Nelson Ugwuagbo

Traditional bride price in Idoma land of Benue State has been codified and fixed at fifty thousand naira only.

This was disclosed by the Idoma Area Traditional Council, IATC at the end of its meeting at Otukpo on Wednesday.

The IATC said it arrived at this far reaching decision after wide spread consultation with rulers, political leaders, and most importantly their God-given subjects.

It also said some self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices have been expunged from the practice of the culture and tradition of the people.

The IATC enjoined all Idoma-speaking people to strictly adhere to all decisions of the council in the interest of its people.

Some of the decisions of the council include the prohibition of costly burial rites especially the imposition of costly prescriptions, stipulations, and requirements on the bereaved family for the burial rites of a deceased person in Idoma land.

The IATC said the practice of depriving the children and wife(s) of the deceased from Inheriting His property in the area is banned.

It said the practice where relatives deny and deprive the children and wives of deceased persons their right to inheritance of the deceased’s property, is prohibited.

” For the avoidance of doubt, where the deceased is survived by wife(s) and children, such children and wife(s) shall have the right of first consideration, in the apportioning of the inheritance, in the absence of a Written Will.”

The new law allows a deceased’s wife to be buried in her husband’s place, except in special circumstances where the Wife during her lifetime, was married to and had children for more than one man; in which case, the wife may be buried in her father’s place to allow other husbands and children to partake in the burial rites.

All forms of stringent conditions, stipulations, and expectations associated with traditional marriage are hereby removed and prohibited according to the new law by the IATC.

The new IATC frowned at the indiscriminate burial of corpses within and around the community, especially in residential areas saying it is prohibited and enjoined every community to mandatorily provide a burial ground.

“Where for any special reasons, a person has to be buried within or around the compound, the permit of the Traditional Ruler must first be sought and obtained and such burial spot or grave must be marked and secured.”

Safiyanu Isah Andaha, the Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa State who was abducted by gunmen, has been released from captivity.

The chairman, it was gathered, regained his freedom on Tuesday night after family members paid a ransom of N10 million to his abductors.

He was released alongside a renowned businessman and friend, Alhaji Adamu Tanko.

Leading Reporters had previously reported that the council chairman’s abductors initially demanded N50 million as ransom for his release. A family source had said that negotiations were ongoing with the kidnappers, aiming to review the ransom amount.

According to the source, after extensive negotiations through mobile phone channels, the kidnappers insisted on settling for no less than N10 million.

“They were dropped around 9 pm behind Maigwona filling station at Bayan Dutse road, on the outskirts of Andaha town, and the sum of N10 million l was paid as ransom,” another source revealed.

Upon regaining their freedom, the victims were taken to the Federal Medical Center in Keffi for medical examinations.

The chairman and his friend were abducted at gunpoint along the Andaha-Akwanga road on Monday evening.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has said that the appointments of new permanent secretaries in the state were done fairly and without any political undertone.

Speaking while swearing in 21 new permanent secretaries and 14 special advisers, Governor Yusuf said on Tuesday that the choice of the new appointees was done after careful consideration.

Addressing them, he said: “We selected the best in competence, experience, dedication to duty, and proven fear of God. That is why we are expecting you to perform to the optimal high point for a better Kano.

“You should consider your appointment a valued one that is desirable in the new dispensation of the NNPP, and as such, you should maintain decorum and professionalism in your duties.”

He assured that his government is ushering in a new era of renewed commitment to making Kano a state of hope and development, adding that the appointed permanent secretaries would help him in that direction.

He also reminded them that his government has zero tolerance for incompetence and abuse of office, and as such, they should dedicate themselves to the service of humanity and the state.

“Although I know that, as humans, you are bound to make mistakes, you have to be extra careful with the oath you have taken.

“Politics should not be a yardstick for carrying out your duties. You should be free and do away with hypocrisy and gossiping; if you accurately discharge your duties, the sky would be your limit in life,” Governor Yusuf advised the appointees.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has officially scheduled the bye-election for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State on February 3, 2024.

The bye-election as noticed by Leading Reporters, is necessitated by the passing away of the elected member for the constituency shortly after the 2023 general election Isma’ila Yushau Maihanci.

At the time of filing this report, six, out of the eight aspirants jostling for the position from the various political parties are from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Although the leadership of INEC in the state were not available at the time of filing this report to speak on the level of preparation, some staff of the commission who confided in the reporter said preparation is on top gear.

The staff who said they are waiting for the parties to conduct their primaries said they would provide a level playground for the candidates that eventually emerge from the primaries.

Urging the parties to conduct free, fair and credible primaries, the commission, according to our sources from INEC, will not condone any political parties that violate the electoral law.

“As far as we are concerned, we are going to create a level playground for all the candidates and their political parties.

”It is our prayers and hopes that they will also reciprocate by following the rules of the game as laid down by the commission so that no candidate will be disqualified from participating in the forthcoming bye-election.” The commission’s staff stated.

Some of the aspirants, especially those from the PDP who bared their minds to our reporter, urged the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas and the party’s leadership to allow the people of the constituency to make their choice of candidacy.

He asked the leadership of the state not to interfere in the primary and that anointing a particular candidate would be inimical to the growth of the party.

The party, through its spokesperson, Andetarang Iramae assured the aspirants of the party’s readiness to conduct a free and transparent primary for all of them

A motor accident involving a truck and an 18-passenger bus along the Jebba-Ilorin Expressway in Kwara State on Tuesday resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

Leading Reporters gathered that seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries from the accident, which occurred around 4:50 am.

The accident happened when the passenger bus, originating from Gombe, attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with a truck travelling in the opposite direction on the road.

Sources confirmed to news correspondant that those injured in the crash have been taken to Ife Oluwa Hospital in Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of Moro local government area in the state, for medical treatment.

Basambo Busari, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Kwara State Command, confirmed the incident and the casualty figures in a statement on Tuesday.

He stated, “On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, a fatal road traffic crash involving two vehicles, a DAF Truck, and a Toyota Hiace Bus occurred at Aiyere along the Bode-Saadu-Ilorin route. The crash happened around 4:50 am due to wrongful overtaking and speed violation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Toyota Hiace bus, travelling from Gombe to Lagos, wrongfully overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with an oncoming DAF Truck.

“A total of 18 people were involved, tragically resulting in 11 fatalities, while the remaining 7 individuals sustained varying degrees of injury. They have been rescued and taken to Ifeoluwa Hospital Bode-Saadu, where they are currently undergoing treatment.”

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Safiyanu Isa-Andaha, Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, by gunmen.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lafia.

The police spokesperson said they got information that the chairman and one other person were abducted around 8:30 pm in Ningo village of Akwanga LGA.

He also said Umar Nadada, Commissioner of Police in the state, had mobilised personnel to go after the hoodlums and rescue the chairman and one other person who were kidnapped unhurt.

“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are currently on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and the other victim,” he said.

Nansel, therefore, urged members of the public, especially people from villages in the area, to provide the police with useful information that would lead to the rescue of those abducted and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Mr Haruna Kassimu, Special Adviser (SA) to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and close associates of the LG boss, also confirmed the incident.

The SA said the LG boss and one Adamu Custom were kidnapped at Ningo village of Akwanga around 8:30 pm on Monday.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State yesterday  granted pardon to 12 inmates in Correctional Centre in the state, as part of the New Year celebrations.

The release of the inmates was based on the recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy headed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Fidelis Mnyim.

The action of the governor was in line with the powers granted him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He explained that the aim was to decongest the facility housing 525 of  those convicted and awaiting trials.

The governor directed the Commissioner, Mr Fidelis Mnyim to increase the number of members of the advisory council, to hasten processes for effective administration of Justice.

While admonishing the released inmates to be of good behaviour as they step out of prison to integrate with the society, the governor charged them to make use of the skills acquired while in custody to better their lives.

“Give your society the very best. And as for the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment, don’t take any elements of life for granted. Demonstrate your newness into your society,” he said.

Alia added that the act of mercy was premised on his administration’s desire to offer the best to people of the state even as he worried that most of the inmates were quite young persons who ordinarily shouldn’t be anywhere near the prison.

“I will make provision for better welfare for you here but this shouldn’t be home for you, I am quite shocked to see the faces of many young people here where there are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females – one with a baby, others who came in with pregnancy,” the governor said.

Earlier, the Commissioner, Mnyim intimated the governor that the 8-man committee did a thorough scrutiny of the inmates before making the recommendation.

He pledged to do his best in changing the narrative in the judicial system of the state.

Mnyim further disclosed that the released inmates were from Makurdi, Otukpo and Gboko correctional facilities.

The State Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Mrs. Mary Oche acknowledged the efforts of the government in ensuring that the inmates do not stay in the Correctional centre more than necessary.

She stated that the governor has graciously given transportation fares to the inmates to get to their respective destinations and enjoy the New Year with their loved ones.

President Bola Tinubu has once again assured Nigerians that the economic hardships occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy will soon be over.

Tinubu noted that every one of his steps and decisions taken since his assumption of office on May 29 have been in the interest of the country.

Leading Reporters gathered that the President, during his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, shortly after he was sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, saying “Subsidy is gone.”

Justifying his decision, he maintained that the fuel subsidy had to end because the country could not maintain it.

He added that the trillions of naira spent yearly to sustain the subsidy were meant to better the healthcare and transportation sector, schools, housing, and national security, among others.

However, Nigerians bemoaned the effect of the removal of the subsidy as food prices and the cost of living skyrocketed.

But to relieve and ease the burden on the citizens, the President assured citizens that the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal was being worked out, noting that the decision was in the best interest of the country, especially in guaranteeing future prosperity.

While acknowledging the hardships presently faced by the citizens, Tunubu, in his 63rd Independence Day Anniversary speech, urged Nigerians to endure the present difficult times as it is needed for a better future.

In his New Year message on Monday, the President urged the citizens to remain unbowed as tough times never last.

He said, “Though the past year was a very challenging one, it was eventful in so many ways. For our country, it was a transition year that saw a peaceful, orderly and successful transfer of power from one administration to another, marking yet another remarkable step in our 24 years of unbroken democracy.

“Everything I have done in the office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, has been done in the best interest of our country.

“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades.

“Another was the removal of the chokehold of a few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without a doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families and businesses.

“I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28% and the unacceptable high under-employment rate.

“From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.

“I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.

“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energise and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and every one of us will commit to being better citizens.”

Tinubu disclosed that for seven months now, there have been ongoing measures to revive the economy, noting that it only needs to be accelerated to be delivered across the nation for relief.

On power supply, he added that during COP28 in Dubai, he and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, reached an agreement to hasten the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project which will ensure constant supply to homes and businesses.

“Having laid the groundwork of our economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.

“Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver a reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018.

“Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country.

“My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without a steady electricity supply. In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream.”

To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, he said, “We will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops. We launched dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.

“In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value. On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business.

“I will fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and I will not hesitate to remove any clog hindering our path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments.

“In my 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, I listed my administration’s 8 priority areas to include national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security. Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.

“We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government. The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected. It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this new year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.”