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Tag: Abdullahi Ganduje

  • Buhari, Shettima, Gamduje, Tambuwal meet before US trip

    Buhari, Shettima, Gamduje, Tambuwal meet before US trip

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met behind closed doors with the governors of Borno (Kashim Shettima), Kano (Abdullahi Ganduje) and Sokoto states (Aminu Tambuwal) in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before departing for New York, USA.

    Malam Imam Imam, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State governor on Media, confirmed the meeting of the governors with the President on his Facebook page, on Sunday.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity also confirmed the departure of President Buhari to New York, through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

    Adesina posted on his Facebook page: “President Buhari departs Abuja to New York for 72nd Session of the United Nation General Assembly on Sept. 17, 2017.’’

    It was gathered that the President might have been briefed by the governors on some national issues including the security situations in their respective states.

    Shettima, who is also the chairman of the Northern State governors’ forum, had in a statement issued in Maiduguri, lauded the residents of the region for keeping the peace in the face of the recent clashes between members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and soldiers in some parts of the South East region.

    While IPOB has been proscribed by the south east governors, it was declared as a terrorist group by the military.

    Sokoto metropolis, on Saturday, however witnessed minor social unrest as some armed youths in their hundreds, set ablaze a building along Bello Way where Igbo traders have shops in what appeared to be a response to reported attacks on some northern traders in some parts of the South East region.

    But the 19 Northern state governors, had through a statement issued by its chairman, Kashim Shettima, called on the army to remain on the alert in the region with a view to tackling any possible break down of law and order in the states.

    President Buhari, after the meeting with governors, left Abuja for New York to join other world leaders at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72), would during the visit, participate in the General Debate where he was expected to deliver the country’s National Statement.

    The theme for this year’s Debate is: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.”

    Buhari would also join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

    The Nigerian leader would also hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe as well as a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.

    The president, who was accompanied by the governors of Zamfara, Ebonyi and Ondo States as well as key cabinet ministers, would transit through London on his way back to the country.

  • Kano screens 11, 000 cooks for feeding programme

    Kano screens 11, 000 cooks for feeding programme

    No fewer than 11,000 cooks have so far been screened in preparation for the commencement of the National Home-grown School Feeding programme in Kano state.

    Hajiya Aisha Jafar, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Social Intervention programmes, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Kano on Saturday.

    Jafar, who is also the Focal person on Federal Government social intervention programmes in the state, said the screening was done in seven designated health centers.

    According to her, the screening was aimed at ascertaining the health status of the prospective cooks.

    “In Kano state we require over 13,000 cooks for the implementation of this important programme but so far over 11, 000 cooks have been screened.

    “Each cook will not cook for over 150 pupils because they are expected to cook good meal for the pupils.

    “The programme will soon commence in Kano state as all the necessary arrangements have almost been completed,” she said.

    On N-power programme, Jafar said that 91,734 unemployed youths have registered under the second phase of the programme in the state as at July.

    She advised all those who applied for the programme to attend the physical screening exercise expected to be conducted soon.

    She also commended the Federal Government for introducing the N-power programme which is one of four schemes under the social intervention programmes.

    She said that the intervention programmes had checked social vices among the teeming unemployed youth in the state and the country at large.

     

  • Buhari lands in Abuja

    Buhari lands in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday afternoon arrived the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Buhari, who has been in the United Kingdom since May 7th on medical ground, landed at the airport around 4:35 p.m in Nigeria Air Force Plane 001

    He wore a  black coloured caftan and trousers with multicolored cap to match.

    Buhari arrived Abuja with his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lawal Abubakar, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Bashir Bindawa, Chief Police Security Officer (CPSO), Abdulkareem Dauda, and Personal Assistant one, Mohammed Sabihu (Tunde) among others.

    He alighted from the plane and shook hands with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo before rendition of the National anthem.

    Buhari, after rendition of the National anthem, went round to shake hands with governors and top government officials who had formed a single file.

    He then departed for Presidential Villa by road.

    The governors at the airport to welcome him  included governors of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi, Abubakar Bello of Niger,  Nesom Wike of Rivers,  Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Deputy governor of Kaduna state, Mr Barnabas Bala.

    Among those at the airport to welcome the president included members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari as well as other presidential aides.

    Others at the airports are the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura and other dignitaries from and within Abuja.

    The President took a national salute from the Presidential Guards Brigade while cultural groups were also singing and dancing to welcome him back home.

  • Kano spends N4.3bn on scholarships

    Kano spends N4.3bn on scholarships

    The Kano State Government has spent N4.3 billion on scholarships for students studying abroad in the last two years.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje made this known on Monday in Kano at the presentation of scholarship certificates to 19 indigenes of Kano State by the Egyptian Government.
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    He said that the gesture would enable indigenes of the state to acquire the best knowledge, skills and training needed to contribute to the development of the country.

    ‎Ganduje said that the amount spent on the scholarships was enough to run a university.‎

    ‎“The money we spent in paying the backlog of scholarships and settling new ones were enough to build a new university,’’ he said.

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Ganduje said that Kano and Egyptian governments had a long period of business and educational relationships. ‎

    He thanked the Egyptian Government for offering free scholarships to nine Kano State indigenes and 10 Imams.

    The governor also urged the students to be disciplined, law abiding and hard working.

    He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the “golden opportunity’’ provided by the Egyptian Government in assisting them to acquire qualitative education abroad.‎

    ‎Earlier, the Cultural Attache of Egypt, Dr Ibrahim Ibrahim, said that the Egyptian Government had sponsored nine Kano indigenes for degree programmes.

    Ibrahim said that the 10 Imams would go for a two-month course on Moderate Islamic Propagation.

  • APC not opposed to true federalism – Odigie-Oyegun

    APC not opposed to true federalism – Odigie-Oyegun

    National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the party was not opposed to true federalism as perceived in some quarters across the country.

    He stated this on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating a 24-member committee on True Federalism to articulate the party´s position on restructuring of the country as agitations in that regard increased.

    According to Odigie-Oyegun, it is only the APC that can claim ownership to the principle and the need for true federalism in the country.

    “When we sat down to discuss the union of the APC, it was one of the principal issues that were almost like a no-go-item that we negotiated and agreed.

    “And as such, the Constitution and the manifestos of the party are very elaborate in their references to true federalism and devolution of power.

    “It is therefore totally inconceivable for uninformed members of the public to jump on this bandwagon of reconstituting the federation,” he said.

    He added that such members of the public gave the impression that the APC was “in any way against the principle of taking a fresh look at the basis of our federalism”.

    Odigie-Oyegun insisted that true federalism was already a mantra to the APC, and must be looked into without jeopardising the fundamental unity of the country.

    He tasked members of the committee to have a critical look at issues of devolution of power, fiscal federalism, resource control and others thrown up following recent clamour for restructuring of the country.

    He, however, stressed that APC’s Constitution and manifesto vigorously canvassed the issues, adding that they were elaborately provided for.

    The chairman said that the party´s position on the issues had been eloquently stated in the terms of references of the committee.

    “It is your duty, especially having regard to the emotive nature of the national discourse on restructuring, to distill from our party constitution and manifesto the various ideas canvassed in different constitutional conferences.

    “I expect you to look at whatever document available on this subject and to look at whatever views and recommendations available on it.

    “I also expect, at all times, that your anchor will be the constitution and manifesto of the party, because it is on that manifesto that we went to the public of this nation.

    “I ask you to generate a report which will truly reflect the desire of our people and a true reflection of what our party stands for,” he said.

    He added that it was critical to ensure that the party met the desires of Nigerians on their idea of true federalism.

    In his response, Kaduna State Governor and Chairman of the committee, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said that APC believed in balanced federation and fiscal federalism and was doing well in that regard.

    “We can give example as state governors of the level of participation of states in certain economic policy directions for the country.

    “This government has also taken steps to devolve power and responsibility to states, without any constitutional amendment to states.

    “We have seen more cases of federal assets and roads being taken over by states willingly,” el-Rufai said.

    He disclosed that the committee had met three times and had identified 12 key issues to be discussed by Nigerians to ensure a clearer direction on issues of restructuring.

    He said that the committee would visit 12 states in the country to meet with the people at the grassroots to collate their views on the issues with a view to proffering solution.

    El-Rufai said some of the issues to be looked into were state creation, regionalism, land tenure system and revenue allocation.

    He added that the committee would also utilise social media platforms to interact with the people across the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 24-member committee, which has nine states’ governors, women, youths and some leaders of the APC, was constituted on July 9.

    Member of the committee are Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

    Others are former governor of Edo, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso; APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Hajiya Fatima Balla.

    Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi is the committee’s Secretary.

    The committee is expected to complete its assignment within three months.

  • Kano APC congress: Abdullahi Abbas emerges chairman

    Kano APC congress: Abdullahi Abbas emerges chairman

    Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the former Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has been declared as the elected Chairman, with 14 others emerging as new state leaders of the party.

    The emergence of the new leadership came after the Kano APC delegates conducted a consensus Congress into 15 vacant positions of the party at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new party executives were sworn in by the Attorney-General of the state shortly after the results were announced.

    Prince Nwafor Orzu, the Chairman of the Kano Congress while announcing the results said, “Abdullahi Abbas scored 2,800 to emerge the chairman after some 2,813 delegates cast their votes in accordance with the APC Congress’ Guidelines.”

    NAN also reports that the event was witnessed by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as some party leaders including Sen Kabiru Gaya and Sen Barau Jibril-Maliya from Kano North and Kano South senatorial districts respectively.

    Ganduje, who, signed the swearing note alongside the newly elected chairman shortly after the leaders were sworn in noted that the election was meant for 15 vacant positions that needed to be filled.

    He said: “This is not a general party congress but an election to replace key positions that were vacant for sometimes now and we give glory to God for giving us the opportunity to conduct it peacefully without any problem.”

    “I assured you (party members) that APC will continue to remain united in Kano because we are committed to blocking any leakage that may likely create a problem for us.”

    The chairman of the screening committee, Mr Nadu Yahaya explained that “the committee screened 15 candidates into the vacant positions unopposed.

    Based on the mandate given to us by our great party, the APC, we have screened a total number of 15 candidates who were elected to ensure the success of our party in Kano.”

    NAN reports that delegates from the 44 local government areas of the state were at the congress.

  • Northern governors‎ to reinvigorate Bank of the North – Ganduje

    Northern governors‎ to reinvigorate Bank of the North – Ganduje

    ‎The 19 Northern governors have ‎kick-started a fund raising drive to reinvigorate the Bank of the North which was merged with some financial institutions about a decade ago. ‎

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State disclosed this while addressing members of the State’s Executive Council in Kano.‎

    Ganduje said that governors of 19 Northern states made the resolution at their meeting in Kaduna.

    He said that apart from the revival of the bank, the governors also resolved to revive other economic boosting concerns like the textile industries in the affected states.‎

    According to him, the governors also deliberated extensively on herdsmen- farmers clash and decided to look into issues of incessant face off between the two.‎

    Ganduje said the governors also discussed the need for peace, unity and stability in the region.

    ‎The governor also ‎signed into law the Kano University of Science and Technology amendment law  2017 and North West University amendment law 2017.

    He said the laws aimed at closing the gap and variation between the two state-owned universities and harmonising processes for appointing Vice Chancellors in the two institutions.

  • Ganduje appoints Political Adviser, others

    Ganduje appoints Political Adviser, others

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of Mustafa Hamza-Buhari as his new political adviser.‎

    This is contained in a statement signed by Director General, Media and Communication, Salihu Tanko-Yakasai and issued to newsmen in Kano on Saturday.‎

    The statement also announced the ‎appointment of ‎Khadi Salisu-Muhammad‎ as the Chairman, ‎Hajj Tribunal and ‎Shehu Tasiu-Ishaq as member.‎

    According to the statement, other members of the tribunal include ‎Hajia Sakina Yusuf‎, CSP Adamu Babayo and‎ Musa Zangon-Mata‎.

    While congratulating the new appointees, the governor charged them to be diligent and selfless in the discharge of their duties.

    The appointments are with immediate effect.‎

  • Ganduje warns new LGA sole administrators against corruption, laxity

    Ganduje warns new LGA sole administrators against corruption, laxity

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje has warned the new Interim Management Officer’s for the 44 Local Government’s in the state against corruption and laxity to duty.

    At the swearing-in ceremony on Monday night, Ganduje said that his administration would continue to give priority to service to the people.

    ‎The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the swearing in followed the confirmation of the officers by the State House of Assembly.‎

    Ganduje urged the new appointees to perform their duties with diligence, honesty and fear of God, adding that they should as initiate developmental programmes in their areas.‎‎

    He also urged them to be transparent and prudent in their dealings in order to achieve the noble objective of the the APC government in the state and the country as a whole.

    “‎Your appointment today as Sole Administrators should therefore be seen as a call to service of our people. You are more close to the grassroots and a lot of expectations falls on you. You can be rest assured of our continued support,” he said.‎
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    ‎According to Ganduje, the officers and their six Councillors would hold office for not more than six months before handing over to democratically elected chairmen.‎

    NAN reports that the 44 Local Government chairmen elected during the tenure of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso completed their tenure on May 28, 2017.‎

  • We are importing poison, not rice, Gov. Bagudu warns

    We are importing poison, not rice, Gov. Bagudu warns

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, has condemned the continuous importation of rice into the country, describing it as importation of poison.

    Bagudu, who is also the governor of Kebbi, told journalists on Sunday in Birnin-Kebbi that the imported rice, auctioned by different countries, was no longer good for human consumption.

    The chairman, who expressed regret over citizens’ patronage of foreign rice, said imported rice usually contained preservatives, which are poisonous.

    He disclosed that there were three major importers of rice into the country who specialised in importing very cheap, auctioned rice into the country.

    The governor said that Thailand in April 2017, auctioned 1.62 million tonnes of rice at about $140 per tonne whereas the market price of it was $700 per tonne.

    “Countries, particularly Thailand, India, China and Vietnam, buy a lot of paddy from their farmers and keep in storage sometimes, as long as nine years so that by so doing, they are supporting their farmers.

    “A country like Thailand, for example, may have eight million tonnes of rice in storage; so occasionally, they will auction the ones that are almost going bad that is, the one that is not fit for human consumption.

    “They sell the paddy as low as 20 per cent less than the international market price.

    “Those that import rice into Nigeria will go and buy the paddy and clean them up.

    “Because they do not buy rice at the international price, our local farmers who are offering rice for $500 will not be competitive.

    “If that importer is to buy fresh rice, he cannot bring it into Nigeria below $700 per tonne.

    “This is the biggest obstacle to our rice efforts because consumers say local rice is expensive; it is not expensive because we are not comparing it with equivalent rice elsewhere,” the chairman explained.

    The governor said that out of the 600 million tonnes of rice produced in the world, Nigeria produced about six million tonnes which represented one per cent of the production.

    Bagudu said that rice could grow in the 36 states of the federation and called on stakeholders and citizens to come together to significantly advance rice production.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on June 7, established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production.

    At the inauguration of the task force, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was trying to evolve a strategy for the economy, for employment and for feeding the people.

    Other members of the Task Force are Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and his Ebonyi counterpart, David Umahi.

    Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association, Mr Aminu Goronyo and the President, Wheat Farmers Association, Alhaji Salim Muhammad.