Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has felicitated with the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Saleh Shehu Yipmong on the occassion of his 47th birthday.
Lalong praised the Deputy Speaker for his commitment to the peace, progress and development of his constituency, Dengi as well as Plateau State as a whole.
He said “the Deputy Speaker has continued to give needed support to the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly as they churn out quality legislation and carry out oversight that makes governance seamless in the State. He is very passionate about improving the living standards of his constituents by attracting Government projects and pursuing their implementation. He has equally shown commitment to the overall development of the State at all times”.
While wishing many more years of peace and God’s divine grace, Lalong urged him not to be distracted from making every effort to sustain the goodwill he has cultivated in ensuring that his constituents and indeed the entire people of Plateau State get the dividends of democracy.
He urges him to remain committed to the Plateau Project as he supports the Rescue Agenda.
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Governor Lalong Greets Plateau Deputy Speaker At 47
Bandits Kill Village Head In Niger One Week After Abduction
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed Mr Zakari Ya’u Idris, the Village Head of Madaka in Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
The Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Rafi LGA, Mohammed Mohammed, confirmed the murder of the village head to on Saturday.
Idris was killed a week after he was abducted by his captors who invaded Madaka community on Sunday last week, where they murdered three persons and abducted the village head for a second time.
Mohammed revealed that the bandits had earlier contacted the family of the deceased to pay a ransom of N800,000.
He noted that five persons that were released after they paid their ransom revealed that the Village Head of Madaka had been killed by the bandits.
According to the LGA chairman’s aide, those who gained their freedom said Idris was killed after going through torture in the hands of the gunmen, as they were always beating him.
They further disclosed that the remains of Zakari Idris were buried in the bush by the bandits.
The village head was abducted after his release about a month ago during which he spent three months in the custody of his abductors.
Those killed by the gunmen during the raid on Madaka included a leader of the vigilante group in the community, Isyaku Alhassan, his son Abdulhamid, and one other person.
Scores of other persons were also said to have been injured during the attack while many houses were set ablaze.
Mohammed had at the time told Channels Television that the attackers were camping in a village close to Madaka.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State could not be reached for comments on the killing of the village head.
Similarly, the District Head of Gunna who was abducted in Yakila in the same local government has yet to regain freedom.
The gunmen, according to Mohammed, have yet to get in touch with the family of the district head to demand any ransom.
At least, 50 people have been killed since the renewed attacks by bandits on communities in Niger State.
In Rafi LGA alone, no fewer than 10 persons have been killed in the last one week, with about 33 persons abducted.
Thousands of residents have also fled their homes, with many taking shelter in temporary camps provided by the state government.
Gunmen in army uniform assassinate Kogi LG vice chairman’s husband
Gunmen suspected to be assassins have killed Ishaku Gata, husband of the vice chairman of Kogi local government council of Kogi State, Hon. Hassana JB Ishaku.
It was gathered that Gata and one other person identified as Joshua Jonah were shot dead by five gunmen in army uniform while returning from farm at Tanahu community.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, a member of the victim’s family, who survived the attack, David Jerry, said he was returning from the farm with the deceased when five armed men laid ambush on them around 9:48 am on Tuesday.According to Jonah, five of them including the deceased, boarded motorcycles to the farm to harvest sesame seeds, when the gunmen laid ambush on them.
Jerry said he and two of his brothers managed to escape through the bush and trekked about two kilometers before arriving at neighbouring Adabo village.
“Two of my other brothers and I had to trek two kilometers inside the bush as the gunmen were pursuing us but we were saved by God,” he added.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal Medical, Lokoja, and their motorcycles recovered.
Spokesmen of the Kogi State Police Command, DSP William Ayah who confirmed the incident, however, said the two deceased were abducted in their homes and taken to the bush.
He said the police have commenced investigations into unraveling the circumstances behind the incident while efforts are on to arrest the killers.
Sen. Shehu Sani meets with Kaduna church bombs blast victims
… Advocated life support for terror victims by govt
By Gabriel, Udeh, kaduna
Maimed and permanent injured people who are victims of terror, violent conflicts, bombs blast, armed bandits should be in the custody of the States and the nation’s care and it’s treasury for the rest of their lives.
The Senator representing kaduna central Senatorial zone in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani made this striking observation during a meeting with victims of Kaduna church bomb blasts, on Saturday, the boxing day of Christmas.
Shehu Sani, during the meeting he personally organized with victims of 2014 bombs blast including blind victims of ST. Monica Catholic Church Malali, said such victims of terrorisms should be considered as those who died in serving their country.
He recalled that 80 percent of primary Schools in kaduna in the 60s were established by churches in which Catholic Church was a major player, adding that as a beneficiary, those schools were not only built for Christians but also for Muslims.
He said it has been in his mind to visit the church since the bombs blast incident, and expressed happiness that Catholic church had played important role in the lives of those of them who were born and brought up in Kaduna state even in area of health cares.
Senator Sani stated that “I remember when I was in office as Senator, I have to install solar power system in St Gerard Catholic hospital in kaduna because of the gestures”.
Sani also said even though he couldn’t made it because of the turbulent time with him during his time in office as Senator, he however decided to make the visit today as a beneficiary of church on “this visitation day of Christmas, as a pay back time.
For the victims, Sani said the eyes and other parts of the body lost to the terrorists bombs blast, singled them out, even in years after, that they’ve paid their prize as an obedience and responsible citizen who was serving their faith, the same way Jesus Christ was persecuted and even killed, which is the worse”.
Sani who described it as unfortunate, lamented that those targeting churches and it’s members are also doing it to other faith,. Adding that no violent attacks on people could force them to covert from their religion except those who’ve no faith.
He also stated that attacked on Churches is an attack on one’s faith, rights to live and peaceful existence, adding that as beneficiary he has seen himself as members of the Catholic church family.
Responding, St. Monica Catholic parish church Priest Rev father Charles Jakus, severely thanked Senator Sani for the visit to church for sake of the victims of bombs blast occurred about 8 years ago.
The Priest and his church leaders said they have been following Senator Shehu Sani many years back and his humanitarian good work across religious boundary throughout the state. They said church has been spending on some of the 4 victims’ members of church who lost one eye each to the blast and others, adding that the parish also has over 100 widows including Muslims it catered for. End..
A Cross section of bombs blast victims of St Monica Catholic parish Malali with Senator Shehu Sani and parish priest Charles Jakus on Saturday when Sani visited them.
Kaduna to build rural roads in 2021 with N970m
The Kaduna state government has earmarked the sum of N970 million for rural feeder roads projects in 2021, under its Ministry for Local Government Affairs.
This is contained in the breakdown of N1.9 billion allocated to the ministry for capital projects in the 2021 approved budget document.
The document obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Saturday, showed that N71 million was allocated for rural electrification and N578 million for purchase and installation of transformers.
READ ALSO: Gov Ikpeazu responds to defection reports
The budget further showed that N173.9 million was allocated for Kauru local government’s special rural electrification intervention and N111.9 million for the construction and renovation of Emirs and Chiefs’ palaces.
The state government also allocated N14.3 billion to the Kaduna State Road Agency for capital projects in 2021, of which N7.6 billion was allocated for township roads projects, and N3.4 billion for state trunk roads.
The document also showed that N1.9 billion was allocated for the ongoing construction of Kawo bridge, N94.7 million for the construction of box culvert, and N94 million allocated for road signages and markings.
Also, N147.8 million was earmarked for the beautification of Bus Rapid Transit lanes and road pavement phase II, while N132.9 million was allocated for the design and construction of double coat surface dressed roads.
A total of N775.5 million was allocated for the provision of Infrastructure at new layouts, and N141 million for the purchase of plants and equipment. Similarly, N13.9 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure for capital projects, out of which N61.1 million would be spent on light rail transport project.
The document showed that N3.9 billion would be spent on the construction and rehabilitation of roads as well as consultancy services and N2.0 billion on the provision of infrastructure at new layouts.
It also indicated that N3.1 billion would be spent on the provision of solar perimeter lighting at Zaria 150 million litre a day Water Treatment Plant, and N24 million on Infrastructure Master Plan.
Gov Mohammed It equally showed that N2.5 billion would be spent on the provision of integrated solar-powered streetlights in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan, and N75.2 million on the provision of solar-powered traffic signal control systems in the same locations.
Also, N564 million was earmarked for the purchase of water treatment chemicals and other consumables, and N282 million for the rehabilitation and retrofitting of waterworks and selected networks extension.
The document further showed that consultancy services for Greater Kaduna Water Supply Expansion Project got N188 million, while N23.5 million was allocated for the upgrading, repairs, and rehabilitation of the Central Mechanical Workshop Skills Acquisition centre.
It equally showed that N1.0 billion was allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of dams and N50 million for consultancy services and engineering design for Birnin Gwari and Kachia Water Supply Projects.
The budget document also showed that N6.3 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development of which N3.1 billion was for the construction and acquisition of new State Government administrative buildings.
Construction of low-income mass housing got N1.9 billion, construction of green parks, N141.4 million, while mortgage interest rate subsidy got N470 million. It further showed that N614.4 million was earmarked for the construction of a block of studios and administrative buildings for Kaduna State Media Corporation.
Mob kills 6 bandits in Kaduna
6 bandits have been killed on different occassions in Sanga and Lere local government areas of Kaduna State after 2 people were killed.
The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said the security report presented to the Kaduna State Government on Friday December 25 and the operational feedback from security agents indicate that the bandits were killed by mob action.
The report read;
“On 24th December 2020 at Fadan Karshi in Sanga local government area, two bandits attacked a businessman and dispossessed him of money and other valuables. On receiving the distress call, the military and police set out to the location. However, on getting to the scene, some angry locals had already mobbed the bandits and burnt them to ashes.”
Aruwan who disclosed that armed bandits opened fire on motorists plying the Aboro-Kafanchan Road on Thursday night, also revealed that in Lere LGA, security agencies reported that bandits from a neighbouring state who specialised in stealing livestock were also killed through mob action. The bandits were chased and overpowered at Domawa village where three of them met their end in the hands of a mob.
He said;
“The bullets hit one Richard Sabo who in the course of driving knocked down one of the bandits to death. Sadly, Mr. Sabo who suffered bullet wounds was confirmed dead at Gwantu General Hospital.”
The commissioner also revealed that the Kaduna government had received a report of the killing of a commercial motorcyclist, Hudu Yahaya of Ungwan Nungu village of Sanga LGA, adding that he was beheaded by bandits who escaped with his motorcycle.
The statement added;
“Gov. Nasir el-Rufai has sent condolences to the families of Richard Sabo and Hudu Yahaya and prayed for the repose of their souls. The governor has also made a strong appeal to citizens to continue to have recourse to the law and not resort to jungle justice.”
A’Ibom declares one week of mourning for deceased Ex Governor
Akwa Ibom State government has declared a one week of mourning for its deceased former Military Governor, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, who died last Thursday night over Coronavirus complications.
A statement from Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem made available to newsmen in Uyo on Saturday directed that flags should be flown at half mask in all government offices in honour of the late chairman of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) from Saturday.
“The Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel is greatly saddened by the news of his passing and condoles with the bereaved family. Consequently, the Governor has declared a seven day period of mourning effective Saturday, 26th December,2020. Flags are to be flown at half mast for the entire duration of the mourning in the state.” The statement said.The statement also said that following his death all requisite protective protocol and contact tracing have been immediately activated.
Otuekong Nkanga was the first indigenous Governor of the state under the military between 19- and also a governorship candidate of the National Democratic Party in 2003.
the Director General of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s re-election campaign in 2011 and Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Divine Mandate Campaign organization in 2015 & 2019.
He was also the Chairman of the Ibom Airport Development Company and Ibom Airlines Limited.
Wamakko Mourns Kwankwaso’s Father
By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Deputy Chairman,Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has described the death of the Father of his colleague and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Alhaji Musa Suleiman Kwankwaso, as a huge loss to Kano State and Nigeria,wrote Bashir Rabe Mani.
The Senior Kwankwaso, who was until his death, the District Head of Makoda, Kano State, died in the early hours of Friday, at the ripe age of 93.
Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, extolled the sterling leadership qualities of the late monarch, describing him as a dogged,committed , pious, humble and patriotic leader.
Wamakko, a former Governor of Sokoto and the holder of the hospital highly reverred traditional titles of Sarkin Yakin and Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, also averred that, the demise of the renowned monarch has created a wide vacuum, too difficult too fill.
The Member of the World Muslim League also eulogized the deceased’s unbroken and invaluable contibutions to susteable peace,unity and socioeconomic progress of his domain, Kano State and Nigeria, in general, for decades.
Wamakko extended his sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, people and Government of Kano State on this colossal loss of a legend .
He prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant the late Kwankwaso Aljannat Firdaus, as well as give the family , people and Government of Kano State, the formidable fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Enemies of the country will lose las las – Femi Adesina
Permit me to use the popular lingo now in town in the headline of this piece.
I hear the younger generation talk of las las, when they speak of a final situation or position.
If anyone is restive over a matter, and they want to say he will be fine at last, they just say: he will be fine las las.
The same will happen to enemies of our country, who rejoice when negative things happen in the polity. They will lose las las, and then be gentle by force, as Nigeria is God’s project.
It is bigger than anyone, and no matter the antagonism they have to government of the day, no matter the antipathy they have for the President, and for other people serving the country, they will lose las las. And become gentle. By force.
This came out in bold relief last week, as the abduction saga of over 300 schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, came to a positive denouement.
A fortnight ago, when President Muhammadu Buhari proceeded to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, on a well deserved one week private visit, an uncanny kind of welcome was given to him by bandits long troubling different parts of the country.
They spirited away over 300 schoolboys, and began to make all sorts of demands of government, before the boys could be released. The development gave us a sense of deja vu. In April 2014, an equally large number of schoolgirls had been kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents. Till today, the girls are not fully recovered.
READ ALSO: Gov Ikpeazu responds to defection reports
Also in February 2018, another abduction of scores of schoolgirls took place at Dapchi, Yobe State. Eventually, almost all the girls were recovered, save for Leah Sharibu, who was reportedly held back because she refused to renounce her Christian Faith. Horrendous. Despicable.
Now, while there are similitudes between Chibok, Dapchi, and Kankara, the significant difference is the response by the different governments in power.
When Chibok occurred, the then Goodluck Jonathan-led government demurred. They balked. They said no abduction happened, and that it was an attempt at negative propaganda by the then party in opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to get power.
By the time government wisened up, the abductors had gone far, and the trail was cold. They couldn’t recover the girls, not until the Buhari government came a year later, and a large chunk of the hapless abductees were brought back. Some are still unaccounted for till today.
When Dapchi happened some years later, the Buhari government behaved differently. It swung into action, went after the abductors, and through a combination of deft factors, the girls were brought back. Except Leah Sharibu.
With Kankara on our hands, despite the strident cacophony of the market, President Buhari kept his cool, and went to work. And the needful was done.
The boys were recovered after about six days in captivity. While the saga lasted, and government was working night and day, enemies of the land were on overdrive, doing a jig, hopping from one leg to the other in a macabre dance.
It was time to play evil politics once again. It was time to generate opprobrium for the President, and display hatred for their own land. In 2014, there had been #Bring Back Our Girls, which contributed to dealing the government of the day mortal blows, and it was voted out a year later.
So, the enemies thought they had a sucker punch at their disposal. They came up with #Bring Back Our Boys, and had reportedly printed ten million T-Shirts, which they wanted to use in prosecuting their self-serving crusade.
Were they interested in the welfare of the Kankara boys, nor in the travails of their parents? Not at all. They were only actuated by vengeance, and the political capital they could get out of it. Their logic (or is it illogic) was clear. If #Bring Back Our Girls brought down a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, then #Bring Back our Boys must also undo the APC government.
There are many thoughts in the heart of man, but it is the counsel of God that shall stand. As the government worked, fervent prayers were also being made by people of goodwill. Everything coalesced, and worked together for the good of the country, of the boys, their parents, and of President Buhari.
The boys were brought back, intact, unharmed, and not a hair was missing from their heads. To God be the glory. The enemies had lost las las. They first lost their voices particularly on social media. They vanished after the boys were released.
But instead of admitting final defeat, instead of throwing up their hands in surrender, saying that this government was smarter than they thought, they became like Janus, the mythical creature with two faces, and began to speak from two different mouths. Listen to one of them, who has been overtaken by bile and hatred for the Buhari government.
While the boys were being held, she had declared: “In October, US military forces rescued their one citizen held hostage by terrorists within our territory.
Buhari as Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Army, should please accord highest priority to the lives of 333 #Kankara students and seek US support immediately.”
In other words, she believed there was an abduction, and it was time to put pressure on a man she didn’t like. After the boys were recovered, what did Madam Red Card say? “Maybe the President sent the children on an excursion to terrorists so that they can release the children at will to him. He needs to tell us exactly what happened with the Kankara kids.
” Does anybody still take the woman serious? The Good Book says such people are “in the gall of bitterness and bondage of iniquity.”
From such, please run away. Anyone steeped in hatred against his or her country, and still goes to church or mosque, or even to herbalists, is very far from God. When such people fast, they are simply on hunger strike. When they pray, they simply blubber. But you know the good news? God is interested in this entity called Nigeria. Most times, we live dangerously, but He always pulls us back from the edge of the brink. Those who hate the President for no just cause, who wish evil for their own country, are just injuring their own souls. They will fail las las, and become gentle by force. May God always stand by Nigeria.
May He always do us good. May He perfect all that concerns us. Amen, somebody! Compliments of the season, dear readers.
Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity
2023: Ikpeazu, Senator Orji meet in Abia
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has visited his predecessor and the Representative of Abia Central Senatorial district in the red chamber, Senator Theodore Orji.
Governor Ikpeazu accompanied by some of his Special Aides was received by Senator Orji and son, now the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji in his Ibeku residence in Umuahia.
Senator Theodore Orji was the Executive Governor of Abia State between 2007 and 2015.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: A’Ibom warns of another lockdown
Following the Governor’s homage, political watchers in the state who pleaded anonymity hailed the cordial relationship between the Abia leaders.
They said the healthy and peaceful cooperation between the ex-governor, Chief Theodore Orji, the Speaker, Chinedum, and Governor Ikpeazu has boosted and enhanced the massive infrastructural development in the state through quality and people’s oriented legislations.
Analysts say unlike other governors who engage in war with their predecessors over personal gains, Governor Ikpeazu has remained grateful to Senator Orji and family over their unflinching and steady support to his administration, despite attempts by disgruntled elements in the political circle of Abia State to sow seeds of discord among the trio.
A terse statement attached to pictures by the Abia Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka,read, “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu earlier today paid a Christmas visit to the immediate past Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central at the Senate, His Excellency, Senator T A Orji at his residence at Umuahia.
“The Governor also used the opportunity to offer his personal good wishes to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji whose 50th birthday is today”.
Earlier, Ikpeazu had in a warm message described the Speaker as a worthy partner in progress in his quest to provide credible and result-oriented leadership to the people of Abia State.
He said, “Since his emergence as the Speaker of the Seventh Abia State House of Assembly, the wheels of cooperation and strategic synergy between the Executive and Legislative arms of our Government have remained consistently well lubricated resulting in a seamless and well-coordinated relationship for the good of our state”.
