Category: Northern Reports

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday signed into law N189 billion 2023 appropriation bill as he commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers for working with their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts in the interest of the state.

According to Tambuwal, members of the state assembly had demonstrated commitment and patriotism for the development of the state.

The governor appealed to stakeholders and government functionaries who would hopefully work on the implementation of the budget to dedicate themselves to the course to ensure effective and impacting implementation for the benefit of people of the state.

Tambuwal, whose two-term tenure of four years was approaching it end, thanked the judiciary for the good working relationship with the executive in the discharge of their duties effectively.

He hailed the civil society organisations and development partners who always participate in the budget process throughout his tenure and urged them to continue to give their best.

The governor thanked the Sultanate Council, traditional and religious leaders for supporting his administration while appreciating the dedication of the state civil servants and citizens of the state for their unflinching support towards the success of his administration.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Aminu Manya Achida said he was impressed with the achievements of the 2022 budget despite the financial problem faced by the country and the state.

According to Achida, Governor Tambuwal had recorded remarkable achievements in the areas of education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure among others while  adding that the 2023 budget is a balanced one that takes into cognizance some needs of the people, this its flexibility.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed concerns over the use of religion and tribal divisions as tools for campaigns by some politicians.

El-Rufai described the trend as very dangerous to the growth of democracy, adding that it is a threat to the unity of the country if allowed to continue.

Speaking at the commissioning of the headquarters of the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development in Kaduna, Governor El-Rufai, insisted that rather than use religion and ethnicity as tools for campaign, political parties and their candidates should focus on issues that are germane to national development and social stability.

Read Also: El-Rufai, CAN sad as bandits kill 28 in Southern Kaduna

He, however, appealed to religious leaders and traditional rulers to ensure that their institutions are not used by politicians to promote their interests at the detriment of national unity and cohesion, noting that what the citizens need are candidates with the capacity to deliver dividends of good governance to them.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar said the foundation is aimed at fostering unity between Christians and Muslims, as well as promoting education in the country, especially within the northern region.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described the ongoing construction of an ultramodern cancer centre in Kano state as a great development.

Shettima stated this when he paid an inspection visit to the site at Giginyu quarters in Kano.

The vice presidential candidate, who was conducted around the project by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the efforts and commitment of the governor for initiating and constructing the centre.

He advised other state governments to emulate the gesture.

Shettima also visited elder statesmen including Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, Brig-Gen Lawal Ja’afaru-Isa and Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

He said the purpose was to seek their blessings and advice.

”We are here to seek your elderly advice and seek your blessings; we need you to guide us so that we will lead the nation to greater heights,” he said.

The elder statesmen hailed the APC flag bearers’ zeal and commitment to move the nation forward.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

The Coordinating Committee on the Recovery of Outstanding Ground Rent and Other Related Charges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has announced that it will soon commence mass prosecution of titleholders, who have refused to pay their debt despite several appeals for them to come forward and clear the outstanding liabilities.

The committee said massive legal action (court cases), will begin in the first quarter of 2023 to ensure that all debtors are brought to face justice and perhaps, have their property forfeited.

 According to the committee, the information is to serve as the last reminder in the outgoing year and also form the basis for what defaulters should expect as we prepare to usher in year 2023.

It said since some of the Ground Rent debtors are recalcitrant in paying their prescribed fees, the Committee has no other option than to take this legal procedure, which might culminate in the final confiscation of the affected property.

As earlier explained, the Committee intends to consider publishing the names of all those, who have refused to honour their statutory obligation by clearing their outstanding liabilities, especially those whose cases are before the appropriate court of law.

Read Also: ‘Nigeria’s debt service costs to rise’

The publication of the names of the debtors already charged to court, the Committee believes will send a strong message to other defaulters that the FCT Administration is determined to recover the huge debt owed it by property owners in the Territory.

It will be recalled that a caveat has also been placed to deny such titleholders access to the property, and eventually forfeit the same to the government.

Accordingly, the caveat formally placed is expected to safeguard such properties from being tampered with, especially by attempting to sell or transfer ownership, because the matter is being heard in court.

ministration because such actions will serve as a deterrent to all those recalcitrant to honour their obligations. 

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director, Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Sule, the FCT Administration is determined to recover all Ground Rent debts owed by property owners in Abuja, and all necessary procedures will be followed to achieve this.

It would be recalled that the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adesola Olusade inaugurated a debt recovery committee with the mandate to recover the outstanding debts owed the FCT Administration with a particular interest in ground rents and other sundry fees in the Land Administration as well as other Land related departments.

Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya said with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS), there is no more room for electoral fraud, come 2023 poll.

Yahaya, who stated this yesterday in Tukulma ward in Akko Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe State, said prior to the introduction of the BVAS device, the card readers which were used in previous elections, were manipulated by some politicians for electoral fraud.

The governor said the BVAS had been introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avert such electoral fraud.

He said he remained confident that if the 2023 elections were to be held anytime, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates at all levels would win elections in the state.

“Before now, some people will sit in a room and write results, declaring whoever the winner of the election, but with BVAS, we are not scared because we have supporters,” he said.

Yahaya appealed to potential voters in the ward to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), adding that the PVCs remained the only tools for electorates to choose and determine their leaders during an election.

He called on women and youths to vote for Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the state, adding that a vote for his party would help sustain the good performances so far recorded by his administration in the state.

Earlier, the State Director-General, APC Campaign Council, Zubair Umar, appealed to supporters to collect their PVCs ahead of the 2023 general election to exercise their franchise.

Umar also called on youths to engage in peaceful politics and eschew violence.

He said that Yahaya needed no campaign for re-election because his administration had performed beyond expectations in all sectors.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) will continue to explore areas of cooperation and partnership with relevant public and private institutions to meet the training needs of beneficiaries in line with the objectives of the programme.

The Interim Administrator of the PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), who stated this in his goodwill message to PAP beneficiaries who recently graduated from various vocational training , held in three locations in Rivers State, identified manpower development as crucial to the successful implementation of the amnesty Programme.

According to a statement  by Special Assistant on Media to the Interim administrator, Thomas Peretu, Gen Ndiomu also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to continuously expose Niger Delta ex-agitators, captured under the programme, to various forms of training to enable them build capacity for greater productivity and self-reliance.

The Amnesty boss praised  the graduands for their show of ‘ resourcefulness, diligence and commitment’ to the training organised to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills they need to take full ownership of their lives beyond the amnesty Programme.

Maj. Gen Ndiomu said he has since assumption of office in September,  opened conversations with the heads of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to seek employment opportunities for ex-agitators who have been trained under the Programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to sustain their Positive disposition to the PAP, and assured them that the Federal Government remains committed to their welfare and wellbeing, promising to keep working towards consolidating on the gains of the amnesty Programme.

Resources Limited in Port Harcourt.

Ndiomu was represented at the graduation  by some PAP’s principal officers , including Mr. Wilfred Musa, Head of Reintegration, Mr. Freston Akpor, Special Adviser on Special Duties to the interim administrator and Mr. Amazuo Bereprebofa, Head of call centre.

•Monarch hails governor

As President Muhammadu Buhari plans to inaugurate legacy projects in Kogi State, the Ohi of Eika, Mallam Umar MomohJimoh Opewu has applauded Governor Yahaya Bello for his achievements in office especially the construction of Unity House, the newly built palace of Ohinoyi. 

The traditional ruler who called on the people to join hands with the governor in his determination to transform the state told reporters in his palace that the peace and security of lives and property being enjoyed in the state were as a result of the governor’s sleepless nights. 

While urging for continuous prayers for the governor, the traditional ruler said since the governor assumed office, he has succeeded in curbing the high rate of insecurity that bedevilled the state in the past.

He said: “The governor must be commended for the construction of the Reference Hospital, the Unity House, road construction, the establishment of a university, model Schools across the state and above all, uniting the people across the senatorial districts. 

“I have never witnessed this level of monumental and rapid development since the creation of this state. The special attention to the traditional rulers’ welfare and their involvement in the governance and security management of their various domains is novel and commendable. It is not in vain when you see Mr President coming to the state to commission some of these legacy projects amidst his crowded schedule. We appreciate Mr President for finding time to make us proud and for his support for the governor. 

“There’s no doubt that the governor has wiped away the tears of the people in so many communities, especially those who had never experienced any development project in their areas. The model schools, and hospitals among other signature projects will certainly provide employment and job opportunities for the locals and beyond. And considering the multiplier effect of that, it would address poverty reduction and a boom in economic activities. We, the people of Eika commend the governor and welcome the President to Kogi State”.