The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gov. Abubakar Bello

  • Bello lauds military support to internal security

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Saturday applauded the military in complementing the efforts of the police and the civil defence corps in securing lives and property in the state.

    Bello made the remark after setting a bonfire to mark the 2018 West African Social Activity (WASA) for the Headquarters of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and the 31 Artillery Brigade in Minna.

    “I want to commend the efforts of the military in assisting other security agencies in securing lives and property of residents of the state.

    “Niger state is one of the most secured states in the country today because we have joint task force of the military and other security services to secure the state,” he said.

    Bello noted that during the just concluded general elections in the state, the military conducted themselves professionally and discharged their duties effectively.

    The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser, Security Affairs, Brig. Gen. Ndagulu Imam (rtd), urged the military to always maintain good relationship with the civil population while discharging their duties.

    Also, Maj. Gen. Ademoh Salihu, Commander TRADOC, said the event was a social activity to celebrate the previous year and ursher in the new year.

    Salihu who was represented by Maj. Gen. Sagir Yaro, Chief of Training TRADOC, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for making the social activity possible. (NAN)

  • Bello drums support for Nigerian military

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has called on states government to support the Nigerian military in the fight against social vices that constituted threats to national security.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Jibril Ndace, in Minna on Saturday disclosed that Bello made the call during the 60th Passing Out Parade at the Nigerian Military School (NMS) in Zaria.

    Bello said that the military deserves the full cooperation of also other Nigerians to overcome the onerous challenges and threats across the country.

    Thenationonline.net reports that Bello is an ex-boy of NMS class of ’84.

    “Our military is over stretched; these are the boys that will replace our retiring military officers, therefore, the school need our assistance and donation.

    “I am calling for the intervention of old boys of the school and the support of other states government to help build new structures and maintain existing facilities since the school admit equal number of students from every state.”

    The governor pledged the Niger government’s contribution of a 20 room hostel comprising of administrative and toilet facilities.

    He also donated N500,000 to the overall best boy, Joseph Ughasoro, for being outstanding in drilling, map reading and computer science.

    Bello advised the graduating students to conduct themselves in a manner that would portray the image of the school in good light always.

  • Late Gen. Vatsa’s son, Haruna is dead

    Late Gen. Vatsa’s son, Haruna is dead

    Alhaji Haruna Vatsa, the first son of the late Maj,-Gen. Mamman Vatsa and the Director-General Protocol to Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger is dead.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Jibrin Ndace, made the disclosure in a statement he made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday

    He said that Vatsa died on Tuesday afternoon in Kaduna, during a brief illness.

    According to him, details of burial arrangement will be announced later.

  • ‘N6bn discovered by EFCC belongs to Niger State’

    ‘N6bn discovered by EFCC belongs to Niger State’

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Friday said that the N6 billion discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as proceeds of crime were stolen from Niger State Government account.

    The governor made this known to newsmen after joining President Muhammadu Buhari and hundreds of other Muslim faithful to perform the 2-raka’at Juma’at prayer, at the Aso Rock Mosque, Abuja.

    The EFCC uncovered two bank accounts containing N2 billion suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

    Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, said the money which belonged to a former deputy governorship candidate in Niger State, was discovered following a tip-off by a whistle-blower.

    The governor, however, disclosed that an additional N2 billion had been uncovered by the EFCC from the same source, bringing the total amount of the discovery funds to N6 billion.

    According to Bello, the funds are believed to have been siphoned by the suspects through inflated Hajj subsidies offered by the state government to Pilgrims within the periods he (suspect) served as the Chairman of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Agency.

    The governor, who commended the EFCC for its efforts in recovering stolen funds, expressed the hope that the recovered N6 billion would be transferred to the state’s accounts to enable his administration embark on developmental projects.

    He also acknowledged the efforts of the EFCC towards the recovery of the misappropriated ecological funds by the previous administration in the state.

    “I’m aware that the EFCC is investigating the ecological funds. At the inception of this administration we realised that the ecological funds disappeared.

    “I did not have any evidence that it was utilised to address any ecological issues and we are faced with major ecological problems especially in Mokwa, Agaie, Bida, part of Minna, Rafin Gora and Mariga.

    “We are doing our best to address the ecological problems. We need funds and unfortunately the N2 billion that was given to the state was not judiciously used to address the ecological challenges.

    “If it had been used properly maybe our burden might have been reduced by now, but we are having sleepless nights over ecological issues and we are still approaching the Federal Government to assist us,’’ he added.

    On the discovery of some deposit of Hydro-Carbon and other solid minerals in the state, the governor called for a speedy presidential intervention to hasten their exploration and exploitation.

    Bello expressed delight over the state of the health conditions of President Buhari, saying that:“I’m in the State House to check and we prayed together and he is doing very well.

    “I’m happy that I saw him today.’’

  • Drug Abuse: Niger to partner NDLEA

    The Niger Government says it will partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curtail incessant drug abuse among youths in the state.

    Hajiya Mairam Kolo, Director-General of the Niger State Child’s Rights Agency, disclosed this when she visited the State Command of the NDLEA in Minna on Wednesday.

    She said that the agency was established by Gov. Abubakar Bello to protect the rights of children and treat child abuse related issues.

    “The partnership will enable both agencies to curtail and minimise the use of drugs among young people.

    “The high rate of rape and child abuse in the state is condemnable and most of these children are being abused by parents, guardians or neighbours.

    “Also, majority of the pregnant girls brought to the agency are engaged in drug abuse and such cases require special attention,’’ she said.

    The State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr Iweajunwa Joseph, advised the agency to extend its coverage to the 25 local government areas of the state to monitor children who were being abused on daily basis.

    He blamed child abuse on parents who did not live up to the responsibilities of taking care of their children, thereby leaving them exposed to all forms of abuses.

    Joseph appealed to the state government to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates by enrolling them in schools to complete their education.

     

  • Niger to train 5,000 youths to acquire skills

    Niger Government says it is ready to train and empower 5,000 youths to acquire skills under its Youth Development Schemes to make them self-reliant.

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger disclosed this when he issued N50,000 grant and certificates of merit to the 1,000 youths trained in interlocking and block laying in Minna on Thursday.

    He said the 5000 youths would be selected across the 25 local government areas of the state.

    Bello said the administration was committed to their empowerment so as to reduce youth restiveness in the state.

    “It is our responsibility to engage our youths in various skills so that they can equip themselves with different entrepreneurial skills to reduce the pressure on government.

    “We are giving special attention to our youths in the 2017 budget. We have designed various programmes that will assist us actualise our target under the Youth Development and Empowerment Scheme.

    “Aside from those issued with certificate of merit today, 250 youths are being given the opportunity to learn different skills.

    “Another set of 1,500 youths has been selected across the state to commence skill acquisition after the current batch.

    “I think we are we are making progress. Hopefully before the end of this year, 5,000 youths would have been engaged”, he said.

    The governor commended the youths for embracing the skills acquisition programmes and their commitment to key into the programmes designed to empower them.

    He advised the beneficiaries to exhibit the skills they have acquired to better their lots.

    Alhaji Nma Kolo, Project Coordinator of the State Youth Skill Acquisition Scheme thanked government for ensuring that youths in the state were fully empowered.

    Malam Aliyu Bala, Leader of the interlocking training scheme, thanked government for engaging youths in skills acquisition programmes.

    He said the programme would make them self-employed, rather than job-seekers and contribute their quota to the development of the society.

     

  • Niger orders board to end water scarcity

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has directed the State Water Board to immediately complete the repair of Chanchaga Water Works to save residents of Minna from water scarcity.

    Bello gave the directive in Chanchaga on Wednesday when he inspected four electric motors imported from Germany to boost water supply in Minna metropolis.

    The governor directed the water board and the contractor handling the project to speed up the repairs, saying that he was running out of patience.

    “I am running out of patience with you. You must fix this water plant with immediate effect; I am not ready to take any excuse from you that will further delay the fixing of the water works.

    “Fix the water works so that there will be regular and adequate water supply in the state.

    “We purchased this modern equipment to ensure constant water supply and reduce the suffering of our people”, he said.

  • Niger Governor presents 2017 budget to Assembly

    Niger Governor presents 2017 budget to Assembly

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello,  on Friday presented a budget of N108.07 billion for the 2017 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the budget is 21.27 percent higher than the 2016 budget of N85.09 billion.

    In the budget, the recurrent expenditure is pegged at N48.04 billion, representing 44.45 percent, while N60.02 billion was set aside for capital expenditure, which represents 55.55 percent of the total budget size.

    Out of the capital expenditure, administration sector will have N6.64 billion;  economic sector gets N34.44 billion; law and justice N1.08 billion; and social sector N17.84 billion.

    Appraising the 2016 budget,‎ Bello said the state only recorded 67 percent performance from January to October 2016, largely due to its inability to meet its internal revenue targets.

    “In Niger state, our problem was compounded due to our inability to meet our internal revenue targets with only an average of N400 million monthly.

    “This calls for radical transformation of the revenue institutions and infrastructure and in general, conscious efforts will be made to diversify the economy, ‘’ the governor said

    He, however, said that in spite of the economic recession and other challenges in getting finances for the 2016 budget, a lot of projects were still carried out.

    The governor said the 2017 budget would focus on youths and women as they constituted the major percentage of the population of the state.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said the legislative arm would ensure passage of the bill in record time to enable the government to consolidate on its achievements.

    He pledged the support of the legislature in opening new frontiers toward tackling economic challenges and issues of revenue leakages in the state.

    Marafa also appealed to the executive arm of government to look into the issue of local government employees, who were being owed five months salaries‎.