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Defence/Security

Kaduna: Foundation lauds Jema’a LG chair on peace efforts

Foundation lauds Jema’a LG chair on peace efforts

Peace

By Amen Gajira

Kafanchan (Kaduna) Feb. 24, 2020 (NAN) The  National Chairman, Jama’a Foundation, Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu, has described the Executive Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area, Mr Peter Averik, as a detribalised leader, working tirelessly to advance the course of unity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse people in the area.

Zubairu said this when he led the National Executive members of the Foundation to the chairman’s office in Kafanchan on a courtesy visit on Monday.

According to him, the visit was informed by the giant strides recorded thus far by the local council, especially in the areas of confidence building, promotion of peace and rural development among others.

He said the foundation is a community self-help and charity organization with interest in the promotion of peace, inter communal harmony and general development in the area.

Zubairu pledged their continuous support and good-will to enable the chairman succeed in providing more meaningful projects that would have positive impacts on the lives of the people.

He, however, drew the Chairman’s attention on the need for motor park, a refuse dumping site and another burial ground in Kafanchan, saying they were critical to the health and socioeconomic well being of the people.

In his remarks, Averik commended Jama’a Foundation for the visit and assured that their request would be tabled before the state governor for his intervention. (NAN)

AMEN/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Agriculture

Co-operative society advocates ranching as solution to farmers/herders clashes

Cooperative society advocates ranching as solution to farmers/herders clashes

Ranching

By Amen Gajira

Kagarko (Kaduna) Feb. 22, 2020 (NAN) The Kagarko Unit Unity Farmers Co-operative Society (KUUFCS), has advocated ranching and new food processing technology as antidote to farmers/herders clashes in the country.

Its chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, stated this on Saturday during the 1st Nigeria Silage Summit 2020, held in Kagarko, Kaduna State.

Sidi explained that KUUFCS had since engaged over 200 herdsmen with over 2,700 cows, adding that the herdsmen were currently tendering their herds for breeding and awaiting training and development.

In his remark, National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Muhammed Kirowa, represented by the chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, Haruna Tugga, commended the foresight of the organisers which, he said, would boost peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

Kirowa assured of MACBAN’s support and cooperation towards the success of the project.

He appealed to the organisers to extend the project to other parts of the state for improved soci-economic growth of the state and the country.

Also speaking, the President, African investors in Diaspora Association, Dr. Philemon Gora, challenged the nation’s  leaders to brace up and show more political will in tackling insecurity in the country.

Gora said that his association was focused on assisting and uplifting people in the face of economic challenge in the country.

He called on participants to take advantage of the opportunity given them to change their current economic situation, while urging them to embrace ranching as a way of improving the quality of their livestock and other dairies.

Earlier, Mr Philemon Kure, the Director, State Services, of KUUFCS, had said that the cooperative had engaged foreign partners in the provision of modern farming implements.

Kure added that upon its take off, the cooperative society had acquired over 4,000 acres of land in Kagarko, which is currently being occupied by operators.

He added that farmers and herders could build a symbiotic relationship that could translate wastes to wealth through value added chain, thereby boosting national food security.

The summit, which had the theme “New innovative Technology in silage-making towards profitable livestock enterprise,” was organised by the African investors in Diaspora Association in collaboration with the state chapter of MACBAN. (NAN)

AMEN/ETS

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Health

We’ve recorded 108 sexual assault cases in Kafanchan in 2020 – Centre

Assault
By Amen Gajira
Kafanchan (Kaduna), Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) The Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government area of Kaduna State says it has recorded 108 reported cases of sexual assault between January and February 2020.
The Centre Manager, Mrs Grace Abbin, made this known on Friday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kafanchan.
Of the 108 cases, Abbin said that 19 were rape cases, adding that a total of 219 sexual assault cases were recorded in 2019 when the centre was opened by the state government.
She attributed the high figure for the first two months of 2020 to more awareness campaign carried out by the centre as against when it was inaugurated in 2019.
“When we started, very few people were coming. It was around October 2019 after we had gone to schools, places of worship and the rest that people started turning out in their numbers to make reports.
“We look forward to carrying out more awareness in the media because many people still don’t know about the centre,’’ she said.
According to her, those affected are mostly women and children, noting that many of the cases are still in court, with four convictions secured in 2019.
“Out of the 219 sexual assault cases as at December 2019, the females affected were 190 and the males 29.
“We will continue to seek justice for the affected people because without justice, we cannot make progress,’’ she said.
She called on survivors of all forms of gender-based violence to overlook the issue of stigma and report to the centre for help, as the after-effects of sexual assault were worse than stigma.
“We always advise survivors to forget about the issue of stigma and report to us for counseling as well as medical and legal help.
Abbin said that the negative impacts of rape or assault were worse than the stigma.
“So, why not speak out and get help, because if you don’t do so, you become exposed to all kinds of sexually-transmitted diseases.
“But if you report quickly, these things will be taken care of free of charge,’’ she added.
The centre manager lamented that most perpetrators of such acts tried to frustrate the cases.
“The major problem we are having is that when the cases are reported, you begin to see the perpetrators having more supporters than the victims.
“People from the communities will come and beg on behalf of the offenders but nobody will show up for the victims.
“So what happens to the person who was offended? We want justice for the victims and that is one of the reasons the centre was set up,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the centre is one of the four of such in the state where victims of rape and other gender-based violence are given counseling, medical and optional legal interventions. (NAN)
AMEN/AIJ/WAS
Edited by Abigael Joshua and ‘Wale Sadeeq

General news

Jema’a LG commits to meaningful projects -Chairman

Project
By Amen Gajira
Kafanchan, Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) The Executive Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA), Mr Peter Averik, says his council remains committed to executing meaningful projects to meet the yearnings of the people, especially those living in the rural communities.

Averik made this known on Friday during an interaction with the Kashim Ibrahim Fellows, who paid him a visit in continuation of their leadership capacity building tour to all the 23 LGAs of the state.

The Chairman, who described Jema’a as the socio-economy and political melting point of southern Kaduna, said his council had achieved a lot in the areas of security, health, roads in spite of the financial challenges confronting it.

He also described Gov. Nasir el-rufai, as a visionary leader worthy of emulation by young aspiring leaders, noting that he enjoyed working with the governor in spite of the differences in political affiliation.

He advised the fellows to see themselves as future leaders and to make the best use of the rare opportunity of being with the governor by learning from his leadership style.

Averik said keying into the leadership style of el-Rufai, prudent management of resources and selfless leadership were the secret of his council’s successes.

Earlier, the administrator of Kashim Ibrahim Fellows, Miss Zainab Mohammed, said they had visited to tap from the knowledge and leadership experience of Averik as they seek to equip themselves for possible leadership roles in future.

Mohammed said they were impressed with the council’s performance following the inspection of projects executed in the council, describing the projects as central to the people. (NAN)
AMEN/AMM/ISMA
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Ismail Abdulaziz

Religion

Kafanchan Catholic Diocese gets new Bishop

Kafanchan Catholic Diocese gets new Bishop

Bishop

By Amen Gajira
Kafanchan (Kaduna) Feb. 20, 2020 (NAN) Fr. Julius Kundi, was on Thursday ordained and installed as the second Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kundi was until his appointment by Pope Francis in Dec. 2019, a priest of the Diocese of Zaria.

Speaking at the consecration, held at the Kafanchan township stadium, the President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Augustine Akubeze, charged the new bishop to consolidate on the good works of his predecessor.

“Bishop Kundi, you are consecrated to lead the people of God like a Shephard after the heart of Christ.

“As you assume office, we wish you goodluck and success and as a Bishop, know that your brother Bishops are always there to help you.

“If you have any serious pastoral challenges, you can consult any of us for help and guidance,”he said.

Akubeze called on priests in Kafanchan Diocese to give the new Bishop all the cooperation and support he needed to move the Diocese forward.

He encouraged the entire faithful of Kafanchan Diocese not to lose hope, even in the face of persecution, saying the church grows faster in times of persecution.

“We know you are living in a difficult time and place and we know that your faith is being challenged by those who do not want diversity of religious beliefs.

“We know you are facing persecution, but let me tell you that the church grows faster during the time of persecution. The more you persecute the church, the faster you spread the gospel.”

According to him, Christians must show love to both those that wish them well and those who persecute them, adding that violence does not lead to peace.

“We are messengers of peace and not violence. Let all Christians remember that we are not to become violent.

“We must develop the attitude of self defence, which is a command of natural law, but we must never be the aggressors because violence does not lead to peace,” he added

In his remarks, the new Bishop pledged to do everything within his power to ensure peace in his domain.

The consecration of the new Bishop, which was carried out by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Filipazzi, saw prominent Nigerians from different walks of life in attendance.

NAN reports that Bishop Kundi replaces the late Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, who died in 2018 after serving for over two decades. (NAN)
AMEN/KOLE/MZA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Maharazu Ahmed

Judiciary

Court remands man for stealing phones

Theft

By Amen Gajira

Kafanchan (Kaduna), Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) A Magistrates’ Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna  state, on Tuesday, ordered a man, Yusuf Perry, to be remanded in a correctional facility for stealing phones.

Perry, a resident of Sokoto Street, Kafanchan is standing trial on a two-count charge of trespass and theft.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Ibudu, told the court that one Michael Uwem, who is a police officer and complainant, arrested and brought the suspect to the station on Feb. 10.

Ibudu said the complainant alleged that the suspect stole three phones, an mp3 music player and N47,000 cash from his house and was caught red-handed.

He said the total value of the stolen items was N155,000.

The prosecutor, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to call witnesses to prove his case against the suspect.

Ibudu said the offence was contrary to sections 333 and 271 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

In his ruling, the magistrate, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, granted the prayers of the prosecution.

Ibrahim ordered that the suspect be remanded in the Kafanchan correctional facility and adjourned the matter until March 9, for hearing. (NAN)

AMEN/AIB/MZA

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Maharazu Ahmed

Judiciary

Court remands student for allegedly defiling 2 minors

Remand

By Amen Gajira

Kafanchan (Kaduna) Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) A Magistrates’ Court in Kafanchan. Kaduna on Tuesday ordered that a 37-year-old student, Ayuba Musa,who allegedly defiled two minors, be remanded in a correctional facility, pending legal advice.

The police charged Musa with defilement contrary to Section 257 of the Kaduna State Penal Code law, 2017.

Magistrate Abdulazeez Ibrahim, who did not take the plea of Musa due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that be remanded in the Kafanchan Correctional Centre.

Ibrahim ordered the police to return the case file to the Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Ibrahim adjourned the case until March 2 for the DPP advice.

Earlier, the state counsel, Mathias Joseph, alleged that Musa lured the two girls of 11 and 13 years into his room at Garaje and defiled them.

Joseph told the court that the girls were taken to ”Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna.

Counsel to Musa, Mr David Adudu of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, applied for his client’s bail under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, but the prosecution objected to it.

Adudu argued that his client would provide reasonable sureties and will not  commit another offence if granted bail.  (NAN)

AMEN/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

General news

Harmattan: Gov. El-Rufai’s aide distributes warm clothes to indigent children

By Amen Gajira

Clothing

Kafanchan (Kaduna State), Feb. 12, 2020 (NAN) Mrs Rabi Musa, the Special Assistant to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Legal Matters, on Wednesday distributed free clothing items to the less privileged in Jema’a Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the clothes, mostly sweaters and socks, were distributed to 100 beneficiaries through a collaboration with an NGO, Hafsatscrowdfund.

Distributing the items in Kafanchan, Musa noted that the gesture to the vulnerable children was informed by the current harmattan season.

She said: “I realise how important it is for little children to keep warm during this season, so we decided to distribute this warm clothes.”

One of the beneficiaries, Master Hosea John, 14, thanked the organisers for identifying with them.

John appealed to other well meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture in reaching out to the down trodden in society. (NAN)

AMEN/SSA/MST

Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Muhammad Suleiman Tola