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  • Gov Lalong directs security to go after killers attacking villages

    Gov Lalong directs security to go after killers attacking villages


    Following another attack on Wereng village, Kuru Station in Riyom LGA of Plateau State which occurred on Monday night where about 6 people were killed, Governor Simon Lalong has directed security agencies to do all that is necessary to apprehend the killers and also halt pockets of isolated attacks on innocent people.

     
    Governor Lalong in a statement expressed fury over the killings, describing such recent attacks as worrisome and unacceptable which must be stoped immediately. 


    While sympathizing with families of the victims and survivors, Lalong asked security agencies to redouble their efforts in apprehending the attackers, having achieved some successes in other recent cases.


    He said “We will not allow these ugly incidences to return where helpless and innocent people are murdered in cold blood for no reason. These killers must be fished out at whatever cost and brought to justice. I urge the people to cooperate with the security agencies by providing useful information that will facilitate the arrest of the attackers”.


    He called on citizens of the State to increase vigilance particularly in intelligence gathering and information sharing through the traditional rulers and other early warning systems of Operation Rainbow. 
    Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 6th October 2020.

  • Criticism trails alleged balkanizaton of Zazzau Emirates plots

    Criticism trails alleged balkanizaton of Zazzau Emirates plots

    By Ujah Simon


    Balkanization in whatever guise does not occure complettely without tongues wagging. But like change, it must and do happened, good or bad.


    For the Zazzau Emirates council, there are those who believe that Governor of Kaduna State Mal Nasi rEl-rufai cannot balkanize it, while some  others are of the fervent believe that balkanization of Zazzau Emirates into three is not an impossiblty since the governor has the finality on who emerged the Emirs, despite huddles.


    Those of the opposing views, are saying that there’s a court judgement, which is not a law made by Kaduna State Assembly,. And that because the law was made by them it cannot be amended by the Assembly. For those standing on this pole therefore, any law to be passed by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to balkanise Zazzau Emirate, will be unlawful, void and of no effect, courtesy of opponent of the plots.


    While they advised that Governor El-rufai should take note and be mindful of the Court Judgement and refrain from taking any action that will create chaos and breach of peace in Kaduna State in particular and the country in general. 

    This iacvording to them is sequel to the fact that Court judgement is not a law  made by Kaduna State Assembly, which can be amended by the Assembly. 


    “So any law to be passed by the Kaduna State House Assembly to further balkanise Zazzau Emirate, will be unlawful, void and of no effect.

     
    According to a statement made available in Kaduna on Tuesday,  there’s “An out of court settlement agreement reached between Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Arc. Namadi Sambo and Zazzau Emirates.


    It further noted that the aggreement, under the leadership of the late Emir of Zazzau, (Dr.) Alhaji Shehu Idris, CFR dated 15th April 2008, stated, inter alia, “for the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby agreed that Zazzau Emirate shall remain as it is after the creation of the aforementioned Chiefdoms and no further Emirate, Chiefdoms or any traditional institution of whatever description, nature or name be created from Zazzau Emirate “.”The above agreement, was backed by an order of the High Court of Justice of Kaduna State, dated 28th January, 2009, which ratified the agreement between the two parties. It states as follows: ‘It is hereby ordered that the terms of settlement agreed to by the Emir of Zazzau and the Executive Governor of Kaduna State dated 15th April, 2008 and filed in the Court on 23rd May, 2008,is entered as final judgement of this Court between the parties in this suit” The above judgement of the High Court of Justice of Kaduna State still subsists, as it has not been appealed after over 10 years. It may be time-barred for any appeal. But this is subject to be confirmed by lawyers. “This Court judgement, is not a law made by Kaduna State Assembly, which can be amended by the Assembly. 


    “So any law to be passed by the Kaduna State House Assembly to further balkanise Zazzau Emirate, will be unlawful, void and of no effect. 
    “So the Governor should take note and be mindful of the the Court Judgement and refrain from taking any action that will create chaos and breach of peace in Kaduna State in particular and the country in general”,it stated.They however asked God to guide el-rufai on the right path.


    However, findings revealed that the Governor had replicated same, in Adara Chiefdom in Southern Kaduna, who’s Local Government was reduced to two, which attracted a lot of criticism recently by the Adara Development Association, ADA, who lost their Paramount ruler to bandits under the current government, and where the Governor intended to create Emirates against all odds. 

  • Economic diversification: Zamfara govt creates own gold reserve

    Economic diversification: Zamfara govt creates own gold reserve

    By Abba Kabara, Gusau. 

    Zamfara state government has established a beacon for the anticipated economic breakthrough through the creation of Gold reserves asset as a guaranteed commodity for currency exchange. 


    The governor of the state,  Hon.  Bello Muhammad Matawalle who discloses this in a press briefing today,  said the establishment of the gold reserve is the first of its kind in the whole federation. 
    He said he wants inform the nation and the world at large of his strategic decision on the opening   of the gold reserve and the  multiple benefits that will accrue to the citizens of the state and the future generation. 
     “This strategic decision is part of the efforts designed  to prop up the economy of the state and guarantee the economic and social wellbeing of our people now and in the future”,  he stressed. .
    For a start he said his government has purchased 31 kilograms of gold, which according to him,  was “wholly mined and processed by our artisanal miners”,  adding  that  his administration  will subsequentlycontinue to buy gold from local miners to gradually improve the reserve”.  giving the assurance that the precious metal would be deposited in a designated bank.


     Matawalle reasons that though Zamfara state like other states of the federation is grappling with competing demands from the public when the resources at government disposal are meagre, “we feel it is of utmost significance to invest in the future of our people”


    He recalls that one of the lessons we have learnt from the global COVID-19 pandemic is the lack of resilience of the oil market in the wake of a crisis that affects industrial production,  viewing that the recent collapse of the oil market has further shown the need to diversify the nation’s economy to safeguard against uncertainties of the market economy. 

    On this premise,  governor Matawalle pointed out that the establishment of the gold reserve by his administration was part of the relentless efforts  to diversify the state’s economy through the exploration and exploitation of economic  potentials of the state and  utilizing them for the benefit of both the present and future generations.

    ” It is a novelty which we believe has a better guarantee of returns compared to financial equities such  as stocks”,  said the governor. 


    He reminds that before the onslaught of the pandemic of COVID-19, he  participated in the Africa Business Roundtable, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General assembly, in New York, in September 2019.
    In addition he said,  he visited Russia and China, where he held several fora with prospective investors in the critical sectors of Zamfara state economic  potentials,  disclosing that while some investors have already started preparations to operate in the state, “it is pathetic to note that the pandemic has generally affected the movement of capital and stalled efforts to attract investors. 


    He however assured the people of the state that as soon as the situation improves better,  intensified efforts will be geared towards attracting the much-needed investments, more especially “into our mining and agricultural sectors where our state has a proven comparative advantage” he emphasized . 
    Governor Matawalle further explains that the. gold reserve programme of his  administration would no doubt have numerous multiplier benefits in the short and the long run,  part of which it will empower the artisanal miners who are often shortchanged by the merchants who sponsor their operations. 

    It is also expected to stem the influx of illegal aliens who sponsor illegal mining activities and reduce the export of the commodity by miscreants who use the proceeds of their exports to buy weapons with which trouble is fomented in some parts of the state. 

  • Nasarawa state govt commence census of commercial and industrial businesses in the state.

    Nasarawa state govt commence census of commercial and industrial businesses in the state.

    Abel leonard/ lafia

    Nasarawa state government says it has partnered with National Bureau of Statistics to conduct census of commercial and industrial business in the thirteen local government areas of the state.


    This was disclosed today by the commissioner, Ministry of finance, Budget and Planning, Haruna Adamu Ogbole at the NUJ press centre during the opening ceremony of the training of fifty three participant form National Bureau of Ntatistics that will conduct the census in the state.


    Adamu said the present democratic government of engr. Abdulahi Sule places high premium on statistical information which he said is an ingredient for effective planning and implementation of policies and programmes of the government.


    He further stressed that there is a need to know the status of poverty in the state and to also have timely indicators on major sectors of the economy ranging from Agriculture to infrastructure and mines.


    According to him, the state government is making effort to establish the state statistics agency SSA to enable IT cope with the present challenges, adding that there is an enabling law empowering the state bureau of statistics to discharge its responsibility creditably.


    He however, urged the participants to come up with a feasible means of improving the delivery of good statistical information for informed decision making in the state, adding that the state government will continue to provide National Bureau of Statistics with all the support required to enable it discharge its responsibilities in the state.

  • Gov. Sule presents 7 bills to Nasarawa Assembly for passage.

    Gov. Sule presents 7 bills to Nasarawa Assembly for passage.

    Abel Leonard/ lafia

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has presented 7 executive  Bills to the state House of Assembly for consideration and passage in order to fast track development in the state.

    Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House announced this after Hon Tanko Tunga, the Majority Leader of the House  presented the 7 bills on behalf of the governor  during the House proceedings  in Lafia today.

    The speaker said that the bills scaled first reading.

    ” I slate12th October, 2020 for the second reading of a Bill for a Law for the Establishment  of the Nasarawa State Hospitals Management  Board, Law 2020 and for other Matters Connected Thereto. A bill for a law to Repeal and Re- Establish the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Board and Other Matters Related Thereto.

    The speaker also slated 13th October, 2020 for the second reading of A bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Drugs and Supplies Management Agency  and for Other Matter Connected Therewith. and A bill for a Law to Establish Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Nasarawa State and for Other Matters Related Thereto.

    The speaker equally announced 14th October, 2020 for the second reading of A Bill for a law to Establish the Nasarawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery ,Lafia and other Matters Related Thereto. A bill for a Law to Establish  the Nasarawa State Contributory Health Scheme 2020 and Other Related Matters as well as A bill for a law to Provide for the compulsory Medical Treatment and Care for Child Victim of Sexual Violence and For Related Matters  in Nasarawa State.

    Earlier, Hon Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North), the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the first reading of the 7 executive bills.

    Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba(PDP- Obi 2) the Deputy Minority Leader of the House seconded the motion for the bills to scale first reading.

    The House unanimously allowed the seven executive bills scaled first reading.

  • Ops Sahel Sanity Troops Recover Russled Cows Kidnapped Victims in Zamfara Katsina

    Ops Sahel Sanity Troops Recover Russled Cows Kidnapped Victims in Zamfara Katsina

    By Abba Kabara.  Gusau. 

    Recent activities by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have once again yielded remarkable achievements with the arrests of many bandits,  recovery of rustled animals and the liberation of many captives. 


    The acting Director Defense Media Operations Brig. General Benard Onyeuko disclosed this in a press release today. 

    He said on 25th last month,  the timely intervention of troops of the Sahel Sanity  led to the smashing of a criminal syndicate with attendant casualty on the criminals,  while 43 cows, 6 goats and 8 sheep were recovered from the fleeing rustlers and  the recovered animals he said,  have been handed over to their lawful owners. 


    Also according to the release, troops deployed in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State acting on credible intelligence,  successfully intercepted a  herd of suspected rustled cattle just as the suspects fled into the bush abandoning 30 cows which have already handed over to their owners.


    The Brigadier general further disclosed that on 26 September 2020, troops deployed at Nahuta in Batsari LGA of Katsina State arrested one Umar Bello in possession of 2 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition during a stop and search operation.  
    During a  road block for stop and search operation,  the troops arrested one Ahmadu Rufai suspected to be a bandits logistics supplier and recovered from him,  one dagger, charms, one bag of groundnut mixed with okro and 4 bags of millet believed to be on transit to a bandits hideout. 


     In a related development, on 28 September 2020, “troops deployed  to Moriki operation base rescued a kidnapped victim named Ismaha who reportedly escaped from unknown bandit’s camp” he said,  adding that preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was kidnapped about 3 weeks ago while travelling from Sabon Pegi to Kucheri in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State. 

    The Brigadier further reveals that on the same day,  troops deployed to Dan Ali operation base rescued a female kidnap victim one Rasila (15 years) who was abducted in a farm at Tashar Biri village,  and who has now been reunited with her family. 


     According to the release,  a major achievement was recorded  on 29 September 2020 when, on intelligence report on movement of stolen animals using trailers to unknown destination, “troops swiftly established snap check point and intercepted 2 trucks loaded with 55 cows and 10 sheep” he said. 


     Similarly, on 1 October 2020, troops patrol along Faskari – Yankara road in katsina state,  arrested a suspected bandit informant named Idris Yahaya  spying on troop’s activities,  while in the same vien, troops deployed at Maigora arrested one suspected bandit collaborator called Buhari Adamu at Machika in Dandume LGA of Katsina State who however willingly  confessed to have once taken ransom fee to bandits in Madachi Forest.


     At Sabon Layi Katsina state,  the gallant troops rescued 4 kidnap victims from Giruwa village of Dandume LGA of Katsina State following Artillery bombardments on suspected bandits’ location at Unguwan-Doka village which resulted in neutralizing 4 of the bandits while others escaped into the forest. 


    Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims have been in captivity for 12 days,  and “were  already reunited with their families amidst cheers and praises” he said. 

  • Prof Ukpabio emerges new UNIUYO VC

    Prof Ukpabio emerges new UNIUYO VC

    By Samuel Ogenyi,Uyo

    The Governing Council of the University of Uyo, in Akwa Ibom, has approved the appointment of Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor, VC, of the institution.

    A statement by the Secretary to the governing council, Mr Aniediabasi Udo Tuesday in Uyo said Ndaeyo’s appointment was announced by the Pro-Chancellor and chairman governing council of the University, Mr Austin Awujo

    The new VC, a professor of farming systems was born on March 25, 1961 in Ini Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State and is married with two children.

    He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Farm Systems and  Masters degree in Agronomy, both from the Premier University in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan. 

    According to the statement Professor Ndaeyo is also an alumnus of the University of Uyo (then University of Cross River State) where he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Agronomy having previously obtained an Ordinary National Diploma in Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Obubra. 

    He joined the services of his alma mater, the University of Uyo as a Graduate Assistant on November 6, 1992 and rose through the ranks to secure a Full Chair as Professor in the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture. 

    Ndaeyo is presently the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Administration) and the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Chairman, Committee of Deans among other administrative experiences. 

    He is also a member of several learned and professional bodies which include Crop Science Society of Nigeria, Farm Management Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Rural Sociological Association and Agricultural Society of Nigeria among others. 

  • Anambra gov has no candidate for FA election, says Ilonyeosi

    Anambra gov has no candidate for FA election, says Ilonyeosi

    By Mike Oboh

    AS elections into the football Association in Anambra state hots up, a leading contender to the position of the chairmanship of the Association has declared that the state governor, Willie Obiano does not have any candidate for the elections.Mr Chikelue Ilonyeosi said on Monday while declaring his interest to contest for the top post in the state association said what the state needed was  a vibrant association that can project the state football development.Chikelue who spoke on his desire to unite the football family in the state to get the desired results, said he is in t for the top job to restore the state lost glory in the game.

    The former ex international who is presently the special adviser to the president of the Nigeria Football Federation President on Security matter, said his dream is to unite the stakeholders in the state to progress to the next level in football development in the country.

    The candidate said he is not contesting for the position to unseat his ally, Senator Ifeanyi Uba but to create an enabling environment for the game to prosper in the state.The election billed to hold on October 30, according to him, is left for all stakeholders in the state to work in line with the decision of the government of the state to improve the development of spots in the state.He said top on the list of his 14poits agenda, is the restoration of good sponsorship of the state programme as well as a solid development of grassroot  development of the game in the state

  • Athlantic flood washes away A’Ibom community

    Athlantic flood washes away A’Ibom community

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    Residents of Emeroke Kingdom in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State now live in miserable condition following the incursion of the community by waters of the Athlantic ocean. 

    The situation has affected the social and economic activities of the people with many residents rendered homeless and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

    The kingdom houses 13 oil wells among other unnamed wells and export line isolation point 1 of OML 13 formerly owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) recently acquired by NPDC and currently operated by Sterling Global.

    It is one of the core hosts to Amni International Petroleum Development Company operating offshore of Eastern Obolo and is reputed to have the largest gas deposits in West Africa.

    In a Save Our Soul statememt by tla socio cultural organisation in the area, Utono Obolo, leaders from the community leaders expressed worry over the activities of oil companies within the area adding that their pleas to the state government and lawmakers representing them have yielded no fruit.

    According to the statement endorsed by the association’s chairman, Barr Sunday Afikpo, “we the members of Utono Obolo, a Pan -Obolo Social Culture Association with membership spread from Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, Oron Nation and Andoni in Rivers State hereby write to bring to your notice the flooding situation in one of our ancient kingdoms of Obolo land.

    “Following the activities of the oil companies within Eastern Obolo, there has been serious environmental degradation leading to marine, gully, and sheet erosions, perpetrated by the continuous Atlantic Ocean incursion on the shorelines of Emereoke Kingdom.

     “The last straw that broke Carmel’s back is the bitter experience of Sunday, September 20, 2020, which our people woke up to see that the entire Kingdom has been submerged by water. 

    “The increase in the tidal waves occasioned by the companies’ crude oil production activities overflowed into the various communities within the kingdom and submerged them. As we write properties worth millions of naira are already lost to the flood. Some families are already displaced. There is tension everywhere.” The statement said.

     They said that the disaster has brought untold hardship and economic loss to the people of Emereoke and asked for government intervention. 

    “We ask for the immediate intervention of the Government in the provision of relief materials such as alternative accommodation, or camp and beddings, provision of food materials as the people of Emereoke have lost food items running into Millions of Naira and their sources of livelihood have been destroyed by the flood. 

    “We plead for the provision of the grant to the women of the communities to help recover the loses caused by the flood incidents and long-term intervention such as shoreline embarkment and protection to forestall future occurrences of such incident.” They lamented.

  • A’Ibom Monarch seeks govt intervention over hydrocarbon pollution

    A’Ibom Monarch seeks govt intervention over hydrocarbon pollution

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Edidem Udo Obom has called on both State and Federal government to intervene on the spate of environmental pollutants emitted by oil companies.

    Obom made the call in Ikot Abasi after the inauguration of the Executive members of the Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Communities Developement Network, AKIPCON, on Tuesday.

    He said that the continuous gas flaring and washing off of crude tanks into the water bodies which are then distributed to order adjioning rivers are not global best practices.

    He lamented that his subjects have been exploited, cheated and deprived by oil giants who continue their exploration without paying adequate compensation to the people.

    He expressed worry that most of the aquatic lives and animals have gone into extinction and appealed to both the state and federal government to order oil companies to end gas flaring and pay adequate compensation to the people as its obtained in other countries of the world.

    The Monarch declared that the Council has unanimously thrown its weight behind AKIPCON who have been at the forefront of struggles for the liberation and payment of all outstanding compensation to the communities.

    “ExxonMobil and Shell are paying deaf ears to us, but obviously their own government have seen that they are wrong with their actions.

    “They have deprived us of all things. Our farmlands and aquatic lives have been destroyed and many animals have gone into extinct out of abundance of pollution.” He said.

    Also speaking, AkIPCON President General Dr Phenson Ufot called for the arrest of the management of oil companies who are in the habit of violating human right and the international best practices.