News

Youths urge former Reps minority whip to accept defeat

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2023

A coalition of youth groups has called on Mr Gideon Gwani, the defeated PDP candidate for Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, to withdraw his appeal against the Tribunal judgement that sealed his fate.

Gwani, the immediate past House Minority Whip, had filed an appeal after the tribunal affirmed the victory of Donatus Mathew of the Labour Party at the Feb. 25 National Assembly election.

The youths made the call on Tuesday during a peaceful march to the three chiefdoms in Kaura where they urged the traditional ruler to prevail on Gwani to sheathe his sword.

One of the youth leaders, Mr Francis Peter, co-ordinator of Kaura Integrity Youths, said the court case was distracting Mathew from delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents.

Peter argued that the large sums of money being expended on the litigation by both parties could have been channeled into development projects in the constituency.

“The court case is not allowing our representative to focus on the job at hand.

“The resources that should be used to develop our constituency are now being used to pursue the case in court.

“We want our traditional institutions to intervene so that the matter will be resolved internally. We don’t want the courts anymore,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr Ashinge Kanga, spokesperson of Kaura Youth Coalition, noted that having served for 16 years, it was only fair for Gwani to give the youths a chance.

“Given his wealth of legislative experience, we expected Gwani to give guidance and direction to the new member instead of dragging him to court.”

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Bagu, coordinator of Kaura Concerned Youths, thanked Gwani for his contributions to development of the area over the years and urged him to throw his weight behind his successor.

Bagu maintained that while Gwani was within his constitutional right to appeal the verdict of the tribunal, the collective will and interest of the Kaura people should always come first.

“We are grateful for his contribution over the years but now is the time for him to get behind the new lawmaker.

“We understand that it’s his right to appeal but we want him to have a rethink and drop this case for the good of everyone,” he stated.

In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Takad, Kagoro and Moroa chiefdoms in the area promised to look into the issue.

News

NEDC distributes palliatives to people with disability in Borno

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Olakunle Adeniyi

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced distribution of palliatives to people living with disability in Borno.

During the exercise on Saturday in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, the Managing Director of the commission, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said the gesture was in line with the commission’s mandate.

Alkali, who was represented by the NEDC Coordinator for Borno, Mr Mohammed Umaru, said the exercise started with the people with disability in Maiduguri metropolitant and would be extended to their members in the 26 LGAs of the state.

“What we are doing here today will also be done in remaining 26 LGAs of Borno.

“It has also commenced or has been done in other north east states as part of measures to ensure that everyone is given a sense of belonging in line with the NEDC mandate.”

Responding, the Chairman of people living with disability in Borno, Mallam Mohammed Abubakar, thanked the commission for the gesture and assured of the leadership’s commitment to ensure fairness in sharing the 50 bags of rice and 50 cartons of spaghetti to its members in the metropolis.

Abubakar urged other organisations to emulate the gesture by the commission in reaching out to vulnerable groups in their support to victims of insurgency at this critical period.

News

Customs boss charges 81 cadets on integrity, professionalism in conduct

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Desmond Ukafor

The acting Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged the Basic Course I/2023 Cadets to uphold the highest level of integrity and professionalism while discharging their lawful duties.

The Ag. CGC delivered this charge in statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Adeniyi congratulated the cadets on their successful completion of training and welcomed them into the service.

He expressed the hope for a better service, equip them with knowledge and skills, and urged them to make a meaningful difference in the nation.

“You should attach importance to discipline, good conduct, and the highest level of integrity in your actions, and you should represent excellence in the Nigeria Customs Service.

“There is significant enhancement to the service’s training and development framework, and officers within the superintendent cadre, starting from those graduating today will undergo a mandatory refresher course every five years,” he said.

The Training College Commandant, Deputy-Comptroller Haniel Hadisson, advised the cadets to maintain the high standard of discipline they experienced during their compulsory six-month training while executing their duties.

He expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Acting Comptroller-General and his team.

As a reward for excellence, awards were presented to outstanding cadets who had distinguished themselves through dedication and hard work.

In total, 81 Cadets successfully completed their training and passed out of the Training College after six months of rigorous preparation.

The event was attended by the Deputy Gov. of Gombe State, Manasseh Jatau, a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, senior officers of the service, and representatives of sister agencies, among others.