NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

All posts by Bauchi Reporters

Defence/Security

Customs hands over N.84m hemp to NDLEA in Bauchi

Customs hands over N.84m to NDLEA in Bauchi

Hemp

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Bauchi, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in Bauchi on Thursday handed over 40 bags of Indian hemp it confiscated from fleeing suspects  to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for custody and investigation.

Speaking at the hand over ceremony in Bauchi, Mr Adesanmi Omiye, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations’ Unit of the service, said the duty paid value of the hemp was worth N840,000.

Omiye said the customs’ operatives made the seizure within Awala area of the Bauchi metropolis.

“The illicit drugs were concealed in foot wears classified under heading 1211 with duty paid value (DPV) of N840,000 only.

“We are handing the seized items to you (NDLEA) for proper investigation and necessary action,” he said

Omiye assured the NDLEA of the service’s continued support, cooperation and synergy to rid the country of illicit drugs.

Mr Shehu Lawal, NDLEA’s head of Narcotics Unit, said the seizure showed the existing synergy between the two agencies.

According to Lawal, security agencies in the state were united in the fight against crime.

He assured the Comptroller that the NDLEA would ensure the culprits were arrested and brought to book. (NAN)
MAK /JI/DCU

===========

Editing by Joe Idika/Donald Ugwu

Health

Bauchi: 2 out of 93 samples tested positive to Covid-19, health commissioner says

Samples

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Bauchi, March 29, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government says two out of the 93 samples collected from the state tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.

The Commissioner for Health,  Dr Aliyu Maigoro, made this known while addressing news conference on Sunday in Bauchi.

“Blood samples from 93 persons were collected in the state for the COVID-19  test and two came back positive and are receiving treatment.

”91 others came back negative. We collected more samples yesterday and today to send to Abuja for examination.

”We want to collect as much samples as we can to Abuja for testing. We will collect all the samples from the list of our surveillance activities ”, he added.

The Commissioner called for the decentralisation of the reference laboratories  so as not to  over-stretch facilities at the National Centre for Disease Control in Abuja and Lagos.

”We call on the Federal Government to make a proposal in the 2021 budget, to establish such centres in at least each state of the federation,” he said.

The commissioner  reiterated  the need for  reference laboratories to be established to facilitate efforts put in place  to fight diseases such as COVID-19.

”We are already working with our partners toward establishing a reference laboratory in Bauchi,” he said.(NAN)

MAK/CCN/SH

===========

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Sadiya Hamza

Health

COVID-19: Bauchi 2 cases remain stable – Officials

COVID-19: Bauchi 2 cases remain stable – Officials

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Cases

Bauchi, March 28, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi  State Chairman, Task Force on COVID-19, Alhaji Baba Tela, says the two confirmed cases of Coronavirus are stable without any signs and symptoms.

Tela stated this while giving an update on the Coronavirus situation in the state to journalists on Saturday in Bauchi.

He added that the two confirmed cases are in very stable health conditions.

He said the two cases, including the Gov. Bala Mohammmed and one other person, are receiving treatment under intensive care by doctors.

“The two could not exhibit any signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus which includes persistent coughing, sneezing and high fever, among others.

“They are mild symptoms and they are currently receiving treatment in isolation,” he said.

Tela said the taskforce would continue to coordinate response activities and strengthen preparedness capacity across the state.

According to him, “we have set up another intensive care unit at Bayara General Hospital with 157 beds in the outskirts of Bauchi metropolitan.

“All in preparedness of curbing the pandemic through effective communication and sensitisation to the public,” he said.

Tela, who is also the Deputy Governor of the state, urged the citizens to abide by the advice of the professionals to avoid Coronavirus. (NAN)

MAK/FF/MST 

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

 Customs generates N225m revenue, seizes N197.4m goods in Bauchi

Customs generates N225m revenue, seizes N197.4m goods in Bauchi

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Revenue

Bauchi, March 26, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘D’, with headquarters in Bauchi on Thursday said it generated N224.7m and seized contraband and smuggled goods worth N197.4m between November 2019 and March 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FOU Zone D Bauchi comprises Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States.

Mr Adesanmi Omiye, the Comptroller Federal Operations Unit ‘D’ Bauchi, disclosed this at a news conference in Bauchi.

He explained that the zone generated a revenue return of N224,739, 030.00.

He said the revenue generated surpassed the revenue target of N224, 000,000.00 for the year.

Omiye also announced the seizure of contraband worth N197,416,380.00.

He listed the seized goods as 12 vehicles, 799 bags of foreign rice, eight motorcycles, 218 Jerry cans of 25kg each and 628 cartons of foreign soap.

Others include 117 Jerry cans of PMS, 20 bales of used clothing, five sacks of pangolin weighing 150kg and 40 wraps of Marijuana.

He said the seizures of the smuggled goods were based on intelligence reports received from Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba axis.

Omiye said the unprecedented seizures and revenue were achieved as a result of information sharing and intelligence gathering.

“Doggedness of the officers and men of the FOU ‘D’ in making the zone unbearable for smugglers,” he said.

He warned smugglers and those that do not want to desist from nefarious activities with a promise to make the zone unbearable for them.

“We will continue to unleash our strategies in order to have smuggle free society,” he said.

Omiye however urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist with genuine information that would aid in eradicating the menace of smuggling in the country.

He noted that eradicating smuggling will boost the economy to enable the federal government provide the needed social amenities and infrastructure. (NAN)
MAK/ESAN/MST

Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

COVID-19: PDP Suspends State Congress in Bauchi

 

COVID-19: PDP Suspends State Congress in Bauchi

Congress

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Bauchi, March.24, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi State Chapter of the  Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday suspended its state Congress indefinitely as measure to prevent spread of the  dreaded COVID-19.

Alhaji Yaya Zainabari, the state Publicity Secretary of the party told newsmen in Bauchi that the Congress was initially slated for Tuesday, March 24.

Zainabari said the postponement of the congress indefinitely was in compliance with the directive of government.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government has placed restrictions on public and religious gatherings exceeding 50 people.

Zainabari explained that the tenure of the state executive of the party was due to end, adding that the congress was scheduled to elect the new executives of the party.

“Unfortunately we have a serious global medical issue that needs to be tackled and measures have been put in place, which includes avoiding large gatherings.

“The CONVID-19 has forced us to suspend the state congress indefinitely’’, he said.

The party spokesman said both the Local Government and Ward Congresses were conducted successfully ahead of the state congress.

He however urged party members to remain calm and obey directives of government on measures against the pandemic. (NAN)
MAK/OMO/ASH

==================
Edited by Martins Odeh

08067034532

 

General news

ICPC urges citizens to monitor constituency projects in communities

ICPC urges citizens to monitor constituency projects in communities
Citizens

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Bauchi, March.19, 2020 (NAN) The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged Nigerians to effectively monitor constituency projects in their communities.

Mr Abubakar Dutsinma, the ICPC Commissioner in charge of Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States, made the call at a town hall meeting with the theme: “My Constituency, My Project.” held on Thursday in Bauchi.

Dutsinma said it was imperative for citizens to effectively monitor constituency projects in their communities.

He emphasised that constituency projects were not gifts or donations to communities by political representatives.

The commissioner explained that such projects were funded by government, hence the projects were the responsibility of government and belonged to the citizens.

The ICPC boss urged the citizens to get involved in project monitoring as doing so would be part of accountability.

“Help yourselves to ensure that projects delivered are durable and of the right quality. Take ownership of constituency projects by showing interest in the selection, execution and use.

“You should therefore work with them to make sure the projects reflect your needs,” he said.

Dutsinma, however, reiterated the ICPC commitment to awareness and receiving reported cases of abandoned projects by past political representatives.

Also speaking, Dr Garba Abari, the Director-General, NOA, explained that constituency projects were sponsored by political representatives.

Represented by Alhaji Yusuf Kobi, Bauchi state Director, NOA, said communities needed to take ownership of constituency projects for there to be genuine interest to preserve and protect them.

He said the intention of ICPC and NOA was to change perception so that the people would begin to see constituency projects as theirs.

Also speaking, Hajiya Hauwa Dahuwa, participant, demanded that government agencies should make proposed projects public.

She said making the project public before handing them over to the politicians for implementations would help in monitoring.

She thanked the organisers for giving them the knowledge on what role communities should play when projects came to their communities. (NAN)

MAK/DE/ EMO
============

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ejike Obeta

General news

Oil Exploration: Alkaleri Council warns village heads against sale of land

By Ahmed Mohammmed Kaigama

Land

Bauchi, March 14, 2020 (NAN) District and Village Heads in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been cautioned against sale of land in communities where oil is being explored.

The Chairman,  Care Taker Committee of the council, Alhaji Yusuf Garba, gave the warning on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

Garba said anyone or community found to flout the directive would not only be severely sanctioned, but prosecuted.

“Such parcels of land will be revoked and or seized from such persons or communities without any recourse to them,” Garba said.

He said selling of land at this point in time would be a great disservice to the future of the state and next generations.

The chairman expressed concern over indiscriminate sales of lands to foreigners as a result of land acquisition.

“Since the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the discovery of hydrocarbon oil and gas deposits in the Kolmani River II Well in the communities, the village heads are engaging in indiscriminate sales of land,” he said.

He urged them to desist from the act , stressing that land is part of investment and a means of creating wealth.

Garba however reiterated his commitment to partner with communities and individuals for development to thrive in the communities.

The chairman said that the council had constructed health facilities in the communities to alleviate their health challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that last year President Muhammadu Buhari flagged-off the commencement of crude oil exploration in the Kolmani Well River-II, located near Barambu, Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state. (NAN)
MAK/YMU/MST 

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Minimum Wage: Organised labour threatens strike in Bauchi

Strike

By Ahmed Mohammmed-Kaigama

Bauchi, March 6, 2020 (NAN) The organised labour in Bauchi  has issued a 21-day ultimatum to embark on industrial action if negotiations fail to resume on implementation of the National Minimum Wage.

Mr Danjuma Kirfi, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stated this at a press conference on Friday in Bauchi.

Kirfi said the 21-day ultimatum was part of resolutions reached at the end of the joint State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the organised labour.

He lamented that non-conclusion of negotiations on the new minimum wage became worrisome to the workers in the state.

Kirfi said: “The union resolved that if nothing is done after the ultimatum, members would embark on  industrial action.

“That government is hereby given 21-day ultimatum within which to conclude negotiations and begin implementation of the new national minimum wage in the state.

“The organized labour is now calling on the government to restore negotiations without further delay”.

According to him, there is absence of commitment on the part of government’s representatives towards effective implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

The chairman pointed out  that the state government had implemented the new minimum wage on Grade Levels (GLs) 01 to 06.

“The main issue, however is consequential adjustment, that is the increment of officers from GLs 07 to 14,” he said.

Kirfi urged the state government to look into the issue of suspended local government staff for immediate action.

He also called on workers in the state to remain calm assuring that the NLC leadership was working to resolve the matter in earnest. (NAN)

MAK/ORO/RSA

============

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Rabiu Sani Ali

General news

BAHA calls for resuscitation of skill acquisition centres

Centres

By Ahmed Mohammed Kaigama (08067034532)

Bauchi, Feb.26, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi  State House of Assembly on Wednesday urged the State Government to revive the skill acquisition centers in the 20 local government areas of the State.

The resolution followed a motion raised at plenary by Alhaji Sale Hodi, representing Disina State Constienuncy.

Hodi said the call was imperative to facilitate reinvigorate skill acquisition centers established during the past administration of Ahmadu Muazu in the 20 local government areas.

He noted that the centers would assist in providing training to the youth to enable them to learn trades and address problem of unemployment in the state.

“The centers used to serve as training grounds for our teeming youths in different skills.

“Youth are train tailoring, welding, carpentry and computer literacy, among others, to such an extent that they became self reliance and economically viable,” he said.

Hodi stressed the need for the present administration to accord priority skill acquisition programme for youths and women to enhance wealth creation in the society.

Also speaking, the deputy speaker, Danlami Kawule, called on the state government to look into the matter as part of youth engagement in economic development of the state.

He further appealed to the government to also look into the skill acquisition centre in Yuguda village and revive it.

The Speaker, Mr Abubakar Sulaiman, also enjoined the executive arm to upgrade facilities in the centers, noting that reviving the centers would check social vices among the youth. (NAN)

MAK/KTO/RSA

===========

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Rabiu Sani Ali

 

Health

Union wants Bauchi State Govt. to review redistribution policy of health workers

Redistribution
By Ahmed Mohammed Kaigama
Bauchi, Feb. 25, 2020 (NAN) The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Bauchi State chapter,
has called on the state government to review the policy of health workers redistribution in the state.

The Chairman of the union  Alhaji Dauda  Shuaibu, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said a large percentage of the health workers are in the urban areas redundant, to the detriment of people living in the rural areas.

Shuaibu lamented that the inequitable distribution of health workers has negative effect on the healthcare delivery.

He said that “as a union, we are disturbed over the concentration of health workers in urban facilities, which makes the personnel redundant, while
the facilities in rural areas, especially hard-to-reach areas, are understaffed to the detriment of the people of the communities.

“We are aware of the attempt by the state government to review the staff redistribution policy.”

He noted that health workforce maldistribution exacerbates the shortage problem “and jeopardises access to services, resulting to
poorer health status among people living in hard-to-reach areas.

“No fewer than 500 unemployed health workers are laying waste in the state. They can be reengaged.”

He noted that such health workers are graduates of the school of nursing and college of health technology, seeking employment in the state.

The chairman urged the state government to employ more health workers to fill declared vacancies.

He also urged the state government to consider introducing incentive packages to attract and retain health workers in the deprived areas.

According to him, the lack of adequate health workers in deprived communities has contributed to the decline of quality healthcare delivery in the state.

He commended the state government for declaring a state of emergency on the health sector, saying it is the right step in the right direction.

On the attitude of health workers to clients and patients in health facilities, the chairman said the union trained and retrained their members.

He charged members to remain committed to their work and be law abiding. (NAN)

MAK/BOLA/HA
=============
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu