News

Katsina, UNDP To Return 270,000 IDPs To Ancestral Homes

Published

2 weeks ago

July 9, 2025

The Katsina State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unveiled a policy and state action plan on Durable Solutions to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The policy and action plan, which were unveiled Tuesday at a town hall meeting, targeted the return of 270,000 IDPs across the 34 local government areas of the state to their ancestral homes.

While the 45-page Katsina State IDP Policy centres on the protection, assistance and reintegration of IDPs in accordance with the national standard, the State Action Plan is expected to provide basic amenities to the displaced persons.

Presenting an overview of the State Action Plan, the Academic Lisson, Solid Project, Dr. Abubakar Imam, said Katsina has 270,000 displaced persons as a result of banditry and farmers/herders conflicts.

He said 36,288 households have been affected by the nefarious activities of the bandits, farmers-herders clashes, flood, desertification and communal conflicts across the 34 local government areas of the state.

Describing Batsari, Faskari, Kankara, Sabuwa and Danmusa as the hotspot local government areas in the state, Imam said most of the IDPs in the state were living without access to education, health, food security and proper shelters.

“The vision of the State Action Plan is to ensure a peaceful, resilient and inclusive Katsina State where all displaced persons can return, integrate or relocate safely with access to livelihoods, services and protection,” he said.

He explained that 2,389 housing units with gender-sensitive designs, 10 primary healthcare centres with solar-powered Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and 63 basic schools with inclusive facilities would be provided to the IDPs.

He reiterated that vocational training, farming inputs and grants would be provided to over 30,000 restored homes, adding that 60 per cent of the displaced children in the state would be enrolled in basic schools.

In his remarks, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda affirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that the policy and the action plan are validated and fully operational in the state.

Radda, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Faruk Lawal, explained that his administration would monitor the policy and provide adequate funds for the operationalisation and sustainability of the policy.

He said: “This policy is a direct response to the displacement crisis that has affected many communities across the state. Armed conflict, banditry, poverty and climate change have all contributed, displacing families from their homes, distracting livelihoods on the communities.

“We are committed to ensure that this policy is not just validated but fully operationalised, monitored and sustainably funded. Let’s work together to ensure that displacement doesn’t mean despair but becomes an opportunity for healing, rebuilding and restoring hope.”

On her part, the state focal person for the project, Maryam Musa, said the policy is the comprehensive framework developed to guide the state and stakeholders in responding effectively to challenges affecting the IDPs.

She said it aligned with both the national and international standards to ensure dignity, protection and sustainable reintegration of IDPs into the society.

She said that the primary aspects of the national policy are prevention of displacement, protection/assistance, durable solutions, accountability, coordination and inclusion, among others.
(ThisDay)

News

FULL LIST: 18 Nigerian States US Govt Warned Citizens Against Visiting

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The United States government has warned its citizens against travelling to 18 Nigerian states, citing the high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, armed gangs, violent crime, and unreliable healthcare services.

In a statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria and published on its website, the US advised Americans to reconsider any planned trip to Nigeria, noting that all parts of the country carry “significant security risks.”

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some places in Nigeria have an increased risk. Overall, all locations carry significant security risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory,” the statement read.

The advisory placed 18 states on Level 4 – the highest threat level – and urged Americans not to travel to those states for any reason.

States Americans are advised not to travel to:

Due to terrorism and kidnapping:

Borno
Yobe
Kogi
Northern Adamawa

Due to kidnapping:

5. Bauchi

6. Gombe

7. Kaduna

8. Kano

9. Katsina

10. Sokoto

11. Zamfara

Due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs:

12. Abia

13. Anambra

14. Bayelsa

15. Delta

16. Enugu

17. Imo

18. Rivers (except Port Harcourt)

The advisory also warned of the poor state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. “U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States,” it said, noting a shortage of common medicines, unreliable emergency services, and the risk of counterfeit drugs.

Travellers were advised to bring all necessary medications, update their vaccinations, purchase medical evacuation insurance, and prepare backup plans in case of emergency.

The advisory, however, urged those who choose to travel to stay alert, carry proper identification, avoid large gatherings, and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates and enable their location to be tracked in emergencies.

News

Court Remands Tiktoker Who Claimed President Tinubu Died

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

A Chief magistrate court, on Friday, in Abuja, remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre, a social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, who posted online videos purporting that President Bola Tinubu died as a result of a serous illness.

Department of State Services (DSS) operatives arrested Isma’il days after he posted the fake videos on the TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju.

Count one of the two-count charge, titled “Publication of false news with intent to cause offence against public peace, ” read: “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified Tiktok handle (“bola-asiwaju”) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace.

“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count two, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” read: “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified Tiktok handle (“bola-asiwaju”) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

After taking arguments by both counsels to the DSS and that of the defendant, whose application for bail was denied, the presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, ordered Ismail to be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre. The matter was then adjourned till August 19.

News

Dangote Cement Gets New Chairman As Aliko Dangote Retires

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Dangote Cement Plc has announced the appointment of Emmanuel Ikazoboh as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors, following the retirement of Alhaji Aliko Dangote from the position, effective July 25, 2025.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, assumes the role as Dangote steps down to focus on the $20 billion refinery, petrochemicals, fertiliser and government relations.

This strategic move, the company said, is aimed at propelling the Dangote Group’s five-year business trajectory to greater heights.

“In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board,” the statement added.

The company paid tribute to Dangote’s leadership, stating that he left “giant footprints” on the board.

“His vision and tenacity redefined not just a company, but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.”

According to the company, Dangote Cement Plc currently has a production capacity of 52.0Mta across Africa, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta.

Additional greenfield plants under construction in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0Mta) will bring total capacity to 61.0Mta upon completion this year.

Under Dangote’s leadership, the company also recorded its highest ever revenue and earnings.

“According to the unaudited results for the six months ending 30th June 2025, the group revenue went up by 17.7 per cent, from N1.76tn at the same period in 2024 to N2.07tn, representing the highest revenue in the history of the company,” the statement read.

In his acceptance speech, Ikazoboh said he was honoured to take on the new role and pledged to uphold the highest standards of leadership and dedication.

He described Dangote Cement as a “beacon of African enterprise” that has consistently shown resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.

“Emmanuel Ikazoboh was previously the Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., the Pan-African banking group. He started his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte.

“He first became the Managing Partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire and later became the Managing Partner of the Deloitte firm in West and Central Africa until 2009.

“In 2010, he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange as an Interim Administrator to carry out capital market reforms of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc,” the statement added.