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Tag: Hadiza Balarabe

  • Sanga council chairman raises alarm over planned violent protest

    Chairman of Sanga local government area in Kaduna state, Mr Charles Danladi, has called on security agencies to investigate a protest planned for tomorrow to destabilise the area and cause unrest.

    Speaking on Monday in Kaduna, the Chairman said the protest was planned by some disgruntled elements in Kaduna to “promote religious division in Sanga” based on claims of a move against Christians holding political offices in the LGA area.

    Danladi, who stated the allegation on which the planned protest was premised was false, said: “I wish to bring to your attention deliberate plans by certain persons to incite ethno-religious crises in Sanga LGA and to request that security agencies investigate, take steps to uphold peace in Sanga LGA and bring those responsible for this incitement to book.

    “Those behind these plans to cause a breach of the peace and incite communal tensions met in Kaduna over the weekend under the auspices of a political party.

    “By the evening of Sunday March 31st, 2019, they had sent monies into Sanga LGA to fund the protests scheduled for Tuesday April 2nd, 2019.

    Read Also: Sanga killings: Chief begs Christians against reprisal attacks

    “Information available to me indicates that these persons want to promote religious division in our LGA.

    “They have prepared a campaign based on patently false claims that there is a move against Christians holding office in our LGA.

    “They want to cloak their negative activities under the guise of protecting me against alleged attempts to remove me as chairman by Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor-elect of Kaduna state.

    “There is nothing of the sort and the masterminds know this but they seek to deliberately perpetrate falsehood and further irresponsible narratives.”

    According to the chairman, despite the security challenges faced in the area, they are at peace with each other and the state government has been helpful in providing relief materials to victims of attacks.

    He said there are over 1,000 internally displaced Christians and Muslims in the LGA and efforts are ongoing to repair their houses to enable the victims return back to their homes.

    Danladi lamented proliferation of arms in the LGA, noting that some of the attacks blamed on Fulani were carried out by people who launch such attack and killings to pay back on little issues such as land dispute, because they are empowered by possession of guns and other arms.

  • Nigeria still can’t feed itself, says Buhari

    President Muhannadu Buhari has said that, Nigeria is still facing the challenge of feeding itself and providing raw materials for industries through agriculture.

    President Buhari who stated this on Saturday at the opening of the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, however said that, the challenge remains, despite agriculture contributing 25.5 per cent of the Nigeria’s GDP and 50 per cent of its labour force.

    Kaduna International Trade Fair is a 10-day an annual event organised by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), where both local and international business ideas and inventions are showcased.

    Represented at the occasion by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelama, the President however identified creation of  a strong linkage between agriculture and industry as a sure way of bringing about sustainable growth by creating new jobs, improving value addition.

    READ ALSO: I’ll base appointment of new ministers on merit, spread — Buhari

    According to the President, “Nigeria has continued to face the challenge of meeting domestic food requirements, providing raw materials for the manufacturing sector and export.

    “Therefore, creating a strong linkage between agriculture and industry is a sure way of bringing about sustainable growth by creating new jobs, improving value addition.

    “The move will also create wealth for farming communities, improve manufacturing output and enable roll-out of infrastructure around farming communities which will industrialise our country in the long run.” He said.

    The President also described state governments as key allies for successful businesses in the country, adding that, their commitment is required for businesses to succeed.

    “For instance, we rely on state governments to provide access to land, act as mediators in conflict prevention and resolution, link local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the supply chains of processing companies.

    “States also provide the needed infrastructure to link farms to processing plants and markets, and above all, provide a conducive environment for businesses and their host communities to thrive.

    “I am glad to say that we have such a partner in the Kaduna State Government.” He said.

    Buhari however assured that, the Federal Government under him will continue to engage KADCCIMA and the organised private sector to catalyse investment and improve the ease of doing business.

    n his own speech, Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai while congratulating KADCCIMA for 40 years of successful trade fair outing and organisation of the private sector to contribute to national development, assured that, his would continue to build the needed human capital by equipping teeming youths in the state with skills for entrepreneurship development.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe enumerated the successes of the state through its investment friendly environmentEarlier, President of KADCCIMA, Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, described the 40th edition of the fair as unique, considering KADCIMA’s 40 years of contribution to the development of Kaduna State and the country.

    She however commended the Federal and the Kaduna State Government for promoting the growth of the private sector in the state through various business-friendly policies.

  • El-Rufai’s re-election: Kaduna women demands 40% representation in cabinet

    Some women in Kaduna metropolis have appealed to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai and his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, to give women 40 per cent appointment into the state Executive Council.

    The women, who made the call on Friday in Kaduna while reacting to El-Rufai’s re-election, described the governor as women equality advocate who acknowledged the potential of women in nation building.

    They expressed optimism that their demand would be answered following El-Rufai’s led-administration promotion of gender equality and women empowerment in the last four years.

    According to them, the governor’s decision to pick a woman as his deputy is a clear indication of his effort to create a level playing field for women to contribute to the development of the state.

    One of the women, Ms Sabeera Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the governor had promised to continue promoting gender equality in the state if re-elected.

    According to her, the promise attracted huge support of women to the governor’s re-election bid.

    She added that the 40 per cent appointment to women was to redeem the governor’s promise.

    “It will also provide the needed opportunity for women to bring their talent to the table for sustainable development in the state.

    “The government should appoint more women and shoulder them with the responsibilities of empowering their fellow women through education, skills acquisition and financial support.

    “The government should continue to support women who could not make a living through western education, with skills, capital and financial assistance for self-reliance.”

    She also called on the government to establish a specific agency to deal with marital and other domestic issues affecting women as alternatives to adjudication.

    Similarly, Ms Hassana Sulaiman, a writer and a novelist, said that 40 per cent slot, if approved, would improve women participation in the political process in the state.

    Read Also: ‘El-Rufai wasn’t involved in any accident’

    “The issue of gender equality is a movement to ensure that qualified women contest and hold political positions without any form of oppression.

    “Women across the world have held positions and have done excellently well.

    “I can also say that the decision to give the deputy governor’s seat to a woman in Kaduna State was born out of the impressive performance of the few women that worked in the El-Rufai-led government,” Sulaiman said.

    On her part, Ms Hauwa Muhammad called on the government to continue the laudable efforts toward equipping the girl child with sound and qualitative education at no cost.

    Ms Khadija Musa, an economist, said that involving women in economic decision-making processes would ensure sustainable economic growth, due to women’s inherent skills in managing resources.

    She also called on the government to create a legal framework that protects women rights in work places, describing it as crucial to ending gender imbalance in both public and private sectors.

    Ms Jamila Yusuf argued that if given the opportunity, women would ensure peaceful and harmonious relationship among different people in the state as they ensure peace in their various homes.

    According to her, a reasonable number of women in key public offices would create the needed balance between civic responsibilities and home front.

    NAN

  • Kaduna: Pastors urge opposition parties to shun bitterness

    Pastors in Kaduna under the auspices of Pastors United for Change Association in Kaduna have congratulated Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe for emerging victorious in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.

    The pastors also called on political gladiators especially from the opposition parties in the state to close ranks with governor El-Rufai in moving the state forward and shun politics of bitterness.

    In a statement by the National Chairman of the association, Rev. David Adeniran, urged citizens of Kaduna to support the governor in his quest to transform the state to an enviable height.

    “El-Rufai’s victory is divine and we strongly believe that it will bring a lot of benefits to the good people of Kaduna state.

    “However, we are hoping that the emergency of Mallam Nasir El-rufai will turn around the fortune of the state and place the state amongst the leading economy in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Police confirm 16 people killed by gunmen in Kaduna

    “With the cooperation of all and sundry, we are not in doubt in the capacity of the governor in providing good governance for the teeming population of the state going by his track records of performances.

    “His re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that he enjoy among the people of the state, attributable to his wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the state.

    “In our part as clerics, we shall continue to encourage the government in doing the right thing at all times for the benefit of all, and also to continue in our prayers for the Governor El-Rufai led administration not to derail from its promises.”

  • Why my husband picked a muslim running mate – Mrs. El-Rufai

    …says, El-Rufai will win guber poll

     

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Aisha (UMMI) Garba El-Rufai on Wednesday justified the choice of her husband’s Muslim running mate, saying that, contrary to insinuations, the Governor’s choice was based on competence and ability of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe to deliver.

    Mrs. El-Rufai stated categorically that, insinuation that the governor picked a female Muslim running mate to spite people of other faith is incorrect, but purely because the running mate has proven to be a woman with capacity to contribute meaningfully to growth and development of the state.

    The Governor’s wife who expressed confidence that, her husband can go and sleep, he will win the governorship election, said people of Kaduna state now understand that Governor El-Rufai’s programmes and policies are people-centered.

    The wife of the governor who is the Coordinator of the ‘APC GIDA-GIDA’ (APC HOUSE-HOUSE) campaign in Kaduna State stated this during a parley with journalists in Kaduna. She further said, the need to again clarify the matter on the choice of her husband’s running mate was important particularly for those who think the governor picked a woman and a Muslim as his running mate to spite Christians.

    According to her, “I appeal to the good people of Nigeria and Kaduna State in particular to take a closer look at the choice of the running mate of Malam Nasir El-Rufai with open heart.

    Read Also: El Rufai: we’ll investigate alleged electoral malpractices

    “The governor that I know works with people based on competence and on the basis of what they can deliver and bring to the table and not on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

    “The governor should not be accused of bias because he is not moved by religious affiliation. In any case, our diversity should strengthen us rather than divide us”.

    While urging all and sundry to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor El-Rufai and all other All Progresive Congress (APC) candidates across the board, she called on the good people of Kaduna State to remain calm and shun all forms and acts of violence, election malpractices, votes buying and hooliganism.

    “One of the core objectives of our great party APC and the ‘Gida-Gida’project is to foster peace and unity in Kaduna State and the nation at large.

    “Our main goal and objective is to engage the electorate on issue-based campaign as peace ambassadors, we believe Kaduna State is a great state that has the potential to promote peace and unity among its diverse populace. I, therefore, urge us all to come out en-mass to vote all APC candidates in order to ensure victory at all polls slated for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.” She emphasised.

  • El-Rufai meets Kaduna Pastors, says his decisions based on merit

    Kaduna state governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai at the weekend met with a group of pastors, saying his administration’s decisions are not based on religion and ethnicity.

    The governor said he has been working with people around him based on competency to get results, not minding their tribe, religion, as he called on residents to unite for progress of the state.

    Speaking during a Town Hall Meeting with a group of pastors under the auspices of ‘Pastors United For Change Association’ held in Kaduna, El-Rufai explained that he has nothing against Christians in the state, adding that his choice of running mate, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, from Sanga local government area of Southern Kaduna was purely on her capacity to deliver and not religious sentiment.

    The governor while urging the pastors to check his records of selfless service to the people, maintained that his target is to end the religious,ethnic division and unite the people of the state.

    El-rufai said, “In my life I have never worked with people based on religious and ethnic consideration.

    “Don’t look at what people said but what I have done in the past. Go through my records and see what I have done. On the issue of my running mate, we are encouraging women participation in politics,she is a competent woman.”

    Read Also: El-Rufai clarifies his comments

    The governor added: “Only Kaduna state has male/female governorship ticket in the northern Nigeria. Late Prof. Andrew Nok, our late commissioner for education brought Dr. Hadiza Balarabe when were looking for someone that can revive our primary health in the state and she performed excellently well. I don’t know her before. Her choice as running mate has nothing to do with religion”

    “I am confidence that my running mate will run the state effectively and will be fair to all in the state even if I am not around. When you get into office politics stop. You must be fair to all. Check our records in the last three years and six months,we have worked. We built, repaired primary, secondary schools.

    “We fixed our primary health centres. I am human and I can make mistakes like any other person. I will be fair to everybody. We must unite our people for progress. I want Kaduna state to interact on the basis of humanity not religion and ethnicity.”

    “There are some shifts in some local government areas in Southern Kaduna, which favoured us, which we will win this election,” El-Rufai said.

    Chairman of Pastors United for Change Association, Apostle David Adeniran, said with the governor’s explanation on issues, they now understand that he wanted a united Kaduna without religious, ethnic consideration.

    Adeniran said: “Our sincere clergymen and women, thank you for honouring the invitation. I believe many of you will go home with a new thinking that something good is happening in Kaduna. This is a new Kaduna state. We are here to interact on the next level in Kaduna state. Kaduna state will be better for all of us.”

     

  • PDP plans to disrupt elections – El Rufai

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has alleged that intelligence reports suggest that, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to disrupt the  coming election because of the imminent defeat in the coming election.

    The governor who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting at Kudan town on Sunday, however assured the people of Kaduna state that security agents are already on the alert to ensure peaceful elections.

    According to him, the reports didn’t suggest that the opposition party will forment trouble in Kaduna state but government is not taking chances.

    In his words: “As a leader, it is my responsibility to tell you what is being planned because there are alot of PDP bigwigs in Kudan local government and they may try to disturb the peace of this area,” El Rufai argued

    The governor who said that any reasonable person will not want to cause trouble in his locality, however said that PDP chieftains are not always reasonable.

    Kudan is the hometown of Hon. Isa  Ashiru, the PDP governorship candidate. Similarly, Hunkuyi which is the headquarters of Kudan local government, is the hometown of Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, El Rufai’s estranged political ally who is the senatorial candidate of PDP.

    Speaking further, Governor El Rufai advised the people of Kudan local government to shun any politician who approaches them with a plot to cause crisis in the run up to the polls or during elections.

    “If any politician approaches any of you  to cause violence, ask him to bring his child so that you will execute the plot together. Politicians are fond of using the children of the masses for nefarious activities while their children are either schooling somewhere,  or are safe abroad,” he advised.

    According to the governor, “no life is better than the other. The life of a rich man’s son is no more precious than the life of a poor man’s son. Also, the life of an educated person’s son is of equal value as the life of an illiterate’s son”.

    Read Also: El Rufai’s free education, feeding policy

    El Rufai however assured that government will provide adequate security on election day for people to vote candidates of their choice.

    “Politics is about conviction. There is no compulsion in politics. Sibblings of the same family can vote for different parties or candidates. It is our duty as a government to ensure security so that people can exercise their franchise,” he pointed out.

    The governor also explained why he chose Dr Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate, arguing that his choice has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity but her competence.

    El Rufai said that, “ethno-religious considerations have always informed the choice of deputy governors since 1992 but it has not brought peace in Kaduna state.”

    The governor said that it is time to discard politics of religion and ethnicity and embrace a merit based system that will bring progress and development in the country.

    All the stakeholders who spoke at the meeting promised to vote all APC candidates in next election.

  • El-Rufai decries ethnic, religious politics

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has decried the manipulation of religion and ethnicity for political interests, saying that it is holding back the progress of Nigeria.

    This was as El-Rufai also explained that the choice of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate was influenced by considerations of competence, developing the state and pulling the talents of the women.

    El-Rufai who featured in a Hausa vernacular programme of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna on Saturday, said that people in their business, travels and daily lives look for who can give them results, not the faith of that person.

    According to him, “If you are sick and in dire need of life, when you are rushed to hospital, what do you need? Life or religion of the doctor?

    “Life is what you need and you will not waste time on the religion and ethnicity of the doctor.

    “When you are flying, do you care about the religion or ethnicity of the pilot or a safe flight?

    Read Also: El-Rufai signs N157bn 2019 budget into law

    “It’s the same thing with business and investment. You hire those who can make your investment profitable.

    “But when it comes to public service, some people will not be concerned about real development but will start talking of religion and ethnicity.

    “This is a serious problem and is part of the reasons for Nigeria’s retrogression.

    “Our action was not predicated on religion or ethnicity but getting a Deputy Governor, that suits our quest for a better Kaduna State.”

    Malam El-Rufai disclosed that some elite who assume they owned the state and must dictate how it is run are unhappy that he has focused on the needs of the ordinary citizens.

    He said that he is determined that the “resources of Kaduna State must be used for the health care, security, education and economic development of ordinary citizens who have lost access to basic infrastructure for decades.

    “The barrier to progress erected by the elite and a few individuals must be broken. And we will not be intimidated or distracted from putting the ordinary citizen first by mundane and divisive politics.

    “Our trust is in God. This gives us the confidence that the ordinary citizens of Kaduna State see and appreciate what we are doing, and will support us to victory,” he said.

  • Kaduna to commit N100m to child spacing services

    Kaduna to commit N100m to child spacing services

    Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has assured women in the state of a “truly free access” to child spacing services with effect from July.

    Balarabe gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State on Monday.

    She spoke on the sideline of a three-day workshop on costed implementation plan for child spacing organised by Palladium and Pathfinder International to promote child spacing in the state.

    She said that the agency had forwarded a proposal to the state government for the release of N100m to provide the services free to women.

    “We are the custodian of child spacing activities in the state, we have written a proposal so that we can get the funds to be able to provide the consumables.

    “We also understand that for family planning to be truly free, as we want it to be, we need to increase our Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR), we have to provide not only the consumables but also the commodities.

    “We are not just working but we are running to get these consumables and commodities across to all the service delivery points,” she said.

    The executive secretary said its concept of primary health care under one roof is working.

    “If you know what this entails, I think one of the first elements is integration and by that we mean all services are provided within one place.

    “So, any woman that goes to a facility with her child, she is entitled to have services that target not only her but also her child, so that we don’t have missed opportunities.

    “Sometimes when you tell a woman today is not immunisation day, go and come back, then you miss the opportunity, but now we are not going to have it that way,” she said.

    According to her, the intention is to provide immunisation and antenatal services together in each health centre.

    On the state target of achieving 46.5 per cent CPR by 2018, Balarabe said the target might not be feasible.

    “We are just developing the operational plan now, but we will put in our best so that before the end of 2018 we will see how far we have achieved from what we set out initially to do.

    “We are not relenting, we are pushing ourselves, we want to go as far as we can,” she said.

    NAN reports that Palladium and Pathfinder International had in 2016 supported the state develop costed child spacing programme.

    The workshop brought together NGOs, Civil Society and community based organisations, international bodies and government agencies among others.

  • Kaduna to begin polio immunisation – SPHCDA

    Kaduna to begin polio immunisation – SPHCDA

    The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has implored parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated.

    This appeal was contained in a press statement jointly signed by the Deputy Director, Hamza Ikara and Coordinator, Lawal Dogara on Wednesday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

    The statement said in order to make Kaduna State polio free, parents must give all the needed support to ensure that their kids are vaccinated.

    It said that immunisation for children of 0-5 years would begin in the state between April 22 and April 25.

    The statement reminded parents that polio vaccination in the state was still compulsory, adding that they must comply with the government order.

    The statement called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to ensure that parents, most especially in the rural areas, allow their children to be immunised.

    “The traditional rulers and religious leaders should educate their subjects and adherents respectively on the importance of allowing their kids to be vaccinated against polio and other children killer diseases,” it said.

    It said that the SPHCDA had concluded all adequate arrangements with a view to ensuring a successful conduct of the exercise in the state.

    The statement lauded the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the State Government and stakeholders for their efforts towards the eradication of polio.