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Tag: Kaduna state

  • Community replies El-Rufai over relocation threat

    The Gonin-Gora community of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State has replied the recent statement credited to Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai where he threatened to demolish and evacuate the community if the youths of the area don’t desist from attacking motorists that ply the route during crisis situations.

    It would be recalled that the governor during a Hausa radio program recently threatened to evacuate and relocate Gonin-Gora, a community with well over 300,000 residents if the youths in the area attempt to block Kaduna-Abuja high way and attack innocent travelers.

    Read Also:El-Rufai’s policies responsible for Kaduna crisis, says NLC

    The alleged threat by the governor generated lots of controversies as to why the governor had to narrow down the threat to only Gonin-Gora community as volatile area at the wake of any crisis in the state and exonerated other volatile communities like Tudun Wada, Mararaban Jos, Rigasa and Kabala West.

    Meanwhile, addressing newsmen at the palace of the late Sarkin Gonin Gora on behalf of the leaders and elders of Gonin-Gora and environs, the Sarkin Yaki Gora said, Gonin Gora residents are peaceful adding that, the governor pronouncements is an attempt to give dog a bad name to hang it.

    The text of the briefing jointly signed by Alhaji Baba Ali (Dallatun Gonin Gora), John Auta (Ciroman Gonin Gora) Sule Fulani (Wakilin Fulani) and Zakka Auta (Wakilin Atyap) said, “it is unfortunate that while the communal clash was going on at Kasuwan Magani and later spilled over to Kujama, Mararaban Rido and Sabon – Tasha, rumours were already being peddled inside Kaduna and certain areas of the town that killings, mounting of roadblocks and attacks of innocent motorists as well as kidnapping of passersby was going on unabated in Gonin-Gora.

    “Indeed, all these false allegations and rumours are not new to the people of Gonin-Gora as this has always been the case whenever trouble is in the offing.

    “What transpired in reality is that through-out the violent clash on the 18th October, 2018 at Kasuwan Magani and its subsequent spill-over to places like Kujama, Mararaban Rido and Sabon-Tasha on 20th, 21st and 22nd respectively, Gonin-Gora and its environs remained calm and peaceful.

    “It is in the context of these realities that we in Gonin-Gora are baffled and shocked by the reported threats of His Excellency Governor Nasir El-Rufai to demolish and or evacuate the Gonin-Gora settlement on account of violence to and molestation of travelers which, to the best of our knowledge never ever occurred during this crisis.

    “We are sure that it is either that the governor has been misinformed or ill-advised by people hell-bent on giving Gonin-Gora a bad and gory name in order to hang it,” he stated.

    “Indeed, during this tense period the acting Sarkin Gonin-Gora and his ward heads appealed to the residents, and the youths in particular to remain calm and law-abiding. It remained so until Friday, 26th October, 2018 when news about the killing of Agom Adara started circulating.

    “On that fateful day, unknown to the leadership of the Gonin-Gora community, a handful of miscreants around Buwaya out of pure mischief took the law into their hands by mounting a road block immediately after the bye-pass overhead bridge coming from the toll gate from Abuja.

    “This happened to be at about the same time that His Excellency, Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his convoy were coming from the direction of Abuja where he encountered many motorists that had been caught up by the twenty-four hour curfew that had been imposed as well as the impromptu blockage mounted by the miscreants.

    “On reaching the spot with his convoy and other motorists trailing behind him, the governor stopped and ordered the police to dismantle it to allow the motorists pass into Kaduna town.

    “The leadership of Gonin- Gora community wishes to restate the community’s resolve to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and inter- faith solidarity not only within the Gonin-Gora settlement and environs but with all our neighboring settlements.

    “Our leaders will continue with our proactive interventions in educating our youths and all other members of our community on the primacy of the maintenance of peace, compliance with lawful orders and the pursuit of cordial inter-communal and inter-faith,” the community said.

  • Chief Anenih was a mentor – Makarfi

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has described late Chief Tony Anenih as a mentor and a democrat per excellence who spent his life for the good of all.

    Senator Makarfi in a condolence message said Chief Anenih died at a period the country needed his service most.

    Makarfi said in a statement that  he “was saddened by the news of the passing away of a Nationalist, Statesman, Democrat, Father and Leader, Chief Tony Anenih CFR,who returned to the Lord on October 28,2018.”

    He Said “At a time our Country needs statesmen like him God took him away from us. I am consoled with the knowledge that God knows better and doesn’t make mistake.

    “The Leader, late Chief Tony Anenih excelled in all his callings. He contributed enormously to the development of democratic governance in Nigeria.

    “Personally I have lost a mentor and father who stood by me at all times.

    “My condolences go to his immediate family, the Government and people of Edo State, the PDP family and his larger political associates and indeed Nigerians in general.

    May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen “

  • ‘Crisis looms if violence in Kaduna lingers’

    … Buhari, el-Rufai should find lasting solution, says Interfaith co-chairman 

    Nigeria may experience crisis during the forthcoming 2019 general elections, if the violence that has engulfed Kaduna and other northern states are not addressed through the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

    Co-chairman of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), Bishop Sunday Onuoha disclosed this in Abuja at a news conference on its advocacy and fact-finding visits to five states namely, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Kaduna. 

    During the visits, Onuoha said the team met with critical stakeholders like security agencies, monarchs, Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), among others.

    Onuoha who expressed sadness about the development said findings in Kaduna State with the recent killings revealed that there is hypocrisy among some members of communities, actions and inactions of some religious and political leaders who are not practicing what they Preach as factors responsible for the conflict. 

    He said the problem of youth restiveness caused by unemployment and mutual distrust among various groups remain a major challenge. 

    The co-chairman also said that in Kaduna, the Agom Adara, His Royal Highness Dr. Maiwada Galadima was abducted less than 48 hours after he granted audience to the  IDFP team. 

    The clergy said: “pastors and imams should not preach bad messages. It is not new, we all know it that some people take advantage of the vulnerable situation of our country. That is what we are out to do. To preach peace across board. What we ask Federal Government to do is to inter-vain to show that those monarchs who are vulnerable based on where they are, are helped to be able to carryout their responsibilities.

    Read Also: Tension in Kaduna as abductors kill monarch

    “We also commended some leaders in Kaduna who are able to come together. We have a lot of interfaith programmes going on in Kaduna and if not for such interfaith programmes going on in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba and Benue we won’t be where we are today. It is those interventions that have really helped us. 

    “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir el-Rufai and relevant security agencies to ensure quick resolution of the crisis that has engulfed Kaduna State, urging the people in Kaduna to see the current curfew as a painful necessity to combat agents of destruction and prevailing insecurity.  

    “And if nothing is done now to address the situation as we get into the 2019 general election period the situation is going to be worst. And unless government take serous action to ensure we address the situation, we may have crisis in our hands and it is an urgent situation that needs urgent solution.  

    “We just heard a report of a monarch that was adopted. That is the vulnerability and we pray that such things do not continue, the gentle man we going about his legitimate responsibility, helping to build communities and he was adopted and we are praying that the monarch should be released because he is a peace builder. And once you are involved in peace building you are vulnerable. Once you engage yourself  in helping the less privilege. 

    “We all know what we went through visiting these places we went. All we are asking is that went people give themselves to the services of the nation can they please be protected. We were confronted that some monarchs identified some hoodlums within the society and handed them over to some security agencies and few days later they were released. So it is a situation where you really want to help the situation and these boys are aware that is the are arrested their god fathers will come into the matter and release them. So how do we solve the problem. You even make those that reported them more vulnerable to attack. 

    “How many people have been jailed since we have been having these problems. Some people have killed people and they have not been killed according to the law. I pity the Monarchs. Other monarchs will be scared. So government have a role to protect these people.”

    IDFP commended the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdulrahman for providing security cover throughout the areas visited and prayed for the safe return of the abducted monarch. 

  • Paramount ruler’s death: Kaduna senators sue for peace

    The three Senators representing Kaduna State, Friday asked the people of the state, especially those on Adara Chiefdom to remain calm in the face of the gruesome killing of their paramount ruler, Maiwada Raphael Galadima.

    Senators Shehu Sani, (Kaduna Central), Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) and Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) in a joint statement said that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

    Read Also:Tension in Kaduna, as kidnapped traditional ruler is killed

    The paramount ruler of Adara people in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, the Angwom Adara, Maiwada Raphael Galadima who was abducted last Friday with his wife was reported killed by his abductors.

    His wife was said to have been released last Sunday and taken to the hospital for treatment.

    The statement read, “In peaceful memory of the paramount ruler of Adara Chiefdom, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, whose death was announced this Friday, the 26th of October, 2018, the three senators from Kaduna State hereby offer this release as a special condolence to the entire people of Adara Chiefdom, the people of Southern Kaduna, and the entire people of Kaduna State for this monumental loss.

    “The three senators also wish to send this message as a comfort to the people of Adaraland and the entire state, to please remain calm as all efforts to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime shall be unearthed and brought to book.

    “We also appeal to all and sundry to remain calm in their houses while the curfew lasts, and engage in special prayers for the repose of the soul of our beloved leader and all who lost their lives in the upheaval.”

  • We worked hard to rescue Agom Adara from kidnappers – El-Rufai

    As he mourned the late Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima who was killed by kidnappers, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State has explained that, his government and the security agents worked strenuously to rescue the traditional ruler from his abductors.

    Governor El-Rufai in a statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan said, he is pained and heartbroken that criminal elements have taken away from a man who did his best for peace and harmony in Kaduna State.

    Read Also:Kidnappers release Africa’s youngest billionaire, nine days after

    Governor El-Rufai described Dr. Galadima as a man of peace and a traditional ruler who consistently made positive contributions for the peace and tranquility in his Chiefdom and the entire state.

    According to the Governor, “the Kaduna State Government regrets to announce the death of HRH Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima. We mourn this quintessential traditional ruler who was killed by his abductors in the early hours of today.

    “We are pained and heartbroken that criminal elements have taken away from us a man who did his best for peace and harmony.

    “The Kaduna State Government extends its condolence to the family of this revered leader and to the people of the chiefdom he led with dedication and commitment.

    “Following the abduction of the royal father, the security agencies and the government worked strenuously to secure his release. Government is shocked and disappointed by this unfortunate development. The government of Kaduna State and security agencies will pursue justice for this revered man.

    “Dr. Galadima was a man of peace, a traditional ruler who consistently made positive contributions for the peace and tranquility in his Chiefdom and the entire state. He was a gentleman to the core.

    “Kaduna State has lost a cherished leader. Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on behalf of the government and people of the state extends deep sympathy to the immediate family and the people of the Adara Chiefdom.

    “The government also wishes to appeal for calm in the chiefdom and beyond. The criminal elements that have done this heinous deed should not be allowed to further divide us,” El-Rufai said.

  • NGO provides educational support to girls in Kaduna

    A Kaduna-based Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) says it will provide education subsidy to girls.

    It said that the subsidy would be given to the girls in public secondary schools to promote their retention and completion rate in Kaduna State.

    Miss Bilkisu Gwabin, EWEI’s Finance and Supplies Officer, made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, at the opening of a one-day Empowerment Seminar for 10 new beneficiaries.

    Gwabin explained that the support, under the NGO’s Educational Subsidy Programme (ESP), supported by Inti Raymi Fund, was designed to assist the students with fees, uniforms, and learning materials.

    According to her, the goal is to improve retention and completion rates of female students in public schools to enable them to acquire basic education and live a quality life in future.

    “The beneficiaries also benefit from EWEI’s empowerment seminar where young girls are equipped with productive life tips and income generating skills’’.

    Mr Babatunde Ajiga, EWEI’s Board of Trustee Secretary, explained that 13 girls had benefited from the programme from 2008 to 2017.

    According to him, 40 per cent of Nigerian children from six to 11 years of age are not in school, adding that EWEI’s programme was to support the education of intelligent girls from poor families.

    Mrs Grace Attah the NGO’s Programme Officer, Organisational Development and Learning, said that the beneficiaries were selected based on needs, ethnicity and religion.

    Attah explained that 10 new beneficiaries were selected to benefits in 2018, from Government Girls Secondary School, Doka, Government Secondary School, Television and Government Secondary School, Barnawa.

    Also speaking, Safiya Garba, the Founder and the programme Director of the NGO, commended the Kaduna State Government for taking steps to provide free education to girls in the state.

    “Although we do not know what it would cover and for how long, we nonetheless, want to ensure that we prepare secondary school girls and equip them with income generating skills to support their tertiary education.

    “We provide long term support to the girls up to the end of secondary school and provide additional six months life skills support as intern in EWEI, to develop their leadership capacity.

    “What we expect in return is for the girls to do well in school,” she said.

    Read Also: Bangladesh opens specialised institute to treat burn patients

    Garba called on parents of the beneficiaries for support to ensure that the girls’ study hard and grow up to be leaders in their homes, their communities and the nation at large.

    “Let’s work together to ensure they all finished secondary school and excel beyond.”

    Mr David McGrain of Inti Raymi Fund expressed joy that the fund had helped put a smile on young girls’ lives and pledged to do more.

    McGrain told the beneficiaries that they could do anything in life if they remained focus.

    One of the beneficiaries, 20-year old Jessica David, said she had been a beneficiary since 2014, describing the support as a life changer that had added value to her life.

    “Besides taking care of my educational financing and providing the needed learning materials, the NGO had equally equipped me with income generating skills which is helping me take care of my financial needs.

    “EWEI also enlightened me on my rights as a lady and how to set long term goals for a meaningful future, and thanks to them. I am soaring higher and higher to my goals,” David said.

    Another beneficiary, Mary Ayantokun, 19, said that EWEI paid her school fees from junior secondary school until she graduated from secondary school.

    “EWEI paid my fees for WAEC, NECO and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examinations. I am so thankful to this life-changing support.

    “Not only that, I have learned several income generating skills like beads and cake making and other self -reliant skills that are helping me meet my financial needs.”

  • Another Kaduna APC Lawmaker resigns from party

    Another lawmaker from Kaduna State, Barrister Mohammed Musa Soba, representing Soba federal Constituency on Wednesday resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress saying he can no longer remain in a party lacks the requisite discipline, cohesion and democratic characteristics to continue to retain his respect, confidence and loyalty.

    Soba, who is a former Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Kaduna state is quiting the party three days after Senator Shehu Sani resigned from the APC.

    Soba’s resignation letter dated October 24 2018 was addressed to the Chairman of the party in Sob ward of Soba federal Constituency in Kaduna and another to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The letter to the ward Chairman, a copy of which was made available to The Nation reads: “I write to formally notify you that I have decided to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with effect from Wednesday 24th October, 2018.

    “My Idea of belonging to a political party in a democratic setting has always been to ensure that the right of the people to freedom of choice among other rights is jealously secured and guaranteed. Unfortunately, lack of respect for democratic ideals, contempt for party rules, impunity and egocentric divisions among party leaders and members have now become more pronounced than ever before. It is clear that the center can no longer hold. The APC as it is presently constituted lacks the requisite discipline, cohesion and democratic characteristics to continue to retain my respect, confidence and loyalty.

    Read Also: Reps probe Kaduna killings

    “Consequently, by this letter, I am bringing to your notice that I have resigned my membership of the All Progressives Congress and have ceased to be a member of the APC henceforth. Accept my sympathy and best wishes as we prepare for the 2019 general elections.”

    In a separate letter to the Speaker, Soba basis “As are aware, the All Progressives Congress is yet to recover from the self-inflicted injury occasioned by double standard, indiscipline and sheer impunity in the conduct of its affairs.

    “It is regrettable that the APC which has enjoyed a lot of goodwill after its formation which culminated in our electoral victory in 2015 is now in disarray due to a complex mixture of ineptitude and inability to understand the dynamics of power in a democratic system of government.

    “Mr Speaker, I have been personally short changed by a system, i so much trusted and believed in. I have also been serially deceived and defrauded by a political party I helped to nurture and sustain.

    However, it is the sharp division within the APC members and the mutual antagonism between the membership and the leadership of the APC more than any other factor that propelled me to take my exit from the All Progressives Congress.

    “Accordingly, I wish to place it on record that from today 24th October, 2018, I cease to be a member of the All Progressives Congress having tendered my resignation letter to all the relevant party organs. Since the political horizon is wide enough to accommodate my ideology and aspirations, I shall announce the name of my new political party in the next few days. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards and best wishes as always.”

    Soba is one of the lawmakers who lost the APC ticket following the insistence of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai after staying back in the party and failing to defect along side others to the PDP.

  • Saraki, Dogara to interface with Buhari over Kaduna killings

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its leadership and the leadership of the House of Representatives to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over increasing spate of killings in parts of the country.

    Saraki and Dogara were specifically asked to inquire from President Buhari how the recommendations of the National Assembly on ways and means to prevent crisis in the country were being implemented.

    The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on “The wanton killings in Kaduna State, a call for caution.”

    Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) in his lead debate drew the attention of the Senate to the wanton killings in Kasuwa Magani, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis under Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.

    He expressed concerned over the destruction of lives and property that “have been spiral in the past days of the week.”

    Hunkuyi said that the Senate should note “the indiscriminate and senseless killings and insecurity that have pervaded Kaduna and its environs even with the curfew imposed within the state.”

    He feared that the curfew while necessary to curb unwarranted movement could also be counter productive when majority of the people of the state were living from hand to mouth.

    He added that “Locking people at home can only solve one aspect of the problem, while it can lead to other crimes like robbery and theft.”

    He said that the Senate should be aware that the paramount ruler of Adara land, Angwan Adara has been taken hostage with six of his aides killed during a kidnap and hostage taking on the route from Kaduna to Kachia which is the headquarters of Adara Chiefdom.

    Hunkuyi prayed the Senate to prevail on the Kuduna State Government and the Federal Government to quicken the release of the paramount ruler of Adara who was wished away about a week ago.

    Senator Shehu Sani (Kauna Central) who officially announced his defection form the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said that the killings were totally condemnable.

    Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) described what is going on in Kaduna as “most unfortunate.”

    He said that those being killed in Zamfara State were Muslims while those being killed Kaduna State were Christians.

    La’ah criticized the action of the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for leaving that state without handing over to the deputy governor.

    He said that the governor should be held accountable for the mayhem that befell the state.

    Read Also: Akpabio to Saraki: Senate leadership must change

    The Kaduna south senators said that it is obvious that those behind the killings were  known.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) in his contribution also said that behind the killings were “were well know,”

    Marafa noted that what is fueling the killings was that the perpetrators were never punished.

    The perpetrators, he added “kill and get away with their crime.”

    Senator Philip Gyunka (Nasarawa North) said that the problem should be traced to the door step of the governor of the state.

    He wondered why the El-Rufai should travel abroad with informing the state House of Assembly.

    Gyunka said that El-Rufai should be asked who he handed over to before he travelled.

    He said, “Maybe the governor got wind of what was coming and decided to travel.”

    Saraki said that those who spoke underscored that fact that perpetrators were not held accountable for their act.

    He said there was no doubt that there were problems that needed to be sorted out.

    He said that the Senate should schedule a date to discuss that issue with heads of security agencies.

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha countered that a head of security agency invited to discuss the issue refused to honour the invitation “ and nothing was done to him.”

    Saraki agreed with the suggestion of the Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan that the National Assembly leadership should engage the Executive on implementation of resolutions on national security.

  • Man docked over alleged sale of hard drugs

    The police on Wednesday docked a 21-year-old man, Zahraddeen Abdulrashid, at a Sharia Court l, Magajin Gari, Kaduna, over alleged possession and sale of hard drugs.

    Abdulrashid, of Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge, bordering on possession and trade in illegal drugs.

    Read Also:Daughter sues dad for refusing her marriage

    The prosecutor, Ibrahim Shuaibu, told the court that the defendant was found with weed and other drugs by police on patrol on Oct. 10 at Magajin Gari area in Kaduna.

    Shuaibu said “the defendant has been in police custody for seven days, and investigation has shown that Abdulrashid deals in drugs.”

    Shuaibu, however, urged the court to give him time to present exhibit of the drugs found in the defendant’s possession before ruling.

    The judge, Malam Dahiru Lawal, accepted the prayers and adjourned the case until Oct. 24 for ruling.

  • Stanbic IBTC partners Kaduna State on entrepreneurship centre 

    As part of efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and help build a vibrant and productive small and medium enterprises sector, Stanbic IBTC has partnered with the Kaduna State government to establish the Kaduna-Stanbic IBTC Entrepreneurship Centre (KADSEC). The centre, which is in response to the needs and requirements of local entrepreneurs in the state, is expected to serve as an incubator that will nurture budding entrepreneurs and businesses to sustainable successes.

    At the launch of the centre in Kaduna, recently, Stanbic IBTC stated that the centre will provide services such as capacity building programmes for interested business owners/entrepreneurs, mentorship, on-site business management counseling, financial advisory, market development assistance, networking opportunities, provision of patronage linkages, export assistance, and easy access to loans from Stanbic IBTC Bank, among other services.

    According to the bank, young entrepreneurs and businesses often struggle because they lack the necessary support, in terms of infrastructure, capacity, advisory and access to finance, and also have the wrong notion on structuring of the business. This, he said, is expected to be addressed by the centre.

     

    “We are delighted for the opportunity to partner with the Kaduna State government to help nurture, through KADSEC, the innovative start-ups and early-stage enterprises in the state that have high growth potential,” the bank said in a statement. “The establishment of the centre is in line with our desire to help build a highly successful SME sector in Nigeria, one that can act as the growth engine for the economy. The Centre intends to engage and energise entrepreneurs by providing the right kind of support that is often lacking, in terms of business management, capacity building, advisory services and access to reasonable financing, in a way to increase the number and scale of enterprises supporting economic growth in the state,” it added.

     

    The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who performed the tape-cutting ceremony for the centre, commended Stanbic IBTC for establishing the centre in the state. He said Stanbic IBTC has again demonstrated its willingness to be a developmental partner in the economic growth and inclusive development of the state and indeed the country. He assured that his government will continue to provide the necessary support for the financial institution.

     

    Apart from provision of incubator facility with office spaces for beneficiaries, the Kaduna-Stanbic IBTC Entrepreneurship Centre has programmes that will benefit participating businesses and entrepreneurs, including the Kaduna Tech Accelerator programme, a start-up ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs, and the Agro-business Incubation programme, designed to offer customized assistance and intensive services to beneficiaries.

     

    Stanbic IBTC assured that it will continue to leverage on the 155-year experience, expertise and strong financial clout of Standard Bank Group, to which it belongs, to seek opportunities like KADSEC to partner with governments and other stakeholders to empower entrepreneurs and start-ups that show great potential for growth and job creation with the requisite capacity.