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Tag: Ibrahim Wakkala

  • Matawalle inherited N252b debts from Yari, says transition chair

    Former Zamfara State Governor Abdul Aziz Yari allegedly left N252 billion in debts to Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, the state’s transition committee chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala, said on Monday.

    Wakkala, who is also the immediate past deputy governor to Yari, said the liabilities from the Ministry for Finance stood at N65,361,873,755.75.

    The transition committee chairman, who gave the figures yesterday, added that the liabilities accrued to the state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were estimated at N35,399,498,154.53.

    Wakkala, whose committee was inaugurated by Matawalle, explained that N151,190,477,572.02 was accumulated debt from 462 projects embarked upon by the immediate past administration.

    The committee discovered that out of the N2,000,000,000 approved by the previous administration for the payment of backlog of gratuity owed to retired civil servants, only N400 million was paid to retired permanent secretaries.

    He added that unremitted National Housing Scheme’s deductions from state civil servants salaries from 2016 to 2019 stood at N1,431,645,305.99.

    Read Also: APC’ll offer constructive criticism in Zamfara- Yari

    On education, the former deputy governor said the state owed N2,812,172,155 against examinations  conducted by National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEC), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS)  and tertiary institutions such as Crescent University, Abeokuta, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Science Academy, Abuja.

    Wakkala said the figures were based on information submitted to his committee by the transition committee inaugurated by Yari’s administration.

    He added that officials of various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the last administration would be summoned to explain how the liabilities accrued, stressing that the former governor may be invited to explain if the need arises.

    Wakkala said the committee has received and review submissions from various MDAs through various subcommittees consisting of seasoned administrators and technocrats and also from the report of the transition committee of the immediate past administration.

  • FG destroys 5,870 recovered illegal arms in Zamfara

    The Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Gusau on Monday destroyed 5,870 illegal arms and ammunition recovered by the Zamfara Government.

    The exercise marked the launch of the pilot stage of the destruction of arms and weapons recovered from persons who illegally held them.

    The recovery in Zamfara was made from repentant bandits who surrendered their weapons to the state government Committee for Peace, Reconciliation and Disarmament, headed by the Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala.

    The exercise which took place at Zamfara Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, was chaired by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee, Amb. Emmanuel Imohe.

    The event was attended by Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari and his deputy, Wakkala, representatives of international agencies such as the EU, ECOWAS and UNDP as well as security agencies and traditional rulers.

    In his remark, Imohe said the exercise was aimed at destroying a total of 5,870 arms and ammunition received under Zamfara state disarmament initiative.

    Read Also: Army kill 8 bandits in Zamfara

    “Apart from the destruction of illegal and recovered arms, one of the mandates of this presidential committee is also to improve livelihood of the people and communities that surrendered their weapons.

    “Zamfara is one of the seven states in the country selected by the Federal Government for a pilot programme.

    “This programme is also a flat form for raising awareness of dangers associated with the circulation of illegal weapons that have killed, injured and terrorised people all over the world,” he said.

    Imohe commended Zamfara for initiating the disarmament programme which resulted to the recovery of over 5,000 small arms, ammunition, grenades, automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

    “I am happy to be associated with this laudable efforts made by Zamfara State Government.

    “I consider this as one of great achievements recorded by this committee, I thank the state disarmament committee led by the state Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, and all stakeholders who contributed to the success recorded.

    “You know, this committee was inaugurated in April 2013 by the Federal Government with the mandate to be the focal point in the efforts of the country to address the movement of illicit illegal arms and light weapons.

    “We are working with international organisations to conduct practical disarmament at border communities in the country and provide a support for repentant bandits,’’ he said.

    In his remark, Yari thanked the Federal Government for setting up the presidential committee and international organisations for their efforts for peace and stability in the state and country.

    Yari said the state had recorded many deaths, casualties and huge losses in economic activities as result of cattle rustling and banditry.

    He said such losses necessitated the setting up the Peace, Reconciliation and Disarmament Committee by the state government.

    “The Committee since inception has recorded great successes of recovering over 5,000 illegal arms and large number of repentant bandits across the state.

    “We are witnessing the destruction of these illegal weapons today, we are going to continue to give all the necessary support to Federal Government and all stakeholders as regard to improvement of security in the state and country at large.

    “We are going to provide authentic lists of repentant bandits and those who surrendered their arms and submit it to the Federal Government for assistance with the aim of changing their livelihood,” he said.

    The Zamfara Government in an effort to address security challenges in the state in 2016 set up the Peace, Reconciliation and Disarmaments Committee.

    Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, in March ordered the recovery of all illegal arms across the country to check the deteriorating security situation.

    NAN

     

  • Banditry: Police to deploy three additional mobile units to Zamfara – IGP

    Banditry: Police to deploy three additional mobile units to Zamfara – IGP

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has said that three additional mobile police units would be deployed to Zamfara to beef up security.

    Idris made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Gusau after a condolence visit over Thursday’s attack in Birane village, Zurmi Local Government area in which over 40 people died.

    The IGP also said the police had set up a committee to investigate the incident and suggest measures to end such attacks.

    Idris added that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 6,000 policemen in 2018, to further strengthen security in the country.

    “We believe the recruitment would assist in the government efforts to address security challenges facing the country.

    “We are here to commiserate with Zamfara State Government, Zurmi Emirate Council over this incident.

    “We received complaints of shortage of personnel from the stakeholders; we are going to deploy additional three units of police mobile to the state to strengthen the state police command in tackling security challenges.

    “We are going to set up a committee to investigate the incident aimed at avoiding the re-occurrence of the menace in the future; the committee is coming to this state next Monday Insha Allah.’’

    He commended the state government for its support to the police and urged stakeholders to assist all security agencies with relevant information to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the state.

    The IGP was received by the state Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala at Government House, Gusau.

    He had earlier paid similar visit to Emir of Zurmi to commiserate with the families and relatives of the deceased.

    NAN

  • Abdusalami tasks Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    Abdusalami tasks Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    A former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to live in peace with one another.

    Abubakar said this on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara, while responding to questions from journalists.

    He advised those agitating for the restructuring of the country to follow due process and the rule of law.

    Abubakar said that Nigeria had evolved through a long history which began as a region, expanding to additional regions up to what are now the 36 states and the FCT.

    He said that the present administration was doing its best to restore the country’s lost glory and that this could only be achieved through the support of all Nigerians.

    He said that he was in the state to check on his mining site in order to boost its potential, especially, now that the Federal Government was focusing on the non-oil sectors.

    The former head of state commended the state government for the provision of infrastructure in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar was earlier received by the state deputy governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, who assured him of the state government’s willingness to support investors by providing them an enabling environment.

  • Zamfara to construct Gusau/Birnin Gwari road

    Zamfara to construct Gusau/Birnin Gwari road

    Zamfara Government has indicated its intention to embark on the reconstruction and renovation of the 132.7 kilometre Gusau-Birnin Gwari border road with Kaduna state through Dansadau.

    The state Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, stated this on Thursday in Gusau at the end of the Finance and General Purpose Committee meeting with the construction firm handling the project.

    The firm is Zhonghao Construction Company.

    Wakkala, who is also the Chairman of the Committee, (FGPC) told journalists that work on the project would soon commence after the necessary agreements must have been signed.

    He further explained that the state government resolved to reconstruct the road in order to address the security challenges facing commuters plying the road.

    The deputy governor expressed optimism that the construction of the road would improve economic and agricultural activities of the area.

    According to him, more markets will also be opened, adding that the road will link Zamfara with the three neighbouring states: Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was also attended by representatives of the construction firm.

  • Commission urges Zamfara intending pilgrims to complete payment

    Commission urges Zamfara intending pilgrims to complete payment

    The Zamfara Hajj Commission on Tuesday said that no fewer than 300 hajj seats were still available in the state, due to the inability of some intending pilgrims to complete their payments.

    Alhaji Abubakar Danko, the chairman of the state’s Hajj Commission, made the remark in Gusau at a farewell ceremony organised for the first batch of pilgrims from Zamfara.

    “Out of the 4,796 seats allocated to the state this year by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM), 4,500 have been fully paid for and processed, while the remaining is yet to be completed by the depositors.”

    Danko said that since the movement of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia had just begun, those pilgrims who had not completed the payments should do so, to enable them to make the trip this year.

    The commission chairman assured that all necessary arrangements for a hitch free journey had been made for the comfort of the state’s contingent, especially in Makkah.

    He appealed to the state government to improve on the facilities at the pilgrims camp in Gusau.

    The Acting Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, who spoke, wished the intending pilgrims a successful exercise.

    Wakkala advised the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria, and should pray for the country and its leaders while in the Holy land.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 500 intending pilgrims from Maru and Zurmi local government areas, travelled with their guides to Saudi Arabia early on Tuesday.

  • Zamfara awards contract for school renovation

    Zamfara awards contract for school renovation

    The Zamfara Government on Friday awarded contracts for the renovation of two secondary schools at a cost of N591 million.

    The schools are Government Girls Day Secondary School, Bungudu, and Government Day Secondary School Danbaza.

    Presenting the contract notification letters to 24 indigenous contractors on Friday in Gusau, Acting Gov. Ibrahim Wakkala said that the contracts included total renovation, construction of new classrooms and staff quarters, and supply of furniture and learning materials.

    Wakkala said that works at the Government Girls Day Secondary School, Bungudu, would cost about N414 million while that of Government Day Secondary School Dambaza would cost about N177 million.

    The acting governor said that the measure was part of the state government efforts to revive the state’s education sector.

    According to him, the government awarded the contracts to indigenous contractors for the economic development of the state.

    He said that the government had spent billions of naira on the renovation and expansion of primary and secondary schools since 2011.

    Wakkala charged the contractors to ensure quality and speed in line with the contract agreement.

  • Sallah: Zamfara donates food items to more than 8,000 repentant bandits, others

    Sallah: Zamfara donates food items to more than 8,000 repentant bandits, others

    The Zamfara Government on Sunday donated food items and clothing materials to more than 8,000 repentant bandits, local vigilance groups and herdsmen as alms, in line with Ramadan.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, presented the items to the beneficiaries in Gusau.

    He stated that the assistance is aid of the beneficiaries to enable them to celebrate Sallah  happily.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) were among the beneficiaries.

    The items donated included 300 bags of rice and sugar, 4,000 sets of women’s clothes and 4,040 sets of men’s wears.

    Wakkala, who is also the Chairman of the state government’s Peace, Accord and Reconciliation Committee, said the assistance was part of activities designed by the committee to improve the relationship with bandits groups that have renounced their criminal ways.

    ‘‘You know, it is part of the activities of this committee to always bring something that will improve the relationship among all the parties involved in the reconciliation process.’’

    He, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to sustain the peace agreement they had entered into  with the state to safeguard the lives of people and their property.

    He assured that the government would look into all problems arising from the negotiation in order to sustain the peaceful coexistence among all communities in the state.

  • Zamfara Emirate council distributes money, grains as Zakkat

    Zamfara Emirate council distributes money, grains as Zakkat

    The Zurmi Emirate Council in Zamfara State has distributed over N8.9 million to the needy as Zakkat to the people of the area.

    Making the distribution on behalf of the state governor, in Zurmi on Sunday, the deputy governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala, reminded people of the state that Zakkat is mandatory on every Muslim, who had the resources.

    He, therefore, urged all those who were supposed to make the annual offering from their wealth, such as money, animals and grains, to continue to do so, in order to improve the well-being of the poor.

    Speaking at the event which took place at his palace, the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, said a total of 378 persons would get N20,000 each.

    The emir, who is the chairman of the Zakkat Collection Committee of the emirate, also disclosed that 570 bags of assorted grains were collected from farmers which would be shared to the needy, especially orphans, widows and the less-privileged in the emirate.

    The Chairman, Zurmi Local Government Council, Auwal Bawa, expressed satisfaction with the activities of the committee in collecting Zakkat and urged Muslims in the area to continue to bring their Zakkat to the committee.

  • Zamfara to employ 1000 primary school teachers

    The Zamfara State Government on Monday said it would employ 1000 teachers this year to address the problem of inadequate teachers in primary schools.

    Gov. AbdulAziz Yari announced this at the 2017 May Day celebration in Gusau, saying that only candidates with National Certificate of Education (NCE) would be employed as teachers.

    Yari, who was represented by his deputy, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, said that the mass recruitment would enhance teaching and learning in state schools.

    According to him, the recruitment would also create employment opportunities for unemployed graduates in the state.

    On the 2017 Workers Day, Yari said the celebration was timely as negotiations between state government and labour over workers’ rights had been concluded.

    “The state government will pay all workers’ outstanding promotion and annual increment in this month of May.

    “The state government has also reached agreement with the labour to pay N100 million monthly for payment of gratuities to retired civil servants.

    “We have agreed to form a committee that will review the issue of pension to ensure attainment of the minimum wage on pensions,” he said.

    Yari commended the labour union in the state for their cooperation and understanding in addressing the demand of workers in the state.

    Earlier, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Bashir Mafara, commended the state government efforts at addressing workers’ problems.

    Mafara said that the labour in the state would continue to cooperate with the state government to ensure that workers’ grievances were resolved in a peaceful manner.