News

By Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

The Jigawa state chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has elected new officers to run its affairs for another three years.

Those elected are Aisha Iliyasu Surko of Radio Jigawa as chairperson,  Bishira Muhammad from Horizon FM Dutse as deputy chairperson, Salamatu Nuhu from FM Sawaba Hadejia as secretary, Maryam Ibrahim from NTA Dutse as deputy secretary and Aisha Muhammad Sani from Radion Jigawa  as Treasurer.

The election was conducted at Press Centre Dutse by the National Secretary of NAWOJ, Rabi Gwadabe.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected chairperson, Aisha Iliyasu Surko, commended members for giving her the mandate and called on other contestants to come and contribute to the development of the Union.

Managing Directors of Radio Jigawa, Yusif Adamu Babura and JTV Abba Muhammad Tukur Gantsa, an elder of the Union Hajia Zainab Rabo Ringim and security agencies witnessed the election.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Troops from the Nigerian Army, operating under ‘Operation Whirl Punch,’ have successfully neutralized seven terrorists in Kampanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation, conducted in response to ongoing attacks on the local community, resulted in the elimination of four bandits on November 1, 2023. 

According to Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, the troops, in collaboration with 1 Division Nigerian Army, swiftly responded to reports of bandit attacks in Kampanin Doka village.

The operation led to the recovery of weapons, including one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, one machete, a mobile phone, and fourteen motorcycles previously used by the criminals. 

In a related incident on November 2, 2023, farmers in the western part of Sabon Sara village faced a bandit attack while harvesting their crops.

The quick response from the Nigerian Army troops, supported by the courageous actions of four farmers, resulted in the neutralization of one bandit.

The attackers, with gunshot wounds, fled the scene, leaving behind two AK 47 rifles. During the encounter, one of the farmers, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliyu, sustained minor injuries and was promptly evacuated to a nearby military hospital for medical attention.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, successfully rescued two National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members who were kidnapped by bandits in Yargoje community, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this heroic rescue mission in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. 

The abduction took place while the NYSC members were traveling from Edo to Katsina State.

The swift and courageous efforts of the security forces, particularly the 17 Brigade Nigerian Army and the police, led to the safe return of the hostages on Thursday. 

Brig.-Gen. Nwachukwu emphasized that the rescued corps members have received essential medical care and support to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.

Currently, they are under the protective custody of the Nigerian Police in Kankara, where they are being provided with necessary assistance. 

He further stated, “The Nigerian Army continues to solicit the cooperation and support of the public in providing timely and relevant information to enhance troops’ proactive operational engagement of criminal elements.”

This call reaffirms the importance of community collaboration in the ongoing efforts to maintain security and safety in the region. 

The successful rescue of the kidnapped NYSC members stands as a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of Nigeria’s security forces, highlighting their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens, including those serving the nation through initiatives like the NYSC program.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have announced a nationwide strike scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

The joint union’s decision stems from the alleged beating and abduction of their President, Joe Ajaero, during a protest in Imo State’s capital. 

Leaders of the NLC and TUC have issued a six-point demand to the Federal Government, calling for the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, and the Area Commander, among other officials, accused of complicity in the brutalization and abduction of Ajaero and other workers.

Reports indicate that Ajaero was taken away by the police during a protest against the non-payment of workers by the Imo State Government. 

The NLC, in a strongly worded statement, accused Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of conspiring with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, to abduct Ajaero.

The unions condemned what they described as the state government’s use of violence and intimidation against trade unions and their leadership, emphasizing that their only demand was the payment of overdue salaries to state workers. 

In response, the state’s Police Command and Governor Uzodimma vehemently denied the allegations, with the police claiming that Ajaero was in Warri, organizing labourers for a planned protest demonstration in the state.

The governor’s spokesperson, Declan Emelumba, dismissed the accusations, labeling the accusers as “mischief makers.” The NLC and TUC, however, remain steadfast in their demand for Ajaero’s release and have called for the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, is set to be flown abroad for medical treatment after sustaining injuries during a violent incident in Imo State.

Ajaero was in Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, to mobilise Imo workers for a peaceful protest rally against alleged violations of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government. 

The planned peaceful protest took a chaotic turn when allegations surfaced that thugs had attacked the protesters and labour leaders.

During the scuffle, Ajaero sustained injuries that necessitated specialised medical attention, making it impossible for him to be treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri. 

Benson Upah, the NLC Publicity Secretary, confirmed the decision to seek medical treatment abroad due to the nature of Ajaero’s injuries.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of activists and the need for peaceful demonstrations in the country. 

The NLC, along with various human rights organisations, has condemned the violent attack and called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to transport Ajaero abroad, where he will receive the necessary medical care to recover from his injuries. 

By Muhammad Suleiman Adam

Yobe state Governor Mai Mala Buni said he would personally supervise the implementation of the Sustainable Solutions for Long-Term Displaced persons (SOLID) project to ensure the success of the programme in the state.

He stated this on Wednesday when a team from the World Bank paid him a working visit in Damaturu. 

“I am delighted to welcome yet another initiative by the World Bank to support the state government in implementing more sustainable solutions for long-term displaced persons and to support the host communities in dealing with the challenges they face” Buni said

He further said Yobe is the second most affected state that recorded massive destruction of facilities and infrastructure by the insurgency, therefore, the need for additional facilities to support government efforts to effectively serve the people cannot be overemphasized as some of the displaced persons have chosen to settle permanently in the host communities.

He commended the World Bank and other development partners for supporting the recovery efforts of the state government in resettling displaced persons in their communities with dignity.

He directed MDAs to ensure full participation for ownership and sustainability of the SOLID project “the MDAs should identify areas of intervention and ensure harmonization for greater impact across the state”.

Leader of the delegation, Fuad Malkawea, commended the positive interventions made by the Multi Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) another World Bank programme in the state.

He assured that the partnership would further provide support to the host communities.

“The intervention is to provide support to existing facilities some of which are over stretched” he observed. 

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Imo State witnessed increased tensions as Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was reportedly arrested by Nigeria Police Force operatives in Owerri on Wednesday.

Ajaero was taken into custody at the NLC state council secretariat, according to Benson Upah, the Head of Information at NLC, and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. 

This development followed the NLC’s announcement of an impending total strike in Imo State, set to commence on November 1, 2023.

Ajaero had accused Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma of neglecting workers’ welfare and violating their rights.

He highlighted several issues, including prolonged non-payment of salaries, the wrongful categorization of workers and pensioners as ghost beneficiaries, and non-compliance with the national minimum wage. 

During a press briefing held on Sunday, Ajaero criticised the state government’s refusal to honour past agreements and its resistance to engaging in social dialogue and collective bargaining.

He underscored the grave consequences, citing reports of workers losing their lives due to the alleged lack of salary payments. 

The arrest of Ajaero has intensified the labour dispute, raising concerns about the ongoing situation in Imo State.

The NLC and its members continue to demand fair treatment and the fulfilment of workers’ rights.

As the state government faces mounting pressure to address these grievances, the labour unrest in Imo State remains a cause for growing apprehension and scrutiny.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked rumors of a naira redenomination in the near future. 

In a statement, which was signed by the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, on October 31, 2023, the apex bank states that the contents of a text message circulating widely suggesting that the CBN plans to redenominate the naira in January 2024 are “misleading.” 

It further states that the authors of the text message “modified text eked from an old policy move by a previous CBN Governor in 2007 to make it appear recent.”  

The CBN advised the public to ignore the rumors, as they are “speculative and calculated to cause panic in the polity.”

The bank also stated that any reforms to the naira would be subject to “laid down procedures in line with the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Northern Governors’ Forum has expressed its deep sadness over the passing of the revered Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the Chairman of the Forum, expressed heartfelt condolences over the demise of this iconic monarch. 

Mr. Yahaya, in a statement, praised Dr. Ado Ibrahim’s legacy of peace, unity, and cultural preservation in Ebiraland.

He extended his sympathies to the people of Kogi State and the entire Ebira community, urging them to uphold the late monarch’s values. 

In this time of mourning, the Northern Governors’ Forum stands in solidarity with the family of Dr. Ado Ibrahim, honouring his contributions to the region’s heritage and praying for his soul’s eternal peace.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The paramount ruler of Ebira people of Kogi State, the Ohinoyi of Ebira, Abdulrahman Ado-Ibrahim, has passed on.

The Daily Reality gathered that the monarch died on Saturday night after a brief illness in Okene at the age of 94.

“His death will be announced officially, during the day”, a source told The Daily Reality.

The deceased king was enthroned on the seat of his forbears in 1997 and his reign was relatively peaceful.

His Majesty was born on February 7, 1929. He attended both Western nursery and Quranic schools, and went on to conclude his primary education in 1940 at the Native Authority (NA) primary school in Okene, Northern Region (now Kogi State). He, began his secondary school education at Ondo Boys High School and later on moved to Oduduwa College, where he graduated in 1949. In 1954, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree from Harvard Business School in 1959.