From Jibrin Miachi, Kaduna
Leaders of Katari, Atilbu and Rijana communities, who live along the Abuja-Kaduna highway have told Kaduna state government to stop making the communities scapegoats as the Kaduna governor, Mallam Nasir-el-Rufai has proposed to relocate them to another place in his fight against insecurity.
The communities to be affected, if approved are Katari, Altilbu and Rijana.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna to the proposed relocation at the weekend,Comrade Danjuma Makeri, the President of Katari Development Association with Benjamin Magaji serving as secretary, advised that rather than relocating the communities,, security in these communities, should be “upgraded” to meet the challenging development in view of strategic nature of this highway. of thr involvement of any of our members either directl
He said to the best of his knowledge, “our communities are not aware of the involvement of any of our members either directly or indirectly in any cases of banditry within and outside our communities”.
Thus therefore, “the bogus allegation that we are collaborators of banditry is largely a ruse, trivial and unfortunate”, lamenting that “it is regrettable that “the minds of many gullible members of the public have been conditions to believe that every criminal occurrences on this highway is the handiwork of indigenes of Katari, Atilbu or Rijana.
“Contrary to the induced negative narratives from questionable sources and one sided news vendors, the inhabitants of these communities of these communities have severally been on the receiving end of banditry.
“Many of our people have been kidnapped, our farmers cannot access their farms, our girls are rapped, maimed or killed by these bandits while others have to pay levies to bandits before they could access their farms.
“Presently, the village head of Rijana, Mr. Ayuba Dodo Dakolo and t4 members of his community are in the hands of bandits”.
Speaking further, the peoples president, Danjum M. Makeri cried out that “records at our disposal are overwhelming indicative that government is fully aware of of the movement of bandits, their bases and their financiers.
“The question then is why is the Federal government reluctant in authorizing military action in the entire North West to completely root out these terrorists, why chasing shadows instead of dealing with substances.
“Why is government is interested in making vulnerable communities scapegoats while the real criminals are allowed to traverse the length and breadth without hindrance?, Comrade Makeri quarried with a demand to stop the proposed relocation of the three proposed communities as according to him the proposal is not the solution to the ugly development ay hands.
Oganiru Anambra founder raises alarm over bad governance, poverty in Nigeria
From Isaac Ojo
The founder of Oganiru Anambra, Dr Alex Obiogbolu has raised the alarm over bad governance in Nigeria which according to him has resulted in high level of poverty and deprivation among Nigerians.
Dr Obiogbolu in a press statement to commemorate his birthday said that it has become imperative for the duty bearers in Nigeria to reappraise their approach to governance to avoid an impending doom.
He said as a matter of fact that Nigeria is so blessed with abundant human and natural resources which he said had not been effectively harnessed by the political leaders.
Dr Obiogbolu, a former Anambra State governorship aspirant urged the persons in corridors of power not mistake the agitations among the teeming Nigerian youths for a politically motivated action but rather an aggregation of their cumulative frustrations.
He admonished the duty bearers to as a matter of urgency begin to come up with concrete mechanisms to positively engage the youths many of who are now raoming the streets.
The Oganiru exponent pointed out that the issue of joblessness among the youths and hunger among the average persons in the country should be addressed immediately noting that failure to get that done can lead to social class strife among the citizens.
He also berated a system that is pushing the youths into crimes and criminality because of the failure of the government to give them alternatives, urging parents and religious leaders to wade in and inculcate a national value system.
“The truth is that an idle hand will always be the devil’s workshop and that is why a responsive government should ensure that the youths are gainfully employed. “things are fast moving from bad to worse for Nigerians as a result of bad governance. Efforts should be made to stem the tide.” Dr Obiogbolu noted.
