News

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant for media and publicity, revealed that the president would not hesitate to axe any minister who falls short of expectations. 

In an interview with Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Monday, Mr. Ngelale said that the president has established deadlines and goals for each member of his cabinet. 

He stated that a minister could lose their position if they are not successful in meeting their objectives. 

“President Bola Tinubu is someone who has the results. He says ‘these are your benchmarks, I know what I want you to achieve. 

“I’m not expecting you to just come up with some plan when you get there. I’m telling you the time frame within which I expect you to achieve,” he said. 

“And if you don’t, there are consequences. He’s ready to fire a minister at the drop of a dime if he is not getting what he wants. Absolutely,” Mr Ngelale added.

By Aisar Fagge

The Dangote Articulated Truck Driving School has graduated 50 Special Truck Drivers on weekend.

It was gathered that ten of the drivers were women and trained on Defensive Driving for three months.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the Dangote Group, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, and made available to journalists on Monday, disclosed.

The statement qouted Mr. Ajay Singh, the Divisional Director of the Dangote Cement Plc, Transport section, Obajana Plant, Kogi State, to have said that the Articulated Driving School was aimed at taming the tide of auto crash in Nigeria.

Singh who spoke during the graduation ceremony added that “The company has a zero tolerance for auto crash, which informed the setting up of different programmes, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

“Head of Human Resources, Mr. Azeez Adeniyi said the Dangote Articulated Truck Driving School, is unique, being the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria,” he stated.

The statement further added that “He (Singh) urged the graduates to maximize the advantages from the training, adding that it was a rare and golden opportunity to have passed through the school.

“The school manager, Mr. Daniel Marcus Akuso, said some of the courses offered for the Batch A include: Civic Education, English, Mathematics, Defensive Driving, Truck Handling, Maintenance Technology, DCT Administration Procedures, Root Cause Analysis, Health and Science, Road Signs and Codes.

“Mr. Akuso said the graduates will now undertake a six-month attachment to enable them to acquire practical experience.

“Speaking, Deputy Road Commandant, (OC Instructor) of the FRSC attached to Dangote Driving School, Engr Mukhtar Umar said his agency plays a significant role in the training and certification of old drivers and newly recruited trainees.

“We teach them defensive driving, road signs, responsibilities of the driver, driving culture, and then certify them. These are Special Drivers,” Engr Umar said.

“Representative of Fantique Driving Centre, South Africa, Mr. Jacques Van Heerden, said the graduates were trained on defensive driving, assuring that if they abide by the lessons learned from the courses, it will help Nigeria in reducing the menace of auto crash.

“On his part, Col Ravig Kumar, Chief General Manager, Maintenance Department, expressed optimism that the female drivers, especially, will make Nigeria proud, while urging them not to disappoint the company, wherever they may find themselves.

“Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Ajayi Kehinde Daniel, said: “We are not just drivers, but defensive drivers. Throughout this period of training, we have been exposed to the causes of road accidents, and how to avoid them. Some of these causes, if not all, are actually avoidable.”

“Also present at the Graduation Ceremony were: Head of Department, Post Trip Inspection(PTI), Mr. Charles Theophilus, Head of Control, Mr. Suresh Ramamoorthy, Col Hemant Rana, as well as other members of the Fantique Training Centre of South Africa: Pieter Momberg and Anton Schenk,” the statement added.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Wusasa neighbourhood of Kaduna State’s Zaria Local Government Area saw a gang of suspected bandits ambush and kidnap a health worker and his brother. 

According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday night. 

Engineer Isiyaku Ibrahim, the village chief of Wusasa, confirmed the incident. 

He bemoaned that the kidnappers have so often made their area the target of their attacks, abducting many of the people in the neighbourhood. 

Mr. Isiyaku added that Wusasa village, which is outside of the historic city of Zazzau, has seen a number of attacks recently.

Recall that a recent attack left an army officer and a vigilante member dead.

By Yakubu Ammar Sani

On the unfortunate evening of August 24, 2023, around 8:30 p.m., a horrifying incident of police brutality unfolded in the peaceful neighborhood of Dabar Makaho, around Famfon Shanu, Azare Bauchi State of Nigeria. This incident serves as a shocking reminder of the abuse of power and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives. 

It all began when a group of police officers, whose duty is to protect and serve the community, unlawfully used excessive force on an accused person. The officers, instead of conducting a proper arrest, resorted to violence, misusing their firearms, and hitting the accused with sticks. 

Tragically, in the midst of this brutal act, an innocent young boy passing by became an unintended victim. The excessive force used by the police officers resulted in the boy suffering a severe eye injury, nearly causing the loss of his eye. This incident has undoubtedly left a traumatizing impact on the young boy’s life. 

What is even more distressing is the apathy shown by the police officers involved. Instead of rushing the injured boy to the hospital for urgent medical attention, they callously neglected his wellbeing. This blatant disregard for human life is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the values and principles these officers are supposed to uphold. 

In a further display of aggression, when a concerned Good Samaritan attempted to intervene and bring attention to the officers’ wrongdoing and the critical condition of the young boy, they responded with further violence. It is shocking to witness those entrusted with maintaining law and order resorting to further brutality and attempting to silence those who speak out against injustice.

The victim, Usman Sa’idu, who is 13 years old.

The incident that occurred on August 24, 2023, is not an isolated event. Instances of police brutality have become all too common, leaving a trail of suffering and shattered lives in their wake. These incidents highlight the urgent need for robust reforms within law enforcement agencies. Comprehensive training programs focused on human rights, ethics, and de-escalation techniques must be developed and implemented to ensure that officers understand the importance of safeguarding the public and upholding the law. 

Equally important is the establishment of effective mechanisms for reporting and addressing cases of police misconduct. It is essential for individuals who witness or experience such brutality to feel safe and confident in reporting these acts, knowing that appropriate action will be taken. Proper investigation and accountability measures must be in place to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. 

As a society, we cannot stand idle and allow the abuse of power to continue. It is the collective responsibility of citizens, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies to work together to address these grave issues. This means fostering a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability within our police forces. Only then can we begin to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

Furthermore, it is the duty of the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens by enacting legislation that protects individuals from the atrocities of police brutality. This legislation should provide clear guidelines on the appropriate use of force, ensure effective oversight mechanisms, and ensure that justice is served for victims of police misconduct. 

The incident that took place on August 24, 2023, serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for reform. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to work towards a future where every individual, regardless of age, gender, or social status, can feel safe and protected by those sworn to uphold the law. 

Let us unite as a community to demand accountability, transparency, and justice for the victims of police brutality. Only then can we create a society where every person can live without fear of harm and where those in positions of authority carry out their duties with integrity and respect for human life.

Yakubu Ammar Sani wrote from Azare, Bauchi State and can be reached via -ammaryakubusani@gmail.com.

By Muhammadu Sabiu  

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has announced a relief fund of N36.4 million to assist the 1,215 members of the National Youth Service Corps currently stationed in the state for their national service. 

Each individual within the corps will receive N30,000 as part of the support initiative. 

Following his attendance at the oath-taking ceremony for these youth corps members during the reopening of the camp in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum made a weekend visit to the NYSC orientation camp. 

During the visit, he inspected the honour guard and subsequently addressed the corps members. 

Furthermore, the Governor extended his support by providing 10 cows, 10 bags of 100 kg beans, 10 litres of cooking oil, 100 bags of rice, and 10 more bags of 100 kg beans.

These provisions are intended to facilitate a special meal as part of the ongoing three-week orientation programme for the youth corps members. 

In his address, Governor Zulum emphasised the importance of adhering to camp rules and fostering positive relationships among one another.

He urged the corps members to contribute to national harmony through their actions and interactions. 

Governor Zulum conveyed his aspirations for the corps members to exhibit dedication and loyalty to authorities while fostering friendships within the region.

He highlighted the collective goal of building a prosperous Nigeria with sustainable economic growth and development. 

The governor expressed gratitude to the federal government for bolstering security in Borno State, which paved the way for the resumption of NYSC orientation camp operations in Maiduguri after a 13-year hiatus.

By Hauwa’u Abubakar

Overtime, Nigerians have experienced hike in basically all goods and services required to live and run their day to day activities. This goes without saying has been aggravated by proclamation of subsidy removal on premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol, some three months ago.

It becomes imperative to understand the factors responsible for high cost of living as it leads to higher expenditure for individuals and households. Some of the factors leading to this unwanted development include inflation or an increase in the general level of prices.

Nigeria has experienced persistent inflation over the years, with prices of goods and services continuously rising. This reduces the purchasing power of individuals, making it more challenging to afford basic necessities. Also, depreciation of the country’s currency.

The naira, has faced fluctuations and depreciation in value against major foreign currencies like the US dollar. This has led to higher import costs, making imported goods more expensive for consumer. Furthermore, dependence on imports for various products, including food, fuel, clothings, building materials and other consumer goods, has the tendency to result in higher prices due to transportation cost, tariffs, and exchange rate fluctuations.

Again, infrastructural challenges is another force to reckon with. Inadequate infrastructure, such as power shortages and poor transportation networks can increase the cost of goods and services. Businesses often have to bear the burden of additional expenses since they are not provided by the authority and they eventually pass these expenses to consumers so as to make profit and keep their trade afloat.

Income quality as a factor. Nigeria has a significant income disparity, with a large portion of the population living in what is termed multidimensional poverty due to the disparity. This poverty limits access to basic resources like education, healthcare, and housing, further exacerbating the cost of living for many individuals. Government policies such as removal or reduction of subsidies, can lead to price hikes for essential commodities also.

To address this worrisome situation, it is firstly important for citizens to understand that the high cost of living in Nigeria is a complex issue influenced by various factors such as those aforementioned. Efforts to address this challenge should involve measure to tackle inflation, improve infrastructure, diversifying the economy, and promoting policies that support income equality and affordability for citizens.

Strategies to employ in improving infrastructure are; investing in infrastructural development, such as transportation power, road network, water supply among other can help reduce cost associated with transportation and other expenses passed down to consumers.

Enhancing agricultural productivity. Promoting and supporting the agricultural sector can reduce food prices and enhance food security. Improving farming techniques, access to quality irrigation systems are all strategies through which dependency can be reduced on imported goods.

Encouraging competition could be a tactics. Promoting competition in key sector such as telecommunications, banking, and energy to prevent monopolies and encourage market efficiency can help lower price for consumers.Control of inflation, implementation of effective monetary policies and fiscal measures to control inflation, increased wages and ensuring that wages and salaries keep pace with inflation can help improve people’s purchasing power and reduce the burden of high costs.

Developing effective social welfare programmes can provide a safety net for vulnerable populations, reducing the impact of high cost of living on those with limited financial resources.

In conclusion these are just comprehensive approach that addresses multiple aspect of the economy and society and if adopted by the government and relevant agencies, Nigerians can be saved from the bondage of high cost of living, the time this now!.

Hauwa’u is a 200-Level Student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State and can be reached via: hauwaat@yahoo.com

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Suspected gunmen launched a daring attack on an Army patrol van in Edo State, resulting in the tragic death of a soldier and the successful theft of cash-laden sacks. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday as the military vehicle was en route to Ikpoba Hill. 

At about 2:10 p.m., the assailants ambushed the patrol unit at a traffic light along Akpakpava Road by First Junction. 

The attackers executed their plan with precision, employing an unmarked Toyota Camry to confront the military vehicle head-on.  

Two of the four occupants of the Camry disembarked and unleashed a hail of gunfire upon the soldiers, causing them to flee their patrol vehicle and the sacks they were transporting.

Witnesses on the scene recounted the soldiers’ hasty retreat and shared that the gunmen brazenly seized the bags from the abandoned van. 

A witness who owns a nearby shop described a poignant moment, revealing that one of the soldiers had been wounded in the chaos while his colleagues were unable to provide assistance. 

The injured soldier’s condition prevented him from standing up, and his companions were left helpless. 

Authorities were alerted to the situation, prompting inquiries from both the Nigerian Army and the Edo State Police Command. 

Captain Yusuf Sokoya, the Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Headquarters in Benin City, initially responded that he would investigate the matter. 

However, he failed to follow up on his commitment at the time of the press’s inquiries. 

In contrast, the state police public relations officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the distressing occurrence. 

He stated that a soldier lost his life during the attack in Benin City. Nwabuzor further explained that a vigilant citizen promptly reported the incident to the local police station, which serves the affected neighbourhood. 

The attackers managed to escape with bags believed to contain substantial sums of cash stored inside the targeted Army van. 

The incident highlights the audacity of the gunmen and the risks faced by security personnel in the line of duty. 

As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, awaiting further updates from both the Nigerian Army and the Edo State Police Command.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Katsina State Government disclosed that it received the sum of N2 billion out of the N5 billion palliative approved to states by the federal government.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs, Malam Salisu-Zango, relayed the clarification to journalists in a statement on Wednesday.

Zango’s disclosure was in reaction to the insinuation that the federal government released N5 billion to the state.

He said that: “The attention of the state government has been drawn to news going round in the media that N5 billion has been released to states by the Federal Government for palliative.

“I wish to state that, [the] Katsina State Government received only N2 billion for procurement of grain to be distributed to the citizens of the state”.

Zango further stated that the state government had so far utilised N2 billion to procure 40,000 bags of rice for distribution to vulnerable persons in all the polling units across the state.

He added that the government would also utilise the next tranche of the fund from the federal government to purchase maize for distribution to deserving households.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The police in Nassarawa State have warned residents in the state against widespread rumours alleging the disappearance of genitals.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, disclosed this in a statement he made available to journalists on Wednesday.

Nansel added that the command has observed with dismay the ugly trend where members of the public tag individuals with causing the mysterious disappearance of genitals in different parts of the state.

He added that, “The medical examination carried out on victims who reported cases of mysterious genital disappearance in Nassarawa-Eggon, Obi, Lafia and Keffi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state gave all the victims a clean bill of health.

“In view of this, the police commay wishes to state unequivocally that the cases of alleged mysterious genital disappearance is baseless, unfounded and without proof.

“Thus, anyone caught engaging in mob action and jungle justice or raising false alarm that leads to grievous assault on any member of the public shall be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” DSP Nansel added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

There was growing tension among the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members when bandits attacked them on their way to the orientation camp in Zamfara State, killing eleven persons among them.

The bandits also kidnapped no fewer than eight corps members to an unknown destination and reportedly demanded a ransom of over 4 million naira.

Our reporters learned that the corps members were travelling in Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, for the one-year mandatory national service, when their vehicle was intercepted by the bandits.

It was also gathered that their driver, who was among the persons abducted, almost lost his life during the atrocious killing by the bandits.

However, three of the corps members were reported to have escaped during the terrorist attack.

Emmanuel Esudue, a graduate in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from Akwa Ibom State University and Victoria Udoka, a graduate in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo were among the young graduates that were kidnapped by the terrorists.

A source, who noted to be privy to the situation, revealed that the terrorists had contacted the family of one of the victims and demanded a ransom of N4 million.

He said, “Sad to hear that young graduates going for their National Service year in Sokoto have been kidnapped by bandits.

“Both the Federal Government and various State governments should do everything possible to rescue the eight NYSC members.

“Nothing must happen to them oh!!!Some of them included Emmanuel Esudue, a graduate of [sic] Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University and Victoria Udoka, a graduate of [sic] Mass Communication from University of Uyo.

“At the moment, one of the families, it was learnt have been contacted to pay N4m. Please, this is [a] Federal government matter not the family and should be taking [sic] seriously to save these children from been [sic] tormented further by the wicked kidnappers.

“This is another challenge to the federal government to review deployment of NYSC [members] to nearby states where they schooled due to insecurity rather than posting them across the country.

“May the Almighty God rescue them and let those wicked kidnappers be arrested and brought to book. Their crimes must not go unpunished.”