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Defence/Security

Ensuring an indivisible Nigeria is NAF’s cardinal objective — Chief of Air Staff

Ensuring an indivisible Nigeria is NAF’s cardinal objective — Chief of Air Staff
NAF
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 25, 2020 ( NAN)  The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF) says ensuring an indivisible Nigeria and safeguarding its sovereignty  were the cardinal objectives and mandate of  the force, Air Marshall, Sadeeq Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), said in Yola.
Speaking at a Christmas Luncheon with Troops in the North East region, on Friday, the CAS, who was represented by  AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi, Director of Operations, NAF headquarters, said that the unity of Nigeria was their mandate and top priority.
” Christmas celebration is all about sacrifice, as such as Military Professionals, our sacrifice for the unity of Nigeria remain unmeasurable. Our enormous and cardinal objective and responsibility is ensuring the indivisibility of our dear Country, Nigeria.
” We are totally committed and willing to make  sacrifices for the unity, peace, stability and development of our nation ” Sadeeq said.
He noted that  NAF  had contributed its quota in building internal security and it would never relent until the  security of Nigeria and its citizens were guaranteed, by ensuring the total elimination of insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality across the country.
According to the Chief of Air staff, among his top vision was to reposition the NAF  as a highly professional and disciplined force, through capacity building initiatives for effectiveness and efficiency.
” These include timely deployment  of air power  in response to  Nigeria’s national security imperatives.  As I speak to you,  there are over 200  NAF personnel outside the shores of the country undergoing  different  forms of training.  And within the country, we have  over 1000  personnel currently undergoing trainings in various facilities” Sadeeq said.
He said that the essence  of the luncheon was to fill the vacuum created by officers not  being able to celebrate with their families, because of dedication and sacrifice to their country.
He commended the President for providing NAF with the resources and appreciated the support of committees on NAF in  both the Senate and the House of Representatives .(NAN)
AMA/MMA
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Edited by Mouktar
Defence/Security

Fintiri expresses concern on Garkida community attack

Attack
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 25, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has expressed concern about a confirmed attack on Garkida town in Gombi Local Government Area of the state.
Eyewitness report indicated that the attack  was carried out by  suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the eve of Dec. 24.
Fintiri, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou on Friday in Yola,  said that the attack caused the death of two civilians, including a five-year old.
“This latest cowardly attack on Garkida town is yet another desperate rear guard action by the Boko Haram terrorists who have been under intense pressure from the Nigerian military.
“Let me reassure Adamawa residents  that this latest cowardly attack on Garkida would not go without severe consequences,” Fintiri said.
The governor, however,  sympathised  with residents of Garkida over the unfortunate attack and called  on security agencies to do more to further forestall attacks in the state.
Fintiri noted that it was  a  cruel reminder of the indiscriminate aims of the terrorists and an example of why everyone must be involved to confront a menace without boundaries.
“I stand with Garkida community in this difficult time, and will continue to support the military  efforts to ensure peace, security and justice for our people,” Fintiri said.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, confirmed the attack but refused to make further comment.(NAN)
AMA/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan
Defence/Security

Police nab alleged cyber crime suspect in Adamawa

Suspect
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 24, 2020 (NAN) The Police Command in Adamawa has confirmed the arrest of a cyber crime suspect, who allegedly specialises in issuing fake tinted glass permit to vehicle owners in the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Yola.
He said that the suspect was arrested by operatives from the command’s intelligence bureau while forging and issuing fake vehicle tinted glass permit, with the police logo, to vehicle owners.
Nguroje said that the suspect, operating a business venture at Galadima Aminu way, Opposite Police Barracks, Jimeta, Yola, usually collected N4, 000 and above from vehicle owners before issuing the forged permit to them.
“Findings revealed that the suspect has been committing the offence since April 2019. Items recovered from him included computer laptops and forged tinted permit documents, among other sensitive documents,” Nguroje said.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Adeyanju, had deployed and directed the operatives to identify and retrieve the forged documents from the suspect as well as ensure his immediate arrest and diligent prosecution.
The police spokesman added that Adeyanju had equally directed the suspect to be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.
He called on those with fake tinted glass permits to return same to police station close to their areas to avoid arrest and prosecution. (NAN)
AMA/KTO/WAS
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Politics

Don’t insult my opponents, Adamawa’s Gov. Fintiri warns supporters 

Fintiri

By Muhammad Adam

Yola, Dec. 24, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has advised supporter groups to shun politics of bitterness and violence and to desist from insulting any of his critics or opponents.

Fintiri gave the advice during an interactive session with socio-political groups and their roles in good governance and state building held on Thursday in Yola.

His representative, Mr Dogo Victor, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Social Mobilisation, said Gov. Fintiri assumed power with the mission and vision to bring change and development to the people of Adamawa.

“The importance and role of socio-political groups in ensuring good governance and state building cannot be over emphasised.

“You should remember that it is not winning the election that matters, but the actions and inactions we express in bringing change and development to our people.

“You have to understand that there are selfish interests opposition that believe no-one else should achieve great things like we are doing all over the state.

“Therefore, never insult the opposition, because one day our good action may bring them into our progressive train,’’ he said.

He advised the support groups to always speak on various developmental achievements so far recorded by the Fintiri administration to help to change the opposition’s narrations and criticisms.

According to him, the positive response from the support groups to situations such as attacks on government programmes would greatly change the wrong view of the opposition.

Earlier, Mr Haruna Audu, a member of one of the groups, said that among the cardinal objectives of the support groups was to help to reach out to communities about the good governance being experienced in the state.

“The main reason why we align with the government is to check, balance and defend what government is providing to better our communities and defend the survival of our democracy,’’ Audu said. (NAN)

AMA/ALLI

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Religion

Yuletide: Bishop Mamza presents cash gifts to 200 PLWDs in Yola

Yuletide
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 22, 2020 (NAN) Bishop Stephen Mamza of St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Yola Diocese, on Tuesday, presented a total of 200 people living with disabilities with N10,000 each.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cleric presented the cash gifts to the beneficiaries at the premises of the church in Yola.
He said that the cash intervention was aimed at bringing joy and happiness to the less-privileged in the society.
”During the yuletide, I usually reach out to those who are in need, especially the less-privileged.
”I also go to the prisons during Christmas to visit inmates and extend my goodwill to them.
”However, this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visits have been restricted. So I decided to concentrate on the physically-challenged persons.
”We invited about 200 of them to give them the little that we have. Each of them is being given N10,000 to celebrate and enjoy this year’s Christmas,” Mamza said.
He explained that he initially intended to give the beneficiaries foodstuffs but decided to replace it with cash, as some of them might be on special diets.
The cleric urged them to pray for peace and stability to reign in Nigeria, for the country to get out of recession and for divine intervention on the COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Godiya Simon, thanked the cleric for the intervention and prayed for God’s guidance and protection on him.
”We are the happiest people today because this cash intervention is coming at the right time.
”We are going to use the money to buy food and clothes for our families to celebrate Christmas like any other person,” Simon said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both Christians and Muslims benefitted from the cash gifts. (NAN)
AMA/FAA/WAS
Edited by Folasade Adeniran and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Education

Adamawa: Over 1,200 primary schools benefit from FG’s School Feeding Programme – Official

Adamawa: Over 1,200 primary schools benefit from FG’s School Feeding Programme – Official

Feeding

By Muhammad Adam

Yola, Dec. 22, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 1,200 primary schools in Adamawa State have benefited from the Federal Government’s National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

Mrs Mary Yuwadi, State Focal Person of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Yola.

Yuwadi told NAN that the programme had assisted tremendously in the massive enrollment of Pupils into government schools across the state.

“In the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, over 1,200 government primary schools across Adamawa State are benefiting from the programme.

“Following the full implementation of the programme also, government primary schools have witnessed massive pupils enrollment by almost 70 per cent.

“The programme has seriously boosted the morale of primary school pupils and their parents in the state,” Yuwadi said.

On the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, the focal person said that about 17,988 persons registered in the state.

She said that the beneficiaries, who were mostly the poor and vulnerable households, were being given a stipend of N5,000 each monthly.

Also commenting on the Federal Government’s Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Yuwadi noted that about 38,827 men and Women in Adamawa benefited from the soft loan.

“In the N–Power programme so far, 11,324 youths in the state have benefited.

“The programmes were designed to reduce poverty at the grassroot level, fill the wide gap of inequity between the rich and the poor in the Country.”

According to the focal person, the programmes in the state, which are also part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promises during his electioneering campaign, have recorded tremendous success since implementation in 2016. (NAN)

AMA/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

General news

Adamawa Govt. approves N1.5bn for payment of pension arrears

Pensioners
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 19, 2020 ( NAN) Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State says he has approval N1.5 billion for the part payment of pension arrears owed to retirees.
However, the state branch of the Nigeria Pension Union (NUP) has denied the claim.
Fintiri, who made the disclosure while receiving some members of some political parties who decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) on Saturday in Yola, said that the approval was meant to improve the living conditions of the pensioners.
“I have given directive for the approval of N1.5 billion for the prompt payment of outstanding pension arrears. Our administration will never relent until all pension arrears are settled from the state down to the local government level,” he said.
The governor assured the party’s new membes of equal treatment, adding that the party’s doors were open to every interested politician in the state.
Fintiri said that the PDP would continue to rule the state for many years to come due to the many achievements recorded under his watch.
When contacted for confirmation, Mr Samson Almuru, Chairman of the Adamawa branch of the NUP, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the union was not aware of the payment.
According to him, the state government is owing retirees over N20 billion outstanding pension arrears.
Almuru called on the state government to raise the current monthly pension minimum wage of N4,000 to N26,500 as is being paid in other states. (NAN)
AMA/AVU/VAO
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Edited By Victor Asije/Vincent Obi
Education

COVID-19: Gov. Fintiri directs immediate closure of schools in Adamawa

Schools
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 18, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has directed public and private schools across the state to end the first term on Dec. 18 and go on vacation immediately.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday in Yola.
“This is to allow school children go home early for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“The schools are to resume for the second term on Jan. 11, 2021,” the governor said, adding that the directive should be strictly adhered to by school managers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directive is unconnected with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAN also reports that many schools in Yola, the state capital, had closed since Dec. 16. (NAN)
AMA/JPE/WAS
Edited by Joseph Edeh and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Tourism

Adamawa Govt fixes Dec.23 for Hama Bachama Coronation –Official

Adamawa Govt fixes Dec. 23 for Hama Bachama Coronation – Official

Coronation
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Dec. 16, 2020 ( NAN) The Adamawa Government has fixed Dec. 23 for the Coronation and presentation of staff of office  to the 29th Hama Bachama, Dr. Daniel Shaga Ismaila.
Chief Joel Madaki, Chairman, Organising Committee of the Coronation, made the disclosure at a press conference organised by the Bachama Traditional Council on Wednesday in Yola.
Madaki said that the development followed the approval of the appointment of the Hama Bachama by Gov Ahmadu Fintiri.
” Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved and fixed December 23, 2020, for the Coronation and presentation of the staff of office to the 29th Hama Bachama.
” We should not be oblivious of the fact that  we have entered the second wave of COVID-19 and it is real.  We plead with all and sundry to observe  the COVID-19  protocols during the occasion ,” Madaki said.
He said that Bwatiye people, otherwise known as Bachama race,  have a rich cultural heritage that would displayed at the Coronation, while urging the people of the Kingdom to maintain peace and order, during and after the occasion, as well as extend their hands of fellowship to their visitors.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) recalls that the appointment of Shaga, the 29th Hama Bachama, was sequel to the death of Honest Irmiya, the 28th Hama Bachama, on June 28.
The new Hamma Bachama, 66, retired in 2014 as Assistant Commander-General  of Narcotics, and Director, Administration and Finance, at the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).(NAN)
AMA/SSA/MMA
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Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Mouktar Adamu
Defence/Security

Yuletide: Police in Adamawa warn against use of knockouts, fireworks

Yuletide: Police in Adamawa warn against use of knockouts, fireworks

Warning

By Muhammad Adam

Yola, Dec. 15, 2020 (NAN) Police in Adamawa have warned against the use of knockouts and other explosives in the state during the Yuletide.

The police Spokesperson in the state, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday in Yola.

Nguroje said that the use of knockouts, fireworks, explosives and covering of number plates were capable of misleading security personnel.

He advised parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against buying and using knockouts as the law governing selling, buying and use of fireworks was still in force.

Nguroje said: “The command hereby restates the ban on knockouts as well as unauthorised use of sirens, tinted glasses and covered number plates.

“The command wishes to assure all that this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations will be conducted peacefully as adequate security measures are in place.

“The command, in collaboration with other sister agencies, has put in place a robust crime prevention strategies such as viability policing, foot and vehicular patrols and joint stop-and-search operations.”

He said that the strategies also included raid on criminal hideouts, rapid response and decongestion of traffic.

The police spokesman enjoined the general public to report any suspicious person or group to the nearest police station. (NAN)

AMA/IKU/EMO
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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Ejike Obeta