The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kaduna State Council, Ayuba Magaji, said, on Sunday, that no fewer than 36 workers were killed as a result of the insecurity occasioned by banditry, kidnapping across the state.
Magaji who disclosed this while addressing workers at this year’s May Day celebration which was held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, also asked workers to pray for the repose of the souls of their departed colleagues.
The NLC boss also urged workers to ensure they obtained their voter cards to vote against politicians who would not protect their interests in the 2023 general elections.
This was just as he urged workers to take part in active politics rather than staying on the fence before, during, and after the elections.
Magaji also described as “unacceptable”, the continued delay in the payment of salary of primary school teachers and health workers in the state.
He also expressed concern over the plight of the pensioners in the state particularly the delay in payment of their pension allowances and the extended verification and clearance.
While lauding the state government over the giant stride in infrastructural development in major cities in the state, the NLC chairman, however, noted that good governance was beyond infrastructural development.
While the Oworo, Bassa Nge and Nupe are indigenous to the area, other ethnic groups of Nigeria, including the Kupa-Nupe, Hausa, Ebira, Igala, Igbo, Bini/Edo, and Tiv have recently established themselves. Projected to be the third fastest growing African continent city between 2020 and 2025, with a 5.93% growth.
it's was listed a second class township by the 1917 township ordinance of the colonial administration. This shows that Lokoja is a old city.
A city surrounded by waters yet lack portable water!
iwaeda: The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abukakar III-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam, has cautioned the Muslims and other Nigerians against traveling for the Sallah celebration following the worsening security situation across the country.
The Muslim body also called on the Federal Government led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to wake up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
This is just as the JNI appealed to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to sheathe their swords and ensure amicable resolution over the protracted strike, which had hampered academic activities across public universities in the country.
These were contained in a statement by the JNI Secretary-General, Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna on Saturday to mark the end the Muslim Ramadan Fast.
According to the JNI, the continued closure of universities will spell doom and aggravate the current security dilemma in the Country.
The statement partly read, “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General JNI, once again congratulates the Nigerian Muslims and Muslims all over the world for the opportunity to have observed Ramadan fast, which of course is gradually coming to an end.
“By Allah’s will, tomorrow Sunday, 1st May, 2022, or next tomorrow Monday, 2nd May, 2022, shall mark the end of the Ramadan fasting, to witness yet another Eid-el-Fitr celebration in-sha Allah.
“We would also like to implore all to treat with caution on travelling home for Sallah festivities given the pervasive security challenges in the Nigerian state. May Allah, the Most High, continue to protect us all. Amin.
“Likewise, we call on the government to exert more efforts in attending to all forms of criminalities and deal appropriately with the agents of destruction and fragmentation in every nook and cranny of the country.
“Government should be more up and doing and it should heed to the different wake-up calls to improve the security architecture, tackle ravaging economic hardship and transparently address the seeming unemployment problem in order to reinvent the spirit of patriotism and commitment to the ideals of national goals.”
On the ongoing ASUU strike, the group added, “In the same vein, arising from the various calls for the resolution of the ASUU-FG face-off, we use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government and ASUU to, in the name of Allah (SWT) and as a matter of urgency, resolve the lingering crisis between themselves (each other) which has bedevilled the public university in the country.
“Parents, students and the entire nation have been adversely affected by this nightmarish impasse. The time has come for all the critical stakeholders, especially the Federal Government to nip this national malady in the bud once and for all.
“Continued closure of our University’s spells doom for our nation and aggravates the current security dilemma in the country.
“Nevertheless, we must continue to intensify our prayers for Nigeria and its leaders, especially that 2023 general election is fast approaching.”
The JNI also urged wealthy Muslims to remember the needy in the various internally displaced persons’ camps “occasioned by the incessant attacks of bandits and the intractable Boko Haram insurgency.”
Norwich City have been relegated from the Premier League after Dean Smith's side were defeated at his former club Aston Villa.
The Canaries' 2-0 loss, courtesy of goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, was their 23rd defeat of the season and condemns them to life the second tier after Burnley fought back from a goal down to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Norwich were comfortably second best at Villa - Smith's boyhood club - with the performance indicative of their inability to create clear-cut chances and apply sustained pressure.
It's the fourth time in eight seasons that Norwich have gone down, with their current points haul currently on a par with the amount they registered during the 2019/20 season.
As the Sallah celebration draws near, a former Governor of Lagos State and 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has distributed 3,000 bags of rice to Muslim faithful in Nasarawa State.
Tinubu, while distributing the bags of rice on Friday in Lafia, urged the beneficiaries not to sell the rice but to use it for the purpose it was meant for, saying that the gesture was also aimed at improving on their standard of living.
The APC presidential aspirant was represented by the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Asiwaju Campaign Organisation, Yusuf Omaki.
He said, “This gesture is to provide succour to the people, especially the less privileged in Nasarawa State, ahead of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“I want to also use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to scout out for competent leaders ahead of next year’s general election so as to curb the socio-economic challenges undermining the development of the country.
“So, I am soliciting the support of the APC members and all Nigerians to enable me succeed in my presidential ambition.
“The 3,000 bags of rice allocated to Nasarawa State would be distributed to socio-cultural organisations, religious bodies, professional groups and the APC party stalwarts.”
Omooba77: Anytime he traverses the land, air or sea like a troubadour, he must bring good tidings. Each time the Nigerian President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) comes to see President Muhammadu Buhari, he never comes empty handed. He must bring goodies and goodies for his home country.
Tuesday this week was not different. Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former Minister of Agriculture, came on a proactive rescue mission. Something was severely threatening food security in Africa, and Nigeria particularly. It calls for urgent action.
Each time the two gentlemen meet, they start with banters. So comfortable are they in each other’s company.
The jokes and bonhomie over, the AfDB President burst the speaker: “Urgent actions are needed to prevent a food crisis in Africa.”
Why? How? When? What can be done? The questions came tumbling out, like water cascading from a burst dam.
Dr Adesina provided all the answers.
“I am here Mr President to brief you on the impacts of the Russian-Ukraine war and its implications for food security in Africa, and Nigeria; and to intimate you with decisive actions being taken by the African Development Bank to avert what is a looming food crisis.”
“Russia and Ukraine dominate export of wheat and maize to Africa. With the disruption of supplies arising from the war, Africa now faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tons of food imports from Russia and Ukraine, especially for wheat, maize, and soybeans.”
As the man spoke, suddenly Russia and Ukraine were not so faraway again. They were right there in the Diplomatic Room of the Presidential Villa.
More statistics: “Price of wheat has soared in Africa by over 45% since the war. Prices of fertilizers have gone up by 300%, and the continent faces a fertilizer shortage of 2 million metric tons. If unmet rapidly, food production in Africa will decline by 20%, and the continent would lose over $11 billion in value of food production.”
Holy Moses!
The AfDB boss quoted the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who had said: “We are now facing a perfect storm that threatens the economies of developing countries.”
If there’s anything President Buhari is concerned about, it is that Nigerians should be able to feed themselves, without recourse to massive food importation. That was why he encouraged us to return to the land, put his money where his mouth is by funding agriculture massively, and today, we have a lot to be thankful for. Food security is almost a reality in the country.
But because the world is now a global village, and no nation is an island, the Russian-Ukraine war could still affect some fundamentals of our food security. So, what to do? Fortunately, we have our own ‘export’ to the world at the AfDB. He unfolded what he has in store for Africa, and for Nigeria, our own dear native land.
READ ALSO: Restructuring should be driven by economic, financial viability, says Akinwumi Adesina
“Mr President, I know that you are also worried about the effects on Nigeria…The African Development Bank, under my leadership, is fully prepared to meet this new challenge head on. The Bank has developed a $1.5 billion Africa Emergency Food Production Plan to support countries to produce food rapidly, to mitigate the effects of the war on food prices.
“The plan will support countries to produce 38 million metric tons of food. This will include 11 million metric tons of wheat; 18 million metric tons of maize; 6 million metric tons of rice; and 2.5 million metric tons of soybeans.
“The total value of the additional food production is $12 billion. This plan, which is before the Board of Directors of the Bank for its approval, will be rolled out by the end of May and will cover all countries of the Bank.”
What is in it for me, that is the question people often ask. What’s in it specifically for Nigeria?
“Nigeria is top priority under the emergency food production plan. For the wet season of 2022, the plan will support 5 million smallholder farmers in Nigeria. They will cultivate 2.5 million hectares: one million hectares for maize; one million hectares for rice; 250,000 hectares for soybeans; and 250,000 hectares for sorghum.
“For the dry season of 2022/2023, the plan will support one million farmers across 10 northern states. We expect that this will support 500,000 hectares of wheat. Overall, the Emergency Food Production Plan for Nigeria will produce 9.5 million metric tons of food.”
Call this being proactive, or preparing adequately for the rainy day, and you are right on the money. Since 2015, President Buhari had seen into the future, repositioned the agriculture sector in the country, and he is now receiving viable support from outside. Support that won’t end up in private pockets. God bless leaders who care for their people, particularly the weak and vulnerable.
Dr Adesina said the AfDB will also support Nigeria to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.
“We have helped to mobilize $540 million for the program. The African Development Bank has approved a total of $210 million. The Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have approved $170 million, and $160 million respectively, towards the program.”
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones will be initially rolled out in 7 States: Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kwara, Imo, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr Adesina ended on a note of hope. “Dear Mr President, you are passionate about agriculture. Your passion is shared by me and the colleagues at the African Development Bank. What is needful now is rapid action by Nigeria to implement the program to further boost food production, reduce food price inflation, and transform the agriculture sector, while assuring food security, and creating jobs. Your leadership will be critical for success. Failure is not an option. The farmers are waiting.”
A delighted President Buhari thanked Dr Adesina profusely, encouraging him to work with the right Ministers back here, adding that Nigerian borders were closed for about two years to protect local farmers, and curb smuggling. “We made some progress,” he added.
For those who look at only the downsides of things, under President Buhari, we can be thankful to God that we can feed ourselves, and not crossing the borders to look for food. All other things shall soon be added to us.
Amen, somebody!
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
musquareni: After the memo of the holidays declared by the Lagos State Government has been circulated, a new circular No: 23 was distributed, stating that the holidays are now Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May, 2022.
The celebration of 2022 International Workers' Day will still hold at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Sunday, 1st May, 2022 at 9:00 am with Mr. Governor, as Special Guest of Honour.
Workers are to resume on Wednesday, 4th May, 2022 at 8:00am prompt.
LordEclipse: like all youths could toll this path and show these wicked bloodsuckers that enough is enough. Believe me, with time, you'll see them stepping down one after the other once two or 3 of them are killed.. Wicked souls from hell
The time may be near, the few who will not join will hide!
Angry Youths Attack Ruling Party, APC Female Senator Over 'Poor Representation', Burn Several Vehicles
Angry youths in Namu town, Plateau State, on Thursday attacked Senator Nora Dadu’ut.
Dadu’ut, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) represents Plateau South Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Sources told SaharaReporters that some vehicles in the entourage of the lawmaker including a security vehicle were razed by irate youths who accused her of poor representation and abandoning her constituents.
She was said to be in the town for consultation for her second term ambition.
“Prominent Plateau citizens that attended her programme are still being held hostages by these aggrieved youths as we speak because the security operatives were overwhelmed,” a source said.
Meanwhile, the Quaan Pan Local Government Area authorities have declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Namu town and its environs with immediate effect.
Gideon Godenaan Dashe, Secretary of the LGA disclosed this in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters.
The statement read, “Following a review of security breaches in Namu on Thursday April 28, 2022, the Authorities of Quaan Pan Local Government Council of Plateau State, hereby impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Namu town and its environs with immediate effect. “By this announcement, citizens of the area are expected to remain indoors, until further notice while security operatives have been mandated to take charge of the town. “Citizens are advised to remain law abiding and avoid any action(s) that will cause further breaches.”
MondayOsunbor: Sources said the terrorists are organised and coordinated because of the way they were able to get medical supplies into the forest, a development they described as still shocking to both government and security operatives.
i rest my case
Thank God Buhari won in 2015, some slow poke would have told us, he could solve all problems!
Politics › Insecurity: Bandits Kill 36 Workers In Kaduna, Says NLC Chairman by treesun(op): 7:55pm On May 01, 2022
