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Tag: kano state

  • ‘We will prosecute parents who engage disabled children to begging’

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has signed into Law the Disability Bill, strongly warning Parents of Children with Disabilities, to instantly evacuate their children from the streets in the state or face prosecution.

    Ganduje explained that the Law has taken care of almost all the needs of the disables persons which includes empowerment, including them in government and providing them with professional skills to participate in capacity building and other skills acquisition.

    Speaking while signing into law the bill at the government house Council Chambers during the weekly council meetings on Tuesday, Ganduje, explained that his cabinet is highly concern about the conditions of the disables persons.

    He said the law will give the disables persons open opportunity to professionally design buildings and even participate in hard construction and other professional projects.

    Read Also: Ganduje distributes 100 transformers to communities

    Ganduje noted that the new law also gives Parents chance to enrolled their disables Children into Schools and also removed them  from the Streets as beggars so that they would be useful to themselves.

    In the same vein the government promised to create Social Security to those disables children and persons who are incapacitated would start to receive monthly allowances.

    “What we are doing is to bring all the disables persons under government care through either social security or by providing them with professional skills to have jobs for themselves”.

    Ganduje emphasized that signing into law the bill has highly and significantly shows government commitment in taken care of its citizens and make them self-reliant.

  • Ganduje task civil society groups on fight against drug abuse

    Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has asked civil society organisations in the country to get involved in the fight against drug abuse which has been on the increase in recent times.

    Ganduje who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna while receiving an award of commendation for consistency in people friendly policies from the Civil Liberties Organisation said government alone should not be left to carry on with the fight, stressing that credible civil society group should get involved in the fight.

    The Governor lamented the involvement of women of women in the sale of hard drugs to young Nigerians, adding that it is unfortunate that those involved in drug abuse are charged to court, they find their way back into society the following day.

    He said: “There is the need for human right organisations to get involved in the fight against drug abuse. The human rights community in the country will have to do something about this social vices and not only on issues pertaining government. We should do something because it has to do with the welfare of our people because that is what these organisations are being formed to tackle.

    “When the Commandant of the NDLEA in Kano spoke, recently, I was touched when he said that the people selling those drugs are women. It meant that women are deeply involved in this issue of drug abuse. It is unfortunate that when you arrest these people and take them to court, you find them roaming the streets the following day.

    “Government alone cannot fight this scourge. The human rights community has to do something because until we all get involved, these issues will not go away.

    Read Also: Ganduje: Court fixes December 6 for judgment

    “There are other issues too that the human rights community should get involved in and not just allow government to be the sole decider. Organisations like this that are credible and has served humanity for long should get involved.

    “The other area is in the area of funding education. Government alone cannot fund education and there is a growing sentiment especially in the area of contribution to PTA and people now feels that government in commercializing education.”

    He said the award to him has come to stay and will not do anything that will make you withdraw the award, adding that he was ready to collaborate with the organization in all areas.

    In his remark, President of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Igho Akeregha said that the Organisation has been monitoring the activities of the Kano state government for the past two years and were convinced that he has found the state remaining consistent in its policies that are people-friendly.

    Akeregha said that the decision to award the Governor was in pursuant of CLO’s Democracy and Governance mandate where the Organisation examines governance at the local, state and national levels, pointing out that this was the first time the Organisation was giving such recognition to anybody in the Pu pic service.

    He said: “It is important to mention that the CLO was founded on October 15, 1987 with clear mandate to pursue democratic advocacy, human rights monitoring and education, gender rights, police and penal reforms, pro-bono litigation, documentation and research.

    “Indeed, over the years, the Organisation has positively discharged this mandate culminating in the return to democracy in 1999. The role, the CLO played in finally consigning the military to the barracks and keeping them out of public governance is not only legendary but well documented.

    “In the last five years, the CLO has continuously reviewed its operations and strategies to make it more dynamic and adaptive to the dynamics of modern democracy. To this end, the Organisation is engaging democracy stakeholders and holding them more accountable to the people.

    “Those who have utilized public offices to the benefit of citizens will now be commended while political demagogues and profiteers are to be named and shamed. We regularly evaluate democracy deliverable using international benchmarks as measurement.

    “The CLO has beamed its focus on Kano state in the last two years and monitored the progress being made by the state government in Internationally stipulated MDGs and SDGs and found the state remaining consistent in its policies that are people-friendly.

    “Therefore, the state emerged as most considered, given its size and population in key deliverables in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, justice sector reform, peace and security.

    “The Board therefore chose to recognize the leadership of the state with a Certificate of Good Public Service as a way of encouraging the state government and placing it on the radar of progressing states in Nigeria.”

    He reminded the governor that it may be forced to withdraw the award should there be observable lapses and drawbacks after this honour in defense of its best tradition of trust and credibility.

  • Kano govt. to arrest, prosecute erring tricyclists

    Kano state government has threatened to arrest and prosecute commercial tricycles who are in the habit of violating the order on restriction of movement during the monthly environmental sanitation.

    The state Commissioner for environment Dr Ali Makoda made the threat on Saturday while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Kano metropolis.

    He said the ministry will summon the officials of the tricycle association  over their refusal to obey the order with a view to warning their members on the ugly trend.

    Makoda warned that the state government would ensure that defaulters were arrested and made to face the wrath of law so as to serve as a deterrent to others who might decide to violate the law.

    He said that the level of compliance to the exercise during the November round of the exercise was commendable , yet some tricycle operators are in the habit of violating the the order.

    Read Also: Kano Govt, UNICEF to open new office for three states

    He explained that despite series of warnings by the government, the tricyclists had failed to comply with the order on the exercise.

    “We are going to summon them and talk to their associations and if they fail to comply, they will have to face the wrath of the law,”he said.

    Makoda who doubled as the Chairman of the state Task Force committee on sanitation, appealed to residents to ensure their children also took part in cleaning the environment instead of playing Football.

    NAN reports that mobile courts operating under the Kano sanitation committee has arrested 137 defaulters and were made to pay a total fine of N91,250.

     

    NAN

  • Ganduje distributes 100 transformers to communities

    Kano state Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Saturday distributed 100 transformers valued at N500 million to 100 communities across the 44 local government of the state to lmprove power supply and enhanced economic development the rural areas.

    Ganduje while distributing the transformers to Chairmen and leaders of the Communities said the purpose behind the gesture was to rescue them from acute blackout experience in the Communities over the years.

    Ganduje explained that due to the sufferings experienced by these communities over the lack of power the government, hence, resolved to bail them out from their predicament, so as to enhance their socio-economic activities of the communities.

    According to him, “This administration considered this gesture after receiving numerous complains by the Communities affected through the Commissioner for Rural and Urban development, Malam Musa illaysu Kwankwaso and decided to provide them with the transformers.

    Read Also: Ganduje: Court fixes December 6 for judgment

    With the provision of the transformers, Ganduje said he will personally supervise the distribution and installation while  urging the benefiting community to guide and protect facilities against vandalism and theft.

    “Provision of electricity particularly to the rural communities is one of our major priorities and that is why the government is spending huge resource at Challawa water hydro electricity plant to power our dams and street lights.

    “Recently, Alh. Aliko Dangote requested the state government to provide him with land for establishment of solar energy plant. Also, a German firm has also signifies interest to establish solar plant in Kano. With all these support, we shall overcome challenges of electricity in Kano”.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alh. Musa Illaysu Kwankwaso, explained that out of 600 Communities who are critically in need of electricity, 100 were selected for the phase one, pledging government commitment to ensure other benefit in the next phase.

    Apart from the transformer distribution, Kwankwasa said his ministry is partnering with a French company to construct 500 kilometers feeder roads across 44 local government areas to enable access to rural communities.

    Representative of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) Mr. David Omoniyi pledged to install the transformers.

  • Ganduje, Emir of Dutse decry dearth of manpower in dental health

    Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Dutse, His Highness, Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi on Thursday decried the shortage of manpower in the to take care of oral and maxillofacial diseases, with only 10, 000 dental surgeons taking care of the population of over 190 million Nigerians.

    The two leaders who spoke during the 8th Biennial Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons held at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), also called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to ensure provision of required infrastructure and manpower to tackle the challenges in the oral and maxillofacial sector.

    The Emir of Dutse who is an Ambassador of Ooral health called on both state and Federal Government to invest more in the oral health sector, so as to save many Nigerians who are suffering from oral diseases, but does not have access to medical care.

    Ganduje who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, stated that, “Kano state Government is not unaware of the inadequacy of diagnostic equipment and the scarcity of the required specialists’ manpower and health facilities to adequately take care of the large number of clients afflicted with these diseases.

    Read Also: Ganduje puzzles Kano with legal rigmaroles

    “These challenges resulted in the risk of oral and maxillofacial care to be delivered by under-qualified personnel in poorly equipped facilities with the attendant consequences on quality of care being provided to people with these problems.”

    According to him, “to address these challenges, the state government continue to send all cadres of medical personnel, including Doctors to various specialist trainings in home and abroad to acquire the necessary skills and expertise in all aspect of medical care, including oral and maxillofacial surgery.”

    Ganduje further stated that, “we should also find an efficient to create awareness on the risk factors for developing oral and maxillofacial diseases, what can be done to reduce the risks, how to identify these diseases, and where to go to access services.”

    He lamented that, “oral disease directly affects the quality of life by having serious impact on an individual’s well-being and ability to fulfil desired socio-economic functions. Decayed and painful teeth affect dietary intake and aggravate under-nutrition in children because of the inability to masticate.

    “The consequences of conditions like noma can be life-threatening and often result in lifelong functional impairment, disfigurement and death. Oral   appearances also affect self-esteem and willingness to interact with others.”

  • Physically challenged corps member calls on automatic employment

    Mr Olajide Mayiwakende, a physically challenged corps member posted to Kano State has appealed to the government and other well-meaning employers of labour to facilitate automatic employment for physically challenged graduates.

    The corps member made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.

    “If the society can, at least, provide some special platform for the physically challenged students and graduates in the country, the gesture will encourage others to pursue educational endeavours.

    Read Also: 2019: Ayade urges NYSC members to be neutral, firm 

    “With this gesture, the number of physically challenged persons begging to survive would be greatly minimised, if not totally eradicated.

    “The assurance that after school and service, they will not labour in vain searching for jobs, will help in motivating others; especially those unsure of what awaits them in the future,” Mayiwakende said.

    He added that the gesture will also remove some burdens off the society and the able bodies, as the physically challenged would be able to take care of themselves, while contributing positively to the society.

    The graduate of Computer Science from Kwara State Polytechnic, bemoaned the practice where able body young boys and girls, who are supposed to be in schools, are often conscripted into taking physically challenged people around the town, soliciting for money or assistance.

    NAN

  • Fire destroys 77 shops in Kano market

    The Kano State Fire Service said fire has destroyed 77 temporary shops at Kasuwar Kurmi (‘Yan Gumama) Market in Kano.

    The Spokesman of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday that 70 of the shops were razed down completely.

    “we received a distress call early hours of (Sunday morning) at about 07:35 a.m from one Aliyu Ibrahim that there was fire outbreak at the market.

    ”On receiving the information, we quickly sent some of our personnel and fire fighting vehicle to the scene of the incident at about 07: 43 a.m to quench the fire so as not to affect other shops,“ he said.

    The spokesman said that 70 of the shops were completely razed down while seven shops were saved due to the quick intervention of the firemen.

    He advised traders at the market and other residents to be more careful and desist from using instruments capable of triggering fire as a way of guarding against future occurrence during this dry season.

    Mohammed also advised the people to keep fire buckets, blankets and extinguishers that would enable them curtail the fire before calling on the fire service.

    Mohammed said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. (NAN)

  • Ganduje slams N3billion suit against Daily Nigerian publisher

    Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has instituted a N3 billion suit in  a Federal High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Mr. Ja’afar Ja’afar, for defamation of character, slander, libel over publications and releases of video clips alleging that the plaintiff was involved in bribery.

    According to a Writ of Summons dated November 13, 2018, the defendants are expected to   appear before the High Court 13, sitting in Kano within 14 days.

    Ganduje through his Counsel, Nuradeen Ajagi, prayed the Court to declare that, “the act of publishing and circulating libelous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amounts to defamation of character of the character plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.

    “Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offenses by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libelous, injurious and wrongful.

    “In order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libelous documents/records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

    “That the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

    Read Also: Ganduje presents 219.6bn 2019 appropriation bill

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience.

    “An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3, 000,000,000 (Three billion naira) as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing.

    “An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.”

    The Nation recalls that Daily Nigerian, an online news platform last month, published a story, accompanied with video clips, alleging that Governor Ganduje collected $5 million kick-back.

  • Ganduje presents 219.6bn 2019 appropriation bill

    Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday presented N 219, 655, 217, 756 proposed 2019 appropriation bill of “Sustainable Development” to Kano state House of Assembly, with infrastructure taking the highest share of N38.31 billion.

    The 2019 proposed budget is lower than 2018 budget which stood at N246, 608, 850, 598.

    According to him, “The 2019 budget is designed to attain the agenda of this administration to the overall objective of developing the state and improving the wellbeing of the people.

    Ganduje explained that, “The objectives of the budget are efficient and effective public spending through public financial management process; to continue synergy and cooperation with the various stakeholders in the state.”

    He added that, “The target of the budget is to ensure transparency and accountability and to continue with process of participatory budgeting.”

    According to him, “With due consultations with relevant stakeholders within and outside the public service, we are proposing an aggregate ,budget of N219, 655, 217, 756 for the year 2019.

    “Out of this amount, the sum of N134, 0 65, 152, 619 is dedicated for capital expenditure, while the sum of N85, 590, 65, 167 is for recurrent expenditure.”

    Read Also: Ganduje: Maintain status quo ante, Court tells Kano Assembly

    Highlighting on the policies and detailed budget allocations, Ganduje said, “The total projected recurrent revenue for the year 2019 is estimated at the sum of N156, 761, 637, 947 which consist of N45 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N101, 761, 637, 947 as revenue from federation account.

    “The total recurrent revenue is higher than that of the year 2018 by N11, 801, 941.73 representing 12 per cent.

    “The proposed capital expenditure for the  2019 fiscal year is N134, 065, 152, 619 which is lower than that of 2018 by N29, 117,285, 476 as it is to be financed by N71, 171, 572, 780 expected recurrent revenue surplus and total capital receipts of N62, 893, 579, 839.

    “The capital receipt is made up of N28, 017, 500, 000 as expected internal and external loans. N32, 422, 885, 355 is estimated grants.  N1. 925 billion miscellaneous receipts and treasury opening balance of N530, 194, 484.”

    Ganduje further stated that, “the focus of the 2019 budget will be on completing on-going projects in health, education, rural roads, power, water and agriculture and other critical infrastructure.”

    However, Ministry of Water Resources got the second highest allocation of N26.4 billion; agriculture, N9.4 billion; education, N18 billion; environment, N3 billion; health, N2.5 billion; rural development, N2 billion, commerce and industry, N1.6 billion; security and justice, N2.8 billion; women and social development, N861 million; and general administration, N7.8 billion.

    Speaking after receiving the proposed budget, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, assured Ganduje that the budget was at home and in a safe hand, promising that the House will work tirelessly to ensure smooth and speedy deliberations.

    According to him, already, the House has concluded arrangements for public hearing on the proposed budget, urging stakeholders, civil society organizations and citizens to feel free to approach the House anytime for advice and inputs.

  • MTN Exposes Youths to ICT in Kano State

    MTN Foundation has conducted a two-day empowerment scheme targeted at young adult in Kano state.

    Over five hundred young men and women were trained on the use of Information Communication Technology(ICT) and businesses in the digital and telecommunication space.

    This training was conducted after after a pilot scheme was held in Oyo State.

    For the two days experts from the MTN Foundations and its ecosystem partners – KPMG; IBM; DBI (Digital Bridge Institute) and Oracle came together to train the youths on the necessary skills in ICT and Business.

    The participants were also trained on the use of social media to increase customers for business and financial accounting.

     

     

     

    It was obvious that the participants were eager and ready to learn even as the training classes were break up into segments.The training hal were full to the capacity for the two days even as each class lasted for nine hours.

    Despite the fact that it was a sponsored empowerment programm which the participant did not pay to attend, at the end of each class the telecommunication firm foot the transport fare bill of all the participants.

    According to facilitators of the two day empowerment scheme, for Nigeria to become a technology driven economy nationwide, concentration and more efforts need to be channeled to the teeming youths and entrepreneurs also in the Northern part of the country.

    “If technology and education is fully embraced and adapted life-styles and businesses will improve, residents with empowerment skill will increase and there will be more employable youths and on the overall the high indices of unemployment rate will reduce.”

    The participants were also exposed to Selfie game during the fun side of the training program.