COURT DISMISSES APP'S PETITION AGAINST GOV FINTIRI AS PDP CELEBRATES VICTORY

Governorship Election Petition Tribunal holden at Yola, the Adamawa state capital has dismissed the the petition filed before it by All Peoples Party(APP) for lack of merit.

The political party had earlier prayed the court to nullify the governorship election conducted in Adamawa state on 9th March, 2019, for the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to capture its substituted Governorship candidate, Bitrus Madeh.

The party told the court that it substituted it candidate, Rukaiya Audu, who withdrew from race few days to election with Bitrus Madeh, but the electoral body could not capture him as its candidate.

In suit number ET/AD/GOV/01/2019, the party joined Governor Ahmadu Umaru, his deputy Crowther Seth, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents.

But delivering his judgment, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice A. A. Adebara, struck out the petition for lack of convincing evidence.

Justice Adebara, held that the petitioners failed to present credible evidence in support of its suit, adding that APP, failed to tender a letter written to it by Rukaiya, notifying the party about her withdrawal from the race; thereby, substituting her with Bitrus.

According to him, the party could not convince the court with supportive evidence that Rukaiya, actually withdrew from the race and therefore dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

Justice Adebara, who was supported by two other justices, posited that as far the court is concerned, Rukaiya, was the Governorship Candidate of the party who participated in the election and scored 180, votes.

In his reaction shortly after the judgement, one of the counsel and Chairman of the PDP in the state, A. T. Shehu, said that the petition of the of APP against the sitting Governor was not supported with any evidence whatsoever.

A. T. Shehu told newsmen that they asked for the cost of #20million against the petitioners payable to the coffers of the Federal Government, so as to serve as punitive measures against what he described as frivolous and congenital petitions.

He said that the court had admitted that the parties are at liberty to ventilate their differences, but however, granted the sum of #300,000.00, against the petitioners in favour of 1st, 2rd and 3rd, respondents, and the sum of #100,000.00, against the same petitioners in favour of the 4th, respondent.

S. T. Shehu, stated that the PDP has taken the judgement as a victory to the entire Adamawa citizens because according to him, some unscrupulous elements wanted to puncture what the entire citizens are enjoying today.

On his part, Barr. Solomon Garba, who held brief for the counsel to the petitioners, said that the judgement is okay considering its content.

Barr. Garba, commended the Judges for doing a very good job in analysing all the evidence before them, saying he is not in the position to advise their clients whether to accept the Judgement or not.

TOWNHALL MEETING: COMMUNITIES PRESENT DEMANDS AS IYA ABBAS PROMISES TO DELIVER ON MANDATE

Communities in Uba Gaya Constituency in Adamawa State have presented their demands to the member representing their constituency and the Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, for consideration and possible solution.

The communities cut across 6 Wards and 4 District which comprise the constituency, made their presentation at a townhall meeting organised by International Republican Institute (IRI) in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and held at Mararaba Mubi yesterday.

The townhall meeting which was adjudged to be one of the best so far being organised by of the members of the 7th Assembly, was supported by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Iya Abbas.

More so, the event which was well coordinated, attracted the Chairman Transition Committee of Hong LGC, all the 4 District Heads of Garha, Gaya, Uba, and Hildi, representatives of Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities and other stakeholders cut across the constituency.

Likewise, the event provided opportunity for the Speaker and the representatives of the communities, where they deliberated on the immediate needs and how best to address them.

Several stakeholders who spoke at the historic event, commended the Speaker and the non governmental organisation for organising such forum for the electorate to present their demands to their representative at the hallowed.

But while responding on the demands tendered by the communities, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, said there is no better time to organise such meetings than now considering current happenings in their communities.

The Speaker who was accompanied at the event by Hon. Ibrahim Musa Italiya(Mayo Belwa Constituency), Hon. Abdullahi Umar Nyako(Toungo) and his dear Wife, told the gathering that the event was not organised for him to campaign but for him to come and interact with the representatives of his teeming constituents on how best to provide them with quality representation.

The number one legislator in the state told them that, though the 1999 Constitution has categorically spelt out the responsibilities of a legislator, but he has been striving assiduously to give them quality stewardship through the provision of constituency projects.

According to him, though his primary function at the hollowed chamber is to float legislations, sponsor resolutions that have direct bearing on their lives, notwithstanding, he is doing everything possible to deliver on his constituency projects most especially when resources to that effect are made available.

He assured them that he is committed to complementing the effort of the executive arm in providing dividends of democracy within his limited resources, promising to peruse on the list of problems presented for solution.

He informed them of his plans to declare free healthcare delivery service to pregnant women, give stipends to youth who are ready to set up their small scale businesses and support the education sector for quality education to their children, saying that he has been liasing with security agencies towards the curtailment of security challenges most especially kidnapping in the constituency.

According to him, the 7th Assembly is considering enacting a legislation that will provide salary structure for vigilante considering their complementary role in curbing insecurity, adding that the house is going to float a bill for enactment to make it mandatory for every government establishment to employ people with disabilities, and that already the house had employed about 5 of them.

Rt. Hon. Iya Abbas, observed with dismay the nonchalant attitude of teachers most especially in the entire Hong LGA to their official duty, intimating them of the readiness of the present assembly towards dealing with teachers who do not go to their duty post.

He assured them of including the construction of Gaya road in 2020, budget, faciliating the employment of their teeming youth, provision of agricultural facilities, empowerment programmes such as soft loan, saying that he has been impressing on the Governor to reconnect their communities with power supply.

Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, assured them of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's effort in providing them with democracy dividends, pledging to work hard in order to deliver on his campaign promises.

In his remarks, the Chairman Transition Committee Hong LGC, Hon. Usman Inuwa Owganda, gave kudos to the Speaker, the NGO for organising such event, pointing out that PDP government will not disappoint them.

Parts of the demands presented by the representatives of the communities, Women, Youth and Physically challenged from all the 6 Wards including Garha, Hildi, Mayo Lope, Kwarhi, Uba and Gaya are; insecurity, lack of good road network,water supply, healthcare service and lack of befitting houses for the District Heads among others.

ADAMAWA GOVT TO EXPEND #9 BILLION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOMS, SAYS ADHA SPEAKER

Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, has said that the state government is set to expend the whooping sum of #9 billion on the construction of blocks of classroom in the next 3 weeks.

According to him, the money will be expended on the construction of blocks of classroom cut across all the districts in the state.

Rt. Hon. Iya Abbas, made this known at a Townhall Meeting organised by International Ruplican Institute(IRI) in collaboration With United States Agency for International Development (UNSAID), and held at Mararaba Mubi, Hong Local Government Area in the state today.

The Townhall Meeting which was supported by the Speaker of Assembly, attracted traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the constituency, who were given the opportunity to present challenges facing their respective communities.

He said that effort of the government of the day is to restore the lost glory of the education sector in line with its free education policy, explaining that the decision taken by the government to expend the resources is aim at revitilising the sector.

He asserted that the major concern of both the executive and legislative arms of government in the state is to ensure that every child is given ample opportunity to access quality education state.

The speaker added that giving quality education to the citizens will make each and everyone of one them to contribute positively to the development of the state, saying that the present administration has so many programmes for the development of the sector.

ADHA C'TTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE CALLS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF COLLAPSED LABONDO CULVERT

The Adamawa State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Community Development has called for immediate reconstruction of collapsed Labondo-Borrong 5 Cell Box Culvert in Girei Local Government Area in the state.

The Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ganye constituency, at the House of Assemby, Hon. Alhassan Hammanjoda, made the call while leading other members of the Committee, Coordinator Rural Access and Mobility Project(RAMP) 2, ChairmanTransition Committee Girei LGC, and the District Head of Girei and Ubandoma Adamawa, an on the spot assessment of the collapsed culvert.

The Chairman of the House Committee described the situation as unfortunate and appealed for immediate action in reconstructing the collapsed culvert for easy transportation of goods and services.

Hon. Alhassan said that the House of Assembly is not happy with the situation, and therefore called on the government to expedite effort in fixing the culvert because according to him Adamawa citizens who live in that part of the world have been cut from the state capital.

The lawmaker stated that the hallowed chamber cannot afford to be granting approvals for the state to obtain resources from donor agencies as counterpart fund without executing quality job for betterment of all.

He specifically commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for sending a delegation to visit the area to ascertain the level of damage caused by the collapsed culvert, saying every responsible government must accord premium attention on security of lives, property and welfare of its citizens.

Hon. Alhassan Hammajoda, assured the delegation that his committee will look into the specification of the project and bill of quantity and take next line of action for the good of all.

In his remarks, the Chairman Transition Committee Girei Local Government Council, Mohammed Njidda, said that his LG is concerned about the plight of the citizens and called on the contractors to execute quality work because according to him, people will be rating them based on their performance.

Mohammed Njidda, lamented that the work done by the construction company company is not encouraging at all, adding that it was a waste of resources and time on project that his people could not enjoy it.

He called the company to go back to its initial arrangement and execute a quality job that will last, saying his LGC on its part, will look for alternative road for its people pending the time the affected culvert will be reconstructed.

Mohammed Njidda however appealed to government to consider awarding the contract to a proper company that has capacity and materials to carry out a quality job.

On his part, the State Coordinator, Rural Access and  Mobility Project(RAMP)2, Eng. Zubairu Adamu Vandi, attributed the collapsed of the culvert to natural disaster.

Eng. Adamu Vandi, added that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)'s vehicle had earlier damaged the culvert, saying that the NNPC failed to inform them that they were going to use the road, but only told that one of its vehicle had damaged the culvert.

According to him, the work is still with the construction company as it has not been completed and handed over to them based on the terms of reference, adding that RAMP2 has constructed about 30 hydrolic structures which are of standard.

But while fielding questions from the legislators, the Site Engineer of  Karphy Engineering Limited, handling the project, Eng. Chijioke Aniagur, said that their company worked based on what is given to it: based on specified design from the beginning to the completion stage.

Eng. Chijioke, told them that the contract was awarded to their company at a total sum of #17 million, and it had already collected #13million out of the contract sum which is about 75%, insisting that they have complied with agreed specification.

Baring his mind, the District Head of Girei and Ubandoma Adamawa, Dr. Ahmed Mustafa, attributed the collapsed of the culvert to the substandard work work, and appealed for the reconstruction of the culvert so as to address the plight faced by his subjects.

COURT STRIKES OUT SUITS AGAINST SEN. ELISHA ABBO, REP MUSTAPHA SAIDU

National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal holden at Yola, the Adamawa State Capital has struck out 2 different petitions filed before it challenging the elections of Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo, and Dr. Mustapha Saidu, Song/Fufore Federal House of Representatives.

Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa Northern Senatorial District and Dr. Mustapha Saidu, representing Song/Fufore Federal House of Representatives, were elected on the 23th March, 2019, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

The National Assembly Members were dragged to court separately by former Senator Binta Masi Garba, and former member House of Representatives, Sadiq Dasin, whom contested the elections under platform of the All Progrssives Congress(APC), over allegations irregularities alleged to have characterised the elections that brought the duo to power.

It could be recalled that the court had yesterday dismissed petition filed by former Senator Abubakar Mo-Allahyidi,(APC) against Senator Binos Yaroe, (PDP) for Southern Senatorial District.

The Court had also trashed 2 different cases brought before it by Hon. Olvadi Bema(APC), and Hon. Kabiru Muktar (PDP), challenging the elections of Hon. Kwamoti Laori(PDP), for Numan/Demsa and Lamurde Federal Constituency, and Hon. Abdulrazaq Namdas(APC), for Mayo Belwa, Jada, Ganye and Toungo Federal Constituency respectively.

But the Election Tribunal in its judgement on suit instituted by Sen. Binta Masi Garba, today, held that the petitioner's suit lacked merit and dismissed it in its entirety.

The Court presided by Justice Suleiman Akanbi, said that Sen. Binta Masi could not prove her case beyond reasonable doubt, saying that she failed to prove her case through convincing evidence; thereby striking out the the petition.

Justice Akanbi, who was assisted by 2 other Justices, declared that the Sen. Binta Masi, laid emphasis on hear say without credible convincing evidence, adding that her witnesses could not adduce concrete evidence admissible in the court of law.

Likewise, delivering the judgement on the petition filed by former Member Representing Song/Fufore Federal House of Representatives, Sadiq Dasin (APC), against Dr. Mustapha Saidu(PDP), the court quashed the petition for lack of merit.

HON. SILAS GASU EXPRESSES HOPE ON THE VICTORY OF SEN ISHAKU ABBO AT COURT TOMORROW

As the Election Petition Tribunal holden at Yola, the Adamawa state capital is set to deliver judgment on a suit filed by former Senator Binta Masi Garba, against incumbent Senator Ishaku Abbo-Sia tomorrow, one of the boys and strong supporter of Senator Ishaku Abbo - Sia, Hon. Silas Daniel Gasu, has said he is hopeful that tomorrow's judgement will be in favour of their Senator.

Hon. Silas Daniel Gasu, who stated this in a chat with newsmen at the court premises today, said that he is 100% sure that his political mentor will be victorious at the Tribunal.

The Young Politician said that Sen. Ishaku Abbot -Sia, who was overwhelmingly voted by the eligible voters cut across 5 Local Government Areas that made up of Adamawa Northern Senatorial Zone, will also emerge victorious so as to enable him continue in providing quality representation at the National Assembly.

Hon. Silas Gasu, added that his mentor has endeared himself into the hearts of hundreds of his supporters; hence, their massive support that gave him an edge over other opponents during the general elections with over 18,000, votes cast.

He explained that Sen. Ishaku Abbo, has demonstrated that he is a leader that has the love of his people at heart which attracted massive support for him, explaining that the love shown to his master by the electorate in the northern zone will continue to wax stronger day by day.

He urged on the teeming supporters of the Youngest Senator to have faith in God, who gives power to whoever He wants, appealing to them to keep their hope alive as victory will be on their side.

Hon. Silas commended Sen. Abbo, for calling his supporters to have faith in God, and the Judiciary following an unwarranted posting by the defeated Senator Binta Masi Garba.

He further lauded the wisdom of his mentor in telling his supporters that 28th March, 2019, is in the hands of God, saying it is only a wise leader that will think in this line.

According to him, his boss has absolute confidence in the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC), Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), President Court of Appeal, and all security agencies in the country.

ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL STRIKES OUT SUIT AGAINST SEN BINOS YAROE

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal holden at Yola, the Adamawa State capital has just dismissed a suit brought before it by former Senator Abubakar Mo-Allahyidi, against the incumbent Senator Binos Yaroe, for Adamawa state southern senatorial zone.

Former Sen. Mo-Allahyidi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier dragged the incumbent Senator Binos Yaroe, of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), before the Tribunal, challenging the election of the later.

Sen. Mo-Allahyidi, had instituted the suit on the grounds that the March 23th, 2019,'s general elections  conducted in the southern zone which brought Sen. Binos, to power was marred by irregularities.

He alleged that the exercise was characterized by massive violence, bribery, alteration of result sheet, vote buying, over voting, non accreditation of voters which according to him outrightly violated some sections of the Electoral Act.

He prayed the court to declare the election of Sen. Binos, invalid as according to him, Binos was not elected by the majority of the voters in the zone, urging the court to declare him(Mo-Allahyidi) as the winner of the election and should order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue him with the certificate of returned.

On his part, Sen. Binos, prayed the court to dismiss the petition in its entire for lack of merit, arguing that the petitioner had failed to tender concrete evidence in support of his case.

But delivering his judgment on the suit today, the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Suleiman Akanbi, struct out the petition for the failure of Mo-Allahyidi, to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Akanbi, who was assisted by two other Justices, declared that the petitioner could not link his prayers of violation of electoral acts with concrete evidence; thereby, dismissing the suiit for lack of merit.

ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL STRIKES OUT SUIT AGAINST SEN BINOS YAROE

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal holden at Yola, the Adamawa State capital has just dismissed a suit brought before it by former Senator Abubakar Mo-Allahyidi, against the incumbent Senator Binos Yaroe, for Adamawa state southern senatorial zone.

Former Sen. Mo-Allahyidi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier dragged the incumbent Senator Binos Yaroe, of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), before the Tribunal, challenging the election of the later.

Sen. Mo-Allahyidi, had instituted the suit on the grounds that the March 23th, 2019,'s general elections  conducted in the southern zone which brought Sen. Binos, to power was marred by irregularities.

He alleged that the exercise was characterized by massive violence, bribery, alteration of result sheet, vote buying, over voting, non accreditation of voters which according to him outrightly violated some sections of the Electoral Act.

He prayed the court to declare the election of Sen. Binos, invalid as according to him, Binos was not elected by the majority of the voters in the zone, urging the court to declare him(Mo-Allahyidi) as the winner of the election and should order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue him with the certificate of returned.

On his part, Sen. Binos, prayed the court to dismiss the petition in its entire for lack of merit, arguing that the petitioner had failed to tender concrete evidence in support of his case.

But delivering his judgment on the suit today, the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Suleiman Akanbi, struct out the petition for the failure of Mo-Allahyidi, to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Akanbi, who was assisted by two other Justices, declared that the petitioner could not link his prayers of violation of electoral acts with concrete evidence; thereby, dismissing the suiit for lack of merit.

DUMNE, OTHER YUNGUR COMMUNITIES COUNT LOSSES AS FLOOD WRECKS HAVOC

Several Communities within and outside Dumne in Song Local Government Area, Adamawa State are currently counting their losses following a recent flooding which wrecked havoc in the affected areas.

The flood disaster which was triggered by a heavy downpour, has also cut off Dimdima drift along Dumne - Loko road constructed since 1954, and adversely affecting the movement of goods and services in the communities.

With the current situation, communities including Dumne, Dirma, Tinde, Kuma, Jimbo, Dikir, Waltadi, Prambe and some parts of Shelleng Local Government area have been cut off from the headquarters of Song LGA, the state capital and the rest of the world.

Likewise, the natural disaster has destroyed several houses, road networks, food items, domestic animals, Yungur Area Court and other valuables, rendering the victims homeless most especially at Unguwan Dadin Kowa, Sabin Layi within Dumne and several other places.

The Member representing Song Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Simon Isa, who visited the affected areas to assess the level of damage caused by the flood disaster as well as commiserate with the victims today, described the situation as pathetic.

Hon. Simon, has noted with concern how several communities in his constituency are being cut off from the LG headquarters and the state capital, appealing to the Federal and State Governments respectively to see the reason of reconstructing Dimdima drift washed away by the flood.

According to him, if immediate action is not taken on the part of the government, the socio economic activities in the areas will be completely paralysed, saying that their communities have been contributing tremendously in the economic sector of the state.

The lawmaker however called on the government and other relevant authorities to provide relief materials to the victims as some of them had lost everything in the disaster, sympathising with his constituents over the incident.

Hon. Simon Isa, recalled that the issue of constructing Loko- Dumne - Shelleng road has been one of the campaign promises of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, urging on him to include the construction of the road in 2020 budget.

In his remarks, the Leader and Councillor representing Shigire ward, Jarrett Ahijo Gaji, lamented that cutting off the bridge has rendered their communities helpless as well as shutting down economic activities in Yungur land and urged on the government to intervene in order to rescue the situation.

On his part, the Councillor representing Dumne ward, Solomon Eldon, said that several people are currently counting their losses following the disaster, and called for immediate action to cushion the effect of hardship faced by the people.

He observed with concern how a pregnant woman loss her life due to the inability of her family members to cross the river to Song General hospital for medical attention.

Also speaking, a stakeholder, Pa Jonnes Abornemdan, had while taking the Member round the affected areas, made a passionate appeal on the government to as a matter of urgency come to their aid and repair all the culverts and drifts washed away by the flooding.

On his part, Obed Sabdiel, who had his 3 bed room flat destroyed by the disaster, called on the government to provide them with relief materials so as to ameliorate their hardship.

DUMNE, OTHER YUNGUR COMMUNITIES COUNT LOSSES AS FLOOD WRECKS HAVOC

Several Communities within and outside Dumne in Song Local Government Area, Adamawa State are currently counting their losses following a recent flooding which wrecked havoc in the affected areas.

The flood disaster which was triggered by a heavy downpour, has also cut off the Dimdima drift along Dumne - Loko road constructed since 1954, and adversely affecting the movement of goods and services in the communities.

With the current situation, communities including Dumne, Dirma, Tinde, Kuma, Jimbo, Dikir, Waltadi, Prambe and some parts of Shelleng Local Government area have been cut off from the headquarters of Song LGA as well as the state capital.

Likewise, the natural disaster has destroyed several houses, road networks, food items, domestic animals, Yungur Area Court and other valuables, rendering the victims homeless most especially at Unguwan Dadin Kowa, Sabin Layi within Dumne and several other places.

The Member representing Song Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Simon Isa, who visited the affected areas to assess the level of damage caused by the flood disaster as well as commiserate with the victims today, described the situation as pathetic.

Hon. Simon, has noted with concern how several communities in his constituency are being cut off from the LG headquarters and the state capital, appealing to the Federal and State Governments respectively to see the reason of reconstructing Dimdima drift washed away by the flood.

According to him, if immediate action is not taken on the part of the government, the socio economic activities in the areas will be completely paralysed, saying that their communities have been contributing tremendously in the economic sector of the state.

The lawmaker however called on the government and other relevant authorities to provide relief materials to the victims as some of them had lost everything in the disaster, sympathising with his constituents over the incident.

Hon. Simon Isa, recalled that the issue of constructing Loko- Dumne - Shelleng road has been one of the campaign promises of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, urging on him to include the construction of the road in 2020 budget.

In his remarks, the Leader and Councillor representing Shigire ward, Jarrett Ahijo Gaji, lamented that cutting off the bridge has rendered their communities helpless as well as shutting down economic activities in Yungur land and urged on the government to intervene in order to rescue the situation.

On his part, the Councillor representing Dumne ward, Solomon Eldon, said that several people are currently counting their losses following the disaster, and called for immediate action to cushion the effect of hardship faced by the people.

He observed with concern how a pregnant woman loss her life due to the inability of her family members to cross the river to Song General hospital for medical attention.

Also speaking, a stakeholder, Pa Jonnes Abornemdan, had while taking the Member round the affected areas, made a passionate appeal on the government to as a matter of urgency come to their aid and repair all the culverts and drifts washed away by the flooding.

On his part, Obed Sabdiel, who had his 3 bed room flat destroyed by the disaster, called on the government to provide them with relief materials so as to ameliorate their hardship.

JESSICA, SAHABI, OTHERS TO HEAD ABC NUJ CHAPEL IN THE NEXT 3YEARS

The newly elected officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Chapel have been inaugurated with a charge on them to strive for the progress of the chapel.

The new officials inaugurated include; Jessica John Bakari, Chairperson, Jibrin Isa, Vice Chairman, Alh. Usman Umar Sahabi, Secretary, Attanga Philip, Assistant Secretary, Nafeesa Vandi, Financial Secretary, Sa'adatu Abdulmumini, Treasurer and Abdulhamid M. Kodeji.

Speaking while inaugurating the new exco, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) Adamawa State Council, Comrade Ishaka Donald Dedan, charged the new exco to be dedicated to their official responsibilities in order to move the chapel forward.

Comrade Dedan, tasked them to do everything possible towards upholding the provisions of the constitution which established the great union.

He appealed to them be united, focused and committed so as to consolidate on the enormous achievements recorded by the immediate past leadership of the chapel, congratulating them for their emergence as the new exco of the chapel.

Also Speaking, the secretary of the union, Fedelis Jocthan, announced that the Chairperson and the Secretary are now automatic members of the state executive council and urged the entire exco to obtain copies of the constitution and study it in order to guide them in their operation.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Alleni Ethan Dah, who was represented at the event by the Director News and Current Affairs, Ismaila Mohammed, congratulated them and pledged the readiness of the organisation towards supporting the union to enable it succeed in taking the chapel to the greater height.

He called on them to liase with the mother union and accord issues affecting most especially the state owned media workers and their organisations necessary attention for effective service delivery.

On her part, a staff of the department, Alice Elisha Nicodemus, challenged the exco to work hard in order to bring about positive change in the entire department and the organisation at large.

Responding, the newly elected Chairperson of the chapel, Jessica John Bakari, said they came in primarily to make a difference in the chapel and render service to the union in general.

She called on her colleagues to rally round them by giving them constructive advice on how best to pilot the affairs of the chapel.

Baring his mind, the new Secretary of the union Alh. Usman Umar Sahabi, appreciated their colleagues for the confidence reposed in them, and the State Executive Council of the union for inaugurating them.

Alh. Sahabi, made a passionate appeal on the state exco to support them so as to enable them deliver on their mandate, commending specifically the Chairman of the state council who was the immediate past chairman of the chapel for the remarkable achievements he recorded while in office.

Meanwhile, a secretariat report presented at the event, indicated that the outgoing officials have been able to improved on the welfare of its members in one way or the other.

PDP DEPUTY CHAIR EXPRESSES OPTIMISM OF CLINCHING MUBI NORTH LGC POLLS

Adamawa State Deputy Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and one of the contenders for chairmanship, Mubi North Local Government Council (LGC), Mr. Timothy Audu, has said he is hopeful of winning the forthcoming election for Mubi North LGC.

Mr. Timothy Audu, stated this shortly after he submitted his nomination form at the PDP state Secretariat yesterday.

According to him, he is well prepared to face any other aspirant, and at the same time hopeful of emerging victorious during the election, saying that this will enable him provide good governance to his people at the grassroot.

He said it is a great opportunity for someone to vie for an election in order to meet the yearnings and aspirations of his people, saying he is happy that he was able to return his form as required by the law.

Mr. Timothy Audu, disclosed that it was his people that called him to come contest for the seat if not, he would not have opted  out to go and vie for the seat, explaining that the office of the Depety Chairman is more than that of LGC Chairman, but since it was a clarion call, he has no alternative than to accept and serve them.

LGC POLLS: JUDAH, IDI AMIN, JIKAN SARKI, SEVERAL OTHER ASPIRANTS SUBMIT NOMINATION FORMS

As a build up to September Local Government election in Adamawa state, several Aspirants under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) are currently submitting their nomination forms at the party secretariat in Yola, the state capital.

Among the Aspirants that have already submitted their forms today, include, Hon. Judah Amisa, Girei, Hon. Idi Amin, Maiha, Hon. Gana Richard, Demsa, and Hon. Adamu Mohammed Jikan Sarki, Jada, respectively.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after submitting his form, the Aspirant for Maiha LGC Hon. Idi Amin, said he felt delighted because he successfully submitted his form which is one of the principal and cardinal way of becoming a chairman.

Hon. Idi Amin, told newsmen that he is well prepared to face other Aspirants, saying that it is in his culture to vie for election and  win, saying politics is his business and that when someone knows the level of his preparedness and capability, he does not need to fear anybody.

He stated that he is in the PDP to get Justice and at the same time do justice to his electorate.

Also speaking, an Aspirant for Demsa LGC, Gana Richard, said that he felt excited because submission of form is one of the prerequisite condition for him to become chairman.

Hon. Gana explained that he successfully bought and  returned his form and that by God's grace, he is going to win the forthcoming election.

Baring his mind, Hon. Adamu Mohammed Jikan Sarki, Jada LGC, asserted that this is not his first time of contesting election for Jada LGC, saying he contested for election, won and became chairman of Jada LGC from 2012 to 2015.

Hon. Jikan Sarki, disclosed that his people can testify what he can do in terms of provision of dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

ATTACKS: NUMAN FEDERATION DECRIES LACK OF IMPLEMENTATION OF 3Rs

Following 2016/17 attacks on communities in Numan Federation which claimed several lives while destroying property worth millions, a Non Governmental Organisation, Numan Federation Foundation has cried out for lack of implementation of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (3Rs) by the Federal Government in the affected areas.

It could be recalled that communities in the federation were attacked by herdsmen which saw the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, visiting such some of the communities to commiserate and ascertain level of damage caused by attacks.

But speaking at a First Special Dinner organised by the foundation in honour of the State Deputy Governor, Chief Crowther Seth, National and State Lawmakers during the week, the President of the foundation, Mr. Maliki Daniel, observed dismay lack of implementation of 3Rs in the attacks affected communities.

Mr. Daniel however appealed to the FG to commence the reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation of areas where the herdsmen have caused destruction to lives and property.

According to him, Borno, Yobe and some parts of Adamawa states are currently undergoing reconstruction and rehabilitation because of the mayhem caused by the insurgents, saying that the destruction caused to Numan Federation consequent upon the attacks by the terrorists, equally deserves the same treatment in order to restore peace and harmony and room for reconciliation in the region.

The President posited that they were made to understand that shortly after some major attacks on their people at beginning of the crisis, the FG carried out Needs Assessment in the affected areas but wondered why the execution of the 3Rs is yet to commence after almost 2 years.

He saluted the raw courage and gallantry of their people particularly the youth who fiercely and doggedly stood their grounds against what he described as unsolicited provocation from the terrorists until they were defeated.

He explained that their young men have realised that they do not have any other place to call their own except the one that was chosen and bequeathed to their grandfathers by God, and which must therefore be defended at all cost.

STAKEHOLDERS TASK SONS, DAUGTHERS OF NUMAN FEDERATION ON UNITY, DEVT

Stakeholders in Numan Federation have called for unity, team work and commitment for the development and political aspirations of the zone.

This was the focus of a Special Dinner organised by the Numan Federation Foundation in honour of the Deputy Governor Adamawa state and the National and State Legislators from the federation which was adjudged to be the first of its kind. The event was also to appreciate the goodwill and magnanimity of the present administration.

The Federation comprises of Demsa, Numan, Lamurde, Guyuk and Shelleng Local Government Areas.

Speaking at the historic event, the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Crowther Seth, enjoined all sons and daughters of the federation to be united and guard against forces that  might cause  disunity among them.

Chief Crowther, lamented that the federation has been a sleeping giant for too and attributed it to lack of unity among its people, calling on all elected officials and other stakeholders of the zone to strive and unite their people for peace and development in the zone.

 He thanked the people for giving their government as well as all their elected officials from the zone opportunity to serve and promised not to disappoint them.

He reiterated the commitment of Governor Fintiri-led administration towards ensuring security of lives and property in the zone, appealing to them to shun social vices that will bring division among them and breed insecurity.

In their separate remarks, the members representing Numan, Demsa and Lamurde in the Federal constituency, Hon. Kwamati Laori, who was represented, and the Deputy Speaker State Assembly, Hon. Mackondo Pwamwakaino(Numan), Hon Pawikai Bauna, (Lamurde) and Hon. Kate Mamuno (Demsa) promised to be the voices of the people.

In his welcoming address, the President of the foundation Mr Maliki Daniel said that the dinner has been organized in honour of the deputy Governor and other elected legislators from Numan federation aimed coming together in order to foster and strengthen their togetherness for the purpose of promoting unity ,peace, development and preserve their culture and the dignity of their people.

The President used the forum and called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency commerce the reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation of areas where affected as the result of herders/farmers clashes in the area.

He however called on sons and daughters of Numan federation to join hands for  the realisation of the objectives for which the foundation was established.

ADAMAWA NAWOJ EMBARKS ON FAMILIARISATION VISIT ON MEDIA HOUSES

By Rabi Sule

Newly Executive Council of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Adamawa State Chapter, has embarked upon a familiarisation visit on various media organisations in the state.

Already, the association has visited Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Fombina and Gotel Communications, and expected to visit Adamawa Press Limited, Publishers of The Scope Newspaper, Yola, Adamawa Television Corporation (ATV), Yola, Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation(ABC), Yola, and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Yola.

The new officials led by their Coordinator, Zainab Saidu Abubakar( TV Gotel) were received at Fombina and Gotel by the General Managers of the organizations, Mohammed Dahiru Garba, and Mohammed El-Yakub, respectively.

Speaking earlier while leading other exco on the visit, the the Coordinator of association told the GMs that they came primarily to familiarise themselves with their organisations.

The Coordinator added that as new exco of the association, they found it necessary to embark on the visit so as to solicit for their support to enable them take the association to the greater height.

According to her, their coming was also to intimate them about the forthcoming 30th Anniversary of the association which is slated for 29th September, 2019, in Abuja, and appealed to them to release and support their colleagues in various media outfits to enable them attend.

Zainab Saidu Abubakar, made a passionate call on the media bosses to allocate special time for airing the activities of their great association.
Responding separately, the GMs of the media outfits assured the women journalists of their support and coorperation, saying they will do everything within their capacities to enable the association succeed.

The GMs promised to support them both in cash and kind and however congratulated them for their emergence as the new exco of the association in the state.

ADAMAWA GOVT RECEIVES 1400 CORPS MEMBERS, PROMISES CONTINUED SUPPORT

Adamawa State Government has received a total number of 1400, Batch B, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state, promising to continue in supporting NYSC scheme.

The Deputy Governor Chief Crowther Seth, had while receiving Batch B Corps members at the permanent Orientation Camp Damare, Girei Local Government Area of the state today, said that the government is poised to supporting the scheme.

While congratulating the corps members ,he urged them to take the training very serious and shun any negative rumour filtering the air about Adamawa state, saying that the state is relatively peaceful only for the pocket of happenings 200 kilometers away from the state capital.

He described the people of Adamawa state as peaceful, loving and hospitable, and assured them of a  peaceful stay in the state, announcing the donation of 5 cows, 20 bags of rice and 5  jerrycans of oil .

Earlier the NYSC state Coordinator  Ibrahim Mohammed commended the state government for supporting the NYSC  scheme in the state, charging the corps members to remain focused and dedicated through out the period of the orientation course

He thanked the State government for its efforts in tackling insecurity in the State, pledging to do everything possible to train the corps members in a way that will be useful to the State and country at large.

He called on the corps members to abide by the rules and regulations within the camp premises.

FINTIRI PLEDGES READINESS TO PARTNER GOVT, NGOS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

Adamawa state Government has pledged its readiness to partner any governments non governmental organisations that will contribute to the socio economic growth as well as promote the security of lives and property of the citizens.

Deputy Governor of the state chief Crowther Seth, made the pledge whil receiving a delegation led by Irish Ambassador to Nigeria on behalf of the state Government in his office.

He told the Irish Ambassador and his team that Adamawa is now peaceful as state Government has put every machinery in place to bring an end to the issues of kidnapping and farmer herder clashes.

He thanked the Irish Ambassador and the United Nations' Team for the visit aimed at ascertaining the security situation in the state, reiterating the present administration's committment to partner investors that may wish to invest in the state.

The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria Bob Peterson had earlier told the Deputy Governor that he was on the tour of North Estern states including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe to assess the security situation and the economic status of the insurgency affected states for his country's intervention.

Ambassador Peterson told the Deputy Governor that he has since visited some Local Government's Areas in the state, promised to hold a round table meeting with chamber of Commerce and industry in the state.

He maintained that such meeting will give him avenue on where investors can come to the state and commended the state Government for restoration of peace in the state.

Chief of staff Government House professor Maxwell Gidado SAN appriciated the contribution of UN and other organisations to the state said state Government is alway ready to will come investors into the state.

GIREI LGC COUNCILLORS SUMMON CHAIRMAN OVER GROSS MISCONDUCT

Councillors of Girei Local Government in Adamawa state have summoned the Chairman of the Transition Committee of the Local Government, Bello Wudini, to appear before them today and clarify allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

The Chairman of the council was said to have embarked upon execution of capital projects without obtaining an approval from the councilors as provided in the guidelines for their operations.

The councillors alleged that the Chairman has outrightly violated some points of the interim operational guidelines as handed down to them by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Umaru Fintiri.

According to them, point 16 of the guidelines stipulated that the Chairman can approve the sum of #250,000.00, and any payment above that should be referred to council for consideration.

Bello was also said to have violated point number 37 where it says: the content of this operational guidelines shall be strictly complied with at all times, and that he has been operating as if he is above the law.

Some of the allegations levelled against the Chairman who is expected to appear today for clarification include embarking on rehabilitation of road projects in Dakri, Jobbore and Hayin Gada - Labondo road without informing the council not to talk of seeking for their approval.

News Platform reliably gathered that the Chairman of the council has purchased two vehicles including Honda CRV and Peugeot 406, embarked on interlocking of Presidential lodge without formal communication to the council for consideration.

One of Councillor who spoke to News Platform in confidence said they have only been told about some of the capital projects their Chairman has embarked upon, saying that the Chairman has been operating alone.

Another councillor who confided in the News Platform, alleged that nowadays the Chairman has been engaging in secret dealings and could not allow anyone of them to have an inkling of what is happening, saying he does not know whether or not he has communicated to the Ministry for Local Government Affairs concerning some some of the things he has been doing.

He said the Chairman and most of the stakeholders in the LGA are not in good terms and expressed fears that the invitation may compound to many problems the LGA has been facing.

When contacted for confirmation, the Leader of the Council and Councillor representing Damare ward, Yoila Azizi, confirmed that he formerly communicated with the LGC Boss on his appearance which initially supposed to be on Tuesday this week but left for Gereng ward.

He said that have been thrown into darkness on some of the things the Chairman has been doing, lamenting that how can the council Chairman be executing capital projects without informing them formerly.

He added that they decided to invite him to come and answer questions on the contracts he awarded, its financial implication, the financial capacity of the local government council, reason behind buying of the cars, is it personally or officially, the particulars of the vehicles in question and so many other allegations, threatened to query him if he fails to convince them.

Effort to get the Chairman's reaction on the allegations at the time of filing this report proved abortive. Despite calls and text messages forwarded to him through Whattapp, the Chairman could not respond to any of them.

SHELLENG COMMUNITIES OUTLINE CHALLENGES FOR GOVT INTERVENTION

Communities cut across 10 Wards in Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa state have outlined some of the challenges confronting them with a call on the governments at all levels to intervene toward addressing them.

The communities cut across 10 wards which include; Kiri, Shelleng, Gundo, Katambare, Libo, Bakta, Bodei, Talum, Jungul and Gwapolok identified and presented such challenges for government intervention.

Some of the problems identified by the communities include lack of portable water supply, road network, drainages,employment opportunities, rural electrification, deplorable condition of public structures among other challenges.

Presenting their problems on behalf of their various communities at a town hall meeting organised by International Republican Institute in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID),and held at Shelleng Local Government Secretariat yesterday, the representatives of the wards said they have a lot of challenges but decided to outline some of them government intervention.

The representatives called on the governments at all levels to look into some of their problems with a view to addressing them for the betterment of their people.

Responding while receiving their complaints, the member representing Shelleng constituency at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Isa, thanked the communities and assured them of appropriate action on their complaints.

EDUCATION: ADSEPIP REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ESTABLISHING VICTIMS OF INSURGENCY

Adamawa State Education Program Investment Project (ADSEPIP) has said it is committed towards delivering on its assignment of educationally establishing the victims of insurgency in 7 Local Government Areas in the state.

The Coordinator of the program in the state, Othman Bakari, stated this while receiving the Chairman and members of the House of Assembly Standing Committee Education who were in his office on a familiarisation visit.

Othman Bakari, said that ADSEPIP was set up mainly to help establish victims of insurgency in Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha, Hong and Gombi Local Government areas in the state, adding that it is aimed at establishing them so that they can go back to their houses.

According to him, the program is designed by the world bank and forwarded to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education and signed agreement with the Federal Ministry of Finance, explaining that the subsidiary of the agreement was signed by the state government.

The Coordinator added that the State Government collected the program and forwarded same to the ministry of Education and later assigned it to the Director Planning, Research and Statistics and that is why he is coordinating it.

He told the committee that the world bank thought on how to bring back the affected people to their original places so that they will educate their children.

He pointed out that the program supposed to be executed in 2016, but the state government could not satisfy the data pertaining the ministry of education and were dragging until when they reached 2017.

The Coordinator disclosed that apart from training the teachers, and giving them incentives so as to reduce their psychological trauma, they also train them psychosocial so as to know how to handle children that have problems and how best to impact knowledge in them.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the house committee Hon. Bathiya Wesley, said their visit was to acquaint themselves with the operation of the organisation.

He pledged to synergize with the organisation so as to promote the education not only in the LGAs affected by the insurgency but the state in general.

SCANDAL: YOLA HIGH COURT ORDERS GANYE LGC TO PAY OVER #113 MILLION TO A BANK

Adamawa state High Court presided by Justice Abdul-Azez Waziri, has ordered Ganye Local Government Council to pay the whopping sum of #113million to Guaranty Trust Bank.

The court also ordered the LGC to pay 21% interest on the principal sum above per annum from 3th March, 2015, till final liquidation of the judgement, and 10% interest on the judgement sum to the date of judgement to date of final liquidation of the judgement.

More so, the court in its judgement has ordered the affected LGC to pay the sum of #500,000, as damaged and the sum of #,250,000, as cost against the LGC in favour of the bank.

The bank had dragged the LGC to the court for serving as a guarantor on a loan facility obtained by the former Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Multi Purpose Cooperative in Ganye LGA, but could not be paid back to the time of expiration of their tenure.

The report had it that when the new exco assumed office, refused to pay the facility obtained by their predecessors despite several attempt by the bank for repayment.

According to impeccable sources, the bank was left with no alternative than to drag the 2nd defendant which is the LGC to the court for repayment since the beneficiaries have disappeared.

Delivering his judgement on suit number ADYS/70M/2018, Justice Abdul-Azez Waziri, ordered Ganye LGC to pay the above amount of money to the bank.

ADAMAWA HIGH COURT SENTENCES A 35 YEAR ABDULRAHIM ALIYU TO DEATH BY HANGING

Adamawa state High Court sitting in Yola, the state capital has sentenced a 35 year old farmer, Abdulrahim Aliyu, to death by hanging.

The state High Court presided by Justice Abdul-Azez Waziri, has convicted the middle aged Abdulrahim, to death by hanging on 3 count charges in connection with armed robbery at Modire in Yolde Pate,Yola South Local Government Area, Adamawa state.

Delivering his judgement on a suit number ADSY/09/2017, between the state and Abdulrahim, Justice Abdul-Azez declared that the court cannot go beyond or outside the mandatory provisions which compel of provision of death.

He said that the court has convicted him to death in respect of count 1 and 2, while on count 3, he has been convicted to 5 years imprisonment, promising to make recommendation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, through the prerogative of mercy for consideration of the convict's plea.

According to him, the convict agreed with Sule and Ahmadu, and now at large to do an illegal act to forcefully disposes one Mohammed Umar, of his moveable properties, and while armed with offensive weapons such as Dane gun and cutlasses.

He said that they invaded the premises being occupied by the said Mohammed Umar, and threatened to use violence on him and his co-occupants in pursuance of the said agreement.

Justice Abdul-Azez added that the convict and the 2 others now at large had formed a common intention to commit robbery while armed with offensive weapons with the intention to steal from Mohammed Umar, Dauda Mohammed and Ahmadu Umar, and threatened to use violence on them in order to obtained money from them before he was disarmed and apprehended.

He further stated that Abdulrahim, had in his possession or under his control a Dane gun belonging to the category of muzzle loading firearm without a licence granted in respect of the firearm by the appropriate authority.

Justice Abdul-Azez Waziri, thereby sentenced Abdulrahim Aliyu, to death, and said the convict has 90 days within which to appeal.

ADAMAWA COLLEGE OF AGRIC BEMOANS LACK OF ACCREDITATION, APPEALS FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Adamawa State College of Agriculture Ganye, has bemoaned lack of accreditation of its 14 Courses which the institution has been running since its establishment about 27 years ago.

The College also appealed for the amendment of edict which established the institution so as to change the name of the college to enable it pursue grants from organisations such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETfund )so as to develop the college.

The Provost of the College Dr. Abubakar Yaji Jarma, stated this while receiving the Chairman and members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Education who were at the institution on familiarisation tour today.

The Provost observed that the major problem of the college is lack of accreditation of 14 of its courses, saying it is a very serious problem to the college, Adamawa state and the students.

He attributed lack of accreditation of the courses to lack of enough infrastructure such as classrooms, staff room, multi purpose hall, facilities in its laboratory and other equipment to meet the international standard.

According to him, the college had forwarded its memo requesting for the sum of#500million from the immediate past administration to develop and seek for accreditation of its programmes, but the government approved the sum #70million without releasing even a dime to that effect.

He however appealed to the house to amend the edict which established the college and change its name to enable them access grants from organisations such as TETfund in order to develop the school.

He told the committee that the law that established TETfund delisted all the monotechnics across the country, saying their effort to see that the monotechnics were enlisted into TETfund, their struggle could not yield any positive outcome.

He stated that when some Colleges of Agriculture in states like Jigawa and Ogun respectively discovered that they could not get any intervention from TETfund, they changed the names of their colleges to polytechnics bearing prominent individual names.

He added that it can be changed after peoples' names and not necessarily after the state, saying that this will lead them to a roadmap they can use to pursue grants as well as reenlisted into TETfund.

Dr. Abubakar Yaji Jarma, told the committee that the institution presently has 4 campuses, 14 departments, 520 staff including those recently employed, adding that out of the number of the staff, 167 are academic staff while 352 non academic staff.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Bathiya Wesley (Hong) promised to channel the problems of the college to the house for necessary action, and said he will personally brief the Governor on their plight.

Hon. Bathiya, said that his committee's visit was to familiarise itself with the operations of the institution, saying that the Committee is planning to visit all its MDAs for an oversight function.

7TH ASSEMBLY: HON. KWADA BREAKS RECORD TO BECOME FIRST LAWMAKER TO FLOAT A BILL

The Member representing Michika constituency at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Ayuba Kwada, popularly known as Depolis has set a record for being the first member to sponsor a bill in the 7th Assembly.

Just as any other Assembly in the past, the 7th Assembly which also comprises of 25 members, was inaugurated on 13th June, 2019, by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and subsequently endorsed Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, as it Speaker.

The house during the time under review, enacted several resolutions and a bill for a law to amend Local Government Administration Law which provided for the constitution of the current Local Government Transition Committees as sought by the Governor. The bill was an executive bill forwarded to the house for amendment.

Apart from the bill and the resolutions, the Assembly under Rt. Hon. Iya Abbas, constituted several committees which comprises of those detailed to unearth circumstances surrounding some of the actions taken by the immediate past administration.

Though, it is not yet ripe to start assessing the performance of each individual member, but while some have been performing creditable well, others are gradually learning the ropes.

Among the members that have been performing as expected is no other person than the Chief Whip of the house, Hon. Joseph Ayuba Kwada. The member has proved to be a lawmaker that knows his onions, as he becomes the first legislator to float a private bill in the 7th assembly.

The bill which is entitled, " A bill for Law to establish for the 21 Local Government Councils in the State Emergency Management Committees" has since been read for the first and second time respectively.

Already, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas had while presiding over the resumed plenary session, referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Interparliamentary Affairs, Special Duties and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and given 2 weeks within which to scrutinise the bill and submit its report for further deliberation by the house.

The primary objectives of the legislation according to Hon. Kwada, is to provide legal framework for the 21 Local Government Councils in the state to intervene in emergency situations at the grassroots level.

Simply put, it is to give Local Government Councils legal backing to enable them provide emergency services to the victims of disasters be it natural or man cut across the state.

This is not aimed at adding more burden on the LGCs, but taking into consideration how the LGCs are being strengthened by the present administration. The government of the day has given the LGCs financial autonomy and now being funded directly by the Federal Government.

It is believed that since they are being funded directly by the government, they can play a critical role in emergency situations through the provision of necessary assistance to the affected before any other intervention from the state, federal or any other organisation.

According to Hon. Kwada, the fact that LGCs are more closer to the people at the grassroots who are mostly affected by these disasters, they can be more accessible to victims and can quickly reach out to them before the state and national emergency management agencies' intervention.

More so, the sponsor of the bill thought it wise that the bill will enable management committees at LGCs mitigate damages usually recorded by the delay in reaching out to the victims by the authorities concerned. This is commendable.

But Hon. Kwada had while leading the debate on the bill at the resumed sitting, told the honourable house that if the bill is enacted and assented to by the executive arm will go along way in ameliorating the hardship usually faced by the victims of such disasters.

Hon. Kwada, a humbled, committed and one of the respected two term legislator, prayed his colleagues to accord the bill accelerated deliberation in order to see the light of the day for the betterment of the citizens in the state.

Baring his mind on the people oriented bill, Hon. Abdullahi Umar Yapak(Verre Constituency), gave kudos to sponsor of the legislation, describing the bill as timely taking into cognisance the plight of victims during disasters nowadays.

Hon. Yapak, proposed that the bill should provide for the setting of Emergency Management Departments at every LGA to be headed by the Vice Chairmen, because according to him, the Vice Chairmen do not have much responsibilities and that they should be made to report directly to chairman of the council.

He advised that the traditional rulers and the representatives of the civil society organisations should be co-opted into the committee, because according to him, the traditional rulers know who is who in their various communities.

But on his part, the Majority Leader of the house Hon. Hamman Tukur Yettisuri(Jada Mbulo), argued that the offices should not be headed by Vice Chairmen, because he said they can leave their offices at anytime; instead, it should be headed by the Heads of Service of every LGC.

Hon. Yettisuri, had while commending the sponsor of the bill, advocated for the office of protem Chairman so that whenever the head of the committee is not available he can be in charge, saying this will reduce burden on ADSEMA and NEMA respectively.

Several other legislators who spoke on the bill, commended the sponsor and made their inputs on how the bill if passed should look like, and pledged to support the so as to ensure its passage.

After contributions from the honourable members, the speaker Rt. Hon.Aminu Iya Abbas, who presided over the sitting referred the bill to house committee on Interparliamentary Affairs, Special Duties and IDPs and given two within which to submit its report.

ADAMAWA RESOURCE CENTER BLAMES STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE CENTER'S WOES

Educational Resource Center (ERC), Adamawa state has blamed some stakeholders in the education sector for the troubles and backwardness that adversely affected the effectiveness of the center.

According to center, out of its departments, it is only one which is the Resource Center that is functional at the moment, insisting that some critical stakeholders in the sector have contributed a lot in bringing the departments on its knees.

Also, the center has lamented that lack of funding has compounded to its many challenges thereby, making it difficult to live up to its statutory responsibility.

The Executive Director of the Center, Mohammed Tukur, made the lamentation while receiving the Chairman and Members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Education who were in his office on a familiarisation tour.

Though, the Director could not mention names of some of the stakeholders he had blamed, but added that their nonchalant attitude has negatively affected the center, explaining that the center is now handicapped despite its owned laws.

Tukur told the committee that he has done all he could, but due to lack of funds, the center has not been able to live up to its expectations, adding that he center could not go beyond what it is doing currently because it has only one functional department.

He said that the center has 4 directorates headed by the Executive Director, and that the major function of the center is to develop teaching and learning materials and curriculum in line with the curriculum that is developed at the national level.

He stated that the organisation is collaborating with national body in decision making in all aspect of education, but subject to implementation by the state, urging on the committee to look into the challenges affecting the center in order to address them.

Muhammed Tukur pledged to present some its nagging challenges to the house for legislative action so as to fast fact the decisions of the center in order to meet the educational desire of the present administration.

Earlier in his specch, the Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Hong constituency, Hon. Bathiya Wesley, pledged the readiness of his committee to synergise with center to enable the house legislate on challenges affecting it.

Hon. Bathiya said any society that fails to accord premium attention on the sector, it will not progress, saying that his committee has undertaken the tour so as to acquaint itself with the organisations under it.

He told them that the committee will visit ministries, departments and agencies under it for oversight functions with a view to revitalising the sector in the interest of the state.

ADAMAWA WOMEN JOURNALISTS INAUGURATE NEW EXCO

The new Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Women Journalists(NAWOJ), Adamawa state chapter have been inaugurated, with a charge on the new exco to strictly abide by the constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The new officials of the union were endorsed by the Congress and expected to pilot the affairs of women Journalists in the state in the next 3 years.

Those endorsed to head the union include; Zainab Saidu Abubakar(TV Gotel), Coordinator, Villain Murray(ABC), Vice Coordinator, Rose Anthony Elisha(ATV) Secretary, Sakina Ahmad(Fimbina FM), Assistant Secretary.

Others are; Jawati Jangati Friday (Fombina FM), Treasurer, Rabi Sule(APL) Financial Secretary and Zainab Suleiman Gurin(ABC).

Speaking while performing the inauguration ceremony at the Press Center today, the National Secretary of NAWOJ Ladi Bala, congratulated the new exco and urged them to operate within the confine of the law that established the NUJ.

She charged them to strive hard and serve as the mirror of the society as well as justify the confidence reposed in them by the members of the union.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, Com. Ishaka Donald Dedan, appealed to them to work as a team to enable them take the union to the greater height, congratulating them for emerging as the new exco of the union.

ADAMAWA WOMEN JOURNALISTS INAUGURATE NEW EXCO

The new Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Women Journalists(NAWOJ), Adamawa state chapter have been inaugurated, with a charge on the new exco to strictly abide by the constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The new officials of the union were endorsed by the Congress and expected to pilot the affairs of women Journalists in the state in the next 3 years.

Those endorsed to head the union include; Zainab Saidu Abubakar(TV Gotel), Coordinator, Villain Murray(ABC), Vice Coordinator, Rose Anthony Elisha(ATV) Secretary, Sakina Ahmad(Fimbina FM), Assistant Secretary.
Others are; Jawati Jangati Friday (Fombina FM), Treasurer, Rabi Sule(APL) Financial Secretary and Zainab Suleiman Gurin(ABC).

Speaking while performing the inauguration ceremony at the Press Center today, the National Secretary of NAWOJ Ladi Bala, congratulated the new exco and urged them to operate within the confine of the law that established the NUJ.

She charged them to strive hard and serve as the mirror of the society as well as justify the confidence reposed in them by the members of the union.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, Com. Ishaka Donald Dedan, appealed to them to work as a team to enable them take the union to the greater height, congratulating them for emerging as the new exco of the union.

ADSU, ADHA PARTNER FOR THE GROWTH OF UNIVERSITY MUBI

Adamawa State University (ADSU) Mubi, and the State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Education have resolved to partner with a view to ensuring the growth of the only state owned university in Adamawa.

This was part of the deliberation between the University and the House Committee on Education during a familiarisation visit by the Committee at the University today.

Speaking while leading other members of committee, the chairman and member representing Hong constituency, Hon. Bathiya Wesley, said the committee found it absolutely necessary to embark on the tour so as to know the ministries, departments and agencies under the committee.

The lawmaker pledged the readiness of his committee to partner the institution so as to see to the development of the only state university.

Hon. Bathiya, told the university that his committee has taken it upon itself to work hard and complement the effort of the present administration in uplifting the standard of education.

He said his committee is well prepared to legislate on issues affecting the growth of the university, appealing for support and cooperation for the growth of the sector in general.

Responding, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the State University, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, said that the university is willing to collaborate so that it will grow and be rated like any other university in the country, saying that Adamawa state should not be left out as it is yearning for the growth of the university.

She told the committee that the institution has able hands and good brains that will move the university forward, saying that they are working on the issue of team building so that the school will develop.

According to the Acting VC, none of them can succeed in isolation as they need one another to relate and move forward, saying that the university needs the committee so that together they can develop the institution.

She explained that the university is being governed by law and pleaded with the house to pass one of their bill that is pending at the house, commending the chairman of the committee for pledging his committee's resolved to always leave its doors open for them.

Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, added that the committee's promise to leave its doors open has caught their attention, and said that the university will in due course approach the committee on issues affecting the institution for legislation.

2017/18: ONLY 3,634 OUT OF 25,600 ADAMAWA STUDENTS BENEFITTED FROM SCHOLARSHIP

 Out of 25, 600 Adamawa Indigene Students that applied for scholarship with the State Government between 2017/2018, only 3,634, were said to have benefited from the scholarship.

The Executive Director of the State Scholarship Trust Fund, Alh. Adamu Abdu Zumo, made this known while receiving the Chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Standing committee on Education, headed by Hon. Bathiya Wesley, who were in his office on a familiarisation visit.

Alh. Abdu Zumo, lamented that out of over 25,600 Adamawa indigene students that struggled to get scholarship, only 3,634 were paid by the scholarship Trust Fund  and insisted that over 22,000, could not get even a dime for lack of allocation of resources to that effect.

According to him, out of the remaining 22,000, about 7000 are about to graduate from various institutions of learning, observing that most of the students were disappointed in the previous government over its inability to support them educationally.

He said while other states in the north east were paying scholarships to their citizens, Adamawa students were crying all over higher institutions over failure of the government to come to their aid, saying that already, some of the students have completed their studies without getting a kobo.

He noted with dismay how some of them have become orphans in various campuses and could not no longer like to identify themselves with the state, adding that the action of government has demoralised some of them towards getting academic excellence.

The Executive Director, who was represented by the Director Planning and Data Processing of the organisation, Adamu Babakano, said that any society that neglected the education sector, the consequences will be so severe on the affected society.

He however, commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for his show of interest and commitment to revamping the sector, saying shortly after his inauguration, the governor released the whooping sum of #10million for the payment of scholarship to most especially students on foreign scholarship in India.

He stated that in returned, the foreign institution where the students are studying gave Adamawa and other states in the north east, 70 percent scholarship that the sponsors of those students be it parents or government will only pay 30 percent.

He explained that the feeding, accommodation and tuition fees have been shouldered by the university, appreciating the committee for the visit.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Bathiya Wesley (Hong Constituency), said that the members of the committee were in his office to acquaint themselves with the organisation.

Hon. Bathiya, told the Director that it was because of the love the members have for the sector; hence, their decision to familiarise themselves with them and create synergy with a view to moving the sector forward.

The Lawmaker pledged the readiness of his committee and the House of Assembly in general to give the organisation and the education in general the needed attention through oversight function and legislations that will promote the sector.