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Transforming Jalingo into Modern City

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Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku
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Three factors; public, private investments and migration may turn Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, into the social and economic hub of Nigeria’s North-east. Victor Gai writes from Jalingo

Jalingo became the Taraba State capital in 1991 when the State was created.

Since then, it has suffered from under-development because.
the State itself is so isolated from the other parts of the country.
With very poor road network connecting the State to other parts of the country, lack of an airport and rail system, Jalingo has been largely cut off from corporate Nigeria.

In fact, Taraba has been so regarded in popular parlance as a “rural state” while Jalingo the State capital is described as a small town compared to its peers across the country.

 

As a State, Taraba is bordered by Adamawa and Gombe to the north, Plateau and Nasarawa to the west, Benue to the south and the Republic of Cameroon to the east. Yet, it is poorly linked to those States. For instance, travelling to Plateau State, one would have to traverse Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi, whereas Taraba shares boundary with the State through Ibbi LGA. It is the same when travelling to the FCT. The journey involves a round trip through Benue and Nasarawa, whereas there is a short cut in Nasarawa through Ibbi.

All these have contributed to the slow development of Jalingo, the State capital. But all these are about to change due to the factors earlier mentioned.

The coming of the Darius Ishaku government, signals a game changer in urban development in the State. Ishaku, an architect, may be wary of doing less than his predecessors in structural developments. He must do more to justify his rating as an experienced architect and former Minister.

Therefore, his administration is undertaking on a N37 Billion dual carriageway which welcomes you into the city from the north and south. The project which is close to completion is a 10km stretch of road and has walkways, pedestrian bridges, a flyover, a bridge and well structured kerbs. This project promises to transform the State capital as Jalingo, after 30 years of being a State capital, seems to be the only capital city in Nigeria without a dual carriageway at its entry and exit points.

The government is also building a modern water reservoir on the Mount Jalingo which would also serve as a recreation centre. This project promises be a tourist potential while also meeting the water needs of the ever increasing population of the city.

Daily Asset also learnt that the contractor handling the mega road project, Cranenburg Nig. Ltd, would fix some major township roads in the city for free.

One other potential game changer in the capital is the ongoing container terminal project at the Danbaba Suntai airport. This would boost trade and commerce in the city and expand the Jalingo market as goods would now be easily transported to the city using cargo planes. This is a privilege that other big cities in the north-east don’t have.

The ongoing bridge across River Benue at Ibbi is also supposed to open the State and by extension Jalingo to other parts of the country.

In the private sector, Jalingo is experiencing massive investments in hotels, petrol and gas stations, private homes, shopping malls and night clubs. Daily Asset found out that the property business has become very lucrative in the city due to the high demand for land and landed property. Farmlands in bushes far beyond the city limits have mostly been bought by persons who intend to develop them or in anticipation of the future when their prices would appreciate. 

Just in December last year, a modern night club, owned by one of the top politicians in the state was opened in Jalingo. Club Duchess is a huge investment with a swimming pool and lodging accommodation. It is by far the most ambitious private investments of its kind in Jalingo and can be compared with those in the big Nigerian cities. Similar investments are fast cropping up in the city and in a matter of time, Jalingo may attain a stature never envisaged. These investments would no doubt impact positively on the social life of the city.

Meanwhile, a factor that is contributing more to the development of the city is migration. The rate of influx of persons from the troubled north-east States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe is simply amazing and calls for concern. Taraba is touted to be the most peaceful State in the north-east sub-region and by implication, it has become a safe haven for people fleeing from the crises of Boko Haram and ISWAP. This influx has been a source of concern for both the State and security authorities.

On several occasions, Gov. Ishaku has had to warn traditional rulers and citizens against harbouring strangers that could serve as a threat to the security of the State. The influx of foreigners, mainly from the Republic of Cameroon and Chad has also put the border police on the alert all the time.

These migrants are in the categories of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), traders and artisans. 

Besides this, Jalingo has always been host to persons from the neighbouring States of Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa, who traditionally, are engaged as water vendors, dry season farmers, provision retailers, commercial tricycle operators, fruit sellers and hawkers. 

The level of rural-urban migration is quite quite huge and on the increase. This is evident by the day to day influx of persons into Jalingo from towns and villages across the State with their luggage and the springing up of small business in corners around the city. This is due to the search for greener pastures in the city and the lack of opportunities in the villages. This social pressure has increased the demand for housing in the State capital. There is the fear that the potential population explosion could be a trigger for social vices and crime in the city. It could also be a huge economic potential for the State if well utilised.

The State government can therefore enter into a partnership with the private sector in the area of land and property development. This is an area where State governments in Nigeria are reaping huge revenues. The new Taraba state Geographical Information System is in a better position to spearhead this move in collaboration with the Taraba state Investment and Property Company Ltd. 

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President Tinubu at 72: Celebrating a Life in Forward Motion

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By Keem Abdul

He is 72 on Friday, March, 29, 2024. But in a nod to the current mood across the nation (occasioned by the hardship and insecurity in the land) President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he wouldn’t be celebrating that auspicious day.

Instead, according to a release from his media office, he has told his friends, well-wishers and associates to donate to charity rather than spend valuable resources placing goodwill messages and advertorials in print and electronic media outlets to mark the day.

The president, according to the release made particular reference to the tragic killing of a number of soldiers and police officers in Delta State, as well as the serious security breaches by criminal elements in various parts of Nigeria (which has led to an unacceptably high toll of death, injury and loss of property) as reasons why a celebration at this time would be grossly inappropriate – if not downright insensitive.

In place of a celebration, Tinubu says he would use the day to reflect and re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, secure, prosperous and united Nigeria – in line with his mandate as the leader of the commonwealth, namely, to make life better for all her citizens. He, however, acknowledged as some sort of a birthday gift, the recent release of the students kidnapped some weeks ago in Kaduna and Sokoto States. But a gift of far greater import, he added, would be the emergence of a more stable, more secure, virile, prosperous and united Nigeria.

That being said, though, even as the President reflects on his life’s journey so far and his ascendance to the highest office in the land at this time, many Nigerians and even non-Nigerians will also be pondering the phenomenon called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the combination of qualities and attributes (and the unique set of circumstances) that have brought him to this moment in his life and in the evolution of the Nigerian nation.

It is hard to measure the essence of a life as multifaceted and dynamic as that of the man Bola Tinubu. Suffice it to say – as those who know him well have repeatedly done – that he remains an enigma. That description of one’s essential character may be a cliché, but in the case of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, it is all too true.

Since the advent of Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation in 1999, Asiwaju Tinubu has become perhaps the most constant factor in defining the outcomes of electoral contests in the country – and even more so in his home state of Lagos. His almost 100% success rate in this regard is not by accident. A great writer once said that the heights great men attained are ‘not by sudden flight.’

Tinubu’s success as a politician testifies to his capacity for deep reflection and prompt action in equal measure.

On one hand, he has always been deliberate and intentional in the planning and execution of his strategies, doing nothing that is superfluous or forced. His caution, in other words, is matched by his ability to execute his plan – in a way that meshes into the whole vision which he has crafted for himself and the people that he leads. Every step he takes has been methodical and fills a gap in his overall quest for the enthronement of a continuous cycle of progress and prosperity within his sphere of influence.

He is a man with extra ordinary sensory perception who’s in tune with his inner self thus making him understand that there’s no force on earth strong enough to restrict the procession of promises of God. His perception wasn’t tainted by experience of betrayals rather he recognised that’s there’s no betrayal that he went through that didn’t work together for his good, that there’s never a dagger thrown at him that God didn’t convert to a stronger him.

1999 to date has been a time of almost constant struggle for Asiwaju Tinubu. His battles with the federal government, and with the internal opposition in Lagos, are too well-known to recount here. But the question is: Why does he fight so hard, For whom, or what, is he fighting? Wealth? Power for power’s sake? Fame and recognition? If so, why does he still keep fighting NOW, even AFTER having acquired these things in some measure?

One unmistakable answer to these questions – no matter one’s background or political and religious affiliation – would be that Asiwaju Tinubu is a man driven, not just by personal ambition or group interest, but by the altruistic desire to confront the forces of economic underdevelopment and social rot, no matter what it may cost him personally. His willingness to go all out in pursuit of his goals and convictions – even if it means sacrificing himself for others and the society as a whole, is truly remarkable.

In the rough-and-tumble of Nigerian politics where elections are usually a clash of weapons rather than a contest of ideas and ideologies, and most politicians are devoid of both, Tinubu’s principles and idealism can be hinged on the simple South African maxim of “Ubuntu” (I am because we are).

This understanding of the value of an unshakable bond between brethren is what has shaped the dynamics of Tinubu’s actions and engagements with other stakeholders. On more than one occasion, he has professed a desire to build the community; the people in it and the institutions and traditions that govern them – based on his belief that once a society is healthy; all elements within it will be significantly impacted.

It is also the reason he has built the careers of so many other leaders, men and women who have gone on to become political giants in their own right since 1999 – again, based on his belief that various people with diverse capacities in various places can coalesce to build a better and stronger society. No matter what his detractors may say, Tinubu’s investment in the lives and political fortunes of others is far from personal or individualistic, far from it.

Many distinguished persons in the society are the products of this investment. The results so far are a demonstration of the fact that the power to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians is within his grasp – and in our grasp if we all make an effort.

Much has been said about the Jagaban’s unique combination of fearlessness and humanity. Though he never goes out of his way to court controversy, he never runs away from one, especially when he has restrained himself and sought all ways to seek rapprochement with the other party. His capacity for compromise and respectful dialogue is how he has been able to build a team of highly dedicated men and women around himself.

As his close associates mark his 72 years on earth (one way or another) or join him in his reflections on the state of Nigeria and his mandate to lift the country and its people out of our present quagmire, it’s the prayer of all right thinking and patriotic Nigerians that the good Lord who has seen fit to allow Tinubu to occupy that lofty position will keep him in good health and preserve him so that he can fulfil the purpose for which God brought him into existence, that God will strengthen him, equip him with the physical energy and profound wisdom, understanding and knowledge that he needs to drive the vision that transformed Lagos into a globally-competitive megacity and the 5th largest economy in Africa.

His promise to replicate that transformation on a national scale is still on track, and with the help of God and the committed cooperation of the Nigerian people, the mission will be fulfilled.

Happy birthday, Mr. President!

May your strength be Renewed. God bless Mr. President. God bless Nigeria.

Keem Abdul, publisher and writer, hails from Lagos. He can be reached via +2348038795377 or Akeemabdul2023@gmail.com

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FCT Residents Squeak over Food Prices Soar, FG urges Patience

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Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are concerned over the continued instability and increase in the cost of essential goods and services in the city centre.

Headline inflation rate released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in February showed that inflation rate surged to 31.

70 per cent, with food inflation hitting a staggering 37.
92 per cent.

These inflation pressures have led to significant volatility in the prices of essential commodities, posing a challenge to the livelihoods of many residents.

Inflation is a decrease in the purchasing power of money, reflected in a general increase in the prices of goods and services in an economy.

It is typically a broad measure, such as the overall increase in prices or the increase in the cost of living in a country.

The spike in food inflation in Nigeria has made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford essential food items, leading to concerns about food security and access to nutritious meals.

The rising cost of transportation has added to the financial strain on residents, making it harder for workers for instance, to commute to work and access basic services.

Due to these developments, there is a pressing need and call for measures to address the underlying causes of inflation and ensure price stability for essential goods and services in the country.

According to residents, it is essential to implement policies that can effectively address the inflation challenge and stabilise prices.

They, therefore, urge relevant authorities and policymakers to take steps to mitigate the impact of inflation on the daily lives of the people.

They further urge that efforts that would enhance food security and support vulnerable households should be prioritised to mitigate the adverse effects of inflation on access to food.

Mrs Anthonia Yusuf, mother of three, expressed her distress over the soaring prices of food items, saying it is becoming increasingly difficult to put food on the table for her family.

“The prices of basic food items like rice, beans, and cooking oil have almost doubled in the past few months. I am deeply worried about how we will cope if this trend continues.

“ As a mother, I feel for children out there without parents. I cannot even imagine how they are able to fend and survive with the increased cost of living we are experiencing,’’ she said.

Also, another resident, Mrs Patience Akpa said: “Thse days, I do not attach prices to the list of items I intend to buy form the market because I cannot guarantee that the price would still remain the same.

“This is not good for us, we cannot even afford to plan because we do not know what tomorrow holds or will bring to our door-step.

“ We pray and hope the government and people in charge of policies will look into this unstable and increasing cost of living in the country.’’

Similarly, Mrs Favour Akputu said :“ my family is now living one day at a time and our only hope is in God whom we are trusting will continue to provide our needs.

Mr Ibrahim Usman, a civil servant, highlighted the ripple effects of the inflation on transportation costs.

“Commuting to work five days in a week has become a financial burden due to the rising transport fares.

“With the increasing cost of living, my salary is no longer sufficient to cover these additional expenses, thus, something needs to be done to address this issue speedily,” Usman said.

Similarly, Ms Ngozi Okoro, a small business owner, shared her concerns about the impact of inflation on her enterprise.

Okoro said as a retailer, she had witnessed a decline in customers as they struggled to cope with the escalating prices of goods.

She said :` This is affecting my sales and profitability, and I fear that if this persists, I may be forced to close down my business because right now I am even managing to cope and stay in business.

“And if that happens, my family will suffer because this business is the only source of income I have to support my husband who his taxi driving barely provides the need of the family.’’

For his part, Mr Moses Osita, a student, underscored the challenges faced by his peers, especially students from low-income backgrounds.

“ Many of my peers are finding it hard to afford meals on campus. The higher food prices have made it difficult for students with limited financial resources to meet their basic needs.

“ This is affecting our academic performance and well-being. If the youths are truly` leaders of tomorrow’, then something needs to be done urgently, because we are currently uncertain of our tomorrow,” Osita said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Fatima Adajime, a retired worker, drew attention to the plight of senior citizens of the country, the retired individuals.

“As a pensioner, I rely on my fixed income to cover my expenses. The steep increase in food prices has eroded the purchasing power of my pension. It is disheartening to see fellow retirees struggling to afford essential items.

“Due to our age, a lot of us suffer one health challenge upon another and the cost of drugs is nothing to write home about, these challenges needs urgent solutions by relevant quarters,’’ Adajime said.

According to Mr Francis Adams, a financial expert, many Nigerians are currently struggling with hardship due to government reforms including the removal of petrol subsidy.

Adams said the depreciation of naira had eroded incomes and savings of many, adding that this had worsened with Nigeria’s increased headline inflation rate recently released by the NBS.

He is, however, optimistic that if well managed, the reforms will yield positive dividends in the future.

He said as Nigerians continued to grapple with the repercussions of soaring inflation,

He urged the government to, in the interim, implement policies that would cushion the effects of inflation on the citizens.

“It is imperative for authorities to take decisive action to mitigate the impact of inflation and ensure the well-being of the populace’’, Adams said.

According to him, the pursuit of price stability is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of Nigerians and fostering a more sustainable and equitable living environment.

President Bola Tinubu has called for patience as his administration navigates the economic situation considered unpleasant by many Nigerians.

“I would like to solicit for understanding and support of Nigerians towards the government’s economic reform programmes inspired by the difficulties involved.

“We are very much hopeful that these policies will yield the desired results in no distant future”, Tinubu said through Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education at the 43rd graduation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. (NANFeatures)

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Road to Winning War against Drug Abuse in Nigeria

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By Ibironke Ariyo

Drug and alcohol abuse, trafficking, and related criminal activities remain serious problems which affect the lives of many Nigerians.

Drug abuse triggers many social problems worldwide. It leads to major health challenges, crimes, and violent crimes, among others.

Substance abuse destroys the potential in youths, which in many instances, gives rise to crimes like insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, rape, to mention but a few.

According to experts, the most commonly abused drugs by youths are marijuana, cocaine, stimulants, painkillers and prescription drugs, spice and K2, heroin, crystal meth, MDMA, hallucinogens, DXM and inhalants among others.

Many factors have been blamed for substance abuse among young people.

Peer pressure, poor parental upbringing, corruption, unemployment, ego rank high among the causes of drug abuse.

A United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report says drugs abuse was responsible for the death of almost half a million people in 2019 while drug use disorders resulted in the loss of 18 million years of healthy life.

The 2018 National Drug Use Survey also revealed that there were about 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria out of which close to 3 million suffered from drug use disorders.

This figure represents a 14.4 per cent prevalence rate in Nigeria, which is about three times the global average prevalence rate of 5 per cent.

The UNODC in its 2021 World Drug Report projects said that by 2030, the number of people using drugs around the world will rise by 11 per cent and by 40 per cent in Africa alone.

This is a disturbing projection because as the country with the largest population in Africa, the implication is that Nigeria’s drug abuse prevalence will rise substantially.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Ministry of Justice are in partnership to promote and pursue an approach that combines prevention, treatment, and enforcement to break the cycle of substance abuse and drug-related crimes.

The NDLEA, retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa, said in the past three years, the agency has seized 7,590 tons of illicit drugs and substances nationwide with an estimated market value of over N800 billion.

The NDLEA Chairman spoke during a visit to the agency’s Abuja headquarters by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

He further said the agency has arrested 42,105 drug offenders.

Marwa, who had worked as Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, (PACEDA), between 2018 and December, 2020 before his appointment in 2021 as NDLEA Chairman, highlighted the centrality of drugs to criminal activities including terrorism, kidnapping, and insurgency.

He said 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period.

“In about three years, we have arrested 42,105 drug offenders, including 46 barons. We have seized no fewer than 7, 590 tons of drugs and this is worth about N800 billion”, Marwa told his audience.

Speaking further, Marwa said that NDLEA successfully prosecuted 3,412 drug offenders in 2023 alone adding that among those prosecuted, 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years jail terms collectively.

“That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022.

“Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations,” Marwa said.

The war against substance abuse and trafficking will not be won without the support of critical stakeholders and partners, including state governments and the Federal Capital Territory administration.

The FCT NDLEA, FCT Command has accelerated its efforts intercepting 7,345.209 kilograms of illicit drugs and substances worth N125.71 million last year.

The NDLEA commander, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  that the drugs intercepted include marijuana, cocaine, diazepam, methamphetamine, rohypnol, tramadol, pentazocine, heroin, megadon, and ecstasy among others.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures, the commander said a total of 7,138.72kg of marijuana was intercepted by operatives of the agency within the period under review.

He said other drugs seized in 2023 included 0.5kg of cocaine; diazepam, 29.629kg; methamphetamine, 4.587kg; rohypnol, 5.934kg, and 133.753kg of tramadol.

Tsakuwa added that the rest of the illicit drugs intercepted were pentazocine weighing 21.727kg; heroin, 0.002kg; megadon, 0.263kg, and ecstasy, 0.134kg.

“All the illicit drugs and substances intercepted were with the street value of N125, 714, 620 million,” he said.

The NDLEA commander said 640 suspects comprising 614 males and 26 females were arrested within the period under review.

Tsakuwa said out of the number, 295 of the suspects were charged in court and 201 of them were convicted while 264 cases are pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

On rehabilitation, he said that within the year under review, 175 drug users were counselled and helped back into the society out of which, 172 were males and three were females.

The role of civil society organisations and faith-based organisations in the efforts to wean youths from substance abuse cannot be overemphasised. They have the capacity to reach the rural areas.

Two organisations, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), and Soaring Youth Foundation (SYF), are working to support 1, 000 youths to steer away from drug abuse in the FCT.

The organisations made the commitment during the flag-off of the ‘Youth Alive Drug Abuse, Sensitisation, Self-Awareness and Treatment (DASSAT) Project’ at Wumba community, in Lokogoma area of Abuja.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Shekinah International Gospel Ministry, Wumba.

Dr Hope Omeiza, the Managing Director of VGADA, said their target was to get to hard-to-reach communities and support victims who could not access and afford treatment.

“We felt it is important to get into communities like the Wumba community where we are flagging off this programme to ensure that before the end of 2024, we are able to reach 1,000 youths in Abuja,” he said.

Omeiza said that the project would involve psychological, skills acquisition and social skills programme adding that beneficiaries would undergo drug test and other drug resistance programmes and interventions to steer them away from drugs.

Mr Michael Awe, Lead Pastor, Shekinah International Gospel Ministry, said they have thrown their hat into the ring by partnering with organisations to achieve desired results.

“We have been doing it on our own, but we discover that spirituality is not enough to heal the mind of the youths from drug abuse. That is why we are partners in this rescue mission.

“We are coming together to see how we can help and empower them in such a way that they could have something tangible to do and be useful to themselves and the community,” he said. (NANfeatures)

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