Plateau State Poised for Economic Boom with Proposed Mining University, Asserts Senator Plang

Diket Plang, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment and Productivity, has urged for the establishment of a Mining University in Jos, Plateau State. Plang made this proposition during a formal visit to the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geo-Science located in Jos.

Being the representative of Plateau Central in the 10th National Assembly, Plang expressed that the inception of Mining University could act as a catalyst for economic progress.

Plang has advanced a bill aiming to repeal the Act that established the Institute of Mining. He asserts that if realized, the University could significantly transform the Nigerian economy. It would provide comprehensive technical services across all facets of mining engineering and related fields. Given Plateau State’s rich solid mineral resources, Plang believes Jos to be the ideal location for this institution.

Impostor Soldier Apprehended in Kebbi After Vehicle Scam

The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force has successfully apprehended an individual impersonating a military officer. The suspect, named Faisal Saidu, hails from Kawarin Kudi Zango local government in Katsina state.

Saidu had allegedly negotiated a deal for a Honda Jazz with car dealers in Kebbi, settling on a price of two million, two hundred thousand naira (N2,200,000). Disguised in a military uniform, he took the car for a test drive but failed to return it.

His extended absence raised concerns among the car’s owners, who then proceeded to file a report with the police. Promptly following the report, the police commenced a search operation, eventually locating and arresting the impostor in Katsina state.

The accused has since admitted responsibility for the theft, and the vehicle has been retrieved. Saidu is currently in police custody, awaiting court proceedings pending the conclusion of investigations.

Kebbi’s Police Commissioner, Musa Titus, has issued a stern warning to potential criminals, assuring them of the police force’s readiness to apprehend any lawbreakers in the region.

Ambassador of Peace Advocates for Reconciliation in Southern KadunaVolunteer

Volunteer peacemaker, Victor Abarshi, has called upon Christian and Muslim leaders within the Atyap Chiefdom in Southern Kaduna to instill a sense of forgiveness and love among their congregations, as a means to reinforce the relative peace in the region.

This appeal was made during a dialogue held at the Agwatyap Palace in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The dialogue was coordinated by Abarshi and sponsored by the Ladies Empowerment Goals and Supports Initiative (LEGASI), in partnership with Peace Direct (PD).

Abarshi highlighted the necessity to change the negative assumptions about the Atyap Chiefdom. He insisted that in the absence of an alternative to peace, the local population should strive to regain the tranquility their ancestors once enjoyed.

Canon Timothy, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Malam Tanko Isa, the Chief Imam of the chiefdom, praised Abarshi’s efforts. They reiterated their commitment to reconciliation, trust-building, and healing. They emphasized that Christians and Muslims, being descendants of Adam and Eve, are essentially members of one large family.

The dialogue attendees addressed several issues that could potentially disrupt the peace in the chiefdom, including damage to crops by herders, encroachments, and blockages of cattle routes by farmers. The restoration of the weekly Zango market was also proposed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Atyap Chiefdom has been the hardest hit by the ongoing Southern Kaduna conflict, which has resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

About 23,000 People Missing In Nigeria In 10 Years, FG

Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, said on Wednesday that 23,000 people were reported missing in less than a decade due to the insurgency in Nigeria. The Nigerian official warned that more Nigerians will likely go missing, stressing that the 23,000 figure is “the tip of the iceberg.”

Ms Edu said this in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement to mark the International Day of the Disappeared. She said the figure represented half the number of missing people in Africa.

Ms Edu said that the report of the missing people released by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) resulted from the insurgency in some parts of the country.

“Today, over 23,000 persons are still missing. However, it is likely that this is just the tip of the iceberg as a more efficient mechanism is needed to improve the reporting and forensically trace cases of missing persons,” the humanitarian minister said.

Ms Edu said the issue of missing people had become one of the most critical and long-lasting humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts and called for sober reflection.

Ms Edu explained that the present administration was committed to curbing the issue, hence the need to facilitate and strengthen the legal frameworks that would substantially address the incidences of disappearance.

Yann Bonzon, ICRC head of delegation, said over 23,000 people registered by the Family Links Network in Nigeria never returned home and remain missing. Mr Bonzon said the number did not convey the true extent of the issue.

“The actual number of missing persons is likely to be much higher, with Nigeria having more missing people than any other country on the continent,” noted the ICRC head of delegation. “Until a national mechanism is created, immediate steps must be taken by the Nigerian government to prevent disappearances, to prevent the disruption of family links and maintaining links between separated family members.”

Mr Bonzo added, “It will also help to address proper management of the dead.” Mr Bonzon said ICRC would continue working closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to prevent disappearances and encourage and promote adopting international best practices.

“Let us collectively remind ourselves that while people might be gone, they will never be forgotten, and their families will never stop searching for them,” stated Mr Bonzo.

SOURCE: NAN

VCDP Flood Victims Share Success Stories

Some beneficiaries of the International Fund for Agriculture Development – Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Kogi who were affected by flood, have shared their success stories as a result of the VCDP intervention. A youth farmer, Salihu Abdullahi, whose farm land was destroyed by flood, thanked the management of the VCDP in Kogi, for their quick intervention in cushioning the negative effects of flood on his household. Abdullahi was among the farmers from the Magajiya cluster, Lokoja, supported by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) under its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Kogi. Speaking to our Correspondent on his success story on Wednesday day in Lokoja, Abdullahi said the intervention by VCDP in the aftermath of flood that destroyed his farmland, had enhanced his wellbeing and livelihood.

“I was one of Kogi farmers who the VCDP had earlier supported, but my farm land was destroyed by flood and I lost everything. Infact, it was a terrible moment for me and other farmers that period of time, it was so bad that some farmers ended up in the hospital because we lost everything then.“The IFAD/VCDP team came and inspected the devastated farmland by the flood, and supported me again through its ‘Flood Recovery Inputs’ with rice seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, water pump and other farm inputs,” Abdullahi said.

He added that through the VCDP’s intervention, he was able to cultivate another farm land which resulted into a bumper harvest for him. As a determined youth farmer I did not give up because I was properly trained by VCDP to be focused in all situation. “I engaged in dry season planting and by the special grace of God, I was able to come out with something very great , I harvested almost 89 bags of 100 kg of rice paddy , so I increased my farmland from one hectare to about five hectares.“We are happy that the VCDP came to our aid, we are going home with gladness and good development in our community.

“We thanked the VCDP for giving us the opportunity to cover up for our losses to flood. Our hope is renewed!,” he said Abdullahi added: “From the sale of the farm proceeds, I was able to establish a mini supermarket for my wife where she sells commodities, which is now a another source of income for my family.“I have also, from the remaining money realized from the farm proceeds, bought more rice seeds as plough back, and I have been engaging in both wet and dry season rice farming.

“Today, our story has changed through the intervention of the VCDP. VCDP is a God sent programme to wipe away tears from the faces of the rural farmers and the general public; it is very real.

“We now have several hectares of rice farmlands in our cluster ready for harvest aside from the ones we harvested , Our hope has come alive through the VCDP’s intervention,” Omale said. The farmers commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for bringing the IFAD-VCDP programmes to the door step of rural farmers in the state.

They expressed their gratitude to the Federal Government, the State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Stella Adejoh, and her management team for reaching out to farmers at the grassroots.

They stressed that the programme had empowered rural farmers and small holder farmers to stem the tide of poverty, hunger and starvation thereby boosting their livelihoods.

SOURCE: Koji Reports

Wealth Creation Agenda: Braimoh Empowers Kogi Students With Co-Working Space, Sewing Machines, School Fees

In demonstration of his commitment towards wealth creation and distribution agenda in Kogi State, the Action Alliance (AA) candidate in the November 11 governorship election in the State, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh has donated a tailoring co-working space for the students of Technical College, Kabba.He made provision for an office space and 3 modern sewing machines.In addition, paid school fees for some of the students. During his visit to the school, he noted that many of the students were finding it difficult to pay their school fees but good enough, some of them have acquired different skills but lacking the necessary working tools and office space to practice what they have learned.

Further discussions revealed that reasonable numbers of them learned tailoring. Consequently, he decided to get a fashion designing co-working space with 3 sewing machines for them. This, he said, will assist those among them who learned tailoring to be able to co-work in the office for their respective customers.He said they can also jointly handle sewing contracts from within and outside the school.

This is the first of it’s kind in the environment. In addition to this gesture, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh released funds for the payment of school fees of some of the students whose parents were struggling financially. This, he said, will be a big relief to both the students, parents and school management respectively.

High Chief Olorunfemi Adebayo Frank, the Coordinator of Happy People in Kogi West, who, on behalf of Olayinka Braimoh, handed over the sewing machines, office keys and school fees receipts to the students, admonished them to strictly make use of the office and sewing machines for the singular purpose for which they provided.He said that Olayinka Braimoh will extend the same to others when he becomes the Governor of the State.

NAOS Coordinator for Olayinka Braimoh governorship movement in the school, Steven Olafemi Paul, on behalf of the students, thanked Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, stating that the provision of coworking space, sewing machines and payment of school fees will go a long way in assisting not only the students but their parents and the school environment at large.He said “While some of the students using the office will no longer put their parents under school fee’s stress and may even subsequently send money to them from the profit made in sewing, those living in the environment will also have the advantage of getting their clothes sewed by the students.”He prayed for the success of Olayinka Braimoh at the poll as this will guarantee more opportunities for students across the state.

SOURCE: KOGI REPORTS

Military neutralizes 39 terrorists, arrests 157, rescues 109 hostages

Troops of the armed forces eliminated 39 terrorists, apprehended 159 others and rescued 109 hostages in different operations in the last two weeks

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a bi-weekly news briefing on military operations across the country.

He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai ambushed and arrested Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe, respectively in the Northeast.

He said that the offensive led to the surrender by some terrorists at Gwoza area of Borno and resulted in the elimination of some others; the rescue of hostages and the recovery of arms and ammunition.

He added that in another operation, troops neutralised 11 terrorists, arrested 45 others and rescued 34 hostages within the period and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

According to him, troops recovered six AK47 rifles, one HK21 gun, one GPMG, one fabricated gun, 11 AK47 magazines and 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

They also recovered 17 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one bandolier, and seven empty cases of 7.62mm special, five motorcycles, eight mobile phones and N368, 950.

Buba said the air component of the operations acquired and engaged terrorists’ enclaves at Wulde in Borno, adding that the outcome was being monitored.

He said that in the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised two gunmen, rescued three hostages and arrested 15 crime suspects during the period.

He added that the troops arrested two suspects in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, one of whom was a notorious armed robber on the wanted list of a security agency.

According to him, troops recovered three AK47 rifles, one fabricated AK47 rifles, one fabricated pistol, one Dane gun and 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition in the state.

Operation Whirl Stroke the North Central also arrested a member of notorious violent extremist group in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue, neutralised terrorists and rescued hostages.

Buba said troops recovered one FN rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and neutralised two terrorists, arrested 11 suspects and rescued six hostages.

The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the Northwest neutralised 12 terrorists, arrested 33 others, rescued 40 hostages and recovered three AK47 rifles, 18 motorcycles and three mobile phones.

Buba also told newsmen that the air component of the military operations conducted an interdiction of terrorists at Sububu Forest in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and degraded terrorists at the location.

Credit: Zagazola

Stop Talking Too Much And Let Me Beg Tinubu To Reconsider Your Ministerial Nomination: Sanusi Tells Elrufai

Faced with the prospect of life outside the corridors of power, Nasir El-Rufai, the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, is applying pressure on influential figures in a bid to secure a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Despite initially signalling a lack of interest in the role, El-Rufai has reportedly sought the advocacy of traditional and religious leaders to facilitate his nomination for ministerial confirmation in the Senate.

Prominent among those El-Rufai is soliciting is the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. Last week, Sanusi met with President Tinubu, requesting the resubmission of El-Rufai’s name to the Senate for ministerial confirmation. He urged Tinubu to overlook opposition from certain figures within the Presidency, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.El-Rufai’s renewed ambition comes in the wake of the Senate’s previous rejection of his nomination due to security concerns and other allegations.

Before Sanusi agreed to intervene, another source averred, the former Emir cautioned the loquacious ex-governor and advised him to desist from making public comments on controversial issues so as to see if President Tinubu would assist in confirming his ministerial nomination.

“You made a mistake when you rejected the ministerial nomination and made it public that day. You must keep quiet henceforth and allow me to talk to the president on the matter,” Sanusi was quoted to have told remorseful el-Rufai.

The ex-governor, feeling publicly embarrassed, briefly left the country and did not attend his son’s wedding. Sanusi suggested to Tinubu that El-Rufai’s initial rejection of the ministerial nomination was a result of his public humiliation.

El-Rufai’s determination to secure a ministerial position may also be linked to scrutiny over his previous administration’s handling of over 300 abandoned projects in Kaduna State. As Kaduna struggles with financial woes partly attributed to El-Rufai’s tenure, an appointment into power might provide him with a necessary lifeline.

Source: New Era