By Martha Agas

The Plateau Government is ready to partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to stem the tide of  trafficking in women and girls from Mikang Local Government Area of the state.

Gov. Simon Lalong made this known when he received Mrs Imaam Suleiman, the Director-General of  NAPTIP, on Tuesday at  the Plateau Governor’s lodge in Abuja.

Lalong expressed concerns over reports of cases of trafficking of girls in Mikang local government.

”Trafficking in girls was reported in Mikang Local Government Area, where young girls were taken out of the state in December 2020.

”Some government officials sen to investigate the matter were attacked by the parents of the girls, who said they allowed their children to be trafficked to alleviate their hardship and give them better lives,” he said.

Lalong said he was ready to partner with the NAPTIP to empower and sensitise the people against the ills of trafficking

He said Plateau was the first to sign the Child Rights Law in Northern Nigeria because of its commitment for the wellbeing of children.

Earlier in her remarks, Suleiman said, she visited the governor to seek his support to stop trafficking.

She called for improved financial commitment from governors in the fight against the menace.

She said for NAPTIP to achieve its mandate, there is need to strengthen its manpower and expand its offices across the country while collaborating with key stakeholders to curb the menace.

“NAPTIP has just nine zonal commands and ten state commands. We can not fight the menace of trafficking without  collaboration of other law enforcement agencies, ” she said.

She appealed to the governor to donate a land in the state, for NAPTIP to open a shelter, where capacities of youths can be developed through partnership.

Sulaiman said that NAPTIP also requires a land for a city centre,where youths will be trained and engaged for economic empowerment. (NAN)

By Akeem Abas

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has donated N18.5 million to 185 indigenes of the state who were victims of the Shasha market mayhem in Ibadan.

Alhaji Garba Mohammed, Kano State Commissioner for Information, who led the state government delegation, gave each of the victims N100,000 on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Other members of the delegation were Alhaji Ibrahim Muktar, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, and Alhaji Sanusi Muhammed, Commissioner for Education.

Mohamned said that the governor had directed them to visit the victims who were indigenes of Kano State to see how they are faring and how the state government could support them.

“We have about 185 people who are indigenes of Kano, affected by this unfortunate incident. We have made our calculations that each and everyone of them will get a N100,000.

“Those of them who have gone to Kano, we will also see and discuss with the governor. We will identify them in Kano and give them the money,” he said.

He said that the delegation had interacted with the victims to know their pains and challenges, promising to inform the governor to relay such to his counterpart in Oyo State.

The commissioner who expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident, called for synergy among the governors as well as security agencies.

“State governors should be able to share their experiences. Our governors were in Ibadan and Oyo. I am also happy that they are having another security meeting in Ogun State.

“So, I think governors from the Southern and Northern part of the country should try as much as possible to ensure that they continue to meet, share experiences.

“And harmonise whatever situation they are having in their respective states in terms of security challenges,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence, urging them to always tolerate each other.

Also, the state Commissioner for Education, said the delegation was in Ibadan to support the victims with little cash for them to get some clothes and food.

“The support is a continuous process because we are still going to continue tomorrow. Some of them have left Ibadan for Kano. Many of them don’t even have any money with them,” he said.

Muhammed also called on Nigerians to ensure peace in the nation, lamenting that security issue in Nigerian was becoming alarming.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries thanked the state government for coming to their aid. (NAN)

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has congratulated the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on her 50th birthday celebration.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday, described the First Lady as a courageous and amiable woman, kindhearted and strong pillar of support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the First Lady, a cosmetologist and beauty therapist, who clocks 50 on Wednesday, Feb. 17, had touched the lives of millions of Nigerians, especially women and children, since the assumption of office by her husband on May 29, 2015.

”On behalf of the good people of Lagos State and my adorable wife, Ibijoke, I heartily congratulate the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on the occasion of her 50th birthday celebration.

”Our First Lady attaining the age of 50 years in grace, elegance and good health is worth celebrating.

”Over the years, you have shown your passion for the needy in our country and as a women’s rights activist and child rights advocate, you are a major critic against child marriage.

”As an advocate of women’s and children rights, your campaign for young girls to get primary and secondary school education before getting married has yielded positive results in the country,” Sanwo-Olu said.

According to him, Buhari’s passion for women and children made her establish a Pet Project, ‘Future Assured’, an initiative to continue advocacy work for the health and well-being of women and children through community mobilisation and health promotion.

He said that the programme, without any iota of doubt, had impacted positively on millions of people directly and indirectly.

”On the political turf, your ideas and contributions on national issues are of good use. You have displayed courage and bravery on many occasions to show your passion for a better Nigeria.

”On this landmark occasion of your golden Jubilee celebration, I pray that God will continue to grant you good health to enable you render more service to humanity,” Sanwo-Olu said.

By Yusuf Yunus

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a temporary closure of runway 18R/36L at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Yakubu said that the closure was due to a landing incident involving a Boeing 737 Azman Air aircraft with registration 5N SYS and flight number ZQ2325.

She said that the aircraft had a tyre burst after landing on runway 18R/36L.

The spokesperson said that all passengers and crew on board the aircraft were safely evacuated at 7.08pm, by the officials of FAAN Air rescue and fire fighting services.

“The Accident Investigation Bureau and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company are already working to ensure the aircraft is towed out of the runway, so as to restore normalcy,” Yakubu said.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for concerted efforts to address the worsening security situation in the Sahel region.

Guterres made the call in a video message to the G5 Sahel Summit held in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, to discuss the group’s anti-insurgency operations in the region.

The two-day event, which began on Monday, had in attendance leaders of the G5-Sahel member states: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Nigeria, with French President Emmanuel Macron joining via video link.

Guterres said that in spite of “recent promising developments” in the Sahel, including peaceful conduct of elections, he remained concerned about the deteriorating security situation there.

He singled out the Liptako-Gourma area, where “the spiral of violence is aggravating an already difficult humanitarian situation.”

“And once again, it is the civilian population that is paying the price: There are more than two million displaced persons.

“Millions of others are facing acute food insecurity and this is all in the context of a major climate crisis,” he said.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened  socio-economic and health challenges and has pushed no fewer than six million people into extreme poverty.

Noting that the G5 Sahel had a key role to play in addressing the crisis, the UN chief called for “stable and predictable” funding for its joint force.

“African peace support and counter-terrorism operations must receive a mandate by the Security Council under Chapter VII  and sustained financing, including through assessed contributions,” he stated.

He added that beyond the security response, governments should prioritise development, the rule of law and good governance which he described as the cornerstones of stability in the region.

By Fabian Ekeruche

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) on Tuesday unveiled the translated versions of the Holy Bible in Igala and the New Testament in Okun languages.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both languages are spoken by indigenes of Kogi.

Dr Dare Ajiboye, General Secretary/CEO, BSN, said the organisation was a not for profit making but vested with the work of making the word of God affordable and available to many.

” We do this through bible translation, publishing, distribution, programes and funding.

“We are a member of the United Bible Societies, a world fellowship of 146 National Bible Societies across 200 countries and territories.

“We are irrevocably committed to breaking any known barrier that makes the bible inaccessible to people,” Ajiboye said.

He said that for ease of access to the bible, BSN had the proclaimers, audio bible device in different Nigerian languages for those who could not read nor understand English.

The CEO said that BSN had also made available braille bible for those with visual impairment and Nigerian sign language for the deaf.

“This is in pursuance of our mission to meet the scriptural needs of every Nigerian and to help them interact with the Word of God.

” So far, we have the full bible in 26 Nigerian languages, while revision/translation is ongoing in
10 Nigerian languages.

“It costs us a minimum of N72 million to complete a project, if completed in 12 years,” Ajiboye said.

The CEO said that the Okun New Testament would be dedicated on Feb. 27,  at the Atiku Square, Ayetoro in Kogi, while the Igala Bible would be dedicated on March 13, at the Chapel of Resurrection, Kogi State University, Ayingba.

He said that the Okun New Testament translation had become the fastest new testament translation with a record of four years and three months, while the Igala Bible was completed within 11 years.

“The Old Testament of Okun is in its advanced stage of completion,” Ajiboye added.

By Kingsley Okoye

Senate on Tuesday, urged the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to ensure adherence to Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) on generation and spending of government revenue by government agencies.

Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos) and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance made the call at the screening of Mr Victor Muruakor, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee for the position of FRC Chairman.

Adeola said the FRC was established as a watchdog on revenue generating agencies.

“You are supposed to keep tab on all expenditure of all government agencies,”Adeola said.
He, however, decried the non composition of the FRC board in accordance with the act establishing the FRC.

“There should be representatives from each of the six geo-political zones as well as a representative of Civil Society Organisations among others,” he said.

He said the eventual confirmation of the nominee as substantive Chairman of FRC would only make him a sole administrator which was not the norm.

He said the committee would make contact with the presidency on the need to have a full board for the commission.

Muruakor said his eventual confirmation would give additional confidence to the activities of the FRC.

He urged the senate to review the FRA act to further strengthen the commission for effective discharge of its duties.

“We ask the parliament to assist us in looking at the act,the second ,third assembly looked at the act ,the fourth assembly is taking a look at it again.

“There is need to ensure punishment when the act is violated, that is our key challenge and that will answer most of the issues we are talking about .

“If the act is reviewed, we can fund the FRA and adequately run our activities,” he said.

Muruakor, who had been in acting capacity as Chairman of the Commission for over four years , said the commission under his watch had made some giant strides.

“On the remittances of the agencies, we brought about a standard practice, that is the template for calculation of operating surplus.
“We are going to strengthen the monitoring of their accounting system to nip in the bud the issue of agencies not submitting their annual audited accounts as at when due, these have affected remittances.

“We will engage the relevant stakeholders to look at what has affected the totality of enforcement of the act and our mandate.

“We will ensure strict monitoring to prevent wasteful expenditure by agencies with the aim of saving more funds for government,” he said.

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has pledged government’s support for Amaju Pinnick, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President’s bid to contest for a seat in the FIFA council election.

Dare made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja when the NFF boss paid him a courtesy visit.

He said the Federal Government would give Pinnick all the necessary support to fly Nigeria and Africa’s flag at the highest FIFA decision making council.

The minister stressed the need for Pinnick to use his position and connections in CAF and FIFA to help promote and develop Nigeria and Africa football at all levels.

Dare said he was happy to see Nigerians aspire to be among the very best in the world, saying it is the way the country can have a say in the committee of football playing nations.

Earlier, Pinnick had thanked the minister and the Federal Government for all the support in their bid to reposition Nigerian football.

The NFF boss also submitted a letter thanking the Federal Government for all the support given him so far, pledging to be a good ambassador of Nigeria if elected into the FIFA Council.

Pinnick who is a current member of
CAF Executive Committee also used the occasion to thank Nigerians for all the support since he became NFF president in 2014.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIFA Council Election is scheduled for March 12 in Morocco,
where Pinnick is vying for the only CAF anglophone slot.

The 37-member FIFA Council is the main decision-making body of the world football body that sets the vision for FIFA and global football.

NAN also reports that only two Nigerians have risen to the exalted position of FIFA Council members in the past; Dr. Amos Adamu and Oyo Orok Oyo.

By Ginika OKoye

By Edith Nwapi

A widow,  Loveth Uloko, on Tuesday prayed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel to order the police to pay her N500 million as compensation for the death of her husband, Abraham, Uloko, in the hands of SARS.

The NHRC independent panel is investigating alleged violations of rights by the disbanded SARS and other police units

Uloko stated this, on Tuesday, at the hearing of the petition she filed before the panel, with the number 2020/IIP-SARS/ABJ/96, alleging the extra-judicial killing of her husband, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

Also joined in the petition are Sgt Farouk; the Divisional Police Officer, B-Division, Abacha Road, Mararaba, Nasarawa State; Mr Michael Agbo of the defunct SARS, Abattoir, Abuja.

Others are SP Jackson Olimah (SARS); the officer in charge of SARS, Abattoir, Abuja; FCT Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police.

“On Aug.14,2018 my late husband came back home injured in the company of my brother.

“He told me that while in transit at Ruga, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, a blue coloured Toyota Corolla blocked him and he hit a car behind him.

“He said the people in the Toyota car came out of their vehicle and pulled his car key from the ignition.

“Seeing this, he said he got out of the car and ran but the people started shouting ‘barawo’ and a mob caught up with him, beat him and apprehended him.”

“Someone rescued my husband and took him to the Abacha Road police station, where Sgt Farouk took over the case and released him husband to go home or take care of himself,” she said.

The petitioner said the following day, her husband went to the Garki General Hospital for treatment.

While there, she said Sgt Farouk and Jackson Olimah visited their house and asked where her husband was.

“I told them he was not home. The policemen remained in my house until my husband got home.

“I followed them to the Abacha Road police station. On getting there, we met Agbo at the station.

“He called someone at the police station and told him or her that he has my husband in custody.

“They told my husband that he owed a complainant N13million.

” My husband said he had never seen such money before,” she told the panel.

She said on Aug.16, 2018, Farouk called her to bring food for her husband and she did.

“My late husband was hale and hearty when I took the food to him and left.

“Later, Jackson called me and asked me to appear at the SARS office at Abattoir,” she said.

“I met my husband in a bad shape.

“He was taken to the Garki General Hospital and they lied to him that my husband was attacked by a mob.

“The doctor referred us to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital. On the way to Gwagwalada, my husband died,” she said.

She, therefore, prayed that apart from the compensation, the panel to order the police to make a public apology to the family in reputable newspapers and national television.

Uloko further sought a declaration that her husband’s death was not of natural causes.

The petitioner further prayed the panel to ensure that all those found culpable be duly prosecuted and dealt with accordingly as deterrence to other officers.

After listening to her testimony, the chairman of the panel, rtd Justice Suleiman Galadima, adjourned the matter until March 15 for defence.