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Author: Ahmed Abba

  • Police announce capture of “notorious terrorist” in Yobe

    Terrorist

    By Ahmed Abba

    Damaturu, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The  Police Command in Yobe announced on Monday it had captured Haruna Mohammed, 40, who is believed to be a leader of a “notorious terrorist gang”.

    Mr Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesperson, told newsmen in Damaturu that the suspect was apprehended by the State Intelligent Department (SID).

    “He has been involved in terrorising towns, villages and neighbouring states through menacing phone calls, demanding money and valuables from victims.

    “The command has been on the trail of Mohammed for his criminal activities.

    “A victim from Siminti village reported that Mohammed demanded N3 million and threatened to kill him and his family.

    “In an intensive intelligent operation on June 16, detectives from the SID arrested Mohammed at Nangillam, a village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

    “The suspect has confessed to the crime and even named other members of the syndicate who are currently being trailed,” he said.

    Abdulkarim advised communities to promptly report security breaches in their areas and reaffirmed the command’s readiness to stamp out criminal tendencies in Yobe. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AIA/ISHO/ETS

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    Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Ephraims Sheyin

  • VSF constructs skill acquisition centers in Yobe communities

    VSF constructs skill acquisition centers in Yobe communities

    VSF
    By Ahmed Abba
    Fika(Kukargadu), June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Victims Support Fund (VSF) has begun construction of skill acquisition centers in select Yobe communities as part of its post-insurgency recovery programmes.

    Retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Chairman of the VSF, announced the initiative during the project inauguration on Wednesday in Kukargadu.

    Represented by Prof. Nana Tanko, the VSF Executive Director, said the organisation was targeting nine communities across three Yobe local government areas for these interventions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three local governments ares are Gujba, Gulani and Fika.

    “We are building these centers in various communities across three local government areas to ensure their sustainability.

    “These centers will serve not only women but also youth and others. Kukargadu, for instance, will receive the most significant VSF intervention.

    “We are establishing a comprehensive skill acquisition training centers such as computer training, tailoring, electrical work, welding, carpentry, and other trades,” Danjuma said.

    He added that VSF has been actively supporting the Northeast region since 2014 with various interventions and livelihood supports.

    “For example, we have provided educational materials to children affected by the insurgency, established savings and loans associations for women who engaged in similar economic activities.

    “(We also) bring them together and provide them with grants to grow their businesses,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/IS
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    Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Buni Gari water treatment plant ready June – Gov. Buni

    Buni Gari water treatment plant ready June – Gov. Buni

    By Ahmed Abba

    Buni Gari (Yobe), June 8, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe says the 16 million litres per day capacity Buni Gari Water Treatment Plant will be ready by the end of June.

    Buni stated this in Buni Gari on Saturday when he inspected the level of work at the project site.

    “We are assured that the plant will be ready by June this year, as stipulated in the contractual agreement,” he said.

    The governor expressed satisfaction with the depth of the plant’s reservoir, water confluence point, and the installation of solar-powered equipment.

    Buni also said the plant’s production capacity could be further upgraded to 20 million litres per day upon completion

    He said that the project would address water scarcity in the town and its environs when completed.

    The governor charged the contractor to deliver the project within the agreed timeframe for the state to have value for its money.

    Buni also expressed satisfaction with the backup generator that would be installed at the plant to ensure consistency in operation.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AIA/NB/YGA

    Edited by Nabilu Balarabe/ Gabriel

  • I’m not opposed to LG autonomy- Gov. Buni

    I’m not opposed to LG autonomy- Gov. Buni

    Autonomy
    By Ahmed Abba
    Buni Gari (Yobe), June 8, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has said that his stance has showned he was not opposed to the idea on local government autonomy across the country.

    Buni disclosed this after casting his vote in the local government election at his polling unit in Buni Gari on Saturday.

    He said that his administration’s collaborative approach to local government councils was aimed at complementing their efforts.

    “In 2019, I envisioned granting autonomy to local government councils but unfortunately six out of 17 LGs struggled to pay salaries.

    “Our joint local government account initiative aims to support the LGs and work together with the state government,” he explained.

    The governor also expressed optimism about the future of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

    “Our democracy is growing and this issue will be addressed seamlessly and democratically without hitches,” Buni said.

    The governor commended the impressive turnout of voters at the local government election.

    “That is the beauty of democracy; giving people the right to cast their votes and that is what we have just witnessed,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/OJI/IS
    ==========
    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka

  • Damaturu Int’l Cargo Airport to commence commercial operations soon – MD

    Damaturu Int’l Cargo Airport to commence commercial operations soon – MD

    By Ahmed Abba

    Damaturu, June 5, 2024 (NAN)The Managing Director, Damaturu International Cargo Airport, Mr Muhammad Surajo, says the Airport will commence commercial operations soon.

    Surajo said this known while briefing newsmen at a media tour to some state government’s projects across the state on Wednesday in Damaturu.

    He said that the airport was not in fully operational to satisfy the commercial need of the people.

    According to him, when fully operational, the Airport will create more job to the people especially the state indigenes and contribute to its economy.

    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Energy , Engr Isyaka Lawan, said that N39 billion was spent to execute the project in 2007.

    “Ninety five per cent of the project had been  completed which include a terminal building, runway, control tower, fire station, powerhouse, administrative block, and maintenance office,’’ he said.

    He added that the airport’s runway is among the longest and well-constructed in the country.

    “It stretches 3.3 kilometers with 250-meter buffers on either end, bringing the total length to 4.1 kilometers,” Lawal said.

    The permanent secretary explained that the decision to construct the cargo airport stemmed from the absence of such facilities in the North-East region.

    “Being an agrarian state, Yobe is expected to benefit significantly from the airport’s ability to boost economic activities.

    “An abundance of exportable crops like beans, groundnut, and sesame seeds are produced in the state,” he said.

    He, however, said that neighboring states could utilise the airport to transport goods to other parts of the world. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/AH/IAA

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    Edited by Abdul Hassan/Isaac Aregbesola

     

     

  • Yobe Govt unveils ‘state-of-the-art’ biomedical research lab

    Yobe Govt unveils state-of-the-art biomedical research lab

    Laboratory
    By Ahmed Abba
    Damaturu, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Yobe Government has unveiled a state-of-the-art ultramodern Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at the state university.

    Dr Bello Kawuwa, the Yobe Commissioner for Higher Education, made this known while unveiling the laboratory in Damaturu.

    Kawuwa described the BioRTC as a testament to Gov Mai Mala Buni’s dedication to improving public health and advancing scientific research in the state.

    He highlighted the lab’s cutting-edge equipment and collaboration with global experts, positioning Yobe to address pressing health concerns like chronic kidney disease.

    “This laboratory is a clear indication and testimony that Gov  Mala Buni’s commitment to change narrative as far as public health is concerned and advancing the frontiers of science and technology.

    “Especially that involves research medical sciences assembling the global best brains and equipments to conduct research for both national, international and local concerns,” said.

    Also speaking, Prof Mala Daura, the Vice Chancellor of the Yobe State University said the lab is highly equipped with support from a lot of institutions abroad.

    Daura, represented by Prof Muhammad Lawan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Services explained the lab’s areas of focus to include malaria, chronic kidney disease, dementia, among others.

    Prof Daura also emphasised the BioRTC’s role in fostering international collaboration.

    “The centre also organises workshops and summer schools with facilitators from around the world – Japan, UK Germany, Spain and Senegal – who come here with support of the state government,” he noted.

    The VC added that the BioRTC’s establishment marked a significant step forward for the state’s pursuit of scientific and medical advancements.

    The centre, he said, harnessed cutting-edge technology and global partnerships with potential to address critical public health issues and contribute meaningfully to the field of biomedical research.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Police promise hitch-free council election in Yobe

    Police promise hitch-free council election in Yobe

    Election
    By Ahmed Abba
    Damaturu, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Yobe Police Commissioner, Mr Ahmed Garba, has assured the residents of the state of a safe and hitch-free local government election on June 8.

    Garba gave the assurance on Monday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of a security meeting in Damaturu.

    He said that the meeting focused on mapping out strategies to ensure a free and fair council election.

    The state police boss said that the State Government considered the election crucial and had charged security agencies to carry out their responsibilities diligently.

    He gave assurance that adequate deployment of security personnel would be made to various polling units to ensure a safe and secure exercise.

    Garba urged the residents to come out and exercise their civic rights without fear of threats or harassment.

    He also appealed to the public to report any security threats or concerns to the nearest security agents.

    Other security issues raised at the meeting, according to him, include farmer-herder conflicts and remnants of terrorist elements in some parts of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police commissioner’s assurance came as a relief to the residents, who had been eager to exercise their democratic rights. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AIA/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

     

  • Medical doctors in Yobe shun NLC strike

    Medical doctors in Yobe shun NLC strike

    By Ahmed Abba(08162103232)

    Damaturu, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Yobe chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dissociated itself from the ongoing  nationwide strike embarked by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

    The association’s Chairman, Dr Abubakar Mala, told newsmen in Damaturu on Monday that the state’s NMA is not part of the strike and will continue to provide medical services to patients.

    He said “we are not joining the NLC strike , we are fully attending to patients, our clinics are open, and we have been in the surgery theater and everywhere, attending to the sick.”

    Mala added that the NMA’s decision to distance itself from the strike was to ensure uninterrupted medical attention to residents.

    He, therefore, urged residents to go to the hospital to access care as doctors,  nurses and other health workers are available to attend to them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/AH/HA

    Edited by Abdul Hassan/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu