By Amos Tauna

Communities in Southern Kaduna, northern Nigeria, have agreed to forge a common goal towards the restoration of peace and understanding in the area. following the incessant killings that led to the destruction of lives and property between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

They have also agreed to eschew bitterness, promised to be their brother’s keepers and continuous consultations among themselves for a good harmonious relationship.

The area had in recent time witnessed unimaginable destruction of lives and property as a result of misunderstanding between the natives and Fulani herdsmen causing a major setback in all ramifications in Southern Kaduna.

In a peace and reconciliatory meeting organized by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, GPFN, in Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State on Thursday, the meeting had in attendance Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union,  SOKAPU, Miyetti Allah Breeders Association,  MACBAN,  Christian Association of Nigeria,  CAN,  Jama’atu Nasril Islam,JNI, Jema’a Foundatio, Youth organizations, Mobgal Fulbe Development Association and other community leaders affected during the recent insecurity that erupted the area.

The National President of Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union,  SOKAPU, Barr. Solomon Musa, assured that the people of the area are known to be hospitable thereby resulting in the presence of different ethnic groups residing in the area for years. He assured that SOKAPU would continue to embrace humanity and urged all tribes of the area to always discuss issues that will be the overall interest of Southern Kaduna.

He assured that SOKAPU would continue to support and defend anybody in the area irrespective of any difference that is unjustly treated within and outside Southern Kaduna.

The leader of Miyetti Allah Breeders Association, Alhaji Haruna Usman, while contributing during the meeting regretted the recent destruction of lives and property that took place and stressed that as One Family under God,  there was the need for those living in Southern Kaduna to be fair to one another and embrace one another for peace and sustainable development.

The Christian Association of Nigeria leader in the area, Venurable John Bwakwot and Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Barau Abdul also echoed the same thing calling on all and sundry to forget the past with the aim of ensuring the realization of the message of understanding and friendship amog the people of Southern Kaduna.

The affected communities in the recent crises threw their weight behind efforts made by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria in ensuring lasting peace among the different ethnic groups in Southern Kaduna by forgiving one another of all that took place.

However, various speakers in the meeting stressed the need for regular consultations among the various communities with the view of identifying any unforseen circumstance and ensure they are guided with the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance, love and understanding.

The Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria,  GPFN,  Mr. John Oko while expressing joy with the new development in Southern Kaduna, thanked God Almighty for the initiatives by stakeholders towards finding a common ground of resolving their differences through dialogue.

He noted that the step taken by the people towards forgiving one another was a steping stone and assured of Global Peace Foundation readiness to work closely with the various groups towards finding lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.

The northern coordinators of GPFN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab and Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Mairaya expressed gratitude with the level of understanding, love and perseverance shown by the various stakeholders by embracing one another in the spirit of oneness.

They noted that the various speakers were able to identify conflict based challenges that rocked the area of its divine plan by God for harmonious relationship of man irrespective of any different affiliation.

By Auwal Mohammed,

Gombe (Nigeria) — Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe state Northeast Nigeria, has embarked on strike action and urged Federal Government to sack the College Provost Dr. Gimba Abbas, and the Bursar, Mallam Nuhu Palladan.

Secretary of the Union, Dr. Abimbola Nurudeen Gbolahan, disclosed this while speaking to Journalists in Gombe, on Thursday.

Delivering a notification letter on the indefinite strike action, the Union recommended the immediate removal from office, the Provost and the Bursar, due to mismanagement and incompetence in the leadership of the college.

The Union accused the Provost of allowing the Bursar to over-reach his authority and actively involved in operational management of the institution by executing contracts.

“The Union’s Congress unanimously passed vote of no confidence on the College Bursar. The Union shall no longer work with him as a financial Adviser of the college. He should be removed from the office immediately, more so he is not qualified to hold the office of the College Bursar.” He stated.

He further revealed that sometimes in 2012, a fact finding panel recommended the removal of the college Bursar on account of incompetence, but the Provost who is working in connivance with him refused to adhere to the decision of the investigation panel.

In a letter dated 07 June, 2017 addressed and delivered to the Provost, members of COEASU list a number of complaints against the Provost, notably, they expressed displeasure over the way and manner the management is handling matters that affect the Union, despite the Union efforts in exploring all avenues to ensure that there is peaceful and harmonious working relationship between her and the management.

The letter further gave the management a two weeks ultimatum to satisfy all her demands, which includes a letter of apology from the Provost to the Union for the “embarrassment, humiliation and harassment the Provost meted on the secretary of the Union.”

The Union also asked for the immediate restoration and payment of outstanding of Peculiar Academic Allowance, PPA and Conference Attendance Allowance, CCA among other issues.

COEASU in the letter signed by it’s chairman Hamza Adamu Soye and secretary Abimbola Nurudeen Gbolahan, warned that if the management refused to fulfill their recommendation they will be left with the option of embarking on strike.

In another letter dated 20 June 2017 Abbas and Nuhu were also accused by COEASU of violating and disregarding the plea made by the chairman of the college governing body that the balance of the PPA and CCA be paid.

In view of the development, the College chapter of COEASU on Tuesday 11 July 2017 embarked on an indefinite strike action.

In a letter of notification which was also copied to the National Commission of Colleges of Education, NCCE, Security agencies and President COEASU, the Union said the strike action was reached at its Congress meeting on that fateful Tuesday over the endless plight of lecturers on the non-payments of the balance of CCA and PPA of 2016 /2017 session.

By Amos Tauna

A High Court sitting in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria,  Wednesday remanded a former bureau chief with Vanguard Newspapers, Kaduna, Luka Binniyat in prison over allegation of false publication brought before it by the Kaduna State government.

Mr. Binniyat who had been on medication, walk into the court room with the help of crutches to make appearance having sustained injuries from an accident.

Justice Bashir Sukola ordered the remand of the Journalist after appeals from Barr. James Kanyip, counsel to the Journalist.

Justice Sukola said the Journalist should be remanded in Prison custody till 20th-July, 2017 for ruling on the application of bail filed by the Journalist’s lawyer.

The Kaduna State had dragged the Journalist to court on two count charges over publication in Vanguard Newspaper of alleged killings of five students of College of Education Gidan-Waya published on 22nd January, 2017.

The Journalist is been charge of breach of public peace and injurious falsehood punishable under sections 114 and 393 of the penal code laws of Kaduna State.

The Journalist however pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case adjourned to 20th July, 2017 for ruling on the bail application.