The author of the recent write-up titled “Journalist Hangout Report“ with a byline by Dr. Yusuf
Maikano and widely circulated in the Social Media has retracted the said write-up.
The author of the write-up who is the Deputy Director Public Relations and Protocol, Federal
University Dutsin-ma, Katsina state, Isiyaku Yusuf Karofi has accepted being the originator of the
write-up.

HABIBU GARBA MATAZU
Director Public Relations and Protocol

The retraction is contained in a re-joinder by the author, Isiyaku Yusuf Karofi, in which he apologised
to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, his family, friends, the Federal University Dutsin-
Ma and the general public on the embarrassment the write-up might have caused the Vice Chancellor
and his family.
Isiyaku Yusuf Karofi who is also the branch Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of FUDMA,
NASU said in the rejoinder that “he belief that the write-up contained false accusations to which he
highly regrets”
The full text of the retraction of the write-up is hereby attached.

NANS ZONE A DC CALLS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STAKEHOLDERS, NORTHERN ELITES AND TRADITIONAL RULERS TO SET EFFECTIVE MEASURES ON THE ESCALATING ISSUES OF INSECURITY SPECIFICALLY WITHIN KADUNA – ABUJA HIGHWAY.

The Deputy Coordinator National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS ZONE A) Comrade Ziya’u Sarki calls on the federal government of Nigeria, stakeholders, Northern elites and the traditional rulers to set practical measures on tackling insecurity menace especially on Kaduna to Abuja Roads.

The Deputy Coordinator made the statement through a press release made available to newsmen on Thursday.

“The insecurity of lives, properties, dilapidated economy, corruption and terrorism, turn millions citizens of Nigeria into hardship”

“The insecurity in the nation is growing exponentially as each day passes by. The nation’s state of unrest will completely turn everywhere to miasma of bloodletting, if vital steps are not taken. The havoc being wreaked by rebellious individuals is deadly, across everywhere in the country.

The security situation in Nigeria has become enormous and embarrassing to government. To tackle insecurity, it is imperative to investigate and identify its sources and causes.

Therefore, I’m using this channel to voice out my opinion and call upon the policy makers to involve all stakeholders, government, communities, business organizations, civil societies, religious organizations, Millitary and paramilitary in the fight against insecurity more specifically Kaduna to Abuja highway due to numbers kidnapped and deads recorded.

Traditional rulers have a significant roles to play in ensuring that the peaceful co-existence and that the spirit of co-operation, communal living is taken care of and as well work hand in hand with security aganecies in that aspect.

We don’t want you to relent but to continue to assist Government in this direction because governance is a collective effort especially in this democratic dispensation.

“I hope the authority concerned will join hands together to come up with a strategy that will bring a lasting peace and solution in our dear country Nigeria” Said NANS ZONE A DC.

Signed:
Comr. Ziya’u Sarki
Deputy Coordinator NANS ZONE A

By Ahmed Ahmed

An International Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) WaterAid has urged governments to improve the working condition of sanitation workers for effective service delivery.

Dr Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, made the call in a statement signed by Oluseyi Abdulmalik, Communications & Media Manager, WaterAid Nigeria to Mark the 2021 world toilet day made available to Journalists on Monday in Bauchi.

She said governments must take urgent measures to institute policies that change the general practice in the sanitation value chain and improve the working conditions of sanitation workers.

“We must protect the rights of the workers who sustain our sanitation systems and contribute meaningfully to safeguarding the rights of this marginalized population of the society” she said.

According to her, in addressing the sanitation crisis, we must ensure that all gaps in the sanitation value chain are covered.

“Without sanitation workers, sanitation systems will not function, and this will lead to catastrophic consequences in public health.

“Sanitation workers render a huge and valuable public service and they must be valued, supported, and protected,” Mere pointed out.

The Country Director explained that with many workers undocumented and defecation still a huge taboo in many societies, tackling the issues surrounding the sanitation workforce is challenging.

She said WaterAid is increasing awareness and raising support for sanitation workers, advocating for governments to recognize and protect the rights of the workforce.

“More research is also being conducted to better understand how to help improve working conditions and empower these vital but forgotten frontline workers.

“WaterAid is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation,” she Said.

Our correspondent report that sanitation workers include people who clean toilets and sewers, empty latrine pits and septic tanks and operate pumping stations and treatment plants.

“As well as those who clear faecal waste manually, sweep rubbish and transport faecal sludge, solid waste workers and cleaners,”.

The management and staff of Moonlightnews and that of Arewa Media Practitioners expressed gratitude to Senator Uba Sani who is Representing kaduna SENATORIAL district for taken the medical bills of the Arewa Media President and Publisher of Moonlightnews Comrade Musa Mohammed, who was hospitalized recently as a result of his illness.”This is a testimony that the Senator is not only humble, but down to earth in supporting the neediest.

Reacting, after he was discharged from hospital, the president of Arewa Media Practitioners and the Publisher moonlihgtnews Musa Mohammed, expressed gratitude and described the intervention of the Senator as laudable and commendable.

“Senator Uba Sani is the father of the entire people of his Constituency, emergence of such people into the governance at the state and National level will pave way for empowerment of many people”, he added.

By Ahmed Ahmed

A cross-section stakeholders in Bauchi state’s political arena have raised concern over the poor involvement and low-level participation of women in political activities and governance.

Our correspondent reports that their various comments were voiced out at a one-day state level engagement held in Bauchi, on Thursday.

The activity was organized by Fahimata Women and Youth Development Initiative with funding provided by ActionAid Nigeria.

Participants were drawn from political parties, women’s groups, government, Civil Society Organizations, among others.

Alhaji Adamu Umar, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said that the agency had created awareness on political participation, yet women were still behind.

“Women do not actively participate in the democratic process in the country, hence their cultural, religious, economic and political status remains their challenge,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed Tilde, Vice Chairman, Caretaker Committee, All Progressive Congress (APC), observed that women’s representation in the National Assembly was equally low.

He urged women to vie for elective positions, so as to ensure that policies affecting the womenfolk were brought to the front burner.

On her part, Hajiya Hafsat Adamu, Women’s Leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi, urged women to end their rivalry and support each other for positive development.

Mrs. Naomi Yusuf, Gender Officer, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Bauchi state, said that women should prioritize support for women so as to be on board.

She also said that progress in women’s participation in politics would actualized with the adoption of appropriate policies and legal reforms.

Earlier, Mrs Daniels Florence, The Programme officer, Fahimta Woman and Youth Development Initiative, said that the meeting aimed to create a forum that would advocate for women’s participation in governance, as well as in seeking leadership positions.

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State presented the 2022 appropriation bill before the Taraba state house of assembly in Jalingo.

The budget draft estimate of over one hundred and forty six billion naira represent an increase of over five billion naira against the 2021 budget.

The governor said in implementing the 2022 budget, the state government has resolved to complete all the ongoing projects across the state.

He explained that the state Commissioner for budget and planning will later bring the breakdown of the budget to the house, pointed out that all MDAs must grow their IGRs as well as continue to rationalize their expenditure.

According to him, the 2022 appropriation bill tagged “Budget of Hope and Consolidation” will focus on completing all ongoing projects across the state.

Governor Darius Ishaku applauded the state of house for partnering with the executive arm and urged them to maintain the tempo for the development of the state.

Earlier in a welcome remark, the Speaker, Prof. Joseph Albasu Kunini described the seventh presentation of budget by Governor Darius Ishaku as another milestone in the history of the house and the state in general.

Kunini, recalled that since assumption of power in 2015, Governor Darius Ishaku’s led administration had so far presented six Budget speeches to the house that includes 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 as well as 2021 which was tagged ” Budget Of Restoration and Stabilization” and today he presented the budget for the year 2022.

The Speaker also reported to the governor that the implementation of these series of Appropriation Laws in the State has greatly put smiles on the faces of a good number of Tarabans.

According to the Speaker, because of the dogged commitment of governor Ishaku in maintaining a cordial, symbiotic, and harmonious working relationship with all branches of government in the state, particularly the Legislature, the budget circle which hitherto commenced in March or sometimes April is now brought back to January- December of every fiscal year.

“This is highly commendable as it is in line with International Best Practices” said Kunini.

BY COMRADE MUSA MOHAMMED

Allaahum-maghfir lahu Warhamhu…!

I write this, with the grief that even the very best of words, cannot pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss we are feeling.

HAJIYA AINA’U (OUR BELOVED NOTHER AND AUNTY) your demise is there, tangible and real within your FAMILY & loved ones. You’ve live an exemplary life, the amazing essence and spirit of your unflinching, selfless, dedication and commitment in uniting our great family and relatives is beyond words.

And so today, we’ve lost an amazing WOMAN with a strong creed attached to her life-time and affairs, who has significantly played a friendly, unique, indebted and special role in the family, relatives, friends as well as neighbor hood activities .

Indeed, you’ll be deeply missed as we recall the special moments we spent together, we’ll remember you with all your special nuances.

So much more to write about you but, all we owe you is relentless prayers…May Allah reward you with the best of hereafter and bless all you left behind.

We grieve and cry for you and even smile because in all the tomorrows we’ll feel you – the outpouring eulogies from your family, relatives and neighbor hood that trends following the news of your demise has thrown a huge challenge to all of us, you are indeed worth emulating.

May Almighty Allah Grant you Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, the lawmaker representing Kano Central Senatorial District, has lamented how the Kano State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, sidelined him after he was begged to join the party.

During a conversation with some of his followers at his Kano residence on Wednesday, Shekarau, a former two-term governor of Kano State, accused Ganduje offactionalisingthe APC in Kano state and never carried him along in his political activities.

The federal lawmaker also accused Adams Oshiomhole, the former APC national chairman, of deceiving him to join the ruling party.

He said: “We feel that the party has crossed our line, that is why we reacted this way. We have been too patient, so that’s why we have taken this decision to show that being patient is not cowardice.

“We try to follow Ganduje as the leader because we believe in leadership but there are conditions. The conditions are that if the leader makes mistakes he should be corrected. We need internal democracy. He should listen to our advice and suggestions.

“The governor invited all party leaders of the country, including Adams Oshiomole, the national leader of the party then, to beg me to join APC. I told them to allow me to make consultations.

“Not long after I joined the party, the governor bought a nomination form for me and begged me to contest for Senatorial seat, I refused. In 2015, Senator Lado begged me to contest that he would step down for me, and I declined. Oshiomole and Ganduje begged me profusely to accept the offer to contest for senator, which I eventually obliged.

“The governor said he would follow me to submit the form to ensure that I submitted it at the national party secretariat. I presented my campaign schedule to Ganduje to 15 LGAs, but the governor said he will follow me for the campaign. He even invited the local government party chairmen to come to my residence to pay allegiance to me.

“But I also participated in his campaign. I followed him everywhere he went. After all these, from that time, I have never been involved in the party activities. Even some are suspecting me of sidelining them. I have totally been sidelined.

“In terms of appointment, Ganduje has never asked me to bring a candidate. The governor picked some members of my camp to give them appointments and I’m not jealous about that. I even advised them to be honest and obey their leader. I always ask my camp members to be good ambassadors.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities and Federal Government agreed on four critical issues on Thursday.

The agreement was reached during a meeting called by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Following the threat of a strike by the University trade union due to the failure of the Federal to implement some part of the agreement entered into by the two parties, Gbajabiamila had called for a meeting between the Ministers of Finance and Education and the leadership of ASUU.

“At the meeting attended by all parties involved, Gbajabiamila brokered a truce with the Federal government and ASUU agreeing on four major contending issues,” a press statement issued after the meeting noted.

The statement titled, ‘Strike: Gbajabiamila brokers truce between FG, ASUU …as parties agree on four critical issues’, was issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The statement listed issues agreed upon as revitalization fund, Integrated Personnel, and Payroll Information System, Earned Academic Allowances, and renegotiation of 2019 agreement.

During the meeting, the statement said it was agreed that Federal Government will make available within one week, the payment of N30 billion University Revitalization fund.

It was also agreed that the Federal government will sort out the N22 billion Earned Academic Allowances component from the Education sector budget.

On Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, the Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, said the government is waiting for the report of the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency before the next step would be taken

The tripartite meeting also agreed that the renegotiation of the 2009 N1.3 trillion agreement between the ASUU and the Federal government would commence a week from today.

Earlier at the meeting, ASUU President, Prof Victor Osodeke, said some of the issues in contention have been resolved but for the listed.

He said “the union had to call for strike action due to the tradition of reneging on agreements by the Federal Government”, the last of which was last month, October.

However, the ASUU leadership did not state whether its plan to embark on a fresh strike would be shelved or not.

Calls put across to Osodeke for clarification were not answered as of the time of filing this report.

Map of Sokoto

Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday confirmed that nine persons died in separate attacks by bandits on three villages in Sabon Birni local government area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sanusi, told newsmen that the separate attacks took place on Nov. 15, 16, and 17, 2021.

Sanusi said the first attack occurred at Garin Zago in Sabon Birni Local Government Area that resulted in the death of three persons while three others were kidnapped.

He said another attack was on a vehicle in Gaji village, however, no casualties were recorded.

The police spokesman said another attack took place at Sangirawa village where six persons were killed and many others injured by the gang of bandits.

He said based on investigations on the attacks, a total of nine persons died which contradicted the figures being circulated.

(NAN)