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Tag: kano state

  • We are ready for Saturday’s polls – Kano INEC

    The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Risqua Shehu, on Tuesday said that he has received all sensitive and non-sensitive materials required to conduct the rescheduled Presidential and National elections on Saturday.

    Briefing reporters at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shehu stated the Commission is ready for a smooth conduct of the elections in Kano state, as both logistics and operational challenges have been surmounted.

    According to him: “I am glad to inform you that we have now received all the non-sensitive and sensitive materials we require for the conduct of the elections.

    Read Also: Nine die, 15 injured in Kano auto-crash

    “The non-sensitive materials have already been distributed across the 44 Local Government offices while the sensitive materials have been sorted and batched them according to Local Government Areas, and their retrieval from CBN for safe keeping will be completed today (Tuesday).

    “We have also completed re-configuration of all the 11,222 smart card readers as their transportation and the movement of the materials from CBN to all the INEC Local Government offices shall commence between Wednesday 20th and Thursday, 21 February, 2019 for onward movement to the 484 Wards of Kano, while voting will commence by 8 A.M Saturday at all polling centres.”

    According to him, INEC has completed the recruitment, training and posting of 41, 552 ad-hoc staff across the 8,074 polling units.

  • Ganduje urges APC supporters to consolidate party gains

    Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has urged members and supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to avail themselves of the opportunity provided between now and the rescheduled election date to consolidate on the gains of the party.

    A statement signed by the commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba also tasked members to work for the interest of the party to maintain its majority status ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Kano poll: Why Ganduje will win

    The governor, according to the statement, assured that the APC government would continue to work hard to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians and called on all members to support the leadership and be good ambassadors of the ideals of the party.

    It appealed to members to be law abiding, be orderly and to resist all temptations to violence before or during the election.

    The statement also called on security agencies to brace up to stop any attempt whatsoever to cause a breach of peace in the state.

  • Breaking: Police arrest two with specimen of ballot papers

    The Kano State Police command has impounded 14 sacks of specimen ballot papers in the state.

    The command also said two people have been arrested in connection to the discovery of the ballot papers.

    Addressing reporters Thursday at the police headquarters at Bompai area in the Kano metropolis, the spokesman of the command, DSP Haruna Abdullahi said, ” two persons had been arrested with 14 sacks of specimen ballot papers.”

    Read Also: 2019: Police will be professional, unbiased – IG

    Abdullahi explained that, the suspects were apprehended within the Kano metropolis loaded on a vehicle.

    He said, “Let me categorically state that the ballot papers are not thumbprinted and not real. They are just specimen used to enlighten voters.

    He added that the suspects confessed that the ballot papers were on transit to Dutse, Jigawa State capital, with the intention to distribute it to the rural areas for election enlightenment.

    The spokesman said that the two suspects are now under interrogation, while investigation is ongoing.

  • Shekarau urges youths to shun violence during election

    Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kano Central Senatorial seat, has advised youths against violence during the upcoming election in the state.

    He gave the advice while interacting with newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    Shekarau, a former governor of Kano state, said the advice was necessary in view of the resurgence of political thuggery in the state.

    According to him, the recent happenings in the metropolis is very unfortunate and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians who want the country’s democracy to thrive.

    The former Minister of Education, accused some politicians of instigating their supporters to cause trouble for selfish interest.

    “I condemn in totality the political thuggery because what happened recently in Kano metropolis is most unfortunate,” Shekarau said.

    Read Also: EFCC loses bid to transfer Shekarau’s case

    He called on politicians to warn their followers against engaging in acts capable of breaching peace in the state.

    “How can somebody who is looking for support and votes from electorate direct youths to attack his opponents. It is most unfortunate.

    “We have been warning our followers not to participate or go and do anything that will lead to violence before, during and after the election,”he said.

    He said if elected as Senator, he would join his colleagues at the National Assembly to see how they could address the challenges of primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state.

    On his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senatorial candidate said his relationship with the President was very cordial.

    He, therefore, urged supporters to come out massively and vote for Buhari and other APC candidates during the general election.

    NAN

  • Kwankwaso, an absentee Senator- Shekarau

    Former Governor of Kano state and senatorial candidate for Kano Central Senatorial District, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau on Wednesday slammed the Senator representing the zone at the National Assembly, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, describing him as an absentee Senator associated with failure.

    Shekarau, during an interactive session with reporters in his house, after rounding off campaign, said he would have defeated Kwankwaso if he had contested against him.

    He also described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kano Central, Sani Aliyu Madakin Gini, as Kwankwaso’s political stooge who cannot make any impact in the election.

    Shekarau, who frowned at the spate of political violence in the state, accused Kwankwaso of being behind the ugly development and called on security agencies to take immediate action.

    He also dismissed insinuations he has issues to settle with President Muhammadu Buhari as false, insisting they have a cordial and perfect relationship.

    Read Also: EFCC loses bid to transfer Shekarau’s suit

    According to him: “To the best of my knowledge, Kwankwaso was an absentee Senator. For three and half years, I say this with heavy heart, I would loved not to say it but the facts are there, he had not set his foot on Kano soil.

    “There is no record anywhere that within the three and half years, so far as a Senator, he had ever come to consult members of his constituency, in whatever form.

    “So, I think there is nothing on ground to even compete with honestly. I think we are not bothered. It is left to the electorate to find out whether the former Senator has done anything.

    “The current senatorial candidate in PDP is his disciple. And I wonder what is there to sell to the people.

    “So, as for Kwankwaso I would have wished he contested again as a Senator.”

    On his relationship with Buhari, he said: “The issue of whether there is any disquiet between me and Buhari, I am not aware of any.

    “You see, people have their reasons of creating insinuations. I don’t think anybody has heard from Buhari himself that I have problems with him, if you do, please quote him that he said he has problems with Shekarau.

    “To the best of my knowledge, I have never said to anyone that I have problems with President Muhammadu Buhari. If I did, quote me that I have problem with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Well, we should allow people to have their perception, their own understanding. We have been the best of people. When we were in ANPP, we interacted together and he left and formed CPC. When we were doing the merger, I was the sole actor in the merger exercise.

    “I will always say boldly and proudly that anybody who writes the history of the formation of APC without my name, that history is incomplete because three of us led the Committee of 89 gentlemen and ladies for seven months to midwife the birth of APC.

    “So, as far as my relationship with Buhari is concerned, it has been cordial, perfect. We formed the APC. When I had cause to leave APC, I didn’t say it was Buhari’s fault or whoever fault.

    “It was on different grounds, and now that I am a senatorial candidate in APC, Buhari is a senior member of APC.

    “I am a member of APC, and we are going to work together as a President by the grace of God and as a Senator.“

  • Nine die, 15 injured in Kano auto-crash

    No fewer than nine persons have lost their lives and 15 others injured during a ghastly auto-crash that occurred in Takai local government area of Kano state.

    The accident was said to have occurred at 9.30 a.m on Monday at a village called Dinyarmadiga in Takai Local Government Area.

    The Council’s Information Officer, Nasiru Abu Faragai said that the accident involved a VW Sharon bus with registration number, BUJ 389 AA-Jigawa and Toyota Sienna with registration number YLA 389 PK-Adamawa.

    He said the VW Sharon bus from Jos heading to Kano was on high speed and trying to dodge a pothole in the process veered into the lane of the Toyota Sienna coming from Kano heading to Yola, Adamawa state.

    Read Also: Kano: 28 arrested over attack on APC chairman’s residence

    “The two vehicles had head-on collision and the driver of the Toyota Sienna died on the spot with eight other passengers.”

    The injured were immediately taken to Takai general hospital for treatment.

    However, the Nation was informed that FRSC post was not in the area, hence the police took over activities at the accident scene.

    Although Kano Police Spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna said he has not been briefed, he promised to find out the situation of things.

  • We’re fulfilling our promises, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said that his administration is fulfilling its promises.

    He made the remark while inaugurating the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) advanced Cancer treatment centre in Lagos.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President pledged to ensure facilities for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer were available to many more Nigerians.

    At the inauguration ceremony of the state-of-the-art Centre in LUTH, Idi Araba,  Buhari announced the model will be replicated across the country to bring quality, first-class healthcare services to cancer patients in Nigeria.

    ‘‘We are aware that up to 40% of funds spent by Nigerians on medical tourism is attributable to patients seeking treatment for cancer.

    “Despite having an increasing number of citizens suffering from cancer, we until now had only two working radiotherapy machines in the country.

    ‘‘Working through the NSIA and LUTH we utilized a PPP model that unlocked investment capital to directly address this issue. We will replicate this model across the country to bring quality, first-class healthcare services to as many Nigerians as we can.

    ‘‘Indeed, over the coming months, under our leadership, the NSIA will commission two Modern Medical Diagnostic Centres to be co-located in the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State and the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, respectively, bringing additional investment to Nigeria’s healthcare sector,’’ he said.

    The President, while wishing the management of the hospital good luck in operating the centre, emphasised the needs for maintenance of the equipment.

    Read Also: Teslim Balogun Stadium agog for Buhari

    ‘‘Our goal today is not simply to celebrate and applaud the culmination of months of hard work to achieve this objective.

    “Neither is it solely to revel in the successful completion of the most modern and best-equipped Cancer treatment centre in West Africa.

    ‘‘Indeed we are proud, but we recognize that this modest effort to address the gaps in our tertiary healthcare system alone is insufficient to address all the challenges faced by the sector.

    ‘‘Today, we showcase what feats we can accomplish when we are together, unrelenting in our effort to deliver a common objective.

    ‘‘No one ever prays to be diagnosed with cancer, but if they are, what we have made possible here today is the hope that a true chance of survival and good quality of life becomes part of the story of many Nigerian patients with cancer,’’ he said.

    The President promised his administration, which has introduced programmes to alleviate common diseases, including the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund targeted at ensuring access to primary healthcare for all Nigerians, will continue to push hard to raise awareness about cancer, educate the people and facilitate early diagnosis.

    He noted that this objective was part of his solemn commitment to Nigerians four years ago to improve the quality of health care in the country.

    The President, who performed the ceremony after attending the APC presidential campaign rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos, said his administration had focused on greater investment in the sector and worked hard to ensure increased access to safe, high-quality healthcare.

    ‘‘We promised to effect policies that would remove debilitating constraints on the sector and create sustainable structures to strengthen our healthcare institutions.

    ‘‘Today, we are gathered here to acknowledge the modest but laudable strides we are making in fulfilling that promise.

    “We recognise that progress in the health sector is handicapped by several bottlenecks.

    ‘‘Accordingly, we have worked and we will continue to work to ensure that systems are introduced to bridge these gaps,’’ he said.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji said the Centre is expected to raise the bar in the quality and standard of cancer treatment in Nigeria with outcomes that would be consistent with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

    ‘‘In addition, this Centre will demonstrate the economic potential of healthcare investments in Nigeria and catalyse increased private sector participation,” he said.

     

  • Ganduje approves N4.3b counter fund for adequate water supply

    The shortage of adequate water supply would soon be a thing of the past, as the Kano state government has committed the sum of N4.3 billion as counter fund for the execution of sustainable water project, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, under Partnership for Expanded Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (PEWASH).

    Speaking while receiving a delegation of PEWASH, led by its team leader, Abdulhamid Adamu Gwaram, who was in Kano as part of inspection visit on Saturday, the State Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Usman Sule Riruwai said the partnership came at a time when the need for adequate water supply in Kano became imperative.

    According to him, the Ganduje-led administration had approved the payment of the whole component of the project for the scheme to have effectively taken off in earnest.

    He said that the sum of N1.3 billion had already been approved for release of the fund as a demonstration of the commitment of the state government in the quest for sustainable and all-encompassing water supply, most especially to rural areas.

    He however stated that what is currently expected from the project execution partners was for them to ensure that the boreholes to be drilled should be up to the standard for quality assurance, adding that government would find it disappointing to see that the hand pumps drilled got spoiled within a short period of time.

    Read Also: Ganduje supports pregnant women with N150m delivery Kits

    According to him, the whopping sum approved by the Ganduje administration, in spite of the dwindling economic situation was a result of the high priority his government attached to the provision of potable drinking water to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    Riruwai stressed that the state government was mulling the idea of fulfilling such a huge commitment, knowing the importance of water to humanity

    Speaking earlier, the team leader of PEWASH team, Gwaram, said they were in Kano to conduct a thorough feasibility study on how the high profile project should be executed to the satisfaction of the beneficiaris.

    He explained out that with the issue of quality assurance relegated to the background, the aim of providing potable drinking water to the people of Kano would be defeated.

    He however attributed the failure recorded in seeing to the success of providing adequate drinking water to communities all over the country to sheer indifference on the part of relevant stakeholders who were expected to demonstrate high commitment in that direction.

    Gwaram noted that the Kano State government under the leadership of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje deserved all accolades in the area of water supply.

  • Ganduje makes U-turn, releases stadium for Atiku’s campaign

    In a sudden twist of events, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday ordered the contractor handling renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to immediately demobilize to pave way for the campaign rally of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to hold at the stadium.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.

    According to the statement, “accordingly, the contractor has been directed to remove all machineries from the precinct of the stadium till after the campaign rally, while the state darling teams, Kano Pillars have been told to use the Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari for its training sessions.

    “The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium.

    Read Also: Buhari prevaricates on Ganduje

    “Recall that prior to this development, the PDP had slated February 2 for the rally, which informed government decision to mobilize the contractor only for the party to fix another date for the campaign rally when the contractor had already moved to site.

    ‘’As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the governor did not ordered the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works,’’ the statement added.

    “While wishing the PDP a successful outing, the statement urged the leadership of the party to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert destruction of facilities at the stadium.”

    The Nation reports that reports in the media had insinuated that Governor Ganduje shutdown the Sani Abacha stadium so as to deny the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from using the stadium.

  • Ganduje urges northern traditional rulers to promote child health

    Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday urged traditional and religious leaders in northern Nigeria to remain resolute in the promotion of Maternal Newborn and Child Health programmes (MNCH2), describing it as one of the major ways to ensure adequate healthcare delivery to the grassroots.

    Ganduje who stated this during the DFID funded MNCH2 programmes learning event for North-West states held at Coronation Hall, Government, said his administration has been up and doing in ensuring good health care delivery for newborn, pregnant women and the children.

    According to him, “The time has come to accept the fundamental reality that the impending budgetary squeeze, the current health crisis and demand generation, as well as awareness creation activities are inextricably linked.

    “The traditional institution is one of the key organizations that drives the attainment of a desirable economy and supports the financial underpinnings of the health Care system. The traditional/religious leaders is, therefore, the key to assuring the future demand of health care services in the state.”

    Ganduje further stated that, “Kano state Government has committed enormous resources across various healthcare interventions in the state. It is on record that Kano state Government signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Bill&Melinda Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundations to improve Routine Immunization services in Kano state since 2012.

    “This collaboration has achieved great success which subsequently led to the endorsement of another memorandum of understanding between the three parties to improve child health and primary healthcare services in the state,” adding that all the successes we’re facilitated by the full participation of the Kano Emirate Council and the religious leaders.

    Ganduje added that his administration is mindful of the importance of addressing the basic social needs from the grassroots level in order to ensure improved factors that determine good health, such as food security, good education, and quality healthcare delivery.

    Read Also: Buhari prevaricates on Ganduje

    He stated that, “our administration is fully committed to reducing the Maternal and child mortality rates, and furthermore, control of preventable diseases such as Vaccine-preventable-diseases, Malaria, HIV and many more.”

    According to him, “In our determination to further deliver on our campaign promises and ensure that Kano people benefit maximally in health care delivery, the present administration has embarked many beneficial and far reaching health interventions ranging from infrastructure and equipment upgrade, healthcare financing to manpower development.”

    Ganduje recalled that, “Last year alone, despite the current economic situation in the state and country at large, over 3, 000 healthcare professionals were employed. This we believe will enhance the capacity of health care delivery system.”

    In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi 11 expressed disgust over rampant cases of early and marriages and divorce, describing it as worrisome.

    The Royal Father called on northern governors to fashion better ways of compelling parents to offer their children, particularly, women for education so as to better their future.

    Emir Sanusi harped more on girl-child education, just as he discouraged the trend of marrying many wives without having enough to take care of them.

    Government functionaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders and opinion leaders from North-West states graced the occasion with the theme: Achieving Better Health Outcomes through Engagement with Traditional and Religious Leaders.