Sen. Shehu Sani Warns Politicians Against “Using  and Dumping” Journalists 

Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central senatorial zone in the 8th senate has called on politicians in the country not to dump journalists after using them to ride to the peak of their political ambitions.

Senator Sani stated this when he surprisingly bankrolled a birthday party on Monday for the Kaduna State Correspondent of the Guardian newspaper, Mr. Saxone Akhaine who clocked 64 years of age.

There was eating and drinking by many journalists on the occasion at the State secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna Council.

Apparently admitting a sense of guilt for ‘abandoning’ Mr. Akhaine after literally shooting him to the top ladder of his human rights activisms and political career over the years,  the former lawmaker while addressing guests at the birthday party said he failed to appreciate Mr. Akhaine.

Senator Sani said by appreciating Mr. Saxone with the token birthday party, he was also appreciating the profession of journalism and the contributions of other journalists in Kaduna and the country in general, adding, “I am indebted to you, Saxone, don’t lose hope”.

He advised that journalists should always endeavour to celebrate their own just as they are celebrating others in the society.

This was even as Mr. Akhaine expressed gratitude to Senator Sani for the surprise birthday party.

Mr. Akhaine however, went on memory lane on his cordial relationship with Shehu Sani and Uba Sani, current governor of Kaduna State, during their days of human rights activism, adding that, “I am not happy that two of you are no longer together as it used to be because of political power”.

According to Senator Shehu Sani, “I was skeptical to say that I know Saxone Akhaine more than 30 years ago because I don’t want people to ask me, what have you done for him. This is because in the social media you expect things to go right, then they go left. I don’t want it to be like the case of Dele Momodu of Ovation magazine who posed on the social media with a newspaper vendor whom he said he had known for over 40 years. And people started commenting, saying, and so what? What did you do for him?. The 99 percent of the comments were direct attack on Dele Momodu. 

“So I had the fear of posting my own photograph with Saxone. The fact that I am courageous in outspoken on issues, I fear little things that can cause embarrassment. I had arranged my photo with Saxone and as I was about to click send, I withdrew my hand. We, I don’t want to say I, knew Saxone more than 30 years ago. He was posted to Kaduna in 1991. We came in contact with him at the peak of the annulment of June 12, 1993.

“We would climbed bike to Saxone’s office with our press statement and the next day it was in the newspaper. After climbing down from his office we would buy puff-puff from a lady selling around there. Then we would take our bike and go. And he never asked us for a dime.We were very sure that the next day our press statement would be published. So any time I see him there is always that feeling of guilt that I should do more for him. Also, I occasionally deliberately avoid Alhaji Tajudeen Tijani Ajibade who had worked with my father in those days at the New Newspaper here in Kaduna because I ought to have appreciated him too. 

“There is nobody, being minister, governor and even President from northern Nigeria that has not benefited from professionalism of Saxone Akhaine. Many of them who were ministers , governors in the last 34 years would call him. Even former President Buhari would call him at that time. I know that 98 percent of these people don’t pick a call. Recently I met a minister and I asked him; do you know Mr. Saxone of the Guardian newspaper? And he said, yes, I know him. And I said for how long have you known him? And he said for the past 30 years. Have you reached you to him. He said no. Look at life; so transient, you are somebody today, but tomorrow you are nobody because you are in and out of power.

“Some of you have been in journalism in Kaduna for a very long time, you have seen how people transit from nothingness to the peak of life because of your work of journalism. The Buhari that you go to his house at Sultan road in Kaduna to collect press statement and many other people that you have made in life. There is nobody who had presided over the affairs of Kaduna State in the last 30 years that have not directly or indirectly benefitted from the works of Saxone. 

“We need to face the reality of life. You are not just journalists, you are recorders of history because we are in an era that whatever you write will be there till eternity. There are atimes you will like to go back to get what happened in 1809, you can’t get the records. But if you go to the Google today, anything you put online will be there. I would say that Saxone has been so important in my life. Today we are known all over the place not because we were Senators but because of what you published about us. Many journalists have died in Kaduna. May their souls rest in peace. 

“We have the culture of celebrating people only when they are dead. When they are alive we ignore them, when they are alive we don’t see the reason to appreciate them. When you are celebrating the dead he or she will not appreciate all your encomiums on him or her. As journalists you have been celebrating others in the society, it is time you celebrate one of your own. By appreciating Saxone is also appreciating the profession of journalism and the contributions of all of you. I am indebted to you, Saxone, don’t lose hope”.

Ex Kaduna  Deputy Speaker Resumes Office as Chairman, Legislative Service Commission 

… Discusses how to improve on service delivery 

… Warns against Lateness, Nuisance 

… Promises to Maintain Open for Policy

… Appreciates  Governor , Speaker for the Appointment 

Former Deputy Speaker,Kaduna State House of Assembly (KDHA), and newly appointed Chairman, Legislative Service Commission , Kaduna State , Honourable Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya today  resumed office with a charge on personnel of the  Commission to be punctual; dutiful,hardworking, and innovative.

According to the former lawmaker, who represented Kagarko Constituency for eight years in the State Assembly, the appointment will engender a better working experience with the State Assembly considering his background; experience and cordial relationship with the Speaker and Governor . 

Addressing staff of the Legislative Service Commission after his formal resumption today at the Assembly Complex,  Hon. Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya said the familiarisation visit was to afford him the opportunity to meet with all the staff and discuss how to  improve on service delivery and by extension mandate of the Commission.

While warning staff against negligence of duties; lateness and dehumanizing nuisance values, the new Chairman promised to place priority on welfare  with also the assurance to  maintain an open door policy, while his tenure lasted. 

His words : I promise to maintain good working relationship and open doors policy, but don’t abuse it . I will place priority  on welfare of staff welfare ,but will surely not tolerate lateness and nuisance within the office environment.

“I will be glad to see all staff resume work early and stay within their duty posts during working hours to ensure that assigned  duties are performed efficiently.”  

The staff , who thanked the Speaker and Governor Uba Sani for appointing an experienced lawmaker such as; Hon. Shadalafiya, expressed optimism that his experienced as a former lawmaker with good records of performance will bring the desired change and development 

They also gave assurance of maximum cooperation and promised to obey the rules and regulations as stipulated in work guidelines. Some of the dignitaries, who attended the meeting , described Hon. Shadalafiya as a straightforward individual and politician with a capacity to deliver anytime ,adding that the staff and Governor will not be disappointed.

However, during his opening remarks, Hon.Shadalafiya appreciated Governor Uba Sani for considering him worthy of the appointment and promised to ensure that all hands  are on  deck to implement the “SUSTAIN agenda” in line with his vision and commitment to drive growth and development across all sectors of the economy.

He further said, ” We are prepared to join hands with the Governor to ensure  that the 7-point SUSTAIN Agenda which include : Safety and Security; Upgrade of Infrastructure; Agriculture; Strengthening Institutions; Trade and Investment; Investment in Human Capital and Nurturing Citizens engagement is fully achieved , especially that it is social contract between the APC led administration and good people of Kaduna. 

He equally thanked the Speaker , Rt Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman for all the supports during their days as colleagues in State Assembly and efforts put in to ensure that he scaled through, when considered for the appointment.

He described the Speaker as leader, who has demonstrated over and over again that with the right vision and capacity to deliver, government can drive requisite change .  

“I will forever remain indebted to His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani and the Speaker, Rt Hon. Liman  for the confidence reposed in me amongst several others to head the Legislative Service Commission in the State.” He stated .

Group Blasts Atiku for faulting Seyi Tinubu’s Board Membership role in CDK Contract Award 

…says  He has right to do legitimate business any where 

Group under aegis of Forum For Good Governance (FGGN), has come out strongly to defend  the President’s Son,Mr.  Seyi Tinubu after former Vice President,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar faulted the award of contract to a company he serves as a board member. 

The former Vice President had accused the federal government of awarding construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. 

He did allege that Seyi is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which is a parent company of Hitech. 

However ,In a press Statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara, the group said the fact that Seyi’s father is the President should not deny him access to pursue legitimate business interests within and outside the country. 

While stating that the gigantic projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway would no doubt boost the economy; engender growth and development, it noted, “Seyi Tinubu an adult,who has a right to do business in as much as ,it’s within the limits of the law.” 

The Statement further reads: “From the information we gathered, Seyi joined the Board of Directors of CDK in 2018 as an investor, with a good record of performance. So ,why deny such investor with capacity right to business patronage because, his father is the president. 

“Unfortunately for Atiku who raised the issue, the Chairman of CDK and the highest shareholder of the company is  General T.Y. Danjuma (retd.) and not Seyi Tinubu, who has been involved in business several years,before the father became President. 

“The big question we are asking Atiku is , ” How has Seyi as an investor on  the board of  CDK, conflicts with Hitech Construction Company’s work on Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway. 

“He who must come to equity must come with clean hands. If Atiku raised an issue of conflict of interest,what we do say of him during his days as the vice-president, established Intels Nigeria with an Italian entrepreneur while serving in the Nigeria Customs Service . 

“When he was Vice President of Nigeria between 1999-2007, he maintained his business links with Intels that won major port concession deals in Nigeria.”

Gidan Jibir Patriotic Youth Back Ham Traditional Council, Says, Christie Yori Chasing Shadow

Justice Bashir Shittu Yusuf of High Court 10, Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State has adjourned to 6th June, 2024 for hearing in the case filed by the Applicant seeking the court to redirect the traditional council to bury the deceased, Late Captain Saleh Usman whose corpse is still languishing in the mortuary.

Speaking to the press while protesting, today, 7th April, 2024 at the court premises, the Gidan Jibir Patriotic Youth, lamented that, Christie Yori is just chasing shadow as their brother’s corpse have long been buried according the custom and tradition of the Ham people. So, approaching the court is like trying to tell the Ham people the dos and don’ts of their custom and tradition.

It can be recalled that, on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 High Court 10 Barnawa mentions the case filed by the Applicant, Christie Yori, challenging the decision of the traditional council in Sabon Sarki District, to bury an empty casket against the reposed body of late Captain Saleh Usman.

Fielding questions asked by journalists immediately after court proceedings, Counsel to the Defendants, Barr. Jerry Joseph Dabo reiterated that the applicant filed an application asking the court to review the decision of the traditional title holders where the deceased, Late Captain Saleh Usman, hailed from to bury him.

So, she (Christie Yori) is challenging the decision of the traditional council for burying an empty casket. The body of the deceased is still in the mortuary and is yet to be buried and the Applicant is seeking the court to review the decision of the traditional council and redirect them to properly bury the corpse of the deceased that is still in the mortuary. The Applicant is saying there was no burial because the corpse is still in the mortuary.

He went further saying, We were served with the application very late, but were able to respond to the application within time. We didn’t go on today because the Applicant still has the opportunity to respond to what we have filed so that we can come proper before the court and fortunately enough the court graciously granted us the opportunity to go an put our houses in order for them to file their response, if need be, for us to also respond to what they have filed.

According to the District Head of Sabon Sarki and Mabudin Kachia, HRH, Mr. Jacob Jeff Dogo, tradition has taken its course, and we have done what tradition told us to do, and we have done it. No position is more than that. We don’t know any Christie Yori. We don’t know her. We don’t have anybody who bears the name Christie Yori in Sabon Sarki District. We have buried our brother(Saleh Usman) traditionally. We have no qualms with anybody. Certain traditional beliefs and rites can not be publicised. We are Ham, and we have our unique culture.

IPPS: DICON Workers Protest Unfair Treatment, demand Transparent Payroll Practices

… Urges Tinubu to Intervene

As Nigeria joins the world to mark the Workers Day, the civilian staff of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), have used the occasion to protest what they termed unfair treatment and transparent payroll practices by the management.

The workers,who trooped out today at the premises of Ordinance Factory Complex , Kakuri , Kaduna with various placards with inscriptions such as :”Pay us our wage award”, “we are tired of management incompetence”, ” military said we are not special” etc complained about denied access to a critical program that promotes transparency and efficiency in wage distribution as regards the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

According to workers, the exclusion prevents them from receiving the recent wage increases implemented for IPPIS-enrolled employees.

The aggrieved workers during the protest raised concerns about the accuracy of their payroll data outside of IPPIS, said, ” To add insult to injury, the Deputy Director of Human Resources, Mercy Philip, curtly dismissed our inquiries, calling IPPIS a “no-go area” and suggesting they forget about enrollment altogether until she retires.

Speaking further about their concerns , the workers alleged : “Allowances for scarce skills (established in 2008) and transportation (introduced in 2015) were abruptly stopped without explanation, causing frustration and a sense of unfair treatment. This is they described as a reprehensible treatment of a dedicated workforce.”

” To confirm the maltreatment, the workers alleged that Director of Production Air Commodore, Ola Emmanuel in his address to some staff in the factory justified reasons civil staff have not enjoyed wage award . Stressing, We have not received a single month of the wage award since it was announced September 2023.

He also said that rather than questioning our management , we should go and ask the Accountant General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defense and offices budget office and salary and wages commission to confirm why the non payment of the wage rewards .

They explained further,” We are owed eight months of minimum wage arrears dating back to 2019. Additionally, we haven’t received the N35,000 six-month wage award initiated by the federal government in September 2023. With a new minimum wage on the horizon, we are concerned that we may be left behind again.

“Unfortunately, our attempts to address these concerns through open communication with DICON’s management have fell on deaf ears.

“Management has brushed aside our concerns, and even the Employee Town Hall, promised by the Director General to be held every two months, has never been held. This lack of transparency is further hindering progress.

“We have held peaceful protests, first on July 3rd, 2023, and most recently the one we declared on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, demonstrating a commitment to finding solutions. As DICON is a non-union workplace, we are staging this peaceful protest on a symbolically significant day for workers’ rights: May 1st. This comes amid reports of a list being compiled to terminate the appointments of those believed to be spearheading the ongoing protests.

“Furthermore, it should be noted that the demoralization and potential dismissal of a highly skilled workforce with exclusive expertise in producing restricted goods like weapons and explosives poses a significant security threat. Disgruntled or desperate workers could be more vulnerable to exploitation or radicalization, potentially jeopardizing the security of these sensitive materials. Will laying off such a critical workforce not exacerbate security threats by placing sensitive expertise in uncertain hands?

The workers however, said the failure on side of DICON Management to meet the obligations to its civilian workforce has has negative impact on employees morale which raises serious concerns about fair treatment.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the concerns regarding fair treatment; transparent payroll practices, and the timely resolution of these outstanding issues.

Electricity Tariff:CSOs Fix Thursday  to Embark on Protest, Say Power Minister Insensitive 

Angry over proposed hike in electricity Tariff, Civil Society Organisations under umbrella  of Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria( FGGN)  said it has  concluded  arrangements to Embark on Protest on Thursday against the  Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu for insisting on electricity tariff hike, despite economic hardship facing Nigerians. 

The CSOs, which described the position of the Minister as “Insensitive”  said his claim that there would be total blackout in the country in the next three months if the proposed  tariff hike is not implemented is wicked . 

According to the CSOs,  the excuse he also gave that “if the Federal government Continue To Pay Electricity Subsidy For Nigerians, Investors Will Not Come” is illusionary and unacceptable. 

In a press statement jointly signed by National Coordinator and Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara, the FGGN that stated this, said rather talk about hike in tariff during this dwindling period  of dearth of development in the country, the Minister is expected to work on measures to restore constant power supply that help to attract investors to establish sustainable business and  boost the economy. 

While supporting the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on concerns over the suffering of Nigerians, the CSOs however joined the Senate committee to  rejected the new tariff regime.

The statement further reads: “We are standing as a voice for Nigerians to continue to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu Adebayo citing alleged ineptitude.

“Nigerians know that the Ministry of Power under Chief Adebayo Adelabu is ‘powerless’ and has no value addition either to Nigerians in general or the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in particular.

“The level of cluelessness within the ministry is nauseating and embarrassing as our national electricity grid keeps collapsing like a pack of cards.

“Adelabu has no business remaining in the critical offices he  occupies .For failing  Nigerians he should just  take the honourable path and resign, or be faced with a frequent civil society mass actions, because Nigerians are sick and tired of his weakness and lack or capacity to deliver on Tinubu’s campaign promise .  

“Just imagine,within a quarter of a year, Nigeria has experienced six incidents of electricity grid collapse with an agonising reality of the poorest and most epileptic power supply in many years with attendant impact on businesses and the economy at large”.