The House of Representatives member from Kauru federal constituency, Mukhtar Chawai, has visited Ribang village to sympathise with the families of six students who drowned in the Mbang River last week.
The tragedy occurred while the students were returning from GSS Fadan Chawai, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they went to write their junior WAEC exams.
Mukhtar, who offered condolences to the Chief of Chawai, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, at Tarya Village en route to Ribang Village, lamented the dilapidated state of the nine-kilometre road and the lack of a bridge, school, and hospital.
At Ribang Village, he assured the community of his readiness to work with the federal and state governments to ensure that a bridge is constructed and other basic social amenities are provided to prevent future occurrences.
He said: “The governor has shown remorse over the sad incident, and I have told him to assist this community with anything that will bring succour. I am glad that he has responded by instructing his Special Adviser on Rural Infrastructure to visit and assess the community to see how the state can help. The governor’s aide promised to come next week. The world and the government share in your pain over the unfortunate incident that befell you.”
He expressed concern over the untimely deaths of the students, describing the situation as disheartening and painful because they were willing to go to school against all odds.
The village head, Timothy Nda, lamented that the community had not experienced any government projects since the return of democracy.
He said the only primary school was built through community effort and that the only borehole in the community stopped working 20 years ago.
He appealed to the government and their representatives to assist them with basic social amenities like roads, schools, and healthcare facilities to ease their livelihood.
The two surviving students, James Emmanuel and Shedrack Musa, who narrated their ordeal, disclosed that their drowned colleagues held onto small trees in the water for almost four hours before they finally gave up.
Six drowned students: lawmaker visits families in Kaduna
Six drowned students: lawmaker visits families in Kaduna
Dan Ashworth joins Man Utd as sporting director
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director after reaching an agreement with Newcastle.
The two Premier League clubs issued a joint statement on Monday announcing that Ashworth had been released from his contract at St James’ Park.
The 53-year-old was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle earlier this year after expressing a desire to move to Old Trafford.
No compensation details have been disclosed but it is understood Ashworth will be able to begin his new role at Old Trafford with immediate effect.
The statement read, “Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United.
“The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs. Newcastle United thanks Dan for his services and wishes him well for the future.”
United’s interest in Ashworth became apparent after Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS company completed the purchase of a minority stake in the club and subsequently took over the running of football operations.
There were reports Newcastle were seeking £20 million ($25 million) compensation to release Ashworth, a figure Ratcliffe described as “a bit silly”, but a compromise has now been reached.
Ashworth, previously technical director at the Football Association, is the latest arrival at United, who have overhauled their backroom staff.
Omar Berrada is joining from Manchester City as chief executive and Jason Wilcox, previously at Southampton, is the new technical director.
Speaking earlier this year when a deal for Ashworth was still to be struck, Ratcliffe said: “I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world. I’ve no doubt he’s a very, very capable person.
“And he’s interested in the Manchester United job because it’s probably the biggest sporting director job in the world just now, with the biggest challenge.”
A disappointing campaign last season ended with United winning the FA Cup by beating Manchester City in the final.
Manager Erik ten Hag came under huge pressure during the season but the Dutchman is to remain at the club, preparing for a third season in charge.
AFP
Aliko Dangote University faces shutdown after power disconnection despite partial payment
The Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, is confronting a potential shutdown after the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) disconnected its power supply despite the university paying N20 million of its N60 million monthly electricity bill.
The abrupt disconnection has plunged the university into darkness, posing significant challenges to its operations, particularly in supplying water to the campus, according to Prof. Abdulkadir Dambazau, the Dean of Students’ Affairs.
Speaking to reporters in Wudil on Monday, Prof. Dambazau revealed that the university administration is now contemplating three options amidst the crisis: shutting down the university, advising students not to return after their semester vacation, or requiring them to endure living without electricity.
“The management has been diligent in meeting its financial obligations, but KEDCO’s decision to escalate our monthly bill from N16-17 million to N50-60 million, along with an accumulated debt of N248 million, has placed us in a dire situation,” Prof. Dambazau stated.
Read also: Wike challenges FCT Senator Kingibe, predicts loss of support in 2027
He further appealed for assistance from the government, philanthropists, and concerned citizens to prevent a complete shutdown of the university, emphasizing that the institution cannot operate effectively without uninterrupted power supply.
“The university community is hopeful that with support from stakeholders, we can overcome this challenge and continue providing quality education,” Prof. Dambazau concluded.
Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil belongs to the Kano State government.
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Galatasaray sign Batshuayi from Istanbul rivals
Michy Batshuayi on Monday became the first foreign footballer to sign for all of Turkey’s big three clubs when he joined Galatasaray.
“An agreement has been reached for the transfer of professional football player Michy Batshuayi for three seasons,” Galatasaray announced on its social media account on X.
The 30-year-old striker, who was 55 Belgium caps but was not included in the country’s Euro squad, has appeared for both the other Istanbul giants.
He played the last two years at Fenerbahce, who finished as runners up to Galatasaray last season. He spent the 20201-2 season on loan at Besiktas from Chelsea.
Ahead of the confirmation of the transfer, Batshuayi’s wife Amely Maria said she received threats on social media from fans.
“Shame on those who threaten my family and wish death on my child for football, and you dare to talk about family?” she wrote in a post she later took down.
“What a shame!!! Racism and death threats? God sees you all.”
AFP
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France beat Belgium 1-0 to reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals
France, on Monday, beat Belgium 1-0 to advance to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Antoine Griezmann returned to France’s starting XI against Belgium in Duesseldorf on Monday.
Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann was dropped for Bradley Barcola by coach Didier Deschamps for France’s 1-1 draw with Poland, Les Bleus’ final Group C fixture.
But the 33-year-old returned for the heavyweight contest, while Kylian Mbappe started up front with what he called his “horrible” face mask protecting his broken nose.
Details later…
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Sen Kingibe seeks legislative backing for women inclusion in governance
Federal Capital Territory, FCT, senator, Ireti Kingibe, has emphasized the need for new legislation in Nigeria to ensure the inclusion of women in governance.
Speaking as a guest on Arise Television on Sunday, Kingibe highlighted that countries with women in governance demonstrate a direct correlation between economic development and women’s participation in policy and decision-making.
She said, “In the parties you know, let me give you an example. When they ask for three delegates from each Ward, they’ll just bring male delegates.
“Immediately the parties say three delegates from each Ward, but one must be a woman, they’ll start to bring in the women.
“I’m not trying to say that we are law abiding, but it would help if it was the law, number one.
“Then it means that the onus will be on the parties, government agencies, whatever to look for competent women, do you understand. And, they are there.”
Addressing the notion that women do not support each other in elections, Kingibe stated that this is a thing of the past, noting that there is now greater awareness among women.
She revealed her efforts to create a database of women across the country to use women voters as a lobbying block.
Kingibe said, “I’ll tell you, the truth is that, maybe that was so in the past, but the awareness and thinking of women has changed somewhat.
“I know that I got a lot of support from women across board, across parties, across everything, number one.
“Number two, myself and some other women are working on creating database of women all across the country. So we can use women voters as a lobby block because it’s not enough to say do something.
“You have to show me that so, if I don’t do it, what will you do? Do you understand. And that would help.
“And the second thing, why women are not voting for women, how many women do you see on the ballot? That is also a problem.
“Even as proactive as I expected Labor Party to be, out of a hundred and nine tickets, maybe only two or three were women, and that is across board.
“So, unless women are on the ballot, you can’t say they’re not being voted for.” She added.
Women representation in government in Nigeria remains a topical issue in the political space.
Currently, the Nigerian Senate has only four women.
Sen Kingibe seeks legislative backing for women inclusion in governance
Police kill two bandits in Benue
Policemen in Benue, on Sunday, killed two suspected bandits in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement on Monday, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said men of Operation Zenda invaded the hideout of the bandits located at Tse Uza, Mbatyula Council Ward in Katsina-Ala LGA.
She said, “Upon arrival at the camp, bandits engaged the police in a gun duel to resist invasion into their camp but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police team.
“Two of the bandits received gunshot injuries, they have been confirmed dead by a doctor and corpses deposited at General Hospital, Ukum, while other suspects escaped.
Anene listed the exhibits recovered from the camps to include; two Pistols loaded with ammunition, three (3) locally made short guns, thirteen (13) motorcycles, camouflage uniforms, six (6) walkie-talkies, one (1) Toyota Corolla and one (1) tricycle.
The Command spokesperson said that the command had intensified efforts to clamp down on bandits in the Sankera axis of the state in the last three months.
She added that several operations carried out in the axis had led to the arrest of suspects who have been charged to court while others were neutralized in the course of the exchange of firearms and ammunition that have been recovered and many camps dislodged.
Anene said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hassan Yabanet commanded the bravery exhibited by the officers and, at the same time, enjoined the people of Sankera to make available useful information to the police about suspects at large who may be seen with gunshot injuries.
The Sankera axis, which comprises Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government areas, is the flashpoint of criminality in the state.
Wike challenges FCT Senator Kingibe, predicts loss of support in 2027
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), engaged in a verbal exchange with Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, warning her that she would lose popular support in the upcoming elections in 2027.
Speaking at the Flag-off of the Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja on Monday, Wike expressed disappointment over Senator Kingibe’s criticisms of the FCT Administration instead of collaborating with them.
“I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I hear the person is a member of the National Assembly and it is unfortunate I say so. With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know you know, and the good thing for you is to tell people you don’t when you don’t know, then people will educate you,” Wike remarked.
He continued, addressing the criticisms directly, “The Honourable Minister of state and my humble self-have not been in office for more than 11 months and the person is angry that they are praising us. If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself on a transformer. If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that Mr. President has appointed us, we have done well.”
Read also: INEC lacks constitutional mandate to conduct local govt elections – Mahmood Yakubu
Wike challenged Senator Kingibe’s legislative record, questioning her contributions to improving the education and health sectors in the FCT. He also issued a political challenge, stating, “I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you.”
Asserting his position as the FCT Minister, Wike emphasized, “Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and I’m not afraid.”
Wike also dismissed the need for seeking political alliances, stating, “We are not begging for anybody to become our friend; we have so many friends that we cannot even carry along.”
Senator Kingibe had earlier criticized the Wike-led administration on a television program, distancing herself from any personal rapport with the minister.
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Oyebanji swears in new permanent secretaries
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has charged civil servants in the state to be committed to probity, transparency, and prudence and also allow teamwork in their undertakings.
Oyebanji, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday, while swearing in four new permanent secretaries, urged them to embrace innovation and technology in their official duties and ensure they brought “creativity, compassion and vigour to bear on their job as permanent secretaries”.
The new permanent secretaries are Mrs Funke Ajibola, Mr Michael Boluade, Mr Foluso Akinwumi, and Mr Rotimi Akomolede.
The governor, who urged the permanent secretaries to justify their appointment by giving their best at all times, said, “You must see yourselves as both managers of human and material resources of government.
He said, “You must therefore be committed to probity, transparency and prudence, especially at a time like this. As human resource managers, you will be expected to foster an atmosphere of teamwork, confidence building and collective responsibility.
“You should be a leader who inspires others and a solution provider. You must also embrace innovation and technology.
“In the next few months, this administration will be two years in office, we therefore need to run faster than we have been. Accordingly, all permanent secretaries must double up and increase the tempo of service delivery to achieve the shared prosperity agenda of government as it relates to their ministries, departments and agencies.”
The Head of Service, Sunday Komolafe, who expressed his appreciation to Oyebanji for allowing him to serve, also lauded the governor for his various welfare packages for civil servants, which have bettered the lives of workers in the state.
Boluade, who spoke on behalf of the new permanent secretaries, thanked the governor for the appointment, assuring that they would remain committed to developing the state.
Cargo boom drives NRC revenue to N1.4b in three months
The Nigeria Railway Corporation has disclosed that it made an 84:91 per cent increase in its revenue in 2024 compared to its 2023 first-quarter performance.
This was according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Unlike the first three months in 2023 when the corporation made a total of N768.44m, in 2024 the corporation recorded N1.42b in the same time under reference.
The corporation also recorded a significant increase in the amount of revenue made from carrying cargo.
Also in the same period, NRC collected N607.32m from goods and cargo conveyed via rail, against N181.27m received during the same period in 2023.
“In terms of revenue generation, N1.42 billion was received from passengers during the reference period, showing an increase of 84.91% from the N768.44 million recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.
“Similarly, N607.32 million was collected from goods/ cargo conveyed via rail in Q1 2024, up by 235.03% from N181.27 million received in Q1 2023. In addition, revenue generated from the movement of goods/cargo via pipeline stood at N59.14 million in Q1 2024. Other receipts amounted to N25.40 million, indicating a decline of 25.65% in Q1 2024 from the N34.17 million received in Q1 2023.”
The report further showed that more persons travelled via rail this year, putting the passengers’ number at 675,293 “relative to 441,725 reported in the corresponding quarter of 2023, indicating a growth rate of 52.88 per cent.
“The volume of goods/cargo transported via rail in Q1 2024 stood at 160,650 tons compared to 59,966 tons recorded in Q1 2023. In the quarter under review, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reported an additional volume of goods/cargo transported via pipeline which stood at 8,000 tons.”
