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Tag: Kaduna state

  • 31 political parties to boycott Kaduna LG poll Saturday

    …we will participate – PDP

    Coalition of 31 opposition political parties in Kaduna State has vowed to boycott the local government election slated for Saturday, May 12, 2018 over alleged planned rigging by the state electoral body in favour of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Meanwhile, the major opposition party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said, it will participate in the polls.

    PDP Chairman and one time Minister of State for Aviation, Hon. Hassan Hyet said, though they allign with all the positions of the coalition on the alleged plans to rig the elections, but that is not enough to boycot the elections.

    Hyet said, as much as his party does not have confidence in the state independent electoral commission, it has enough confidence in the electorate, whom he said were ready to kick out the APC government.

    He however called on the electorate to disregard the insinuations that, PDP is also boycotting local government elections. “We want electorate to come out en mass and vote for PDP in all the elective positions”.

    The coalition had accused the State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM) of grand plan to disenfranchise the electorate and rig the LG election because it refused to display voters’ register at polling units for voters to confirm their names and eligibility to vote in good time.

    Chairman, Labour Party and Chairman for the coalition, Umar Ibrahim Mairaqumi who led other political parties leaders to the secretariat of NUJ in Kaduna on Friday alleged that, KAD-SIECOM has deliberately refused to use the INEC card reader machine for authentication of voters during the election slated to hold between 8am-4pm Saturday.

    According to him, “there is a plan to rig election already. We have conducted primaries before now. But with what we have heard and seen, we have no option than to boycott the election because we are in the know of grand plan to rig in favour of APC.

    “We have seen the card reader; we have seen what it can do. We have said it should be used for the election to ensure transparency. Electronic voting machine is only representing the ballot box and ballot paper. It does not capture voter’s register.

    “What that means is that, anybody can just go and vote because there would not be any register to confirm whether your name is there or not.

    “We have information that people will never have. We foresaw security threat against electorate in Kaduna and we are been careful about the whole thing so we don’t put the lives of our supporters in danger.

    “Kaduna State has had enough of its political violence. It is therefore urgently imperative that we put the security of lives and property of our people in high premium.

    “This was why, instead of keeping silent, we have come to tell the world that the outcome of this election cannot be credible.

    “It is pertinent therefore, the Kaduna State coalition of political parties, in the interest of peace and safety of lives and property of our candidates and the public that, we have decided to boycott the forthcoming LG election in Kaduna State scheduled for May 12, 2018.

    Some of political parties that made up the coalition are: NNPP, PPP, AD, ADC, PPA, PPN, APGA, LP, NUP, GPN among others.

  • El-Rufai transforming Kachia to urban area – Agwom Adara

    The Governor Nasir el-Rufai led Kaduna state government is transforming Kachia and neighbouring communities into urban area with the projects being executed in the area, the Agwom Adara has said.

    The second class traditional ruler, Malam Maiwada Galadima stated this when a team of journalists under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna state council, touring projects being executed by the Kaduna state government in Southern Kaduna senatorial zone paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Kachia on Thursday.

    “The projects are blessing to the people, the roads projects have transformed Kachia to an urban area. Our schools and hospitals have all been transformed.

    “If a group comes to inspect such projects, I want to appreciate the initiative. I also want to commend the present government. We have great improvements in our area,” he said.

    The monarch commended the journalists for deeming it fit to visit him, while charging them to always remain objectives in their reports. 

    Read Also: El-Rufai to employers: Don’t reject corps members

    “I want to appreciate your initiative of identifying with the traditional institution that is why you are here. We have confidence in journalists; we have confidence in journalism, if reports are distorted, we won’t know the truth.”

    Secretary of the NUJ Kaduna Council, Alhaji Dauda Idris Doka, who led the team, told the monarch that coming to Kachia was a blessing because since the tour commenced, the team had not been granted audience by any traditional ruler.

    He said the tour was to a insect projects being executed by Governor Nasir el-Rufai administration, while praising the Agwom Adara for his humility and prayed for God to give him wisdom to continue to lead his people peacefully.

    Surveyor Marcus Saleh, Project Coordinator of Farmtrac Nigeria Ltd, a company handling road and school projects in Southern Kaduna, said that his company was awarded N1.2 billion, 10km Kachia township road project, which is 62% completed.

    “We are also handling10km road project in Sanga, 4km township and 6km bypass at N1.3 billion. In Kauru, we have 36km Kwassam-Gisheri road at N3.5 billion, including a 60m bridge, which is 45% completed.

    “The 19km Laduga link road Kachia and 15km Kafachan township road were old projects that were re-awarded to our company.

    “All the projects are surface dressed with drainage, they are all scheduled for completion in eight weeks,” Marcus said, while explaining that the projects are based on retainership.

  • El-Rufai to employers: Don’t reject corps members

    AS 2,200 2018 batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Kaduna State by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) completed the 21-day orientation course, the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has warned corps employers against corps rejection.

    Corps rejection, a situation where prospective employers (ministries, departments and agencies) refused to absorb corps member into their organisations usually due to lack or insufficient accommodation facilities remains the top challenge young Nigerian students face immediately after orientation course.

    Officially declaring the orientation course closed at NYSC Permanent Orientation camp on Wednesday, the Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Alhaji Adamu said, instead of rejection, employers should rather help corps members settle down in good time to enable them offer their best to their motherland within the next 10 months.

    According to the Governor, “Corps employers in the state should do away with rejection of corps members posted to them but assist them to settle down as quick as possible to serve the nation here in Kaduna State.

    “I wish to reiterate our stand that rejection of corps members is against the spirit and noble intentions behind the establishment of the service scheme, therefore unacceptable”.

    Earlier in an address, Coordinator of the scheme in the state, Alhaji Dahunsi Mohammed re-echoed the NYSC’s earlier request for the provision of additional hostel facilities to accommodate camp officials and the increase number of corps members being deployed to Kaduna state.

    He urged corps members to accept their postings in good fate, report, complete necessary documentation and settle down as quickly as possible at their designated places of primary assignment (PPA).

    “I urge you to do your best to integrate with members of your host communities, appreciate and understand their culture and tradition as soon as you can, and respect same.”

    “Do not involve yourself in local politics of your host communities. Identify with their areas of need and come up with strategies of ameliorating their sufferings by initiating and executing meaningful community development projects”, the coordinator added.

    He however charged them to be modest in all their activities, humble and security conscious at all times.

  • LG election: Kaduna legislator warns constituents against violence

    Mr Labari Tella ( PDP-Jema’a ),  member, Kaduna State House of Assembly has urged his constituents to avoid acts capable of breaching peace during the May 12, local government elections in the state.

    Tella, who gave the advice in an interview with the News men on Tuesday in Kaduna, specifically advised the youth to behave responsibly during the exercise.

    The News men reports that the election for chairmanship and counsellorship positions will be conducted in the 23 local government areas of the state.

    “I want to implore our youths to ensure the protection and sanctity of our environment by being peace ambassadors.

    “Let us collectively guard against any element of violence and ensure peaceful, free and fair polls,” he said.

    Tella further urged the people to vote for credible candidates, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation to promote democracy and development of the state.

    Read Also: Buhari approves new security measures to tackle Kaduna killings

    He said politicians should place the collective concern of the people above personal interest, for the common good of all.

    “The essence of governance is to allow for a fair representation of the masses and not for personal aggrandizement.”

    He also appealed to all players in the exercise, who might have legitimate grievances after the election to seek redress through legal means rather than resorting to violence.

    The lawmaker, however, stressed stressed the need for parents, religious and traditional leaders to embark on value orientation at the family and community levels to minimize anti-social behaviours amongst their children and wards.

    NAN

  • Buhari approves new security measures to tackle Kaduna killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the president, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Monday said these were part of measures to scale up the security response to the banditry affecting the area.

    The presidential aide quoted the president as strongly condemning the latest massacre of innocent Nigerians in the area.

    The president said: “I am deeply outraged by this unwarranted, unprovoked and reckless destruction of lives by bandits who belong to the lowest level of civilisation.

    “I feel the pains and devastation of the families of the victims, and this administration will do everything possible to ensure we defeat these enemies of humanity.”

    According to the president, security remains a priority for his government, and his administration will not tolerate the persistent killing of innocent people in order to set Nigerians against one another.

    He observed that “these persistent killings are not spontaneous; there are subterranean forces with a sinister agenda to instigate war in the country for selfish purposes.

    “Although unconventional war is particularly complicated, our security forces are making rigorous efforts to better understand these enemies with a view to decisively checkmating their evil attacks’’.

    Buhari extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Kaduna State over this unfortunate tragedy.

    He assured that his administration would never abandon them to their fate.

    The statement observed that the new Army Battalion and the Police Area Command are the latest in a series of law enforcement measures to ensure more effective protection of lives and property, in and around Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and Nasarawa states.

    It recalled that the Nigerian Air Force last week took delivery of two new helicopter gunships for deployment to parts of the country affected by banditry.

    “A Quick Response Wing has also been established by the Nigerian Air Force in Taraba State, while a Joint Military Intervention Force is fully on ground in Benue,’’ the statement added.

  • Kaduna: NOA begins sensitisation electorate,forthcoming LGs elections

    The National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), in Kaduna State on Thursday commenced sesitisation of electorate on the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.

    Alhaji Zubairu Galadima-Soba, Kaduna State Director of NOA, while launching the sensitisation programme in Zaria  said the essence of the exercise was to educate the electorate toward successful elections.

    The newsmen reports that the programme is tagged: Sensitisation and Mobilisation of Electorate Towards the 2018 Local Government Elections”.

    The newsmen also reports that the sensitisation is under “Change Begins With Me campaign on conservation and protection of public assets and critical infrastructure”.

    Galadima-Soba said the programme was geared towards free, fair, credible and hitch-free local government elections across the state.

    “Our duty in NOA is to sensitise the general public on government policies and programmes and in turn we take information whether good or bad from public to government.

    “In essence, we facilitate the flow of information from top to button and from button to top, therefore, election is not an exception, hence the need for this sensitisation’’, he said.

    The director advised youths to shun political thuggery, saying that such attitude was detrimental not only to the success of the elections but also to societal growth.

    He urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, advising that they should be mindful of the fact that proper upbringing lies in their hands.

    Galadima-Soba encouraged the electorate come out en masse to exercise their franchise, saying that it was their legitimate right that no one would afford to miss.

    Read Also: Kaduna: Two mechanics face trial for alleged assault

    The director lamented the menace of drug abuse especially among the youths, adding that there was need for the society to take decisive action to reduce its spread.

    “We don’t need the security agencies to reduce the menace of drug abuse, it is our responsibility as parents and members of the society to take measures to reduce this ugly trend’’.

    In his speech, the Administrator, Zaria Local Government, Alhaji Tukur Abubakar-Yero stressed the need for people to cooperate towards a hitch-free local government elections.

    He lauded the courage and foresight of NOA for taking a bold step to organise the sensitisation programme.

    The newsmen reports that the sensitisation exercise drew participants from Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission ( KADSIECOM ), INEC, security agencies and Jama’atu Nasril Islam ( JNI ), Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) among others.

    The newsmen also reports that questions and answers were entertained during the programme.

    NAN

  • Court strikes out theft case against tiler

    A Barnawa Customary Court, Kaduna, on Thursday struck out a case of alleged theft filed against a 30-year-old tiler, Akut Henry.

    The tiler, who resides in Television area, Kaduna, was arraigned on a two-count charge of mischief and theft.

    The judge, Mr John Dauda, struck out the case following a written application from both the complainant and the accused to settle out of court.

    “The court is happy to grant your request as it is the prayer of the court that when there is any misunderstanding, the parties involved should try to settle it amicably.

    “Where such attempts fail, instead of taking laws into individual hands, the court should be involved for the two parties to get justice,” he said.

    Dauda, however, said the accused should write an undertaking that he would be of good behaviour.

    He also admonished him never to be involved in a similar act as the court would not take it lightly with him next time.

    Read Also: Court stops Oyo council polls

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Zaradeen Umar, had told the court that on Feb. 25, Daniel Amos of Majamiya Street, Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, reported the matter at Television Police Station.

    Umar said the accused who was one of the workers tiling the complainant’s house, stole some of his building materials valued at N200, 000.

    The prosecutor added that the accused was later caught, when one of the workers saw him and alerted the complainant. The accused, however, denied the allegations.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 97 and 271 of the Penal Code Laws of Kaduna State.

    NAN

  • Fani-kayode’s co-accused ‘slumps in bathroom’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday heard that former Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman Mr. Yusuf Danjuma slumped while having a bath and was hospitalised.

    He is on trial with former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and former Minister of State for Finance Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged money laundering involving about N4.6billion.

    Trial was billed to resume Wednesday, but Danjuma, a former Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was absent.

    His lawyer K.C Nwofo told the court that he received a call in the early hours of Tuesday from Danjuma’s wife that the third defendant collapsed in the bathroom.

    He said the wife had called out neighbours in their Jere Kaduna home who joined in taking Danjuma to the hospital.

    Nwofo said since he was yet to get a copy of the hospital report, he did not know what Danjuma suffered from. He promised to make details of the diagnosis available to the court once he gets it.

    The court had at an earlier proceeding heard that Zenith Bank Plc did not consider transactions made by Fani-Kayode as unlawful.

    The bank’s Head of Ghana Street Branch in Abuja, Sheelis Gana, said the bank would have stopped the transactions had they been considered illegal.

    Gana testified that Fani-Kayode opened a personal account in January 2015 and that there several inflows into it, including various sums from Jointrust Dimentions’ account. Join trust is the fourth defendant.

    She said several transfers were made to other beneficiaries, and that cheques were written in Fani-Kayode’s name and were paid.

    He said 19 cheques were issued by Fani-Kayode on February 3, 2015, most of them for N10million.

    “The cheques were honoured by my bank. There were no complaints from the second defendant (Fani-Kayode) after the funds were drawn from the account,” he said.

    Gana said there was an instruction to transfer various sums into Fani-Kayode’s account, including N240million from Jointrust Dimentions, as well as N250million, among others.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa adjourned until June 11 and 12 for continuation of trial.

    Read ALSO: Witness: Fani-Kayode made multiple cash withdrawals of N10m

  • Kaduna residents laud govt. for waste evacuation

    Residents of Sabon Tasha and Kakuri areas of Kaduna city have commended the Kaduna State Government for the evacuation of the heaps of refuse in their neighbourhoods.

    The residents, who spoke to our correspondent in Kaduna on Monday, lauded the government for clearing the waste, saying that the stench oozing from the waste dumps had polluted the air in the two areas.

    They said that they had made several calls for the intervention of the state Ministry of Environment but to no avail, adding that they were now happy that the government had responded to their pleas.

    Mr David Ochai, who lives near the Government Secondary School, Sabo, said that the huge heaps of garbage had been at the sites for almost four years, thereby making people in the neighbourhoods to always inhale foul air.

    He noted that his children often had breathing problems anytime they went close to the refuse dumps.

    He recalled that he was very worried that an epidemic would sooner or later occur the area since some strange flies had started gathering around the waste dumps.

    Ochai commended the team of workers from Zoomlion who evacuated the rubbish and thanked the Ministry for Environment for keeping to its promise by clearing the waste.

    Mr Samuel Irabor, a phone recharge card seller in Kakuri, also commended the company for its swift action as to the evacuation of the waste and urged the government to use the site for constructive ventures.

    Mr Abdulahi Rigasa, the General Manager of Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency ( KEPA ), however, pledged that the agency would strive to remove refuse from all areas within the Kaduna city.

    He, however, urged residents to dispose of their refuse at designated points, rather than throwing garbage on the streets or in drainage channels “under the cover of darkness’’.

    Rigasa also warned scavengers against spreading refuse to road pavements or medians, saying that some of the refuse, which was hitherto dumped at designated places, was sometimes scattered by some adventurous scavengers.

    NAN

  • Police confirm death of 10 miners in Kaduna

    10 local miners were at the weekend killed and serveral others severely injured when armed bandits stormed janruwa community in Birnin Gwari Local Government area of Kaduna State.
    Though, reports from the area said 14 people were killed, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. Austin Iwar put the casualty figure at 10
    It was gathered that the armed bandits approached the mining site around 12:45pm on Saturday and opened fire on the miners.
    It was however not clear why the bandits stormed the mining site, but sources said they were on revenge mission over the alleged killings of their gang members by local Vigilante.
    A source in Birnin Gwari told journalists that his in-law was among the dead.
    According to him, “My in-Law, Magaji Danjuma, was among the miners killed. They were doing their mining business in the forest near old Birnin Gwari town when the bandits attacked them.
    “My in-law’s body was set ablaze by his killers while their remains was brought to Birnin Gwari town for burial,” he said in a telephone interview.”
    Birnin Gwari villages have been under attacks by armed bandits for a while and efforts of the security to tame them have not been successful, as 11 soldiers in Operation Ayem Akpatuma in the areas were recently killed.