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Tag: North-East

  • “Don’t dump your VP, it will cause anarchy”- North East APC youths plead with TInubu

    “Don’t dump your VP, it will cause anarchy”- North East APC youths plead with TInubu

    The North-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Parliament has warned against any attempt to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as running mate in the 2027 general elections, saying such a move would plunge the party into chaos.

    The group, which coordinates over 200 affiliate youth organisations across the six North-East states, issued the warning in a statement released after a strategic meeting held in Bauchi on Friday.

    Reading the communiqué, the chairman of the group, Alhaji Kabiru Garba Kobi, said there are growing signs of internal manoeuverings by what he called “mischievous elements” within the party, plotting to remove Shettima from the ticket.

    His words: “The rising tension within our party is a brewing storm that could shake the very foundation of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

    “A house built on unity and shared ambition now stands at the edge of division, with cracks visible for all to see.”

    He warned that ignoring these cracks could lead to the kind of internal collapse that affected the PDP in 2015.

    Kobi alleged that the push to remove Shettima was being disguised as party restructuring, but described it as a calculated move that would be firmly resisted by loyal APC members across the North-East.

    “Any attempt to reconfigure the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in 2027 will only bring resentment and chaos that could linger beyond the elections,” he stated.

    The youth group also expressed concern about the spread of what it described as covert alliances aimed at undermining Shettima’s role in the current administration, despite his leading role in managing the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “We must not allow excessive ambition to override reason. The Vice President has been instrumental in confronting the tough economic challenges inherited by this administration,” Kobi said.

    He described President Bola Tinubu as a reform-minded leader who is making difficult but necessary decisions for Nigeria’s long-term stability.

    “Undermining the current leadership structure would be a gross injustice and a setback to national progress,” he added.

    The group urged the APC leadership to remain united behind the current ticket, warning that political miscalculations could endanger the party’s chances in 2027.

  • FG denies exclusion of North–East was from SAPZ programme

    FG denies exclusion of North–East was from SAPZ programme

    The Federal Government said the statement by the National Assembly North–East Caucus that its zone was ”completely excluded” from the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme was not correct.

    Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security stated this on Saturday in Abuja, while responding to the National Assembly North–East Caucus statement.

    Kyari said that the Caucus in a statement had said that the North East was “completely excluded” from the SAPZ initiative.

    The SAPZ is part of a strategic initiative of the Federal Government aimed at promoting agricultural industrialisation.

    He said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu has recognised the absolute need to avoid exclusion because one of the agenda is ‘Inclusivity’

    Kyari said this was to ensure that all segments of the country and all relevant stakeholders and groupings were  carried along in the design and implementation of government programmes.

    He said that the SAPZ programme was inaugurated in 2022 based on its conceptual design of Phase 1 in 2019.

    Kyari said that the project is a Federal Government enabled initiative with subscription by the State Governments of the Federation.

    ”All state Governments are expected to individually express Interest in the programme.

    ”For clarity the following steps were taken to arrive at the programme as it is today:The selection Process.

    ”In 2019, each state governor was notified in writing to express interest with an attached eligibility criteria that will enable them to participate in phase 1 of the programme,” he said.

    He explained that upon receipt of their expression of interest, a joint team comprising the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Finance, the African Development bank conducted a mission to each of the states to verify the fulfillment of the eligibility criteria as a selection process.

    ”This stage got eight States that qualified namely,Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and FCT.

    ”However, upon the assumption of office by this administration, we reviewed development potential of this programme under the renewed hope agenda of Mr President and decided that no state will be left behind,” he said.

    He said Vice – President Kashim Shettima’s  first international mission was to Rome, Food System summit where he galvanised more funding to enable us take more states.

    ”He embarked on a second mission to the World Food Price meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. where he obtained a commitment of 1 billion dollars from the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the sole purpose of bringing on board more states,” he said.

    Kyari further explained that   SAPZ is a Subsidiary Loan Agreement Programme which meant that the Federal Government onboards the obtained loans to the state for the implementation of the programme.

    ”Considering this is a loan, it is solely the discretion of the state to participate or not, and we have cases where states have not expressed interest,” he said.

    He said that the overall policy directive of President Tinubu was that all States must be brought on board adding that this would be in phases.

    ”We are convinced that as other states see the actuality of this project, they get more interested and therefore express their interest in being the first stage of being onboarded.

    ”Perhaps, this is the case with the North East Caucus seeing two landmark events being held back-to-back in Kaduna and Cross River,” he said.

    The minister said that the phase 2 of the programme had already commenced in earnest.

    ”I have personally communicated to all the states that are not in phase 1 in written notifying them of the programme and to express interest.

    ”We have received Expression of Interests from 27 States but only 10 States fully complied with the eligibility criteria which includes Gombe, Borno and Bauchi States for the first tranche of phase 2 as they will be 3 tranches of onboarding states in the phase two,”he said.

    Kyari expressed confident that more States would do the needful to fulfill the eligibility criteria to enable government capture them in the second tranche funding of  phase 2.

    ”I therefore also want to appeal to the legislators especially the North East NASS Caucus to appeal to the other Governors u of Taraba, Yobe and Adamawa to reinvigorate their interest in the programme and to ensure they fulfil the eligibility criteria for the second phase,” he said.

    He said that beyond the SAPZ Programme,  the Federal Government had continued to provide targeted support for farmers in the North-East and across the country.

    ”We will continue to listen; and we’ve heard the statements of the representatives of the North East and we assure you all that the SAPZ Programme is for all Nigerians and each and every State of the Federation will be brought on board,” he said.

  • North-East NASS Caucus seeks zone’s inclusion in $530m SAPZ project

    North-East NASS Caucus seeks zone’s inclusion in $530m SAPZ project

    The North-East Caucus in the National Assembly have appealed for immediate inclusion of the zone in the 530 million dollar Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project.

    Chairman of the caucus, Sen. Danjuma Goje, made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, following the flag-off of the construction of phase one of the project.

    Goje said that the appeal was part of their resolutions during an emergency meeting on the exclusion of the zone in the SAPZ programme.

    He expressed concern over the exclusion of the zone from the processing zones in spite of the zone’s enormous agricultural potential cutting across all sectors’ value chains.

    According to him, the call for inclusion is not only for fairness and inclusivity but also for actualisation of the lofty ideals of the present administration to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs in the country.

    “For a start, 530 million dollars is to be provided by the Federal Government, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the SAPZ programme.

    “On April 8, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, in Kaduna state, flagged off the construction of phase one of the SAPZ, as part of the present administration’s plan to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs.

    “Seven states and the FCT have been selected for the programme.

    “The North-West and South-West have two processing zones each – Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states. The South-South, South-East and North-Central have one processing zone each.

    “Despite its enormous agricultural potential, the north east is conspicuously missing from the list of states allocated the processing zones.

    “SAPZ aims to transform Nigeria’s agriculture landscape through innovation, private-sector investments and strategic public partnerships.

    “The zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses and expand rural economic opportunities.

    “Our potential in all aspects of the agricultural sector cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

    According to him, north-east zone is known for its enormous livestock and crop growth, contributing significantly to the country’s economic well-being and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “It is against this backdrop that we are extremely worried that our zone is excluded from the SAPZ programme regarded as “presidential priority project” and a direct response to the long-standing challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain,” Goje said.

    He, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for making the programme a reality in the country.

  • Senate advises FG to fix roads, include North East in Super Highway Projects

    Senate advises FG to fix roads, include North East in Super Highway Projects

    The Senate Thursday advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to include North East in the Super Highway projects just as it commended President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2trilion coastal roads projects.

    Senate’s call for inclusion of North East in its Super Highway projects , followed a motion moved to that effect by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje ( APC Gombe Central) .

    Senator Goje in the motion entitled : Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide “, lamented that out of the N4.2trillion road projects only N19billion for for rehabilitation of two out many others in the North East , was allocated to the Zone .

    “It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.

    “Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.

    ” The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration”, he said .

    He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him , are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country, with a view to stimulating economic growth and development but stressed that the North East should be included .

    In nationalising the issue , the Senate amended Senator Goje’s second prayer from Urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the Country .

    During contributions to debate on the motion , many of the Senators who spoke , commended Goje for the motion but also listed series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re – construction .

    The President of the Senate in his remarks , Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country , issue of road deplorability in Nigeria will remain .

    He added that if previous administrations in the country had taken bold steps being taken by the Tinubu administration now , the problem wouldn’t have been gargantuan as they are now , as far as deplorable roads in Nigeria are concerned.

  • N-East govs express concern over rising of banditry

    N-East govs express concern over rising of banditry

    North East Governors’ Forum, NEGF, has raised concern over influx of bandits in some states .

    The concern is contained in a communique issued at the just-concluded 8th meeting of the forum in Maiduguri, signed by its Chairman, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.

    “While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion. The forum calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address the issue.

    “The forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, giving them shelter and cover to commit crimes within the subregion. The forum unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harbouring or conniving with the bandits,” the communique stated.

    It also raised concern over the proliferation of illegal mining in the region which was becoming a problem because of the link between mining activities and insecurity, particularly the abuse of the mining leases.

    It urged governments at all levels to enforce compliance with the provisions of local content as contained in Nigeria’s Mining Policy and the need for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.

    The communiqué also noted the issue of Climate Change and environmental degradation affecting the subregion and last year’s flood that devastated property and livelihoods, increasing the sufferings of the people.

    “This has been compounded by the silting of our rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business. There is the need for the Federal Government’s intervention in the area of desilting the rivers.”

     

  • 8.3m persons in need of humanitarian interventions in North/East – Minister

    8.3m persons in need of humanitarian interventions in North/East – Minister

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, says no fewer than 8.3 million Nigerians are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    Edu said the figure is part of the total 16 million Nigerians affected by various humanitarian crises, with the three states worse hit.

    The minister said this in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Rasheed Zubair, on Sunday in Abuja.

    She said aside from the North-East, Benue in the North/Central had been tagged the capital of humanitarian crises in Nigeria by United Nations.
    “We have a huge task on our hands, as we speak now, over 16m Nigerians are affected by humanitarian crises either man-made or natural disaster with over 8.3m of them based in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
    ”Several states in the North Central; and others spread across the country.

    “The UN said Benue had become the humanitarian need capital in Nigeria, and as such, a lot of work needs to be done in the humanitarian angle,” she said.

    She added that “One of the agendas of Tinubu administration is to ensure that poverty is alliviated in Nigeria in line with the SDG goal one.
    “The president is coming up with a very robust program to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

    “Our work is to see how we can get those in poverty out and those at the verge of getting into poverty increase to social safety to protect them from falling into poverty.
    “In a couple of weeks, we will be fully launching into this plans to take out over 136 million Nigerians out of poverty as implementation has started to help cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.”

    She said the ministry had come up with innovative ways of thorough verification of the social register for accuracy and transparency.

    “We are bringing innovations to ensure transparency in Conditional Cash Transfer by carry out a thorough verification of the social register, validate and then expand it to accommodate more persons.

    “We will be working with the World Bank while seeking approval from the President to begin the Conditional Cash Transfer to Nigerians” she said.
    The minister promised to upgrade, rejig and expand the social safety net programme to accommodate more people through a transparent process.

    “We want to increase the Social Safety Net for Nigerians in a transparent manner by counting the numbers together just as we counted COVID-19 cases using a digitalised system.

    “We are very conscious of the fact that Mr President’s passion and true intentions are to ensure that we can lift Nigerians out of poverty.
    “Party politics is over, now is time for governance, President Tinubu is a president for everyone irrespective of political party,” she said.

    She therefore assured Nigerians that the ministry would soon come up with accurate and acceptable social register to curb the challenge associated with disparity in the register.

    ”Ministry would soon come up with a more acceptable Social Register, one that will be verified, validated.

    ” It will also be expanded to include those who should be there while taking off those who no longer belong within that bracket.

    ”We will also work with all tiers of government as well as various communities to identify persons eligible for the scheme.” she added.

  • Addressing Sexual Predators and Resettlement Challenges for Female IDPs in North East Nigeria

    Addressing Sexual Predators and Resettlement Challenges for Female IDPs in North East Nigeria

    Instances of rape and sexual predation have become a distressing issue in various parts of Nigeria, especially among internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, where female children are particularly vulnerable.

    In Borno State, concerns have been raised over the rising incidents of rape and sexual violence against girls, with survivors and their families often hesitant to come forward.

    Both government and non-governmental organizations have strongly condemned the scourge that has affected many female IDPs over the years.

    Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, spoke out against sexual predators targeting female IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

    He shared alarming statistics from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which reported a total of 5,623 incidents of child abuse and other sexual and gender-based violence from January 2018 to July 2022 across the three states in the North Eastern region.

    According to the SARC study, 640 arrests were made, accounting for 88.6 per cent of the total number of sexual and gender-based violence incidents over the four-year period.

    Additionally, 82 offenders were charged in various courts within the three states. The report also highlighted that eight convictions were secured against sexual offenders who were taken to court.

    Human Rights Watch documented cases of sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation, involving 43 women and girls living in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

    Several studies have concluded that the culprits and perpetrators of gender-based violence in IDP camps include civilians, military personnel, and emergency management officers who are assigned to protect and support internally displaced persons.

    The report also shed light on government officials and other authorities in Nigeria who raped and sexually abused girls displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram.

    Tragically, in January 2022, a 15-year-old IDP named Aisha Umar in Borno State committed suicide after being raped by a 35-year-old official from an international non-governmental organization.

    The incident took place at the suspect’s apartment near the Dalori IDP camp in Maiduguri, under the pretense of cleaning the area.

    Efforts to Resettle IDPs

    The Borno State Government’s efforts to resettle IDPs have played a vital role in reducing sexual violence against females seeking refuge in the region.

    Governor Babagana Zulum has officially closed all formal IDP camps in Maiduguri due to the return of peace in the state.

    Beginning in 2021, the state government initiated the closure of all camps in the capital, which is considered the most secure location in the state.

    By August 2022, Borno State authorities had successfully relocated over 140,000 people from eight closed camps in Maiduguri since May 2021.

    This significant progress has undoubtedly eased the issue of sexual harassment in the North Eastern region, as the closure of formal IDP camps and the resettlement efforts are crucial steps toward ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.

    However, ongoing vigilance, comprehensive support services, and strict enforcement of laws are necessary to address and prevent sexual predation and other forms of gender-based violence, both within IDP camps and in broader society.

    Continued collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and the international community is vital to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those affected by conflicts and displacement.

  • APC lifts suspension on National Vice Chairman North-East

    APC lifts suspension on National Vice Chairman North-East

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), has lifted the suspension placed on Mr. Salihu Mustapha, its National Vice Chairman, North-East.

    Mr. Abdulkadir Abdullahi, the APC Rumde Ward Chairman in Adamawa stated this at news conference on Monday in Yola.

    “We have lifted the early suspension slammed on Comrade Mustapha Salihu, North-East National Vice Chairman of the party.

    “This is as the result of reconciliation in the overall interest of our great party, Ward officials of Rumde, Yola North Local Government area.

    “The disunity among party loyalists is what caused the internal party squabble that led to a purported suspension of Mustapha,” he said.

    He said that Mustapha was clearly the leader of the party who had ensured unity among stakeholders.

    Abdullahi said the party was more united as a family in its quest to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Mr Garba Mohammed, the ward secretary of the party described Mustapha as great man that was standing strong for the party.

    Mohammmed said that the suspension was done in error, which was regrettable.

  • Naira swap mitigated ISWAP/Boko Haram activities in N/East – Army

    Naira swap mitigated ISWAP/Boko Haram activities in N/East – Army

    The Theartre Commander,  North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali has said that the Naira swap and cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mitigated violent extremism in the North East.

    He stated this while interacting with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Borno State Council, on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

    The commander described the policy as a positive step, adding that it has mitigated terrorists’ activities since inception.

    “The terrorists who had been exposed to hardship living conditions have resorted to kidnapping, seeking for ransom in cash and requesting for food stuff from their victims,” he said.

    He said that the terrorists had also resorted to propaganda on social media in their desperate attempt to remain relevant.

  • Insecurity: DSS directors brainstorm in Gombe

    Insecurity: DSS directors brainstorm in Gombe

    Directors of the Department of State Service (DSS) in the North-East have called for closer collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders to enhance security network in the region.

    They made the call on Thursday in Gombe at the 10th North-East conference of State Directors of the DSS.

    The conference is being organised by the Service to enable the participants to strategise towards improving security in the region.

    Mr Hussaini Abdullahi, the DSS Director in Bauchi State, said that no security agency could effectively secure the nation without collaborations from other sister agencies.

    “Whichever agency you belong to, whatever you feel that another agency will be of help, please feel free to request for such assistance.

    “For us, once such assistance comes, we should endeavour to assist one another.

    “If we work as a team, we will achieve more result and better results with minimal stress.

    “That is why I emphasise that we should always collaborate. That is what will take us to achieving success,” he said.

    Mr Abba Adams, DSS Director in Gombe State, said the conference was a solutions-oriented initiative of the DSS.

    Adams said the aim is to bring together state directors of the service to brainstorm on general security situation of their respective areas to find solutions to peculiar challenges in the region.

    He said that at the end of the conference, participants were expected to produce workable solutions to the security challenges in the region.

    The director listed some of the security threats in the region to include insurgency; kidnapping, banditry, thuggery, pastoralists/farmers clash as well as youth restiveness.

    He commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for prioritising the issues, noting that the state had been peaceful in spite of security challenges in the region.

    Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Oqua Etim attributed the relative peace in the state to collective efforts of all stakeholders,

    Etim called for sustained efforts to maintain the prevailing peace in the state.