NEWS
Gov. Yahaya Seeks Presidential Intervention Over Herders’ Influx
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has stressed the need for urgent presidential intervention to develop the Wawa-Zange grazing reserve in the state so as to accommodate migrating herders.
The governor made the appeal while briefing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the development of the Wawa-Zange grazing reserve had become necessary to accommodate the large number of herders heading northwards, following the implementation of the anti-open grazing law in the southern parts of the country.
The governor said: “We discussed the issue of Wawa-Zange grazing reserve.
I think it is the largest grazing reserve that is gazetted in the whole of Nigeria totalling 144,000 hectares.“I believe that Mr President earlier in 2020, precisely in his 2020 January speech acknowledged and approved that the National Livestock Transformation Plan will take-off with a model in Gombe at the Wawa-Zange reserve.
“But so far, nothing serious has been done on that, and with the recent outbursts and the position taken by governors in the southern part of this country, there is the need for us to fast-track the process of building that place so that in the event our people move in multitudes to resettle, we will have space for them.
“And we will avoid situations where there will be rancour and there will be no issues to do either with farmers/herders again or issues to do with the herders themselves having problems, because we cannot have any space for them to stay.”
He stressed the importance of implementing the grazing reserve, saying that in the event that ‘’herders are dislocated from the southern states and they have no place to return to, it will set off another crisis which may not be good for the country.”
On whether he had requested for funds from the President to implement the project, he said: “We’ve requested for funds. I believe that every other state will do so because you need the resources in order to implement, and there is scarcity of financial resources in the state.
“So, we’ve requested. I will not tell you how much. But at least, we’ve submitted a proposal that is fully backed by a feasibility report that indicates what we require.
“But with the size of Wawa-Zange, 144,000 hectares that is specifically meant for cattle and other livestock, really, there’s justification for government to put in money so that we can avoid this rancour and issues to do with farmers/herders that has already degenerated in some parts of the country into banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom”, the governor added.
He said he had also discussed the issue of the oil discovered in the Benue trough in Kolmani area around Bauchi and Gombe states, noting that a lot had been achieved in exploration in the area.
Yahaya said he also impressed on the president, the need to fast-track its take-off so that people can benefit from the resources the country is endowed with.
He praised the passion of the president in the exploration and the interest of investors in developing the oil and gas deposits in the area.
Yahaya stressed the need to exploit the oil and gas resources in the north, saying that in doing so, “we will have balance. Whilst oil and gas is discovered up north and there is oil and gas in the south, there will be balance.
“And everybody will now be his brother’s keeper trying to mingle and mix up. Everybody can enjoy the benefits of God’s endowed resources that we have in this country, if we are ready to key in and do the correct thing.”
He said the president should apply pressure on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to expedite action on the take off “knowing fully well that oil and gas is under the exclusive preserve of the federal government.”
Yahaya also spoke of the new Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadi Kowa being developed by the state to encourage industrialists to come and invest.
According to him, necessary infrastructure such as 24-hour electricity, water and security had already been put in place. (NAN)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
FG Declares Public Holidays for Christmas, New Year
ShareThe Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays. This is contained in a statement signed...
Hoodlums Attack Etsu Lokoja’s Palace, Raze Properties
Share Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within...
Eight Dead, Three Injured in Ohafia Road Crash
ShareThe Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two...
Sen. Abiru, ATTF President others Inspect SAIL Innovation Lab in Ibeju Lekki
Share Sen. Mukhail Abiru (Lagos -East) with other notable personalities on Monday, inspected the nearly completed SAIL Innovation Lab and...
Assembly Passes Edo N675bn 2025 Budget for Assent
Share The Edo House of Assembly on Monday passed the state 2025 budget of N675 billion for assent. The passage...
2000 FCT Residents Get free Medical Services
Share No fewer than 2000 residents of Jiwa community in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Kaida Tsoho in Gwagwalada area council...
2025: KDSG Allocates N74.02 bn to Stimulate Agriculture
ShareThe Kaduna State Government said it allocated 7.4 per cent of its 2025 budget, amounting to N74.02 billion to stimulate...
Mozambique’s Death Toll from Cyclone Chido Rises to 94- Reports
Share Mozambique’s disaster management agency announced that the death toll from Cyclone Chido has risen to 94. The cyclone had...
Yuletide: Police Restricts Movement in 5 Plateau LGs
Share The Police Command in Plateau has restricted movement in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, ahead of...
Lassa Fever: Nigeria Records 190 Deaths – DG NCDC
Share By Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Federal Government, FG, has revealed on Monday, that there were 190 deaths since January...