Local

By Aisar Fagge and Uzair Adam Imam

The fight against corruption should not be left in the hands of the government and their agencies alone because of their apparent weaknesses. A lot of corrupt practices are taking place undetected by public anti-corruption agencies.

Prof. Ismail M. Zango, the Director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano (Mambayya House), made the above statement while speaking to The Daily Reality at a “One-Day Review Workshop of Civil Society Anti-Corruption Networks in the North-West Zone” organized by the centre.

Speaking about the time the centre started organizing workshops on the fight against corruption, Prof. Zango said:

“In 2018, the centre received a grant from MacArthur Foundation to engage faith-based organizations to actively participate in the crusade against corruption. And since then, we have worked with a number of CSOs and NGOs from different parts of Nigeria. So that was the first phase.”

Commenting about the achievement recorded by the campaign so far, the director said:

“The major success was that we were able to work with religious organizations. We invite Muslim and Christian clerics to enlighten them about the role they can play in fighting corruption using their pulpits through their sermons. We have also established anti-corruption clubs in secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.”

“Government alone cannot fight corruption. But if you have civil society; if you have faith organizations; if you have community-based organizations all of them working together, the only thing that remains is to inculcate in them the culture of transparency and accountability,” he added.

There was a round-table discussion and Q & A session where leaders of selected CSOs from the North-West zone were given 10 minutes to report their activities and some of the challenges they faced.

Some of the “citizens” [members of CSO] blame donors for forcing them to do their bidding while others disagreed, stating that the problem was from the CSOs for selfishness, lack of transparency, accountability and being unethical in some deals.

Zahra’u Ahmad from Kebbi objected, pointing out that “Donors are not the problem, CSOs are. So if a donor comes to you with a project that goes contrary to your religious and traditional norms and values, just say no to his money. Another problem is we see these organizations like ours, which is wrong. These organizations belong to the community.”

While giving the vote of thanks, the Deputy Director, Research and Documentation, Dr Samaila Suleiman Yandaki, tasked the CSOs to be innovative in their fight against corruption by not solely relying on budget monitoring as indicated in their reports.

Some leaders of the CSOs presented papers that attracted questions, observations and commendations.

By Aisar Fagge

On 3rd November, 2021, a delegation from the Al-Azhar University, Egypt visited Al-Istiqama University Sumaila (AUSU) for partnership, staff training and establishing a centre for Arabic sign language that no any Nigerian university has. Explaining to the Daily Reality about this development, The VC of Al-Istiqama University, Prof. Salisu Shehu said:

“You know universities in the world thrive on partnership and collaborations. You need to come to abreast with international best practices in university education. And it is only through collaboration and partnership you get that. You need to mutually interdependent on one another. And it is on this basis we get some form of partnership with Al-Azhar University. As it were, Al-Azhar University is over one thousand years old. It is our big mother.”

“We are moving towards a memorandum of understanding with Al-Azhar University, and they are going to help us in a number of ways: one of which, for example, is that we want them to give us training, to train some of our staff on Arabic sign language.”

There is a problem with Muslim deaf people when it comes to Arabic language and reciting Qur’an especially in their prayers. Lamenting about this lingering issue, the VC affirmed that:

“Muslim deaf people in Nigeria don’t read Arabic, they don’t read the Qur’an, they pray in English. Because what is taught in our school is only English sign language. So even when you write Hausa to them they don’t understand, let alone the Arabic language.”

“So we need to get Arabic sign language and, we want to make Al-Istiqama University, insha Allah, a center for the production of deaf people that are literate in Arabic sign language so that they will be able to read Arabic and Qur’an. Not the usual English they are taught.”

“So we have requested Al-Azhar University to support us in terms of training so that can establish a center for Arabic sign language in order to promote braille literacy,” he concluded.

By Aisar Fagge

In its second segment of the students’ orientation lecture series held between 6th and 7th November 2021, the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqama University Sumaila (AUSU), Prof. Salisu Shehu, stated that AUSU is the cheapest private institution where students can memorize the Holy Qur’an before their graduation.

Speaking about the name of the university, Prof. Salisu Shehu said: “Well, the message sent to parents and guardians from the name of the university is that, this is the university that stands for uprightness in all sense of the word; uprightness in character, behaviour and learning. What we aspire to achieve is that effective teaching and learning take place in our university.

We want to be sure that whoever comes to Al-Istiqama would be seriously groomed with the sound knowledge that is possibly only obtainable in our institution. Not only that, through our counselling and mentorship, serious students can memorize the Holy Qur’an before their graduation.”

From the name “Al-Istiqama”, some people think that the institution is all about Islamic studies and Arabic courses. Reacting to this, the VC has clarified that:

“Yes! This is a faith-based university, and that’s why it’s given the name “Al-Istiqama”. But that does not mean that learning is only going to be restricted to the religious sciences. All disciplines are going to be offered in this university. And, for now, we have about 15 different degree programmes. Islamic Studies is just one of the 15. In addition, there are social sciences, basic sciences and medical sciences. And we are going to open additional faculties as we keep moving, in sha Allah.”

There are complaints about students of private universities that they do not respect their teachers because they are proud of the huge money their parents spend on their school fees, and that has affected the quality of their learning process.

In his reaction to the above, Prof. Shehu explained that Al-Istiqama was different. He added:

“Al-Istiqama, being a faith-based institution, will not tolerate indiscipline, pomposity and any immoral character. We will not tolerate that situation where students are extorted. Although we need to get funds and resources that will sustain the university, parents and students should not be that source.

Our school fees are very, very affordable. Almost the lowest you can find around because it is not a profit-making venture. The proprietor did not intend to make a profit out of it. Rather, he intended to render service to humanity. So that kind of notion and that kind of mentality would not have a place here.”

By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmad

The new development by Katsina State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has been an immediate stoppage of all cash payments and collection of revenues, taxes and other levies due.

The Executive Chairman of KIRS, Mustapha Muhammad Sirajo, on Sunday in a statement issued to journalists added:

“The stoppage of the cash payments takes effective from Monday, November 8, 2021. As part of the modernization project of its service, Katsina State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) is reviewing the process of collection of revenues, taxes and levies due to Katsina State’s Developments.”

“The commercial banks are First Bank, Access Bank, Eco Bank, First City Monument Bank, Fidelity Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Keystone Bank, Polaris Bank, Stannic Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank, United Bank of Africa and Zenith Bank.”

“The public is hereby informed that all cash payments and transactions have been halted and e-payment effective from Monday 8th Nove mber 2021.”

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday disguised his convoy and visited some Government healthcare centres unannounced, during which he found some officials collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients, whereas the services are meant to be provided free of charge.

Zulum summoned the State’s Commissioner of Health, Mrs. Juliana Bitrus, and asked her to join him in a 10-seater bus that is usually used for airport services. The Governor left the Government house around 1:30pm without any convoy and without siren, leaving everyone surprised and wondering. Not even the Health Commissioner knew the Governor’s plan.

Zulum headed straight to the newly established and fully equipped primary healthcare centre at Gwange II ward in Maiduguri and found that some workers were collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 before diagnosing and treating patients of common ailments like Malaria.

“The staff we met here (at Gwange II, PHC) confirmed that they use to collect between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients to treat malaria. In fact they have turned this Government health centre to a private hospital, and this is why the centre has been deserted by people who mostly do not have the money to access services here. The workers just collect money and put it in their pockets”, unhappy Zulum said.

The Governor directed the Borno State Primary Healthcare Agency to thoroughly investigate, identify all the culprits and take appropriate disciplinary actions.

Zulum was also sad that the same primary healthcare centre had only one medical staff on ground to attend to patients, despite having 29 health workers on Government pay roll.

“You can imagine that at 2:00pm, this primary healthcare centre we built and fully equipped is empty (because of extortion and without medical staff). This level of impunity cannot be tolerated. The earlier we address it, the better for all of us” Zulum queried.

The Governor proceeded to a similar primary healthcare centre at Gwange I, but that was a pleasant experience.

Zulum found medical workers on ground attending to patients without extorting them.
The Governor was happy and he commended the staff for being good people.

The Governor has since formed the habit of showing up at odd hours including midnights at hospitals and early mornings at schools, for on the spot assessment of essential public services.

There are times Zulum extends his unannounced visits to schools, public offices and healthcare centres in Local Government Areas, some of them requiring him to drive hours from Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

The Zulum administration has constructed over 75 primary healthcare centers, built and renovated dozens of general hospitals and employed close to 600 medical workers of different categories, and is also building houses for doctors and nurses to inspire good medical services to citizens.

By Uzair Adam Imam

One of the custom officers that had been abducted in Ogun State on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 was found dead, suspected to be killed by rice smugglers four days after his abduction.

His corpse was found in a river near Fagbohun village, in Yewa South Local Government area on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, suspected smugglers ambushed Custom officers on patrol and abducted two in the process.

Addressing newsmen on the latest attack, the Customs Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, confirmed the incident.

However, Kehinde added that: “Two officers sustained machete wounds and luckily enough, they were treated and responded to treatment. As if that was not enough on Tuesday, October 26, in the same Ogun State suspected smugglers ambushed another patrol team in Yewa South Local government area of Ogun State and abducted two officers.”

“Two of the officers were declared missing as at Tuesday. Search for them continued till Wednesday morning when the body of one of the officers was found in a river near Ajegun-Iyaloosa village on Wednesday. His rifle was also found near the river.

“The search for the second missing officer continued till Friday, when the dead body of the second abducted officer was found. The strap of his rifle was still hanging on him as at the time his body was found but his rifle was missing.

“Those in authority should know that we are all their children and no life is more sacred than another. If it were to be the other way round the news would have been everywhere. This will be the last time I will come on air to discuss issues of attack and killing of Customs officer. I will be forced to evoke our Rules of Engagement. Officers will now defend themselves when an unprovoked attack is unleashed on them,” he said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Following the death of two patients at Green-Olives Hospital, which the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA) has described as misconduct in terms of management and service, the Kano State government has decided to shut down the hospital.

Green-Olives Hospital is situated at Sabon Titi, Tal’udu Gadon Kaya in Gwale Local Government Area.

Concerning the development of the issue, the Executive Secretary of PHIMA, Dr Usman Tijjani Aliyu, announced the closure of the facility in a statement.

However, the institution (PHIMA) was said to have been informed by the committee of citizens over the death of two patients at the facility.

Speaking, Aliyu stated that the two cases were thoroughly looked into and had discovered lots of misconduct and mismanagement in terms of services rendered to patients.

According to the statement, “The surgeon serves as the anaesthetic nurse, perioperative nurse and assistant surgeon as well, hence he alone does the four jobs during surgery, and this is grossly unethical by all standards.

“Consent forms were not signed before surgery, patients were not adequately prepared before surgery and no intraoperative monitoring of patients during surgery,” the statement added.

He also added that the accused would be dealt with in accordance with the agency’s guidelines, urging Kano state people to report such cases immediately as found wherever in the state.

By Adamu Ibraheem Jimeta

There was pandemonium at the main entrance of the Federal College of Education, Yola, on Tuesday,  October 26, 2021, when students blocked the college entrance protesting a two-week total blackout of electricity and water supplies in the college.

The protest, which started as early as 7 am, grounded academic activities as students and lecturers were denied access to the college.

According to the protesters, they have opted for the protest as their last resort as all pleas to the management to intervene in the incessant problems of water and electricity supplies fall on deaf ears.

Speaking to our correspondent, a level 300 Education/English student who prefers anonymity told The Daily Reality that for over a week, there was no water nor electricity in the college. He said, “Living in the hostel with no water and light, lecture theatre with no electricity supplies for over weeks have been excruciating.”

He said the Students’ Union Government (SUG) has not lived to the expectations and welfare of the students. He called on the management to take drastic measures that would bring these problems to an end.

Responding to the accusation by the students, the SUG President, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi, told our reporter that his administration has been running around over the problem. “We have had a meeting with the Acting Provost, and he has assured us that the management will fix the problem. Even yesterday, I spoke with the provost on phone, and he said he has arranged a tanker that will start supplying the college effective from today, Tuesday. Therefore is not true that we have not done anything about it,” said the SUG president.

All efforts to speak with the Registrar of the college, Malam Gidado Ahmed, proved abortive during filing this report. He earlier told The Daily Reality he was in a meeting and promised to get back to us but, he didn’t reply to the messages and calls put to him by the reporter before going to press.

It took the intervention of a joint task force of soldiers, mobile police and men of NSCDC when the protest escalated to burning tires within the school premises. The JTF fired gunshots in the air and dispersed the protesters.

In a related development, the management of the Federal College of Education, Yola, has announced the closure of the college. In a circular signed by the Registrar, Ahmed, it was stated that after its emergency meeting on October 26, 2021, the management has reviewed the situation on the ground and resolved to close the college immediately.

Students are given up to 10 am to vacate the campus, the circular added.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

His Eminence, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar MNI, has honoured a Keke Napep rider, Malam Akilu Gangare in Jos, with the sum of NGN500,000, for returning NGN500,000 left in his Keke Napep to its rightful owner.

A passenger boarded Malam Akilu’s Napep to a particular place. After reaching his destination, the passenger hurriedly alighted leaving his back behind. A little while longer, Malam Akilu sighted the bag in his Napep after his passenger has disappeared. He opened the the bag out of curiosity only to see a large sum of money NGN500,000 inside.

Malam Akilu quickly turned back in search of the passenger. After he located him, he handed him back the bag with his money intact.

On receiving the news, His Eminence the Sultan made the necessary investigation and the information turned out to be true.

Yesterday, Saturday, 23-10-2021, His Eminence rewarded Malam Akilu in Jos with the sum of NGN500,000. The exact amount he honestly returned to the owner.

For His Eminence, this is not the first time of doing this kind of great gesture. He has done it several times before. It is his way of rewarding honesty and encouraging people to be good citizens.