By Hamza Suleiman

The Borno government plans to resettle no fewer than 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from five Bama communities before the end of the rainy season.

Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum made this known during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.

The communities targeted for resettlement are Goniri, Bula Kuriye, Mayanti, Abbaram and Darajamal.

Zulum said 1,000 transitional shelters are being built in each community, with construction already completed in Darajamal.

“We are committed to returning IDPs to their ancestral homes. Work is ongoing in Mayanti, Goniri, Bula Kuriye and Abbaram.

“Darajamal has been completed. Trenches are being dug around these communities to enhance security,” he said.

Zulum stressed the importance of farming and said resettlement must happen before the rains end, to allow returnees begin this year’s cropping season.

“Farming remains our greatest treasure. I’ll liaise with the Commanding Officer and Civilian JTF to reinforce community security,” he said.

The governor confirmed that security had been strengthened in Nguro Soye, a farming community on Bama’s outskirts.

“On my return from Gwoza, I stopped at Banki Junction to discuss plans for intensified operations in Nguro Soye and nearby areas.

“We’ve supported the military and Civilian JTF with logistics and pledged six months’ allowances for volunteer patrols,” Zulum added.

In his response, the Shehu of Bama, Dr El-Kanemi, praised the governor’s efforts towards resettling displaced persons and supporting local farmers.

“I thank His Excellency for returning the people of Darajamal and working to resettle others. We are truly grateful,” the traditional ruler said.

He appealed for additional support to the Civilian-JTF to secure farmlands and ensure farmers’ safety during the season. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has refuted an online publication claiming that the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Line has been vandalised and not safe for usage.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, made the clarification in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC.

“The management of NRC has observed with concern a report published on the internet, which claimed that vandals invaded a section of the $1.5 billion Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project.

“It stated that the vandals had stolen major components of the railway project inaugurated by late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021,” he said.

Opeifa said while NRC appreciated efforts of the media houses which published the story to draw attention to activities of economic saboteurs jeopardising smooth railway operations, it was important to note that the referenced video was not recent.

He also said that the incident did not occur on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge corridor.

Opeifa said that the incident took place between Aug. 7, 2024 and Aug. 27 2024, on the old narrow gauge line between Kilometre 170 (Omi-Adio) and Kilometre 240 (Erunmu) in Oyo State.

He said that, according to NRC internal communication dated Aug. 7, 2024, the vandalised section involved the narrow gauge line laid on concrete sleepers.

“Documented records showed that these acts were recorded twice in August (between Aug. 7 and Aug. 27, 2024) at Kilometre 218 (Erunmu, Ibadan) where 250 E-clips were vandalised, and at Kilometre 221 (Erunmu, Ibadan) where 16 short rails and one additional short rail were carted away.

“Also, on Sept. 9, 2004, another 280 E-clips, including two poles, were stolen at Kilometre 219 (Erunmu, Ibadan).

“These incidents triggered immediate intervention by the corporation through community engagement involving the village head of Erunmu, the vigilante group and the police.

“Sensitisation campaigns were also organised at Agodi Gate, targeting scrap metal dealers, to curb the purchase of stolen railway materials which are critical national assets,” he said.

He said that following the actions, several suspects were arrested and handed over to the Railway Police Command in Lagos for further interrogation and prosecution.

He said that since then, no incident of vandalism had been reported on that axis.

“NRC management wish to, again, warn all those, who have remained recalcitrant, to refrain from vandalising train tracks or risk stiff prosecution as economic saboteurs if caught,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called for calm over the suspension of the operations of Badeggi FM, a radio station in Minna, Niger.

This is contained in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, on Saturday in Abuja.

Idris noted the concerns raised by various stakeholders in the media industry regarding the recent directive by the Niger Government suspending the operations of the FM station.

According to reports, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger had issued the directive during an expanded state APC caucus meeting in Minna on Aug. 1, citing allegations of unethical broadcasting and incitement by the station.

While acknowledging the concerns raised, the minister, however, noted that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law.

“In the light of this, the minister welcomes the decision of the Niger government to formally report the perceived ‘unethical behaviour’ by Badeggi FM to the NBC,” the statement said.

Idris appealed to all parties to remain calm, assuring them that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Yakubu Uba

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on Road Safety Matters, Dr Yusuf Suberu, has called for stronger synergy with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to deepen road safety awareness and reduce crashes in the state.

Suberu made the call during a courtesy visit to the Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kumar Tsukwam, in Kogi.

Suberu said that the visit, which coincided with the FRSC’s management meeting, focused on enhancing collaboration.

This, he said was towards a successful hosting of the upcoming 2-Day Road Safety Summit, being planned as part of activities to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Addressing the corps management team, Suberu commended the FRSC for its “humanitarian-inclined” efforts in saving lives, describing their interventions as critical to public health and safety.

He stressed the importance of continuous training and re-training of operatives to better equip them for emerging road safety challenges.

He urged the corps to adopt a more diplomatic and educational approach in dealing with road users.

“I want to assure you of the state government’s commitment to safety on highways under the leadership of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“The recent restriction on the daytime movement of heavy-duty vehicles was one of many decisive steps by the Ododo-led administration to curb road traffic crashes and protect lives,” he said.

In his response, Corps Commander Tsukwam described Suberu’s visit as timely and his appointment as a strategic asset to the state’s road safety efforts.

Tsukwam pledged the corps’ full cooperation in implementing policies that would make the roads safer for all.

The Sector Commander also emphasised the need to implement the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in the state.

He noted that it would help in tackling issues such as the use of fake number plates and criminal movements on the highways.

In the same vein, Suberu also met with the State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Ahmed Dauda, to explore possible areas of collaboration on vehicle administration and enforcement of roadworthiness standards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meetings mark a renewed drive by the state government to ensure safer roads, promote responsible driving culture, and reduce preventable deaths from road crashes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The Jigawa Government says it has begun the disbursement of N1.5 billion pension entitlements to 569 beneficiaries.

The Head of Service (HoS), Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri, said this on Monday, when he addressed the beneficiaries at the Pension House in Dutse to formally signal the commencement of the exercise.

Dagaceri said that the disbursement was being carried out through the Local Government Contributory Pensions Board.

He described the state’s pension model as one of the best in the country.

According to him, more than 20 states have visited Jigawa to learn from its exemplary approach.

He commended Gov. Umar Namadi “for his unwavering commitment to sustaining and enhancing the pension scheme”.

The HoS also lauded the governor for his significant support and efforts toward improving the scheme, emphasising the positive effects of the government’s initiatives on both retirees and the broader civil service community.

In a remark, the Executive Secretary of the pension’s board, Dr Binyaminu Shitu, disclosed that over N1.5 million would be distributed to the 569 retirees.

Shitu said the amount captured various payments, including retirement benefits, death benefits and death pension balances.

He also said that 278 of the beneficiaries were from the state service, 158 from local governments and 124 from Local Education Authorities (LEA), amongst others

“Specifically, N.87 million would be disbursed to those from state service, over N355,025 to local governments employees and N274,798 from LEA,” he said.

He affirmed the board’s commitment to the timely disbursement of entitlements, including payment of monthly pension in the first week of every month.

Shitu further reiterated the state government’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of its workers and ensuring that they enjoy a secure and fulfilling life after their years of service. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Bukola Adetoye/Sam Oditah