The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bauchi State

  • Why I was represented at the Senate – Police IG

    The Inspector General of Police  (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has explained why he was not physically present to honour the invitation of the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly.

    The IG explained that he was  absent because he was on an official assignment in Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate had summoned the IG to appear before it to answer questions on why Senator Dino Melaye was handcuffed by Policemen and the spate of killings and insecurity in various parts of the country.

    The IG sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Joshak Habilla to represent him but the Senate rejected the representation.

    The Police in a statement in Abuja on Friday while quoting the Constitution said the duties of the IG could be carried out by either a DIG or an AIG.

    The statement by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood reads: “The functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as listed in Section 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can also be carried out as mentioned in section 312 (1) of the Police Act and Regulation by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in official capacity at any function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation.

    “It is on the basis of the above that while the Inspector General of Police is on an official assignment in Bauchi State that he delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him and honour the invitation of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and to be arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lokoja without further delay.”

    The statement further reads: “Consequently, the general public are hereby implored to note that the Inspector General of Police acted rightly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act and Regulation and other extant laws by delegating the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him at the Senate, National Assembly on 26th April, 2018 to present the Police report, actions and findings in a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses indicting Senator Dino Melaye.”

    On Melaye’s case, the Police urged the Senate not to trivialize the case against Melaye adding that the Senate should allow the rule of law to prevail.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a law abiding organization and holds the Senate and its leadership in high esteem, however the Force wishes to impress on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to personalize or trivialize the criminal offenses (Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses) indicting Sen. Dino Melaye from confessions of two (2) suspected kidnappers and Armed Robbers namely: KABIRU SAIDU a.k.a OSAMA and NUHU SALISU a.k.a SMALL; but should allow the rule of law and justice to prevail.

  • UNICEF tasks Bauchi on child mortality rate

    The United Nations International Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) has tasked Bauchi state government to focus more on evidence-based programme and primary healthcare delivery so as to combat the lingering problem of under-five child mortality rate in the state.

    Speaking during a one-day technical consultative meeting on ending preventable deaths of children in Bauchi state held at Grand Central Hotel in Kano yesterday, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Health, Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, called on health partners and nongovernmental organizations to work with Bauchi state government in its drive to reduce child mortality rate.

    According to her, “we should all come together and be partners with all the people working in Bauchi to really study the data so that we know what can be done and accelerate progress. 

    “One of the things that we have agreed together that Bauchi should do is to really focus on the evidence-based programme. Look at the information and use it to design their programme, get all the resources where they have to get them and make it work.

    “The other thing is to see how we can strengthen the primary healthcare platform and community platform to really reach all the vulnerable children within the localities in the state.”

    She further stated that, “UNICEF is working in partnership with the Bauchi state government; we are also working with the Nigerian government and below the state level—at Local Government Areas, wards and communities to really look at the status of children.

    “We really want to find out why children are dying and what the cause of the deaths is. We also really want to know the status of the overall health of children in Nigeria, including Bauchi state.”

    She said Bauchi has been making significant progress over the past few years, adding that, “we can see the details of improvements on the increased immunization coverage. There is still a lot more to be done.

    This meeting is meant for UNICEF and the state government to come together and to really look at information—analyze them, plan and implement for the survival of children; we try to strive and transform in order to know what need to be done. We also need to fast-track  the programme so as to save the lives of our children.”

    Bhardwaj noted that Nigeria has made some progress by reducing U5 Mortality rate from 201 in 2008 to 128 in 2013 ( NDHS ), “but there is wide disparity in performance among and within states in U5 mortality reduction.

    “Limited progress has been recorded in newborn deaths in the last decade. Bauchi State has made similar progress bringing under 5 mortality rates from 236/1000live birth in 2011 to 161/1000 live births in 2016; just as it made Under-one mortality from 140 in 2011 to 81 in 2016.

    She admitted that, “however, lots of children are still dying from preventable causes necessitating more investments and improved programming that will significantly reduce child deaths.”

    In her remarks, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zuwaira Hassan said that the state government is to set up an emergency committee to monitor progress recorded in the fight against child mortality which would be reviewed periodically to ascertain the actual records in every three months.

    According to her, “actually, the state government has already done a lot to reduce under-5 child mortality rate. If you look at the indices, they were worse than this. When you compare 2011 indices with 2016 indices, you will see that a lot has already been achieved.

    “It is just that we are not yet where we want to be. We are being moved and we need to do more. You know that the executive Governor of Bauchi state already has a five-point agenda. The first in the agenda is strengthening Primary Healthcare Delivery; routine immunization, as well as maternal, newborn and child health; and a lot has been done in these areas.

    “The Bauchi state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate, USAID; and the Governor has been fulfilling Bauchi state government counterpart funding. In fact, the state has already redeemed the 2018 counterpart funding which has tremendously helped to boost the immunization programme.”

  • Bauchi State: CCT okays trial of Commissioner, 54 others

    Mr Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ) has approved April 24 and April 27 for the arraignment of a serving Commissioner and 54 other public officers before him in Bauchi State.

    According to a statement by Mr Ibraheem AL-Hassan, Head, Press and Public Relations of the tribunal, the trial would be conducted at the state High Court Bauchi.

    The CCT said the routine inter-state became necessary in order to handle all pending cases brought to it by the Code of Conduct Bureau ( CCB ).

    The court said those to be arraigned for the alleged breached of code of conduct of public officers were both career and political office holders.

    Al-Hassan said the respondents included heads of federal, state and Local government Agencies, operating in the state.

    According to him, they include one serving commissioner, nine Senior Assistance operating from the office of Secretary to the Bauchi state government and three Personal Assistance to state Governor.

    Read Also: Troops kill 4, arrest 9 militiamen in Bauchi State

    Others, according to the spokesman of the tribunal, include four staff of the Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agent personnel with a Commander operating in the state.

    Al-Hassan further listed Chief Superintendent of Custom and eight Police officers of different ranks in the state command to had allegedly breached the CCB’s Act.

    He said the aim of embarking on state’s trial was to bring justice to the door step of the defaulters spread across the country.

    “Also the itinerant session would serve as a means of reaching out to the state on the activities of the CCT.

    “It is our hope that this would serve as deterrent to other public servants who do not consider it necessary to promptly declare their assets’’, Al-Hassan said.

  • Our Projects ‘ll be completed – Bauchi Finance Commissioner

    Bauchi state government has assured that all ongoing projects it initiated  will be completed  in the 2018 fiscal year to  pave way for sustainable development in the state.

    Bauchi state commissioner of Finance and Economic Development Mr. Garba Sarki Akuyam, gave the assurance in Bauchi while speaking to reporters on the recent assent of the 2018 Appropriation Bill by state Governor,Muhammad Abubakar.

    Akuyam opined that “with the signing of the budget, Bauchi people should expect the execution of more development projects and programmes in all parts of the state”.

    He also said”the state government plans to embark on massive construction of rural roads across the state,and to begin mechanization of agriculture to enhance food security in the state”.

    Bauchi has earmarked N167,899,220,800 Billion in 2018.

    Of this N99,936,650,43 for capital projects,N67,962,570,757 Billion for recurrent expenditure, N23.3 billion allocated to for general administration.

    While over N61.4 has been assigned to economic sector, N5 billion for law and justice sector.regional development sector got over N5.2 billion,social development took  N59.5 billion  with consolidated revenue charges at N12.7 billion.

    According to the commissioner”state government projects total of N132,478,369  as internally generated revenue”.

    Commenting on priority areas of the budget, Akuyam  said Ministry of Education has taken 19 percent of the budget,while Health  got 16 percent, Ministry of Works and Agriculture and Natural Resources is given 15 percent .

    In addition the state government will diversify its revenue sources to reduce to reduce much reliance on allocation from the federal And appealed to Bauchi people to support and cooperate with the state government to deliver dividends of democracy to them.

  • Bauchi to spend N395m on electrification project – Official

    The Bauchi State Government has approved N395million for the electrification rehabilitation of some communities in Alkaleri and Misau Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr Ali Mohammed made the disclosure in Bauchi on Monday while briefing newsmen at the end of the state Executive Council Meeting.

    Mohammed said that N162million was approved for rehabilitation of damaged high tension lines in Misau – Giade axis while N114million was for electrification of Sha Iska-Yalwan Bako-Pali villages.

    He said that N119million was also approved for the electrification of Jalingo –Yalo- Masuri communities all in Alkaleri LGA.

    He said that the council has also approved N149million for the completion of two storey buildings with boys’ quarters in the College of Nursing and Midwifery for medical officers in the state.

    Ali disclosed that the council had renamed the College of Education in Kangere to Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education after the renowned political and illustrious son of the state.

    According to him, the council also adopted six books earlier reviewed by the present administration to improve on civil service regulations in the state.

    Some of the books were last reviewed in 2001 which includes the store regulations and policy on disposal of official vehicles.

    NAN

  • I lost a brother, confidant, Dogara mourns Sen. Wakili

     

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has described the death of Senator Malam Ali Wakili as devastating and heart breaking.

    The Speaker said Wakili was a personal friend, true brother and a dependable ally.

    Wakili who, until his death represented Bauchi South Senatorial District was reported to have slumped and died in his Gwarinpa, Abuja residence on Saturday morning.

    Dogara in a statement said, “The death of Sen. Ali Wakili is a personal loss to me. I’m short of words to describe how devastated and heartbroken I am over the passing away of this true friend, brother and confidant, with whom I had excellent brotherly relationship and association.

    “We have indeed lost a distinguished parliamentarian, easy going and courageous person who had worked tirelessly both in the Senate chamber and outside to defend the interest of his constituents, Bauchi State and the downtrodden members of the society in the country at large.

    “Within his short but eventful sojourn in the National Assembly, Sen. Wakili had distinguished himself with his characteristic display of patriotism, forthrightness and logical skills during debates and other legislative duties”.

    “We in Bauchi State and in particular, Bauchi South Senatorial District, have lost a  worthy ambassador and a distinguished gentleman. But we’ll take solace in the fact that his humanitarian services and other accomplishments will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all.

    “Our deep condolences go to his immediate family, constituents, the people of Bauchi State and the nation at large over this irreparable loss.”

  • Bauchi: Gov Abubakar signs 2018 budget into law

    Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State on Wednesday signed into law, the 2018 appropriation bill of N167.89 billion.

    Abubakar said that 60 per cent of the budget was allocated to capital expenditure while 40 per cent was for recurrent expenditure.

    He said that the education sector was given the lion share of 19.22 per cent while 15.23 per cent was allocated to the health sector.

    The governor said that so far, he was not impressed with the performance of the health sector and promised to monitor activities of the sector to enable the government make a difference in the implementation of the 2018 budget.

    According to him, the completion of  ongoing projects and diversification of sources of Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) of the state will be given attention.

    He said that geologists from Czeck Republic would soon be in the state to commence mining and other activities in area of solid minerals.

    He said the state government would encourage mechanized farming as part of efforts to discourage subsistence farming

    “We want to turn agriculture into a venture to ensure food security for the state, as against the subsistence agriculture we are practicing,” the governor said.

    He said that the state government would also embark on construction of 1,000 kilometers of rural roads through the support of the World Bank, saying that the state had commenced the payment of its counterpart fund.”

    NAN

  • Bauchi to replace mahogany trees with umbrella specie – Official

    Bauchi State Government on Tuesday said it would replace the mahogany trees providing shade along major streets in the state capital with umbrella species.

    Mr James Dallah-Sam, Director, Forestry and Wildlife, state Ministry of Environment, said this in Bauchi in an interview with our reporter.

    Dallah-Sam said the plan to replace the mahogany specie followed reported cases of threat being posed by the trees to residents of the state capital.

    He said this was more common during rainy season where motorists and pedestrians sustained injuries in recent times.

    “Even on Monday, one of the trees fell and injured two motorcycle operators along Ahmadu Bello Way.

    “We also recorded a similar incident in Sept. 2017 along Bauchi-Zaranda Hotel road, where seven similar trees collapsed during a windstorm.

    “Most of the mahogany trees were planted by the then government over 30 years ago and had outlived their lifespan.

    “They could cause more havoc if allowed to remain because mahogany is a big and heavy tree; the ageing roots can no longer withstand the weight of the branches.

    “We are going to plant an umbrella tree beside each mahogany tree that poses threat.

    “We will nurture the umbrella specie to certain stage, then uproot the mahogany tree as replacement, while others that are not of serious threat will be trimmed,” he said.

    The director said fears had gripped residents and officials of the ministry following current heavy winds blowing across the state.

    He said officials of the ministry had discovered that something urgent must be done to avert similar occurrences.

    He said the ministry would write a reminder to Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of the state for release of fund to enable the ministry commence work on replacement and trimming of the trees.

    NAN

  • Google honours Keshi with Doodle

    Google honours Keshi with Doodle

    Google on Tuesday marked the 56th birthday of the late Nigerian football icon, Stephen Keshi, with Doodle.

    A Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on Google’s homepages that commemorates holidays, events, achievements and people.

    Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made the assertion during a chat with Google in Lagos.

    According to Kola-Ogunlade, Stephen Keshi was born in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria, and was a member of the famed St. Finbarrs College Football Academy of 1977.

    He said that he was later called up for the Junior Eagles and subsequently the Super Eagles in preparation for the 1980 African Cup of Nations competition.

    “Football took Keshi all over the world as he played across Africa, Europe, and the U.S.

    “Known affectionately as `Big Boss’, he was beloved as a player for Nigeria’s national team, where he earned more than 60 caps and for representing the country at the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations,’’ he said.

    READ ALSO : Google doodle honours Chinua Achebe

    Kola-Ogunlade said that after his great success as a player, Keshi moved into coaching, the next phase of his career, adding that when the “Big Boss’’ became the coach of the Togo national team, he brought his trademark passion with him.

    The Google manager said that against the odds, Keshi led Togo all the way to a qualifying spot in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

    “He achieved his personal dream in 2011, when he became an indigenous national coach of the Super Eagles, cementing his place in African and world football history.

    “Coaching the Nigerian team, Keshi won the African Cup of Nations in 2013, and in 2014 became the first African coach of an African nation to make it to the knockout round of a World Cup.

    “Keshi is one of the only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a manager, a testament to his wit, talent, and love for the sport.

    “A big cheer for this football legend on what would have been his 56th birthday!’’ he said.

     

  • Bauchi to replace mahogany trees with other species

    Bauchi to replace mahogany trees with other species

    Bauchi State Government said on Tuesday, that it would replace existing Mahogany trees providing shades in Bauchi, the state capital with more environmentally friendly species.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Bala Lukshi, said this in Bauchi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Lukshi said that most of the mahogany trees were planted by government 30 years ago, adding that they had outlived their lifespan and could cause more havoc, if allowed to remain.

    “We thought of trimming them but trimming will not solve the problem, as a long time measure, we will look for species that are environmentally friendly to replace these ones.

    “Mahogany is a big and heavy tree; the aging roots can no longer withstand the weight of the branches.

    “With a downpour or windstorm, all the trees will be uprooted and they will continue to cause wreak havoc, therefore, the best thing is to replace them.

    “We held a meeting on Monday, wrote our report and we have submitted it to the office of the Secretary to the State Government,’’he said.

    NAN reports that windstorm occurred in Bauchi on Sunday, leaving some mahogany trees along old Jos road uprooted, cars, buildings, electric poles, shops and other valuables destroyed.