Zamfara Killings: Situation getting out of hand, says IGP

Source: Daily Trust
Police inspector-general Ibrahim Idris says security situation in Zamfara is getting out of hand even as he promised through investigation into killings in Birane village last Wednesday.

Delivering a short speech at  the palace of emir of Zurmi, Abubakar  Muhammad, when he paid a condolence visit to the Emirate the IGP said the perpetrators of the dastardly act would soon be brought to book.

Responding , Muhammad said the gunmen invaded Birane village on about 200 motorbikes firing at residents.

He said in the past, dozens of residents were killed in his emirate in similar attacks and they were thinking that with the assurance given by the government and the security operatives that the attacks and would be stopped.

The emir then charged the security operatives to live up to the expectations of the people in tackling the menace of armed banditry and cattle rustling plaguing the communities.

"We are begging you to help us in protecting our lives and property. The Police Force and the Federal Government should provide adequate logistics to the security officials," he added.

In his speech,  Governor Abdulaziz Yari who was represented by the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Dankande Gamji said he forewarned the security operatives of the impending attack but nothing was done to avert it.

He then implored the Inspector General of Police to use wisdom in order to bring about the much needed change in the security architecture of the state urging him  to act aggressively.

Pass Not To Young To Run Bill, Group Tasks Zamfara State House of Assembly

Youth organizations in Zamfara State under the aegis of Not Too Young To Run, have called on the state Assembly to urgently pass the Age Reduction Bill or forget the votes of the youth in 2019.
The Not Too Young Run Movement said they are driven by the compelling need to restructure the country’s political system to address the deeply entrenched system of political exclusion and institute inclusive politics, transformative leadership and electoral competitiveness in the electoral process.

Speaking to newsmen in Gusau,  the state Coordinator of the movement, Anas Sanusi Gusau said youths have greater role to play in participating in various development activities in the country.
”As we prepare for the 2019 general elections, the imperative of youths inclusion especially as candidates for all elective positions is not a matter for debate but a constitutional issue,” he said.
The Coordinator added data from the Independent National Electoral Commission ((INEC) indicates that about 52% of registered voters are young people between the ages 18-35 years.
“The reason why we are advocating for the passage of these bills is because of their impact in protecting the interest of youths and people at low level to participate in political and leadership issues in the country,” he said.
Gusau added that 23 out of the 36 state assemblies across the country had so far adopted the age reduction bill.
“We urge the National Assembly to transmit the constitution amendment bills to the President for assent as soon as the amendments are received from the states. Any further delay will not only undermine Nigeria’s democracy but could negatively impact on the 2019 elections,” he said.
He claimed youths have greater role to play in various development activities in the country.
“The 2019 elections present an opportunity for young people to assert their power not only as voters or campaign merchants but as qualified candidates,” he declared.

What We Expect The N-Power 2017 Applicants To Do...- Kabuga

A call has been made for the 2017 N-Power Applicants to exercise patience during the Pre-selection processes.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Zamfara State N-Power Coordinator, Ambassador Mubarak Aliyu Kabuga.

"The N-Power officials working at the National Situation Room have experienced some technical issues while uploading the Pre-Selection list on the internet. But, they are working to the best of their abilities towards the settlement of the issues encountered".

He added that: " Some of the applicants could be unable to access the N-Power portal. I want to assure them that, N-Power officials are working in the interest of the general public. All we need from our dear youth is to exercise patience and bear with us. N-Power is yours, nobody will deny it for you. N-Power is a due process programme, all of our duties are going in batches so that to ensure the comfortability of the programme as designated by the Federal Government. Just, keep your eyes glued to the Npower official handled social media accounts, for further information and instructions".

Recall that, N-Power have started releasing the 2017 Pre-Selection list in the late hours of Monday 20th November, 2017. The applicants should also visit http://portal.npower.gov.ng/n-power/search in order to check their names.


Wish you guys all the best.

Buhari made me to take cut salary ~ Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to take only half of his salary was what made him (the Vice-President) to do same.
He said he also failed in his attempt to convince Buhari to donate the half salary he rejected to him (Osinbajo).
Osinbajo said this at the public presentation of a book, “Making Steady, Sustainable Progress for Nigeria’s Peace and Prosperity” at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He spoke about the President’s frugality, saying he does not believe in amassing wealth at the detriment of those he is leading.
Osinbajo said, “Some things have not been included in the book and I might just supply some of that. One of such things is the exemplary frugality, the honesty and humility, and sense of humour of Mr. President.
“That frugality can sometimes be a problem. As you know, Mr. President decided that since government provides accommodation, food and transportation for the President and the Vice-President, we didn’t need a full salary.
“Now, how much is this salary by the way? It is public knowledge and I think it is N1, 750,000.00 or so, which is under N2m. He said he would take only half of his salary and so I had no choice but also to take half of my own salary.
“Unfortunately, Mr. President turned down my request, to give the other half to a worthy cause – his Vice-President. He didn’t consider me a more worthy cause to give half of his salary!
“In a country where politicians sometimes want to be as wealthy as Dangote, it is refreshing to have a President who most people won’t even dare to discuss any private benefit on a project with let alone a bribe or a kick-back.”
While describing corruption as Nigeria’s major problem, he added that the menace was the main reason for the depletion of the nation’s resources, such that the country had no savings when oil prices fell.
Osinbajo said it was the prudence and honesty of the President that ensured that despite the economic downturn, the Federal Government was able to support the states, spend N1.3trn on capital expenditure, the largest in the history of the nation, and also ensure it met all our other obligations, both foreign and local.
He added, “Mr. President’s unassuming personality and humility, is in my view, probably his greatest strength. This is why he is never flattered, or carried away by praise or adulation.
“He has always said ‘I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I am here to provide stability and leadership, to a generation, a group of people, determined to run this country honestly, to provide jobs and prosperity to the poor, and our huge youth population.’
“I remember when he was on medical vacation, and I was speaking to him on the phone fairly regularly and giving him a rundown of what was going on, especially when he was on the first medical vacation. He said to me, ‘don’t worry about telling me all that is happening, I rely on your judgment keep doing your best, what if I drop dead?! You would have to run it anyway.’
“I had to say to him, that his dropping dead was not part of the plan.”
Osinbajo said the ultimate benefit of public service was the ability to touch millions of lives for good or for ill, by governmental policies and actions.
He said the reality of honest and serious-minded nation building is that in the short- run, tough and unpopular decisions have to be made.
“The greatest challenge is how to take the tough decisions, do the difficult things, and keep the people’s support.
“I suppose you cannot be a Buhari and shy away from tough decisions, and the President has not been afraid to take the bold decisions even when they are criticised.
“What has happened so far under this government is the tough business of laying strong foundations. The first, is honesty and good governance, and prudence in government spending.
“The second is in ensuring that we have an infrastructure that can sustain our economy, not now, but in the next decades. For the first time, in at least a decade, we are spending 30% on capital expenditure,” Osinbajo said.
He said the government was dedicated “to ensuring that it gives the best that is possible to Nigerian

Jonathan denies receiving N5b from pension fund

Credit: The Nation

  

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has denied ever receiving any money from the controversial Pension Fund. Media adviser to the former president, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze dissociated the former President from allegations which accused an ‘Ex-President’ of being paid N5 billion monthly from the Pension Fund.

The claim credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had alleged that the chief legal officer to the federation had told a Senate ad-hoc committee that an “Ex-President was taking N5 billion monthly from the Pension Fund.”

In debunking the claim, Eze dismissed it as “a blatant lie hurriedly cooked up to divert the attention of the general public from the raging ‘Mainagate’ and other embarrassing scandals.”

According to Eze, “we believe that the story was concocted as part of the unfolding grand design to always dodge responsibility and blame every evil act taking place in the present dispensation on the past Jonathan administration.”