AZHAF News

22/10/2024

ICPC, NUJ, and MacArthur Foundation Call for Media Support in Anti-Corruption Fight

By Anas Ado Saeed

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, held a one-day workshop aimed at strengthening the role of the media in the fight against corruption. Themed *“The Power of the Pen in the Fight Against Corruption,”* the workshop brought together journalists, ICPC officials, government representatives, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to explore the media’s influence in promoting transparency and good governance.

In his address to the participants, the NUJ President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, emphasized the critical role journalists play in combating corruption. He noted that corruption is one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, undermining development and deepening inequality. According to him, journalists serve as the eyes and ears of society, uncovering and reporting corrupt practices that threaten the nation’s progress.

“Corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to Nigeria’s progress. It undermines development, widens inequality, and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and instability,” Isiguzo said. “As journalists, we hold the power to shine a light on these injustices, to expose the truth, and to advocate for the transparency and accountability that are the bedrock of any functioning democracy.”

Isiguzo highlighted several key roles that journalists must play in the fight against corruption, including exposing corruption through investigative journalism, raising public awareness, and fostering a culture of transparency. He also stressed the importance of collaboration between the media and anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC to ensure that investigative reports lead to real change.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, in his goodwill message, called on the media to intensify efforts to expose corrupt practices and create public awareness of corruption’s detrimental effects. “The media is a key ally in our fight against corruption. Without the work of investigative journalists, much of the corruption we see today would remain hidden,” Dr. Aliyu said. He also urged journalists to ensure accuracy and professionalism in their reporting while assuring them of the ICPC's commitment to supporting the media in this fight.

Dr. Kole Shettima, Country Director of the MacArthur Foundation, echoed the need for media collaboration, urging journalists not only to expose corruption but also to highlight positive stories of individuals and institutions driving transparency and accountability. “It is crucial to expose corruption, but it is equally important to promote individuals and institutions that are making positive contributions to the country’s development,” Dr. Shettima noted.

The workshop also saw participation from key stakeholders including representatives from the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and Voice of Nigeria (VON), among others.

As the event concluded, journalists were encouraged to take full advantage of the workshop and engage meaningfully with sessions on investigative journalism, ethical standards, and data journalism.

The event underscored the vital role of the media in driving social change and holding leaders accountable in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption.

14/12/2023

Alive and thrive Fhi360 ta bada tallafin kayan aiki a kar kashin shirin MYICN wa Ma'aikatar lafiya ta jihar Bauchi.

Asibitin Garin Durum dake karamar Hukumar Bauchi shi ya fara amfana da kayayyakin tallafin.

14/10/2023

13/10/2023

Rundunar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi tayi nasarar k**a masu laifuffuka da mak**ai a jihar Bauchi.

12/10/2023

Wanda aka baiwa Mazakutar da muka sato ya mutu, me ita sai dai yayi hakuri domin bata dawo_ Inji Bitrus.

Bitrus Iliya ya bayyana hakan ne a lokacin da yake zantawa da manema labarai a ofishin Rundunar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi.

12/10/2023

MASU SATAR MAZA KUTA SUN SHIGA HANNUN RUNDUNAR YANSANDA TA JIHAR BAUCHI

Hukumar Yansanda ta k**a masu satar maza kuta, har daya ya mutu a hannun jami'an sa kai a kokarin su na tatsar bayanai kafin su mikasu ga hukumar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi.

Daya daga cikin wadan da ake zargin yace a halin yanzu wanda ya Mutu shine yake da ikon meda maza kutar ga mai ita kuma gashi ya mutu.

A halin yanzu dai wadan da ake zargin suna hannun hukumar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi suna kan fadada bincike.

12/10/2023

Ta kashe Jaririya Yar kishiyar ta da wayan Wuta.

Hukumar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi ta k**a wata Mata mai suna Khadija Adamu Yar shekara 18 da haihuwa tana zarginta da kashe Yar kishiyar ta mai suna Hafsat Garba yar shekara 3 da haihuwa da duka da wayar Wuta sak**akon yin kashi a wando.

Bayan an garzaya da Jaririyar zuwa Asibiti likitoci s**a tabbatar da rasuwar ta.

Yanzu Haka dai tana tsare a hannun Hukumar Yansanda ta jihar Bauchi domin cigaba da bincike sai a tusa keyar ta zuwa kotu domin yanke mata hukunci.

10/10/2023

Defection of Bauchi NNPP guber candidate: Our party in Bauchi is intact _, NNPP assures supporters


The New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, in Bauchi State, , has explained that despite the gale of defection that hit the party led by the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the Party Senator Halliru Dauda Jika to the All Peogressive Congress APC the NNPP in Bauchi State is very much intact. Chieftain of the Party Alhaji Nazif Inuwa Malamin Kasuwa stated this today in Bauchi at the end of the State Executive Council meeting of the Party ,

He assured supporters of the party in the state that the structure that gave NNPP its popularity and acceptace , pkus the successes recorded in the 2023 election, is still intact, noting that NNPP will be victorious in 2027.

Nazif who is the State Youth Leader of the Party , said only three People left in the Executive Senator Jika, State Chairman of the Party and State Secretary but all other party structures from ward to local government and state are intact. He said: “I am appealing on members of the NNPP not to be distracted with the defection of three people.

I can assure you that the party is intact. Don’t be distracted. What is happening is just a mirage.

The State Publicity Secretary of the Party Ahmad Tijjani Aminu said "The recent proclamations made by our gubernatorial candidate in the event that took place on 26th September,2023 at the National headquarters Abuja.

The gubernatorial candidate and some members of our Party made some declarations that all Party executive at all levels, as well as candidates who participated in the 2023 general elections have decided to resign their membership of our great party in favor of joining the APC.

This announcement was not true and it does not reflect the true position on ground. It may be a slip of the tongue and in that respect we wish to unequivocally state our position that the party structure at all levels remain intact, with our serving member of Bauchi state House of Assembly, " Tijjani said "We however wish to affirm our membership, support and loyalty to our great party NNPP including its leadership as well as the leader of the party, His Excellency Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwan-kwaso.

We also promise to work tirelessly to ensure the success of our great party. We regret the resignation of some of our members who made their contributions to the achievements of our party and we wish them the very best".

He said" we must be aware that no matter the situation, our party is bigger than any individual, the announcement made by some members cannot be taken as a unanimous decision, as the great majority have decided to remain in the party".

10/10/2023

Hunters, vigilantees, neutralised 67 bandits rescue 29 kidnap victims in Bauchi State

Hunters, Vigilantees with the support of security operatives has neutralised 67 suspected kidnappers, rescued 29 kidnapped victims and recoverred arms in Lere District of Tafawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Village Head of Lere Alhaji Jamilu Aliyu Bawa explained this when he received the State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad in his Palace who went to the area to commisserate with the people over the activities of kidnappers and to encouraged them for the successes recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in the area.

He said the kidnappers and highway armed robbers terrorised the community in the last 41 days abducting people for ransom.

Jamilu said their activities worried the traditional and community leaders im the area whixh promted them to sought for support and permission from the Governor and security agencies to face the kidnappers in their enclaves inside the bush.

"With the support of Commissioner of Police and other security operatives their braved local hunters and vigilantees face the kidnappers neutralised 67 , and rescued all the abducted victims without ransom"

He expressed their gratitude to the governor for hus concern and examplary leadership style he is exhibiting among his citizens.

Responding Governor Bala Mohammed donated thirty motorcycles and the sum of ten million naira to the security outfuts in the area for their efforts in rescuing kidnapping and Banditry.

The governor said there is no hiding place for criminals in Bauchi state and commended the people of lere and Tafawa Balewa local Government area for supporting security agents in that regard.

Governor Bala warned the commumity and Traditional leaders hoarding or accomodating criminals to desist from such habit or who ever is arrested will be reprimanded.

He pledged to establish agency for security as part of effort to ensure the securityof lives and properties in the State.

State commissioner of Police CP Awwal Musa Mohammed said security agents would continue to support any community that is out to assist in that regard.

29/09/2023

Bauchi communities seek govt intervention over 6 weeks power blackout

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Bauchi state government has been urgently urged to come to the rescue of communities in Sabon Layi and Birshi Gandu in the Yelwa Area due to the current security threat posed by a total blackout experienced in the area for the past month.

The community is situated at Rafin Zurfi, in the Miri District of Bauchi Local Government Area, and has been without electricity for over 30 days following the removal of the old transformer by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.

The company had promised to repair the malfunctioning facility within a week but failed to fulfill its promise.

Mr Ayuba Habila Salem, the Chairman of the Birshi-Gandu Community Development Association, expressed concern while speaking to newsmen in an interview.

He stated that one transformer, especially an old one, was inadequate to supply the electricity needs of over 3,000 households with an estimated population of 10,000 people.

The Chairman of the Community, who submitted a letter written to the state Ministry of Power, Science, and Technology, mentioned that the association had no option but to request the government to assist with a new transformer, just as it had done for other communities in Bauchi.

Habila Salem also appealed to the state Ministry of Power, Science, and Technology to fulfill its promise, emphasizing that the month-long blackout had caused untold hardship to the residents of Sabon Layi Birshi Gandu, as the situation had paralyzed business activities within the community.

He further urged JEDCO to consider the financial loss in revenue the company will suffer during this period and the strain this blackout could put on the relationship between consumers of electricity services and the company if the repair of the old transformer is further delayed.