​Zulum emerges University of Ibadan alumnus of the year; also wins most distinguished alumnus award

… ‘It’s a challenge to do more’ says Governor

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum on Saturday emerged University of Ibaban’s alumnus of the year 2020, the fifth person to be such honoured since 1973.

He also bagged the distinguished alumnus award of the premier university.

The decision to recognize Zulum was reached by all time graduates of the University from all parts of the world through their alumni association. 

Zulum, a professor of soil and water engineering, was a student of the University from 1997 to 1998 during which he bagged an Msc in agricultural engineering, before obtaining his Phd at the University of Maiduguri in 2009. 

The presentation held at Dame Edith Okowa Auditorium, Dr. Michael Omolayole Alumni Complex at the University of Ibadan. 

The event was attended by Governors of Osun, and Kwara States. 

Dr. Kemi Anthony Emina, immediate past president of the association, who handed Zulum’s award, described the Governor’s performance in office as outstanding.

Zulum was the fifth to win the award since 1973 when the University of Ibadan Alumni Association came into existence, Emina said. 

The event had four award categories: life-time achievement, worthy ambassador, most distinguished alumnus and alumnus of the year 2020, and honours to some prominent Nigerians. 

Zulum was honoured in two different categories; most distinguished alumnus, and the alumnus of the year 2020. 
In their separate remarks, Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and former Minister of Health, Prof. Issac F. Adewole both commended Governor Zulum for his quality leadership in Borno. 

“I personally see this award as a challenge.

Let me assure you that this will further encourage me to do more” Zulum said in his reaction. 

The Governor also expressed appreciation to his lecturers while he was a student at the University of Ibadan back in 1997 and 1998.

Zulum said he would work on strengthening the relationship between the University of Ibadan and University of Maiduguri. 

The Governor was accompanied to the ceremony by former Governor Kashim Shettima, Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Abubakar Kyari, Speaker of the State Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, some principal officers assembly members, Commissioner of Agriculture, Engr. Bukar Talba, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Protocol, Alhaji Ahmed Sanda. 

Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazak, received a posthumous award honoring his late father. 

Acting Vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Adebola Babatunde Ekanola was also at the event. 

The Borno Governor has since 2019, won different awards which include NUJ’s most promising first term Governor, 2019, Muslim personality of the year, 2019; Tell Magazine’s Governor of the year, 2020; Vanguard Newspapers’ personality of the year, 2020; Leadership Newspapers’ personality of the year 2020; Zik prize for leadership, 2020; Silverbird’s special award, 2020; Igbere TV’s Governor of the year, 2020; Community Development Pillar Award, 2020 and BusinessDay Newspapers governor of the year, 2021.

Fake news worsen insecurity – Kaduna Speaker

By Habila Victor, Kaduna

The Speaker Kaduna state House of Assembly and Chairman Northern Speakers Forum, Rt. Honourable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, has cautioned journalists against the spread of fake news in the society.

He made the call on Saturday in his remark presented at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone A maiden roundtable and zonal meeting held at Arewa House, Kaduna.

The speaker wanrned that recent happenings in the media circle are threatening the successes recorded through the proliferation of fake news which is a dangerous trend, capable of setting the nation on fire.

He stressed that the dangers of fake news perhaps, makes the insecurity problem worse through creating panic, apprehension and genocidal tendencies that could plunge the nation into serious crisis.
According to him, “As Media practitioners, the zeal to report only verifiable information to the public with all sincerity of purpose and a patriotic mindset is key to pulling us out of the woods.”
“The Nigerian media, since independence has played a remarkable role in country’s development and stands tall not just in Africa, but globally. ”
Zailani stated that the media is an integral part of the society that plays a crucial role in shaping discourse that can either enhance it’s growth or limit its potentials.
“We are all witnesses to the sacrifices of Media practitioners in ensuring the entrenchment of democracy in our dear country Nigeria, with some, losing their lives, while others who were lucky, serve jail terms for daring to challenge perceived injustices.”, He said.

He urged Nigerian media to brace up and take the challenge of ridding our country of criminals, without creating hatred or animosity towards a particular group of people.

Zailani added that “This is why the theme of this roundtable, “Fake News, Governance and Society” is apt and well thought out, bearing in mind prevailing conditions gaining roots from insecurity challenges in the Country. There is no part of the country that is not grappling with insecurity.”

“You will agree with me however, that the response to these crimes from the media in different parts of the country is what makes its prevalence to either reduce or gain proportion.”

“There is no race or ethnic group that does not have  criminal elements. Criminality knows no language or religion. A criminal is a criminal and must be labelled so, not by lumping others of the same ethnic group or religion of the criminal through profiling or stereotyping.”, He mentioned.

The speaker further called on the  journalists to always put Nigeria first and keep to core ethics of the profession, saying balance, objectivity, fairness, factual reporting will make Nigeria to brace up her role as giant of Africa  .

NANS Calls for Quick Release of Remaining Afaka 39 Students

………Elects new leadership

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone ‘A’ has elected another set of leaders after its annual zonal convention held at the Federal College of Education Technical, Gusau Zamfara State.

NANS Zone ‘A’ comprises ten States which are Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Gombe and Bauchi.

A communique signed by Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, S A Lukman, Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee, Baba Waziri, Convention Chairman, Ibrahim Yerima and Convention Clerk,
Muhammed Saba, called on both the federal and Kaduna State governments to fast-track the release of the remaining 29 students of Federal College of Forestry and Mechanisation Afaka, Kaduna.

According to the communique, the annual Zonal convention became sacrosanct following the expiration of term of office of the outgoing Zonal leadership under Comr Zakari Hashim of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Bauchi state.

The communique read in part: “the assessment of the delegates/senators present represents 73% of the total expected delegates/Senator thereby affirm 2/3 majority constitutional required to form quorum hence the business of the day commenced.

“Election into office of convention Chairman was conducted after the nomination of Comr Ibrahim Yerima of Kano Axis and Comr Ola Kolawole of Zamfara Axis, Comr Ibrahim Yerima emerged with 49 votes to beat Comr Ola who scored 8 votes.

“Election into office of coordinator was conducted for the two nominees, Comr Muhammed Adamu Kachinga of Kebbi State University of Science And Technology, Aleiro and Comr Umar Faruk Gazali of Kaduna State University. Comr Adamu Kachinga scored 37 votes to beat Comr Gazali who scored 18 votes.

“Election into the office of zonal secretary was conducted for the two nominees; Comr Idris Isah H Sanata of Ibrahim Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, and Comr Abdulsalam Ibrahim A Bako of Federal College of Education kano. Comr Sanata emerged with 38 votes to beat comrade Bako with 15 votes (with 4 void votes)

“The following are the new elects Muhammed Adamu Kachinga, Kebbi State University of Science And Technology Aliero, Kebbi state is the Coordinator, Comr. Umar Faruk Gasali, Kaduna State University Kaduna is the Deputy Coordinator while Idris Isah Sanata, Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, is the Secretary-General.

“Others are Abubakar A Baba, Umar Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, Assistant Secretary-General, Falalu Aliyu Dan Rimi, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state, is the Financial Secretary, Ahmed Abubakar, ABU Zaria, Kaduna State, Treasurer, Bello Hassan, FCE Bichi, Kano State, Sports Director, Adamu shamsiya, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Director of Gender, Bashir Lawal M, Abdul GUSAU Polytechnic Talata mafia, Zamfara state, Director of Special Duties and Abdulsalam Ibrahim a Bako, Federal college of Education kano as Director of Contact and Mobilisation.

“The forum in a unanimous decision through voice vote elected Comr Bello Khalifa as the new chairman of Zone ‘A’ stakeholders forum and Comr Nasir Sokoto as secretary”.

The Communique, however, commended the outgoing Zonal leadership under the coordination of Comr Zakari Hashim for their zeal and determination to protect the unity of the zone despite all odds.

On the issue of security, it said, “NANS condemn the continuous attacks on schools by bandits and kidnappers including the abduction of innocent Nigerian students, hence, approved conceptualisation of ” Safe Campus Initiative” to compliment security network on campus to be headed by Comr Salahudeen A Lukman.

​Doctors strike may end today as FG, NARD reach agreement

The Federal Government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have reached an agreement raising hope that the striking doctors may end their industrial action any moment from today.

The agreement was signed Friday after a conciliation meeting between both parties at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, fine-tuned the Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed by both parties on March 31, 2021, a few hours before NARD embarked on the indefinite strike on April 1.

Leaders of NARD are expected to communicate the Minister of Labour and Employment the outcome of their in-house meeting before the end of today on the strike situation.

The Friday meeting had addressed all the six demands of NARD, namely, the Non-payment of House Officers/ Non-recruitment of House officers, Abolishment of the Bench Fees, Non-payment of National Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment Arrears, Residency Training Allowance, Hazard Allowance and Payment of Resident Doctors on GIFMIS platform.

Briefing after the meeting, Ngige said they noted that the payment of the House Officers’ salaries experienced some irregularities as double payments were made to some house officers in some centers and a few have not been paid as of date.

According to the Minister, in view of this situation, a 5 man Committee was set up to harmonise the list of the names submitted by NARD, Chairman, Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CCMD) with MDCN.

He explained that the Committee was to work for 72 hours and produce a valid list to IPPIS through the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), while IPPIS is to as soon as possible create a platform where all payments made and the recipients would be made available for accessibility and information, without which it would be difficult to determine those that have been paid and those not paid.

“IPPIS should adopt the folio number of H/Os as a means of identification of them as they are being engaged and for their payments.”

On the abolishment of the bench fees which was earlier agreed as part of the MoA, Ngige said the Permanent Secretary FMoH is to issue a circular to this effect and send a Memorandum on this for ratification at National Council on Health (NCH) whenever convened.

Regarding the non-payment of national minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears and salary shortfall in 2014 – 2016 of resident doctors, Ngige said NARD and CCMDs should immediately submit list of affected institutions and personnel strength in order for it to be captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget. The arrears should be from April 2019 to December 2019 as in MoA1.

“The CCMDs and the Permanent Secretary of the FMoH are to work on this with the assistance of the Budget Office (BoF) in order to also capture it in the Supplementary 2021 Budget. The special issue of the 2014 – 2016 Salary Shortfall is to be treated here too. Two (2) weeks is dedicated to this.”

On the issue of Residency Training Allowance, he said 558 people who are not Residents were wrongly paid and 1003 bonafide Residents were not paid.

He disclosed that those not paid will be captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget while those wrongly paid will be requested to refund same.

“The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) is to provide a special account for this remittance. The Post Graduate Medical College is to henceforth compile the list of all Residents eligible for this payment and transmit to the Budget Office (BoF) through the Federal Ministry of Health.”

Coming to the issue of hazard allowances, he said the meeting noted that the issue is not peculiar to NARD but cuts across the entire Health Sector and her workforce.

‘The meeting was informed that the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) would be meeting on Monday, 12th April, 2021 at the Federal Ministry of Finance to examine the hazard allowance issue with National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) after which the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), NARD and other stakeholders will meet on Wednesday, 14th April, 2021 in the Federal Ministry of Labour (FML&E) with their position papers with the PCS. NARD is to come with their position paper as part of the NMA team.

“On Group Life Insurance claims for deceased NARD members, NARD should facilitate the compilation of the list of deceased members by CMDs at the appropriate desk in their institutions. This will be forwarded to the relevant insurance Companies for payment through the FMoH. This should be accomplished on or before end of April 2021.”

On the issue of doctors being paid on the GIFMIS platform, he said the meeting noted that NARD is happy with the progress being made to migrate affected doctors to IPPIS platform before the end of April 2021, adding that IPPIS confirmed that one week after getting the verified list from BoF, payment will be made.

“In view of these understandings, NARD National Officers Committee (NoC) will consult urgently her Executive Council with a view to giving this conciliation process a chance for industrial peace by calling off the strike embarked on 1st April 2021.

NARD is to communicate to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment on their decision before 12 noon of 10th April, 2021.No member of NARD is to be punished for this strike,” Ngige said.

​S’West PDP Congress: State Chairmen raise alarm over plot to use armed thugs dressed in Amotekun uniform

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and the Ogun States have raised the alarm over a plan by a State Governor, to bring over 150 armed thugs dressed in the uniform of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun to Osogbo for the South-West Zonal Congress on Monday.

The State Chairmen, who spoke through the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Dr Sikirulai Ogundele, said the presence of anyone in Amotekun uniform anywhere near the congress venue will be resisted.

Sikirulai, who spoke on behalf of the PDP chairmen in Ekiti, Lagos, Osun States, Otunba Bisi Kolawole, Engr Adedeji Doherty and Hon Sunday Bisi respectively, said there was credible information confirming the plot to clothe thugs in Amotekun uniform to invade Osogbo on Monday.

He called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that only authorised security personnel and delegates are allowed into the congress venue.

Sikirulai said; “We are aware that they want to bring in thugs under the guise of Amotekun and we are warning them to perish that idea because it will be resisted.

“The main idea behind the creation of Amotekun is to secure Yorubaland from kidnappers and other criminals that are destroying our farmlands, killing our people and raping our wives and daughters.

“It is not the duty of Amotekun to monitor political party congresses and those behind this clandestine plot should get this very clear.

“We, therefore, alert the police and Department of State Service (DSS) in Osun State of the plot and urge them to warn those behind it of the consequences.”

​KDSG appoints Alhaji Ya’u Shehu Usman as Emir of Kauru

Habila Victor, Kaduna

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has approved the appointment of Alhaji Ya’u Shehu Usman, former Sakin Fadan Kauru, as the new Emir of Kauru and he wished him a prosperous and peaceful reign .

A statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye on Friday, said that Alhaji Ya’u who is from the Wadai ruling house, succeeds His Highness, Alhaji Ja’afaru Abubakar, the late Emir of Kauru, who passed away in January 2021.

The statement added that until his appointment as Emir of Kauru, Alhaji Ya’u was the chairman of the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

According to Adekeye, the new emir was born on 15th May 1955 in Kauru and had ‘’joined the Kaduna State civil service in 1977 and retired in 2012 as Director, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI), a special division in the Office of the Accountant General, Kaduna State.’’

Alhaji Yau had served Kaduna State in various capacities, including as Sole Administrator/Chairman, Giwa Local Government Council, Secretary, Kaduna South Local Government Area, Overseer, Zangon Kataf Local Government Council, member, Kaduna State Transition Committee (2015) and member, Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Agency (KASUPDA) board.

The statement further said that Alhaji Ya’u is a Certified National Accountant, who had “attended Kaduna Polytechnic, where he graduated with a Diploma in Accountancy in 1977.”

The Special Adviser said that Governor El Rufai has congratulated His Highness, Alhaji Ya’u Shehu Usman on his appointment and wished him a prosperous and peaceful reign as Emir of Kauru.