News

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

Published

2 weeks ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

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

Lagos Govt Warns Against False Oba-elect Claims In Epe

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to people presenting themselves as the Oba-elect of the Olu of Epe Kingdom, following the recent passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Shefiu Adewale, the 19th monarch of the kingdom.

Oba Adewale, who died on May 31 at the age of 86, was laid to rest the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.

In a statement released on the official Facebook page of the Lagos State Government on Friday, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Robert, clarified that no official approval has been given to anyone regarding succession to the Olu of Epe stool.

“The public, especially residents of Epe and its environs, are hereby informed that the state government has not approved any person as the new Olu of Epe. Anybody parading themselves as such is acting unlawfully,” the statement read.

The commissioner emphasized that the process of selecting and installing traditional rulers in Lagos is governed by clearly defined legal and administrative protocols, none of which have been activated for the Olu of Epe succession.

Mr Robert urged residents to disregard any claims by self-proclaimed monarchs and avoid offering traditional courtesies or recognition to such people, warning that doing so could amount to aiding impersonation.

He also revealed that security agencies have been directed to ensure peace and investigate any unauthorized claims to the royal title, with a view to prosecuting offenders under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to upholding due process and safeguarding the integrity of traditional institutions across the state,” the commissioner added.

News

AEDC Gives Reason For Blackout In Parts Of Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has explained that the blackout being experienced in parts of the nation’s capital is due to a technical fault.

AEDC made this known in a notice on Saturday on its X account.

The Disco said the outage affected several areas in Abuja, including Jabi, Kado Estate, part of Life Camp, Gishiri, Mabuchi, Kadokuchi, Navy Estate, Anan House, Jahi Village, NAF Conference Centre, Lake View Phase 1&2, Custom Quarters, Dakibiu and environs.

The Disco said it is working to fix the technical fault.

However, it did not state when electricity supply would be restored to the affected areas.

“We regret to inform you that the ongoing power outage affecting your area is due to a technical fault.

“Our technical team is working tirelessly to restore power supply as quickly as possible.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to serve you better,” the Disco stated.

News

UNICAL VC Selection Thwarted As Court Halts Process, Transfers Case To Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The processes of getting a new Vice Chancellor to replace Professor Florence Obi of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, has reportedly been thwarted following the restraining order by National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Calabar, stopping the Governing Council from proceeding with the ongoing selection process.

The court order with Suit No. NICN/CA/40/2025, signed and sealed by its registrar, Egba Juliet Peter, directed stoppage of the selection process pending determination of the motion.

A new Vice-Chancellor was slated to emerge at the end of the current administration’s tenure in December 2025 but this schedule will no longer be.

The Suit was filed by one of the applicants, Professor Joseph Eyo Duke, a claimant, challenging the advertisement published on 27 May 2025 which listed that possible contenders must possess at least 10 years post-professorial experience.

Prof. Duke said such a requirement is unlawful. arguing that it emanated from an emergency meeting of the University Council held on 25 March 2025.

He further insisted that the criterion is rooted in a non-existent regulation.

The motion ex-parte, dated and filed on 21 July 2025, sought an interim injunction restraining UNICAL and its Governing Council from enforcing or acting upon the advertisement pending determination of the motion on notice.

Upon hearing counsel the claimant, Ubong Akpan, Justice Sanusi Kado granted accelerated hearing of both the motion on notice and the substantive suit.

He also ordered the transfer of the matter to Abuja to be heard by a vacation judge.

The judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo, refraining from any action that could jeopardise the fair hearing of the suit. and fixed August 7, 2025 for hearing of the motion on notice at the Abuja Division.