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Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.

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Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The rule of law and empowerment initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) recently hosted a media town hall meeting on human rights, the police act 2020 and regulations. The meeting which attracted reporters from key north east States of the federation had speakers like Zainab Waziri of PWAN and and Dr Kelechi Akubueze of the human rights commission. The new police act was exhaustively handled bringing out so many questions that needed answers. The duo spoke to us on their town hall experiences after the interaction with newsmen which took place in maiduguri recently. Below are extracts of the short interview with Dr Kelechi:

Could the pronouncements of President Tinubu on the end bad government case of minors arraigned in court by the police be applied legally to the entire country or just Abuja?

The answer is a definite yes because in the first place that pronouncement came as a result of an embarrassment that the President faced when he was accosted with the sight of seeing those minors being arraigned in court with adults.
The Nigerian law excludes minors from being arraigned in court. Therefore that was a terrible misuse of power and it was very wrong. The directive was not only for one state but it should have applied to all the states of the federation that the very error was committed. It was a terrible error to arraign minors who were malnourished and collapsing before a court of law. It was bad optics.

But who do you think is culpable in this terrible error?

I think its the police and the DSS. This is because since the word treason came in, the DSS would have been involved. Especially with the issue of flying of the Russian flag and the reaction of the state. They are both culpable in this error.

What can such a damning optics impute for the country?

Its a wake up call for all. A call to action for citizens to actually rise up against such misuse of power by the police and such misrepresentation of the laws of the country. Its actually laughable. One wonders what is treasonable about some minors carrying flags holding a piece of cloth and a particular colour on it. It is really laughable within the international community. Are they trying to tell us that those hungry minors have anything to do with Russia?

What can the rights activists do about this wrong as it is also trendinmg in Borno as we speak?

They should speak out against it but most importantly take action because there are minors still incarcerated somewhere in the country. Pressure should be mounted on the government to release those minors and the police who should have read the directive of the President concerning them to release these kids and drop all the charges against them should act.

Do you think it is important we translate the child rights act into different languages so that the police can understand the nitty gritty even as they battle to understand the new police act?

Its very necessary but let me make this observation. Even when you translate this law into Nigerian languages, has it occurred to you that most of the people may not know how to read or write in their own languages. For instance how many people know how to read and write in Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Tiv, Hausa or idoma? It is a big challenge which is why we need to keep on educating the people on this. And also, this is where you guys in the media need to come in too to contribute in educating the public as regards the police act so these people who enforce the laws would do the right thing at all times.

Dr. Kelechi speaks on the rule of law as PWAN hosts a media town meeting in Maiduguri.

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

By: Zagazola Makama

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Wednesday visited Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area, scene of a recent bandit attack, where he admitted the incident and pledged decisive action to secure the release of those abducted.

The governor, who commiserated with the victims and their families, described the Jan. 18 attack on three churches in the community as painful and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would intensify efforts to restore lasting peace in the area.

Sani said the state government would work closely with the military and other security stakeholders to ensure the safe return of all captives and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

He appealed to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), a native of Kaduna State, to support the establishment of a military base in the area to enhance security and deter criminal elements.

The governor also announced plans to construct an access road to Kurmin Wali, establish a Primary Health Care centre, and provide other social amenities to improve living conditions and strengthen government presence in the community.

Addressing international and local journalists who accompanied him to the village, Sani said his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.

Residents of Kurmin Wali thanked the governor for the visit and pledged their cooperation with the government to help secure the release of the abducted persons and sustain peace in the area.

Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

By: Yahaya Wakili

His Royal Highness the Emir of Tikau in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II, has called on the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, to carry everybody along in the emirate for the development of the nation.

The royal father made the appeal today at his place in Sabon Garin Nangere while receiving the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu. He said the creation of emirates is a great development for the nation.

“As we know, there was a very strong relationship between the Gamawa and Tikau emirates, and these will continue existing, and we share a boundary with them, and there was something that was raised between us and them, and anything that affected them affected us directly.” The Royal Father said.

According to Mai Tikau, the most cases we have are the conflicts between the farmers and the herders from time to time. Sometimes they will enter our territory, and sometimes we will enter their own, adding that, for the issue of the border, we hope with your coming as the new emir of Gamawa, this problem will be solved.

Speaking earlier, the emir of Gamawa, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, said they were at Tikau Place to express their appreciation to the royal father, the emir of Tikau, for his support given to us since we emerged as the new emir of Gamawa.

He said, “Immediately His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Hon. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad Kaura, created this emirate. Mai Tikau is the first person who sent a delegation to Gamawa to congratulate us.”

The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

By: Yahaya Wakili

The former Minister of Police Affairs and Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, has paid a surprise visit to Hafsatu Gimba Ahmed Memorial School in Potiskum, where he was warmly received by the students and the school management.

During the visit, the former minister distributed educational materials and foodstuff to the pupils and commended the school’s leadership for its commitment to quality education.

Adamu Waziri moved from classroom to classroom, where he engaged directly with students in a cheerful and fatherly manner and charged them to take their studies seriously, noting the importance of reading as a key to personal and national development.

He commended the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, the publisher/editor-in-chief of NEPTUNE PRIME, for his dedication to education and community service as a whole, adding that what Dr. Hassan Gimba has done here is not just building a school but building a legacy.

Earlier, the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, ably represented by the school’s management, thanked Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri for his generosity and continued interest in youth development and described the visit as a major encouragement to the school and the community hosting it.

“This gesture underscores Adamu Maina Waziri’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders even beyond his years of public service.

The highlight of the visit concluded with a group photograph and heartfelt appreciation from students, many of whom said they were inspired by the former minister’s humility and kindness.

The former minister of police affairs was accompanied by Dr. Zainab Boni Haruna, Engr. Abubakar Adamu Waziri (alias Cargo), Hon. Umar Khali, ADC state party chairman, Hon. Lawan Mammadu Kori, and Dr. Mamu Muhammad, among others.

Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum.

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