A day to Sallah, when our correspondent visited popular Damaturu and Potiskum cattle markets, Yobe residents have lamented on the high cost of ram while for the sellers is a dream comes true.
Blueprint’s investigation shows that most of the animals brought to the markets were being bought in large quantities by businessmen who transported them to either Lagos or Ibadan; hence allowing the prices to rise.
According to him, statistics show that about eight to 10 trucks each are being uploaded daily to other cities by the businessmen.
A resident, Adamu Mustapha, complained that the cost of ram has now skyrocketed.
Another resident, Kachalla Ali, said he had been able to buy one ram, but not the size of his choice “because the rams are very costly.”
Our correspondent reports that Yobe is one of the major producers of livestock and has the largest cattle market in the country, but that has not changed the situation.
WAEC exam to hold despite holiday (5th)
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the examinations slated for September 4 will hold despite the public holidays.
The federal government has declared September 1 and 4 as public holidays to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid el-Kabir.
The Council said on its Twitter account on Tuesday that the exams for private candidates, in the 2017 timetable, would hold as earlier scheduled earlier.
The Director of Public Affairs WAEC Nigeria, Demianus Ojijeogu, confirmed the development to Premium Times in a chat yesterday morning, adding that the “the paper(s) will hold as scheduled.”
There had been speculations in the public space whether or not the exams would be postponed in order to allow candidates take part in the festivities heralding the Muslim celebration.
FRSC advises Yobe motorists against over speeding (3rd)
By Musa M. Buba
Damaturu
As Muslim faithful across the world prepare to celebrate the Eid el-Kabir, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Yobe state Command, Mr. Sayi D. Daniel, has called on motorists to shun the habit of over speeding and over loading which is capable of causing catastrophic injuries.
He disclosed this to Blueprint in his office, saying during festivity of “this kind, drivers are reckless in driving because of the numerous passengers on ground.”
“I urged especially our drivers to be mindful in their driving, let them know that there are more Sallah ahead, this is not the end. When you over speed and kill yourself, means you will not see another Sallah.”
On night journeys, the sector commander said “travelling in the night is very dangerous; at our Corps, we don’t encourage night journeys because they are associated with hazards and in a situation of accident you hardly get assistance.”
Daniel further called on the motorists to adhere strictly to the “road signs, rules and regulations and also make sure all their wipers are in good in order, especially now that it rains almost daily.”
It would be recalled the Commission’s Corps Marshall, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, had, early this year, stated in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, at a public enlightenment forum for stakeholders in the transportation sector, that between 2015/2016 alone over 12, 077 road crashes were recorded and out of which 5, 400 people were said to have died of over speeding.
NGO donates cloths to orphans, vulnerable in Gombe (2nd)
By Auwal Ahmad
Gombe
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Lawanti Development Association, in Gombe state, has donated Sallah cloths to 256 Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the community.
Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Abu Ubaida, disclosed this while speaking during the presentation at Lawanti village in Akko local government area of the state yesterday.
He said the Association “gives such assistance to OVCs during annually celebrations in the area.”
Ubaida called on the public-spirited individuals in the community and the state at large to assist the OVCs in their own way.
“You do not have to wait for a festive period; you can render your assistance at anything, through the Association,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman, Planning Committee 2017 occasion, Malam Sani Aliyu, said the event was held annually and that the Association’s sources of fund were from public-spirited individuals.
He said the mosquito treated nets were provided by the Gombe state Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Responding, on behalf of the parent and caregivers of the beneficiaries, Malam Ezra Sambo, commended the Association for the gesture.
He said the Association treats everyone equal irrespective of religion and tribe.
Also commenting on the gesture, Alhaji Usman Barade, a resident of Lawanti community, said the group had been given scholarship to the less privileged.
He urged them to continue doing the good work and prayed for the sustainability of the Association.
The items donated included wrappers, brocade, yards and treated mosquito nets.
NSCDC deploys 40,000 personnel, sniffer dogs for security (1st)
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed about 40,000 personnel, sniffer dogs, mobile surveillance vehicles (MSV), ambulances, among others, to be stationed at designated areas for rescue purposes and first aid treatment during the Eid el-Kabir festival.
Announcing the deployment Comptroller-General of the Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, also ordered for other specialised units for the assignment includes the Special Weapon and Tactical Squad (SWAT), Chemical-Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear Unit (CBRN), Surveillance team, Disaster Management/Rescue team and Special Force for the protection of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets.
A statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the Corps’ Spokesman, Okeh Emmanuel, said the deployment of the personnel to strategic places such as praying grounds, market squares, recreational centres, shopping plazas and malls, as well as other designated areas noted to be black spots, “it’s imperative in order to forestall the activities of insurgents whose target is to attack such places during festive periods.”
He, while assuring of a hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration, also directed the Zonal, State Commands, FCT and the Headquarters Operations Directorate to carry out massive deployment to all nooks and crannies.
Gana, however, assured both Muslims and Christians of the Corps’ drive and readiness in restoring peace and security at all times, and also seek their collaboration in assisting the Corps by providing information that could help in tracking down those with suspicious characters.
“Vandals illegal bunkerers, oil thefts and those with the intention of committing crime during the period should relocate as the Corps is all out to track them down. The law is no respecter of anyone.”
