The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Birnin Kebbi

  • Bagudu counsel Igbo community on peaceful coexistence

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, has advised the Igbo community to ensure peaceful coexistence in their respective places of abode across the state.

    Bagudu, represented by Board Chairman, State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo, gave the advice at the launching of the second edition of Igbo Community Association Almanac in Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

    ”Am calling on all Igbo communities in 21 local governments of the state to continue to support state and Federal  Government policies and programmes  to move the state forward,” he said.

    Read Also: Bagudu threatens to sanction contractors over poor job

    He assured the community of the administration’s commitment to sustain the existing peaceful coexistence among residents of the state.

    Earlier, the Vice President of Igbo community, Mr Jonas Nwafor, expressed appreciation to the state government for supporting the Igbo community.

    Nwafor said the Igbo community believed in the corporate existence of the country and assured that the members would sustain existing peace and unity among all tribes in the state.

  • Court sentences reckless driver to death for killing FRSC official

    A state High Court in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State has sentenced to death Usman Aliyu, who knocked down Road Marshal Assistant (RMA III) Muhammad Babangida, a personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, to death.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem, at the weekend in Abuja, said Babangida was serving in Kebbi Sector Command.

    He said the incident occurred on Ahmadu Bello Way, Birnin Kebbi, on April 3, 2017, when the officer was reportedly performing his duty.

    Kazeem said Aliyu was reported to have absconded after killing his victim.

    The convict was arrested on Kalgo Road by the police after a tip-off. Kazeem said from reports, Usman Aliyu drove a Black Toyota Corolla saloon car, KLG 342 AA. He had also initially attempted to knock down Marshal Inspector (III) Abubakar Garba Abubakar of the same patrol team.

    “Noticing he couldn’t knock Abubakar down, he recklessly headed for the deceased and ensured that he knocked him down, as his first target, Abubakar, narrowly escaped,” he said.

    NAN reports that Corps Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi had reacted to the incessant killings of FRSC personnel, and lamented that the Corps had lost 74 personnel to reckless drivers in the last 18 months.

    According to Oyeyemi, the Corps will ensure the prosecution of erring drivers.

  • SEMA procures N200m relief materials for flood victims

    Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ), says it has procured relief materials worth N200 million for distribution to flood victims in 21 local government areas of the state.

    Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that the distribution would commence next week.

    He said that the agency procured the items to cushion the effects of the flood that submerged communities and displaced residents especially in seven local government areas of the state.

    “The recent flooding had affected communities in Dandi, Koko, Suru, Bagudo, Yauri, Ngaski and Shanga areas.”

    He added that reported cases of flooding in the remaining 14 local government areas are being assessed by the agency.

    Read Also: 38, 051 IDPs taking refuge in 31 Camps in Plateau – SEMA

    “We will set up a committee to ensure judicious distribution of the assistance.

    ” We will try to minimize the number of the committee members in order to ensure relative control and transparency in the distribution as we will not hesitate to take to court anyone found guilty of diverting the relief,” Dododo said.

    The chairman commended the state government for releasing the funds and assured that all the victims would receive appropriate support.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that materials to be distributed include, rice, millet, maize, guinea, cement, blankets, roofing sheets, mattresses and textile materials, among others.

  • Rice farmer purchase nomination form for Buhari

    Over 12 million rice farmers in the country have jointly contributed money to provide nomination form for President Muhammad Buhari.

    This was disclosed in Birnin Kebbi by the National President of the Association Alhaji Aminu Goronyo during a courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

    The National President who led other National and State Officials of the association on the visit explained that they decided to pay homage to him in his capacity as the Chairman Presidential Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production in Nigeria and Vice Chairman National Food Security Council, to lead them to President Buhari to deliver the form.

    Alhaji Aminu Goronyo was grateful to President Buhari and Governor Bagudu for encouraging rice production in the country which significantly reduced rice importation.

    He recalled that Governor Bagudu recently led members of RIFAN to the Presidential Villa to present membership card to President Buahri.

    In response, Governor of Bagudu welcomed the gesture by rice farmers to procure nomination form for President Buhari.

    He commended Farmers Association for mobilizing its members nation-wide to embark on massive rice production.
    Senator Bagudu commended Buhari for giving Rice and Wheat Farmers necessary financial support and input to sustain cultivation.

    The Governor said a date will soon be fixed for members representing all the states to converge on Abuja to present the nomination form to President Buhari.

    He announced that Kebbi State Government would distribute castro-oil to youths in the state which served as lubricant for electricity transformer as well as begin honey production for sale to pharmaceutical industry for economic empowerment of youths and the public.

  • Bagudu threatens to sanction contractors over poor job

    Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, on Tuesday warned that he would sanction contractors who failed to adhere to job specifications.

    ‘‘I will not tolerate poor execution of work from any contractor,” he said.

    Bagudu gave the warning in Birnin Kebbi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari.

    He issued the warning after he received a complaint from the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sami on the poor execution of Zuru township roads by the contractors.

    Read Also: Bagudu leads Ekiti APC campaign

    Bagudu also faulted the state engineers for poor monitoring of ongoing projects across the state and warned them to live up to their responsibilities.

    The governor appealed to communities to always report erring contractors to his office for appropriate action.

    “My administration is constructing 367 kilometres of road network throughout the state, with Sakaba- Dan-Kolo Road in Zuru Emirate as the longest.

    “I am not happy about the rehabilitation of Maga-Ribah Road where the government expended more than N500 million but portholes have started resurfacing,” he said.

  • Buhari sympathises with Kebbi flood victims

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with the government and people of Kebbi State on the flood disaster that ravaged 11 local government areas of the state.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, Abubakar Dakingari made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

    He said the president’s message was read to the affected Koko, Koko/Besse Local Government Area of the state by Gov. Atiku Bagudu while addressing victims.

    Read Also: Buhari won’t rest until Leah Sharibu, others are released, says Presidency

    According to the statement, President Buhari is deeply sympathetic with the victims and prayed Allah to provide succor to all of them.

    The governor advised people in the flood prone areas to refrain from construction and building on waterways to prevent future occurrence.

    “The government will embark on clearing and evacuation of rubbish from drainages to ensure free flow of water,’’ Bagudu said.

  • 114,448 PVCs yet to be collected in Kebbi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 114,448 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) produced are yet to be collected by their owners in the state.

    Ahmad Mahmud, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

    According to him, 37,000 uncollected PVCs were from the 2014 voter registration exercise.

    “In the April 2017 continuous voter registration exercise, we were able to register 271,224 comprising: 155,879 males and 115,345 females.”

    Read Also: Ambassador hails Buhari for signing ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ bill

    Mahmud said the state received 117,863 newly printed PVCs from INEC national headquarters, adding that only 40,415 had been collected leaving about 77,448 uncollected.

    He described the failure of residents to pick their PVCs as worrisome, adding that Kebbi was among the states with the highest number of unclaimed PVCs.

    The REC advised eligible voters in the state, who were yet to register, to avail themselves of the opportunity to be registered at INEC designated registration centres in the 21 local government areas.

    “This is an opportunity for them sequel to the recent extension of the ongoing CVR exercise from August 17 to August 31 by the INEC,” he said.

    The REC also promised to embark on an aggressive advocacy to overcome the challenge.

    Mahmud said that his main objective was to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections in the state that would be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.

  • Stray dog on rampage, attacks villagers in Kebbi

    A stray dog is on the rampage and has attacked and injured three villagers and livestock in Basaura town in Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi.

    The state Director, Veterinary and Public Health, Dr Ahmad Ambursa, made this known to our reporter in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

    “An unknown dog was reported to have attacked residents and livestock in Basaura village of Jega Local Government Area.

    “The dog injured three persons and a number of livestock in the area as a result of its spree – bites, ” he said.

    He said the victims had been taken to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

    Read Also: Two killed in deadly Ebonyi rival cult clash

    Earlier, a team of veterinary doctors, led by Dr Ahmad Muhammad, visited the village where the incident happened for confirmation on getting the report.

    The team was received by the District Head of Basaura, Alhaji Muhammad Buhari, who informed the members that the dog was from unknown destination and attacked both humans and livestock.

    “The dog was killed and burnt to ashes by youths in the area,” he said.

    Responding, Dr Muhammad told the district head that the team was in the palace to sensitise the residentston the dangers of rabies and prompt measures to be taken against the disease.

    The team also visited the scene where the dog was killed and burnt for necessary action.

  • Fashola rejects completed houses, roads in Kebbi

    Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday warned that the Federal Government would not accept the 74 housing units and Jega-Yauri road project due to shoddy job.

    Fashola who inspected the two projects in Birnin Kebbi, told the contractors to undertake the project within specification otherwise the government would not accept them.

    He observed that most of the roofing of the bungalows in the Federal Housing Estate and road culverts were not done properly.

    “The roofing is not standard and road culverts are not properly done. They have to reconstruct some of these buildings because we cannot accept them; their roofs are not well constructed,” he said.

    Similarly, Fashola told the contractor handling the Jega-Yauri road that he was not satisfied with the narrow culverts constructed along the road.

    “I am not satisfied with these culverts, you have to reconstruct them.

    “The government has overcome the challenges of funding but is now faced with the challenge of getting the project done in compliance with contractual agreement.

    “With all clear intention, we cannot do the work, we have to entrust the contractors to do the work for us, hence they should do it according to the agreement,” the minister said.

    Mr Walid AbouJaoude of TRIACTA Nigeria Limited handling the road project pledged that the company would do all the necessary corrections and complete the project on time.

    He said that the company had since completed the first phase of the 186 kilometre road project, which began from Sokoto, through Jega, Yauri and would terminate at Birnin Kebbi

  • Kebbi pays N9bn pension, gratuities to 3,500 retirees

    The Kebbi Government said it has paid over N9 billion as pension and gratuities to over 3, 500 retirees in the state. The state governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Tuesday at the May Day 2018 celebration organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) in Birnin Kebbi.

    “From our inception to date, we have made payment to over 3,500 retirees whose entitlements ranged from N500, 000 downwards,’’ he said.

    Bagudu assured the organised labour that the government would strive to do more to improve the standard of living of workers in the state.

    “The government and labour unions will work closely together to ensure that petty traders and commodity sellers were carried along for proper and holistic integration and engagement,’’ he said.

    The governor commended the organised labour in the state for their unflinching support to the government.

    Earlier, the State Chairman of the NLC, Alhaji Umar Halidu, appealed to the state government to review pensioners’ entitlement to reflect increment of regular workers’ salaries that had taken place in the past, especially for 2012 and 2013 retirees.

    “We also urge the government to restore the payment of annual increment, which was not being enjoyed for the last eight years by all categories of workers,’’ he said.

    Halidu also called for the provision of staff quarters for primary school teachers, especially in the rural areas, to boost the morale of teachers posted to such areas.

    “This will encourage teaching as a profession,’’ he said.

    The theme of this year’s celebration is “Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.’’

    In Kogi, workers have appealed to the state government to improve on the welfare of workers, in addition to ensuring prompt payment of salaries owed them.

    Read Also: Kebbi releases N51m for rehabilitation of VVF centre

    The workers made the call in separate interviews with the newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    Mr Jubril Mohammed said the salary of civil servants in the state was poor and could not take them anywhere, especially with the economic situation.

    He implored the government to accord top priority to workers’ welfare because most of them don’t have any other source of income all they depend on is the salary.

    Dr Yinka Adebola, a medical doctor, said the way doctors are being treated is like they are doing them favour because government doesn’t pay their salaries on time and also other allowances.

    “Our salary is very low compare to the risk we face every day at the hospital because some of us get infected and some lost their life in the process of saving patient.

    Adebola pleaded with the government to pay more attention to workers’ welfare by increasing the minimum wage and also ensuring prompt payment of salary and allowances.

    NAN