The Miango-Chawai road is a Trunk A road which has remained partially unpliable since the colonial era. The road connects Miango in Bassa LGA of Plateau State with Chawai in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. It is very important because it connects some commercial towns like Damakasuwa, Saminaka, Ungwan Bawa, in Kaduna as well as a ‘short cut’ between the cities of Kaduna and Jos. It holds a huge security implication for both States and Northern Nigeria too. But how this important road has been abandoned and hardly discussed over the years, is an issue to be pondered on by…
Author: Victor Gai
The Coronavirus pandemic has proven to be the masterstroke game-changer as the northern governors have decided, for the first time to take a decisive measure on the social menace- the Almajiri system. Hitherto, the northern establishment had only played lip service to the menace and even an outspoken traditional ruler paid the price for his stance on the system. Ironically, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, whose domain is most affected by the menace happens to be the first to send away 419 almajiris to their home States. VICTOR GAI writes. According to Wikipedia, Almajiri is a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria. Almajiri…
Amid the current lockdown in Kano due to rising cases of COVID-19, residents are expressing fears of a possibly high number of undetected cases, even as cemeteries in the city are recording a large number of burials. A report by NTA, which was monitored by The News Chronicle, says the rate at which people were dying in Kano metropolis was “alarming”. “There is no official record of fatalities. More than 70 people have died in two days, most of the casualties are the elderly”, the report revealed. According to the report, more than 70 persons have been buried at the Tarauni and…
Cases of the coronavirus disease have been confirmed in three more states in Nigeria, The PUNCH reports. This brings to 24, the total states (excluding the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) affected by the lethal virus. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control stated that Gombe State recorded five cases, Abia State reported two cases while Sokoto State recorded one case. These are the first set of cases recorded in the three states. The Centre stated this while announcing that 38 new infections were recorded in Nigeria, bringing the total cases in the country to 665. A total number of 188 recoveries have been…
With less than two months to elections in the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Taraba state, two factions are pitched against each other in a supremacy battle for the leadership of the Chapel. It all started when the Wole Ayodele-led exco was reportedly voted out by 18 of the 25-member Chapel for alleged refusal to hold congresses. This was said to violate “Article 5 (F) (6.a) of the Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)”. Sani Sulaiman of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), in a press conference held last week, said the…
For refusing to call for regular congress meetings, the Corespondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Taraba State on Saturday impeached its exco, led by Wole Ayodele of Thisday Newspaper. 18 of the 25-member Chapel signed the impeachment notice. Sani Sulaiman of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), in a press conference at the NUJ Centre in Jalingo, said the impeachment followed a Vote of No Confidence earlier passed in the exco. He explained that for refusing to hold congresses, the exco has violated Article 5(F)(6.a) of the Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).…
The Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President, Abba Kyari, has been announced dead. This was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in his Twitter handle. “Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon”, he stated. Abba Kyari had been tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 and had since gone for treatment in Lagos.
COVID-19 cases on the continent may shoot up from thousands to millions if models are accurate, UN health agency says. Coronavirus cases in Africa could surge from just thousands now to 10 million within three to six months, according to provisional modelling, a regional World Health Organization (WHO) official said. But Michel Yao, head of emergency operations for WHO Africa, said on Thursday it was a tentative projection that could change. He noted worst-case predictions for the Ebola outbreak had not come true because people changed their behaviour in time. “This is still to be fine-tuned,” he told a media…
The sudden rise in Coronavirus cases in the commercial city of Kano which experienced the first death and the rising case of cross-border transmission may force the northern governors to place a total lockdown sooner than expected, The News Chronicle gathered. Kano said to be the largest city in Nigeria with a high population of poor and vulnerable persons is said to be treading on a dangerous path with the rising cases of new infections, which might be dangerous to the north in particular and the country in general. Rising from a teleconference meeting, the Northern Governors Forum had agreed on certain…
As the COVID-19 spreads across the country, Plateau State governor and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum (NGF), has disclosed that the state now has a testing laboratory that can test 1000 persons for the Coronavirus. Speaking during a live morning show Sunrise Daily on Channels TV Friday, Lalong boasted of having the structures on the ground already and that the State was fully prepared for any eventualities. “Before the COVID-19, we had Lassa fever, we had Ebola and the way we managed them on the Plateau was fantastic. Right from the beginning, my focus was on health and education and to that effect, we started…
…837 violators convicted Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has said that “the total lockdown has been extended to midnight of Thursday 23rd April 2020 to meet the medically stipulated quarantine period of 14 days”. In a state address on Wednesday marking the end of the one-week lockdown, Lalong said 837 violators were tried and those convicted were made to pay fines while others were subjected to community service. The governor, however, expressed his “displeasure on the reported cases of assault on some enforcement officials carrying out legitimate duties. Such acts will not be tolerated and those found guilty will be…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government over the way it is handling the coronavirus pandemic saying it is not doing enough to control the spread of the disease. The Vice-Chairman North East of the party, Manzo Mohammed Ibrahim in a press release issued to Journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday stated that the pandemic has triggered a change in all nations of the world, lamenting that Nigerian government has not made adequate provision to bring succour to its citizens as they grapple with the deadly virus. “The COVID 19 pandemic has become…
•No Chadian soldier will take part in a military mission outside Chad- President Deby…Fixes April 22 as the deadline for withdrawal of troops from liberated areas •Chad can’t take the glory for Nigeria’s contribution- Nigeria’s Defence Spokesman •MNJTF has not been funded for the past six months- Chad Defence Minister Consequent upon the recent world-acclaimed exploits of the Chadian military in the war against Boko Haram and the various reactions by Nigeria on the frontlines and the media, there seems to be a crack between to two nations in the fight, The News Chronicle observes. Only recently, the Chadian military led by…
•Develops comprehensive policy for the economy Following the extension of the restriction on movement in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT by another 14 days by President Muhammadu Buhari, the social register which currently captures 2.6 million households, has been extended to 3.6 households for the next two weeks. This was disclosed in the President’s address to the nation Monday evening at the expiration of the 14-day lockdown on Lagos, Ogun and the FCT. “In the last two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayments to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during…
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday evening extended the restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and FCT by another 14 days, while also describing the raging Coronavirus pandemic as “not a joke” but “a matter of life and death”. In a national address, President Buhari referred to other nations who have placed a total restriction and that Nigeria will not be lax. “Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gathering remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. “It has become necessary to extend the current restriction of…
Reports says, a young herder was Sunday found dead in Daffo village of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, in a house where a native farmer was killed, Saturday night. According to Masarakim Blog, Mr. Mabur Mallo Gwang, 30, was killed by a gang of four armed men, believed to be robbers, in his residence in Maiduna village at about 8pm. Late Mr. Musa Audi, a “familiar” herder in Tunduk village of Daffo district, is believed to have been among the gang but it is not yet clear how he died. “They (assailants) had guns and machetes. It looked like…
Many Nigerians are optimistic that we are going to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic but nobody can certainly tell when or what would remain of humanity and the world after the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 100,000 deaths and over a million infected persons globally and a daily rise in prevalence, it is like nations are embarking on a ‘wild goose chase’, mainly due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease at the initial stage. As nations embark on a contact and tracing mission to track infected persons, isolate or quarantine them, so also are others socializing with others and innocently spreading…
Africa’s ailing presidents and powerful elites have been known to jet out to seek treatment abroad, instead of investing in healthcare in their own countries, so says CNN in one of its latest reports. The report showed how African leaders both past and present patronised health facilities abroad with the flimsiest excuse while neglecting their health systems at home. “Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe died in a hospital in Singapore, and Cameroon’s Paul Biya regularly seeks treatment abroad. “Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was out of the country for several months in 2017 for treatment in London for an undisclosed illness and has frequent checks…
As Nigerians await the end of the 14-day lockdown on some major cities in the country and a probable extension, 13 new cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed, says the NCDC in its latest twit on Twitter. According to the twit: “13 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported: 11 in Lagos, 1 in Delta and 1 in Kano. As at 9:30 pm,11th April there are 318 confirmed cases of #Covid19 reported in Nigeria. 70 have been discharged with 10 deaths”. Already, the 19 states with confirmed cases include: Lagos- 174 FCT- 56 Osun- 20 Edo- 12 Oyo- 11 Ogun-…
Operations Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna states, has recovered hundreds of guns in the last two years, Daily Trust reports. The guns which were of different categories were displayed at the headquarters of the operation in Jos during the handing over ceremony to its new commander, Major-General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo. According to the command, OPSH recovered the firearms from different criminals who had decided to unleash mayhem in some communities under the watch of OPSH. The weapons, according to the OPSH were recovered during various operations and patrols by the command.
The Irigwe/Fulani conflict in Bassa LGA of Plateau state has been observed to be one of the few clashes holding the State to random. In this interview with The News Chronicle’s VICTOR GAI, The Caretaker Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State, Mallam Isa A. Bappa, exposes the real issues behind the conflict. (Interview was originally done in Hausa). TNC: The conflict between Irigwe and Fulani in Bassa LGA has been on the increase and the blame happen to be on Fulani militias attacking villages, killing and destroying property; what has MACBAN been able to do to prevent these…
The Nigeria Police, Taraba state Command, has rescued an additional 27 children from one Mary Yakubu, bringing to a total, 60 children to be rescued in two months, Police Spokesman, David Misal stated in a statement. According to the statement dated April 6, 2020, stated that: “Recall that on the 26/2/2020 one Mary Yakubu was arrested in Bali by the detectives attached to Bali Division Taraba State Police Command in connection with a case of suspected child trafficking, during her arrest she was found with 23 Children while arranging to convey them to an unknown location. “Similarly on the 4/3/2020,…
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), has begun a project that would support reporters from various media organizations work from home, better their stories and point out gaps in the fight against the COVID-19. This was stated in a press statement signed by the Executive Director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, released on Monday. “To contribute to efforts to ensure the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impacts gets well-reported, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has started the ‘COVID-19 Reality Check’ project. “The COVID-19 Reality Check project will examine government interventions and promises in relation to the realities on ground…
Irigweland in Bassa LGA is presently facing persistent attack from Fulani ethnic militia, in a conflict that has spanned years. Hundreds of lives and property have been lost as a result. In this interview with The News Chronicle’s VICTOR GAI, the President, Irigwe Development Association (IDA), revealed a lot about this intractable crisis. TNC: Irigwe community has suffered from continuous attacks from Fulani militia, with loss of several lives and property. This is despite the peace meetings and dialogues. Observers are wondering what might be the reason why these attacks have not stopped; what is your take on that? SA: Well, there…
•Our biggest problem is not the Irigwe, but the army- Miyetti Allah The Irigwe community has said that the ongoing conflict between her people and the Fulanis, where several lives and property were lost, was an attempt to drive them away from their ancestral land, saying their pleas for mercy and forgiveness to the Fulanis went on deaf ears. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The News Chronicle, The President, Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Hon Sunday Abdu, described the conflict this way. “What is happening is a calculated attempt by the Fulanis to drive us away from our ancestral lands and to…
As the Coronavirus pandemic rages on and the stereotype used on China concerning the origin of the disease, a former Nigerian lawmaker and civil activist, Sen. Shehu Sani, has revealed the politics taking place. On his Twitter handle, Sani shared a tweet saying: “#COVIDー19 is gradually being manipulated to condition our mind & psyche to abhor & despise anything from or of China; including their aid & offer to assist with medical personnel. Let’s fight the virus, but not be used by others to stigmatize a friend who has never abandoned us”. His tweet might, however, not be unconnected to…
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that Chinese doctors, nurses and medical experts would arrive in Nigeria in a few days to assist in the fight against COVID-19, a Punch report says. The minister said this during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja. Cases in Nigeria have reached 210 as the global figure also surpassed one million marks. He said Nigeria was also exploring the possibility of producing some medical equipment after key stakeholders met in Abuja on Thursday. He continued, “We are already seeing what may be the indication of community transmission,…
•327 killed between 2017 and 2019 •19 killed between March 23 and April 3, 2020 The Irigwe and Fulani ethnic groups have lived together from the pre-independence era, sharing cultures and boosting social solidarity. The former is mainly into crop farming while the latter is into livestock raising, which gives room for mutual economic benefits. But this relationship was dislocated by a common feud over grazing land in Irigweland which is blessed with aquifers, streams and springs that prop up vegetation and provide clean water for both human and animal consumption. Unfortunately, when the feud defied any meaningful dialogue and…
Irigwe community of Bassa LGA of Plateau State, under the aegis of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), has lamented over the continuous destruction of lives and property in several of their villages by Fulani herdsmen and therefore called for the deployment of the army to prevent the annihilation of Irigwe people. In a press statement signed by President, Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Sunday Abdu and dated 3 April 2020, has as it’s title “RESUMED ANNIHILATION AGENDA IN IRIGWE LAND”. The statement reads: “Recently the land has not known peace owing to the wicked activities of herdsmen who have continued to destroy…
A lady proved to the world why Taraba state is called ‘nature’s gift to the nation’s when she held a bowl full of ice from the rainfall in Gembu, Sardauna LGA of Taraba state. The lady, called ‘Panso Queen’ in her Twitter handle said “today’s rainfall in Gembu including ice block. Indeed we are blessed”. Gembu in Taraba is located on the highest mountain ranges in Nigeria, peaking above 1600mtrs above sea level and experiences uniquely cold weather all year round.
