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  • OCU
  • Mar, Sun, 2020
General news

Lockdown: Niger liaise with AEDC for 18hrs power supply

Electricity
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 29, 2020 (NAN) The Niger government has said that it would liaise with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to increase electricity supply to 18 hours per day against the current six hours in the state.
Alhaji Abubakar Bello, the state governor, made this known on Sunday in Minna during a broadcast to the people.
There are three major dams in Niger state; the Kainji dam, Jebba dam and Shiroro dam as well as a fourth dam being built in Zungeru.
These are all hydroelectric dams and generate a potential combined power output of 1,900 megawatts.
“I have directed my deputy to liaise with the AEDC toward providing 18 hours power supply per day.
“Although the AEDC is in business but the Niger state government will commit some resources to augment and enable its people stay at home with maximum comfort,” he said.
Bello said that the measure was part of efforts to cushion the hardship faced by the people as a result of the government stay at home order to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the state.
“This is to cushion the hardship being encountered  by Nigerlites due to the 10am to 8pm curfew imposed by Niger state government to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
He decried a situation where the people get six hours of electricity per day staying at home in this trying moment coupled with the extreme hot weather.
The Governor announced that government was planning some palliative measures to cater for the most vulnerable people across the state at wards levels.
He directed the state commissioner of Health, Dr Mohammed Sidi to provide masks, sanitisers and other COVID-19 preventive tools to the residents.
Bello also directed the state commissioner for water resources, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman to use water tankers in conveying water to places without water to ameliorate their hardship.
He said that food vendors, corner shops owners and water vendors would be allowed to operate in a decent manner to reduce the tension associated with the stay at home order.  (NAN)
OCU/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
  • OCU
  • Mar, Sat, 2020
General news

COVID-19: Motorists defy intra-state and inter-state ban in Niger

Restriction
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 28, 2020 (NAN) Commercial vehicles plying routes within Niger and motorists on transit to other states have defied restriction of movement order by the state government to curtail the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check in Minna on Saturday reveals that many commercial vehicles resisted the order which started on March 28.

NAN reports that the vehicles apprehended by the task force on the restriction order include articulated vehicle, motorcycles, cars and buses.

Malam Yusuf Mohammed, a commercial driver, who was apprehended by the task force, said he was going to Lambata from Kontagora.

Mohammed, who overloaded the car with goods and commuters, also had four passengers at the back seat and two in the front seat including himself making seven.

NAN reports that the government recommended that such cars should carry three persons including the driver, making four.

He said that he was aware of the restriction order but went ahead to defy it to make money.

Mohammed said that the Kontagora branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were he registered has not sensitised members on the number of passengers that the vehicle can carry per trip.

Also, Alhaji Ali Danzaki, an articulated vehicle driver, said he was conveying dry fish from Zuru in Kebbi to Onitsha in Anambra.

Danzaki pleaded with the task force to let him go, saying that he was aware of the restriction but had a breakdown on the way.

He argued that the fish was part of food allowed by government under the restriction order.

Similarly, Mr Onyinyechi Ahube, said he was going to the Chanchaga water works to fetch water.

Ahube, who was aware of the situation said that there was no water in his area in Chanchaga.

Malam Useni Usman, treasurer, branch III NURTW, Minna said that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) sensitised their members over the COVID-19 at the Abdulsalami Abubakar motor park in Minna on Friday.

Usman said that the NSCDC told members on the need to respect government order to stay at home from 10am to 8pm daily toward curtailing the spread of the pandemic.

He said that members from the branch of the union had since complied with the government order restricting movement.

Efforts by NAN to speak with the leader of the task force was not successful as he declined comment and refused to give his name.

NAN recalls that Dr Mohammed Sidi, the state commissioner for Health, had announced government decision to restrict movement of people within the state including those on transit from March 28 as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Sidi said that members of the task force had been deployed to Magama, Mokwa, Suleja, Lapai and Rafi Local Government Areas that share boundaries with Kebbi, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara states and Abuja. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • OCU
  • Mar, Sat, 2020
General news

COVID-19: CAN supports Sunday service suspension in Niger

CAN
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 28, 2020 (NAN) The Niger chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has lauded the state government’s order suspending Sunday service as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Rev. Mathias Echioda, the state CAN chairman made this known on Saturday during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

Echioda said that there was nothing wrong in the state government suspending congregational Sunday service to save lives in the state and the country.

“There is nothing illegal in not holding congregational Sunday service for now.

“You and I know that Christianity is first your personal relationship with God in terms of service before a communal worship.

“Therefore we appreciate the responsible moves by the Niger state government to be proactive to save lives,” he said.

He appealed to Christians in the state to respect the restriction of movement order by government as it was meant to stop the spread of the pandemic.

The CAN Chairman reminded Christians in the state that the global pandemic was real, “let nobody doubt it as world leaders are making efforts to get a vaccine and cure for it,” he said.

“I am using this opportunity to let all Christians in Niger state to know that the COVID-19 is real.

“You must protect your life, members of the Church, community, state, nation and the world.

“I therefore appeal on behalf of the CAN leadership in Niger state to all Christians and everybody to comply with the government order for us to stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice,” he said.

He urged the Christians to observe the social distancing of one metre (3 feet) in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic.

Echioda also advised Christians to take precautionary measures of personal hygiene such as using hand sanitisers, regular washing of hands with soap, wearing face mask and attending to issues with caution.

“Try as much as you can not to mingle with many people,” he said.

The CAN Chairman enjoined Christians to pray with their families at home and read the Bible on Sundays and other days.

“After fellowship at home with your family, you can communicate with other Christians who will benefit from it.

“As iron sharpens iron faith will sharpen one another”, he said.

He urged Christians to continue to pray to God to destroy the COVID-19 in Nigeria and the world.

NAN recalls that the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello had on March 23 imposed a daily curfew as part of measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19.

NAN reports that the time of the curfew was changed to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily against the former order of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow members of the public meet their daily needs without clustering together.

The government said that the restriction order would continue until further notice.

Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, the state commissioner for Health said on Tuesday that the state government has earmarked N100 million to stop the COVID-19 from spreading to the state.

Sidi who said that there was no case of the pandemic in the state, added that seven suspected cases have been quarantined. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • OCU
  • Mar, Fri, 2020
General news

Petrol stations observe restriction order in Niger

Petrol
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 27, 2020 (NAN) Major petroleum products marketers in Minna have joined other members of the public to observe the stay at home curfew imposed by the state government on March 23.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check in Minna on Thursday reveals that the restriction was to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as directed by government.

The major filling stations visited by NAN include Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station, Oando, Total, Conoil and others.

Malam Mohammed Tanko, Supervisor at Oando said that the station sold petrol between 7am and 10am on Thursday before the curfew started.

Tanko said that the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was sold to motorists and others at the rate of N125 per litre.

He explained that the measure to sell fuel to the public before the curfew starts each day was to cushion the effect of the stay at home on the people.

“People run generator sets for very long time because of epileptic power supply and also go to market to buy food,” he said.

Also, Mr Patrick Iliya, a motorist who purchased fuel at the station told NAN that he bought fuel at the rate of N125 per litre.

When NAN visited NNPC, Total and Conoil filling stations they have stopped selling fuel before the curfew started and had closed.

NAN gathered that the filling stations sold the product for N125 per litre.

NAN recalls that the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello had on March 23 imposed a daily curfew of 8:00am to 8:00pm starting from March 25.

NAN reports that the time of the curfew was changed to 10am to 8pm daily against the former order of 8:00am to 8:00pm to allow members of the public meet their daily needs without clustering together.

The government said that the restriction order would continue until further notice.

Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, the state Commissioner for Health said on Tuesday that the state government has earmarked N100 million to stop the COVID-19 from spreading to the state.

Sidi, who said that there was no case of the pandemic in the state, added that seven suspected cases have been qurantined. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA
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  • OCU
  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Defence/Security

Niger youths want FG, State to flush out bandits in LG

Security
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 25, 2020 (NAN) Concerned Shiroro Youths in Niger on Wednesday urged the Federal and State Government to beef up security in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

Malam Bello Ibrahim, Co-convener Concerned Shiroro Youths, made this known while briefing newsmen in Minna.

Bello said that the measure would checkmate the activities of the suspected bandits.

“The insecurity in Shiroro Local government area has taken a new dimension. The criminals are now emboldened and there is palpable fear across the local government.

“Until peace is restored to our communities, our sentiment will remain that the government is not doing enough,” he said.

Bello said that no group of criminals can be bigger and better equipped than the government, hence the need to step up security measures in the area.

“The federal government and the state should take deliberate and decisive actions aimed at flushing out criminals from their hideouts as well as restore security that will guarantee peace and order in the affected communities,” he said.

He said that from December 2019 to March, 41 communities in Shiroro local government area have been under the siege of the suspected bandits.

The group leader said that insecurity in the area has been a serious challenge as the suspects kidnap and demand for ransom.

“The bandits rape, kill, maim, steal, rustle animals and carry out other criminal activities unchallenged. The threat is still visible as Galadima Kogo was attacked on March 22.

“During the attack scores of military and police personnel, three civilians were killed, while some persons were kidnapped and cattle rustled,” he said. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • OCU
  • Mar, Sun, 2020
Education

Education: Niger LG to repay JAMB fees for 100 students

JAMB
By Obinna Unaeze
Agwara (Niger), March 22, 2020 (NAN) The Agwara Local Government Area of Niger has approved N1 million for the repayment of Joint Administrations and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination fees for 100 students in the area.

Alhaji Nura Kokoli, the council chairman, made this known on Sunday during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Agwara.

“The council has approved the immediate release of N1 million to settle payment of JAMB forms for 100 students who registered for the examination,” he said.

Kokoli said that the gesture was to reduce the burden of parents in sponsoring their children to school.

He announced that his administration would offer scholarship to the indigines of the area in their quest to pursue their educational carreer.

The council boss advised parents to send their children to school to acquire both Western and Islamic education in order to contribute positively to the society.

He reiterated the council’s resolve to uplift the living standards of the people through the provision of basic social amenities. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • OCU
  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Defence/Security

IWD: Niger, UNICEF drum support for girl child dev’t

Support
By Obinna Unaeze
Minna, March 11, 2020 (NAN) The Niger state government on Thursday called for support for the girl child to ensure equal opportunity for them.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Education made the call in Minna during a mentoring session organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for senior secondary school girls in Minna.

The mentoring session was part of activities to mark the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrated annually on March 8.

“On this IWD lets make sure women and girls can shape the policies, services and infrastructure that impact on all. Therefore lets support women and girls who are breaking down barriers to create a better world for everyone,” he said.

Aliyu said that gender equality and women’s rights are fundamental to global progress on peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.

He advised that the country must re-establish trust in institutions, rebuild global trust solidarity to reap the benefits of diverse perspectives by challenging historic injustices and promoting the rights and dignity of all.

Earlier, Mr Kolawole Babatunde, the state Programme Coordinator, UNICEF said that nine states; Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Yobe and Borno were identified among educationally disadvantaged states in the country, especially in enrollment of the girl child into school.

Babatunde said that there was need to encourage the girl child education in order to bridge the gap between the girls and their male counterparts.

Similarly, Hajiya Mariam Usman, UNICEF consultant, said that there was need for women and girls to know their right in the society, hence the IWD celebration.

Usman urged the students to be focused in school toward attracting positive change to the development of the girl child.

She said that the IWD was set aside to recognise women and their contributions to the development of the society.

The UNICEF Consultant said that some of the activities to mark the celebration include advocacy visit to the State Assembly with primary school pupils, mentoring session for senior secondary school girls and dialogue with High Level Women Advocates (HiLWA) in the state.

She said that this year’s event tagged “Think Equal, Build Smart and Innovative Change” has 10 students each representing 10 schools in Minna.

Also, Hajiya Hassana Adamu, the state chairperson, HiLWA said that the group was collaborating with UNICEF and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to promote the girl child education in the state.

Miss Fatima Sani, one of the participants from Government Day Science College, Minna told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the programme has exposed them to develop self confidence in their academic pursuit.

Sani said that the programme has made them to understand that the girl child can aspire to be in any profession in life.

NAN reports that the students were counseled on how to excel in various profession. (NAN)
OCU/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz