Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday distributed 655 subsidised tricycles and 154 commercial buses to 809 beneficiaries to provide employment and help ease transportation in the state.
Speaking during the flag-off and distribution of the buses and tricycles in Bauchi, Mohammed said the gesture was a fulfilment of one of his campaign promises, which was to empower the people of the state.
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Mohammed said increasing the number of buses and tricycles operating in the state would help compliance with COVID-19 protocols and mitigate the spread of the virus.
“Today’s distribution is in fulfilment of our promise to the people of Bauchi State, to empower people who brought us to power.
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Some of the commercial buses distributed by the gov.
“We also looked at the problems of COVID-19 and the need to enforce the NCDC protocol of social distancing, especially, in the transportation sector.
“This gesture is not for me to be praised, what we are doing is to make sure we do what ought to be done in order to reduce poverty and to provide employment,”Mohammed said.
The governor who urged the beneficiaries not to see the gesture as political patronage, explained that the buses and tricycles were released at a subsidised rate, and that they would pay back within a period of two years.
“We have conceptualised this programme to teach people how to fish. Beneficiaries should know that this is not a free political patronage.
“It is your right and you were carefully selected. Yes! We have provided subsidy, but you will pay within two years through Yankari Micro-finance,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Modibbo Ahmed, the State Commissioner for Cooperative and SME Development, said the governor had fulfilled his promise of providing 1,000 tricycles and commercial buses to the unemployed youths.
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A cross section of the tricycles distributed by the gov.
Ahmed said this would go a long way in making the beneficiaries self-reliant and employers of labour.
Malam Ismael Abdullahi, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), appreciated the governor for the kind gesture, saying the governor had succeeded in putting food on the table for the members of the union.
The governor had earlier distributed 345 tricycles on 24, July, 2020 in order to assuage the hardship caused by the ban of motorcycles in the state.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.
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The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.
“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.
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Continuing, DSS said Ezenwa’s arrest underscores the Service’s determination to safeguard Nigerians from the fraudulent schemes of unpatriotic elements. “Citizens are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant, verify information from official sources and report suspicious recruitment adverts or individuals attempting to extort money under false pretense.”
The agency assured that it will continue to protect the integrity of its recruitment process while ensuring that perpetrators of fraud face the full weight of the law.
Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.
In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”
Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,”he added.
Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.
In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.
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“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!
“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.
The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.
“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.
“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
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“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,”he added.
Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.
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“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.
“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,”he said.