By Salisu Baso

The member representing Rimin Gado/Tofa in the Kano State House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker has cried out about some unpatriotic citizens in the state going to rural areas and seizing farmland from local communities to allocate plots in the name of government authorities.

The member, therefore, called on the state assembly to draw the government’s attention to take appropriate measures as the unpatriotic elements are tarnishing the image of the government. The Speaker, who responded to the appeal, directed the joint house committee of Land and Physical Planning as well as Public Petitions to investigate the unknown authorities before legislative action, adding that this is not only in Tofa but also in some parts of the state.

According to the petition letter sent by the people of Dansudu, Unguwar Rimi, and Wangara in Tofa Local Government Area, they called on the state assembly to come to their rescue.

The letter tabled before the house was read by the Majority Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussain, representing Dala Constituency, and the member representing Ungogo, Hon. Aminu Saad, seconded the motion. They were given two weeks to report back to the house.

Briefing journalists after the parliament session, the member representing Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, expressed displeasure with the attitude of some unpatriotic elements using the government to seize farmland from farmers and share plots without the government’s knowledge or community leaders.

He said about 160 farmlands have been seized by unauthorized people, neither the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning nor the communities have been informed.

Hon. Butu Butu further said the same incident has happened in the local government, with the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning taking over the farms and allocating plots without developing the lands, while the people have not been allowed to harvest.

He, therefore, said the people of the areas are law-abiding communities and are ready to support the government in developmental initiatives. He called on the state government and the ministry to allow the communities to utilize the lands.

The member also urged the government to monitor some people parading themselves as government officials visiting markets and places collecting revenue without its knowledge, citing an example with Janguza market in Rimin Gado Local Government Area.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle East.

The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024.

It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.

In a statement by Special adviser to the President on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga said key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has assured the people of Waterside Local Government that his administration would not cede any part of the state to other states in the country.

Governor Abiodun gave the assurance at a meeting with representatives of the local government, made up of traditional rulers, technocrats, and prominent government functionaries, at Government House, Abeokuta.

The former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Segun Awonusi, said the governor has taken note of reported incursions into parts of the state from neighbouring states and has taken steps to address the issue.

Prof. Awonusi said: “We have come here to discuss the affairs of the local government with the governor. We appreciate him for what he has done so far, and we urge him to do more.

“Because of reports of incursions from Lagos and Ondo states on Ode-Omi and Makun to seize parts of our land, the governor has promised that he will ensure that not an inch of Ogun State is lost to any other state.

“He has also promised to provide adequate security so that our people can live in peace.”