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Tag: Abubakar Bello

  • Gov. Bello meets with predecessors, former ministers over security in Niger

    Gov. Bello meets with predecessors, former ministers over security in Niger

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Tuesday met with former Niger governors, ministers and political leaders over the security situation in the state.

    The meeting, held behind closed doors at the state house in Minna, also discussed other crucial issues affecting the state.

    Retired Col. Yohanna Madaki, former military governor of Kastina State, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, listed issues discussed to include security challenges, Internally Generated Revenue and infrastructure.

    “The meeting also agreed to set up a six-man committee to play an advisory role toward moving the state forward.

    “I was made the chairman of the committee; part of our mandate is to proffer lasting solutions to farmers/herdsmen clashes and work out measures to protect lives and property in Niger.

    “Security challenges are not peculiar to Niger, but the meeting agreed on the need for proactive measures to make Niger a model,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the meeting was attended by Prof. Jerry Gana, former Minister for Information, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, former governor of the state, his deputy, Dr Shem Zabagyi, and retired Gen. Garba Duba.

    Others included Gen. Idris Garba, Abubakar Muye, former Minister of Finance, Zainab Kuchi, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Asma’u Ahmed, former Minister of State for Agriculture.

  • APC is the best thing to happen to Niger – Speaker

    APC is the best thing to happen to Niger – Speaker

    The Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government in the state was the best thing to happen to the state.

    Marafa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Minna that the achievements of the government in two years was unequalled by any past administration in the state.

    “I want to say that the past two years have been a worthwhile journey filled with lot of success stories.

    “For those that know Niger state and will be very sincere in their assessment, they will admit that the level of development achieved by this government in two years is unequalled by any past administration.

    “The best thing that has happened to Niger state and Nigeria is the government of APC because of what we’ve been able to do.

    “Today, there is no ward you will go to in the state and not find one landmark project or the other and I stand to be challenged on this,’’ he said.

    He said that the state government had made giant strides in water supply, road construction, education, health among others.

    According to Marafa, the waterworks in the state have been totally overhauled and today, people who had given up on water running in their taps have a reason to smile.

    “We have also embarked on roads construction which have opened up the state and greatly improved economic activities.

    “Education is not left out as schools are being repositioned and rehabilitated under the whole school approach and before 2019 we should have at least 30 standard secondary schools,” he added.

    He commended the governor’s prudence in the management of limited resources available to the state.

    “We have never had a governor so prudent financially like Gov. Abubakar Bello.

    “He sleeps and wakes up thinking about what next to do for Niger and not what he can gain from the state. It is rare to have such a governor” the speaker said.

    On his social services in his constituency, he said that he had offered educational support to 300 students in tertiary institutions.

    According to Marafa, who represents Chanchaga in the assembly, the gesture was part of my efforts to support the educational pursuit of youths in his constituency.

    “When I came on board, I decided to make education a priority because of its importance in our lives.’’

    He also disclosed that he had taken up the responsibility of kitting pupils in three primary schools with uniforms.

    On health, the lawmaker revealed that he was working on a proposal for a health insurance scheme for people in the informal sector.

    “Most insurance policies only cover the formal sector, so I decided to do the unthinkable by setting up a health insurance capturing only the informal sector.

    “The project will cost me about N70 million and I have been saving towards that and hopefully, very soon it will be launched.’’

    He said that the scheme would commence with 10,000 people, adding that treatment and drugs will be free for pregnant women, children of 0 to five years while others would pay only 10 per cent of the cost of drugs.

  • Niger wants parents to feed, pay for children seeking Islamic knowledge

    Niger wants parents to feed, pay for children seeking Islamic knowledge

    Niger government says that parents of children sent to the state to seek Islamic knowledge will now come along with foodstuff for feeding of their children and pay fees for their upkeep.

    Mrs Mairam Kolo, Director-General of Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

    Kolo said the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Islamic school teachers against street begging.

    She said Gov. Abubakar Bello had approved that the agency enter an agreement with teachers that parents whose children were sent to the schools bring along  foodstuff and pay a fee to stop them from begging.

    “This new development is to make sure that children are kept off the street and ensure that they are treated properly and their rights enforced and protected.

    “The agreement reached is between the state government, teachers of Islamic schools and parents who bring their children to learn.
    “If these children are sent to learn, then they should not be seen on streets begging, therefore, the agreement is that, the children will not be put to beg and will be properly taken care of,” she said.

    Kolo noted that the essence was to provide decent accommodation and food for the children for effective learning.

    She added that the teachers had been directed to get accurate numbers of pupils in each school to enable the government to know the number of children sent to learn in the state.

    “The governor is not saying he does not want Islamic schools in the state but that the rights of these children are protected.

    “We don’t want strangers coming into our state littering our streets and becoming nuisance. Every child sent to learn in the state must be properly documented.

    “And so far, there has been compliance from the teachers as they have been coming to sign this agreement with us.

    “The teachers will now go and reach a unified agreement with parents on the fee to be paid and the amount of food they will provide on monthly basis,” she said.

    The director-general stressed that street begging was not Islamic and added that the agency would ensure constant monitoring of the schools to ensure compliance by teachers and parents.

    She warned that any teacher who failed to comply with the agreement would be prosecuted in accordance with the law against street begging.

    “There is need to properly educate the public because in the Qu’ran, it is allowed to travel far to seek Islamic knowledge but street begging is not allowed.

    “These children sent to learn should do so in conducive  environments like any other child;  they should have basic right to good health, good place to study, good food and good place to sleep,” she added.

    Kolo said the agency had  commenced sensitisation in various communities on the need to protect the rights of children.

  • Niger Assembly passes 13 bills in two years

    Niger Assembly passes 13 bills in two years

    The Niger State House of Assembly has passed 13 bills since it came on board in June 2015, its Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said on Saturday in Minna.

    Marafa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 10 of the bills had been signed into law by Governor Abubakar Bello.

    He said that nine other bills were at various stages of committee scrutiny, adding that such scrutiny usually focus on their possible impact on the lives of the citizens.

    “Our role as legislators is to enact laws that will improve the living standard of the populace; we will always be guided by the possible effect of each law on the lives of the common man,” he said.

    Marafa said that the legislature and executive had maintained a cordial working relationship, and commended the governor for executing projects that had enhanced the living standard of rural dwellers.

    He also commended the governor’s prudence in the management of limited resources, and promised that the House of Assembly would offer every support necessary to make Niger better.

    Marafa also reacted to suggestions that the legislature was a “mere rubber stamp to the executive”.

    “The two arms of government don’t always have to be at loggerheads; we believe that Niger will gain more if we work together toward a common goal.

    “If people feel we are rubber stamps because we are giving the executive the support it needs to move the state forward, then so be it.

    “When you hear of legislature-executive friction, often times it has to do with personal interest. In Niger, we do not allow such private interest to becloud our judgement and focus,” he added.

  • Gov. Bello appoints 17 new Perm Sec., retires 16

    Gov. Bello appoints 17 new Perm Sec., retires 16

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Tuesday retired 16 Permanent Secretaries and appointed 17 new ones in a move to overhaul the state civil service.

    A statement by Mr Jide Orintunsin, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the governor, said that the governor also directed the Permanent Secretaries to proceed on immediate retirement leave.

    He said that eight serving Permanent Secretaries would be retained while two others, who have been acting had their appointments confirmed.

    “The governor also approved the appointment of 17 new Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service for efficiency of the service.

    “The ongoing exercise and changes in the civil service is to allow for the emergence of a new crop of leadership, reinvigorate the service and entrench equity and fairness.

    “The creation of three additional ministries and employment of 250 graduates into the state’s civil service is part of efforts to harness the potentials of the workforce and enhance efficiency in service delivery,’’ he said.

    The governor’s aide listed the new ministries to include; the Ministry of Forestry and Animal Resources, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Ministry of Culture and Tourism, bringing the number of ministries in the state to 18 from 15.

    “The creation of the new ministries is to enable us as government harness our full potential in the state.

    “I have also directed the State Civil Service Commission to immediately recruit 250 graduates from the 25 Local Government Areas into the state civil service.

    “ In addition, I have also approved the appointment of 17 new Permanent Secretaries based on merit and with immediate effect,” he said.

    Orintunsin said that the state public service has been intensely exposed to damaging partisanship and external influences, adding that such practice had compromised their integrity and created negative perceptions.

  • Fire destroys property worth N150 million at Zungeru Polytechnic

    Fire destroys property worth N150 million at Zungeru Polytechnic

    The fire disaster that hit Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, last week, destroyed property worth more than N150 million, according to its Rector, Dr. Umar Egbako.

    Egbako told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zungeru on Monday that the inferno destroyed the entire administrative block.

    “The Rector’s office and other administrative offices, located at the third floor of the senate building, were completely gutted down.

    “Several computers, gadgets, furniture and office files were destroyed; but we have mobilised every possible effort and ensured that the incident did not affect academic activities,” he said.

    Egbako said that Gov. Abubakar Bello had already released funds for the rehabilitation of the damaged structures.

    “We cried out to the governor and he promptly released funds for the rehabilitation of affected structures. Such quick response is very wonderful,” he said.

  • Niger sets up task force against indiscriminate felling of trees

    The Niger Government has set up a task force to prevent indiscriminate felling of economic trees in the state.

    Gov. Abubakar Bello, who made this known on Friday during a tour of Agaie Local Government Area of the state, warned that anybody caught would be arrest and prosecuted.

    ‘‘We have set up a taskforce that will swing into action next week and anyone caught felling economic trees would be arrested.

    ‘‘We must guard against such practices because the future of our dear state is at stake here,’’ he said.

    Bello explained that the task force became necessary so as to protect the soil from gully and sheet erosion, with its negative effects on agricultural production.

    He advised traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the dangers of indiscriminate felling of trees.

    The governor, who visited some schools in Agaie, decried their dilapidated condition, adding that education was a collective responsibility of government and the public.

    He said the rehabilitation of nine schools across the state was ongoing under the whole school approach, adding that more schools would be renovated in due course.

    The governor also inspected the General Hospital, Agaie and some ongoing road projects which, he said the state was committed to completing.

    He said the tour of local governments was important as it afforded him the opportunity to meet with the people directly and know what they want.

    The governor gave assurance that future budgets would provide for the people what they need and not what the government thinks they desire.

    NAN reports that the Gov. Bello donated N30 million to the local government to be used in addressing some of its developmental challenges.

  • Buhari appoints new management for NEXIM Bank

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Abubakar Bello as the new Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).

    The Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the President had also approved the appointment of Dr. Bala Bello and Mrs. Stella Okotete as Executive Directors, Corporate Services and Business Development respectively.

    The appointments take immediate effect.

    Until his appointment, the newly appointed managing director was an Executive Director in charge of North-East and North-West zones of Unity Bank.

    NAN

  • NEPAD decries nonchalant attitude of youths toward developmental issues

    The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), has decried the “nonchalant attitude of Nigerian youths towards developmental issues in the continent”.

    Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, expressed the view on Thursday, when she paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Bello.

    Akobundu called on youths in the country to compete favourably with their counterparts in other African countries, saying that the opportunities were massive and should be fully explored.

    She advised Nigerian youths to get involved and participate in both national and international events.

    “It is time to get serious; Nigerian youths must be serious because the leadership of this country will one day get into their hands.

    “How will they approach the leadership of the country if they failed to get involved now?”, she asked.

    She explained that Africa would be a better place if the youths took advantage of the numerous opportunities that abound on the continent.

    “There are small loans to start up something. Identify the right agencies, go there and ask questions.

    “At NEPAD, our doors are always opened. We will direct and help you because you are our future,” he added.

    In his response, Governor Bello said that the state had outlined activities and programmes targeted at reducing extreme poverty, and ensuring good governance.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Ladan, said that the administration had embarked on programmes that would keep youths engaged so as to reduce youth restiveness.

    Also speaking, NEPAD Director General in Niger, Mr Abdullahi Ketso, said that NEPAD would train 2,000 youths from the 25 Local Governments, in various skills.

  • No religion encourages street begging – Gov’s aide

    No religion encourages street begging – Gov’s aide

    The Special Adviser on Religious Affairs to Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger State, Alhaji Tanko Ahmed, has said that street begging is a form of child labour not supported by any religion in the country.

    Ahmed told newmen in Minna on Tuesday that no religion encourages parents to give birth to children and throw them on the streets.

    “Street begging is not good for any religion, community, society and country. Throwing children off the streets is child labour.

    “We have prevalence of children on the streets begging because parents who are expected to inculcate sanity among their children have thrown away such responsibility.

    “No child must be made to beg and every child has the right to proper education, upbringing and security.

    “A man has no right to give birth to a child and throw such child onto the streets; by  doing that such parents will be denying  the children, parental comfort,” he said.

    Ahmed said if this menace was not checked, the country would be producing a generation of beggars.

    He said that street begging could make children vulnerable to security challenges the country was currently facing.

    Ahmed said that the security, social responsibility, education and survival of a child depended largely on their parents.

    According to him, if government fails to take drastic measures to control the menace the country will be neglecting what will turn out to be a time bomb.

    Ahmed called on religious leaders and traditional rulers to sensitize parents on the consequences of sending their children to the streets to beg.

    He said children who were sent to the streets  to beg might not respect the rule of law when they grow up.

    He warned parents to desist from allowing their children to beg stressing that government would, henceforth, not condone such an indecent behaviour.