The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yobe State

  • COEASU shuts down FEC Potiskum

    COEASU shuts down FEC Potiskum

    The Academic Staff Union of Colleges  (COEASU), Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State Chapter  have shut down the school indefinitely over  the non -payment of outstanding allowances and other demands from the College Management.

    The Nation findings gathered that the activities of the Union Members disrupted academic activities in the institutions which led to the closure of the school as student were chased out of the campus by the lecturers.

    The branch chairman of COEASU FEC, Potiskum,  Comrade Muntari Sa’ad said that the College management violated an agreement reached with the Union for sometimes now.

    Their problem he said was failure of the payment of their Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA) among others, stressing that the Academic Staff of the College were been overworked yet their welfare is neglected.

    Comrade Sa’ad explained that the unions had initially embarked on a warning strike in 2016.

    His words: “The strike began today based on some unattended agitations of the union. By tradition, the College management has been recalcitrant to the agitations of our members. “The management finds it difficult to honour the demands of the Academic Staff of the College”.

    “Let me inform you that our Provost is using intimidation, fear and even blackmail to silence every one. He succeeded in silencing the entire management team, however the resisted all forms of techniques employed by the provost. The Congress is witnessing the collapse of the college before our very eyes.

    “During the Congress meeting I pointed out to all COEASU members that “the limits of tyrants are prescribed by those whom they oppress.

    “There well informing the union member to take their destiny on their hands as a result of the fact that “they are the one to blow their own trumpet so that they could be heard otherwise nobody will blow it for them” and their refusal to blow it will tantamount to suffering in silence,” he explained.

    The Union leader also informed that they have written a letter to the Hon. Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu passing a vote of no confidence of the provost of the College at a congress meeting held on 27th March, 2017.

    The letter reads in part, “in COEASU Congress meeting held today Monday, 27th March 2017, the COEASU Congress FCE (T), Potiskum has mandated the COEASU Executives to write and inform you.”

    “Today’s Congress meeting emanated from another emergency COEASU Congress meeting held on Thursday 23rd March, 2017 in which COEASU wrote a letter to your office”.

    “A motion was moved by a Congress Member to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the College Provost and it was seconded by two Congress Members and there was no counter motion. Attached with this letter are attendance sheets for the meeting. ”

    “The contending issues listed in this letter were the same lingering issues that bedeviled the College and there were three mediations which took place at the instant of the Executive Secretary NCCE between the COEASU Executives and the College Management yet all the agreement reached as a result of the three mediations were not respected by the College Management.”

    The Provost of the College, Madu Muhammad refused to talk to the press, saying “for now I think I should not talk, let’s wait and see”.

     

  • Gaidam steps up effort to revive education woes in Yobe

    Gaidam steps up effort to revive education woes in Yobe

    …invest N3.03 billion in school upgrade, Student feeding, exams, others

     

    As part of measures to revive the woes of education in Yobe state, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the renovation and expansion of three new schools one from each of the three senatorial zones of state.

    Our correspondents reports that Gaidam had recently embarked on inspection visits to ascertain the level and quality of the work going on in the three schools.

    The schools are Government secondary School Yunusari, Government Secondary School Guwio Kura and Government Secondary School Fika.

    Explaining the investments of Yobe State in the educational sector, the Director of Press Affairs and Information to Yobe State Governor Abdullahi Bego in a statement said the huge spending in education is a deliberate initiative of   Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam  to reverse the ugly trend in the sector and a quick  recovery measure  to  the hard injuries Boko Haram has inflicted on education in the state.

    According to him, “ Yobe State Government has spent N3, 032, 275, 200.00 in various education-related expenses, including the rehabilitation and expansion of three secondary schools, feeding of students in boarding schools, payment of fees for students writing the West African Examinations (WAEC), payment for special remedial programme for Yobe students in the University of Maiduguri as well as fees for Yobe students in various Nigeria-Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) in Mamudo, Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, amongst others”.

    He noted that Gov.  Gaidam gave the approvals, as part of his determination to bring quality education within the reach of all Yobe students.

    A breakdown of the funds indicates  that,  “ about  N1.3 billion was committed to renovating, expanding and upgrading Government Secondary Schools Fika, Gwio-Kura and Yunusari, N408, 867, 650.00 was spent in the feeding of boarding school students during the last academic term and N188, 932, 300.00 is being spent in the current (ongoing) academic term.

    “The State Government has also made a 50 percent down payment to WAEC for the 2017 WAEC exams; conditions that must be met for any state government to have its students participate in the year’s WAEC examinations. The remaining 50 percent will be paid during the year as Yobe students sit for the exams,” the statement informed.

    In an attempt to boost the number of gradutes in the state for her workforce in the civil service and the Teaching Service Board the state government went into agreement with University of Maiduguri to train graduates for the state under a Special Redial Program situated in Damaturu.

    “Under a special arrangement with the University of Maiduguri, Yobe students undertake a remedial programme each year to enable them fully qualify for admission to various courses in the University. A total sum of N52, 565, 000 was therefore paid by the government for up to 5, 000 students to participate in this year’s remedial programme,” the statement said.

    The statement also read in parts; “The Gaidam administration also spent N971, 598, 000 as fees for the 2016/2017 session for Yobe students enrolled in the Nigeria-Tulip International Colleges (formerly Nigeria-Turkish International Colleges) in Mamudo, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja campuses.

    “The State Government has also paid N27, 732, 250.00 in registration, examinations and upkeep of Yobe students admitted under a special Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into Fountain University, Oshogbo.

    “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has also granted approval for a monthly standing payment of N18, 700, 000.00 for the purchase of cows to be slaughtered and used for boarding school students across the state.

    “The public may also note that the governor has approved N33 million for the drilling of boreholes for potable water supply in the three secondary schools currently being upgraded by the government (in Yunusari, Gwio-Kura and Fika towns).

    “As the upgrade of the three secondary schools nears completion, His Excellency the governor has ordered a process for the supply of laboratory equipment, classroom and staff room furniture, beddings, library books, and other essential supplies for the schools to move forward.

    “In keeping with His Excellency’s promise, all these items will be provided to the three affected schools within the next few weeks.

    “The governor assures parents, students and teachers that his administration will continue to give the educational development of the state the highest possible attention,” the statement said.

     

     

  • APC sweeps Yobe LG election

    APC sweeps Yobe LG election

    The All Progressive Congress has been declared winner in all the seventeen Local government chairmanship position contested in the last Saturday council polls in Yobe State.

    Annoucing the results at the headquarters of the commission in Damaturu, the Chairman Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission Alhaji Jauro Abdu disclosed that all the chairmanship positions in the election were unopposed for the APC except for Potiskum local government but the NCP candidate later withdrew from the race just before the election.

    The Chairman in the midst of the security chiefs in the state said the elections recorded no adverse incident across the state.

    Alhaji Jauro Abdu informed that that the elections into the councilorship positions were not unopposed like for the chairmanship but how disclosed that the results were not yet received by his office.

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has commended the people the state for coming out emass to vote for APC in the Saturday council polls.

    In a statement signed by the Spokesman to Gov Gaidam, Abdullahi Bego said, ” His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is very pleased and hugely grateful that the people of the state have reaffirmed their faith in and support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) by electing all the party’s candidates in last Saturday’s Local Government Election.

    “That all the APC chairmanship candidates won in the election shows the degree to which the APC manifesto remains an appealing document to most of the people of the state.

    “The governor is also pleased that a significant number of registered voters across the state have participated in the election and have voted for the candidates of their choice.

    “His Excellency Governor Gaidam strongly believes that given the security and other challenges that the state has experienced in the recent past, last weekend’s polls, which were commendably peaceful, can give us hope that normalcy has returned and that we can take pride in our capacity as a people to collectively organise and participate in elections at the grassroots level.

    “His Excellency the governor will work with the elected chairmen and their councils to go even farther in his determination to improve the people’s living conditions at the grassroots,” the statement said.

  • Yobe holds peaceful council polls, records low turnout of female voters

    Yobe holds peaceful council polls, records low turnout of female voters

    The Local Government Elections in Yobe State has recorded no breach of peace across the state as voters were seeing casting their votes and returning home peacefully to carry out their normal daily activities.

    The Nation observed that the voting arrangement by the State Electoral body made the exercise so easy and peaceful as voting and accreditation was done simultaneously at all polling units across the state.

    Our correspondent who monitored the elections in three local governments of Damaturu, Fune and Potiskum, however discovered low turnout of female voters for the polls.

    In most of the polling units visited, most of the demographic turnout of men was more than their female counterparts.

    Hauwa Audu who came to vote at the Bindigari Primary School Polling unit attributed the low turnout of female to lack of campaigns from the political parties participating in the elections.

    Hauwa in company of two other women at the polling unit told our correspondent that they were just informed today to come to the polling station and vote without any prior knowledge of an election Saturday.

    “It is this morning that my husband asked us to take our voters card and come to vote here. We did not know anything about this election, no political party came to campaign in our area. That is why we did not know anything about the election,” Hauwa explained.

    Another group of five women who just voted at the polling unit near the Emir of Damaturu’s Palace agreed with Hauwa that political parties did not carry out enough campaign to sensitize the people for the elections, adding that, we are aware of the elections because we are civil servants. Many of our colleagues (women) are not aware of the elections today because the political parties did not carry out any
    campaign across the state”.

    Addressing journalists after casting his vote at his polling Unit at Yendiski in Potiskum, the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Aliyu said he was impressed with the voters turnout, stressing that its as a result of the peace currently enjoyed in the state.

    His words: “I’m here today in my Yindiski polling unit of Potiskum to cast my vote to All Progressive Congress (APC), my chairman and councilor. The ongoing election is very peaceful. There is no rowdiness and everyone is exercising his or her own choice to elect our leaders.

    “We thanked God for the peace we are enjoying and thank our Governor,
    Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam for giving us all the support and resources to
    carry out this exercise,”Engr. Aliyu said.

    He said that he has been receiving reports on the large turnout of voters, as early as 8am Saturday.

    Engr. Aliyu also informed that Gov. Gaidam is unable to cast his vote because he is on lesser hajj to Saudi Arabia.

    Speaking with The Nation, the Chairman Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Saratu Binta Dikko Audu praised both the security arrangement and the peaceful nature the elections went on in the state.

    She commended Yobe for conducting such a peaceful election, while hoping to have the same peace in Kaduna state.

    “This is the first time I am observing Yobe election. What I have seen is it’s very peaceful. I hope mine will be this peaceful (laughs). The arrangement is so perfect. You can see people come cast their ballots and leave. This is a good thing and we have already decided that we will do simultaneous voting, she explained.

    She also informed that Kaduna’s elections would be electronic and there will be no ballot papers but ballot receipts which will be dropped in the ballot box from the machine.

    Dr. Saratu was particularly impressed with the security arrangement, adding that she will serious take crucial lessons from the Yobe elections to Kaduna.

    The Nation reports that only seven political parties participated in the election with the biggest opposition party in the state, PDP opting out of the contest due to high cost of nomination forms.

  • CDD, UNDP trains 60 clerics, youth for de-radicalization in Yobe

    The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in conjunction with United Nation Development Program (UNDP) through the sponsorship of Japanese Government has commencement the residential training of Clerics, Youths and women community stakeholders in Yobe  as part of methods of neutralizing the Boko Haram ideologies propagated by the
    Boko Haram sect in the region.

    A similar programe was conducted in November last years with the training of 200 clerics for a similar objective across Yobe State.

    The program officer, Mr. Steve Amuda explained that the project is aimed at supporting security agencies and civil society organizations in developing and disseminating counter-radical narratives to radical fundamentalists groups in the country.

    According to the Program officer of Centre for Democracy & Development Ikponmwosa David Omoigiade said the participants would be trained on Counter Radical Training materials which were development from the DAWA Centre and some Professors from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

    Mr. Omoigiade explained that the objective of the program is to find a way of de-radicalizing the Boko Haram ideologies through the use of counter messages by the clerics at the grassroots, which according to him is very critical in the counter-terrorism fight.

    “The implication is how these people can go through these materials and compare them with their ideas and come out with some informed decision,” he said.

    He informed that, “The project is been conducted in Yobe Borno and Adamawa state, eighty clerics would be trained in Borno, sixty in Yobe and another sixty in Adamawa.

    “We discovered that many people could not imagine the impact of Boko Haram on their communities. Our aim therefore is to bridge that gap of knowledge that has caused this problem of Boko Haram. We discovered that these gaps exist both within the community, the security agents and the general public. We are also working on the security agents to see how there could be a synergy for a better solution to the problem.

    “The communities are extremely welcoming because of the quality of what we have brought to the table for them. As you known, it’s a grassroots project and we intend to go down to the least of the communities, so a start, we have picked a total of ten communities across the three states, four in Borno and three each from Yobe and Adamawa states. Our selection of the clerics cut across all sects, and we are very holistic about that. This is because Boko Haram does not
    select the people they attack so we believe that everybody is affected so everyone has to be involved,” Mr. Omoigiade said.

    Some of the participants express confidence that the program will bring a positive impact in the counter insurgency process.

  • UNHCR flags off shelter kits distribution to IDPs in Yobe

    UNHCR flags off shelter kits distribution to IDPs in Yobe

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) has begun the distribution of building materials under its Shelter Kits Intervention Programme for victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State.

    This intervention is coming barely a week after the State Chairman of the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement Committee, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who is also Deputy Governor of Yobe State made a clarion call on donor agencies to shift from food donations to displaced people to assisting them with materials that will enhance their livelihoods.

    During the flag off ceremonies which took place separately at the two most hit Boko Haram local government areas of Gujba and Gulani in the state, community leaders of the two local government areas expressed their deep appreciation to the UNHCR, describing the intervention as timely.

    The Chairman Gujba Local government, Alhaji Kyari Batrema called on humanitarian agencies to stretch their intervention to every nook and crany of the local government especially the eastern part of the council where he said are gradually returning due to improved security in the areas.

    He called on his people to always give humanitarian workers and the security operatives the needed cooperation to succeed in their job.

    The Yobe State Head Office of UNHCR, Mr. Gabriel Idoko expressed his gratitude over the cooperation of the State Government in providing a good platform for a better coordinating of humanitarian activities in the state.

    He noted that, UNHCR will continue to partner with the state government in most desirable areas of intervention for victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Mr. Idoko explained that the Shelter Kits Intervention Programme is designed to help the displaced people return to their communities in a more dignified manner.

    “What UNHCR is doing here today is to help these people who were displaced by the Boko Haram crisis to return to their communities in a more dignified way.

    “As you can see, most of the beneficiaries here had their houses destroyed and we believe with a shelter on your head, you can think better. Shelter is an important aspect, of recovery from this crisis,” Mr. Idoko explained.

    As a way of discouraging the beneficiaries from selling the items, Mr. Idoko disclosed that, each beneficiary is provided with a cash of N30, 000 to assist them pay for labour and other family needs.

    He disclosed that a total of 500 house, 300 from Gujba and 200 from Gulani were selected to benefit from the programme.

    Each household, according to him will receive 4 bags of cement; two bundles of zinc roofing sheets; different roofing rafters, roofing and timber nails among building materials.

    Head of External Relations/Public Information   UNHCR, Mr. Hanson Ghandi Tamfu said “this intervention is strategic because to us at the United Nations, assisting the displaced people to rebuild their shelter will allow them settle down and begin to fashion out other ingenuous means of their survival”.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Alhaji Idi Jidawa called on the benefiacies not to sale the items but rather use them for the purpose they were meant.

    The Yobe State SEMA boss while emphasising the plea of the deputy Gov called on donor agencies to look more into donations materials that will impact directly on the resettlement of the people as they return to their communities.

  • NYSC DG assures parents of Corp members safety in Yobe

    NYSC DG assures parents of Corp members safety in Yobe

    The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig, Gen. Suleiman Kazaure has called on parents whose wards are posted to Yobe not to panic over their security at the orientation camp.

    The DG gave the assurance at the NYSC orientation camp in Potiskum, Yobe while on a familiarization tour of camps in the country.

    According to the DG, his men are working 24hours to Msurshima the security of the Corp members at the camp in Yobe State.

    He said, ” the camp is well secured and I am assuring the safety and security of all Corp members here in the camp.”

    Gen. Kazaure however urged the Corp members to be security conscious of strange persons and movements in their environments.

    “You should be security conscious. I urge you to always move in groups. Don’t walk alone. Always move in a group of three, or more people. As you know, the Boko Haram insurgents have been dislodge and they are looking for soft targets. Be very careful how you walk about,” the DG advised.

    He also advised the Corp members to always respect the tradition and culture of their host communities so as not to get into trouble with the local people.

    “One thing I have to urge you to do to your host communities is always respect their ways of life. Their traditions and their culture must be respected. By doing that, you integrate with other Nigerians, appreciate their ways of life and that justifies the establishment of the scheme,” Brig. Gen. Kazaure cautioned.

    The DG who inspected the camp facilities expressed dismay with the facilities in the camp but assured to effect an immediate change.

    “To be sincere, the facilities on the camp is not adequate but we are going to do something about it very soon” he said.

    He also informed that the scheme has gone into partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and Bank of Industry to train Corp members on skill acquisition program, while calling on the Corp members to pay special attention to the Skills Acquisition Program.

    “I want you to pay Special attention to the skills acquisition program because it is the sure way to guarantee your job. I wouldn’t want you my children to pass out here after one year and be looking for jobs that don’t exist,” the DG advised.

    He called on all the corp members to be well behaved throughout their stay in Yobe State.

  • NEMA DG commends Yobe over management of relief materials

    NEMA DG commends Yobe over management of relief materials

  • Yobe University sets medical college

    Yobe State University has advanced plans for the take off of the College of Medical Sciences at the institution.

    This follows the approval of Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for the appointment of a Provost and the recruitment of other key officers for the College.

    According to a statement signed by the Head of the Civil Service of Yobe State, Alhaji Dauda Yahaya said three other professors will be hired to head the departments of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry which will be established in the new Medical Sciences College.

    The statement added that the governor has approved the recruitment of another that 33 personnel, including research fellows, senior lecturers, and lecturers to work in the three departments.

    The Head of Service also informed that Gov Gaidam had earlier given an approval for the recruitment of 58 academic and 10 non-academic staff for the Yobe State University as a way of given a boost to the staff strength of the institution.

    The statement said: “Some of these are Readers, Research Fellows, Lecturers, and Graduate Assistants. This also included many of the 25 Graduate Assistants recently recruited who were products of the same
    University as part of the strategies to cultivate and encourage local talent,” he said.

  • Potiskum central market razed by fire, properties destroyed

    Potiskum central market razed by fire, properties destroyed

    A strange fire outbreak last night gutted the Potiskum Central Market in Yobe State burning up  properties  worth over N35 million.

    It is not clear what started the fire but a source disclosed that the fire started from an electrical spark in one of the shop after power was restored at night by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

    About 120 Shops were said to be affected by the inferno, which affected mostly the cosmetics and second handed clothes sections of the market.

    The chairman of the United Marketers Association of Nigeria, Potiskum Chapter, Alhaji Isa Sakatare told reporters that the fire started at about at about 1.00am where the security alert men of the firefighting services who assisted in putting off the fire, adding that about 120 shops were destroyed with properties estimated to cost above N35 million.

    He said, “It was around 1:00am when I received a call that there was a fire outbreak at the Market”. He said. “I quickly rushed down there and met a team of the security forces and men of the fire service fighting the fire.

    “Although no life was lost, so far 120 Shops were destroyed by the fire and properties worth over N35 million are suspected to be affected,” he said.

    Some shop owners lamented their losses called on the Yobe State government to come to their aid.

    Sani Idris and Aminu both cosmetics traders said they lost over N3 million to the fire.

    The  Chairman of Potiskum Local Government Council, Muhammad Musa  during an inspection visit to the market  sympathized with the victims, while promising to meet with the state governor for any possible assistance.

    Regretting the cause of the fire, the chairman promised to enact a law that will prevent the use of small generator to such markets to forestall any future occurrence.

    “From the reports we received, we have discovered that the fire was caused by electrical fault, we would enact a law to ban the use of local mini generators and PHCN light, I have directed my DPM to raise a memo for the purchase of a big Generating set that would power the entire Market, we would start the generator 6:00am and switched it off 6:00pm daily.”

    He call on the victims to consider the inferno as an act of God.