Author: Sunday John

Robbery

By Sunday John

Lafia, June 29, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Nasarawa State says a combined team of their men and the military neutralised two suspected armed robbers during a gun duel on Saturday.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state,  made the disclosure to newsmen on Saturday in Lafia.

Nansel explained that at about 3:10 a.m., on Saturday, June 29, the Karshi Divisional Office in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) received a distress call about an ongoing robbery operation around Karshi By-Pass.

“Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives in collaboration with the military, swiftly moved to the scene.

“On sighting security agents, the armed robbers opened fired on the joint team where a gun duel ensued.

“Consequently, two of the criminals were fatally injured and rushed to the hospital, where they subsequently died while receiving treatment and others escaped with bullet wounds.

“The general area was combed by the combined team, where two suspects all men and indigenes of Bauchi State, but residents of Nyanya and Orange Market Mararaba, Karu LGA, were arrested in connection with the incident,” Nansel added.

The Police spokesperson further said that items recovered as exhibits from the suspects included three cartridges, three cutlasses, 19 mobile phones  of different brands, two Laptops, and nine pairs of shoes among others.

The PPRO on behalf of Umar Nadada, the Commissioner of Police, appreciated  the operatives for their gallantry and promised that the police would sustain the tempo. NAN). (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/OJI/IU

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka / Isaac Ukpoju

Anniversary

By Sunday John

Karu (Nasarawa State), June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Matthew Audu, has celebrated his 40th anniversary as a catholic priest in grand style.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that Audu was ordained a priest on June 23, 1984.

He was apponited and consecrated the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia in December 2000, having spent 16 years as a priest.

NAN also reports that the event held on Thursday at Tudun Uku, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, the village of the archbishop.

Speaking at the event, Audu thanked God for the journey thus far, particularly for finding him worthy to serve in His vineyard over the years.

The archbishop promised to rededicate the rest of his life in keeping to the tenets of his priestly calling at all times.

He called for prayers, support and cooperation of the Catholic faithful in Jos archdiocese and Nigeria in general toward keeping to his priestly vows.

In sermon, Monsignor Cletus Gotan, the Vicar General of the archdiocese of Jos, said that the celebrant had impacted many lives in the last 40 years.

He explained that the archbishop, who won many souls for God over the years, also impacted on the spiritual lifestyle of many others since his days as a young priest, a bishop and now archbishop.

“He joined many couples in marriage, prayed for the sick, blessed families, prayed for individuals and groups, established schools and parishes and ordained so many priests among others in the last 40 years,” he said.

Gotan,  however, attributed  the current  hardship confronting Nigerians to the selfishness of those in position of authorities in the country.

“Some persons in position of governance have converted the resources made for the improvement of the welfare of all Nigerians into their personal comfort at the detriment of the people.

“Some of these leaders claimed that they are born-again, but robbing the country of every resources and hurting the poor and the weak.

“Some of them have billions in foreign and domestic accounts, built houses everywhere and bought expensive cars that they cannot use throughout their lives.

”Our leaders must rethink our collective values, repent and truly work toward making life better for the people they promised to serve,”he advised.

Earlier, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, commended Audu for winning  many souls for Christ and serving humanity in the last 40 years.

Kaigama seized the opportunity and called on government to return all Catholic schools to their original owners.

Kaigama, who extolled the contribution of the Catholic Church to the nation’s education and health sectors, called for government support in its bid toward building a better society.

On his part, Bishop David Ajang of Lafia, congratulated Audu, his predecessor, for the feat achieved.

Ajang thanked all the bishops, priests, government officials and other dignitaries from Plateau and Nasarawa State, for gracing the event.

NAN reports that Pope Francis had in 2020 elevated Audu and appointed him as archbishop of Jos, having served as bishop of Lafia for 19 years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/AZA
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Edited by Polycarp Auta

Infrastructure

By Sunday John

Lafia, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has decried the poor state of infrastructures in public universities in the country.

Dr Sunday Orinya, Chairman of the union in the institution, voiced the concern during a peaceful protest it organised on Wednesday in Lafia.

Orinya, who explained that the protest was in compliance with the directive of its National Executive Council (NEC), called on the Federal Government to honour all agreements reached with the union.

“NEC directed all branches to sensitise and mobilise her members for a possible strike action over the silence of the federal government on the lingering issues affecting public universities.

“The looming industrial action is a resolution reached by ASUU at its emergency NEC meeting held recently at the University of Abuja,” he said.

The Chairman particularly called on the federal government to implement the renegotiated agreement reached with the union in 2009.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there was a joint renegotiation committee of the 2009 agreement comprising representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the ASUU team, which produced the first, second and third draft agreements.

“The first draft was coordinated by the Emeritus Prof. Munzali Jibril, who took over the chairmanship of the joint renegotiating committee from Dr Wale Babalakin.

“The draft was submitted in May 2021, but was rejected by government a year later; but the second and current draft came to be after the government’s team was reconstituted in April 2022 chaired by emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs.

“The Briggs-led committee commenced work with extensive consultations; they met heads of relevant units in the MDAs and shared a written submission of the findings with ASUU.

“We were assured that the new committee had a clear mandate to review the Munzali-led committee’s report through a collective bargaining process in tandem with the principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), but to no avail,” he explained

The chairman appealed to the federal government to immediately implement the agreemnt in order to forestall another round of industrial action that would distort academic activities in public universities.

The News of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some of the demands included new salary package and conditions of service, funding for the revitalisation of universities, payment of backlog of Earned Academic Allowances and accumulated promotion arrears.

Other demands of the union are payment of withheld salaries, adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS), with concurrent discontinuance of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/AZA

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Edited by Polycarp Auta

Donation

By Sunday John

Obi (Nasarawa State), June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Philanthropist, Mr Sonny Agassi, has donated N10 million to 100 poor and vulnerable persons in Jenkwe, Obi Local Government Area of  Nasarawa state.

Agassi, who is also the Director-General, Nasarawa State Geographic Information Service (NAGIS), said that the gesture was part of activities to commemorate his 54th birthday anniversary.

Speaking at the event on Monday in Obi, Aggasi said that the gesture aimed at empowering the beneficiaries economically.

He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the five electoral wards in Jenkwe.

”The N10 million will be distributed to the beneficiaries. Each of them will get N100,000.

”This is my way of giving back to the community that made me; I believe this move will alleviate the sufferings of the poorest of the poor.

”We will to continue to support the vulnerable, especially widows and orphans to better their lives,”he said.

The donor, however,  called on the beneficiaries to put the cash into good use toward improving their personal income and that of their families.

Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the Deputy Governor of the state, who congratulated the celebrant on his 54th birthday anniversary, commended him for remembering the poor in his community.

“I thank my brother for this humanitarian gesture; for me this is very sensitive and it calls for emulation,” he said.

Akabe, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, also advised the beneficiaries to invest the cash in meaningful ventures.

In a goodwill message, Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, the immediate past governor of the state, lauded the celebrant for giving back to his community.

“I commend you for thinking about your community and giving back to them from what God has blessed you with.

“I want everyone that is here today, including myself to support our people no matter how small it might be, to alleviate their sufferings.

“It doesn’t have to be big, but I am throwing the challenge to all of us not to always remember those who don’t have,’’ Al-Makura said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SDJ/FAT/AZA
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Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Polycarp Auta

Governance

By Sunday John

Lafia, June 23, 2024 (NAN) Rev. Godwin Robinson, Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Lafia, has called on Nigerian leaders to provide good governance that would propel steady growth and development in the nation.

The Bishop, who decried the spate of insecurity and hunger in the nation, made the call during the 2024 Synod of the church, on Sunday in Lafia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day annual event had brought together leaders of the church to brainstorm, reflect and review its activities as well as the affairs of the nation in general.

The event also provided opportunity for leaders of the Church to pray for God’s intervention toward enhancing the spiritual stability and prosperity of Nigeria.

Robinson called on the politicians to privide purposeful leadership that would restore the dashed confidence and hope of the people.

”The political class must focus on introducing policies and programmes that will bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

”The essence of leadership is not just to amass wealth, but an opportunity to render selfless service to improve the living conditions of the people,”he said

The Bishop, however, called on Nigerians to be prayerful and should not lose faith in God, in spite of the current challenges.

Speaking at the event, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, said the citizens had greater roles to play in ensuring good governance.

The governor noted that given the unrelenting support of the church, the state government would continue to provide people-driven policies that would stimulate growth and development in the state.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/AZA

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Edited by Polycarp Auta

Mining
By Sunday John
Lafia, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government says it has closed a mining site in Amba community of Kokona Local Government Area of the state for illegal operation.

Mr Yakubu Kwanta, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, announced this on Wednesday in Lafia.

He explained that the illegal company was discovered by the personnel of his ministry during their routine inspections of mining sites in the state.

“Our personnel discovered that the was operating without the consent of the state government and Amba community.

“We took a bold step and closed the site on April 19 to secure the community following series of complaint in the area,” he said.

Kwanta added that the illegal company was closed by a joint team of security agencies and currently the security had taken over the site on the directive of the state government.

“The community also wrote a petition about the illegal mining activities in their area without proper consent and we needed to take action to avoid breakdown of law and order,” he added.

The commissioner noted that Gov. Abdullahi Sule had issued Executive Order No 02 of 2022 that communities’ consent must be forwarded to the state government before any company could begin mining in any part of the state.

“All community consent and development agreement made pursuant to Section 116 of the Mineral and Mining Act, 2007 and prior to signing by authenticated community heads shall be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.

“The said documents will be forwarded through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to be vetted and certified by the Attorney-General of Nasarawa State,” he explained.

He explained that the Executive Order would avoid multiple issuances of community consents and development agreements to mining entities and ensure that community development commitments made therein would not be in conflict with the overall development master plan of the state.

The commissioner said that the Executive Order provided that all mining entities arriving the state with authority of the Federal Government must undergo checks by the ministry responsible for environment and mining to verify their legal status, citizenship and background before settlement.

Kwanta called on the public to disregard insinuations in all quarters, adding that the decision was to ensure peace and adherence to the existing laws guiding mining activities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
SDJ/OIF/KAY
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Kayode Olaitan

Tenure

By Sunday John

Lafia, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has called for the adoption of a unified four-year  tenure for elected local government officials in the country.

Alhaji Aminu Muazu-Maifata, its National President, made the call in an interview with  newsmen on Monday in Lafia.

Muazu-Maifata said that the move would ensure good governance and quality representation at the grassroots levels.

The president called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the nation’s  constitution to unify the tenure of local government officials  across the country.

“The tenure of local government officials should be four years to enable us deliver on our campaign promises to the electorate.

”It is unfortunate that the tenure of local government officials in some states is even one or two years.

”So, I wonder how these officials will deliver good governance within such a short period,” he fumed.

On the N62,000 minimum wage proposed by the Federal Government, the ALGON boss called on the federal government to increase the monthly allocations of the 774 local government areas in the country.

He maintained that the move would enable the councils pay the new minimum wage when it finally becomes a law.

Muazu-Maifata, who is the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council in Nasarawa Sate, however, lauded Gov. Abdullahi Sule for granting autonomy to councils in the state.

He called on other governors to emulate Sule toward the overall development of the country, particularly the grassroots.

On the security of Lafia, he explained that a partial curfew had been imposed to tackle the increasing rate of kidnaping and other crimes within the state capital.

“We restricted the movement of motorcycles to between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and tricycles to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“This is because security reports indicate that criminal gangs are using these two means of transportation to perpetrate crimes,” he explained.

Muazu-Maifata, however, said that the security situation in Lafia had improved, adding that even better strategies were being adopted toward the safety of lives and property. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/CHOM/AZA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Polycarp Auta

Rep. empowers 250 constituents

Empowerment

By Sunday John

Wamba, (Nasarawa State), June 14, 2024 (NAN) A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Jeremiah Umaru, on Friday empowered no fewer than 250 members of his constituency.

Umaru, who represents Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency of Nasarawa, distributing the items at the Wamba Local Government Council, said the beneficiaries were drawn from the 35 electoral wards of the constituency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items included refrigerators, sewing machines and grinding machines.

NAN also reports that Akwanga has 11 electoral wards, Nasarawa-Eggon has 14, while Wamba has 10 respectively, bringing the total to 35.

Umaru said that five persons were carefully selected from each of the electoral wards and the remaining 75 slots were allocated to stakeholders and community leaders.

“This is to appreciate them for their votes, support and prayers in the last one year, ” he said.

The lawmaker explained that similar gestures were done in the past to support his constituents in farming, as well as trading in order to make their lives worthwhile.

According to the lawmaker, the beneficiaries cut across party lines.

“Though, I am a member of APC, but as it stands I am representing everyone in my constituency.

“My major interest is to better the living conditions of my constituents irrespective of political party affiliations,” he said.

Umaru further said that he had sponsored 10 bills and moved eight motions in the last one year in the House, in addition to the empowerment items being distributed to the people.

“Some of the bills have passed first reading and if they are finally passed and signed by the President, commercial activities and life generally will be better for our people.

“My focus is to change the narrative and give my constituents the best representation they deserved to justify their choice at the polls,” Umaru said.

The lawmaker had also distributed over 1000 bags of 50kg rice to the 35 electoral wards to enable them celebrate the forthcoming sallah.

Some beneficiaries, who spoke to newsmen appreciated the lawmaker for the gesture and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him.

Hussaini Alaku and Hanatu Sunday, members of APGA PDP from Nassarawa-Eggon LGA, said that the member had distinguished himself and demonstrated that indeed the people are the reason for democracy.

“He is carrying everybody in the constituency along without discriminating on the basis of political parties as such, we will reward him at the appropriate time,” the duo added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/BEN/AMM

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Abiemwense Moru