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Kwara evacuates 94 street beggars, to repatriate them after trial

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2025

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

In a bid to clear the society of miscreants and enhance security of the citizenry, Kwara State Government has evacuated no fewer than 94 beggars from the streets of Ilorin, the state capital, saying those arrested would be prosecuted and eventually repatriated to their various States after proper profiling.

The evacuation and planned repatriation of the street beggars, including 43 females and 51 males, was coordinated by the State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima Imam.

The exercise also involved the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Mikail Aileru, officers of the National Correctional Service in the State as well as officials of the Ministry, taking them to popular locations such as Geri Alimi, Tanke Junction, Offa Garage, Tipper Garage and Sango, among others.

Speaking with journalists during the exercise, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima Imam, said the state government had done two repatriation exercises of street beggars before now, adding that street begging is not allowed in Kwara State.

“We are actually evacuating and repatriating the street beggars. The reason is that we’ve made a lot of jingles before now to sensitise the public and make sure that they are well informed that street begging is a no-no in Kwara State. And we’ve done about two repatriations before now where we evacuated the streets beggars.

“And one thing we do is that we have the Ministry Magistrate where they are served sentences for at least one week, depending on the kind of punishment that is stipulated. For the children, we make sure that we take care of them till the period when the parents finish their terms of community service activities. We are in collaboration with the correctional centre and they’ve been doing a lovely job for us. We sincerely appreciate them.

“We sincerely appreciate the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his effort to make sure that Kwara State is free of street begging and street hawking and other social menace that is around us,” she said.

Imam said that the Kwara state government was always in touch with the state governments of the street beggars before they were returned to their respective states.

She admonished members of the public, who she said patronise the street beggars to desist, saying that: “You know, people want to give alms. So, if you want to give alms, there are better ways to give alms. Go to mosques or churches, go to the orphanage homes, go to centres where people truly need assistance. Stop patronising beggars.

“We want to urge the public to please refrain from patronising the beggars. It’s a menace in the society.”

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse, Prevention and Control, Haliru Olamilekan Mikail, lamented that most of the people that portray themselves as beggars peddle drugs.

“This exercise is not just about street begging alone. It’s about the security of our people. Some of the people are informants. These days, we talk about kidnapping and all that. They are not just there to beg for money.

“Do you know that some people brought them there to work for them? So this is why, as much as we are clamping down on street begging, we are making sure that our society is safe.

“We’ve done the advocacy on radio. There are a lot of information on radio and on the social media. It’s a continuous process.”

For his part, Head of Non-Custodian Unit, Nigeria Correctional Service, Kwara State Command, Mr. Adebayo Okunola, explained that the exercise is to clean the state of social menace while those arrested and tried by the appropriate court will be punished in line with the Correctional Act 2019.

“We have Correctional Act 2019 which empowered us that offences which are not criminal in nature are sentenced to non correctional service.

“The head of the Correctional Service Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche has mandated us to collaborate with the Kwara State Government to ensure that those arrested and tried by appropriate court are sentenced to non custodian unit. Then, we will ensure that they undergo punitive measures like sweeping gutters,” Okunola added.

End

community

Youth Empowerment: Farmers Association honour Dangote, Edwin

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2025

Our Reporter

Describe refinery as Nigeria’s economic pride

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Youth Farmers Organization for Agricultural Development in Nigeria has honoured the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the company’s Vice President, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, with Merit Awards of Excellence for their remarkable contributions to national growth and youth empowerment.

The presentation took place during a two-day advocacy visit and facility tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, where the youth farmers described the refinery as a “national pride” and a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial progress.

Speaking during the event, the National President of the Youth Farmers Organization, Abdulrahman Umar Etudaye, said the honour bestowed on Dangote as Grand Patron of the Group was in recognition of his commitment to nation-building, economic development, and empowerment of young Nigerians.

“Alhaji Aliko Dangote represents the spirit of hard work, vision, and patriotism. His contributions to the nation’s economy and his support for youth empowerment remain an inspiration to millions of Nigerians,” Etudaye said.

Similarly, Mr. Devakumar Edwin was honoured as Patron of the organization in appreciation of his exemplary leadership and continuous support for youth and agricultural development in the country.

Etudaye commended the Dangote Refinery for its world-class facilities and cutting-edge technology, noting that the project stands as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic transformation. “The refinery is a source of pride to every Nigerian. It represents hope for industrialization, job creation, and energy independence,” he added.

In response, Mr. Edwin thanked the Youth Farmers Organization for the recognition and applauded their commitment to promoting food security and national development, reaffirming Dangote Industries’ resolve to continue investing in youth-oriented projects that drive sustainable growth across the country.

“We remain committed to supporting young Nigerians through empowerment initiatives and by creating opportunities that will secure the nation’s future,” Edwin said.

The youth farmers also invited Mr. Edwin to chair their forthcoming National Food Security Summit in Abuja and extended a special invitation to Alhaji Dangote as Guest of Honour.

The organization pledged to strengthen its collaboration with stakeholders, including Dangote Industries, to advance agricultural development, food security, and youth empowerment for a more prosperous Nigeria.

End

community

Nigeria @65: Aondoakaaa urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

Our Reporter

A former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaaa, SAN has congratulated Nigerians on the 65th Independence Day Celebration of the country.

In his goodwill message to celebrate Nigerians on the special occasion, Chief Aondoakaaa, a frontline 2027 governorship aspirant in Benue State called on Nigerians to keep their hope in the administration of President Bola Tinubu alive.

He called on Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, stressing that with time, they will understand that the administration means well for the country.

According to him, October 1st is more than just a public holiday, noting that it’s a time for Nigerians everywhere to celebrate freedom, reflect on how far the nation has come, and look forward with hope.

Furthermore, Chief Kaase Aondoakaaa urged Nigerians to continue to grow together in unity and strength. He also urged them to keep the spirit of unity and love alive.

In his prayer for the nation, Chief Aondoakaaa prayed to God to make Nigeria’s future brighter than the past

He however implored Nigerians to continue to pray for all the leaders in the country as they are the ones God has chosen to lead.

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wanted bandit kingpin accepts peace deal in katsina

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2025

Our Reporter

A notorious bandit leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, who was recently declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, has reportedly accepted a peace deal in Katsina State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that Garwa, whose name features among 19 most-wanted terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, has turned up in Hayin Gada community, Faskari Local Government Area, presenting himself as an advocate of dialogue.

Garwa, originally from Kamfanin Daudawa village in Faskari LGA, has long been linked to killings, kidnappings and raids across forest belts in Katsina and neighbouring states.

Security experts describe him as part of a wider network of armed leaders destabilising the North-West and North Central through cross-border operations, exploiting of weak state presence.

Despite his bloody record, Garwa’s recent posture signals a possible shift in approach, as local leaders and security stakeholders weigh the implications of his acceptance of peace terms.

Reactions remain divided. While some residents see the development as a chance to restore calm in long-troubled communities, others question the sincerity of the bandit leader, recalling the atrocities attributed to his group.