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Tag: Umaru Al-Makura

  • May 29: Al-Makura disengages political appointees

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has disengaged all his political appointees ahead of his exit from office on May 29.

    Al-Makura announced the disengagement of the appointees during an expanded state executive council meeting on Wednesday in Lafia.

    He said the decision was to ensure a seamless transition from his administration to the incoming administration of Mr Abdullahi Sule.

    Al-Makura, however, said that some appointees handling critical position that has to do with the day-to-day running of government would maintain their positions until May 29.

    He also directed all Commissioners to tidy up their hand over notes and submit same to him on or before May 20.

    Read Also: Why Buhari won Nassarawa, by Al-Makura

    The governor said the handing over notes would be a guiding document to their successor.

    He explained that even after submitting the hand over notes, all the commissioners would remain on their desks until May 29.

    “We came together and we shall leave together.

    “We would all work relentlessly towards a seamless and exciting transition to the new administration,” Al-Makura added.

    He thanked the commissioners and his other appointees for their support in helping to make the state better than they met it in 2011.

    He attributed the success story of his administration to the commitment, doggedness and resilience of his team, saying that the achievements were results of collective efforts.

    Al-Makura urged the people to accord his successor the same support in whatever capacity they found themselves in order to take the state to the next level.

    Responding on behalf of the aides, Mr David Ayewa, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.

    He also pledged their unalloyed support to the incoming administration to be inaugurated on May 29.

    NAN

  • Justice Bage emerges new Emir of Lafia

    Alhaji Sidi Bage, Justice of the Supreme Court has emerged as the 17th Emir of Lafia Emirate following the demise of Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I on Jan. 10.

    Mr Haruna Osegba, the Nasarawa state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs announced the selection of the Emir on Tuesday in Lafia following the state traditional council meeting.

    Osegba said the new emir was selected by the emirate’s college of selector, ratified by the state traditional council and approved by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.

    He said the selection of the new emir was in line with legal notice 12 of 1986, section 31 stipulating the rotation of the stool between the two royal houses.

    Osegba explained that Bage and Musa Mustapha-Agwai, son of the late emir contested for the position.

    Bage was however selected by four out of the five members of the college of selectors.

    Bage was born on June 22, 1956, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, attended the Dunoma Primary School Lafia from 1963 to 1969, attended the Government Secondary School Lafia from 1970 to 1974.

    He was admitted into the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, for a Diploma Programme in Law between 1975 to 1977, obtained same at Credit Level and later got his L.L.B. Hon degree in 1980.

    He graduated with Second Class Lower Division, proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Lagos in 1980 and was called into the Nigerian Bar in 1981.

    Bage worked as a Legal Officer, Ground Training Group, Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna (NYSC) 1981 to 1982, and Appointed Magistrate Grade II Plateau State Judiciary 1982.

    READ ALSO: How FJSC defied Supreme Court on Chief Registrar’s reinstatement

    He was Promoted Magistrate Grade I 1984, Promoted Senior Magistrate Grade II 1986, Appointed Chief Magistrate II F.C.T Judiciary 1989, Promoted Chief Magistrate I. 1990 and was promoted as Deputy Chief Registrar FCT Judiciary 1991.

    He was again, Promoted Substantive Chief Registrar, FCT High Court January, 1992, elevated to the High Court Bench as a Judge Nov. 9, 1992, elevated Justice Court of Appeal Dec. 10, 2007, and Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court on Dec. 5, 2016.

    Similarly, Al-Makura also approved the selection of Alhaji Isa Abubakar Umar as the Emir of Awe following the death of the late emir.

    Osegba noted that the new emir of Awe was unanimously selected by the four surviving kingmakers of the emirate.

    Also selected is Mr Umar Dodo as the new ‘Osu Kadarko’ a third class tradition ruler in Keana local government area.

    The ‘Osu Kadarko’ stool became vacant following the death of Mr Fabian Orogu on Jan. 12, 2018.

  • NUJ suspends three members for flouting boycott order

    The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), Nasarawa State Council, has sanctioned three of its members for violating its order to boycott the state government activities.

    The Chairman of the chapel, Mr Suleiman Abubakar, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen after a meeting of the chapel on Friday in Lafia.

    According to him, Mr Umar Mohammed of the Punch newspaper, Mr Linus Oota of the Sun and Mr Igbawase Ukumba of ThisDay are suspended from the union for three months.

    Abubakar said that the three journalists covered the inauguration of the state commissioners on Thursday by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.

    He noted that the chapel had directed its members to boycott activities of the government and those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The chairman said that the chapel gave the boycott directive following expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum it gave the government over assault on two journalists by NSCDC.

    He said that the chapel gave the government 24 hours to sack Mr Abdullahi Oseze, the Director-General of the state Pension Bureau Office, and two others for their alleged roles in the journalists’ attack.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the journalists were brutalised on Dec. 14 by personnel of the NSCDC attached to the office for attempting to snap names of de-listed pensioners.

    The assaulted journalists are Mr Rabiu Omaku of the Universal Reporters Online and Gambo Ahmed of the Peoples Daily newspaper.

    Commenting ThisDay and Punch reporters correspondents admitted violating the order, but said they were carrying out their duties as instructed by their offices.

  • ‘Stop sending your students on street begging’

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has tasked Islamic teachers (Malams) to stop sending their students to the streets to beg.

    He said that the increasing rate of child beggars in the state was becoming worrisome.

    The governor expressed this concern in Lafia on Monday while addressing the newly employed 2,140 graduates and NCE holders as teachers.

    He decried the rate at which children continued to loiter the streets of major towns begging, saying that such would no longer be tolerated. 

    The governor, however, said that in the interim, the state government would not sanction any child found begging.

    He said that the government would do everything possible to take them off the road.

    Read Also: Group hails Al-Makura’s peace deal

    He said that the government would soon put into use the “Almajeri’’ School that the Federal Government built in the state.

    “In addition to the “Almajeri’’ School, our government will also discuss with Islamic teachers (Malams) to see reasons with us and stop sending their students to the streets to beg.

    “Even, if it means the state government giving the Islamic teachers in the state little allowances every month to keep their students off the streets,” he said.

    Al-Makura explained that government would take it upon itself to train those discovered to be interested in different skills.

    He also assured the citizens of the state that his government would continue to improve their lives through the implementation of positive policies until his last day in office.

    NAN 

  • Provost appeals to Nasarawa to increase funding for COEA

    Dr Rebecca Umaru, the Provost, College of Education Akwanga ( COEA ), has implored the Nasarawa State Government to increase funding for the institution.

    Umaru made this appeal on Monday when the House of Assembly Committee on Education paid a courtesy visit to the institution for an oversight function.

    The provost, represented by the Deputy Provost Administration, Mohammed Alhassan, said inadequate funding was hampering the smooth running of the college activities.

    Umaru added that all departments in the college had inadequate academic staff, saying,”we have a very big challenge of manpower in all our departments.

    “We also have challenges of promotion arrears, which we were unable to carry out due to insufficient funds,” he added.

    She also said that so many of their retired staff were not included in the pension list and their salaries were stopped immediately they retired from service.

    Read Also: 21 political parties to participate in Nasarawa State LG polls

    Umaru also said that the problem had become more serious now with the introduction of treasury single account in the state.

    She said that for any single thing that required money, the institution had to write to the office of the State’s Accountant-General for approval and release.

    Umaru, however, lauded Gov. Umaru Al-Makura for giving due attention to the college in infrastructure development among others.

    Responding, Daniel Ogazi, the House Committee Chairman on Education, assured the college management that the House would give urgent attention to all their challenges.

    NAN

  • Rain disrupts Ekiti APC Primary

    Rain has disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ekiti State.

    A total number of thirty three aspirants are jostling for the APC ticket ahead of the July 14 governorship poll.

    The primary which was being held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, attracted delegates from all the 177 wards.

    Accreditation had started as soon 9.00 am and was going on until heavens opened at about 12.05 pm and a torrential rain descended on the arena.

    The rain, which was heavy, lasted over one hour and affected some gadgets already installed at the venue.

    Delegates who sat at the “popular side” of the stadium scampered to the covered stand in a bid to escape from the rain.

    The chairman of the electoral panel, Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, directed that proceedings should continue after the rain has ceased.

    Accreditation of delegates continues

     

    …More updates coming later.

  • Herdsmen: Buhari urges implementation of ECOWAS protocols

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday blamed the non-implementation of two ECOWAS protocols on free movement of persons, goods and services for the lingering herders and farmers conflicts in West Africa.

    Buhari said this while declaring open the ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting on Conflicts between Herders and Farmers in the region organised in partnership with the countries’ ministries of Agriculture and Interior in Abuja.

    Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the president stated that the protocols were necessary in the discussions to proffer lasting solution to incessant killings in the region as a result of the conflict.

    “Two ECOWAS Protocols are critical to the conversation that we are going to have here today.

    “The 1979 Protocols of free movement of persons, goods, capital and services and the protocol relating to transhumance in 1998.

    “Regrettably, what we have been confronted with over the years is the failure to fully follow and enforce the terms of these protocol and in some cases the failure to activate sections of the protocols.

    “So that where for example transhumance certificates are to be used and endorsed by medical or immigration officials this is not the case; this has to change.

    “We can no longer continue to tolerate the undocumented movement of persons that simply contribute to the escalation of our security challenges.

    “We must be able to track the movement; we must ensure that the protocols are complied with and relevant sections are activated,’’ he said.

    The President said the vision of integration of the ECOWAS founding fathers must not be allowed to be derailed by a failure to comply with the safeguards and conditions that they in their wisdom and foresight embedded in the protocols.

    He said that was why Nigeria had taken the lead in organising the conference bringing together senior government officials with oversight for agriculture and internal security in the region and beyond to proffer solutions to the lingering problem threatening national security and regional security as well.

    Buhari noted that the economic implications were quite worrisome considering that no fewer than 70 per cent of the ECOWAS made a living by agriculture.

    According to him, many of the countries in the region are already struggling with food security and the violence if unchecked will lead to catastrophe.

    The President stated that the grazing of cattle along long distances and the whole transhumance experiences needed to be reviewed in favour of ranching.

    He said ranching was a more productive way of breeding cattle rather than work long distances, adding that the region must explore all the options and look for new and creative solutions to resolve the problem.

    He said the solution should be holistic from law enforcement to climate change and reforms in current methods and practices of crop and animal production.

    “We simply must move with the times and modernise our thinking and approach to the issues that face us,’’ he stated.

    Buhari said that the federal government and states were collaborating to work out an acceptable plan to quell the conflicts by proper management of land resources.

    “We just concluded the work plan jointly put together by the States and Federal governments on the sustainable resolution of herders/farmers’ conflicts and we are now at the point of implementing that plan,’’ he said.

    Gov.Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, told correspondents that he was grateful to the Ministry of Interior and other sister ministries backing the conference as well as the regional governments for participating.

    “There could not have been a better time for this conference having been bedeviled throughout the sub region with the crisis of farmers/herdsmen.

    “There is the need for cooperation/collaboration and synergy amongst all the states and countries within the sub-region to find lasting solutions to this problem.

    “We have been with the farmers/herdsmen crisis from time immemorial and as things are changing daily, urbanisation, population explosion, limited land for farming and difficulties in getting grazing to take place effectively due to climate change.

    “There is need for time-to-time for collaboration between the constituting states to come together to find lasting solution,’’ he said.

    The governor assured that governors, especially those whose areas were being affected by the crisis, would ensure the implementation of decisions of the conference to curb the conflict.

    NAN

  • 7 IDPs killed in Nasarawa State

    Mr Peter Ahemba, President of the Tiv Youth Organisation in Nasarawa State, said seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed at Ihukan village in Awe Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen.

    Ahemba told our reporters on Wednesday in Lafia that the seven farmers were displaced by the recent attacks in the state.

    He said they had sneaked in to their deserted village to pick some food stuff when they were ambushed and killed on Tuesday.

    Ahemba, who lamented the unfortunate incident, called on the Tiv people to remain calm as the matter had been reported to the appropriate authorities.

    “We the indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa State have no other place to run to and that is why we continuously count on our Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, for solution to this carnage.

    “We appreciate the efforts the state government and other stakeholders have made toward the restoration of peace to our communities, but we will continue cry to the authorities until a lasting solution is found,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, told ourthat the command had yet to get report on the attack.

  • Al-Makura assures corps members of safety in Nasarawa

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has assured the NYSC members posted to the state of their safety, while serving in the state.

    The governor gave the assurance during the swearing in ceremony of 2018 Batch A, Stream One, corps members posted to the state at the Dan Yamusa Orientation camp in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

    Recent clashes between farmers and herdsmen had led to some deaths in some parts of the state.

    Al-Makura, represented by Engr. Mohammed Wada, Commissioner of Works, Transport and Housing, said despite the recent clashes, adequate efforts had been put in place to protect lives and property, including those of corps members deployed to the state.

    He urged the corps members not to panic, but carry out their national duty with vigour and patriotism, while enjoying the hospitality of their host communities.

    “Let me use the liberty of this occasion to reiterate and assure you that Nasarawa State is safe, peaceful and hospitable.

    “It is pertinent to admit that the state, in the recent past, had to contend with the spillover of clashes between herdsmen and farmers resulting from anti-grazing law enacted by a neighbouring state.

    “Despite that, government and security agencies in the state have designed strategies to ensure lives and properties are well protected. So I assure you that your safety in the state is guaranteed,” he said.

    The governor also urged the corps members to participate fully in all camp activities so as to be acquainted with the culture, values, occupation and traditions of the people of the state.

    “The three weeks exercise will also provide the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological condition for the challenges of the service year ahead,” he added.

    Also speaking, Hajia Zainab Isah, Coordinator of the scheme in the state, said 2175 corps members were duly registered for the 2018 Batch A exercise, comprising of 1075 females and 1100 males.

    She revealed that some of the activities lined up for the three-week orientation exercise includes paramiltary drills; citizenship and leadership training; physical training; lectures; skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development training; among others.

    “I am glad to inform your excellency that since the commencement of the orientation course, we have not recorded any problem in the area of health or any act of indiscipline,” she said.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa to establish plastic recycling plant

    Nasarawa State is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish a plastic recycling plant in the Karu LGA.

    The state Gov. Umaru Al-Makura made the disclosure on Wednesday while inspecting projects embarked on by his administration in the local government area.

    He said that the plant would help to reduce littering of plastics and polythene materials in major urban centres in the state.

    “This plant is going to be very useful because the plastic wastes heaped at the various dumpsites will be sorted out and converted into relevant materials.

    “The remaining waste from the recycling would become more environment-friendly and can be used as organic fertiliser and to generate electricity, among other uses,” he said.

    Al-Makura said that the state government had put in place a robust waste management structure for effective waste collection and evacuation across all urban centres in the state.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service will generate N15b in 2018

    The newsmen reports that the Nasarawa Urban Development Board ( NUDB ) had introduced refuse disposal bags to be sold to households to facilitate effective refuse collection and disposal.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Al-Makura’s Senior Special Adviser on Development Control, said at the event that the refuse bags would be sold for N50 each.

    He said that private individuals could venture into the business.

    “However, the board will regulate the process to ensure that the bags are not sold above the approved price,” Buba said.

    NAN