Tag Archives: Nasarawa

Governor Almakura’s son arrested for killing student.

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Khaleed Umar Al-Makura, son of Nasarawa state governor, Umar Al-Makura, has been arrested for killing a student of Government Secondary School, Lafia.

The victim, Ovye Amos, died on Sunday night after he was hit by the governor’s son with a car.

NAN reports that students of the school protested his death, carrying placards with various inscriptions demanding justice for Amos, a junior secondary school two student.

The police, officers of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, teachers and government officials intervened to calm the students.

Aliyu Tijjani, Nasarawa state commissioner for education, said the government had taken measures to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book.

“He has already been arrested. I want to express my profound dismay and sadness over what happened here yesterday. It is unfortunate, very very unfortunate.”

Goodluck Agwu, school head boy, explained that Amos was hit by the car driven by Khaleed when he went out to buy batteries for his flashlight at 8:00pm.

The students, who were not satisfied with the explanation of the commissioner, continued their protest but police were deployed to calm them.

Maikudi Shehu, area commander of Lafia area office, assured the students that they would be briefed on the development.

“It is a painful thing, we sympathise and empathise with you and we assure you that investigation is ongoing and that particular culprit as we are speaking now is under detention in our custody.

“We will keep you informed of developments as they unfold,” he said.

 

Source: NAN

British Government To Partner With Nasarawa On Infrastructure

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The British Government has pledged to partner with Nasarawa State Government in the areas of agriculture, mining, housing and infrastructure to help shore up its economic base.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Thomas, stated this when he paid Governor Tanko Al-Makura his first visit at the Government House, in Lafia, the state capital.

On his part, the Governor assured the UK of all the cooperation it needs so as to achieve optimum results.

While stating the purpose of his visit in a swift manner, he said that more needs is to be done in some sectors of the State and the United Kingdom is ready to partner.

“The purpose of my visit is to understand more about the challenges in this state, to understand about the opportunities in the state and see what support the British Government can bring to Nasarawa.

“Some of these opportunities include agriculture, mining, mass housing, infrastructure, and there is a lot of work that needs to be done, I know the Governor is getting on with that work and doing it very well.

“One of those sectors, one of those priorities are areas where the UK has expertise, British companies can come to the state and engage with you.

“We will look at the opportunities and see in what way they can contribute to the economic development of Nasarawa state”, he said.

The governor who appreciated the visit, responded by saying that the state has a conducive business environment and abundant natural resources, and so the United Kingdom will be given all the cooperation needed for a fruitful partnership.

“Agriculture, solid minerals which abound in Nasarawa state is because we have conducive business environment and climate that can produce any kind of crops.

“So, any British entrepreneur that is interested in partnering with this administration or any organisation within the state can come and we would give certain organisation all the support and encouragement” the governor said.

For optimal result to be achieved, Al-Makura assured that when a deal is signed, it would be supervised by him to avoid any hitch.

“I would like to take the opportunity of this courtesy to bring to your notice that we really acknowledge and appreciate all the support we are getting in terms of this international partner support.

“In particular I would want to assure you that whatever support that comes to Nasarawa state, will be personally supervised by me, to ensure that the ultimate objectives and results are achieved”, he said.

Also part of the visit was an exhibition of samples of mineral resources that the state is endowed with and a visit to the special school in Lafia.

 

Source: Channels TV

Nasarawa Lawmaker Lauds Performance Of Al-Makura.

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A member representing Akwanga west constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Peter Mbucho, has scored high the performance of governor Tanko Al-makura.

The lawmaker applauded Al-makura for an excellent performance as the third democratically elected governor of the state, adding that he has performed better than the past governors.

He made the remarks at the Red chambers in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, saying that the incumbent governor has done his best in the history of the state.

Furthermore, he commended the governor for the execution of infrastructural projects in the nooks and crannies of the state, founded in 1996.

Two other lawmakers, Oberre Kana and Tanko Tunga, also supporting the view of Mbucho, commended the state governor for presenting the 2017 budget at the appropriate time.

 

Source: Channels TV

BREAKING: Lassa Fever kills four in Nasarawa State

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The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Daniel Iya, has confirmed that four persons have lost their lives to Lassa fever outbreak in the state.

Mr. Iya told journalists on Monday in Lafia that 16 suspected cases have been recorded in the state, out of which four were confirmed positive and all of them have died.

He explained that the index case for the current outbreak was recorded in November 2016 and died a day later, while the three others died between January 13 and January 15.

According to Mr. Iya, the last three victims were discovered to be relatives of the index case, adding that 36 others, who had contact with the victims were being followed up.

He said the state government was doing its best with the assistance of the federal government through the provision of protective kits for medical personnel taking care of Lassa fever patients as well as drugs for treatment of the disease.

He said the state rapid response team had stepped up sensitization updates for health workers to check the spread of the disease.

Mr. Iya urged health workers in the state to always follow standard procedures in taking care of patients in the hospital.

He also urged members of the public to report cases of fever promptly to the hospital as early detection was crucial to survival of patients in the case of Lassa fever.

 

Source: NAN

Abducted wives of Nasarawa Commissioner regain freedom

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Hajia Rabi Aliyu and Hajia Larai Aliyu, wives of the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aliyu Tijjani, who were abducted from Nasarawa town, have regained their freedom.

 

DPS Kenedy Idrissu, Spokesman of the state Police Command, on Sunday in Lafia, said that the women were released by their abductors at about 11 p.m. on Saturday at Mararaba-Udege village in Nasarawa town.

He said the kidnappers were forced to release the women following sustained pressure from the Police search party.

 

He said no ransom was paid and that the victims were unhurt and had been reunited with their family.

 

According to Idrissu, no arrest has been made as investigation had begun to find those behind the incident.

 

The women were abducted at about 8 p.m. on Thursday from their residence in Nasarawa town by gunmen, who shot sporadically into the air before whisking away the victims in their vehicles.

Gunmen abduct 2 wives of Nasarawa State commissioner.

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Gunmen on Thursday night abducted the two wives of Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aliyu Tijani, from his residence in Nasarawa town.

 

Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello confirmed the incident on Friday in Lafia in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

 

Mr. Sadiq-Bello said the police was on the trail of the kidnappers and would soon apprehend them.

 

“We are aware of the abduction and as we speak now, we have gotten information about their location and we are closing in on them,” he said.

 

When contacted on phone, Mr. Tijani said the family has not been contacted by the kidnappers.

 

“As I speak with you now, we do not know where my wives are being kept and no one has contacted us. We shall continue to pray for their freedom,” Mr. Tijani said.

 

Meanwhile, a witness who would not want to be mentioned said that the gunmen numbering about 10 stormed the house in Nasarawa town, at about 8 p.m.

 

He said the gunmen shot sporadically into the air before whisking away the women in their vehicles.

Nasarawa Discovers 1,600 Ghost Workers On Payroll

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The Nasarawa State Government has discovered over 1,600 ghost workers on its payroll following the recent biometric data capture in the state.

Mr Idris Yakubu, the Executive Director (North), Skye Bank Plc, the consultancy company for the exercise, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lafia while presenting the report to Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.

Yakubu explained that the company was engaged to carry out the exercise in 2014 but security situation delayed the delivery on the job.

He said the purpose of the exercise was to verify the existence of all persons on the state government payroll, capture the basic and biometric details of all civil servants and eliminate the existence of ghost workers.’’

He added that the exercise was also aimed at producing a clean data base for payroll administration in the state.

Read More: guardian

Nasarawa Assembly Investigates Alleged Release Of N390m To ex-LG Chairmen

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The Nasarawa state House of Assembly has set up a six-man ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged release of N30 million to each of the former local government chairmen.

 

The money, meant for capital projects, was allegedly released two days to the end of their tenure in office.

 

The house constituted the committee on Tuesday during its proceedings in Lafia.

 

Mr Godiya Akwashiki (PDP-Nasarawa Eggon West), the Deputy Speaker of the house, directed the committee to do a thorough job on the allegation.

 

Akwashiki said that the information given by the complainants should be investigated before any further action on the matter.

 

Mr. Mohammed Udege-Ukpoku (APC-Udege/Loko), Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation who read the letter, said the complainants alleged that the state government released the amount to each of the chairmen for capital projects.

“A concerned group known as Nasarawa Concerned Group, Keffi, has alleged that the state government released N30 million to each of the immediate past local government chairmen.

“The letter was signed by the group Chairman, Mohammed Usman and the group Secretary, David Ose.

 

“The group said that the money was said to be for capital project and pleaded with this honorable house to verify the information,” Udege-Ukpoku said.

 

The house unanimously agreed to set up the committee.

 

Members of the committee were drawn from the House Committees on Public Complaints and Petitions, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and that of Finance and Appropriation.

 

They are to submit report on April 4.

 

NAN also reports that the two-year tenure of the elected local government chairmen and councilors expired on March 24.

 

(NAN)

IGP Gives Automatic Promotion To 9 Policemen In Nasarawa

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Alhaji Lawal Shehu-Batsari, Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday decorated nine policemen offered special promotion by Mr Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police during his recent visit to the state.

 

The IGP was impressed by their display during a parade by the sentry guards of the command on March 4.

 

He directed that they be given automatic promotion to their next rank.

 

The policemen, seven corporals and two constables were decorated with their new ranks by the commissioner.

 

Those promoted to sergeant are Laraba Iliya, Dodo Philip, Mabel Philip, Raphael Agida, Tasala Edeh, Daniel Gabriel and Bamaiyi Adigiri, while Josiah Nmadu and Abel Nmadu were moved from the rank of constable to corporal.

 

The commissioner challenged them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation through unwavering commitment to their job.

 

Shehu-Batsari thanked the IGP for the gesture, saying that it would spur other policemen to be more proactive in their assignment.

 

“To whom much is given, much is expected. You should be forthright, honest and dedicated in protecting the lives and properties of law-abiding citizens of this country.

You should be able to bring purposeful leadership to the force”, he said.

 

Shehu-Batsari warned policemen under the command against any act of corruption, saying anyone caught would be dealt with.

 

The commissioner stressed that as law enforcement officers, police personnel must always conduct themselves within the ambit of the law.

 

He commended the promoted officers and advised others to also aspire to excel.

 

“We believe that promotion is an incentive of encouraging officers to do more in terms of service to their father land.

“Those promoted have worked very hard in their respective fields and in their respective positions,” he said.

 

Sgt. Agida, who responded on behalf of the promoted policemen, thanked the IGP for the gestures, saying it would spur them to do more in the discharge of their responsibilities.

 

(NAN)

Gov. Al-Makura Inaugurates Construction Of N17.5bn Cargo Airport In Lafia

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Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state, on Friday, inaugurated the construction of an international cargo airport worth N17.5 billion in Lafia.

 

The governor laid the foundation stone for the project at Kwandere village, about 10 kilometres from Lafia metropolis.

 

He said that the conception of the airport was informed by the desire of his administration to create a formidable platform for transportation of both domestic and international passengers.

 

He explained that the project would be executed under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

 

He said that the principal partner a Chinese company, Tongyi group, would provide 75 per cent of the cost of the project, while the government would provide the remaining 25 per cent.

 

Al-Makura expressed confidence that the construction firm would complete the project within the 18 months period stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

 

He said that when completed, the airport would unbundle the economic potentials of not only Nasarawa state, but the North-Central geo-political zone of the country.

 

He maintained that the project would open a new vista of economic activities, create employment for the teeming youths and boost the inflow of revenue into the coffers of the state.

 

“This airport will also serve as spring board for easy evacuation of the abundant agricultural produce and solid mineral resources in the state,” Al-Makura added.

 

The governor pointed out that aside the attraction of investment, the airport would serve as an alternative terminus to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

 

“When constructed, the new airport will help assuage the congestion and over-stretched facilities at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.’’

 

He assured the host communities where the airport is sited of adequate compensation on their lands in line with the provisions of the land use Act.

 

He urged them to support the execution of the project for the benefit of all.

 

Al-Makura also announced that government had concluded plan to construct a bye-pass to link the airport to Abuja.

 

He explained that the bye-pass would shorten the journey from Lafia to Abuja to one and half hours and provide alternative for commuters plying the Lafia-Akwanga-Keffi-Abuja route.

 

Earlier, Mr Zheng You, Chairman of Tongyi group, assured the governor and people of the state that the company would deploy its expertise and technology to deliver on the project within the stipulated time.

 

 

(NAN)

Police Arrest Evangelist Over Rape Of 13-years-old Girl

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested an evangelist alleged to have raped a 13-year-old girl in Marraraba, Karu Local Government area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Sani Mohammed, told newsmen on Monday in Lafia, that the suspect was invited to stay with the girl’s family in Marraraba, based on trust, but abused the privilege by forcefully having carnal knowledge of the minor.

“It is unfortunate that the Pastor took advantage of his closeness to a family among his congregation to rape their 13-year-old daughter,” he said.

The Commissioner, who claimed that the suspect had confessed to committing the crime, said that the evangelist had earlier told investigators that he was trying to remove demons from the girl.

“This man was believed to be a man of God by the family but used the advantage of his said position and proximity to the family to rape the 13-year-old girl,” he lamented.

Mohammed said that investigation had been concluded on the matter and the suspect would soon be charged to court.

 

(NAN)

PDP Senatorial Candidate In Nasarawa State Drops Petition Against APC’s Abdullahi Adamu

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The Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Nasarawa-West during the in the last general elections, Mr Ahmed Wadada, has withdrawn his case against Sen. Abdullahi Adamu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal.

NAN reports that the petitioner announced his decision through his counsel, Mr John Mathieu, during a pre-hearing on Monday at the tribunal in Lafia.

The counsel announced the decision through an oral application. Mathieu said the decision of his client on the case was best known to him.

“I have a written instruction from my client to withdraw the petition, and this decision is best known to him; he is a politician; he knows why he has withdrawn.

“My responsibility is to demand a written instruction to that effect; he has given me one; I have no choice but to obey those instructions”, the counsel said.

Ruling on the matter, the new Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Peter Obiora, who replaced the former Chairman, Abdulkareem Aruwa, asked the petitioner to file a formal application within 24 hours.

Nasarawa Governor Adopts 6 Year Old Disabled Boy

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Nassarawa state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura yesterday June 7th adopted a 6yr old physically challenged boy named Samaila Dantani, promising to sponsor the young boy from primary to tertiary institution. The governor came across the boy during his inspection of a flooded area along Jos road in Lafia, the Nassarawa state capital. Young Samila was living in the Akurba area with his parents who are taking refuge there following communal clash in their village, Ashangwa.

I Am A Victim Of Electoral Fraud – Labaran Maku

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance in Nasarawa State, Mr. Labaran Maku, on Wednesday, rejected the result of the just concluded governorship election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state.

In a statement issued in Lafia, Maku said he would continue to fight for social liberty and justice.

The statement read, “We will fight until freedom, liberty and justice are attained for all our people regardless of ethnic, religious and social origins.”

He also alleged that there were widespread fraud, conspiracy and collusion among electoral and security stakeholders during the election.

He said he did not lose the governorship election to Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress.

He also said the governorship election was characterised with widespread reports of ballot theft and irregularities in government quarters.

Reacting to the allegations, the state chairman of the APC, Mr. Philip Shekwo, stated that Government House, Lafia, was not a polling unit for governorship election in the state.

“Government House, Lafia, is not a polling unit for the conduct of governorship election in the state,” he added

Jonathan Beats Buhari in Nasarawa- INEC

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President Goodluck Jonathan has created an upset in Nasarawa State by defeating his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election in the state. According to the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lafia on Monday, Jonathan got 273 460 votes to Buhari’s 236 838.

Jonathan won in seven out of the 13 local government areas of the state. He won in Obi, Keana, Nasarawa, Eggon, Kokona, Doma and Akwanga, while Buhari took Keffi, Wamba, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe and Lafia local government areas. Nasarawa State is under the control of an APC-led government under Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

Read More: FreedomOnline