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Tag: Abdullahi Ganduje

  • Why we killed tenure elongation for Oyegun, others — Ganduje

    KANO State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday explained why he joined other party members to frustrate the bid by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other party leaders to elongate their tenure.

    His explanation came ahead of another emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party, which is expected to end the ongoing controversy about the tenure of the party’s leaders at all levels.

    The governor, who spoke at an interactive session with select journalists in Abuja yesterday, said they were against the tenure elongation idea because it would affect the fortunes of the party and portray it as undemocratic.

    He said that those of them who were not in support of the idea had managed to convince the governors in favour of it to jettison it and embrace an elective convention where new leaders will emerge.

    Ganduje also declared his intention to seek re-election as Kano State governor in 2019, adding that the state has concluded plans to drag President Muhammadu Buhari to court if he fails to seek re-election for a second term.

    The governor said the contentious tenure elongation issue would be resolved at the party’s NEC meeting scheduled for Monday where a committee would be put in place to conduct congresses to elect leaders at all levels.

    He said that the few APC governors who were campaigning for tenure elongation, which he described as “illegal”,  had been convinced to see reasons why it should not be.

    Ganduje also revealed that Monday’s NEC meeting was expected to decide on the date and time table for congresses and convention of the party, which will bring in a new set of leaders at all levels.

    “Yes, there was controversy on this, even though we  were able to lay it to rest yesterday,” he said.

    “But let me tell you the issues involved: those who are advocating for tenure elongation are advocating on the premise that when we hold congresses and convention, according to their own perception, there will be a lot of problems and that problem will linger into election period.

    “Well, that is a perception. It could be that way, and it could be that some people wanted to retain power. Therefore, that reason is biased. However, I don’t belong to that school of thought.

    “The constitution of our party has made a provision for four years, and at the end of it, we have to hold congresses and convention.

    “The constitution of Nigeria has also provided for that, so we have no reason whatsoever.

    “If you are saying that there would be some problems, problems are part of ingredients of politics. There is no way you can practice democracy in a developing country without having some problems.

    “There must be problems. There must be divergent views and disagreements. There will never be a time that things will be 100 per cent normal. So even if there is a problem, that is part of democracy, and we will be able to move forward.

    “So, for those who thought they would be able to continue, we said no, and I think Mr. President finally hit the nail on the head by saying that he is not in favour of any tenure elongation.

    “Tenure elongation is undemocratic. It may lead us to litigation, which will not be good for the party.

    “We are happy that we have convinced the few governors who were for elongation, and on Monday, we hope to have our NEC meeting where the previous decision will be reversed, and by then, the timetable will be out for congresses at the ward level, congress at local government level, congress at the state level and finally convention at the national level.

    “I think that is the situation, and I am happy to say that the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum issued a statement,  the chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum also issued a statement and the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, made a statement as well to say that all is well.”

    Speaking on his decision to seek second term in office, Ganduje said: “In Kano, people are saying four plus four, that is they are urging me to contest again.

    “But I too feel that in order to continue with the good development that we have started, development requires some time, and the constitution has given four years and another four years in order to consolidate what one has started.

    “I am convinced that I too will seek for second term and people are also urging me to do so. Eventually, it will be left to the people to decide whether I am qualified or not.”

    On why President Buhari must re-contest in 2019, the governor said: “APC governors want Mr. President to continue.

    “I am happy that it is not the President that said he wants to continue, it is the people that are saying continue.

    “But Mr. President has not made up his mind yet.

    “When he came to Kano, I told him that any time he decides not to contest, we will take him to court.

    “Kano State Government will take him to court any time he decides not to contest. So we are waiting for him.

    “In this country, we saw presidents who spent billions of naira for third term. So what is the ruse about a constitutional second term?”

  • Kano, World Bank to construct 500 km rural roads

    Kano State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank to construct 500 kilometres of roads in rural areas of the state.

    A statement by Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, made available to newsmen in Kano on Monday, said the roads would be constructed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project ( RAAMP ).

    The statement said that the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Musa Kwankwaso, indicated during an inspection tour of projects by the governor that each of the 44 local government areas would have 10 kilometres.

    It said that the roads were meant to open up rural communities for enhanced social and economic development.

    The statement added that the state government had since established Rural Access Mobility Directorate to institutionalize the project and ensure its sustainability in line with global best practices.

    “While the World Bank intervention concentrates on both rural roads and mobility of agricultural products from within rural communities to urban areas, the state programme lays emphasis on the rural roads; accessibility to rural communities.

    “With the RAAMP intervention, each and every local government in Kano state would get not less than 10 km road, whereas its equivalent could follow as a result of the state government replicated effort,” the statement said.

    It stated that Gov. Ganduje has pledged to ensure the provision of basic amenities and infrastructure to rural communities across the state for inclusive growth.

    NAN

  • Kano trains 3,500 vigilance members, distributes uniforms

    The Kano State Government has trained 3,500 vigilance members on basic literacy and distributed uniforms worth over N200 million to various vigilance groups with a view to enhance their operations.

    The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, made this known on Monday during the post – International Literacy Day celebration in Kano.

    Ganduje said that the training would reduce the level of illiteracy in the state and enhance their operations.

    He said that his administration had given high premium to adult literacy in the state.

    ‎“Education is potentially the greatest instrument we have at our disposal to empower our people,” he said.

    Ganduje added that the state government ‎would set up a security neighborhood agency to check security issues in the state.

    ‎The governor also distributed 13,200 uniforms worth N200 million to members of the vigilance groups in the 44 local government areas.

    He also ‎promised to pay the remaining three months allowance for instructors at the literacy centres in the state.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Prof. Abba Haladu, commended the governor for his support to the state agency.

    Haladu ‎said that International Literacy Day is celebrated annually world wide to bring together government’s, multi and bilateral organisations as well as NGOs to promote literacy within and beyond the 2030 education agenda.

    “We have so far recorded a number of achievements including the development of vital documents such as the Policy Guidelines for Mass Literacy and Operational Plan for a National Mass Literacy Programme and Literacy Primers in the three major Nigerian languages and English,” he said.

    He also urged the state and local governments to deploy the needed political will and, therefore, provide the necessary material support for the eradication of literacy in their ‎respective areas of jurisdiction.

    Haladu then called on the state governor to approve the payment of monthly facilitators part-time allowances, to enhance their motivation and additional vehicles for monitoring and data collection.

    He also appealed for the rehabilitation the women ‎education centres.

    ‎The Executive Secretary commended the Kano Mass Education Agency for organising important mobilisation activities and called on the government to provide more support for the agency.

    NAN

  • FedPoly Bida to honour three governors

    The management of Federal Polytechnic Bida will confer Fellowship Awards on three state governors and the Etsu Nupe on March 28, the institution’s Rector, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, said on Wednesday.

    Dzukogi told our reporter in Minna that the governors are Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Abubakar Bello of Niger and Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    “They will be conferred with the award alongside Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe,’’ he said.

    The Rector said the institution was honouring the four distinguished Nigerians because it has “noted with satisfaction their useful contributions towards educational development in their respective states and the country in general’’.

    He said the Polytechnic would bestow the awards on the personalities during its combined convocation ceremony of March 28.

    “During the ceremony, 5,605 students of 2016, comprising 3,380 ND students and 1,729 HND students, will become graduands, while 4,811 students of 2017 with 3,134 for ND and 1,677 for HND, will also become graduands,’’ Dzukogi said.

    The Rector said he was happy that the institution was one of the most peaceful polytechnics in the country.

    “This is due to the diligence and dedication of management, students and members of the academic board,’’ he added.

    “However, we will continue to utilise the little resources at our disposal to provide an enabling environment for a conducive atmosphere for learning.’’

    NAN

  • Fashola decries illegal sand mining at Tamburawa River in Kano

    Fashola decries illegal sand mining at Tamburawa River in Kano

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has decried illegal sand mining in Tamburawa River in Kano state, urging the state government and the Emirate Council to ban the mining activities.

    Fashola made the call in Kano when he visited Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.

    He said continued sand mining at the site would not sustain the Federal Government’s ongoing project of reinstating and protecting the bridge constructed over the river as a result of the earlier exposure of its foundation.

    “There was an erosion problem caused by illegal sand mining which had exposed the foundation of the bridge and endangering the entire structure.

    Read Also:  Fashola, Ajimobi, UI VC make case for renewable energy

    “The Federal Government has responded to the problem and in another five months from now, the contractor will complete his work.
    “But we need the Kano State Government to assist us in ensuring that the sand mining activities in the river is moved away from the proximity of the bridge.

    “If it continues, it will continue to endanger that bridge in spite of our efforts, so I am appealing to you, the government and the people of Kano to help us protect the asset.

    “The contractor has recommended that no mining should take place within three kilometres on either sides of the bridge,” he said.

    Fashola told the governor and the emir separately that the Federal Government had awarded the rehabilitation of the 360 kilometres Abuja-Kano road to Julius Berger.

    He said two contractors; Metropolitan Construction Company and MotherCat had been deployed to provide routine maintenance on the Kano-Zaria section of the road.
    The minister said this was to ensure that the road remained passable pending the commencement of the rehabilitation work.

    Fashola said he was in the state ahead of the top management retreat of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing holding in the state capital on Friday and Saturday.

    In his response, Sanusi commended the minister for the visit and the choice of Kano State as the venue of the retreat.

    He applauded the minister for the award of Abuja-Kano road rehabilitation and other ongoing Federal Government projects in the state.

    The monarch, however, solicited for more and assured the minister that the emirate council would support the Federal Government to ensure a stop to sand mining in Tamburawa River.

    In a related development, Prof Hafiz Abubarkar, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, who received the minister, also solicited for more of the Federal Government presence in the state.

    NAN

     

  • SDGs to promote human survival, prosperity – SSA

    SDGs to promote human survival, prosperity – SSA

    A presidential aide, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said on Thursday that the  Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) was initiated to address poverty, ensure human survival and prosperity.

    Orelope-Adefulire, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, made the remarks in Kano at the opening of a meeting organised for Conditional Grant Scheme Focal Persons.

    She said, “It envisages a world free from poverty, and deprivation where the fundamental conditions for human survival and prosperity are safeguarded.”

    Our reporter,  reports that the SSA was represented by the Head, Conditional Grant Scheme ( CGS ), Mrs O. M. Olaopo.

    According to her, the 17 Goals and 169 targets of the SDGs are in response to numerous challenges confronting the world.

    She noted that the conditional grants scheme had availed the office the opportunity to leverage available resources from all tiers of government to achieve national policy objectives of delivering change for sustainable socio-economic development in the country.

    Read Also: K1 De Ultimate bags Champion of UN-SDGs Award

    “The CGS provides the framework for solutions to the challenges of gender, maternal and child health, quality education, poverty issues, HIV/AIDS, malaria and environmental issues, among others.”

    She said the meeting provided the participants with the opportunity to brainstorm on ways to manage the CGS better.

    The presidential aide urged the participants to come up with new strategies that would ensure effective implementation of the CGS projects to give the country best value for its money.

    Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on SDGs, Alhaji Zulyadaini Sid-Mustapha commended the SSA for holding the meeting in Kano.

    NAN

  • Kano’s population its greatest asset – Ganduje

    Kano’s population its greatest asset – Ganduje

    Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Tuesday pledged to deploy the state’s population to stimulate the economy and ensure growth and development.

    He also pledged to offer women equal opportunities to attain their potentials in life.

    Ganduje made the remarks on Tuesday when he visited 150 young men and women sponsored by his administration for skills training at Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria ( PAN ) in Kaduna.

    Out of the 150 trainees, 100 are males, and 50 females.

    “Population can be a liability, but we are making our population an asset, and the best way to make our population to be an asset is by developing skills acquisition among our youth.

    “We assure you, we are training you not only for you to work but also to employ others.

    “This government is very serious on women empowerment; days are gone when women still rely on meagre resources.

    “We want you to be earning good income, it is necessary for women, that is why we are exposing them to all kinds of legitimate trades so as to earn a living.

    “Once you are earning good income; it will contribute to peaceful co-existence with your husbands and families and that is what this government is doing.’’

    The governor disclosed that the government has built a N5 billion skills acquisition centre to empower and create enabling environment for sustainable skills in the state.

    Ganduje said his dream was to make Kano the hub of international trade attracting investors and traders from across the globe to the city.
    The governor faulted the current curriculum in the country’s education system, saying it can no longer sustain Nigeria’s manpower development needs.

    “So we want to break from that, the only way we can do it is to modify our curriculum.

    “To see that we have identified the necessary skills we need in our day-to-day activities, so that youth will embrace skills and be trained, that is the only way to ensure sustainability in terms of employment in the country,” he said.

    He said that the state government had commissioned a study which identified 24 trades which would offer gainful employment to the youth.

    “That is why we decided to build an ultra modern skills acquisition centre in Kano worth N5 billion.

    Earlier the Managing Director of PAN, Mr Ibrahim Boyi said the company was training the second batch of trainees from the state, with the first batch having 75 participants and 150 in the second batch.

    “The Governor during the graduation of first batch, promised that the second batch will include girls and women, and you can see clearly, the direction of the government in ensuring youth empowerment on inclusive bases, so that nobody is left behind.’’

    Boyi assured the governor that PAN would give the students the best training they deserve.

    NAN

  • Ganduje urges Nigerians in Diaspora to invest in Nigeria

    Ganduje urges Nigerians in Diaspora to invest in Nigeria

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has called on the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture ( KACCIMA ) to woo Nigerians in the Diaspora to come and invest in the country.

    The appeal was made in a statement by Alhaji Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor in Kano on Friday.

    He said Ganduje made the call when Coalition of Northern Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, paid him a courtesy visit in Kano.

    According to him, the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, received the delegation on behalf of the governor at the Government House.

    “Nigerians in Diaspora can comfortably come and invest in the country for the economic growth and development of the country,” he said.

    Ganduje said it was high time for the chambers of commerce to serve as channels through which those in Diaspora could return home and invest.

    “There are huge funds lying there with Nigerians residing in those countries,” Ganduje said.

    He assured that Kano State Government would receive any serious investor ready for business, adding that “when you follow this way, I am sure there will be significant improvement in that area”.

    “As Kano and Lagos states make difference in the way of paving way for ease of doing business, the two states have already contributed immensely to the national index.”

    While commending them for the cordial relationship existing between the Coalition and the state government, the governor said it was the cardinal point of his administration since 2015 to develop the economy through partnership with the private sector.

    “We believe in public and private partnership, hence our decision to work with private investors to develop the state economy,” Ganduje said.

    In her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Hajiya Sa’adatu Iya, said Kano had been a strong pillar in the development of the association.

    She urged the government to revive the industries that had gone moribund for many decades, to boost economic growth and development in the state.

    She said the team was in Kano for the 31st Conference of the association to discuss issues related to the development of the body and chart a new course for its survival.

    NAN

  • LG polls: Ganduje lauds electorate for peaceful conduct

    LG polls: Ganduje lauds electorate for peaceful conduct

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Saturday commended electorate for their peaceful conduct during the local government elections in Kano state.

    He gave the commendation shortly after casting his vote his ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

    Ganduje, who voted at 12:18 p.m., told newsmen and his supporters that “I have voted and my vote is equivalent to that of anyone in the society’’.

    According to him, whoever becomes the loser to accept the result in good faith. An election should not be a do or die affair.

    The governor also commended the electorate ‎for conducting themselves peaceful in the area.

    Read Also: Ganduje gives N100 Waivers to Tricycle Operates

    Pooling officials and materials got to the ward at 10:30 a.m., and accreditation and voting started some hours later.

    According to our reporter, the turnout in the governor’s ward was impressive while accreditation of voters and voting were peaceful.

    Voting also commenced in Roba, Barguma, Jemomi and Damfamin- Tofa Area of Ganduje ward and the turnout of electorate were also impressive.

    The late arrival of officials and materials contributed to the poor turnout of voters in Ungogo and ‎Bichi local governments.

  • Buhari appoints Tinubu to head APC reconciliatory team

    Buhari appoints Tinubu to head APC reconciliatory team

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The information is in a two-paragraph statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to the presidential aide, the assignment will involve resolving disagreements among party members, party leadership and political office holders in some states of the federation.

    The News men reliably gathered that the Kano State APC crisis involving supporters of former Gov. Rabiu Kwakwanso and the serving Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, is one of the tasks of the Tinubu reconciliation committee.

    Read Also: Buhari’s visit:  Security beefed up in Nasarawa

    It would be recalled that the Presidency on Jan. 29 summoned Gov. Ganduje and Kwakwanso over the aborted Jan. 30 visit of the former governor to Kano to avert breakdown of law and order in the state.

    The governor, accompanied by two serving senators and two members of House of Representatives from the state met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari at the Presidential Villa.

    Ganduje, however, declined to speak to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting.

    The Tinubu committee is also expected to reconcile other APC members in Kaduna, Zamfara, Oyo, Kogi and other states of the federation.

    NAN