Kano governor promises justice for Christian woman murdered in Kano

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has condemned the June 2 murder of a Christian woman at Wambai Market in Kano by some religious extremists.

He promised to unmask the perpetrators of the heinous act.

The governor made the promise while addressing journalists in Kano at the end of a meeting with Islamic scholars, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, leaders of the various ethnic groups in the state and the husband of the victim at the Government House on Friday night.

Describing the incident as barbaric and unfortunate, Ganduje vowed to arrest and prosecute those behind the dastardly killing of the 74 years old woman.

He said that everyone at the meeting agreed that the killing of the woman was uncalled for.

“The Council of Ulamas and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership have also been urged to publicly condemn the barbaric act in the media,” he said.

He promised that the state government would assist the bereaved family with the burial expenses of the deceased.

Among those present at the meeting were the state CAN chairman, Bishop Ransome Bello, and Sheikh Abdulwahab Abdallah who represented the Council of Ulamas.

The elderly woman of Imo State origin was murdered by some irate Muslims at Wambai market on Thursday evening following an argument during which she was alleged to have blasphemed Prophet Mohammed.

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Read Federal Government's Interim Report on Recovered Loot

True to his words, President Muhammadu Buhari has issued an interim report on state resources so far recovered from treasury looters.

According to a statement issued from the Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the report covers May 29, 2015 when the Buhari administration came into office to May 26, 2016.

The Full Text :

LOOTING: FG RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON FINANCIAL, ASSETS RECOVERIES

The Federal Government made cash recoveries totaling N78,325,354,631.82 (Seventy eight billion, three hundred and twenty-five million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty one Naira and eighty two kobo); $185,119,584.61 (One hundred and eight five million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, five hundred and eighty four US dollars, sixty one cents); 3,508,355.46 Pounds Sterling (Three million, five hundred and eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five Pounds and 46 Pence) and 11, 250 Euros (Eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty Euros) from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016.
In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also disclosed that Recoveries Under Interim Forfeiture (cash and assets) during the period totaled N126,563,481,095.43 (One hundred and twenty six billion, five hundred and sixty three million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, and ninety five Naira, forty three Kobo; $9,090,243,920.15 (Nine billion, ninety million, two hundred and forty three thousand, nine hundred and twenty Dollars, fifteen cents; 2,484,447.55 Pounds Sterling (Two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, four hundred and forty seven Pounds, fifty five Pence) and 303,399.17 Euros (Three hundred and three thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine Euros, 17 cents ).
According to the statement, which is based on the interim report on the financial and assets recoveries made by the various government agencies from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016, the Funds Awaiting Return From Foreign Jurisdictions total $321,316,726.1 (Three hundred and twenty one million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty six Dollars, one cent); 6,900,000 Pounds (Six million, nine hundred thousand Pounds) and 11,826.11 Euros (Eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty six Euros, 11 cents).
It showed that Non-Cash Recoveries (Farmlands, Plots of Land, Uncompleted Buildings, Completed Buildings, Vehicles and Maritime Vessels) during the period total 239.

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture

Lagos

4 June 2016

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Abuja people: the Gbagyi woman and her firewood

The Gbagyi ethnic group is predominantly found in Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states.

The Gbagyis are also among the original inhabitants of Abuja, Nigeria's capital city.

Gbagyi people are predominantly farmers and hunters but their women take special pride in their firewood business.

Usually, you would see a Gbagyi woman hunched over with a huge load of firewood on her shoulder.

However, with modernity, most of them now carry the load on their head.

In present day Abuja, the Gbagyis live mainly in the satellite towns where they engage in subsistence agriculture.

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Oando Foundation to fund education of 60,000 IDP children in Bauchi.

Oando Foundation is collaborating with USAID Emergency Crisis Response (ECR) to help 60,000 children of Internally Displaced Persons in Bauchi State to get access to education.

The project is in fulfillment of Oando Foundation’s plan to enroll 60,000 internally displaced children into formal schools across the country by 2018.

The Head of Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke made this known  at the presentation of learning materials to 250 IDP children who graduated from an Informal Learning Centre in Liman Katagum, Bauchi State.

She said that the foundation plans to absorb the children into mainstream schools in the communities where they are residing in Bauchi State.

She explained that to achieve the objective, starter kits have been distributed to the children.

“The starter kits are made up of educational materials crucial to easing children’s transition, re integration, retention and addressing the hidden costs of education in schools.

“This is the first in a series of education interventions targeting internally displaced and out of school children in North Eastern Nigeria. Our call to action is clear, we need to bridge the widening educational gap and ensure that no child is denied the right to education.

“Through our Adopt a School Initiative, our target is to enroll 60,000 children in schools across Nigeria over a 3 year period, ensure reintegration of internally displaced children in formal education and improve learning outcomes. We are working with the government, interested partners and communities in select states,” she said.

The Executive Chairperson of Bauchi State Agency for Mass Education, Hajiya Yelwa Tafawa Balewa had earlier on, commended the foundation for supporting the education of internally displaced children in the state.

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Niger Delta Avengers: PMB, OBJ, GEJ meet behind closed doors

Following the spate of attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta by new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers and its telling effects on the nation's economy, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Obasanjo had arrived the Presidential Villa around mid day with Otunba Johnson Fasawe for a private meeting with Buhari.

After the meeting, Obasanjo declined speaking with the press as he left the Villa.

President Buhari and his predecessor, Jonathan met around 9pm at the former's residence in the Villa.

Although details of both meetings were not disclosed, speculations are rife that they are not unconnected with the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers which are adversely affecting the power sector and oil exports.

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Obasanjo, Buhari in warm handshake at Presidential Villa

On Friday afternoon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was President Buhari's guest at the State House, Abuja

See the old foxes in a warm handshake

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Archbishops of Church of Nigeria visit Buhari (Photos)

Today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari received in audience,  Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

The Archbishops were led by the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Church of Nigeria.

See photos.

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