The businessman pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

    Chief Magistrate Abubakar Adamu remanded in prison for further investigations and adjourned the case until Aug. 26 for hearing.

  • Court remands carpenter over attempt to steal car

    Court remands carpenter over attempt to steal car

    A Sokoto Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 37-year-old carpenter, Murtala Saidu, over alleged attempt to steal a Honda Civic car.

    The Chief Magistrate, Abubakar Adamu, remanded Saidu after he pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence to wit theft.

    Adamu adjourned the case till Aug. 20 for hearing.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Naallah Jibo, told the court that the accused, who resides in Mabera area in Sokoto, was caught while unlawfully disconnecting the wiring of the car with the intent to steal it.

    Jibo said that the Honda civic car, BC 987 DKA, belonging to Umar Farouk was parked in front of the complainant’s house

    He told the court that the complainant reported the incident at Ungwuan Rogo Police Station, Sokoto.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 95 of the Penal Code.

  • Embrace entrepreneurship, Elumelu urges students

    Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited and founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, has charged students to embrace entrepreneurship to become self-reliant after their studies. Engaging in free enterprise, he said, would make graduates escape the pain of unemployment.

    Elumelu spoke at the National Dialogue Series held penultimate Saturday by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).

    He described entrepreneurship as the engine room of the 21st century global economy, pointing out that entrepreneurs had helped many countries achieving prosperities through the power of their ideas and innovations. He said his foundation had committed resources to empowering start-ups in businesses and technology to drive their innovation.

    He said: “Of all the offices I have held, the one that gladdens my heart most is the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which is committed to empowering young Africans using their innovative to change the story of the continent. We have committed resources to empower these start-ups as our contribution towards the development of our continent. This is borne out of my deep-rooted belief that entrepreneurship is the single most critical ingredient for economic empowerment and job creation.”

    Elumelu praised the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, for supporting the event, which, he said, could change the lives of the participant positively. He also praised a former student of the school, Dr Shadi Sabeh, at whose instance the event was organised.

    He said: “Dr Shadi Sabeh’s role in organising this event is commendable. He is an entrepreneur and alumnus of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), who is also a winner of the Tony and Awele Elumelu prize for academic excellence. Shadi is a fine example of the great force and impact our young ones can achieve if we support and empower them.”

    Chairman of the event, Alhaji Muhammad Zangaria, praised Elumelu for the impact his foundation had been making in Africa, adding that education and business empowerment was the best legacy to bequeath for the youth.

    Prof Zuru described Elumelu as “African icon”, praising him for nurturing students and young people in business across the continent. The VC made a request of partnership with the TEF in building a School of Business to promote entrepreneurship in the North.

    The SUG president, Idris Mubarak Maibasira, hailed the management for supporting the union’s initiative. He said Elumelu’s presence at the event would continue to inspire UDUS students to innovate and create businesses.

  • 1,097 persons enjoy medical outreach in Sokoto

    One thousand and ninety-seven patients have so far been treated for various eye ailments in the eight-day medical outreach initiated by Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto). The outreach ends today.

    The programme, which started last Tuesday, targeted 1,000 patients from the Northern Senatorial Zone which Wamakko represents.

    A statement by his media aide Bashir Rabe Mani said the programme started in Balle, headquarters of Gudu Local Government Area, on August 1 and has been done in six other councils – Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Wamakko, Silame and Kware.

    It will rounded off today at the Palace of the Chiroman Sokoto, in Sokoto North.

    Patients were treated for refractive errors, conjunctivitis and uveitis.

    Senator Wamakko, who spoke through his Director of Administration, Al-Mustapha Abubakar, said the outreach is aimed at alleviating the suffering of his constituents. He promised to sustain the gesture.

  • Hajj 2017: Sokoto first batch of pilgrims depart to Saudi Arabia today

    Hajj 2017: Sokoto first batch of pilgrims depart to Saudi Arabia today

    FIRST batch of intending pilgrims from Sokoto state for this year’s hajj exercise‎ will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia today, Monday.
    The disclosure was made by the Director General of the state Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Ibrahim Umar.

    In a statement made available to reporters in Sokoto by the agency’s Media Assistant, Farouk Umar, the Director General said all arrangement had been perfected to ensure a successful hajj.

    Umar  assured the pilgrims that decent accommodation and other logistics have been put in place in Makkah and Madinah for their comfort.

    He also warned the intending pilgrims against carrying hard and other prohibited items, adding that machines had been put in place for screening.

    According to him, anyone caught with drugs would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

    The Director General  expressed gratitude to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for creating a conducive atmosphere for a successful Hajj operation in the state.