The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Kwara Gov, MDAs hold policy talks on 2024 budget

    Kwara Gov, MDAs hold policy talks on 2024 budget

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday led policy direction talks with top officials to guide government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as different stakeholders commence preparations for the 2024 budget.

    This is coming ahead of the citizens’ budget engagements, which are due to begin shortly.

    The Governor said the budget will prioritise the completion of the ongoing capital projects and inauguration of same to improve living standards and create more jobs for the people of the state, as well as on social protection to support the vulnerable.

    He also said that the government will continue to prioritise the workers’ welfare, including making provision for discussions around the new minimum wage.

    The Policy Direction hangout for Kwara State 2024 Budget Preparation was attended by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Hon. Gabriel Ganiyu Abolarin, who stood in for the House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu; cabinet members led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prince AbdulKadir Aliyu Mahe; Permanent Secretaries; and directors of planning.

    “In the new year, our focus will be to complete and inaugurate many of our projects, thereby creating jobs for the people. Workers’ welfare and social protection for the vulnerable will remain a top priority,” the Governor said.

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    “The government will also make provision for discussions around the new minimum wage. We will also strengthen our ease of doing business efforts through advocacies, legislations, and collaboration with all players in the economy.

    “The direction of our administration has been clearly outlined in the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP: 2021-2030). The 10-year economic blueprint detailed our policy objectives and priorities. I urge every cabinet member and government official to familiarise themselves with this key document, along with a few others like the Agricultural Transformation Plan.

    “Our projects, programmes, policy pronouncements, and other priorities as an administration have been inspired by the visions expressed in these documents. For that reason, the 2024 budget will be tailored to the same objective.

    “On top of this agenda is human capital development which include access to quality education, sanitation facility, infrastructural upgrade and expansion, improved and diversified economic base and revenue generation, strong fiscal base, youth empowerment, social protection, and gender inclusion, sustainable environment, sustainable energy, sports development, food security through promotion of smallholder and commercial agriculture, safety of lives and property, and create the right environment for capital investments.”

    He charged all government officials in the state to act in their various duty posts in line with the current economic reality, as the government continues to meet obligations and impact the lives of Kwarans.

    Prince Mahe, for his part, said the 2024 budget policy direction hangout was an important moment for the state to discuss the financial roadmap that will guide it in the coming year.

    He encouraged all key stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and provide valuable insights in the course of deliberation on the budget.

    Hon. Sabi, in his introductory remarks, said the event was aimed at providing step-by-step directions to make the 2024 budget preparation task easier and implementable.

    He thanked AbdulRazaq for his outstanding leadership style and support for the Ministry, especially the approval to train officers on zero-based budgeting systems and processes.

    The event also devolved into a question and answer session during which permanent secretaries sought clarifications and made observations on different developments affecting their ministries, including the need to adopt the new Energy Act and some current economic trends in the country and how to mitigate them.

  • ‘Review age employment policy’

    ‘Review age employment policy’

    Senator Abbah Umoru had moved a motion on the floor of the Senate that the government should review policy on age employment by moving it from twenty or thirty years to at least forty years considering the dynamism of the society the country operate today.

    Senator Umoru told the Coalition of Youths and students representing National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYC), the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), IPUSU Community Youth Forum, Tiv Youths Development Association in Abuja during a courtesy call.

    He stated that his constituency was drastically affected by the unemployment in the country.

    According to the Senator, “When the youths in my constituency could not access employment, I encouraged them to go back to school, by the time they finished their Masters, PHD, they have grown beyond the stipulated government age, this of course affects the whole country, not only my constituency, the government should look critical into this situation.

    “This is the reason why I moved the motion that government should reconsider the guidelines and policies that inhibits regular employment of the youths who have graduated from school,  point of note again is most of these people pay their ways through school and come out to nothing, very demoralizing.

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    “I would want for the public to note that the proposal I made in my motion is not to impose employees on employers contrary to the situation making round. The intent is for Nigerians to appreciate the dynamic nature of the society and the predicament that we face in present Nigeria in terms of employment”.

    The representative of the Coalition of the Nigerian Youths and students Association Comrade Enjor Ichile Ezah said Nigerian youths are solidly behind Senator Umoru for spearheading the bill for youths to get jobs even above thirty to forty years.

    He assured that the youths will mobilize and come out to support the bill.

  • ‘Kaduna elders will support Sani to end insecurity, poverty’

    ‘Kaduna elders will support Sani to end insecurity, poverty’

    Kaduna State Elders and Senior Citizens have pledged their commitment to support the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani to succeed in his efforts to free the state from the shackles of insecurity, and poverty.

    The elders said they are determined to lend their support towards Governor Sani’s  mission of revitalizing agriculture and boosting the rural economy.

    Speaking on behalf of the elders after a meeting with the Governor at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, former Military Administrator of River State, General Zamani Lekwot (Rtd),said Governor Sani has started well.

    Gen Lekwot said: “As elders, our duty is to offer seasoned advice, building on our experience of the past. Today’s session was very vibrant, full of fact and hope. The key issues had to do with, the insecurity, and how to free Kaduna State from the shackles of insecurity. If that is done, the rural areas and urban centers will be free so that the citizens can freely move in pursuit of their happiness.” He added.

    “The other crucial issue was the economic empowerment, how to resuscitate agriculture in particular. We know that agriculture is our cultural heritage, if enough food is grown and circulated, inflation will come down and every citizen will have something to eat than a course, the welfare of the citizens, how to combat poverty, how to empower the poor.

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    “Another good area he (the governor) touched on that impressed us is how to make sure that every school-age going child goes to school in order to lay a good foundation for their future progress. If that area succeeds, that will curb the current insecurity that we are facing. So, as elders, we have promised to do our best to support him to succeed in order to take our state to the promised land.”

    Former Kaduna State Head of Service and National Organising Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, said: “We listened attentively to the submission of our Governor on his four-month scorecard, very articulate, down to earth. We have seen in him a person who will transform the rural areas, by doing that, people will be employed, peace will be maintained, and less instances of insecurity.”

    The elders called on the people of Kaduna State to give Governor Sani maximum support for him to succeed.

    “We are appealing to everybody, to please give support to the Governor on what he intends to do. He is very detribalized, in his dictionary, there is no ethnicity, no differences or religion. Everything should be based on merit, need and the fear of God. So, this is our appeal to all our people in Kaduna State to give our Governor maximum support for him to succeed.”

    Governor Sani stated that, his government, has been very lucky since it came in, saying that, the senior citizens and the elders have been giving the government all the support it required.

    He said: “Today, you can see that they are the leading statesmen in our State. In the past, they held various positions, they contributed their quota towards the development of our state and nigeria, that is why we identified them and we invited them.

    “Today’s meeting was very fruitful, we talked about a number issues, the issue of insecurity and how we can be able to work together with them to address the problem of insecurity. We also discussed the issue of infrastructural development, particularly in our rural areas, we listened to their own advice, their input, and of course, we are going to use their advice because most of them held positions like I said in the past.”

  • Kogi Governor Bello visits Education minister

    Kogi Governor Bello visits Education minister

    The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, yesterday visited the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, in Abuja.

    Governor Bello’s visit had a dual purpose: firstly, to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the minister on his well-deserved appointment, and secondly, to provide an update on the remarkable progress and developments in the field of education within Kogi State under his administration.

    In a warm reception of the governor who was accompanied by Aisha Bello an engineer, Prof Mamman expressed deep appreciation and commended the outstanding developmental achievements witnessed in Kogi State under Governor Bello’s leadership.

    He emphasized that the governor’s remarkable efforts in the education sector had garnered significant recognition.

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    Prof Mamman praised the establishment of another state-owned university, the second within the span of Governor Bello’s seven-year administration.

    He expressed admiration for the governor’s unwavering commitment to advancing the objectives of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC).

    The minister gave assurance that both he and the entire ministry management were fully dedicated to realizing the education-related goals set by Mr. President for Nigeria.

    Prof Mamman expressed confidence in Mr. President’s capability to effect positive transformations, emphasizing that his ministry would spare no effort in supporting the administration to fulfill its educational mandate.

  • Olorunfemi’s death: Wike raises nine-man investigative panel

    Olorunfemi’s death: Wike raises nine-man investigative panel

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike has constituted  a nine-man independent and investigative panel, consisting of the Nigerian Medical Association, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Association of Resident Doctors, others  are the Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, General Counsel, FCTA and the Health Services Department (as the Secretariat) to investigate the death of 33 year-old Ms. Greatness Tolulope Olorunfemi.

    The minister expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, while also expressing his unwavering commitment to assuring that the investigation would be conducted with the utmost transparency, integrity and professionalism.

    A statement by the office of the mandate secretary, Health Service & Environment Secretariat (FCT), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe and signed by the Assistant Director, Badiru Salisu Yakassi, said the investigative panel would be inaugurated on today at the health and environment secretariat.

    The secretariat, while appreciating the patience and understanding of the people, also promised that the findings of the panel will be made available to the public as soon as it’s concluded.

    Recall that Olorunfemi was a victim of robbery, popularly called “one chance,” in Abuja.

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    She was stabbed and thrown out of a moving vehicle along the Maitama-Kubwa highway.

    Information gathered by The Nation revealed on September 26, after the incident occurred, the victim was taken to the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, where she was confirmed dead.

    Until her death, Olorunfemi was the Assistant Secretary and Public Relations Officer of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Abuja Chapter. She was also a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) network.

  • UNIABUJA VC: Students to undertake drug test before admission

    UNIABUJA VC: Students to undertake drug test before admission

    Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah has said that students who intend to study in the university must undertake and present a drug test before admission.

    Na’allah, who made this known at the 27th Pre- Convocation briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the institution is working with NDLEA to rehabilitate students involved in drug abuse.

    He said drug status of students is important in order to help students to be free from drugs.

    Though he said the students would not be sent out from school if involved in drug abuse, but rather be rehabilitated in collaboration with the NDLEA.

    The vice chancellor also said that 7,128 undergraduate students would be graduating at the school’s convocation slated for Saturday. He listed those that would be graduating to also include 100 PhDs, 326 academic Masters and 346 Professional Masters.

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    He said 40 students would be graduating with First Class , 474 with Second Class Upper, 944 Second Class Lower, 174 with 3rd Class and One Pass degree. He, however, said the university had banned Pass degree going forward. He added that the university would also confer Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters on Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas, Houston for his role in the development and growth of the institution and other African universities at large.

    The vice chancellor also explained that the institution would be introducing Russia Language as part of the general courses that students must pass before graduating.

    This, he said is to make new knowledge available to students.

    “The university has developed into a global university with the offering of different languages, which include Japanese, French, Portuguese among others.

    “Efforts are though being made to bring in full some of the foreign languages as degrees programmes but the varsity has made it a compulsory in General Studies that every student must study and pass a foreign language before graduation.

    “We are going to offer Russia language in addition to the foreign languages we offer. Students are made to offer and pass one of these foreign languages,”he said.

    While noting the efforts made by the university to achieve its mandates, he said it has embarked on fund raising for alumni, philanthropists and also identifying foundations that would help in sponsoring researches, trainings and others.

    He also disclosed the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved 26 new academic programmes for the university.

    According to him the university will now offer some of the new courses starting from 2023/2024 academic session.

     The courses include Nursing, Communication and Media Studies, Pharmacy, Tourism and hospitality, Agricultural engineering ,among others.

  • Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has lamented the number of out-of-school children in the state which he put at 680,000 currently.

    Noting that the figure is alarming and unacceptable, Governor Sani urged all stakeholders to support the government to help reverse the trend for the state to make meaningful progress in the fight against insecurity, illiteracy and building a better future.

    The governor was speaking during a meeting with senior citizens and elders from Kaduna State yesterday to brief them on the activities of his administration so far.

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    He said that his administration has embarked on the construction of over sixty-two new secondary schools through a $28 million Kuwait fund to address the classroom deficit in Kaduna State.

    Governor Sani also highlighted the current challenges of insecurity in the state and the urgent need for all hands to be on deck.

    While commending the governor for his open-door policy, the elders resolved to collaborate with the government on policy, security, development and other pertinent matters concerning the state.

  • Tinubu committed to restoration of security in Northeast, says Shettima

    Tinubu committed to restoration of security in Northeast, says Shettima

    • From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

    Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday in Abuja assured that President Bola Tinubu would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the restoration of total security in the North East.

    Shettima gave the assurance when the board and management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) presented the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) to him at the Presidential Villa.

    He implored the commission to prioritise investments in legacy projects, including agriculture, education and smart transportation also referred to as electric transport vehicles and tricycles.

    The vice president also urged the commission to be prudent with its resources and invest in projects that will have a lasting impact on the region.

    ”I will ask the board and management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to embark on legacy projects; projects that will stand the test of time. It is absolutely essential that you invest in agriculture, invest in new transport technology – electric tricycles and vehicles. If you invest in smart transportation it will have a sea change and you can even attract climate funding,” he said.

    Shettima, who pledged unalloyed support for the commission to actualise all of its objectives, urged its board and management to unite as a team and do what was right for the people.

    He acknowledged numerous challenges confronting the people of the region, noting that they could be surmounted if the people and leaders work together.

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    Shettima, however, expressed optimism that the region could overcome its challenges if there was a will.

    According to him, government cannot manage poverty, it has to fight it.

    The vice president emphasised the need for the commission to embark on projects that would further engage the youths and create jobs.

    Shettima noted that although sharing of palliatives was good, the commission must invest in education, agriculture and electric vehicles which, according to him, are key areas for development.

    Chairman of the NEDC board, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa, said the purpose of the visit and presentation of the master plan was to highlight the importance of the document and to ensure its implementation.

    Also, the commission’s Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said the master plan was in fulfilment of section 8 (1) (c) of the NEDC Act.

    The act stipulates that the commission shall develop a master plan based on the needs assessment of the zone.

  • AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara Sugar Film Factory takes shape

    AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara Sugar Film Factory takes shape

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday inspected the trendy sugar film factory, one of the administration’s iconic projects which seeks to refocus the state’s economy for job creation, youth empowerment, and improved standard of living.

    Designed to make Kwara a major hub in the last mile movie production and creative industry in west Africa, the facility earned its name from the nostalgic Tate and Lyle Sugar Factory which collapsed in the 1990s, in what underscored the Governor’s rich sense of history. 

    The project is one of those being funded from the bond the state accessed in 2021.

    In a brief interview with reporters at the project site, AbdulRazaq noted that the contents of Nollywood are increasingly dominating the world but that efforts must be geared towards improving production quality for them to compete with Hollywood and Bollywood.

    “Our huge investment in the creative industry is to expand the economic base of the state and deepen the creative industry. That’s the way to go. Everyone sees our state as a civil service state. We want to change that. We want to make this state a destination for high-quality movie production,” he told journalists shortly after he was conducted round the facility by Project Manager Kamaldeen Abolarin.

    “It is about thinking outside the box. You’ve seen how Nigeria’s music has dominated the world. You’ve seen how Nollywood has dominated the world. It is important for Nollywood to move from what some may call videos to cinematography. It is about expanding the quality of what we produce. So that Nigerian movies can feature more on the international scene. We have very rich contents, but we need to invest in the quality of our production. Our facility offers this.

    “Gradually, we are getting there. You’ve seen our films on Netflix and other global platforms but we want more of our films there. What India has done is to improve the quality of films, that’s what we want to offer here in Kwara.”

    He expressed satisfaction at the progress of work done, hoping that the contractor will deliver it for operation in the next few months.

    “So far, so good. I am impressed. More equipment are coming in. Very soon, we will start film production in the state, and people will be coming in from outside the state to do the last-mile production of their movies in the state. And that means a great boost to the economy,” he added. 

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    “We are open to partnerships, and we, of course, invite film producers and others in the creative industry to work with us.”

    The facility, which is the first phase, has been furnished to taste as contractors commence installation of different high-tech gadgets and world-class sound stages and studios. 

    The film factory, specifically, is equipped with cyclorama studio; 2 TV production studios; large independent film production studio; Green Rooms; makeup facilities; training rooms; photography studios; co-working offices; buildings suites; and large canteen.

    Like the innovation hub, international conference centre, industrial park, garment factory, and others, the sugar film factory is carefully linked with the visual arts centre whose components include a Dolby-fitted studio, indicating an emerging local economy built around creative industry, innovation, and enterprise, and dominated by young people. 

  • Wike to partner Israel on food security in Abuja

    Wike to partner Israel on food security in Abuja

    Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, said the ministry would partner with Israeli experts in developing technology-backed farms to promote agriculture and food production in Abuja.

    The minister said such collaboration was needed to create massive employment for the youths as well as address food insecurity.

    Wike stated this when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, in Abuja.

    The minister also stated that the administration has initiated plans to develop a technology village and would welcome collaboration with credible individuals and organisations.

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    He informed the ambassador that the administration’s efforts towards improving revenue generation were responsible for the recent directive on the payment of ground rate.

    According to him, the policy was not meant to embarrass any person or organization.

    Freeman said if his country’s initiative is accepted, notable Israeli experts would come in to help in many ways.

    He added that Israeli was prepared to establish digital centre in the nation’s capital, where youths and other interested people can acquire relevant technological skills for digital economy.