Category: Northern Report

From Sola Shittu, Gombe

Gombe State Governor and Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has applauded the emergence of former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as an opportunity to serve the party.

He also hailed the election of former Senate spokesman, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as National Secretary of the party. 

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

The two party officials were elected at the 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party which held  in Abuja.

Yahaya, in a statement signed by his Director-General, Press Affairs, Malam Ismaila Uba Misilli, said: “Your distinguished tenure as the Governor of Kano State demonstrated your commitment to the welfare of the people and the development of our great party and nation.

“As the newly elected National Chairman, you hold a critical position in steering our great party towards a united and prosperous future. Your experience and strategic vision will be vital in addressing the challenges ahead and harnessing the collective strength of the APC to bring about positive change for all Nigerians.

“I am confident that under your able guidance, the party will chart a course of progress, inclusivity, and good governance that will resonate with citizens across the country in line with President BolaTinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra.’’

The governor praised the leadership of President Tinubu, which he said, facilitated the smooth conduct of the caucus and NEC meetings that produced the new helmsmen of the APC.

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday received members of the family of the late political icon and former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on a ‘thank you visit’ in Abuja, following the nomination of their son Shaibu as minister.

Recounting the process that led to the choice of Prince Shaibu Audu, the governor emphasised that equity, fairness, and justice always come first in his decision-making.

He stressed the importance of unity and tolerance among the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, stating that tribal sentiment has no place in modern politics.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

Bello assured the minister-designate, Prince Shaibu, of his support, believing he would make the nation proud by building on his father’s legacy.

“This is an opportunity for you to build on your father’s legacy. The joy that accompanied your nomination worldwide must be sustained through how you conduct yourself and lead the people. I have no doubt you will make the nation proud,” the governor stated.

Bello thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity, assuring of the state’s support for his administration.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Eke Maimunat Audu, expressed appreciation to Bello for submitting Prince Audu’s name for the ministerial appointment.

He said they were confident that the minister-designate would deliver with excellence, making both the state and Nigeria proud.

Prince Kabir Arome Audu said their late father’s wish was for his legacy of good governance and a united Kogi to continue.

He praised Bello for providing a platform for the existence of Audu’s legacy in politics by nominating Prince Shaibu.

The family commended the governor for attending Shaibu’s screening at the National Assembly last Friday.

Prince Shuaib is an Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC. He holds an MBA from the University of Oxford, and an MSC in International Securities and Investment Banking from the ICMA centre of Henley Business School, University of Reading.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed rumours that he is at loggerheads with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

In his first interactive session with reporters at the Government House Makurdi, on Saturday,  Alia said: “I have no problem with Senator Akume, who is my leader. We are planning to host the SGF at a reception but his busy schedule has not permitted him,  and described the rumour as the work of enemies who are hell-bent on bringing acrimony in between them.”

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

On why some bank accounts of Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) remained frozen, Alia said such accounts had been used to perpetrate fraud.

“I know, I will meet rot in government, but never imagine that such monument fraud, occasion by brazen looting of humongous monies, by the outgone administration is what I will meet,” said Alia.

He assured reporters that he would carry them along in the running of his administration.

He however assured that very soon the account would be unfrozen.

The priest also denied involvement in the election of principal officers of the Benue State House of Assembly, where the party hierarchy endorsed a female member as Speaker, but another member emerged.

“After the proclamation of the House, which is a constitutional requirement for me, I immediately left the chamber with my deputy. So, I have no business with the election of principal officers of the Assembly.

The Vice President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone D,  Comrade Kris Atsaka, praised Alia for appointing one of their own, Sir Kulas Tersoo as Chief Press Secretary and called on the governor to give more attention to the upgrading of state-owned media houses .

 Sir Tersoo said the meeting was to interface with the governor and chart a way forward for his administration.

While soliciting their support for his principal,  Sir Tersoo said his door is open 24 hours for reporters to cross-check and balance their stories.

The Kano State Government is set to activate 250 cooperative groups across the state as an  empowerment strategy.

The new Special Adviser on Cooperative Groups to Governor Kabiru Yusuf, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas-Kiru, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday.

He said the government would help establish and empower such cooperative groups as well link the members up with finance and banking institutions to enable them access intervention funds and ease their businesses.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

He said: “Governor Abba Yusuf has a comprehensive socio-economic development plan for our Kano State.

“He is determined to stimulate and enhance commerce and industrialisation, energy, security as well as climate change initiatives in the state.

“The administration has equally resolved to deliver quality and accessible healthcare services, functional education, rural development and water supply.”

The aide explained that various cooperative societies covering different trades, including agriculture, commerce, handicrafts, artisans and transportation, would be selected, trained and empowered across the state.

According to him, the empowerment strategy is in line with global digitalisation.

“A majority of our people are in rural areas and lack adequate knowledge and benefits of cooperativism. They rarely belong or form cooperative societies.

“They are also deficient in modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) and how it is driving socio-economic activities,” Abbas-Kiru, also National President of the Market and Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN), said.

The National President, Benue Concerned Friends Initiative (BENCOFI), Hon. Norgba Orvave, has appealed for peace between the Tiv and Idoma people over the appointment of  George Akume and nomination of a Tiv, Joseph Utsave as minister.

Orvave, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja, said:  “The recent happenings in the state, regarding political decisions seem to create bad blood among the party hierarchy and this bad blood is drifting towards soiling the relationship between the state and the federal government, which should not happen.

“The appointment of George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is aligning with the government at the centre and we see this as great things coming the way of Benue State.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

“We are calling on the Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to embark on wide consultations before taking any administrative decisions and actions. We cannot shut our mouths and fold our hands to watch our state degenerates into what we suffered with the immediate past administration.

“We equally call stakeholders in Benue State to have a rethink, join hands with the SGF in attracting the dividends of democracy to Benue State. Those calling for the sack of Sen. Akume should please have a rethink,  considering that the SGF has always been detribalised and sensitive to all issues pertaining Benue without an iota of reservation and also the dividends the entire state stands to benefit.”

The group called on the Tiv and Idoma to focus on a common goal of moving the state.

From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum has called for collaboration between the University of Ibadan (UI) and Borno State University.

The governor, an alumnus of UI, who brokered a meeting between the visiting Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale and his Borno State University counterpart, Prof. Umar Sandabe, said state university has a lot to benefit from the UI, the premier university in Nigeria.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

At a meeting also attended by the Registrars of both institutions and other top officers, Adebowale said the 75-year-old UI operates the committee system, which regulates the university’s activities.

He assured the fledgling four-year-old state university that UI was ready to provide manpower development for the academic and non-academic staff.

Sandabe said although the state university appreciates the mentoring roles of the University of Maiduguri, it would be willing to cooperate with UI, especially in the Post-Graduate training of its young lecturers and non-academic staff.

He said the state university has 30 programmes in four faculties and would graduate its first set in February, next year.

Sandabe said the faculties would soon be expanded, and more manpower would be required.

He stated that the university would align with the integrity and robustness of UI products and programmes.

The two VCs agreed to sign a Memoranda of Understanding and Agreement to foster a sustainable relationship.

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) plans to reduce school activities that are not necessary to cut costs, following the increase in the standard of living as a result of the removal of petrol subsidy.

They also plan to hike school fees and other services in the next academic session which commences next month.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

The National President of NAPPS, Chief Abayomi Otubela, stated this at the groundbreaking  of the N800 million NAPPS National Secretariat Conference Centre in Bwari, Abuja.

He said: “Undoubtedly, this is a challenging time for all, touching every sector of the economy, private schools not exempted. In response to these challenges, we came together as an association.

“We decided that there was a need to reduce some activities that are not directly necessary to academic activities to reduce cost.

“We also agreed that only core curricular activities that can make an immediate impact would be focused on. It was also agreed that some of our social activities that involve financial expenses would be reduced, while we consider the suggestions to get staff quarters within the school environment to reduce transportation cost of teachers and other staff.”

 Otubela said an increase in teachers’ salary and other staff was inevitable, but cannot be implemented without a corresponding increase in school fees and other services.He said parents and guardians should be prepared to pay more.

 “Surely, parents would feel the impact of this decision. Many of our member-schools have parked their school buses because of the huge cost of running them. Besides, it was never profitable. Parents would have to choose hostel facilities or find other means of bringing their children to school. But we are also looking at support from the government to secure a loan at a single digit interest. We have suggested the establishment of an education bank where the government can make funds available for investors in the education sector to develop themselves and facilities,” .

The NAPPS chief also suggested that the government provide empowerment for teachers in private schools because they teach and train children who would be useful to the country and not to others.

The former Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO), Bala Inuwa Mohammed and four others will, today, appear before a Kano High Court on a 10-count charge of diverting and misappropriating over N4 billion grant from the state government.

The Kano State Government, through the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC), accused the respondents of diverting the huge cash meant for KASCO into their private accounts and that of their accomplices.

Read Also: ‘Going natural cured my migraines’

Other respondents in the 10-coint charge are Bala Inuwa Muhammad;  Mrs Halima Bala Inuwa; Najib Lawan Muhammad; Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends

The respondents are to be arraigned on criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation and making false statements (and) or return contrary to  the Penal Code and Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission laws of Kano State.

The 10-count charges were preferred under Sections 121 (1), 123 (1)(a), and 126 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (2019).

PCACC would be presenting five witnesses,  charge sheet; list of witnesses and their statements; summary of statements of witnesses; the summary of evidence; copies of the statements of the Defendant (s) and other exhibits, while preferring the case against the Defendants.

The application dated August 3, 2023 and signed by Assistant Director, Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu M. Tahir (ESQ) and Principal State Counsel, Kano State Ministry of Justice, Zaharaddeen H. K/Mata (ESQ), recalled: “Sometime in August 2022 to 3rd April, 2023 or thereabout N4,67,290,742 only was credited into Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd’s ( KASCO) Account No. 1014477161 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and Unity Bank Account No. 0005195864 from Kano State Federal Allocation Account No. 4968083012 domiciled in FCMB within Kano Judicial Division in the name of grant, but you dishonestly misappropriated and converted the whole sum belonging to Kano State Government meant for grant to the State owned Company (KASCO) to other accounts including your personal accounts, you thereby committed an offence under section 308 punishable under section 309 of the Penal Code Law.”

The application further stated that the First Defendant,  Bala Inuwa Muhammed, a former Managing Director of KASCO, unlawfully transferred  N20,000.000 into the personal account of one Mr. Mu’azu Shehu Ahmad domicile in FCMB with Account No. 9227966015 from the KASCO Account No. 1014477161 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc within Kano Judicial Division.

He was also accused of misappropriating the sum belonging to Kano State Government meant for grant to state-owned company, thereby committing an offence under Section 308 of the Penal Code punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Law.

Muhammed was also accused of diverting and transfering N78, 605,000 to one Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro through account of a business name STL Enterprises with account number 7085982019 domiciled in FCMB under the false pretence of supplying 190065.125 unit of Dolomite material which is not meant to be and was never supplied;and  thereafter made false return with goods received note No.2659.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (as amended),” it added.

“That you, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, male, adult being a former Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd. (KASCO) unlawfully transferred N30,000,000 only into the cooperate Account of incorporated trustees of Ganduje Foundation domiciled in FCMB with Account No. 1176213017 within Kano Judicial Division you misappropriated and converted the said sum belonging to Kano State Government meant for Subsidy on Fertiliser.

“You thereby committed an offence under section 308 punishable under section 309 of the Penal Code Law

“That you, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, male, adult being a former Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd. (KASCO) and a Founder of Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends (5th Defendants) transaction.

” You thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (as amended),” the Application stated.

“That you, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, male, adult being a former Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd. (KASCO) and a Founder of Incorporated Trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends (5th Defendants) and signatory to both KASCO and the 5th Defendant, sometime in the month of August, 2022 to 3rd April, 2023 or thereabout the sum of N3,275,685,742.00 (Three Billion, Two Hundred And Seventy Five Million, Six hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Seven Hundred And Forty Two Naira) only were credited into Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd’s (KASCO) Account No. 1014477161 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and Unity Bank Account No. 0005195864 from Kano State Federal Allocation Account No. 4968083012. domiciled in FCMB within Kano Judicial Division in the name of grant to the state owned company and thereafter you diverted the said sum into the 5th Defendant’s Account No. 1011994467 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, and you criminally conspired with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants and transferred the said sum into different accounts belonging to, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants and your Personal Bank Account without any justifiable reason.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Law.”

The former KASCO Managing Director was also accused of co-opting some staff of KASCO into the racket and  illegally transferred various sums of money into their accounts at different times.

“That you, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, male, adult being a former Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd. (KASCO) and being an officer in the public service of Kano State, on or before 24th October 2022 while attempting to convince the staff of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company Ltd. (KASCO) to make false statement in covering your wrong doing, transferred the sum fifteen million naira only (15, 500,000:00k) to the personal account of the following staff:

“Abdullahi Ibrahim, N200, 000; Aminu Sadik, N100, 000; Aminu Fagge, N100, 000; Umar Alhassan, N500,000:00; Surajo Lawman, N500, 000; Safiyanu Sakuwa, N200, 000;  Nura Yusuf, N500,000:00; Muhammad Najib Lawman, N5,000,000:00.”