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Middle Belt Forum Slams Speaker Abbas’ N82 Billion Zaria Bonanza

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The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has expressed outrage over the allocation of four new federal institutions to Zaria town in Kaduna State, facilitated by Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas.

According to Luka Binniyat, Chairman of the MBF, Kaduna State Chapter, “We are not opposed to development in any part of the state, but we insist that such development must be fair, just, and equitable. It is unacceptable that one town, already saturated with federal institutions, should be given four more, while other areas are neglected.”

Binniyat questioned the rationale behind allocating four new federal institutions to Zaria, which already boasts 15 federal high learning institutions. “This is outside the existence of the following Federal educational institutions in the Zaria town…We have listed them, and they are 15 in number,” he said.

The four new institutions include the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University, and Federal College of Legal Studies. Binniyat noted that Southern Kaduna, which occupies 57% of the landmass of Kaduna state and holds 52.1% of its population, has only one federal institution, the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok.

“How Speaker Abbas was able to corner Four Federal Institutions to Zaria, complete with a budget of N82 billion within 19 months of office is certainly mysterious to us,” Binniyat said. “We have never heard of any of these bills that ought to have eventually produced these schools being presented at any plenary of either the red or green chambers. We have certainly not seen any invitation to a Public Hearing on them.”

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Binniyat called on Speaker Abbas to explain the lack of transparency in the allocation process. “Unlike the Bill for the Establishment of University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Kaura LGA in Southern Kaduna, sponsored by Sen. Sunday Marshall Katung…His Bill has been of intense public view at the NASS plenary sessions, for which a Public Hearing was convened,” he said.

The MBF chairman emphasized the need for fair distribution of resources and development across Kaduna State, rather than concentrating them in one area. “Speaker Abbas should be reminded that as the Speaker, House of Representative, his constituency has expanded beyond Zaria town to include the entire country, especially Kaduna state where he comes from,” Binniyat said.

Binniyat also urged the people of Southern Kaduna to recognize their numerical strength and demand fair representation in the state’s governance. “This development should be instructive to Southern Kaduna…As long as we insist on playing the second fiddle in Kaduna State at every general election by disaggregating our votes against our own, we shall forever be at the receiving end of those in power,” he said.

The MBF’s statement concluded by calling on the federal government to review the allocation of institutions and resources in Kaduna State to ensure fairness and equity.

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National

Rev. Joseph Habap Elected Chairman Of Northern CAN

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By Abubakar Yunusa

A The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has elected new executives, with Rev. Joseph Habap emerging as Chairman.

The new leadership will oversee the association’s affairs for the next five years.

In his acceptance speech during the unopposed election in Abuja, Rev. Habap reaffirmed his commitment to integrity, unity, and transparency.

He emphasised that his administration would not be driven by greed but by service to the Christian community and Nigeria as a whole.

“We will not allow greed to take over our conscience. We will always be proud of you, and we will make you proud. I want my children to grow up and be proud of their father, son, and son-in-law with integrity,” he said.

He stressed that CAN is an organisation for Christians, believers, Nigerian unity, and progress. He assured members that his leadership would foster dialogue and cooperation with churches across different denominations.

Rev. Habap acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing leadership and called on them to support the new administration. He urged Christian leaders to respect leadership transitions and avoid conflicts during handovers.

“This was not a coup. It was simply a day for them to leave. If we start respecting leadership transitions, we will set a good example for others. Unlike the political class that seeks tenure elongation, we will serve our term and leave,” he stated.

He also underscored the role of the church in promoting truth, peace, and unity, assuring that CAN would engage constructively with the government without hostility.

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“We will speak truth to power, but we are not enemies of the government. We want every administration to succeed, and we will contribute to that success by offering honest counsel,” he added.

Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), congratulated the new CAN leadership and reiterated the importance of religious harmony.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting both Christian and Muslim communities.

“Mr. President is not a religious bigot. What he promised Muslims, he has also done for Christians. We have ensured that chairmen from all states can participate in pilgrimages free of charge. Nigeria remains one indivisible entity, and we must stay together,” he said.

He further urged prayers for the country’s leadership, adding that his office would continue to promote interfaith relations in line with the president’s vision.

Some of the newly elected officials include:Chairman: Rev. Joseph John Habap,Vice Chairman: Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson TEKAN (ECWA, FCT),Secretary: Bishop Mohammed Naga (PFN/CPFN, Borno State),Assistant Secretary: Ven. Tajudeen Azeeze Afolabi (OAIC Bloc, Zamfara State),
Treasurer: Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo (CSN Bloc, Plateau State), and Director, National Issues: Pastor Dr. Simon A.S Dolly (CCN Bloc, Nasarawa State)

The new leadership has pledged to strengthen CAN’s presence in Abuja, ensuring that Northern CAN is more visible at the national level.

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Senate accuses CBN of obstructing probe into N30trn Ways and Means

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The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Ways and Means Advance has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of frustrating its investigation into the N30 trillion Ways and Means Advance and the Anchor Borrowers’ programme under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The committee made the accusation after receiving an interim report from its consultants at a meeting where they expressed frustration over the bank’s failure to provide crucial documents required for the probe. The committee, which was inaugurated a year ago by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stated that the delay has significantly stalled progress on the investigation.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Isah Jibrin, criticised the CBN for withholding vital information, despite multiple requests, revealing major infractions with the preliminary reports of the CBN.

He dismissed speculations that the Senate had been compromised or gone to sleep, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

“The information we have here is not different from what we have heard all along. What we did was to hand over the documents to the consultants, and when the consultants made available to us this interim report, our intention was to hold onto the interim report on the final report,” he said.

“But we’ve been compelled to make available this interim report to the general public so that they know that we let them know where the problem is, and the problem is that the Central Bank of Nigeria has denied us consistently the documents that we need to complete this assignment. That is the truth.

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“It was at the CBN sometimes, I met Bala the deputy governor. And they promised, but nothing came out of it. The Clerk has been there several times. Nothing has come out of it. The consultants themselves even took it upon themselves to go with CBN directly, because we introduced them to CBN and nothing has come out of it.”

Although Hamisu Abdullahi, the Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), claimed that the apex bank had provided all the requested documents, Senator Isah Jibrin, the committee chairman, refuted the claim, insisting that the facts tell a different story.

The committee issued a strong warning to the CBN representatives, emphasizing the need for full disclosure of how the funds were utilized to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

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Police begin recruitment medical screening

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The Zonal Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has announced the start of medical screening for constables as part of the police recruitment process.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ayuba confirmed that the medical screening would begin on Wednesday

The police recruitment medical screening for constables will take place nationwide from Feb. 26 to March 12.

Prospective candidates from Lagos and Ogun States should note that the screening will be held at Police College, Ikeja.

Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal at https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to verify their status, date, time, and other requirements.

Applicants must appear in a clean white T-shirt and shorts, bringing their national identity card, medical examination slip, and all necessary documents.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, wished all candidates success in the screening process.

Fayoade also reminded candidates that the screening exercise is free of charge and warned them not to make any payments to anyone.

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