CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF’s  OFFICE ON PEACE INITIATIVE IN SOUTHERN KADUNA SUES FOR PEACE

The office of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR has organized an interactive session for various communities in Southern Kaduna.

The interactive session is aimed at ensuring peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups in the area.

Addressing participants during the programme ,the Special Adviser to the Chief of Defense Staff, Mr Musa Likita urged the different ethnic groups in the area to co-exist peacefully with one another irrespective of religious or ethnic colouration.

According to him  the  Chief of Defense Staff CDS is worried with the issue of insecurity bedeviling the country and southern Kaduna in particular, especially unexplained killings, kidnappings, armed robbery and banditry.

 Mr. Likita called on all and sundry to give the CDS the necessary support in his determination to end criminality in the country, and opined that peaceful co-existence is the panacea of any developed society.

He admonished different ethnic groups in southern Kaduna to co-exist peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal affiliation as according to him peaceful co-existence gingers development.

He called on the people to cultivate the habit of forgiveness among themselves and shun reprisal whenever they are aggrieved as revenge always escalate crisis. “I urged you to embrace the spirit of forgiveness whenever you are aggrieved as reprisal is a wild wind that blows nobody any good, leave revenge to God almighty because he is the ultimate decider of any wrong doing”.

He then called on participants to bare their minds on issues that are contributing to lack of peace and insecurity as such views will be communicated through feedback mechanism to the authority for possible solutions.

Also speaking at the occasion Dr. Saleh Momale of Kaduna State peace commission sued for unity for peace to reign, he said that a united society is a peaceful society, and called on each community to unite for the sustenance of peaceful co-existence.

  In her own contribution during the interactive session, Mrs Aisha Aliyu Usman the Executive Director of unique centre for peacebuilding and Trauma healing Jos observed peacebuilding is the bedrock of any developed society and   implored participants to spread the message of peace as advocated by the office of Chief of Defense Staff CDS to their various communities to achieve the set objectives.

  Also speaking at the occasion the Chief Imam of Kafanchan central mosque and chairman council of Imams and Ulamas southern Kaduna zone Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Kassim has commended the office of Chief of Defense Staff CDS for initiating the peace initiative to educate the diverse ethnic groups in the area on the need to co-exist peacefully with one another.

  He said the objectives behind the peace initiative is a laudable one as it will go a long way in in cementing peace in southern Kaduna and called on Nigerians to give the Chief of Defense Staff CDS the necessary support to succeed in his efforts in ensuring peace in the nation.

     In his own message of peace, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kagarko Local Government Area Rev. Farther Michael Magaji commended the foresight of the office of the chief of Defense Staff CDS for the peace initiative in southern Kaduna assuring that the people will work towards ensuring peace at all times.

  He said ” We are going to work hard in ensuring peaceful co-existence by supporting the chief of Defense Staff CDS General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR in ensuring that insecurity is eliminated in Nigeria”.

  All participants at the interactive session on Peace Initiative in southern Kaduna agreed that some of the problems in the country now like spade of killings, kidnappings and banditry and appealed to government to work towards stamping out the menace, another problem they observed was lack of employment for our teaming youths that have finished schools and are roaming the streets jobless, this they observed is also contributing to insecurity.

  In his speech, the special assistant to the CDS ,Alhaji Hussaini Kassim has drum up more support for the  CDS in his determination to end insecurity bedeviling the country, adding that the present Chief of Defense Staff is a workaholic, who is working round the clock to ensure a secured Nigeria.

   He decried the menace of drug abuse among the youths which is a contributing factor to insecurity and adjure parents to ensure proper upbringing of their wards and children.

  In his own opinion a man from Zango urban who prefer anonymity observed that the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR as  Chief of Defense Staff  has drastically reduced the incidence of killings in zangon Kataf and environs and appealed to the people of Southern Kaduna nay nigerians to support the  CDS in his determination in ensuring peaceful country.

 The peace initiative interactive session covered all the Local Government Areas in southern Kaduna namely Jema,a, Jaba, Sanga, zangon Kataf and Kachia.

Others are Kajuru, Chikun, Kauru and Lere Local Government Areas.

  The peace initiative interactive session was led by Mr. Musa Likita,  Special adviser to the Chief of Defense Staff. 

….Says it’s counter-productive

Worried about the economic implications of on citizens,Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria has asked the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to shelve  planned strike action. 

The Road Transport Owners had on Thursday, threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over what they described as high operational costs engineered by rising inflation rates in the country.

The umbrella body of all commercial transport owners and operators in Nigeria claimed all efforts made to secure negotiations for appropriate and commensurate Freight rates for  operations  proved abortive. 

The Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria which made the appeal in a press statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and  Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara,said,”At this critical  period of economic hardship, strike  action will be adding  more to excruciating pains caused the removal of fuel subsidy . 

The Forum also said the strike will grossly  affect supply of petroleum products; create unnecessary discomfort and chaos. 

While calling on federal government to immediately meet with the union to suspend the strike, the Forum called on NARTO to consider the option of dialogue as the best option to resolve its  problems stated its letter.

The statement further reads: “Though NARTO has the right to fight for its members as a pressure group,  the idea of writing a letter to direct all members not to make their Petroleum Trucks available for Petroleum Products loading activities from Monday, 19th day of February 2024 is more less,counter productive, considering this critical period of rising inflation curve . 

“Against this background, we are appealing to the union members to suspend the strike and work out modalities to reach an amicable dispute  resolution with Federal Government.

“We fully support a  collective efforts for continued sustainability of the Petroleum Haulage business and effective service delivery . 

“We quite agree with union that there is definitely no way it can continue in business within the context of the current economic situation in the Country, but we insist on a meeting to avoid impending economic crisis. “

Northern Coalition Group responds to allegations Against Hon. Zailani, Published On WORLDWIDE NEWS and WATCHDOG NEWS.

The Northern Coalition Of Socio Politcal Group, has responded to allegations against Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani which published on an online newspaper “WORLDWIDE NEWS, THE WATCHDOG NEWS”, and some other online newspapers, which said that, Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani engineered and masterminds the politcal thuggery that led the death of Mansur, and the deceased was killed by Yusuf Zailani political thugs in his efforts to prevent ballot box snatching’.

In the lengthy statement distributed to the media on Monday in kaduna, through the President of the coalition Comrade Musa Mohammed, refuted the allegations.

“We are compelled to make this public statement to address the allegations against Hon. Yusuf Zailani”.

The group has said that, “The allegations of thuggery during the recent by-election in Igabi local government against Zailani are baseless, therefore the information is totally incorrect.

“We want to state categorically that there is no truth in the reported allegation. Anyone who is interested can come to Rigachikun where the incident happened and make Confirmation.

“It is unworthy, for our some politcal leaders in Igabi local government area to sponsored media campaign in other to dent and tarnish the image of Yusuf Zailani.
“It’s on-call for to use political elements to make him culprit in the unfortunate tragedy”.

“We hereby refutes the allegations as frivolous, mischievous and totally false”.

“It’s the work of Mischief makers, detractors and Zailani political enemies, and they must realize that their campaign of calumny against his political ambition has failed. ‘Zailani’ political achievements remains a spectacular success story and nothing can change all the evidence of dramatic progress and development in the past and present”.

“We knew the sponsors and those that are behind the frivolous and mischievous news” the statement added.

“

Banditry: Security Situation Has Improved in North, Says Group

Commends Tinubu, Ribadu , Security Chiefs for Relentless Efforts

Survey carried out recently has showed that the security situation has tremendously improved in northern Nigeria compared to what used to be obtained in the past, says Coalition for Peace and National Unity.

According to the coalition, from the researched conducted across the 19 Northerns , it discovered in states like Kaduna; Sokoto , Zamfara, Katsina even though the nefarious activities and attacks by bandits have continued, it’s gradually abatting,with most roads safer.

It added , ” Can we imagine that on Kaduna-Abuja road, only one incident of bandits attack was recorded in seven months of the coming of this administration.”

The Coalition for Peace and National Unity which stated this in a statement made available to Kaduna journalists today, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the National Security Adviser,Mal Nuhu Ribadu and the service chiefs deserve commendation .

While noting that in states like Kaduna , Kebbi and Sokoto farmers have returned to their farms, It also said the incidents on attacks on schools have been drastically checkmated .

According to the statement signed by the Secretary General of the group,Dr. Abdullahi Musa Ringim the information gathered within Maiduguri;Yobe and Bauchi states , the problem of insurgency is equally abatting .

It however, expressed gladness that the survey conducted around the flash points and some northern states revealed that security situation has improved by 75 percent, with security agencies working tirelessly to ensure the challenges are nipped in the bud.

The further stated, ” In our considered opinion ,we deemed it necessary to encourage the federal government ,thus our decision to commend the efforts of the the security agencies , National Security Adviser ,Mal.Nuhu Ribadu, especially President Tinubu for the unrelenting efforts to restore sanity in the security architecture.

While making reference to those raising security issues now, who according to group kept quiet during the Buhari ‘s tenure when over a hundred persons were killed; school students kidnapped almost every week and several security breaches , it said criticism is good for growth of democracy, but it should be constructive.

“They forgot that in the past Nigerians, especially our Northern can’t sleep with their two eyes closed.

“There is no doubt that as a country ,we have witnessed unprecedented security challenges such as Boko Haram Terrorists attacks, militancy, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, Fulani-Herders farmers clashes, cultism among other social vices, but now that federal government t working hard to ensure that Nigerians have peace of mind in their homes, we should support it to conquer the problems.

“Even President Tinubu recently confirmed that security situation in the country did improve since May 2023 after he was sworn as president, though he acknowledged that his administration has not solved all security challenges in the country.

“We are therefore urging Nigerians to be patient as the government in power has demonstrated a high sense of commitment to tackling the prolonged security challenges facing the country . “

Shehu Sani Pays Condolence Visit To Former NUJ Scribe Over Mother’s Demise

By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly, Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani has paid a condolence visit to the immediate past Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Kaduna state Council, Comrade John Femi Adi.

Sani on Monday visited the family house of John Femi, who lost his 76-year old mother, Mrs. Florence Aishatu Adi to the cold hands of death on Sunday morning, without any illness.

According to the Lawmaker who was accompanied by one of his friends, the news of the death of Mrs. Florence came to him as a rude shock, meanwhile he stressed that human beings are pilgrims on earth, hence the need for everyone to live their life with eternity in view.

The Lawmaker further remarked that his consolation is on the ground that Mrs. Aishatu lived an accomplish life as a mother, friend and companion, dying serving her God, while reiterating that the loss of a mother is always a very big tragedy.

“As men of faith, life is temporal. We are here to serve our God and humanity and we leave this world not when we wish but as destined by God. All we should do while alive is to leave a good name to be remembered for when we are no more. I am pained by this loss because mothers and women respectively are pillars of the home.

“She will continue to be with you forever in spirit. God will continue to support and strengthen your spirit. Pray God to console the family. She is now immortal and as mortal beings, she will continue to see us even though we cannot see them. Let us continue to pray for her soul. From the dust we were created and to dust we shall return.

“You should always take to heart all she did or said while alive before her demise which indicates her preparation to leave this earth, May her soul continue to rest in peace and grant you and the family the fortitude to bear the loss” he prayed.

Overdependence of dollar cause of current hardship, Arewa Agenda declares

Prominent Northerners have declared that one the major root cause of current economic difficulty and policy failures are attributable to overdependence on the American dollar as the medium of exchange and abandonkg the national.currency.

This was the resolution of a Northern stakeholders conference organized by the Arewa New Agenda.

The interactive conference, under the leadership of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Malam Mahmud Yayele Ahmed, noted that the economic hardship stemmed from too much dependence on the dollar.

“We are in Nigeria, but our stomachs are in the US, China, and others”, said the a media statement at the end of the event.

The conference also unveiled seven strategies the Government could use in order to revive the economy and create over ten million jobs in a year with trillions of Naira income.

Abuja Kidnap:Group Kicks Against Payment of Ransom by Fmr Minister Pantami , Says action Encourages Banditry

…Lauds FG Efforts So far in Tackling Insecurity Challenges

Group under aegis of Coalition for Peace and National Unity Condemns has condemned payment of ransom to kidnappers by the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mal. Isa Pantami .

Recalled that On Wednesday ,January 5, gunmen invaded residence of a family in Bwari area council ,the Zuma 1 area of Abuja, abducting a father and his six girls with one girls reportedly died in captivity.

The former Minister had made announcement, seeking donation to pay the N60 million ransom via his x social media handle for their rescue. According to Pantami, a friend of his has offered to pay N50 million ransom to the kidnappers to secure the release of the five remaining sisters,who were abducted in Abuja.

“It might appeared a good and humanitarian gesture. For us as group ,it will no doubt further encourage kidnapping business in the country “it emphasised .

Reacting to issue of payment of ransom by the Minister, Coalition for Peace and National Unity in a press statement made available to journalists in Kaduna
said,”We have repeated advised and kicked against payment of ransom to criminals under any guise, because it is counter-productive to fight against banditry.”

While recalling that Nigeria security agencies have also discouraged payment of ransom to kidnappers, the group reminded that, “The Nigerian Senate had in 2022 passed a bill imposing jail terms of at least 15 years for paying a ransom to free someone who has been kidnapped, and made the crime of abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.

The group in the statement signed by the Secretary General ,Dr. Abdullahi Musa Ringim queried Pantami’s silence on heightened insecurity challenges under Buhari administration asked,”Where was Pantami’s Voice, when under Former President Buhari, when half of Katsina State was under attack by bandits , 80 percent of Zamfara State was occupied by terrorists , Kaduna killings were done almost on daily basis in southern Kaduna with Bandits unleashing terror on innocent citizens in Niger state and at birnin-Gwari Local Government area of Kaduna State .

“We also ask what happened to his passion to rescue kidnapped victims, When 279 female students of GGSS , Jangebe were kidnapped during a raid by armed bandits on 26 February 2021; when 11 students of FGC ,Yauri were kidnapped, when bandits invaded the school on 17th June 2021, Several students of Bethel Baptist School Kaduna , Greenfield University ,Kaduna , Students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Kaduna were kidnapped?

As measures to deter other persons from hurried payment of ransom to bandits, the coalition called on security agencies to invite Pantami for investigation for violating the law .

According to the group, hundreds of Nigerians are in kidnappers dens owing because the immediate past government allowed kidnapping to become a thriving enterprise.

However, the group which urged security agencies to adopt proactive measures to fight against all forms of criminalities across the country, especially banditry and Insurgency, posited ,”Even though there still insecurity challenges, there are relative and significant improvements on security issues, especially in northern Nigeria .

“At this juncture, and from our comparative analysis as well as records obtained by our research unit,we are left with no option than to commend Federal government for efforts taken so far to tackle prolonged security challenges in country with the last eight months of Tinubu’s administration. “It stated .

Meanwhile,it advised the president to reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating poverty, terrorism and all forms of criminality nationwide and intensify efforts to implement tangible measures that will alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.

WHO WILL SAVE NATIONAL BOARD FOR ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (NBAIS)? AS CORRUPT REGISTRAR EMERGED, SWIMS IN CAN OF WORMS

A Civil society organization, Africa Transparency & Amnesty Group (ATAG), said the Registrar of National board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Prof. Yahuza Suleiman, is as corrupt as the word corruption.

“The evils in the board have been on, since Prof. Yahuza Suleiman became the NBAIS Registrar”.

The group in a press release issued by it’s President Mr. Ishaq Dan-Abu and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

The group highlights of the evil practices of the Registrar, Prof. Yahuza Suleiman and his groups are reported in this first series of their report.

The registrar have been accused of introducing unfriendly policies that threatens the administration, progress and peace in the NBAIS.

The group further stated that, since Professor Yahuza Suleiman assumed office as the Registrar, the glory of the NBAIS began to fade away.

“We are asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove Prof. Yahuza Suleiman from office as the registrar”.

“Consequently, we the civil society group and concern citizens hereby humbly demands that the President, and well-meaning Nigerians should intervene by compelling the appointing authorities to in the interest of peace and industrial harmony, reverse this stern anomaly and non-warrantable condo”.

The group demanded that concerned authorities should as a matter of necessity direct Prof. Yahuza to immediately vacate the Office of the Registrar and an Registrar.

Women Group Lauds Interior Minister for Allocation of 35% Employment Slots

Coalition of Women for Affirmative Action(CWAA) commended the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for taking the bold step to review employment guidelines and for allocating 35 percent slots for women in four agencies under his Ministry.

The Coalition, which described the decision as great feat , also said the guidelines review and subsequent allocation of the 35 percent slots to women will not only be acknowledged by women as one of the most important achievement by the President Tinubu led administration,but also sensitive,considering the important role women in play in security and development processes.

Recalled the Interior Minister recently announced the decision at the end of a meeting with boards of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board in Abuja.

The Coalition for Women Affirmative Action in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Fatima Abdul Idris, Chairperson and Mrs Janet Mosses Secretary expressed joy that the federal government is being gender sensitive. Stressing, “In today’s world being gender sensitive is not only a fundamental human right, but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable country.

According to the group, giving priority to employment of women is strategic and valuable for sustainable development and advancement of the family; community as well as the nation.

The statement further reads: “For any country to attain height of sustainable progress and development, such must take into account critical issue or women’s economic empowerment.

“We thank the federal government for hitherto the approval, because there have been several calls for the implementation of 35 percent inclusion of women in appointments in the public sector to the womenfolk, but to no avail.”

However,the women group, which expressed hope in what they termed, “The Project Nigeria” commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and passed a Vote of Confidence on his administration for bringing to an end the debate for the review of guidelines for recruitment into, and promotion in all the agencies under Interior Ministry.

“We are very happy that the issue has been finally laid to rest , especially with the cheering news of formal announcement of the implementation.”it said.

While urging Nigerians to pray for all leaders from the position of the President; Ministers ,Governors to Lawmakers and other public office holders ,the group called on others to emulate Tunji-Ojo.

“We are now convinced that Nigeria will great again with women taking their proper position of mothers of the nation in public offices”.

Nimrod Is Authentic Man Of Year 2023

…Remi Tinubu, Abba Kabir, Siminalayi Fubara, Ndume, Edeh  among new entrants, Bode Olagoke wins third slot

…ABU, Customs, Dangote, Trophy Stout, KADWEL, recognized

Multiple award winning  news publication outfit, Authentic News Daily as a tradition, has announced winners of its  annual awards for the year 2023.

A statement by its Consulting Editor, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson,  made available on Sunday January 28, 2024, named President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod as its Man of The Year 2023.

The statement said this year’s award which is its ninth edition,  has the Best Journalist category again,  shared between Bode Olagoke of Blueprint Newspaper and the Northern Bureau Chief, Atlantic Television, Mike Odeh James.

Nimrod who has been consistently winning the Sports Personality of The Year Award for five editions,  emerged Man of The Year for 2023, following his consistency in touching the lives of youth positively all over Nigeria.

Olagoke, an Abuja based journalist, is winning back-to-back for the third year in a row, following his insightful reports that touch all facets of life.

 New entrants of the award, include First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

See the full categories and winners of the awards listed below:

AUTHENTIC MAN OF THE YEAR

Engineer Musa Nimrod

AUTHENTIC POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR

Abba  Kabir Yusuf

AUTHENTIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

AUTHENTIC GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna)/Siminalayi Fubara  (Rivers)

AUTHENTIC LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

Senator Ali Ndume

AUTHENTIC BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Kunle Soname

AUTHENTIC MDA OF THE YEAR

NAFDAC

AUTHENTIC BRAND OF THE YEAR

Trophy Stout

AUTHENTIC CORPORATE ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Dangote Group

10. AUTHENTIC NGO OF THE YEAR

National Youth Alliance (NYA)

11. AUTHENTIC MILITARY OR PARAMILITARY OUTFIT OF THE YEAR

Nigerian Customs Service

12. AUTHENTIC SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

KADWEL International School

13. AUTHENTIC HIGHER INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria

14. AUTHENTIC JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Bode Olagoke (Blueprint Newspapers)/Mike Odeh James (Atlantic TV)

15. AUTHENTIC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Barrister  Paul Edeh

16. AUTHENTIC OPPOSITION FIGURE OF THE YEAR

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

17. AUTHENTIC ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Omah Lay