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Tag: Abdullahi Ganduje

  • PDP godfathers stopped my governorship ambition in 1999 – Ganduje

    PDP godfathers stopped my governorship ambition in 1999 – Ganduje

    Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday revealed how Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) godfathers stopped him from becoming governor of the state in 1999.

    Ganduje, who spoke during the seventh anniversary of the death of first civilian governor of old Kano State,  Abubakar Muhammadu Rimi, held at Centre for Democratic Research and Training, eulogized the late political icon, saying it was Rimi and few others who stood by him at the time PDP kingmakers betrayed him.

    The governor recalled that Rimi wanted him to become the state governor but “the aspiration was thwarted by some individuals within the PDP caucus at that time.”

    He, however, became the deputy governor during the administration of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso who got the support of few kingmakers to become the governor in 1999.

    “In 1999, he (Rimi) wanted me to become the governor but some people hatched a plot to ensure that I was schemed out during our party primaries at Gabasawa. They later confessed to me that they were involved and asked for forgiveness,” Ganduje stated.

    The governor said he has forgiven those that betrayed him and moved on from that disappointment because of his conviction that one can only become governor at God’s appointed time.

     

     

  • Kano promises more support, medication to people living with HIV/AIDS

    The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, on Tuesday said the state government would continue to support and provide medication to people living with HIV/AIDS.

    Abubakar gave the assurance on Tuesday while presenting materials and drugs worth millions of naira to the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA).

    He said that the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration would also provide quality healthcare services to the citizens of the state.

    The deputy governor urged health facilities in the state to ensure proper utilisation of the materials and drugs.

    The items distributed include 52 laptop computers to monitoring and evaluation officers and three new vehicles.

    Other items are anti-retroviral drugs and consumables, 16 blood bank refrigerators, solar powered reagents and systems, safeguard equipment and 75,000 rapid test kits.

    Also, Dr Bashir Usman, the Director-General of the agency, commended the state government and the World Bank for their efforts toward improving the living standard of people living with HIV/AIDS.

    Usman said that the centre would ensure effective utilisation of the items.

     

  • Gov. Ganduje urges consistent agric policies to boost food production

    Reliable and unswerving agricultural policies can improve the country’s food production and ensure development of the sector, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said.

    Ganduje told journalists in Kano on Friday that the bane of agriculture in Nigeria over the years, had been inconsistent agricultural policies.

    “Consistent policy on agriculture will improve food production and ensure the development of the sector,” he said.

    He said the state government would continue to give priority to the sector considering that majority of the people of the state are farmers.

    He said his administration had spent more than N1 billion to resuscitate the state Fertilizer Blending Plant in the state as part of efforts to ensure adequate provision of fertiliser to farmers.

    “The company made a profit of N500 million in the last year as it sold the commodity to some states including Kebbi,” Ganduje said.

    He said the state government was able to circumvent middle men by identifying genuine farmers and dealing with them directly.

    The governor expressed optimism that with the ban on importation of rice, the country would be able to produce enough rice for both local consumption and export.

    He added that the state government has ensure adequate provision of fertiliser, improved seeds and other inputs to farmers across the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    He said the state government found it necessary to support the farmers to support the Federal Government’s efforts at diversifying the economy and to augment the country’s dwindling revenue owing to the fall in the price of oil.

    Speaking on almajiris, Ganduje said the state government was working closely with other governors to devise a way to prevent them from migrating to Kano state.

    “There are at least 3 million almajiris in Kano and most of them are from Niger Republic, Chad and other states of the federation.

    “Since we don’t have a law which prevents almajiris from coming to Kano, we are trying to convince other governors to prevent them from migrating to or state,” Ganduje said.

     

  • Kano to take delivery of N250m fertiliser plant in two weeks

    Kano to take delivery of N250m fertiliser plant in two weeks

    •  State Assembly orders N5b worth of fertiliser distribution

    The Kano State Governor, ‎Abdullahi Ganduje has said the state will take delivery of an integrated fertiliser blending plant in two weeks.

    Ganduje disclosed this on Tuesday during the inspection of the Presidential ‎Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) at the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), Kano.
    The Governor said the initiative has reduced corruption in the system, created about 200 jobs and encouraged farmers to increase their productivity.
    “In this programme, the price is stable and is much better. Farmers already know the price. So the initiative is a good one and as a result, we are expecting a new line in the next two weeks.
    “The issue of subsidy was what killed fertiliser production in Nigeria. You sit down in the house instead of going to the farm,” he said. ‎
    Kano-Gov-Ganduje
    Governor Ganduje

    Earlier, President of Fertiliser Producer and Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Mr Thomas Etuh said KASCO was selected among the fertiliser blending company due to their capacity. 

    He disclosed that KASCO got about N20 billion worth of goods for the production of the input and are expected to make a return of N2 billion in six months.
    He discarded concerns that the fertiliser may be adulterated, adding that there are mechanisms, such as the whistle-blower line that afford farmers opportunity to call a relevant agency in case of any sharp practices.
    Differentiating between the ‎Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme and the presidential initiative, Etuh explained that while farmers can buy as much as the possible quantity of fertilisers, the GES scheme limited farmers to only two bags.
    In his remarks, KASCO Managing Director, Bala Inuwa said the facility was set up in 1981 by the World Bank ‎to blend fertiliser for the farmers and agro-dealers.
    He explained that the presidential initiative has created more jobs and raw materials for ‎the fertiliser processing plant. 
    According to him, the firm currently engages about 600 staffs, who are running on three shifts‎, adding that both off-takers and farmers are excited with the initiative.
    Inuwa, who lamented that prior to the programme, the firm was unable to meet up with farmers, demand ‎revealed that the State Assembly had ordered procurement of about 50, 000 Metric Tonnes of the input to be distributed to farmers.
    He said the state lawmakers instructed the ministry to release N5 billion for the implementation.
    ‎”In Kano state, we have about 44 local governments and there are 60 shops ready to sell the commodity. We load about 60 trailers daily and we are serious about improving our capacity,” he added.
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  • Kano pays N1bn counterpart funding for basic education scheme

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state said that his administration had paid N1 billion as counterpart funding for the basic education scheme.

    Ganduje made this known on Thursday in Kano, shortly after the inauguration of 2,000 classrooms in selected primary schools in the metropolis.

    “We have paid N1 billion to the Federal Government as our counterpart funding for basic education,’’ he said.

    The inauguration of the classrooms and the governor’s visit to some schools were parts of the week-long activities organised by the Ministry of Education to mark the state’s Basic Education Week.

    According to him, the Federal Government will also contribute the same amount to the state for the implementation of the basic education scheme.

    The governor also said the fund was meant to construct additional classrooms in all primary and Junior Secondary Schools, (JSS), provide furniture among other necessary facilities to enhance teaching and learning.

    He said the state would soon launch its Education Trust Fund as part of measures to ensure effective community participation in the development of education.

    “If you have a large population, you will have problem in education as government cannot do it alone. So, community participation in education is necessary.

    “As you know, not many people are interested in investing in education. Sometimes, you become confused as to where you start, hence our decision to give priority to basic education.”

    The governor said the state would also invite experts from the organised private sector and some Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to contribute their quota toward promoting education.

    He said the state would continue to give priority to the welfare of teachers and ensure that only qualified ones were allowed in the system.

    “We are not looking for everybody to teach. So, we will make sure that we sanitise the system by making sure that only qualified ones teach in our schools.’’

    Ganduje said it was in line to improve the education system in the state that, the state government set up Education Promotion Committee in each local government to ensure quality education.

    No fewer than 2,000 classrooms were inaugurated during the governor’s visit to the selected primary schools in the metropolis.

     

  • FG’s will support farmers, small scale businesses – Osinbajo

    FG’s will support farmers, small scale businesses – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday renewed Federal Government’s resolve to support farmers and operators of small scale businesses for the development of Nigeria’s economy.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance during an interactive session with traders, food vendors and small business owners at the Grassroots Town Hall Meeting held in Kano.

    He also assured that the federal government would continue to encourage farmers by ensuring that all processing plants were operational in the country.

    “We must protect farmers by ensuring that we stop the importation of food and other products into the country,’’ he said.

    The vice president, who blamed part of the current economic recession to importation, said the federal government had taken proactive measures to support farmers and owners of small-scale businesses in the country.

    “There are two or three reasons why we are in a recession; the vandalism of oil pipelines, fall in the price of oil as well as importation of everything, that is why we are in trouble,’’ he said.

    He, however, said that the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing its best to get the country out of the present economic predicament.

    “We are lucky we have an honest President because the country needs honest leadership,’’ Osinbajo said.

    He called on Nigerians to continue to cooperate and support the government in its effort to end the recession and ensure better living conditions for the citizenry.

    Earlier in his remarks, Gov Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said the state government had concluded arrangements to build a modern market in Kano to decongest the existing markets in the state capital.

    Ganduje said the market, which would cost about N500 billion, would be constructed under a Public Private Partnership arrangement between the state government and a private firm in Dubai.

    According to him, the state government has already paid compensation to the owners of the land acquired for the project.

    “As soon as the agreement is signed next week, work will commence in January 2017,’’ the governor said.

  • Free, fair election in Rivers abnormal, says Ganduje

    Free, fair election in Rivers abnormal, says Ganduje

    …Wike: Rivers elections normal

    Kano State Governor and Chairman of Rivers’ All Progressives Congress (APC) Rerun election Campaign Committee, Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday said that it will be easy for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to have free and fair elections in Rivers State and the southern part of the country.

    The rerun election in Rivers State is billed for December 10th.

    Ganduje, however said that everything will be done to change the trend and have free and fair elections in the state.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “We are prepared, we just came out of the Ondo elections, we have fresh ideas even though both environments are different but we have our own strategies. Like in Ondo state we must ensure we have free and fair elections.

    “You know in that part of the country having free and fair elections is not normal and we have to make it normal this time. We must ensure that they is security so that people will come out and vote that’s our main preoccupation at the moment. We are making wider consultations with stakeholders and we believe we will succeed,” he said.

    He said he was at the Villa to brief the President on the security situation in Kano, especially the fallout from the north western part of the country where some Boko Haram members and Kidnappers try to dominate the forest.

    He said: “They came back from Sambisa forest so that they can be operating from another part of the north western part of the country. So the security agencies are working very hard. A lot of arrest have been made and investigation is going on.

    “We won’t allow them to dominate Kano and make it as a launching pad, since the cosmopolitan city of Kano is an attractive place for such elements to come in. The security agencies have apprehended about three or four of them,” he stated.

    According to him, the President is happy with the situation in the state.

    On economic summit between Lagos and Kano, he said: “We appointed a technical committee. It is working on that, we are examining the business relationship between Lagos and Kano, we take advantage each state is having and we will invite Mr President to the summit.

    “The summit will hold in Kano. The governor of Lagos State has agreed it should hold in Kano. There are similarities between Lagos and Kano, both are mega cities. Lagos is the largest commercial city in Nigeria while Kano is the largest commercial city in the north.

    “We are both cosmopolitan and our developmental challenges are the same in terms of providing social amenities, security, urbanization. There is a need to look inward now that money is going down so we need to take comparative advantage of both states.

    “We have farmers and lot of agriculture production and Lagos have consumers and they also process and they have higher industries than Kano. This is the kind of relationship we can develop, and we believe it will work.”

    Reacting to the claim that having free and fair elections in Rivers is abnormal, the state governor, Nyesom Wike said elections in the state have been normal.

    “It is unfortunate if he said so. As far as I am concerned, elections have been normal in my part of the country. All we are asking for is free and fair election.

    “Is Governor Ganduje speaking on behalf of INEC? Is he the one conducting the elections now? He queried

    He added: “I have respect for him as an elderly person but his statement is unfortunate.

    “When his friend won the governorship election in Rivers State, the election was normal. The election was also normal in Edo State where his party won.

    “We are waiting for him to come and perform the magic he did in Kano State,” he stated.

  • Ganduje in minor cabinet reshuffle

    KANO state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Thursday effected a minor cabinet reshuffle by appointing Hajiya ‘Yardada Maikano Bichi as new commissioner for Women Affairs.

    The erstwhile commissioner in the ministry, Zubaida D. Abubakar, has been moved to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

    Speaking shortly after swearing in Hajiya Yardada as member of the state executive council, the governor said the development followed the appointment of the former Commissioner of Budget and Planning as the state  Accountant – General.

    Ganduje said the new commissioner was appointed on merit, urging her to do well in the new position.

  • Ganduje appoints new Accountant General

    Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has approved the appointment of Mrs. Aisha Bello as the new Accountant-General for the state.

    The state Commissioner of Information,Youths and Sports, Malam Muhammad Garba, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday.

    The appointment takes immediate effect.

    Before her appointment, Bello was the Commissioner of Planning and Budget in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A graduate of Financial Management and Accounting, the new Accountant General held several managerial positions in the defunct Habib Nigeria Bank and First Bank of Nigeria.

    Bello, who was born in 1965 is married with children.

    “The erstwhile Acting Accountant-General, Malam Ibrahim Kura, retains his position as Director, Treasury,” the statement added.

  • We’re doing everything possible to address hardship in the country – Osinbajo

    We’re doing everything possible to address hardship in the country – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo has again called on Nigerians to exercise patience as the Federal Government is doing everything possible to address the current economic situation in the country.
    Osinbajo made the call on Saturday when he visited the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II in his palace.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vice president was on a working visit to the state.
    Osinbanjo stressed that the Buhari-led administration was committed to transforming the living standard of Nigerians.
    According to him, the Federal Government is doing everything possible to overcome the challenge soon.
    He told the emir that he was in the state to sympathise with the state government, Emirate Council and the entire people of the state on the recent fire outbreak at the Abubakar Rimi Market.
    “We also came to inspect some of the developmental projects executed by the leadership of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje,’’ Osinbajo said.
    Responding, the emir attributed the current hardship to the way and manner previous administration handled the affairs of the nation.
    He, however, called on the government to find lasting solution to the hardship.
    The emir also advised government to step up effort in enlightening Nigerians on the nation’s economic situation.
    He promised that the emirate council would do same and pleaded with Nigerians to bear with the situation, assuring that the hardship would soon be overcome. (NAN)