The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yobe

  • UNICEF condemns killing of Yobe school children

    UNICEF condemns killing of Yobe school children

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday in Abuja expressed displeasure over the killing of some school children in Yobe.

    UNICEF said in a statement signed by its Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr. Manuel Fontaine, that there was no justification for targeting children and those looking after them.

    “As we extend our sympathy to the families of the victims, we would say in the strongest possible terms that there can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of children and those looking after them,” the statements said.

    It called on governments at all levels to ensure that those responsible for the dastardly act were brought to book.

    The statement noted that 48 students and seven teachers had been killed since June 16 in four separate attacks in the region, and stressed the need for safety in all schools, to prevent future occurrence of such act.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect on Saturday attacked the Government Secondary School, Mamudo, along the Damaturu-Potiskum highway, killing 24 students, a teacher and an Islamic preacher.

    The attacked occurred while the students were asleep.

  • Yobe students’ killers will go to hell, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday  described the killing of over 40 students and a teacher of Government Secondary School in Mamudo village, in Yobe State,  as wicked, horrific and barbaric.

    Jonathan, who spoke through the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,  said that his administration will not be undermined by any group or persons.

    According to him, any person who target innocent children as a result of emotional dyfunction will certainly burn in hell.

    He sympathized with the affected families as he assured that the war against terror is still very much on course.

    Jonathan was optimistic that his administration will see the end of terror in the country.

    Describing terrorists as cowards, he said: “the killing is barbaric, completely wicked. Anybody who will target innocent children for any kind of grief of emotional dyfunction will certainly go to hell.”

    The attackers, who stormed the boarding school about  3 a.m. on Saturday, were said to have set fire on the hostels which burned the victims alive as they were asleep.

    The students that managed to escape from the fire were reportedly shot by the attackers.

    Some of the injured students in critical conditions are being treated in hospitals in the state for varying degrees of burns.

  • Boko Haram burns 209 schools in Yobe

    Boko Haram burns 209 schools in Yobe

    The scale of the massive destruction carried out by Boko Haram in Yobe State was laid bare yesterday.

    The government said it had spent over N4billion battling the insurgents. Yobe, Borno and Adamawa are under a state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan last month.

    Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu, who stood in for Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, told the visiting members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, led by Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, that since November 2011, many lives had been lost.

    He said property belonging to government institutions and individuals were destroyed by the insurgents. They include 209 schools estimated to cost N2.5 billion.

    This is in addition to private structures worth N629 million, which were burnt by the insurgents.

    Aliyu said: “Within the span of one year, November 2011 and October 2012, in addition to the loss of lives, public buildings like schools, mosques, churches and vehicles were razed down by the insurgents.

    “About 209 government school buildings, comprising classrooms, hostels, workshops, laboratories, administrative blocks, vehicles were destroyed by the insurgents, costing an estimated N2.5 billion. This is in addition to the office blocks of government agencies belonging to both state and federal governments.

    “Similarly, private houses with estimated value of over N629 million were also burnt,” he said.

    Over 200 Hilux patrol vehicles were bought for security operatives, Aliyu said, adding that N200 million is being spent on logistics and monthly allowances, among other needs of security operatives every month.

    The government praised the people for their prayers, which it noted have drastically helped in the improvement of security and the gradual return of peace, in the state, adding that schools and economic activities have picked up.

    Aliyu regretted the recent attack on the Government Secondary School, Damaturu, saying: “The attack came as a surprise as the state has done 10-month of uninterrupted peace.” It praised the Federal Government for deploying more security in the state.

    The deputy governor praised the gallantry of the men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and urged the people to continue to support them.

    He said the state would empower the 17 women and 21 children so far released by the JTF through the Women Development Centres.

    The chairman of the committee and Minister of Special Duties Turaki, condoled with the government and people over the loss of life and property since the attacks began.

    He stressed the need for the cooperation of the people towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Turaki said they were in the state as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to reconciliation with insurgents, adding that the committee would meet with the clergy, royal fathers, elders and heads of security agencies to find a solution to the security challenges.

    Turaki said: “Life is gradually and steadily returning to Yobe State. Despite the state of emergency, all democratic tenets are being adhered to as security operatives are operating within the ambits of law.”

  • A lift for youths, agric in Yobe

    As peace gradually returns to Yobe State, thanks to the emergency rule, the administration of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has taken far-reaching steps to help the state farmers produce enough food.

    The administration has provided subsidised fertilizer for farmers, inaugurated and distribution 40 units of Massey Ferguson tractors and other implements. It has also disbursed funds to youths and women under the state Fadama III Development Project.

    That was not all. Water pumps were equally handed out to farmers to help them irrigate their farmlands. No fewer than 500 tricycle were given out too under the SURE-P scheme.

    At the flagg-off, which took place at the Government House, Damaturu, Governor Gaidam disclosed that  his administration will continue to accord agricultural sector the attention it deserves, adding that Yobe will strive to attain food sufficiency under his administration.

    The measure, according to Gaidam, will boost agriculture and stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment among the teaming youths of the state, stressing that the insurgency has slowed down the level of development in the state and even affected the agriculture sector.

    “Any nation that can solve its food problem has solved half of its problem,” the governor said.

    At the launching, he cut down the prices of fertilizer procured at N7,312.50 by 70%. He  directed that it be sold at the subsidised rate of N2,500, adding that  that government procured 6,000 metric tons  of urea amounting to N877.5, all with the aim of creating the enabling environment for the agricultural sector.

    “The state now has 6000 metric tons of urea fertilizer procured at the total sum of N877,500,000 to be distributed to each of the 178 electoral wards in the state, large-scale farmers, civil servants, irrigation farmers etc,” Gaidam said.

    He warned that government will take drastic measures against any committee that diverts the product.

    “You must avoid the temptation of the antics of middlemen,” he said.

    While launching the 40 pieces MF375 tractors, the governor noted that the state must take further steps to mechanise its agricultural production by employing modern practices that will improve output.

    “For us to achieve our objectives, we  must take further steps to mechanise our agricultural production by employing modern practices that will improve out-put. This informs the use of tractors and their accessories, improved seedlings and agro-chemicals, in addition to embarking on robust extention services that will help our farmers to overcome any obstacle to agricultural production.

    “It is in realisation of this that the 40 MF375 tractors and implements were procured at the total cost of N320m. This is aimed at boosting agricultural production among our citizens in addition to serving as a source of enhancing revenue generation drive for the Government,” Governor Gaidam.

    He warned that the operations of the tractors would be properly monitored and supervised to avoid any leakage of funds provided from them.

    The governor who lamented the erratic rainfall and its poor distribution in the arid and semi-arid zones like Yobe, announced that the state government has identified areas that have potentials of  irrigation farming in Yunusari and Yusufari local government areas.

    As an interim measure, 100 water pumps and tube wells amounting to N15 million was distributed to beneficiaries at the occasion.

    Also, N76 million assistance was given to women and youth groups under the Fadam III  programme.

    On the tricycles, Governor Gaidam said they will be given to beneficiaries with a 50 per cent discount to be paid within 24 months.

    In his  remarks, the state commissioner of agriculture Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana announced that the present administration from the beginning disbursed  the sum of N581 million to 14,421 beneficiaries across the state.

    He pointed out that with the fertilizer sales, the tractors  and other agricultural inputs, farmers will be encouraged  to produce more.

     

  • A lift for youths, agric in Yobe

    A lift for youths, agric in Yobe

    As peace gradually returns to Yobe State, thanks to the emergency rule, the administration of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has taken far-reaching steps to help the state farmers produce enough food.

    The administration has provided subsidised fertilizer for farmers, inaugurated and distribution 40 units of Massey Ferguson tractors and other implements. It has also disbursed funds to youths and women under the state Fadama III Development Project.

    That was not all. Water pumps were equally handed out to farmers to help them irrigate their farmlands. No fewer than 500 tricycle were given out too under the SURE-P scheme.

    At the flagg-off, which took place at the Government House, Damaturu, Governor Gaidam disclosed that  his administration will continue to accord agricultural sector the attention it deserves, adding that Yobe will strive to attain food sufficiency under his administration.

    The measure, according to Gaidam, will boost agriculture and stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment among the teaming youths of the state, stressing that the insurgency has slowed down the level of development in the state and even affected the agriculture sector.

    “Any nation that can solve its food problem has solved half of its problem,” the governor said.

    At the launching, he cut down the prices of fertilizer procured at N7,312.50 by 70%. He  directed that it be sold at the subsidised rate of N2,500, adding that  that government procured 6,000 metric tons  of urea amounting to N877.5, all with the aim of creating the enabling environment for the agricultural sector.

    “The state now has 6000 metric tons of urea fertilizer procured at the total sum of N877,500,000 to be distributed to each of the 178 electoral wards in the state, large-scale farmers, civil servants, irrigation farmers etc,” Gaidam said.

    He warned that government will take drastic measures against any committee that diverts the product.

    “You must avoid the temptation of the antics of middlemen,” he said.

    While launching the 40 pieces MF375 tractors, the governor noted that the state must take further steps to mechanise its agricultural production by employing modern practices that will improve output.

    “For us to achieve our objectives, we  must take further steps to mechanise our agricultural production by employing modern practices that will improve out-put. This informs the use of tractors and their accessories, improved seedlings and agro-chemicals, in addition to embarking on robust extention services that will help our farmers to overcome any obstacle to agricultural production.

    “It is in realisation of this that the 40 MF375 tractors and implements were procured at the total cost of N320m. This is aimed at boosting agricultural production among our citizens in addition to serving as a source of enhancing revenue generation drive for the Government,” Governor Gaidam.

    He warned that the operations of the tractors would be properly monitored and supervised to avoid any leakage of funds provided from them.

    The governor who lamented the erratic rainfall and its poor distribution in the arid and semi-arid zones like Yobe, announced that the state government has identified areas that have potentials of  irrigation farming in Yunusari and Yusufari local government areas.

    As an interim measure, 100 water pumps and tube wells amounting to N15 million was distributed to beneficiaries at the occasion.

    Also, N76 million assistance was given to women and youth groups under the Fadam III  programme.

    On the tricycles, Governor Gaidam said they will be given to beneficiaries with a 50 per cent discount to be paid within 24 months.

    In his  remarks, the state commissioner of agriculture Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana announced that the present administration from the beginning disbursed  the sum of N581 million to 14,421 beneficiaries across the state.

    He pointed out that with the fertilizer sales, the tractors  and other agricultural inputs, farmers will be encouraged  to produce more.

     

  • Yobe distributes 40 tractors, fertiliser to flag off cropping season

    Yobe distributes 40 tractors, fertiliser to flag off cropping season

    Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has flagged off the 2013 cropping season with the sales the sales of fertilizer and the distribution of 40 units of Massey Ferguson Tractors and water pump generators to farmers across the state. The measure, according to the governor, will boost agriculture and stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment among the teaming youths of the state, and promised that his administration will continue to accord agricultural the attention it deserves. “Any nation that can solve its food problem has solved half of its problem”, Gaidam said. The governor directed that fertilizer, both NPK and Urea be sold at the subsidized rate of N2, 500, adding that government procured 60 00 metric tons of the product, amounting to N877.5 million, with the aim of creating the enabling environment for the agricultural sector. “The state now has 6000 metric tons of urea fertilizer, procured at the total sum of N877,500,000, to be distributed to each of the 178 electoral wards in the state, large scale farmers, civil servants and irrigation farmers”, Gaidam said. Similarly, 40 pieces of tractors, procured at N320million were also launched at the occasion. In a related development, N76 million assistance was distributed to women and youth groups under the Fadama three programme. In his remarks, the state commissioner of agriculture, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, announced that the present administration has so far disbursed the sum of N 581 Million to 14, 421 beneficiaries across the state. He pointed out that with the sales of fertilizer, the tractors and other agricultural inputs, farming would become attractive to youths in the state. Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Alhaji Musa Dumburi, stressed that the procurement and distribution of additional tricycles to the youths will engage jobless youths into gainful ventures. He said the SURE-P vehicles distributed last week have started plying various roads across the state, as it will reduce transport cost among the less-privileged.

  • Gaidam tackles Yobe health issues

    Gaidam tackles Yobe health issues

    Governor urges commissioners to sit up

    ON tour of Yobe State health facilities, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam overcame his shock and disappointment at their dilapidation and immediately started remedial measures.

    At one hospital, he ordered a power generator to be provided and installed. He also directed that a borehole be sunk there. Gaidam equally announced that one hospital will be upgraded to a tertiary institution.

    The governor’s inspection tour exposed the challenges in the state’s health sector, a development which he blamed on the lukewarm attitude of his commissioners and advisers.

    He warned members of his cabinet to be committed to the service of the people, saying that those who will not work should resign honourably or be shown the way out.

    The warning came when he visited the Ministries of Health and Education, two key ministries in the state, as part of activities marking the 2013 Democracy Day activities.

    He said: “I have the whole state to take care of. I cannot come to the ministries to find out your problems and give you the solutions to the problems. It is unfortunate that everywhere I go, my so-called ambassadors keep telling me that they are sending in their submissions tomorrow. Clearly, if I don’t come, nothing will happen. I think we have to change our way of doing things. Every commissioner must be on his toes. I cannot work with lazy commissioners. Anybody who is not ready to work should honourably leave or be shown the way out of my cabinet.”

    After his re-election in 2011, Gaidam at the swearing-in ceremony of the 21 commissioners and Special Advisers, urged them not to sit back in their offices but rather visit their ministries to find out the problems affecting them and submit to him for prompt action.

    Apparently, the governor’s directives seemed to have been ignored immediately after the swearing-in at the August 27 Stadium, venue of the event.

    Irked by the deplorable state of health in the state despite his administration’s commitment to it, he slammed a state of emergency on the sector.

    He said: “As a governor, I cannot come to the ministry to do your job for you. I have many state issues to attend to and the ministry of health is just one of them. Everybody must do the job he is paid for. From what I have seen on ground, I am highly disappointed and embarrassed.  I think this hospital needs total renovation, including the management. I therefore declare a state of emergency on this hospital and the entire health sector in the state.”

    In furtherance of his commitment to improved healthcare services for the citizens, Gaidam directed the Chairman, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mamman to immediately submit a bill of quantity to his office for a complete redesign of the hospital to meet international best practices.

    He also directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Babagoni Machina, an engineer, to immediately provide a 500KVA power generating set to the hospital so as to provide constant electricity to patients on admission.

    The SSG was again directed to immediately ensure that a new borehole is sunk at the hospital to address the problem of water scarcity at the hospital.

    Governor Ibrahim Gaidam also went to the 200-bed ultra modern hospital which was initiated in 2007 by his predecessor the late Mamman Ali  where he  announced that the hospital will be equipped in piece meal over a period of time and latter handed over to Yobe State University as its teaching hospital.

    While the Ministry of Health was grappling with the state of emergency imposed on it by the governor, Gaidam took a surprise visit to the Government Girls’ College, Damaturu  where he blamed the mass failure of students at the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) on the poor management of schools in the state.

    Governor Gaidam, who expressed his dissatisfaction with the ministry officials, immediately split the ministry into two namely higher and lower education ministries.

    In the circumstances, the governor has carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle Former Commissioner for Education Mala Musti has been posted to Land and Survey, while Aji Yerima Bularafa who was in charge of Ministry of Youths took over the Ministry of Higher Education. Alhaji Mohamed Alamin is now in charge of Ministry of Lower Education.

    Governor Gaidam was particularly angry that the standard of education in the state has failed to improve despite the huge resources committed to the sector over the years.

    “I think the poor management of this ministry is the cause of massive failure of children in final year examination. Look at the condition of the class rooms. How can students do well in this kind of atmosphere? No wonder, year in year out, we keep having 10 or 15 per cent in SSCE and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

    “We will not tolerate that any longer. The knowledge gap between the children of the rich and the poor must be bridged. That is my vow during my electioneering campaign,” Gaidam said.

    The governor directed the Ministry of Water Resources to sink a borehole in the school to enable the students have constant water supply.

    Reactions have continued to trail the action of the governor.

    Aji Modu Juluri headed a Special Committee on Project Monitoring in the state. His committee was mandated to verify the quality of projects being executed and their various levels of completion and compliance to specifications from 2007 to 2012.

    The committee said it observed a lot of “documentary and structural” lapses.

    Juluri said that over 34 MDAs; including ministries, were visited. He described the governor’s action as “self-proven and a welcome development for the progress of the state.”

    A senior government official who prefers anonymity said: “I like what the governor has decided to do. He has been approving billions of Naira and people are busy cutting corners with the funds. The truth must be told, Governor Gaidam has good intentions for the state but there are many saboteurs out there frustrating his efforts.”

    Another senior civil servant who spoke to Newsextra in confidence for fear of intimidation observed that Governor Gaidam’s surprise visit to the hospital is a wake-up call to those government officials who indulge in sabotaging the good intentions of the governor and his administration by failing to do the right thing as public servants.

    “Things must change; the culture of impunity has to give way for a responsible system. As the governor said those who are not ready should give way. There are thousand and one people of Yobe State out there that are ready to work with their whole heart to add value to this government if given the opportunity,” he said.

    Abdullahi Bego, the Special Adviser to Governor Gaidam on Press and Information Affairs explained that the intention of the governor is to ensure that things are working in the state.

    “Let me say this. The intention of His Excellency is very clear. He wants to ensure that things are really working in the state and that the value for monies spent on projects is realised.

  • Boko Haram: JTF frees 38 suspects in Yobe

    The Joint Task Force in Yobe State on Friday  released 17 women and 21
    children in their custody.
    The release  according to JTF is in compliance with the directive of
    the defence headquarters that female suspects should be released as
    part of reconciliation measures with the Boko Haram sect.
    The detainees were presented to the state government by the spokesman
    of the JTF in the state,  Lieutenant Eli Lazarus.
    The JTF spokesman during the presentation  hoped that the release will
    justify the  purpose for which it was intended, adding  that other
    detainees will also be released in subsequent batches.
    The state  Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Ahmed Mustapha
    Goneri who received the suspects  thanked  the JTF and promised that “the  detainees will   be rehabilitated and integrated into the society”.
    He said the  state government  will give them  the needed trade  to
    start up life afresh.
    Bar. Ahmed called on the insurgents to embrace the action of the
    government and speed up the peace process.

     

  • Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    The governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states may go to court to challenge plan by President Goodluck Jonathan to use their states’ monthly allocations to fund the military operations in the states under the emergency rule.

    Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) are said to have sought legal advice on the issue.

    They believe that since Defence is on the exclusive list in the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government should solely fund the Special Forces deployed in the states.

    The governors are likely to seek judicial interpretation of Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The governors are unhappy with a section of the emergency rule proclamation which seeks to confer on the President power to manage funds meant for states and local governments under emergency rule.

    The section says: “Any Order made under sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation may in particular, if it appears to the President to be necessary or expedient for the purpose mentioned in the sub-regulation – make provision for the detention of any person either within the emergency area or elsewhere, removal and exclusion of any person from the emergency area; authorise the taking of possession or control of any property or undertaking in the emergency area; authorise the entry and search of any premises; provide for the application of any law (with or without modification), in relation to that area; provide for the utilisation of the funds of any State or Local Government in the emergency area; provide for the payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by the Order; provide for the apprehension, trials and punishment of persons offending against the Order; and provide for the maintenance of such applies and services as the President considers essential to the lives of persons in the emergency area.”

    Investigation revealed that the legal advisors had on Friday started consultations with the Attorneys-General of the three states, who will report to the governor.

    Sources in Borno State said: “The three governors are already weighing legal options. The three states are taking the legal measure as they are not prepared to take chances which is why they are trying to work well ahead so that they are not caught unawares.

    “The three state governments believe that controlling their funds would amount to a clear breach of the constitution because the emergency Proclamation Bill, 2013 that gave the President powers to spend funds meant for states or local governments in areas of emergency rule is in conflict with the constitution and the legal effect of declaration of emergency in an area simply means that citizens are deprived of certain fundamental human rights because of the security issues involved.

    “All laws no matter how important they may be to the governance of the country cannot supersede the provisions of the constitution because of the supremacy of the constitution which the President and every sworn public officer has an obligation to preserve and protect.

    “The constitution does not in any section remove the executives or dissolve democratic structures and relief them of their functions.

    “Power to spend funds meant for states and local governments is constitutionally vested on the chief executives of the state and local governments being second and third tiers of government directly benefiting from the statutory allocation of the federation.

    “So, any attempt by the President or any other person appointed to act in that behalf is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no lawful effect whatsoever. In addition, it will be a fragrant abuse of the constitution to tamper with funds accruable to these tiers of government and in this case, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which are all federating units like the federal government.

    “Moreover, the provision of security is squarely within the Exclusive Legislative list of the constitution which is purely the responsibility of the federal government to protect the lives and property of its citizenry through security agencies.

    ” Basic social amenities like water, healthcare, education, welfare of the citizens fall within the concurrent legislative list of the constitution which both the federal and state governments are to provide.

    “This clearly means it is the exclusive duty of the federal government in the first instance to fund security services, so why should the President now deprive states of their funds to provide the concurrent legislative list to citizens.

    “This is purely unconstitutional and even a part two law student will deliver judgment against the President and the federal government.

    “Moreover, the states of Borno and Yobe have been the ones funding security operations since the deployment of troops under the JTF to the States, the federal government didn’t give them a dime, why should the President now even consider holding on their funds whereas they have been discharging his own functions?”

  • Boko Haram: Yobe approves N187m for victims

    Yobe state government has approved N187,401,281 for victims of the Boko Haram crisis whose houses were burnt or had their properties destroyed.

    The Commissioner of Home Affairs Information and Culture Goni Fika who briefed the press at the end of the state executive council meeting on Wednesday said  that the assistance also covers those religious houses that were affected.

    He explained that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)  identified that a  total of 99 people were killed while 135 others were attacked with their houses and property burnt.