News

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said that the All Progressive Congress’s (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has offered him a senatorial slot.

Wike also stated that other politicians from other party, including the Labour Party, are requesting for his support ahead the 2023 general elections.

Tinubu and Wike reportedly met in London last month amidst the political crisis storming the opposition party these days.

However, Wike did not accept the invitation by Tinubu to dump PDP and join the ruling party, APC.

Wike was qouted to have said, “When Tinubu offered me senate slot, I didn’t go for it. If I want power or want to be in power, I would have gone ahead to take the senatorial ticket. But I said no. That is a man who believes in equity, fairness, and justice.”

He added that, “Aside from Tinubu, who is from the APC, other political parties are talking to me as well including Labour Party because they all know my worth and how I can ensure that they win the 2023 poll.

“But I have not accepted any of the offers presented by those parties,” Wike stated.

By Uzair Adam Imam

At least 20 surrendered Boko Haram fighters have died as a result of cholera outbreak that stormed Borno State.

A source told journalists in Borno that health workers with the support of Non-Governmental Organisations and the World Health Organisation are trying to control the fatalities.

He said, “At least 20 Boko Haram surrenders have died as a result of cholera outbreak in Hajj and four others died in Bama camp. 

“Also, three reportedly died in the Muna Garage IDP camp. Nearly 1,000 cases have been reported so far, and hundreds are currently receiving treatments in various health centres,” he added.

However, in what appeared to have contradicted the earlier statement, a top ministry of health staff, said the figures were incorrect.

The staff who pleaded for anonymity told journalists that only 11 repentant Boko Haram insurgents and three others in the Muna Garage IDP camp were killed by cholera, not 20 people.

He stated that, “the ministry and its partners are on top of the situation.”

The Daily Reality gathered there are about 12,000 Boko Haram fighters that have laid down their arms and surrendered to the troops of the Nigerian Army in Borno State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Medical equipment worth N200 million was donoted to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, by one of the school’s alumni.

The alumnus identified as Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi, is a UK-based clinical scientist and lecturer at a university in London.

Ogunfemi stated that the donation was part of his efforts to give back to his alma mater.

He added that the medical instrument would allow students to gain practical knowledge in addition to theoretical aspects taught in class.

Ogunfemi was quoted to have said, “There are about 10 equipment and each is within the worth £ 23, 000. The other four set, is £20, 000, and the last set is about £15, 000. Like I said, I didn’t pay for any of them. I collected them from the hospital where I work.

“Twelve microscopes for malaria parasites; they can use it to detect if you have short blood; they can use it to test anemia, food poison, diabetes, low sugar etc.

“There is one for the detection of early cancer; there are also microscopes – for detection of microorganisms and microbes; there are instrument to check people with staphylococcus among others.

“All those instrument belong to them. They are in the range of N150 million to N200 million. I didn’t pay for it but, I used about N1.5 million to ship it.”

Ogunfemi was commended by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic,  Dr  Veronica Ogbuagu, and the Rector, Dr Olusegun Aluko.

They disclosed that the donation was received during the council meeting to serve as honour to the donor.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Peoples Democratic Party in Zamfara State has accepted the rule by a Federal High Court and fixed Friday for a rerun of gubernatorial primary in the state.

The Daily Reality reported the train of crisis in the party that led the court to nullify the party’s governorship primary that produced Alh. Dauda Lawal Dare as a winner.

The court cited flagrant violation of party’s constitutional provisions and guidelines as reasons of invalidating the election, consequently, ruled the election be reruned.

Alhaji Ahmad Sani Kaura, the state chairman of the party, stated that preparations were on top gear for the peaceful conduct of the primary election in the state.

He said, “The Peoples Democratic Party is a law- abiding entity and we are complying with the court order to conduct a fresh primary election. The contestants remain the same, Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Wadatau Madawaki and Hafiz Nahuche.

“The national headquarters of our party has scheduled the rerun to hold on Friday, 23rd September, 2022. Officials from the headquarters are coming to Gusau to conduct a peaceful and acceptable election.

“As I’m talking to you, congresses are being held in wards to ensure gender compliance because part of what court said was that women were excluded from the delegate list. We are including them now,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A man diligently taking care of a house meant for Muslim converts in Gwale LGA, Kano State, has opened up on the tough times the people are going through.

Malam Hassan Tela described to The Daily Reality how the Kano State Government had abandoned the house located at Hauren Wanki, Gwale LGA, without food and basic necessities for over 11 years amidst the biting economic hardship in Nigeria.

Hassan Tela said that the forsaken converts are now under the care of a few individuals who shoulder their responsibilities since the government had turned its back on them.

He stated that the house is under the Kano State Shari’ah Commission, founded by the former governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, in his first tenure in 2004.

The Daily Reality gathered that during the Shekarau administration, the converts were well taken care of and had their foodstuffs provided every month, including soaps and detergents to wash their clothes.

The end of Shekarau’s tenure throws converts into a dilemma

However, the end of Shekarau’s term opened the door of hardship and hunger for these abandoned converts for over a decade, leaving them stranded and, sometimes, starved.

Tela said, “During Shekarau administration, the governor provided foodstuffs such as rice, beans, maize, yam and other items to the converts, including the pocket money.

“The government also sponsored the children to continue their studies from primary to tertiary institutions. Books, shoes, bags, and uniforms were also provided for them. Life then was smooth. I also had my N15,000 allowance every month.”

However, when Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was elected as Kano state governor in 2011, he stopped the feeding and the allowance. Likewise, Governor Ganduje, whose administration has marked its 7th year.

Our reporters gathered that despite all the pleas by Tela and his Da’awa preaching colleagues, the government turned a deaf ear to the plight of the converts and those taking care of them. This development has forced many of the converts to drop out of school.

‘We sell our preaching bus to feed converts’ – Tela

“Because we cannot keep human beings without food, and the converts numbering thirty-seven, we had to sell our bus we used to go for preaching to sustain this activity.

“Some people that came to our rescue purchased a tricycle (Adaidaita Sahu) for us. After spending some years and the machine was old enough to work, because it broke down almost every day and we didn’t save anything because we used the money for our daily shopping, we had to sell it too to buy foodstuffs.

“In those days, when goods and services were cheap, N2500 was enough for me to do all the shopping, but now, I spend N5000, and we are still managing.

“But Alhamdulillah, the founding fathers of Hanan and Abu Hanifa schools, including the current deputy governor of Kano State and a few others, have lent us their helping hands.”

It’s difficult for us – converts

Some of the converts that spoke to The Daily Reality have voiced a passionate plea to the government to come to their aid.

A convert, Aisha Hassan, pleaded with the government to come to their aid, saying, “Sometimes we would wake up, and we have no money to shop.”

A convert, Ummu-Salma Musa, said, “Some of us are in school, but we don’t have reading materials such as books and bags, and we also need some clothes to wear.”

Another convert who identified herself as Hafsat, and has completed her diploma programme, said, “We really face many challenges including lack of soaps, detergents, slippers and sandals for our younger ones going to primary and secondary schools. We also hope to further our education.”

Aisha Danjuma said, “We also need to learn some skills as some of us are not going to school.”

When contacted, the Director Public Enlightenment of Kano State Shari’ah Commission, Malam Aminu Musa, said he could not comment on the allegations.

He said, “I know of the issue. But as of now, honestly speaking, I cannot say anything about it. In addition, there have been changes and appointments in the commission, and I am one of those appointed that assumed duty on Monday.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State has cautioned Nigerian students to desist from their planned national protest for security reasons.

The governor has cautioned the students while speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, adding that the students should learn from the outcome of the EndSARS protest and not take to the streets.

The Daily Reality reported that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had protested against the lingering strike at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The aggrieved students had threatened to shut down the airport if the conflict between the Federal Government and ASUU has not been resolved.

He said, “Let me admonish the NANS and the younger generation just like I did during #EndSARS when it was just starting then, please don’t take the law into your own hands.

“Our candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is deeply concerned, and even Mr President. We are all concerned about this lingering crisis. What this administration failed to do is to remove the political aspect of ASUU and other associated problems from the academics and that is why we are facing what we are facing today.

“Now, don’t take the law into your own hands. With EndSARS, we knew exactly what happened. If you take to the streets, there are hoodlums out there who are ready or who have been sponsored to hijack the protest from you.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The residence of a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, late Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, has been acquired by the state government for the establishment of meseum and center for research.

The meseum would be named after him; Yusuf Maitama Sule Centre for the Advancement of Democratic Politics and Good Governance.

Muhammad Garba, the state commissioner for Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, 21st September, 2022 said the construction work had already commenced.

He said, “The initial contract sum for the project put at N621, 604, 295.89 million would be in two phases consisting of a museum and the main centre, beginning with the construction of the museum.”

He added that the effort was to preserve treasured culture and history of Kano people for future generations, research works and tourism.

He further stated that the center was expected to be engaged in capacity building documentation and digitisation of the cultural heritage of Kano people among others.

By Aisar Fagge & Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Following days of torrential downpour, floods have submerged many Jigawa communities and have killed scores and rendered many homeless in the Northwestern State.

Jigawa State is at the epicenter of climate crisis in the country owing to incessant rainfall in the state. This has caused dams and rivers to break their banks and destroy bridges, roads hospitals and several homes.

Over 100 people have been reported to have died as a result of the flood and thousands of people have been displaced. Farms and lifestocks are also not safe from the overwhelming effect of the flood.

Auyo, Hadeija , Ringim, Dutse, Gwaram, and Birnin Kudu Local Government Areas of the state are the most devasted by the flood.

The State Emergency Management, SEMA, through its Head, Sani Ya’u has disclosed that the government is doing everything to mitigate the effects of the flood on the affected communities.

However, the response to the humanitarian crisis by the government and civil society organizations have been said to be abysmal.

Mal. Naziru Chobal who spoke to The Daily Reality from Hadejia said only few villages are above water level and the government is doing very little in addressing the menacing flood. He also said governments of neighbouring states like Kano and Katsina have not taken any step to help salvage the situation.

“There was adhan [prayer calling] at 12: 00 am [which signifies emergency situation] and people in hundreds came out to block the embankment that broke. It’s scary. I was in the water carrying sand bags and the water level was up to the waist. I was scared because I don’t know how to swim.”

“The water level is high that you can’t cross any bridge, you’re not sure if there’s one. Especially Kafin Hausa to Auyo, Hadejia – Gamayin,” he said.

Commenting on the extent of the damage in Auyo, Naziru added, “In Auyo, their hospital, police station, INEC office are all flooded.”

The people displaced by the flood in Auyo and Hadejia are seeking shelter in a primary schools as the government is yet to commence evacuation of the victims. The villagers spend most of their time making sand bags to create embarkment to stop the water from entering the towns.

Of the things the flooded people needed the most according to Naziru are: sand, working tools, food, clothes, medicine, volunteers, etc.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the ruling against the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the Industrial Court as black ‘market judgement’.

NANS said the ruling betrayed equity because the Federal Government, at the first place, ought not to drag the academic union before the court.

The court Wednesday has ordered ASUU to suspend its ongoing strike immediately, saying the strike was a breach of the Section 18(1)(2) of the Trade Disputes Act, which prohibits their action.

The students’ union disclosed this in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Yisa Temitope, who described the ruling as a “black market judgment.”

The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a news of a court judgment mandating the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call of its 7 month strike. As an association, we feel disturbed to read the news of the judgment because we believe that it betrays equity.

“Ordinarily, the Federal Government is not meant to have dragged ASUU to court. But, the fact that they had to drag ASUU to court is a signal that this government cannot handle crisis. And, we want to state categorically that the court cannot force members of ASUU back to lecture theatres.

“And, as it stands today, with that court judgment, we maintain that the court has not resolved the problem and we reject the judgment in strong terms.

“The court could have said that the Federal Government should go and pay rather than say that lecturers who are on strike should go back to classrooms. We were expecting the court to have understood that lecturers are on contract of personal service hence, they cannot be compelled to render a service they don’t want to render.

“The only remedy to this strike action is for the Federal Government to accede to the demands of ASUU which the government willingly entered into with them and properly fund education.”

By Muhammad Aminu

A Magistrate Court number 30 in Zungeru road Kano has ordered a Chinese immigrant, Geng Quangrong, to be remanded in Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Center.

The Nigeria Police has charged Geng Quangrong for culpable homicide under section 221 of the penal code for killing his former girlfriend.

However, Magistrate Hanif Sanusi Ciroma ordered that the accused be returned to the custodial facility as the Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Geng is being accused of tresspassing and murdering 23-year old Ummulkulthum Buhari in Janbulo area on Friday night.

The deceased and accused were said to have been dating before the relationship turned sour.

Prosecution Counsel Barr Khalifa Auwal Hashim has requested the Court to return the accused to the Facility since it had no jurisdiction pending the legal advisory from the Kano State ministry of justice.

The Margistrate Court therefore ordered that the accused to be remanded at the custodial facility till 13th October, 2022 for rearraingement in a court with a jurisdiction.