News

S’ Court Verdict: Bauchi Politicians Spend Sleepless Nights In Mosques

Published

6 years ago

January 20, 2020

Report reaching Info Daily says some politicians and other stakeholders in Bauchi had ‘sleepless nights’ as they await the outcome of Supreme Court verdict on the governorship election, to be delivered on Monday (today)

Our Correspondent monitoring the development reports that for the past one week, supporters and members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), had been voicing their optimism of emerging victorious.

The level of anxiety, as well as optimism by both sides are being reflected on a daily basis in political programmes aired by radio stations across the state.

Alhaji Uba Nana, Chairman of the APC in the state, told our correspondent that his party had embarked on a prayer session ahead of the Supreme Court verdict.

Nana, who reserved all comments until after the judgement, said the party was hoping for a successful outcome at the apex court.

“We are reserving our comments until after the verdict on Monday; we have nothing much to say but I can tell you that we are very prayerful now.

“We are in prayers and hoping for a successful outcome at the Supreme Court on Monday,” Nana said.

Alhaji Yayanuwa Zainabari, Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state, also said that his party had absolute trust in the Supreme Court and believed that justice would not only be done, but would be seen to have been done.

“As it is now, the judiciary is the only hope of upholding the mandate given to Gov. Bala Mohammad by the people of Bauchi State.

“We have trust that the court would do justice in delivering its judgement; we have no fear at all and just as we won the election without rigging, by God’s grace, we will have course to celebrate,” he said.

A member of one of the parties who pleaded anonymity revealed that in an event of their losing at the apex court, he and others had decided to leave Bauchi.

“The tension is so palpable and expectations for success, very high; we cannot withstand losing out because the embarrassment will be enormous; we will rather leave in an event of failure at the Supreme Court,” he vowed.

Meanwhile, our correspondent checks revealed that some politicians in the state had resorted to spending their nights in the mosque, praying to God to grant their parties, victory at the apex court.

A prominent politician in Bauchi, who confirmed this development on condition of anonymity, said because of the dicey situation at hand, himself and others were not willing to take chances.

“Some of us resolved to leave the comfort of our bedrooms and turn to God for supplications.

“We stay overnight in the mosque praying because, as Muslims, we know that All Mighty He often grants requests pleaded for during late night,” he revealed.

It would be recalled the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed of PDP, had himself told newsmen shortly after his victory at the Appeal Court in Jos, that he could not sleep a day to the Jos verdict.

The governor is now in United Kingdom on medical checkups, according to an earlier statement by his Media Aide, Muktar Gidado.

Also speaking, DSP Kamal Abubakar, the state’s Police Public Relations Officers, assured that the command was on top of the situation as it had taken adequate measures to ensure that there was no break-down of law and order after the verdict.

He said security men in all strategic locations within the state had been placed on the alert, adding that the command had also invited stakeholders of both parties for a dialogue.

He said that members of the two parties had been barred from any form of celebration after the judgement to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Kamal called on the people of the state to accept whatever the judgement would be as the will of God.

News

Police Deny Opening Recruitment Portal, Warn Nigerians Against Fake Adverts

Published

37 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has debunked reports circulating on social media and several unofficial websites claiming that it has opened a portal for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission described the publications as fake, warning that they were created by fraudsters seeking to deceive and exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the PSC said it had not commenced any recruitment exercise.

“The general public is hereby informed that these publications are fake and entirely misleading.

“They are the handiwork of fraudsters attempting to exploit innocent citizens,” the Commission said.

It added that no recruitment portal had been opened by the Commission.

“There is currently no ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Police Service Commission has not opened any portal for such an exercise,” the statement added.

The PSC stressed that whenever recruitment begins, the announcement will be made strictly through authorised platforms.

According to the statement, official channels include advertisements in reputable national newspapers, announcements posted on the Commission’s verified website (www.psc.gov.ng), and formal press releases.

“We urge Nigerians to rely only on information published through these official channels.

“Any recruitment portal not listed on our website is fraudulent and should be reported to the police,” the commission said.

The PSC advised the public to ignore the fake recruitment claims to avoid falling victim to scams.

The PUNCH had reported that the Police Service Commission has cautioned Nigerians seeking a career in the Nigeria Police Force to beware of fake recruitment adverts circulating online, insisting that it has not yet commenced the 2025 recruitment exercise.

News

FG Begins Free Liver, Kidney Tests For People Living With HIV

Published

37 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Monday announced that it has begun providing People Living with HIV/AIDS access to free annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said this during the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, and other partners in Abuja, themed, “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.”

World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote global solidarity, and review progress in combating the epidemic.

It also serves as a platform to reinforce commitment toward eliminating HIV and ensuring access to treatment for all affected individuals.

Salako said, “We are beginning to provide people living with HIV/AIDS with access to annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

“We are also moving steadily towards full integration of HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme in Nigeria as one service that can be accessed in one location at any point in time.

“This integrated approach will ensure that children and adolescents can access multiple essential services during a single visit, thereby improving health outcomes.”

He noted that during the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar, the consent age for voluntary HIV counseling and testing was reduced from 18 to 14 years to increase testing rates among adolescents, leading to earlier diagnosis, better access to care, and a reduction in transmission.

The minister added that the NCH also approved the institutionalisation of the National Clinical Mentorship Programme within the health system and urged states to integrate clinical mentorship activities into their annual operational plans and budgets.

“This is going to help ensure that persons living with HIV remain on treatment and prevent loss to follow-up.

“I call on all stakeholders—states, partners, civil society, communities, and the private sector—to strengthen collaboration, scale innovation, and accelerate our march toward the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.

The Director General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, stated that despite unprecedented disruptions—including the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, fluctuating donor support, and shifts in global health financing—Nigeria is on track to meet the 2030 target of ending HIV.

“We have maintained an impressive 87–98–95 performance toward the global 95–95–95 targets, demonstrating significant progress in diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression across the country.

“Eighty-seven per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status; 98 per cent of those who know their status are on life-saving treatment; and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression—meaning they cannot transmit HIV.

“In the last decade, Nigeria has recorded a 46 per cent decline in new HIV infections, and more Nigerians living with HIV are enrolled and retained in care than ever before,” she emphasised.

The President of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, advocated for domestic HIV funding and stressed the need to address gaps in PMTCT, improve community engagement, and promote viral load testing.

“Drugs are available, but there are elements that need more attention, such as community engagement for retention.

“We need to discuss adherence, counseling, psychosocial support, follow-up for those who miss their appointments, and improve access to viral load testing,” he said.

Also speaking, the UN Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, advocated for domestic financing, protection of human rights, community empowerment, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s health system to enhance resilience, increase efficiency, and expand equitable access.

“Together, we will sustain the response. Together, we will overcome distractions. Together, we will build a future where every person can live with health, dignity, and hope,” she noted.

News

FG Approves Promotion Of Over 24,000 Paramilitary Officers

Published

46 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 24,202 senior officers across the four paramilitary agencies under its supervision.

The Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Board, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on Monday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Board’s Secretary, Abdulmalik Jubril.

According to the minister, the newly promoted officers constitute the second batch of senior personnel elevated in 2025.

The affected agencies are the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

A breakdown of the figures shows that 11,426 officers were promoted in the Correctional Service, 4,336 in the Immigration Service, 2,581 in the Fire Service, and 5,859 in the Civil Defence Corps.

“From the 24,202 promoted officers: NCoS recorded 11,426; NIS, 4,336; FFS, 2,581; while 5,859 were elevated in NSCDC.

“The promotion was based on various parameters, including national spread, good records, ratification, performance and vacancy availability.

“The promotion is aimed at boosting the morale of personnel to ensure proper service delivery in their respective agencies,” he said.

He noted that promotions had stagnated in previous years but said the current administration was committed to improving personnel welfare to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

“In the recent past, promotion had been stagnant, but this administration is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of personnel to tackle the insecurity bedevilling the country.

“Among the several incentives introduced in the ministry, this is particularly worthy of note,” the minister said.

In 2024, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board promoted 20,867 senior officers across the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

The exercise, which cut across various ranks, formed part of ongoing efforts to address delays in career progression and improve staff welfare.