Author Archives: News All Around

By Mike Odeh James

Comrade Gbenga Fajoye, Chairman of the Unemployed Youths Association of Nigeria (UYAN), Delta State Chapter, has come out in support of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. Fajoye defended the company’s record on preventing oil theft and improving Nigeria’s oil production quota.

Fajoye’s defense comes after criticism from Comrade Jude Gbaboyor, former Secretary General of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). Gbaboyor had petitioned the management of Arise Television to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), over alleged false claims that Nigeria had recorded two million barrels per day in crude oil production.

According to Fajoye, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has made significant contributions to securing oil installations and pipelines in the Niger Delta region. The company has implemented a community-friendly approach, which has brought peace to the once chaotic waterways and creeks in the region.

Fajoye highlighted the company’s efforts in combating oil theft, including the detection and elimination of several illegal operations. Between August 2022 and November 2024, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited discovered 3,963 incidents related to oil theft, including 702 illegal connection points, 971 theft cases, and 1,784 illegal refineries. This led to the destruction of 3,063 facilities.

The company has also apprehended several vessels and equipment involved in illegal oil activities, including eight vessels, three tugboats, six barges, 117 vehicles, and 1,743 wooden boats. Fajoye noted that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has collaborated with government and security agencies to enhance coordinated efforts against oil theft.

In addition to its collaborative efforts, the company has employed advanced surveillance technologies to monitor oil installations and detect illegal activities. This includes the use of drones, sensors, and satellite imagery for real-time monitoring.

Fajoye stated that the efforts of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited have led to a significant reduction in oil losses. The company’s operations contributed to a 79% reduction in crude oil losses, demonstrating its effectiveness in combating oil theft and improving oil production.

As a Niger Delta youth leader, Fajoye’s defense of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited highlights the company’s positive impact on the region. The company’s community-friendly approach and collaborative efforts with government and security agencies have contributed to a safer and more secure environment for oil production.

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has expressed disappointment over Punch Newspaper’s criticism of the federal government’s decision to establish a Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Southern Kaduna. In a press statement signed by the Chairman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF questioned the newspaper’s motives, wondering why it did not condemn the establishment of four new federal tertiary institutions in Zaria town, which already has 11 federal institutions.

According to Binniyat, the Punch Newspaper’s editorial of January 7, 2025, dismissing the new university as “political” and a “Greek gift,” was unfair and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the historical marginalization of Southern Kaduna. “We feel that had the Editors of Punch been armed with the shocking marginalization that Southern Kaduna has suffered in the allocation of federal institutions in Kaduna State, they would have written their editorial from a rather sympathetic perspective,” Binniyat said.

The MBF chairman noted that Southern Kaduna, which makes up 12 local government areas out of the 23 in Kaduna State, has been neglected in the allocation of federal institutions. “Kaduna State has an approximate landmass of 46,000 square kilometers, out of which Southern Kaduna has an estimated 26,000 square kilometers. Yet, Southern Kaduna has no single university,” Binniyat lamented.

Binniyat also pointed out that the new university in Kachia already has a well-developed physical structure, courtesy of the privately-built Nok University, which was forfeited to the federal government by the EFCC. “Unlike Speaker Abbas, who secured N80 billion funding for Zaria’s new schools, the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is not costing the federal government much to build,” he said.

The MBF chairman questioned the Punch Newspaper’s silence on the establishment of four new federal tertiary institutions in Zaria town, which already has 11 federal institutions. “Why didn’t the Editors of Punch write their editorial condemning the creation of new federal universities when Zaria town, which is already saturated with federal institutions, got additional four new ones?” Binniyat asked.

Binniyat also expressed concern that the Punch Newspaper’s criticism may be motivated by a desire to discourage the federal government from establishing the new university. “We suspect that the motive behind the Punch Editorial is to discourage the federal government from seeing the takeoff of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia,” he said.

The MBF chairman emphasized the importance of the new university to the people of Southern Kaduna, who have been historically marginalized. “A university is not merely a place of learning; it is an economy and a development hub of its own, with accompanied value chains that could dramatically spark unprecedented prosperity to its area of location and environs,” Binniyat said.

Binniyat called on the Punch Newspaper to reconsider its stance on the new university, noting that the MBF would appreciate a follow-up editorial that takes into account the historical context of Southern Kaduna’s marginalization. “We hope that the Punch Newspaper will do the right thing and give us a balanced reportage,” he said.

In conclusion, Binniyat reiterated the MBF’s commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of the people of Southern Kaduna. “We will continue to speak out against injustice and marginalization, and we will not be silenced by critics who do not understand our struggles,” he said.

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has expressed disappointment over Punch Newspaper’s criticism of the federal government’s decision to establish a Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Southern Kaduna. In a press statement signed by the Chairman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF questioned the newspaper’s motives, wondering why it did not condemn the establishment of four new federal tertiary institutions in Zaria town, which already has 11 federal institutions.

According to Binniyat, the Punch Newspaper’s editorial of January 7, 2025, dismissing the new university as “political” and a “Greek gift,” was unfair and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the historical marginalization of Southern Kaduna. “We feel that had the Editors of Punch been armed with the shocking marginalization that Southern Kaduna has suffered in the allocation of federal institutions in Kaduna State, they would have written their editorial from a rather sympathetic perspective,” Binniyat said.

The MBF chairman noted that Southern Kaduna, which makes up 12 local government areas out of the 23 in Kaduna State, has been neglected in the allocation of federal institutions. “Kaduna State has an approximate landmass of 46,000 square kilometers, out of which Southern Kaduna has an estimated 26,000 square kilometers. Yet, Southern Kaduna has no single university,” Binniyat lamented.

Binniyat also pointed out that the new university in Kachia already has a well-developed physical structure, courtesy of the privately-built Nok University, which was forfeited to the federal government by the EFCC. “Unlike Speaker Abbas, who secured N80 billion funding for Zaria’s new schools, the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is not costing the federal government much to build,” he said.

The MBF chairman questioned the Punch Newspaper’s silence on the establishment of four new federal tertiary institutions in Zaria town, which already has 11 federal institutions. “Why didn’t the Editors of Punch write their editorial condemning the creation of new federal universities when Zaria town, which is already saturated with federal institutions, got additional four new ones?” Binniyat asked.

Binniyat also expressed concern that the Punch Newspaper’s criticism may be motivated by a desire to discourage the federal government from establishing the new university. “We suspect that the motive behind the Punch Editorial is to discourage the federal government from seeing the takeoff of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia,” he said.

The MBF chairman emphasized the importance of the new university to the people of Southern Kaduna, who have been historically marginalized. “A university is not merely a place of learning; it is an economy and a development hub of its own, with accompanied value chains that could dramatically spark unprecedented prosperity to its area of location and environs,” Binniyat said.

Binniyat called on the Punch Newspaper to reconsider its stance on the new university, noting that the MBF would appreciate a follow-up editorial that takes into account the historical context of Southern Kaduna’s marginalization. “We hope that the Punch Newspaper will do the right thing and give us a balanced reportage,” he said.

In conclusion, Binniyat reiterated the MBF’s commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of the people of Southern Kaduna. “We will continue to speak out against injustice and marginalization, and we will not be silenced by critics who do not understand our struggles,” he said.

By Chika Opara

A firestorm of controversy has erupted in Kaduna State, as the Kaduna Elders Forum has come under scathing attack for its brazen attempt to discredit Senator Lawal Adamu Usman. The senator, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, had raised a distressing alarm about a recent assassination attempt on his life. However, in a shocking display of audacity, the Kaduna Elders Forum swiftly accused the senator of fabricating the assassination attempt, while also berating him for his alleged non-performance in office.

But the forum’s scathing criticism has raised more questions than answers. In a blistering rebuttal, the Mr. LA Support Group, a political forum dedicated to supporting the senator, has exposed the Kaduna Elders Forum as a group of “faceless persons” driven by ulterior motives. According to Ovyeh Ishaya and Sophie Umar, co-conveners of the group, the forum’s demands are nothing short of a politically motivated smear campaign.

So, what are Senator Adamu’s achievements that have rattled the Kaduna Elders Forum? Here are a few:

• Legislative Achievements: Sponsored 4 bills and 4 motions
• Education and Empowerment: Built 100 smart classes, paid scholarships for 1,000 students across Kaduna State, and empowered 430 individuals with ₦500,000 each for small-scale businesses
• Infrastructure Development: Building 100 solar-powered boreholes across 7 local governments and distributed 10,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers across Kaduna Central Senatorial District

According to Ovyeh Ishaya, “one thing is clear: the people of Kaduna State will not be fooled by the Kaduna Elders Forum’s blatant attempt to discredit their senator.” Ishaya added that the forum’s credibility “hangs in the balance, and its true intentions are being closely scrutinized by the people of Kaduna Central Senatorial District and the whole of Kaduna.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Umaru emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the attempted assassination, stating, “We have seen the proofs of an attempt to snuff life out of our lawmaker, we have seen the damaged car, the shattered windscreen, and we are fully convinced that there was an attempt to kill the Senator.” Umaru called on the authorities to expedite the investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.

Apparently angered by the recent alleged claim of assassination,and non performance, the Kaduna Elders Forum has demanded recall of Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district for undermining the peace of the State; poor representation and failure to deliver on campaign promises.

According to the Elders Forum,in the history of Senatorial representation in the state, no elected lawmaker has performed beyond expectation like senator Lawal Adamu.

The Kaduna Elders Forum, which demanded for the recall of the Senator in Press Statement signed by the Chairman ,Alhaji Inuwa Bala Rigasa expressed disappointment over his alleged claim of assassination and failure to speak and fight for the masses despite overt biting economic hardship.

Lawal Adamu Usman, the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has reportedly survived an alleged assassination attempt.

Recalled the senator, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 raised alarm over attempted assassination, but did not provide detailed information about the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

The forum disclosed that the Kaduna Police Command in a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer,DSP Mansir Hassan said, “Without mincing words, the Command is yet to receive any formal complaint from the distinguished Senator, aside from this astonishing publication on the social media, and all efforts to contact him proved abortive.”

The statement further reads: Worst of all ,we were embarrassed when Senator Lawal Adamu posted that he was attacked by thugs in Kaduna during the New Year Day .

“We did set up machinery to investigate and confirm the veracity of the attack claim and as the time is issuing this press statement neither the police or members of Kawo communities have confirmed the occurrence of such incident.

“At this stage,we can no longer contain his excuses thus we are demanding for his Recall immediately from the Senate.”

“It is unfortunate that despite being in the red chamber for over 18 months Senator Lawal Adamu Usman has remained mute and unaccessible to his constituents.”

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has blasted the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mal.Nasir Elrufai over recent comments made via his social media handle on alleged issues of Nepotism at NNPCL against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Farooq Kperogi, a US-based Nigerian professor of journalism had accused Tinubu of governing Nigeria with a Lagos mindset.

According to the scholar, Tinubu chose to dominate the economy with people from the South-West the way former President Muhammadu Buhari loaded the security sector with northerners during his administration

Elrufai later shared Kperogi’s post on his X handle and said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”, adding that sensible inclusion trumps senseless exclusion.

However in a swift reaction to Elrufai ‘s shared post, Comrade Shehu Sani via his X handle replied, ” “There were people who were silent when Buhari was fielding political offices with his Kinsmen, and have now found their voice to speak out when the equation doesn’t favour them.

The former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in 8th Senate overtly referred to Elrufai adding “Lets not make reference to the nepotism that marginalised Southern Kaduna for eight years.Kaduna was an apartheid state for eight years.”

According to Shehu Sani, anyone can talk or criticize President Tinubu on issues of alleged lopsided appointments or Nepotism, but certainly not Elrufai.

Ibrahim S. Tinja

In a groundbreaking move, the Arewa Ears Community Development Forum has launched its inaugural youths empowerment program in Potiskum/Nangere Local Government of Yobe State. The initiative aims to educate and empower northern Nigerian youths about various federal government programs, providing them with the necessary tools to improve their livelihoods and businesses.

Muazu Muhammad, the Chief Executive Officer of the forum, emphasized the organization’s commitment to serving as the voice of northern youths, advocating for jobs, empowerment, and government interventions that benefit all. To achieve this, the forum has forged a strategic partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Department Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide support to youths in Potiskum and Nangere federal constituency.

According to Muazu Muhammad, “The empowerment program was initiated by the forum to awaken the northern Nigerian youths on various federal government programs. We serve as the voice of the entire northern youths in seeking jobs, empowerment, and other government interventions for the benefits of all.”

The forum also plans to collaborate with Hajiya Fatima Talba, the member representing Nangere and Potiskum federal constituency, to develop and implement people-oriented policies and programs. Governor Mai Mala Buni was commended for his support to the organization, while the 500 empowered youths were urged to utilize the grants provided to enhance their livelihood conditions and businesses.

During the occasion, the forum presented awards to Governor Buni as the Best Northern Governor of the Year and Hon. Fatima Talba as the Best Northern Woman of the Year. This empowerment program marks a significant milestone in the forum’s efforts to promote youth development and economic growth in northern Nigeria.

The launch of the empowerment program was attended by dignitaries from across the region, including government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from SMEDAN. The event was a testament to the forum’s commitment to empowering northern youths and promoting economic growth in the region.

By Amos Mathew

Kaduna, Nigeria – December 25, 2024

As Christmas celebrations unfold across Kaduna State, Hon. Dr. Nita Byack George, Immediate Past Administrator of Jaba Local Government Area, has extended warm greetings to the people of Kaduna, commending Governor Senator Uba Sani’s exemplary leadership.

In a press statement released today, Dr. George acknowledged the significance of Christmas as a celebration of God’s gift of love to humanity. “Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated across the globe to reflect God’s gift of love to mankind, and we in Kaduna are part of this celebration,” she said.

Dr. George expressed her belief that everyone will celebrate within their means, sharing God’s love and reflecting on His blessings and mercies. “I believe that everyone alive will celebrate within his or her ability, sharing God’s love and reflecting God’s blessings and mercies over the years and years to come,” she added.

Dr. George also praised Governor Sani’s commitment to unity, citing his selfless efforts to promote peace, love, and harmony among Kaduna’s diverse communities. “His selfless efforts to promote peace, love, and harmony among the diverse communities in Kaduna State are truly commendable,” she said. “Indeed, he has proven himself to be a governor for all, regardless of tribe, religion, or background.”

Furthermore, Dr. George encouraged the people of Jaba Local Government to support their Chairperson, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku, who is working tirelessly to build a peaceful and prosperous local council. “To our wonderful people of Jaba Local Government, I enjoin you to support our able Chairperson, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku, who is leaving no stone unturned towards building a great peaceful and prosperous local council for all,” she said.

As the state looks forward to the new year, Dr. George emphasized the importance of working together to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious Kaduna State. “As we look forward to the new year 2025, let us continue to work together towards building a more peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious Kaduna State,” she said.

Dr. George’s message concluded with a prayer for God’s blessings on the state and its people, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. “May God bless our state and its people. May this festive season bring love, peace, and happiness to your homes and families. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!” she said.

By Nwanneka Nwosu
Kaduna

As part of end of year activities preparatory to the celebration of Christmas, the Seat of God (SOG) ministries hosted over 1000 of both members of the church and non-members to a get-together.

The get-together followed a thanksgiving service where praises and prayers were offered in appreciation to the Almighty God as many testified to the goodness of God over their lives and those of their families from January to December 2024.

Aside from the get-together which involved dining and winning, the church also distributed food items and cash to members and non-members as a way of reaching out to those in need.

Earlier in his sermon during the thanksgiving service, His Lordship, Bishop Ademola Tinuoye charged the congregants to always have a reason to thank God, stressing that if for nothing at all, at least because they are counted among the living.

“A grateful heart will always be thankful, when you are thankful to God, he will always do more for you,” he said, citing how ten lepers were healed but only one returned, and only that one was made whole.

He emphasized that thankfulness is the gate pass to the presence of God, adding that when we are thankful to God for what he has done, God will not only perfect it, he will do more.

Some of the beneficiaries of the food items and cash commended the church for its magnanimity and prayed God to increase the ministry.

For Mrs. Dorathy Ejimatswa, “I am indeed grateful for the show of love; we were fed with sumptuous food and thereafter given food items and cash. May God bless the church, I am grateful to the Church and the Bishop.”

In recognition of his contributions to environmental causes , Kaduna State University (KASU) has appointed former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani’s the Ambassador of the institution’s Green Sustainability Initiative.

The appointment conveyed in a letter signed by the Chairman, Green KASU Committee, Kaduna State University,Dr. Aliyu Jafaar Abubakar revealed that the decision to appoint Senator Shehu Sani was based on his vast knowledge, national and international connections, and proven track record of advocacy uniquely position as an invaluable ally in advancing the mission.

According to the letter, the Green KASU Sustainability Initiative is driven by the Institution’s collective resolve to foster environmental awareness; implement sustainable practices, and build partnerships that champion a
greener and more resilient future.

The letter further reads,”In light of this, it is my great honor, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and Kaduna State University, to nominate you as an Ambassador of the “Green KASU” Sustainability Initiative.

“As an ambassador, your influence and guidance would be instrumental in fostering collaborations, securing resources, and raising awareness about sustainability, both within our institution and beyond.

This opportunity aligns with the legacy of leadership and advocacy you have built over the years.Your contributions as an ambassador would cement your indelible mark in shaping a greener future for generations to come.

This role is not only a recognition of your contributions to environmental causes, but also an invitation to partner with us in expanding the reach and impact of this initiative.

“Your keen interest,insightful perspectives, and demonstrated commitment to environmental
causes left an indelible impression on us.

“We were particularly inspired by your quiet yet impactful contributions to advancing environmental sustainability, which reflect both your deep understanding of these issues and your unwavering dedication to societal well-being.”