Month: September 2024

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obi Akpor Local Government Area.

Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), his estranged godfather is from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor.

Both Wike and Fubara have been at crossroads over the control of Rivers State, with the minister accusing the governor of turning his back against those who helped him to the top.

Speaking at a reception organized for him by a group, the Ijaw Peoples Assembly, in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, Wike boasted that when the time comes, he would teach Fubara and his supporters a big lesson in the state.

He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating of APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity there is no capacity.

“All the things you see are people envious of our growth. We have defeated them severally and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”

But responding at the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organised as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, Fubara said what he did in one year outweighed the performance of his opponents in 8 years.

He said, “They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N225billion. I didn’t borrow.

“It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a Psychiatric Hospital because they will need it very soon. So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in 8 years. It is only empty container that makes noise. If God has given you opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.

“Very soon, you will see what we are doing. It is not about doing roads to your business interest. I don’t have any business interest. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of disgrace to our dear State. This State is important to us. It is the only thing that we have.

“It is the beautiful pride. That is why they are struggling, coupled with the improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) we have done. That is why they are struggling, we know. But, do it with modesty, you don’t need to destroy the house.”

Fubara said if his opponents continue to deride the grace of God on his life, they will continue to struggle for public recognition or approval.

He said his policy in office is not to embark on “mere jamboree” of groundbreaking for projects but assured that any project started will be inaugurated and actually put to public use.

“So, please, I will beg everyone of you, God has given us this opportunity, we must safeguard it. They are the ones looking for a way to destroy it.

“They didn’t believe we will get to this point, and I can tell you I had a reason for inviting all the candidates for the local government election for this service,” he added.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State Government under the L-PRES Project has distributed 800 kilograms of fodder seeds and shrubs materials to livestock farmers to encourage the production of pasture for livestock feed in the state.

The intervention targeted verified livestock farmers with 20 different varieties of fodder seeds and shrubs materials across the 11 local government areas of the state.

Distributing the materials on behalf of the L-PRES Project Coordinator Professor U.B. Abubakar, the Animal Health Officer to the Project Dr. Mohammed Umar Yuguda charged the beneficiaries to ensure optimal use of the materials provided to enhance the quality and nutritional content of livestock feed.

He said the fodder seeds when planted have the capacity to produce large quantities of feed with high nutritional value that can be used and preserved as supplementary feed during the dry season for improved production of beef and dairy products.

Speaking on the essence of the intervention, the Animal Husbandry Officer to the Project Mohammed Bukar Gadam said, plans are also underway to provide crop residue crushing and fodder chopper machines to livestock cooperative societies in the state.

He highlighted that the project is in the process of turning waste into wealth with the introduction of such facilities farmers will through their cooperatives process and package animal feed thereby reducing wastage of crop residue and further increase the rate of consumption in livestock which he said would increase both the quantity and quality of beef and dairy produced by their livestock.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries theChairman Koutal Hore Socio Cultural Association Gombe State Branch Ardo Chindo Abubakar expressed appreciation to Gombe L-PRES Project for its numerous support programs to livestock farmers in the state.

He commended the State Governor Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for his laudable initiatives to transform the livestock sector into a modern industry and assured the project of their continuous support achieve its objectives.

By Uzair Adam 

“I have not been paid for over six months now. I have two wives and ten children. I had to feed them with sicklepod (Tafasa in Hausa) for breakfast before I left home this morning,” said Malam Muntari Yakub (not his real name), an employee of the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), in a shaky and traumatised tone.

Malam Yakubu’s experience is similar to that of many REMASAB staff who have not received their salaries for over six months due to outstanding debts owed by the Kano State government. 

The situation has made life even more difficult for them amid the soaring economic crisis in the country.

The workers, whose duties include sweeping streets and evacuating refuse, told our reporter that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s current administration has paid them only four times since he took office more than a year ago.

They lamented that their situation had worsened due to the nine months of unpaid salaries they were still owed from the previous administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who left office in 2023.

Yakubu recounted his distressing experience amidst the salary stoppage and the threat of hunger, “I am not a rabbit, and none of my family members are, but we eat sicklepod (Tafasa) to stave off hunger and avoid death. I had to gather some this morning for breakfast before leaving home.”

“Our salary is just ten thousand naira. You can imagine what we can buy with this meagre amount, especially with the rising cost of food. Despite struggling with this small amount, the government has left us stranded without pay for over six months,” Malam Yakubu said.

Another worker, who requested anonymity, revealed how his wife left him due to the enormous debt he had accumulated and his inability to provide for his family since his salary was stopped, exacerbated by the current economic situation in the country.

He said, “It is painful to say that my wife left me because of this situation I am in today. No matter how small the salary, it’s better to cover some of your family’s needs than none at all. After she left, the landlord also evicted me because I couldn’t pay the rent.”

The man added that despite the demanding nature of their job, most of them have to walk to their assigned streets to work, and no equipment is provided for them.

Buy your own equipment or quit the job

The workers who spoke to our reporter alleged that, despite several months of unpaid salaries, no equipment is provided for them. When they complained, their supervisors threatened them, saying they should either buy the equipment themselves or quit if they couldn’t afford it.

Another worker, who preferred to remain unnamed, said, “I had to borrow money to buy this broom you see in my hand. When I complained, my supervisor told me to buy it myself or stay home until REMASAB provides one.”

A woman with small children at home under her care said the situation at REMASAB is shocking, especially considering that one has to buy a broom. “This worsens our debt because we have to borrow money to eat and buy brooms,” she added.

Confusion over new workers receiving salaries

However, there is confusion among the workers following reports that new employees hired by Governor Yusuf after he assumed office in 2023 have been receiving their salaries.

The workers complained that despite the outstanding salary debt owed to them by the Kano State government, the new workers are paid every month, making them wonder if they are still considered employees.

“The new workers are also working with us. We call them ‘Askarawan Kwankwasiya,’ and you will see them wearing red caps or hijabs. We were shocked when we learned they are being paid monthly because we thought we might all have been sacked,” they said.

Workers remind Governor Yusuf of his promises

The workers passionately pleaded with Governor Yusuf to come to their aid, as they also had families who depended on them. 

They reminded the governor of his promises: “When he first came into power, there were rumours that we were all sacked. 

But the governor called us to a meeting at the Coronation Hall of the Government House. He told us that he had not sacked us. 

He promised to resolve our issues and said we would soon be paid. He told us that if the accountant had not travelled out of the country, we would have received our salaries that month.

“However, months later, we have yet to receive any payment. We don’t know if the accountant is still out of town. 

“We want to call on the governor to remember his promises, including doubling our salaries, and come to our rescue.”

When contacted about the situation, Ahmadu Haruna Danzago, the Managing Director of REMASAB, declined to comment, stating he was not the appropriate person to address the inquiries. 

“You should contact the Director of Operations, as he is responsible for answering these questions,” Danzago said.

Workers undergoing biometric 

Addressing the questions, Ibrahim Nasir, the Director of Operations at REMASAB, responded to some concerns.

He clarified that the organisation is currently working to resolve issues that have led to delays in worker payments. 

Nasir explained that a new biometric system had been introduced to centralise monthly salaries, but some workers had difficulties completing the biometric process. 

Regarding the alleged outstanding debt of seven months, Nasir disputed this claim, stating, “They owe us only three months, not seven. 

Some workers were previously disengaged but were later reinstated by the Kano State Government.”

Nasir indicated he was unaware of the allegations that workers were compelled to buy their own materials. 

He explained, “We typically purchase materials in bulk, and we have recently exhausted our stock. We are in the process of providing a new supply of materials.”

By Uzair Adam

Troops from Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force successfully intercepted and prevented a Boko Haram assault on Magumeri Community in Borno State over the weekend.

Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the MNJTF spokesperson, shared the details on Sunday. He explained that based on credible intelligence, the troops set up a tactical ambush and engaged the terrorists as they attempted to launch an attack along the Magumeri-Maiduguri axis.

The terrorists, using motorcycles and an alternative route, were met with heavy gunfire from the well-positioned troops. In the face of this, they abandoned their weapons and fled.

The troops recovered an arms cache, including AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and contraband such as marijuana and Tramadol.

This operation, Osoba added, not only thwarted the planned attack but also reinforced the security efforts in the Lake Chad region.

The MNJTF continues to intensify patrols to ensure stability in the area.

By Anwar Usman 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara Command, has dismissed an officer, Maikano Sarkin-Tasha, for allegedly collaborating with bandits to supply hard drugs and ammunition. 

The State Commandant, Sani Mustapha, disclosed this on Saturday during a news briefing in Gusau. Mr. Mustapha said the command was shocked by the news of the arrest of its officer, allegedly for supplying ammunition and hard drugs to bandits in Zamfara. 

“According to our findings, the officer was arrested at a checkpoint, between Damba and Sabon Gida axis, while on transit to his hometown, Mada village of Gusau Local Government Area. 

“He was allegedly found with some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs in possession.”Other items found on him were three armour of G3 rifles and one armour of anti-rocket launcher. 

“I wish to make it clear that, the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, who also received the news with shock and disappointment has condemned the alleged barbaric behaviour of the officer. 

“He has directed me to take necessary administrative actions, including immediate dismissal of the personnel from the Corps’ nominal roll.” 

Mr. Mustapha further explained that, the command has zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption, criminality, or any vices unbecoming of an officer of the corps. 

“In the spirit of inter-agency relationship and synergy, I will interface with the Commissioner of Police for further necessary actions. 

“This is with the view to transferring the officer to the corps’ national headquarters, Abuja, for internal disciplinary action and prosecution”.  

Mr. Mustapha added that NSCDC was poised to work with other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the state. 

He pledged to pursue the case with utmost transparency, saying, the corps does not condone any act of indiscipline, not to talk of banditry or terrorism allegations.

By Anwar Usman

The Katsina State Police Command has assured the public that it has taken the necessary measures to ensure the planned nationwide Fearless October 1st protest does not descend into chaos.

This follows concerns raised due to previous violent protests, including the recent nationwide demonstrations against bad governance, which resulted in the loss of lives and property worth billions of naira.

ASP Abubakar Sadiq, who is the Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina, made this known to journalists on Saturday evening.

He said the command has mobilized both human and intelligence resources to guarantee safety before, during, and after the protest.

He further explained that, “We have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety and security. Adequate personnel have been deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order, with enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols across the state.

“While we recognise the rights of citizens to protest, we urge protesters to exercise these rights responsibly and within the framework of the law.”

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Ajuri Ngelale, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on media and publicity, has announced that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus on medical issues concerning his immediate family. Ngelale hoped to return to national service when circumstances, recovery, and fate allow.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the decision and wishes Ngalele well.

Ngalele’s leave of absence has sparked numerous reactions from many Nigerians. This comes as no surprise; anyone taking an ‘indefinite’ leave or resigning from President Tinubu’s administration is likely to be viewed negatively due to the country’s current economic challenges and some of the administration’s unpopular decisions and policies. 

Additionally, there is a public perception that those not in the Tinubu administration’s ‘inner circle’ may encounter difficulties or hiccups—though such assumptions have always been Nigerian. However, the Daily Nigerian reported that Ngalele was forced out. The paper said that Mr Ngele was only given a soft landing to quit as presidential spokesman, but he chose to quit all his positions.

Since Mr Ngelale’s appointment, which was influenced by the first family, campaign spokespersons have been under internal pressure to replace him with “someone with better media relations” or “someone the president is more pleased with.”

DAILY NIGERIAN also gathered that Mr Ngelale was also on a collision course with other media aides working for the president for allegedly sidelining them in the running of the affairs of the office. According to sources, Mr Ngelale had also chewed more than he could bite, taking several roles that affected his primary media relations role. The sources said the tasks of being a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen have created a role strain and given the cabal a reason to convince the president to replace him.

Given his skills, experience, and expertise, Ngalele has done an outstanding job as a spokesperson. While the Tinubu administration must find a capable replacement for him, they must focus on more than just appointing another Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs. The administration requires a dynamic and versatile media and PR team that can shift from a reactive to a proactive approach, as Nigerians will not now listen to just standard good English.

President Tinubu needs a PR team that can effectively reinvent Nigerians’ familiar image of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The focus should not be on finding a replacement for Ngalele but on assembling a dynamic and strategic team capable of rebranding and promoting Tinubu. This team should highlight his accomplishments and present them in a way that can restore public confidence. 

For instance, Tinubu’s PR should focus on the North, where the president’s rating decreases daily. Moreover, it’s essential to showcase the value and contributions of each cabinet member, emphasising what they bring to the administration’s overall agenda. The greatest mistake Tinubu will make is to bring on board politicians; most Nigerians will not listen to them.

President Tinubu should Rejig his media and PR team, and they must communicate in a way that resonates with Nigerians and actively engage with them. They must speak to Nigerians in the ‘language’ they understand, but the bottleneck is that the only language Nigerians understand is what will bring ‘rice and beans’ to their tables.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently participated in the 74th World Customs Organisation (WCO) Harmonised System Committee (HSC) Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, from September 16 to 27, 2024.

Led by Assistant Comptroller Abubakar Hardo, Chief Superintendent of Customs Ekay Asuquo, and CSC Lauretta Utubor, Team Lead for Advance Rulings, the NCS delegation played a crucial role in shaping global trade policies. 

The Harmonised System Committee manages the Harmonised System Nomenclature, standardising goods classification and facilitating global trade.

As a Contracting Party, Nigeria’s involvement is vital due to its large African market index and high import volumes.

The committee focuses on tariff classification, ensuring correct categorization under the Harmonised System Nomenclature. CSC Lauretta Utubor, a WCO 88th fellowship program beneficiary, presented at the Leadership Management Development workshop.

She noted essential tools for successful Advance Rulings implementation in Nigeria, including self-awareness, strategic communication, and change management.

Utubor highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to adopting global best practices and promoting trade facilitation and customs modernization. 

This high-level engagement enhances Nigeria’s decision-making capacity in issuing legally binding advice to economic operators.

The insights gained from the 74th HSC meeting are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s customs processes, reinforcing its leadership in African trade facilitation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of members of the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to the Senate for confirmation.

The step follows President Tinubu’s signing of the North West Development Commission Bill into law on 24 July, marking a crucial milestone in the Commission’s establishment.

NWDC Governing Board Nominees: Chairman: Ambassador Haruna Ginsau (Jigawa)MD/CEO: Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji (Kano)Members:

– Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe (Sokoto)

– Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi) – Sen. Tijani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara)

– Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman (Kaduna)

– Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil (Kano)

– Shamsu Sule (Katsina)

– Nasidi Ali (Jigawa)

The nominated board members are expected to contribute their wealth of experience and expertise to the Commission’s mandate of developing the North-West region.

The NWDC will focus on catalysing significant growth, economic empowerment, and social development of the region.

President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to supporting the NWDC in its mission to bring sustainable development to the North West is steadfast.

By Aliyu Hamza

It is so sad that Nigeria’s economic and security architectures are obviously on the precipice and it is so unfortunate nothing much tangibly convincing is being done to salvage the sorry situation. This is especially worrying as it seems that overtime, the leaders of our country have resolved to subject us to a state of dystopia. Every reigning administration always seem to perform worse than its predecessor.

On the security front, the Nigerian state has submitted the fates of its citizens to the “Mercy” (or should one say Wrath) of rag-tag terrorists and bandits marauding and slaughtering about with impunity. Some theories even suggest the security crisis is State-abated and certain information and explanations, especially as they relate to Solid mineral deposits in worst hit areas, command logical credibility to such theories especially as it relates to Zamfara and Sokoto states.

On the economic front, the Nigerian economy continues to defy every economic logic. For decades, a country producing petroleum resources has never had a single petroleum drilling/extracting company only to outsource services to international firms who are also looking to feast on our resources.

Paradoxically, the home refineries meant to process the extracted crude have been deliberately incapacitated to favour fuel importation, a venture which benefits a few selected oil moguls who sell imported products at discretionary prices amid a shady subsidy regime.

Then came, subsidy removal in 2023. The nation was told it would favour competition which would force down prices. On the contrary, we’ve seen price hikes eversince including the recent September hike which ironically, was introduced same day as the first private domestically built Dangote refinery commenced roll out of its refined petrol product.

In normal mainstream economic sense, internal production ought to have eliminated importation and other overhead costs which would bring down prices. But in our country, the reverse is the case. The resource managers of our nation always cite new economic jargons to the bewilderment of the masses to justify price increases every now and then.

STATE-BACKED PSYCHO–FINANCIAL TERRORISM

Today, there is nothing cheap in Nigeria as a result. Even the most common of foods such as Garri and sweet potatoes are no longer cheap and are nearly out of reach for the poor.

Pathetically, there are now people who feed on edible weeds to survive because they can’t afford basic food. There are also those including many familiar faces who were formerly doing averagely ok financially, but who have now become visibly emanciated while always wearing worried looks — clear symtomatic manifestations of the current oppressive economic climate.

Meanwhile, the government keeps on rolling backwards on its duties by eliminating incentives and subsidies (from kerosine to petrol, electricity to education) while heaping taxes (VAT and others). This is as incomes remain stagnant in the midst of an insecure/unstable environment unfavourable to both internal businesses and foreign direct investments.

The so-called minimum wage the government pledged to increase after much dragging with the labour unions has not even been implemented but the same government has already devised strategy of taking it back with the other hand through the outrageous fuel price increase.

In essence, the message being signalled to us is that ordinary Nigerians are expected to continue bearing brunts upon brunts of every economic austerity measure and pains that accompany them.

Contrarily, government officials keep on perpetuating mind boggling and incomprehensible state thefts regime after regime – financial crimes of which majority of the perpetrators go virtually unpunished.

For the citizens, they say we should keep on exercising patience for better days of prosperity, days that don’t ever look forthcoming as the economic squeeze bites harder. This is what I call State-backed and tolerated Psycho-financial Terrorism being perpetuated against its people.

NATIONAL PATRIOTISM?

Some may say it is an incitement to sedition but to be bluntly honest, the sense of optimism and patriotism I used to have for Nigeria have been significantly degraded all thanks to the mounting levels of socio-economic and security dystopia that have now thrived for at least over a decade. Nothing I think, would bring back such national fervour in me unless there’s tangible national progress as I now live as a helpless passive citizen.

As the government has proven incapacitated (at best description) or unwilling (at worst) to provide the basics for its citizens, patriotism in the common man as he concentrates on how to survive seems farfetched. One should not even mention the plights of our droves of Internal Displaced People (IDPs) languishing in miserable camps. For many, claims of patriotism today are a mere fantasy. A mere fantasy indeed!

Aliyu Hamza is a PhD student of Political Science in Ahmadu Bello University. He is also a writer, public affairs commentator and international relations analyst. You can contact him via haliyu86@gmail.com.