- Calls on Investors to Cone Over
Yobe State Government has called on investors around the country and globally to come over to the state to invest, insisting that the season of insecurity was over.
Addressing a press conference in Damaturu marking the five years anniversary of Buni administration, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali boasted that Yobe State is now safer than the other 35 states in the country.
He said: “Investors are free to come and tap into the economic potentials under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni.”
He added that the incessant attacks of Boko Haram between 2013 and 2023 in the state were over as it is near non-existence, noting that many facilities are now in place to boost economic activities.
He noted that before Buni assumed the mantle of leadership, there were many communities that were inaccessible; due to the threats posed by terrorists in Gulani and Gujba Local Government areas.
He said those communities are now safe and those displaced in the wake of insurgency have since be relocated back and resettled with dignity with the support of the state government and other developing partners.
HE said: “With the State government commitment, supported by the Federal Government, military, developing partners, security agencies, vigilante groups and concerned stakeholders, Yobe state is now peaceful for doing business, as total peace has been restored by God grace.”
He insisted that normalcy has returned to the insurgency most-ravaged areas, including the border communities of Geidam, Yusufari, Yunusari and Nguru local government areas.
He noted that besides the restoration of peace, reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation (RRR) of affected communities have been completed with people’s livelihoods resumed.
Wali said: “Buni/Yadi community has been developed while that of Malamdunari is being carried out satisfactorily at present,” noting that insurgency has been consigned to history in Yobe State.
He said there is no reason for any prospective investor to be afraid of attack or return on investment, stressing that: “In almost all parts of the state, people are now moving about pursuing their legitimate goals without hindrance.”
He disclosed that good road networks have been put in place, the International Cargo Airport was ready to fully come on stream with the largest Trailer Park in Nigeria in place in the state, Yobe is ready to welcome investors into the state.
[12:06 PM, 6/7/2024] MICHEL: NAPTIP: Activities of Orphanages Are Being Investigated Nationwide
Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi has revealed that many orphanages in the country are presently having their activities investigated for likely child trafficking.
She made the revelation during a one-day community dialogue and advocacy on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) organised by the agency for stakeholders in Gwagwalada local council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The NAPTIP DG said some orphanages commit a lot of infractions that can be categorised as human trafficking, noting that: “We are investigating a lot of orphanages around the country, NAPTIP is currently prosecuting some of these orphanages.
“The agency is witnessing a lot with these orphanages. No orphanage has the right to conclude the adoption of children. NAPTIP comes in when there is an element of human trafficking.”
She warned operators of orphanages to be careful about their mode of operation, adding that Nigerians should avoid adopting babies from such homes.
In February, the federal capital territory administration sealed the Priesthood Orphanage in Karon Majigi village, Abuja, for allegedly trafficking 23 children whose ages range from one to 14 years.
The children, who were rescued from the orphanage, were alleged to have been trafficked from Plateau State.
The NAPTIP head also condemned the act of child molestation, lamenting that it has become a rampant issue facing the young one today.
She said: “Issues of sexual and gender based violence happens mostly at the community level and we must all create solutions that deals directly with this problems and the solutions can only come from you as stakeholders. The grievous offenses like, infliction of injury, female genital mutilation should not be settled at the community level. These are very serious offenses that deserves legal action and settling this kind of issues at the community level is just blatant injustice to the victim”.
She added that: “So protecting offenders, intimidating witnesses, hinders justice and leads to a lot of withdrawal of cases. also notes that it is a serious crime to tamper with evidence. You tamper with evidence that can help law enforcement investigations, intimidation, threats, blackmailing, or when you give the witness money. All these are serious offenses that someone can be arrested for, It is also a crime to obstruct any law enforcement officers from doing their job”.
Earlier, the Chairman of Gwagwalada area council, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri speaking to at the event said: “One of the major problems we have in our society today is gender based violence in Which has become a phenomenon in our society. And thank God that people are coming in to join hands with the governments to see how we can eradicate or at least bring to the minimum the menace in society.”
He added that: “Our youth is our future leaders, and the way we take care of them is how they will be tomorrow.”
