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Gov Masari gives reason Nigeria is attractive to bandits, kidnappers
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has said Nigeria is economically attractive to kidnappers and bandtry in the Sahel region of Africa.
Masari explained that kidnappers find Nigeria attractive because the country is the richest country in the Sahel region of Africa.
He spoke during his appearance on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.
The governor stressed that banditry and kidnapping pays more in Nigeria than other countries of the Sahel region.
Masari said: “There are kidnappers, there are bandits around but look at the whole world and look at the position of Nigeria in the Sahelian region. Are we not the richest? So, the attraction even for kidnappers to come to Nigeria is there.
“If you kidnap somebody in Mali, where are you going to get thousands? If I kidnap you in Nigeria, I get millions. So, all of us will have to rise to the occasion.
“In my state, the bandits kidnapped four relatives of very senior government officials. When they cannot get anything to sustain themselves, they resort to high-profile kidnappings for money in cities and towns. That is something we must work hard to stop.”
Banditry and kidnapping have worsened in the North, with students and residents being their target.
Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna States have been the most affected by banditry, while other regions of Nigeria have also experienced kidnapping.
March 19, 2021
Doctors threatens strike over non-paying of dead members’ insurance
The National Association of Resident Doctors says the families of frontline doctors, who died of COVID-19, have been abandoned despite N500bn released by the Federal Government last year for the COVID-19 response.
The National President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said this during an interview.
Recall that the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, had, at a press briefing on April 4, 2020, said the Federal Government was working with stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance for health workers involved in the war against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had said, “In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed, the government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection.”
Also, as part of the government’s response to COVID-19, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had on April 7, 2020 announced the establishment of a N500bn COVID-19 crisis intervention fund.
The money, which was approved in tranches of N213.9bn and N286bn, was expected to fund the upgrade of health facilities, the Special Public Work Programmes being implemented by the National Directorate of Employment and other interventions.
Ahmed had said, “President Buhari has approved the establishment of a N500bn COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. It will involve drawing much-needed cash resources from various special funds and accounts, in consultation with and with the approval of the National Assembly.
“The N500 billion is proposed to be utilised to upgrade healthcare facilities as earlier identified by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 approved by President Buhari. The fund is also to finance Federal Government’s interventions to support states in improving healthcare facilities.
But on Thursday, NARD, which is the umbrella body for all doctors undergoing residency training, said at least 17 of its members had died of COVID-19 while their families were not given any insurance claim.
The NARD President, therefore, stated that the body would be embarking on an indefinite strike beginning from March 31, 2021.
He said, “The families of doctors who died of COVID-19 have not been paid. They have been left behind and their families are struggling. Resident doctors under GIMFIS (Government Integrated Financial Management Information System; an IT-based system for budgeting and accounting) haven’t been paid in over three months and you are trying to curb brain drain?
“About 3,824 of our doctors were exposed to COVID-19 while 1, 600 were infected. About 17 died. The government said a premium would be paid, however, as we speak, nothing has been done. No family member has been given anything and they claim all doctors have been insured.
“I believe it is lip service. My predecessor in NARD met with ministers like Festus Keyamo, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Osagie Ehanire and Chris Ngige. They said we have been insured. They come to the table, make negotiations and then abandon them.”
March 19, 2021
Hijab Controversy: Kwara Govt Directs Principals To Resume
Following the clash over the wearing of hijab in some schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State Government has directed principals, teachers, and staff of ten schools recently shut down over the matter to report at their respective schools tomorrow.
In a statement Thursday, the government explained that the resumption became necessary in order to prepare the final year students for their external examinations.
The government warned that any staff that fails to report to duty will face the full wrath of the law as it will not condone any act of insubordination.
It also advised stakeholders against taken laws into their hands, stressing that peace meetings will continue between the government and stakeholders.
The Kwara government said it regrets the inconveniences the shutdown might have caused the students, saying the action was taken in the interest of peace.
March 19, 2021
PHC Mobilises Councillors For COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Campaign In Kogi
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Despite the non observation of COVID-19 protocol in Kogi state, the Executive Director Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abubakar Yakubu has called for the Vaccine Immunization Campaign at the grassroot level in the state.
The Executive Director made the call when the Forum of Supervisory Councillors for Health in the state paid him a solidarity visit in Lokoja.
He called on the supervisory Councillors for Health in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state to take the COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Campaign to their respective Local Government Areas for effective vaccination
Dr. Abubakar who said the COVID-19 Vaccine is safe and posed no threat to human health said there was need for mobilization for effective vaccination.
According to him, the vaccine would be administered on whoever wishes to take as no one would be forced nor prevented from taking the Vaccine.
“The Vaccine is meant to reduce the spread of the virus as it boost ones immunity against the disease, saying that regulatory bodies like WHO and NAFDAC have certified the vaccine for human consumption.”
The Executive Director who underscored the importance of the Forum to the delivery of Health Care services in the state said the Agency would work in synergy with the Forum for effective supervision of Health Programs at the Local Government Level.
In his address, the Chairman Forum of Supervisory Councillors for Health in Kogi State, Hon. Abrahim Attairu thanked the Director for the reception, noting that the Forum would work with the Agency for an effective Primary Health Care services in the state.
March 19, 2021
Food Insecurity Looms In Kogi – INGRA
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Executive Director of Initiative for Grassroot Advancement Commitment to Rural Development (INGRA), Mr. Hamza Aliyu on Thursday cried out over looming Food Insecurity in Kogi State.
This was contained in a press statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday by Mr. Aliyu who lamented over the high levels of unemployment and under employment, especially among the youth which can ultimately result in crisis and violence.
He, however, enjoined the state government to put in resources in financing the Agriculture sector so as to avert the pending social upheaval in the state.
“For the second time in a row, Kogi State is among the leading states in terms of high cost of food items despite the 70% farming population”
“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report for February showed that the consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 17.33 percent (year-on-year) in February 2021. This is 0.86 percent points higher than the rate recorded in January 2021 (16.47) percent.”
“The CPI measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living all Items Inflation in January 2021, all items inflation on year on year basis was highest in Kogi (21.38%), Oyo (20.17%) and Bauchi (19.52%), while Kwara (13.96%), Abuja (12.96%) and Cross River (12.22%) recorded the slowest rise in headline Year on Year inflation.
Food inflation”
“In January 2021, Kogi recorded the highest food inflation on a year on year basis with (26.64%), Oyo (23.69%) and River (23.49%), while Ondo (17.20%), Abuja (16.73%) and Bauchi (16.37%) recorded the slowest rise. Some of the reasons for this increase was said to be the rise in the cost of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). But this does not tell the whole story as the rates are different from State to State.”
He said that he observed that the cost of basic staple foods like Yams, Garri, Vegetables and meat etc has been on the upward trend in the state especially in the State Capital saying is worrisome considering that Kogi State is an Agrarian State.
He therefore advised the State Government to stop paying lip service to the issues of food Security and its effect on the general Insecurity of the State adding that Statistics showed that Kogi State is unable to feed itself and depends on food from other states.
March 19, 2021
Ahmadu Bello foundation lament school children kidnapping in northern Nigeria
…Urge FG to seeks external collaborations as a global practice
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has joined the rest of the world in condemning in its entirety, the recent wave of abduction of school children in Northern Nigeria.

A release in Kaduna on Thursday by the foundation laments that Kidnapping has fast became the most intractable violent crime in the northern part of the country currently.
Signed by the foundation’s MD/CEO Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, the body regretted that scores of school children have recently been kidnapped in various parts of the country. “Several hundreds of students have been abducted from schools in Northern Nigeria, highlighting a worrying development in the country’s kidnaps for ransom crises.
These crimes, targeting schools have become endemic, heightening fear for the welfare of students, and that already, the low level of school enrolment in the region may suffer further”, it stated.

He noted that kidnapping has led to the loss of uncountable lives and crippling of economic activities in the affected parts of the country, with accompanying effects on overall GDP.
“To this end, we are calling on the government and citizens at all levels to treat kidnappings and banditry as issues of serious national security concern. No effort or energy is too much to be deployed towards combating the menace.
“The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is calling for a more concerted action against kidnapping and banditry. We suggest changes in strategies, policies and most importantly actionable intelligence, such that adequate concentration, resources and manpower are channelled into the war against menace of banditry and kidnappings. “The government may need to seriously consider the role of traditional institutions in the maintenance of law and order by going back to the pre 1976 era. “We should not shy away from seeking collaborations and external assistance, as is the global practice. Joint deployments with neighbouring countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroun has become necessary in view of the situation assuming international dimensions.

“The problem of insecurity has also brought to fore the need for the authorities to consider the options of massively recruiting into the police and the military, to address personnel shortfalls.These calls are necessary in view of the increasingly brazen manner that these crimes are perpetrated”, it noted.
March 19, 2021
Adamawa: 30 Communities protest Sale of Farmlands by LG Chairman.
Musa Isa Ahmed

Residents of 30 communities in Girei local government area of Adamawa have staged a peaceful protest, over what they termed indiscriminate sale of farmlands by council chairman Juda Amisah.

Leading the protest to the state house of assembly, Ahijo Yakubu on behalf of the communities accused Amisa of allegedly selling 10 hecters of the said land to a ward counselor, while another 500 hecters has been demarcated for sale.

Yakubu said, “The land in question are individual farmlands for the use of poor people who are mostly farmers.
“We officially complained to the state Assembly against chairman Girei whose policies are anti people and misleading the state government in respect of our ancestral farmlands.

“The council boss, is of the habit of selling our land to some group and we are been threatened.”
The protesters urged the state Assembly to revoke the land sale which is the only means of livelihood of the communities.

The protesters, numbering over 40 comprises of men, women and youths displaying placards with inscriptions; ‘No to sales of our ancestoral lands, ‘Return back our 500 hecters of land’.
Yakubu listed the affected communities to include, Gawu, Sauro, Daudo, Mokawu, Walare and Surutu among others.

When contacted, Girei council Boss, Juda Amisa told newsmen that, the farmlands in question were demarcated as Government Reserved Area.
He urged the protesters to verify their claims with the state ministry of environment, land and survey.
March 19, 2021
Denmark To Support Plateau State In Revival Of Jib/Barc Farms
The Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria Jesper Kamp has expressed his country’s desire to work with Plateau State Government towards reviving the Jos International Breweries (JIB) and Brewery Agro and Research Company (BARC FARMS).
The Danish envoy gave the indication when he received Governor Simon Lalong who paid him a visit at the Embassy in Abuja.
He said his Mission will work to facilitate the interface between Plateau State and Danish investors who have a lot of experience in agriculture, Brewery and manufacturing among others.
He said since Danish investors were involved in setting up JIB and BARC Farms which attained national and international many years ago, there is a strong basis for his country to join hands with the Plateau State Government to revive the two companies for Job creation and employment.
On livestock business and dairy production, the Ambassador said his country has enermous expertise in modern ranching practices which it has already committed to share with Nigeria through an MOU that was signed between the two countries.
He said his Mission is particularly interested in joining hands with the Plateau State Government towards actualising the National Livestock Transformation Program. He said having done a pilot ranching program in Kaduna State, the next destination is Plateau where the weather, land, and other incentives are conducive for livestock and dairy business.
Governor Lalong told the Ambassador that his visit was primarily to seek collaboration towards revival of the two moribund companies which have a huge potential for job creation and poverty alleviation.
He said the State Government acquired BARC Farms which was sold many years ago and still maintains majority shares in JIB which it is ready to divest to core investors.
He said the Government has also provided the basic infrastructure, security and incentives for investors, and is willing to go into public private partnerships where necessary to be able to achieve its objectives of boosting the economy of the State.
He expressed excitement of the possibility of Danish companies keying into the National Livestock Transformation Program which will soon be implemented in Plateau State on its reserves in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Managing Director of the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company, Mr. Chrysogonus Yilzak and some of his aides.
March 18, 2021
Nigeria needs a COVID-19 vaccine management plan to achieve targets, says Yiaga Africa
By Mike Oboh
Yiaga Africa has said for Nigeria to achieve her targets in the fight against COVID 19 pandemic, the country requires developing a detailed plan for vaccine rollout, addressing misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine, and restoring the people’s confidence in the government.
According to a release signed by Yiaga Africa Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, these will directly impact the government’s ability to meet its vaccination targets and effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
She stated that there is also a need to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and systems for efficient vaccine introduction, providing accountability and transparency on the management of funds earmarked by and donated to the government to fight the pandemic, adding that there is a need to create avenues for citizen’s participation and public enlightenment and education campaign that will provide adequate information on the vaccine and the importance of curbing the spread of COVID-19.
She added that after months of waiting, Nigeria has finally received its first batch of nearly 4m COVID-19vaccines via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility as part of efforts to combat the pandemic which has ravaged the world.
“The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of the vaccines across the country. It has set a target of vaccinating 40% of the population by the end of 2021 and 70% of Nigeria’s estimated population before the end of 2022. It has also announced that it expects 41 million doses of the vaccine through the African Union, which is sourcing them from manufacturers in India.
“So far, about a quarter of the vaccines (1.084 million doses) have been distributed to eight states, with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory accounting for two-thirds of the number distributed and Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Cross River, Ondo, and Ekiti states accounting for the remaining one-third,” she stated.
According to Yiaga, the vaccinations have begun in Lagos, Nasarawa, Ekiti and CrossRiver states and the Federal Capital Territory while the other states have confirmed receipt of the vaccines.
She however said that there is still little detail about how these vaccination targets will be achieved beyond registration website that provides information on which groups will be given priority.
The groups include frontline healthcare workers and those who work in high-risk areas like entry points and contact tracing teams, and COVID-19 vaccination teams. This group is followed by security personnel, teachers, and the elderly, especially those with comorbidities – cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV and AIDS, and immune-compromised patients. The general population then follows after the first two groups.
As the Government commenced the distribution of the vaccines across the country, it was imperative to ensure Nigeria achieves equitable distribution of the vaccines across the country, emphasizing gender, disability, and social inclusion.
To this end, Yiaga Africa recent Vaccine Management Policy Brief (Issue 1) discusses amongst other things, the challenges facing the commencement of the vaccination programme and proffers recommendations for improved vaccine management in Nigeria.
The Policy Brief will be followed by a policy dialogue on the COVID-19 vaccination program in Nigeria especially as new issues emerge.
This policy brief will be an excellent resource for assisting the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, healthcare policymakers, legislators, and public health experts to manage the COVID-19vaccination program in Nigeria effectively.
March 18, 2021
COVID-19 vaccines have not shown any signs of side-effects – NGF
The Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum on Wednesday met and deliberated on issues affecting the country, particularly on the roll out of the Covid19 vaccines and the attendant issues that have arisen since the roll out.
Chairman of the forum and governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, congratulated his colleagues for accepting to be vaccinated and declared that so far the vaccines have not shown any signs of side-effects as is widely rumored.
Speaking further, the chairman also briefed his colleagues on the visit of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of States’ Universities, the activities of the Governors Spouses around Gender-Based Violence and the VAP Act calling on his colleagues to step up to the plate in support of the activities of the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum nationwide and the progress made with the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) project.
Meanwhile, after the briefing by the Chairman, the NGF received a presentation from the British Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) in Lagos, Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, on the Accelerated C-19 Economic Support (ACES) programme which is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The current focus of the ACES programme in Nigeria is trade facilitation through e-customs and digital jobs booster to activate the digital economy and accelerate the creation of local tech jobs in the country.
Furthermore, following the presentation, the Forum committed to supporting a federal government-led cross-agency trade facilitation as a critical objective of the e-customs programme coordinated through the National Trade Facilitation Roadmap. Nigeria will be able to achieve the objectives of the e-customs programme (i.e., enhanced user experience, and approximately 10% growth in customs revenue to hit the US$176 billion revenue target) with a broader cross-agency scope of reform including fulfilling its Word Trade Organisation (WTO) trade facilitation agreement.
Also, the forum also pledge commitment to encouraging digital infrastructure expansion, accelerator programmes and investment promotion to facilitate job creation in highly potential digital areas such as IT and business processing outsourcing, digital media, e-commerce, start-up innovation and smart manufacturing based
on the comparative advantage of each State. In the light of this, State governments are encouraged to set up one-stop shops to accelerate approvals and harmonize fees for priority broadband infrastructure across the country.
Furthermore, the NGF Secretariat will partner with the British High Commission, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as well as partners at the federal level on the workability of the ACES programme and the role of State governments to maximize its opportunities.
The Forum’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group (CTAG) led by Professor Oyewale Tomori briefed members on the status of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out across the States including the increasing concerns of the public on the safety of Asta Zeneca vaccines. CTAG recommended that Nigeria should continue to vaccinate all eligible persons with the AstraZeneca vaccine in line with the latest WHO recommendations as available evidence, including findings from research in which some CTAG members
are involved showing that the Astra Zeneca vaccine is safe.
The governors reiterated their belief in the safety of the Astra Zeneca vaccines and commit to continuously encourage uptake of the vaccines by all eligible persons in their States, Governors also encourage the public to report any adverse events noticed following COVID-19 vaccination.
Following a briefing from the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa on Managing the Drug Crisis in the country, state governors expressed commitment to supporting the logistics and operational activities of NDLEA officials in their States, as well as programmes that will promote drug use prevention in the country.
The forum also received a presentation on the 2018 audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from the Facility for Oil Sector Transparency and Reform (FOSTER) led by its team lead, Mr Henry Adigun. The Forum welcomed the fiduciary risk assessment of the corporation. The additional information will support the work of State governments in engaging with the federal government to improve the governance arrangement of the oil industry.
March 18, 2021