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NUJ urges FG to assist terrorism, banditry-afflicted states
NUJ urges FG to assist terrorism, banditry-afflicted states
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently assist the most affected states by banditry and terrorism in the North West and North East regions with remedial intervention.
This is to ameliorate the effects of the hunger that will be experienced this year, because of the limited access to farmlands by the farmers.
”Food security is of vital importance to the nation,” the union said in a communique issued on Wednesday in Abuja at the end of its Inaugural National Executives Council meeting held between March 13 and March 14, in Birnin Kebbi.
The communique was signed by the National Secretary of the union, Mr Shuaibu Leman, Walin Shadalafiya.
It added: ”NEC applauds the military operations against the murderous activities of Non-State Actors.
”The meeting however regrets that in recent times we have witnessed more vicious attacks on villages and rural communities and the consequent imminent humanitarian crisis in the region.
”While NEC urges the Military to sustain their operations, especially as the rainy season is approaching so as to enable farmers to have access to their farmlands without any fear.
”It calls on the Federal Government to provide all the requirements for the Armed Forces to enable them to achieve the desired results”.
On the government’s efforts at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant Boko Haram terrorists into the society, the union appealed for circumspection to avoid recycling insurgents and creating a pseudo feeling of rewarding criminality.
”NEC observes that the farmers/herders relations over the years in the country continues to cause huge losses, because of the ravaging consequences of the activities of various violent groups,” it added.
This, the union stated, is especially in the seven states of North West; Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa, and the North Central State of Niger.
According to the communique, NEC charges the federal government to take urgent steps to avert a complete breakdown of law and order.
”These attacks have doubled the numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) all over the said areas.
”This explains the increase in Women and Children Sexual Abuse, as some families are forced to surrender their female children in exchange for protection and security.
”NEC cautions against allowing the situation to fester beyond what is obtainable currently.
”NEC suggests that as a step towards curtailing the age-long development issues in the North West and North East Regions and indeed all over the country.
”There should be observance and implementation of good governance which will promote development that is essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regards to the rule of law,” the communiqué read in part.
The NUJ said in view of the perilous nature of security in the country, NEC tasked journalists to be mindful of the pernicious effects of fake news and avoid being part of its propagation.
In the same vein, the union asserted that while leaders should be held accountable to the people by the media, criticisms should be done in an objective manner devoid of any sentiments and bias.
”This is one of the ways journalists can help sustain democracy.
”NEC expresses concern that education in the states of the North West and North East regions has been severely affected.
”Many children are now unable to attend schools because of fear, while others are dropping out of elementary schools and only a few others are able to transit to secondary schools.
”NEC expresses alarm that violence has not only negatively affected the educational development of children all over these regions, but it has also affected the availability of educational materials and infrastructure.
”NEC believes there is need to declare State of Emergency in education in the affected areas to avert a catastrophe.”
The communique added that the union has called for meaningful dialogue and consideration by both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve the seemingly intractable problems of Nigerian universities.
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According to the NUJ, the perennial strikes are placing the country as a nation without value for education.
”NEC appeals to the Federal Government to rise up to the challenges of increasing cases of internet fraud, also known as ‘yahoo yahoo’, ritual killings and kidnappings that have taken dangerous dimensions in the country.
”Meeting laments the hardships Nigerians are going through as a result of the hike in prices of petroleum products which are in high demand.
”It urges the government to take urgent steps to revert the trend. In particular, NEC cautions against allowing the Aviation Sector to collapse as a result of the ugly situation where Airlines are being grounded because of lack of aviation fuel.
”NEC views with alarm the attempt by media regulatory bodies in the country to gag the press under the guise of ‘National Security.
”The rampant issuance of unnecessary fines and sanctions are repulsive and against a free press and democratic governance,” it continued.
In the communique, the union expressed profound appreciation to Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebni State for graciously approving and providing the needed resources for the hosting of the NEC meeting in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique also quoted the union as lauding the government and people of Kebbi state for the hospitality accorded NEC members.
”Council appeals to His Excellency, the Governor to continue the good works he is executing for the people of the state and for his continued support to members of the state council of the NUJ to discharge their duties creditably,” it concluded.
NAN
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.
“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.
Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.
Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.
Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.
It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.
The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.
Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.
Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.
Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
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