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Bandits Abduct Bishop Kukah’s Relative, 6 Others In Kaduna

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Bandits suspected to be kidnappers have again abducted a relative of the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Hassan Kukuh and six other persons in Anchuna village, Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State.

The attack according to a competent source occurred on Wednesday night and created apprehension as the bandits stormed the village in large numbers, shooting sporadically before making away with their victims who were taken to an unknown destination.

A resident of the area and family member of the Kukahs, Mr. Samuel Kukah confirmed the incident, saying that his younger brother, Ishaya Kukah, was among those abducted.

In his words;“My brother, Ishaya, was the only male among the abductees; the rest are women and children, the attackers launched their attack around 11pm,” he said.

He said there had not been any contact with the kidnappers or any form of ransom demanded for their release but stressed, “We are praying for their safe return while we playfully wait for their call,” he said.

He also called on security agencies to take proactive action to secure their safe return while emphasising that most of those abducted were vulnerable people.

Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan could not be reached on his mobile phone as at the time of filing the report.

Meanwhile, the residents of the community have continued to call for intensified security measures to curb the menace in the area.

It would be recalled that Yohanna Kukah, a paramount ruler of Ikulu Kingdom and brother to Bishop Kukah was kidnapped on 2nd January 2018 at his residence in Anchuna village, Zangon Kataf local government area in Southern Kaduna and regained freedom after spending nine days with the kidnappers.

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Dr Haruna Abubakar Shehu Emerges CMD Federal Medical Centre Kafanchan (white box)

Dr Haruna Abubakar Shehu, a Consultant Family Physician, has been appointed Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the newly established Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

Shehu is part of the six people President Bola Tinubu appointed as new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for federal government-owned hospitals in Akure, Gombe, Azare, Lafia, Maiduguri, and Kafanchan.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, disclosed the development.

The appointees included Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo, appointed Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State. A seasoned medical professional, Prof. Ojo previously served as the pioneer Chief Medical Director of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital.

“Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi has been reappointed as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, following an outstanding performance during his first term. His reappointment underscores his exceptional leadership and contributions to the hospital’s growth.

“Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum, the Acting Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State, has been confirmed as the substantive CMD.

“Dr. Ikrama Hassan has been appointed as the ChiefMedical Director of the newly upgraded Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State. A consultant physician, Dr. Hassan previously served as the Medical Director of the Dalhatu Ibrahim Arab Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.

“Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat, a renowned Consultant Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon, has been appointed Chief Medical Director of the newly established National Orthopedic Hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Dr Haruna Abubakar Shehu, a Consultant Family Physician, has been appointed Chief Medical Director of the newly established Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State,” he stated.

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He noted that all appointments were for four years, effective from the respective dates of assumption of office.

“Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi’s second and final term as CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, commenced on September 5, 2024,” he added .

Onanuga also said Dr Dauda Abubakar Katagum’s tenure as CMD of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State, took effect from December 6, 2024.

President Tinubu congratulate the newly appointed and reappointed Chief Medical Directors, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and service delivery in their respective roles. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring all Nigerians have access to quality medical services.

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160 communities face gully erosion threat in Anambra– Official

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The Managing Director of Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), Prof. Philip Phil-Eze, has said no fewer than 160 communities in the state were at the risk of gully erosion menace.

Phil-Eze said this at a one day sensitisation workshop on the use of “Local Knowledge to Combat Erosion” in Awka on Friday.

The workshop was organised by Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA), a non-governmental organization on environmental sustainability in collaboration with ANSEWCCA

Phil-Ez who presented a paper titled “Expanding Interventions in the Control of Soil Erosion in Anambra State Through Local Action” said the state was one of the most degraded and erosion-ravaged landscapes in Africa.

He said soil erosion was as a result of a number of factors including natural and man made, and called for pragmatic local remedial measures and approaches towards preventing the menace by nipping it in the bud.

According to him, 160 communities out of the 179 communities in the state are facing erosion hazards.

“Natural causes of erosion menace include intensity of rainfall, flood/runoff, lithology (loose soil type), topography and scarce vegetation cover.

“Man-made causes include the culture of negligence, cutting down trees, indiscriminate waste disposal, lack of harvesting rainwater, sand mining, modern roofing styles and interlock tiles, inadequate knowledge of the environment, lack of involvement of the local communities in erosion control.

“Others are poor termination of drainage channels, wrongly terminated or diverted channels by contractors during construction, land use patterns in buildings and developments without plans to accommodate erosion and unhealthy farming practice,” he said.

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Phil-Eze warned residents to desist from unhealthy environmental practices which had the potential to exacerbate the menace.

The Director of Research and Publication for EDIA, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, said the objective of the exercise was to encourage positive behavioral attitude towards environmental sustainability.

He said the capacity building workshop was timely and critical considering the fact that Anambra was a serious concern in terms of erosion, flooding and other environmental hazards.

According to him, this event is engaging, interactive and participatory to ensure effective transfer of needed knowledge and skills.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, commended the organisers of the programme which he described as ‘a timely intervention’.

Odimegwu who was represented by Mr Tochukwu Obodogha, the Permanent Secretary, said prevention was the best approach in erosion control.

According to him, the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo prioritises environmental sustainability, and the ministry would continue to encourage environmental best practices in the state. (NAN)

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Troops nab 49 suspected crude oil thieves, destroy 22 illegal refining sites – DHQ

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe, have in the last one week apprehended 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Friday in Abuja.

Kangye said the troops had during the week foiled oil theft worth an estimated sum of N869.2m.

The breakdown, according to him, indicates 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 19,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 1,600 litres of engine oil were recovered.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanised pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles,” he said.

Kangye said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats.

He said the troops neutralised several insurgents, rescued hostages, apprehended suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition during the week.

“Our operations have continued across various theatres of operations comprising the North East, North West, North Central South-South and other regions where criminals seek to disrupt peace and stability.

“Troops remain committed to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

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“Between April 3 and April 10, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices.

“Additionally, a huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered,” he said. (NAN)

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2 out of 445 mass housing developers met FCTA conditions – Official

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Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said only two out of the 445 mass housing allocations met its terms and conditions.

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Mr Lere Olayinka, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Olayinka said that the Mass Housing Programme was initiated in 2000 as public-private partnership (PPP) approach to providing affordable housing for FCT residents.

He, however, said that from the inception of the programme till date, out of the 445 mass housing allocations granted, only two developers had successfully met the terms and conditions.

Olayinka stated that a new operational framework for titling of mass housing and sectional interests had been developed to make the exercise efficient, effective and diligent.

This, according to him, is in line with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s vision to restore confidence in the administration of lands in the FCT.

“Currently, the holders and occupiers of properties within the various mass housing estates in the FCT do not pay bills, rents, fees and charges to the government.

“This is despite having held and occupied properties for decades.

“To address the problem, the FCT minister had recognised the urgent need to issue titles to the beneficiaries of mass housing and sectional interests.

“All applications for titling are to be made by the subscribers and developers to the Department of Land Administration for processing,” he said.

The spokesman said that the processing of titles for mass housing and sectional interests would commence on April 21, in line with the new operational framework.

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He explained that the measure was part of the broad and comprehensive reforms on land administration in the FCT, as approved by the minister.

Olayinka said that the reforms, which would become operational from April 21, would cover specific areas like conditions of grant of statutory Right of Occupancy (RofO) and contents of the statutory RofO bill.

Others, he said, would include contents of Letter of Acceptance/Refusal of offer of grant of RofO, titling of mass housing and sectional interests as well as regularisation of area council land documents.

The crux of the sweeping reforms in the FCT land administration, according to him, is to ensure regularisation of land allocation in area councils and the title of mass housing properties in favour of buyers.

He added that land allottees were also expected to develop their allocated land within two years.

On his part, the Director of Land Administration, FCTA Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said that the development would be very beneficial to house owners in estates.

Nwankwoeze pointed out that people with mass housing documents cannot use the documents for any business transaction aside just owning the houses.

“In the coming months, you will see housing owners in the various estates in FCT holding Certificates of Occupancy issued by FCTA,” he said. (NAN)

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