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Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari

Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission representing Yobe State, Hon.Jibirin Mai Gari, said we are going from zone to zone to sensitize the citizens about their responsibility to the federal character office.
Hon. Jibirin Mai Gari, the former minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen in Potiskum. He said we are here in Potiskum, the headquarters of Zone B, on interactive meeting with our Yobeans.
“Secondly, periodically, we normally secure jobs for permanent and pensionable Yobeans, and we organize a symbolic ceremony. We also invite the guidance of the beneficiaries as well as the public to witness the presentation.
He revealed that the beneficiaries are Yobeans from either one of the 17 local government areas, and at the same time, they were giving this offer to represent Yobe State. There was no extortion; the only paper we collected from them was a photocopy of their CVs. We now go and submit for the job.
Therefore, we can say that what we gave today and what we gave yesterday is the property of Yobe State Government. Yobe State Government wanted to make sure that Yobeans were well represented in the MDs, so this is primarily what we are for in Potiskum headquarters of Zone B.
He maintained that the third issue is that the primary responsibility of federal character doesn’t stop with employment; we also have the issue of capital projects and socioeconomic infrastructure.
“We also use this opportunity to reach out to see that the local government understands that the issue of fairness and equity does not stop at the federal projects; states are also expected to consider all 17 local governments when they execute their projects, he added.
“Likewise, if you come to Potiskum local government, he has to consider the wards within the metropolitan area and the wards that are outside, so that we want them to have an even distribution of the project. This will create a kind of comfort and unity that people will not feel marginalized; actually, primarily, we are here to send this message to the public.”
Hon. Mai Gari further said that our achievements are sectoral; if we have recruitment into the military or paramilitary, we were invited, like in the case of recruitment into the junior army normally, like in the state we conducted in 241 Recca Battalion in Nguru, where all the 17 local government indigens were assembled with their recruitment officers. We make sure that we will check for all the 17 local government areas, then we screen.
“I want to make sure that all these vacancies for Yobeans are protected and secured, and this is what I can say about my achievements. Second, in terms of recruitment into MDs, we are so concerned despite the embargo on employment, despite the economic crises in the country.
Jibirin Mai Gari said that if there is any recruitment in all the MDs either in the north east, north central, or in Abuja, we want to make sure that after seeing the character balance indesis, how many Yobeans do you have? If it is less than 2.5, we have to now cry out to make sure that we bring Yobeans.
Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari
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Why we rehabilitate over 100 moribund boreholes, other projects in Hawul LGA…… Says Chair

Why we rehabilitate over 100 moribund boreholes, other projects in Hawul LGA…… Says Chair
By Ndahi Marama
The Executive Chairman of Hawul local government area in Borno state, Hon. Hussaini Malgwi has said, his administration in the last two years embarked on rehabilitation of over 100 malfunctional and abandoned boreholes in order to provide citizenry with portable drinking water.
Malgwi disclosed this Yesterday in an interview with Journalists about his stewardship in office.
He said, when he assumed the mantle of leadership as Chairman, he realized that portable water supply remained one of the major challenges affecting his people at the grassroots, therefore, his administration embarked on massive rehabilitation of existing but malfunctional boreholes.
“Clean water is wealth and good for healthy living, unfortunately, when i took over the mantle of leadership, most of the existing public boreholes across the 12 Wards of the Council were broken down or neglected, which prompted my attention to quickly declare state of emergency by rehabilitating most of the motorized and hand pump boreholes in Kida, Kinging, Sakwa, Horva, Gumshim Marama, Shaffa, Hema, Ghuma, Yimirshika, Sabon Kasuwa among other Wards too numerous to mention”. Malgwi said.
He said apart from rehabilitating boreholes, several blocks of classrooms with offices stores, toilets and other educational projects were carried out and completed visibly located at Sakwa Central Primary School and Wadar community of Bulumgwi Ward, while others are still ongoing.
The Chairman also explained that, construction of blocks of seven shops, space open stalls, 3 compartment and men/female toilets were executed each in Marama/Pakilama town Market, Mbulatawiwi, Whitambaya, Sabon Kasuwa communities, in addition to the Construction of a befitting Male.and Female Ward, Nurses Office, Labour Room and toilets at Domchaba, Grim Domchaba Ward to enhance public Health at the primary level.
On security and safety, Malgwi revealed that, his administration has procured and distributed new motorcycles to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, and other security agencies in the council, which according to him aided in restoration of peace, safety of lives and property in Hawul.
Other areas of intervention he added, include provision of agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers at subsidized rate, provision of access rural roads linking new grain market and Azare Fulani at Mbulatawiwi, Gongzang/Chata Ward, and the ongoing construction of Directors and Supervisory Councillors offices at the Council Secretariat in Azare town as well as execution of Mini Fire Service Station, construction of 620 Metre perimeter fence and security room at New Governor’s lodge were carried out.
The Chairman noted that most of these achievements were inline with Governor Babagana Zulum’s 10- Pact Transformation Agenda (PTA) and 25- Year Development Plan.
He then called on the people of the area to give their maximum support and cooperation to the present administration which is poised to ensure inclusivity and provision of social infrastructures to its people devoid of political or religious inclination.
Why we rehabilitate over 100 moribund boreholes, other projects in Hawul LGA…… Says Chair
News
Entire Staff of NIMC Undergo Capacity Building

Entire Staff of NIMC Undergo Capacity Building
By: Michael Mike
All 3,780 staff members of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have embarked on capacity building aimed at top service delivery.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the
training, which is across all departments and units of the Commission, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, on staff capacity building across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Adegoke said it is on record that since the inception of NIMC, staff training and capacity building have been at their lowest ebb. However, the arrival of Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, as the DG/CEO of NIMC, has changed the trajectory of events.
He added that across the country, in states and local government areas, all NIMC staff, irrespective of cadre, have undergone or are still undergoing capacity building to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration. Adegoke said staff nationwide, elated at this new era of enhanced capacity building, could not hide their joy as they sincerely appreciated Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote for her sterling, transformational, and visionary leadership.

He said since assuming office, Engr. Coker-Odusote has not only transformed NIMC but has also initiated several welfare initiatives that have boosted staff morale. These include the distribution of over 2,500 enrollment devices to aid data capturing, securing Federal Government approval and implementation for a 25%–35% salary increment for staff of the Commission, payment of extra transport allowance and providing free buses to cushion transport challenges for staff in the Headquarters, among many other staff welfare-oriented initiatives.
He noted that staff from the States and local government offices deeply appreciated Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for driving inclusive staff capacity building, promoting staff welfare, providing work tools and resources, providing modern furniture, boosting staff morale with unprecedented welfare packages, and building a workforce that delivers on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu
Entire Staff of NIMC Undergo Capacity Building
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Indian businessman, 3 others arrested over N3.9bn tramadol intercepted at Lagos airport

Indian businessman, 3 others arrested over N3.9bn tramadol intercepted at Lagos airport
By: Michael Mike
An Indian businessman Gupta Ravi Kumar and three Nigerian accomplices: Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode and Bakare Korede Muheeb have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with the seizure of 2,248,000 pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.


The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said the tramadol shipment worth N3,990,000,000 in street value was imported from Delhi, India, disguised as multi-vitamins in 114 cartons and arrived the import shed of the Lagos airport on Ethiopian Airline flight last Monday.
He said a team of NDLEA officers who had put the consignment under surveillance however swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers who were trying to move the shipment out of the airport in two trucks last Thursday, adding that a follow up operation the following day led to the arrest of the Indian businessman Gupta Ravi Kumar, when he was trying to take delivery of the consignment.
Babafemi said at the terminal 2 departure gate of the airport, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 7th September intercepted a passenger Onyeganochi Ifeanyi travelling on a Qatar Airline flight to Doha, stating that a search of his bag led to the recovery of 900 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis concealed in crayfish.
Onyeganochi, a first-time traveler, claimed the bag was given to him to help take to Doha by a Qatar-based Nigerian Ohadiegwu Uchenna who followed him to the airport.
He said his confession led to the arrest of Uchenna who was still within view. Operatives, who later conducted a search of Uchenna’s hotel room in Ajao estate discovered additional 200 grammes of the same psychoactive substance, and he claimed he was to return to Doha days later and pick the bag from the unsuspecting Onyeganochi if he had succeeded escaping security checks.
Babafemi said at the Tincan port in Lagos, a total of 161 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 81.7 kilogrammes and 1.2 kilogrammes hashish oil were recovered from a 40ft container of vehicle spare parts and used vehicles imported from Montreal Canada during a joint examination of the shipment last Tuesday. He disclosed that two suspects: John Ochigbo, 53, and Okeke Kingsley, 26, have been taken into custody in connection with the seizure.
Another shipment of Canadian Loud with a total weight of 65 kilogrammes was tracked from the port to Third Mainland bridge where NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle conveying the consignment, recovered it and arrested the driver Abubakar Ibrahim, 42 on Thursday 11th September.
Two separate shipments of methamphetamine concealed in picture frame and Loud, hidden in video players were seized at two courier companies in Lagos on Monday 8th and Thursday 11th September respectively by NDLEA operatives. While 6 grammes of meth recovered from the picture frame were meant for delivery in Gabon, 1.1 kilogrammes Loud in the decoder machines was heading to the United Arab Emirate.
In Ikorodu area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence last Thursday raided a factory producing skuchies, a blend of cannabis and black currant drink. No less than 6,029 bottles of the new psychoactive substance and 4,232 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from the factory located in Caritas, Ibeshe area of Ikorodu while the factory manager Joy Awosika was arrested. Another suspect, Akeem Oriola was same day arrested in Mushin area of Lagos with 26 kilogrammes skunk.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on a stop and search operation at Utako area of the FCT last Thursday arrested a dispatch rider Godsplan Vincent, 29, while on a mission to distribute 50.7 grammes of cocaine and 66 grammes of Loud. Three female suspects: Faidat Azeez, 25; Alanu Fatimoh, 40, and Mojeed Taiwo, 25, were arrested in Lagbondoko and Akitan areas of Oyo town, Oyo State in connection with the seizure of 17 kilogrammes skunk found in their possession.
No fewer than 100,000 pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg were seized from a suspect Musa Shuaibu, 38, at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria – Kano road last Monday while
196 litres of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance, were recovered from Abubakar Adamu, 35, at Na’ibawa area of Kano by NDLEA operatives who also seized 34.1 kilogrammes skunk, 493 tubes of rubber solution and 25 litres of ‘suck and die’, an NPS, from Basiru Umar, 18,
at Wailari area, Kumbotso LGA, Kano state last Thursday.
In Anambra state, a couple: Nzube Onyedika, 41, and Ebele Onyedika, 42, were arrested during a raid operation at Obosi where 13.9 kilogrammes Methamphetamine and 5.3 kilogrammes skunk were recovered from them while various quantities of meth, tramadol, swinol, heroin and skunk were seized from another suspect Nnamchi Tochukwu, 36.
In Yobe, a suspect Mohammed Auwal was arrested after 36 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 22.1 kilogrammes were recovered from his residence at Gidan Talakawa area of Potiskum, while three trans-border drug traffickers: Kunyadi Ogbungbun, 24; Olalekan Adewale, 20; and Sanya Joshua,22, were nabbed with 394 kilogrammes skunk at Imeko area of Ogun State during a joint operation by NDLEA operatives with the police and local vigilante on Sunday 7th September. Three motorcycles used in conveying the illicit consignment were also recovered.
In Edo state, a total of 16,966.633 kilogrammes of skunk were destroyed on a cannabis plantation measuring 6.786653 hectares at Ugbogyi forest, Ovia South West local government area while 112 bags of processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilogrammes were also recovered at the farm where four suspects: Ebenezer Ewang; Oshore John; Emmanuel Monday and David Sunday were arrested.
In like manner, Commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Tincan, Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Kano, FCT, Anambra, Yobe, and Ogun commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.
Indian businessman, 3 others arrested over N3.9bn tramadol intercepted at Lagos airport
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