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Tag: Abubakar Bello

  • Lawmaker support Buhari re-election with 100 cars

    Rep. Umar Bago (APC-Chanchaga) says he will support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor. Abubakar Bello of Niger with 100 cars.

    Bago, who stated this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna, said that the two leaders remained the only credible choices in the 2019 elections.

    He urged the electorate to vote for continuity in order to consolidate on the ongoing changes that would set the Nation on the path of progress.

    “President Buhari has proved beyond reasonable doubt to be honest, sincere and committed to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians irrespective of political, tribal and religious differences.

    “I am supporting the re-election campaign team of President Buhari and that of Gov. Abubakar Bello with 100 cars for massive sensitisation of the people of Niger,” he said.

    The lawmaker said the vehicles would be distributed at a grand rally tagged, “Niger Na Buhari Da LoLo Ne” in Minna.

    Bago said that the vehicles would be given to officials of the APC and other organisations to disseminate the numerous achievements recorded by Buhari and Bello.

    He said in the more than three years of the APC administration, the two have shown leadership style that Nigerians and the people of Niger were proud of.

    Read Also: Letter to President Buhari

    Bago added that the gesture was part of his support to the two leaders whom he described as worthy ambassadors of the people and the party.

    “I want to make it categorically clear that this gesture is stemmed out of my genuine love and commitment to the course of governance of our dear country and my state‎ in particular.

    ‘’There is no gainsaying the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has in the last three years done what other presidents did not achieve within a similar period.

    “We are all witnesses to the massive infrastructural development going on in different parts of the country, especially construction and rehabilitation of roads.

    “We are also witnesses to the unprecedented development that Gov. Abubakar Bello has brought to Niger State within these few years that he got the opportunity to govern our dear state.

    “I feel that these two leaders should be supported by every well-meaning Nigerian that has genuine love for the country.

    “If for nothing, I believe we should support them so that we will continue to enjoy good governance in the next four years,” he said.

  • I have no anointed candidates – Bello

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger says he has no anointed candidate for the 2019 general elections, while the state opted for direct primaries in the best interest of stakeholders.

    He said that the process would provide level playing ground for those who wished to contest elective positions, stressing that he has no anointed candidates in the state.

    Bello via a statement issued on Wednesday in Minna by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, and said direct primaries were in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) guidelines.

    “APC guidelines allows for direct, indirect or consensus in primaries elections.

    “However, in the State Executive Council (SEC) of the party, we resolved to adopt direct primaries for all elective offices.

    “This collective decision was to ensure fairness, level playing ground and to give all party members sense of belonging.

    Read Also: Why l defected with Shekarau to APC – Sen. Bello

    “I have consistently made my stand known on the forthcoming primary elections and indeed the general elections in 2019, that I have no anointed candidate for any elective office.

    “My position has not changed. I believe that power belongs to Almighty God and he gives it to whoever he wishes at any time,” he said.

    The governor, who said that he remained committed to resolution on direct primaries, distanced himself from any rumour being peddled that he had an anointed candidate in the forthcoming primary elections.

    He urged party members, aspirants and other stakeholders to see the adoption of direct primaries as capable of deepening democracy in the state.

  • Niger approves N60m relief package for flood victims

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, on Thursday approved the release of over N60 million for provision of relief materials for victims of flood in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

    He gave the approval when delegates from the communities submerged by flood visited him to solicit government assistance.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the delegation led by Alhaji Ibrahim Yawa had appealed to the governor to come to the aid of the victims who had been rendered homeless in the area.

    Yawa disclosed that over 30 communities in Mokwa Local Government area were submerged by flood, and that the farmlands, livestock and houses were destroyed.

    Read Also: APC: Kano, Niger join Lagos for direct primary

    The governor directed the state commissioner of finance to release the money with immediate effect to the state Emergency Management Agency ( NSEMA ) for relief materials for the victims.

    He said the relief materials such as rice, maize, clothing, oil and other essentials should be provided for victims to ease their suffering.

    Bello directed that the affected communities should be moved to a new location for safety of their lives and property.
    He directed members of the communities affected by communal dispute in Pata-Katcha Market and Mokwa to return to their communities, saying that security personnel would be mobilised to ensure peace in the area.

    The governor directed Alhaji Ibrahim Isah, Secretary to the State Government, to ensure that the report submitted by the committee established to investigate the cause of the crisis was fully implemented.

  • Bello donates N5m to windstorm victims

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has donated five million naira to the victims of windstorm in a downpour, which occurred on Monday in Rafin Gora, Kontagora Local Government Area.

    Bello made the donation on Thursday during a joint condolence visit by members of the state executive council and the legislature to the victims of the disaster.

    The News men reports that the governor was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro,

    He gave N200, 000 each to the families of the eight people, who lost their lives, saying the remaining N3.4 million would be given to those whose houses were destroyed.

    The governor maintained that the five million naira was to serve as an immediate succour to the victims before other relief materials would come from the government.

    Read Also: Gov. Bello donates N20m to Bida market fire victims

    According to him, the state government is taking necessary steps to minimise the impact of such disaster in the future.

    In his remarks, the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, represented by Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, thanked the governor for reaching out to the victims when they needed him most.

    The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ), Abdullahi Inga, said the disaster destroyed more than 100 houses.

    Inga reiterated the resolve of his agency to intensify its sensitisation campaign against building on water ways, as it was a key factor in forestalling future occurrence.

    “From our findings, we understand there is a water channel from the dam meant for irrigation purpose.

    “Unfortunately it is under-utilised and when that happens, the water has to find a way to pass.

    “Sensitisation is key in this kind of situation and we will continue to do that,” he added

    The news men reports that the member representing Kontagora II, in the State House of Assembly, Nura Garba, also donated N500, 000 to the victims.

  • Niger Govt. to spend N50bn on water works reticulation

    Niger State Government said on Wednesday that it would spend over N50 billion on the reticulation of Minna, Suleja, Bida and Kontagora water works.

    Gov. Abubakar Bello told newsmen in Minna that the state government would go into Public Private Partnership (PPP) to ensure adequate water supply in major towns in the state.

    We recalls that the state government had in 2016, declared a state of emergency on the water sector starting with Chanchaga water works.

    Bello said that the government had spent N2 billion on the purchase of 60 water pumps and other equipment from Germany for Chanchaga water works.

    He added that government would go into partnership with investors to instal pumps, water meter and other relevant accessories across the major towns to enhance water supply.

    “When we took over the government, we met a dilapidated water infrastructure — water pipes were broken down beyond repairs, the engines were not functioning; virtually everything was in bad shape.

    “We started with Chanchaga water works; we constructed access roads, purchased new equipment and repaired broken water pipes and engines.

    “We couldn’t fold our hands to watch our people continue to suffer for water; that was why we declared a state of emergency on water sector and I can say that we have recorded quite a success in water supply.

    “Even though major cities in the state still do not have adequate water supply, we have taken a holistic approach and doing everything possible to ensure adequate water supply.

    “We are going into partnership with investors through PPP to instal water pumps and water meters in the major cities. This is the only way can ensure regular water supply.”

    The governor called for positive attitudinal change towards maintenance of government property.

    He noted that negative attitude constituted a major problem hindering the development of the state.

    The governor appealed to the media as partners in progress, to continue to support the government by publicising its programmes.

  • Gov. Bello charges corps members to be change agents

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has charged corps members to serve as change agents and mobilise their host communities toward a better Nigeria.

    The governor, in a speech at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2018 Batch A corps members in Minna on Monday, also challenged them to sensitise the people on patriotism and the supremacy of the national interest.

    ‘‘It is my belief that your education, exposure and this subsequent call for national service have prepared you to fight those vices working against Nigeria’s development.

    “It is also my belief that you will be a shining light to communities that you will be working with, in the course of your primary assignment,” he said.

    Bello assured the corps members of adequate security throughout the year, but advised them to be security conscious.

    Earlier, Mrs. Theresa Arokoyo, the NYSC Coordinator in Niger, had said that 1,969 corps members had been registered for the exercise, adding that 995 were females while 974 were males.
    She said that the corps members had exhibited high sense of discipline and responded satisfactorily to camp instructions.

    Arokoyo advised the corps members to take advantage of the scheme’s skills acquisition programme to learn trades that could help them in future.

    NAN

     

  • Gov. Bello seeks Assembly’s approval for N21.5bn Sukuk Bond

    Gov.  Abubakar Bello of Niger State, has sought a resolution of the State House of Assembly in support of N21.5bn Sukuk Bond Issuance in multiple and consecutive tranches.

    In a letter read by the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa on the floor of the House on Thursday, Bello noted that the bond was part of a third funding plan to rehabilitate and reactivate essential infrastructure in the state.

    He stated that the first funding plan involved provision of direct budgetary funds allocation from state resources, while the second funding plan would be a Public Private Partnership ( PPP ) arrangement.

    “The government of Niger State is committed to the objective of transforming the state so as to set it firmly on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    “Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs ) have been working on the improvement of health care services, development of trailer parks as well as diversification of sales income system through the development of a mining city.

    “After due consideration, it has been decided that in terms of cost, speed and ease of implementation, the most appropriate option for the third funding plan is through Sukuk Bond Issuance and external funding from multilateral development banks.

    “Therefore, the third phase entails procurement of Sukuk Bond to fund Minna township roads, Kontagora, General Hospital Suleja, trailer parks, and Kontagora water supply schemes.

    “Others are Mariga Ultra Modern Market and Mining City, with three mineral processing centres across the state,’’ Bello said.

    The governor maintained that the proposed projects; road infrastructure, health care services, industrial parks and water supply schemes were key aspects of his administration’s priority programmes.

    According to him, the projects will enhance commercial activities, improve socio-economic welfare and internal revenue generation capacity of the state.

    “The planned projects will improve economic productivity and internal revenue generation capacity of the state.

    “This will therefore, ensure that the state continues to generate growth and employment while reducing poverty.’’

    The Speaker consequently set up a six-man special committee led by Alhaji Abdulmalik Kabir to interface with relevant stakeholders and report back to the House on April 24.

    NAN

  • Bello commends NGOs on eradication of poverty in Africa

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has commended the Martin Luther King and Dr Joe Beasley Foundations, NGOs, for alleviating poverty in Africa.

    Bello gave the commendation when Mrs Naomi King and Dr Joe Beasley, founders of the organisation visited him in Minna on Wednesday, to seek partnership with the state on youths and women empowerment.

    The two NGOs are United States-based donors/empowerment consortium with capacity to assist developing countries, worldwide, especially African nation’s by intervening in critical sectors of their economy.

    Bello expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the two NGOs to empower women and youths in the state.

    The governor, who described the foundations as international donors with similar focus toward human development, appealed to them to assist women and youths in the state Sheanut butter production.

    “We will appreciate your partnership more in Sheanut butter production as the state was the world leading producer of the agriculture products.

    “We have purchased modern Shea butter production equipment for our women and youths to serve as source of empowerment to them to become self-reliance,” he said.

    Read Also: Gov. Bello donates N20m to Bida market fire victims

    The governor also said that assisting the state in Shea butter production, women and youths empowerment would improve the economy of the state.

    Earlier, Joe Beasley said that the aim of the foundations was to assist African countries on public water utility challenges.

    Joe Beasley also said that the NGOs would assist the state to solve its water problem in view of the natural endowment of the state.

    He said the NGOs would liaise with World Medical Relief African partners, a Nigeria NGO led by Alhaji Dangana Baba, to assist Niger government to improve water supply, especially in the rural communities.

    In her contribution, King, who manages Mother of Global Humanitarian Movement, promised that the foundations would assist the state in women and youths empowerment and other critical sectors.

    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

  • Navy pledges support to Niger on security

    The Nigerian Navy says it will assist the Niger Government in tackling transnational crimes in Shagunu community of Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

    Commodore Olu Bankole, the Command Operations Officer, who led a delegation to the state, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen shortly after he held a closed-door meeting with Gov. Abubakar Bello in Minna on Monday.

    Bankole said the assistance was based on the request of the governor to the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to assist the state to provide security in the area due to its proximity to Kainji.

    He said that a Navy Secondary School would be established to add leverage to the people with interest to join the Nigerian Navy and serve as surveillance in the state.

    He said that the school would serve as an occasional base to provide security in the area, especially maritime security.

    “We are here based on the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff to have a look at the place and advise on how the Navy can start a base, particularly in Shagunu in Borgu.

    “Navy is keen on establishing a base in the area because there is need to provide security in the area,” he said.

    The command operations officer said the presence of maritime security in the area would improve social-economic activities and improve security as the area was a gateway to other three countries.

    He said that the school would commence as soon as infrastructure was developed and put in place.

    NAN