Tag: Zaria

Buhari Commissions Zaria Water Project

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the second phase of the Zaria Water Supply and Expansion Project.

The President arrived in Kaduna State for the Commissioning earlier on Thursday.

He was received by Governor Nasir El Rufai and other top Government Officials at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria.

READ ALSO: SAPZs Can Attract About $4bn Investment Into Nigeria – NGF

The first phase of the water project was commissioned on May 27, 2017, by the former national Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The 150 million litres per day Zaria Water Treatment Plant which was solely financed by the Kaduna State Government is expected to end decades of water scarcity in Zaria and environs.

Before the commissioning proper, the President paid a visit to the Emir of Zazzau at his palace.

There Governor El-Rufai explained to the Emir the essence of the President’s visit.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his address at the commissioning exercise, highlighted the importance of the projected and thanked all who were involved in making it become a reality.

 

 

Dino Melaye Storms Senate In Academic Gown

Dino Melaye Storms Senate In Academic GownA mild drama occurred on Tuesday in the Senate as a Senator Representing Kogi State, Mr Dino Melaye, stormed the upper legislative chambers in an academic gown.

Senator Melaye staged the appearance apparently to affirm his graduation from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

His appearance drew the attention of some of his colleagues, journalists and visitors to the National Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The lawmaker has been defending allegations by an online media that he dropped out of the university.

He has testified before the Senate Committee on Ethics that he graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, a testimony which was confirmed by the Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Senate To Probe Allegations Against Saraki, Dino Melaye

Senate To Probe Allegations Against Saraki, Dino MelayeThe Nigerian Senate is set to investigate the allegation against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over the seizure of a bulletproof Sports Utility Vehicle by the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Customs was said to have seized the vehicle belonging to the Senate President for unpaid duties valued at 74 million Naira.

The Upper Chamber said it would also investigate the allegation that one of its members representing Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, did not obtain a degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as claimed in the document submitted to the Senate.

The lawmakers reached the decision to begin the investigations on Tuesday after the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, raised a point of order at plenary asking the Senate to look into the issues.

The matters have been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation.

Saraki Appoints Baba Ahmed As Chief Of Staff

Saraki Appoints Baba Ahmed as Chief of StaffSenate President, Bukola Saraki has appointed Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed as his new Chief of Staff.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, Senator Saraki says the appointment takes immediate effect.

61-year-old Baba Ahmed was educated at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; London School of Economics and University of Sussex, both in the United Kingdom.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

He was permanent secretary at various times in the Presidency and later Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He later became Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He is a holder of the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The new Chief of Staff to the Senate President is a columnist with the Daily Trust Newspaper.

IGP Appoints Jimoh Moshood As New Police PRO

IGP Appoints Jimoh Moshood As New Police PROThe Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has appointed CSP Jimoh Olohundare Moshood as the substantive Force Public Relations Officer, taking over from Ag. CP. Don N. Awunah who has since been posted as Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command.

CSP Jimoh Moshood hails from Ilorin in Ilorin South LGA of Kwara State. He holds a B.Sc in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

He was once a Police Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the position which earned him Commissioner of Police commendations for diligent and excellent performance.

He attended several courses within and outside the Country few of which are Crime Prevention Of Korea Police, At Police Training Institute, Seoul South Korea; Training Course on Anti-Hijacking Techniques and Tactics for Developing Countries at Special Police Academy, Beijing, China.

He is a member of Nigeria Institutes of Public Relations, member of Africa Business School,  Abuja and Associate Fellow of Institute of Corporate Administration Of Nigeria.

The officer has served in various capacities in the Nigeria Police Force as DPO Central Area, Abuja between 2012 – 2013 and Chief Superintendent of Police in charge of Department of Finance and Administration, FCT Police Command, Abuja among others.

Until his recent appointment he was the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer FHQ Abuja.

He has since assumed duty as the Force Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Force.

Two Suspected Armed Robbers Killed In Kano

Two Suspected Armed Robbers Killed In KanoThe Kano State Police Command has confirmed the death of two suspected armed robbers while three others remain at large after a gun duel on Wednesday along Kano-Kaduna expressway.

Addressing a news conference, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majia, told journalists that the suspects whose identities were not yet established, blocked the public highway with their car with Bayelsa state registration number YEN 242 SY.

DSP Majia further confirmed that no Police officer, resident or motorist around the area was affected during the exchange of fire.

“At about 00815hrs on Wednesday the 11th of January 2017, operatives attached to the IGP Special Tactical Squad Monitoring Unit and that of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on patrol between Zaria and Kwanar Dangora ran into armed robbery syndicates who blocked the public highway.

“On sighting the Police, they opened fire, the Police officers responded in self-defense which led to the death of two of them (suspects).

“Meanwhile we were told by the officers on sight that the suspects were up to five, therefore we are currently intensifying efforts to get those on the run,” he stated.

DSP Majia further explained that during an on-the-spot search “one AK47 rifle with 22 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two AK47 magazines, cutlasses and assorted charms were all recovered from the suspects’ vehicle”.

“We are also aware that even the three who managed to escape had a gun wound,” he revealed, urging residents of Kano state to remain vigilant, especially around Kwanar Dan Goran axis in Kano-Kaduna expressway.

He asked that they report “any questionable movement or activities” to the nearest police station or any security check points or vehicles, as the Police are aware the suspects “are somewhere around those villages”.

He assured residents that there is no course for alarm as armed security operatives are on top of the situation.

NAMA, NIMET, NCAT And AIB Get New Bosses

Avaition: NAMA, NIMET, NCAT And AIB Get New BossesPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointments of four persons to head some key agencies in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The approval was made public in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Sabiu Zakari.

The affected agencies are: Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, as well as the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

Captain Fola C. Akinkuotu, who is a seasoned transport pilot, flight and aircraft maintenance engineer, airline chief executive and a trained aviation industry regulator, has been appointed the Director General of NAMA.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Abuja, and a professor of geography with specialty in Environmental Application of Remote Sensing, Sani Abubakar Mashi, becomes the Director General of NIMET.

According to the statement, Captain Abdulsalam Mohammed is the new Rector at NCAT, while Mr Akinola Olateru is the Commissioner for AIB.

Captain Mohammed is an alumnus of NCAT and a renowned civil aviation trainer and examiner with accreditation by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Civil Aviation Administration.

Mr Olateru, on his part, is an engineer of international repute, a trained air accident manager and a certified safety officer with aircraft maintenance engineering licences in Nigeria, USA and the United Kingdom.

FG Presents Sports Equipment To 51 Primary Schools

FG Presents Sports Equipment To 51 Primary SchoolsThe Federal Government of Nigeria has presented sports equipment to about 51 public primary schools in Ogun state, southwest Nigeria.

This according to the government, is to develop talents at the grassroots in nine core areas of sporting activities such as athletics, badminton, football, volleyball for national and international sporting engagements.

At a ceremony held at the MKO Stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital, the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Amina Mohammed, reiterated the commitment of the federal government towards diversification of the economy through national and international sporting activities

“Let me state at this juncture that it is not by coincidence that this event is taking place at the early stage of the life of this administration.

“Even though the trust fund was established 11 years ago, today’s ceremony affirms the avowed commitment of this administration to change the life of every Nigerian positively in a manner that matters to them.

“Consistent with the economic blueprint of diversifying the economic base, the renewed focus on the lottery industry is a testimony that government is determined to harness needed resources wherever they may be found in order to continue to develop our economic potentials and apply them to the generality of Nigerians”.

Revenue Generation

Further, Mohammed added that “already, government has identified sports as a major revenue earner and capable of significantly contributing to our gross earnings outside of oil.

“Over the last three decades, we have imported a high number of youths with sports talents especially football, where they are excelling in major European leagues and even in Asia.

“It is with this realization that the policy on good causes is channeled to encourage more youth participation in sports”.

Local Manufacturing

“In the same vein, and in order to broaden the scope of participation and eliminate obstacles regarding access to certain sporting activities, especially the games considered as elitist, government is now encouraging the local manufacture of sports equipment and products.

“To this end, I am pleased to acknowledge the production of international quality football by the Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria in Kaduna state,” she said.

The Ogun state Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, who represented the governor commended the federal government for the gesture, while promising that the sporting equipment would be judiciously used to boost sporting activities among the pupils across the state.

“The gesture by the presidency will further boost recreational activities in our schools and also develop sporting potentials in our youths at large.

“This administration of the Ibikunle Amosun will continue to encourage our children to participate in sporting activities right from their younger ages.

“Let me assure you at this juncture that our pupils and youths will make maximum use of the sporting equipment.

Mrs Onanuga then stressed that the government of Ogun state looks forward to more collaboration with the federal government.

Zaria Residents Protest Against El-Zakzaky’s Release

Zaria Residents Protest Against El-Zakzaky's ReleaseResidents of Gyellesu Community in Zaria, Kaduna State, have staged a peaceful protest to resist any move by government to bring back the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky to the community or any other part of the state.

The residents, who marched around the community to express their anger, also faulted the recent Federal High Court judgement that ordered the release of El-Zakzaky from detention, describing the ruling as dangerous and a threat to the corporate existence of the nation.

Having suffered from what they termed as decades of persecution in the hands of the Shiite members, the residents say they will resist any attempt to bring the group back to Zaria.

Marching around the community and chanting songs, the residents comprising of children, youths and adults, warned that the movement, if allowed to come back to Zaria, could pose a security threat to the entire state and ultimately the nation at large.

A leader of the community narrated how the sect, led by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, allegedly terrorized residents of Zaria and Sabon Gari, and have constituted themselves into a parallel government in the state.

He said that peace had returned to the community since the Shiites were routed out after their clash with the Army, and any attempt by the court to bring them back to Zaria would amount to taking them back to dark days.

According to him, activities of the sect have forced many residents to flee the community and relocate to safer areas.

He called on the Federal Government to ban the Islamic Movement from operating in any part of the country because of their antecedent of harassing and intimidating members of the public.

Politically Motivated

But in a swift reaction Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria described the demonstration as politically motivated.

One of the leaders of the sect, Sheikh AbdulHamid Bello, denied allegations of human rights abuse levelled against their members by residents of Zaria.

At a news conference, he described the allegation by the Gyullesu residents as a propaganda sponsored to justify the killings of innocent members of the movement, and destruction of their property including the residence of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky.

He also said that contrary to the purported lies by some people, their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky had lived with Gyallesu residents in Zaria happily despite attempts by security operatives to cause disharmony at various times.

The Shiites also rejected the white paper released by the state government which finds them guilty in the December 12, 2015 clash with soldiers in Zaria.

Kaduna Government Labels IMN Insurgent Group

Kaduna Govt. Begins Construction Of Township RoadsThe Kaduna State government has described the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), as an insurgent group.

The government’s position was contained in a white paper released on Monday, on the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the December 2015 clash, between soldiers and members of the IMN in Zaria.

The white paper also blamed the group for the clash and recommended the investigation and prosecution of any of its members found to have been involved in any form of human rights abuse, since their existence in Zaria over 30 years ago.

The government’s white paper however absolved the Nigerian army from any act of human right violation in the Zaria clash, insisting that the army abides by the rules of engagement.

This is not the first in the series of statements and orders made against the Islamic group.

In October, the Kaduna State Government had issued an order declaring the IMN as an unlawful association.

Also in November, the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had expressed concern that the group, also known as the Shiites Islamic sect, if allowed to exist, is capable of threatening the corporate existence of the country.

According to him, the group has an agenda to cause a religious conflict in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the group in a swift reaction by its spokesman Ibrahim Musa, rejected the white paper describing it as an exercise in futility by the Kaduna state governor, who according to him is trying to justify what they describe as the massacre by the army in 2015.

The Shiites have continued to protest against the detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been in custody since December 13, 2015.

A federal high court in Abuja has however ordered the Department of State Services (DSS), to release the leader of the outlawed Islamic movement in Nigeria, within 45 days.

 

Shiites Accuse Police, FG Of Killing Members

Shiites Accuse Police, FG Of Killing MembersMembers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria known as Shiites have been speaking on the disruption of their protest march on Monday in Kano which left at least eight people dead.

A member of the group, Mr Maiwada Inuwa, who was a guest on our breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, accused the federal government as well as the Police of killing several members of the movement in what could have been a peaceful march.

At least eight people were confirmed dead and many others injured following the clash which broke out around Tamburawa, on the outskirts of Kano city, when Police reportedly tried to stop the Shiite members who had embarked on the annual Arbaeen trek from Kano to Zaria.

According to the Kano State Police Command, security operatives only intervened as the Shiite members began attacking motorists and passersby.

The Shiites representative, however, argued that since the procession by the Shiites was not a protest it did not warrant any show of force by the security agencies.

“If you are talking of protest, it’s a different thing but for the trekking we know that we were using the highway and other citizens have equal rights of access, so we did not block the highway.

“Our people branched at one village and the Police still followed them. They have burnt most of our assets. What we use even in cooking food were being destroyed.

“They opened fire on us indiscriminately, killed women, children and people of all ages.

“The painful thing is that they kill and take away the corpses,” he lamented.

According to Mr Inuwa the constitution of Nigeria protects all citizens, including the Shiites by guaranteeing religious freedom.

“Particularly section 38 subsection 1, it gives an unfettered right to all Nigerian citizens to practice their religion, thoughts without restriction or harassment.

“In the practice of this religion, you can do that as an individual or as a community.

“So you only seek to apply or request for the protection of the security where you’re envisaging a threat but in our own case, the security are our own threat. They are the ones threatening our lives.

“We have been on air severally with series of press release, telling the intellectual community that this is the arrangement the Nigerian government is having.

“They have long planned to attack the trekking and what happened yesterday was an indication of their plan. It was not a provoked attack, they attacked us,” he maintained.