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Tag: kano state

  • Flood destroys 100 houses in Kano, SERERA evaluates damage

    Flood destroys 100 houses in Kano, SERERA evaluates damage

    No fewer than 100 houses were destroyed following a heavy downpour in Gwarzo local government of Kano State on Tuesday.

    The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, rendered many people homeless in the area.

    An eye-witness, Malam Ibrahim Shuaibu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday that the worst affected areas included Sabuwar Unguwa, Abuja quarters and some parts of Katambawa area in the town.

    According to the witness, the wall fence of the Gwarzo Local Government Secretariat had also collapsed, while many vehicles were submerged as a result of the heavy downpour.

    He said a bridge popularly known as Kwakwachi bridge, and a number of some Public buildings including primary schools, were also affected by the disaster.

    When contacted, the Executive Secretary of State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA), Alhaji Aliyu Bashir, confirmed the incident, saying that he had yet to ascertain the exact number of the houses destroyed.

    He, however, said a combined team of SERERA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials had been dispatched to the area to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flood.

    NAN recalls that last week, many people were rendered homeless in Gwarzo local government area from a similar incident.

  • Kano police commissioner assures Igbo residents of adequate protection

    Kano police commissioner assures Igbo residents of adequate protection

    The Police Commissioner in Kano State, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf, has assured Igbo residents in the state of adequate protection of their lives and property.

    This is contained in a statement released in Kano on Tuesday by DSP Magaji Majiya, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state.

    Yusuf gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting with the leadership of the Igbo community in the state.

    The commissioner also assured the Igbos of the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of their lives and property like every other Nigerian living in the state.

    “The meeting is to assure you of the commitment of the command toward ensuring safety of your lives and properties as every other Nigerian living in the State,’’ Yusuf said.

    He called on Igbos living in the state to remain calm, continue to carry out their businesses lawfully and live peacefully with other ethnic groups.

    In his remark, Eze Igbo Kano, Dr Boniface Ibekwe expressed gratitude to the commissioner for summoning the meeting “at this crucial time’’.

    Ibekwe also extolled the virtues of the people of Kano State, saying they are tolerant and well-mannered toward other ethnic groups living in their midst.

    He called on all Igbos and other ethnic groups in the state to remain calm “as Kano remains our state of origin where most of our children were born and brought up’’.

    He also urged them to continue to pursue their legitimate businesses without fear of harassment.

  • Kano pledges to upgrade NYSC orientation camp in Karaye

    Kano pledges to upgrade NYSC orientation camp in Karaye

    The Kano State Government  has pledged to upgrade the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp located in Karaye Local Government Area of the state.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje made the pledge during the closing ceremony of a three-week orientation for the Batch ‘A’ stream II at Kusalla town on Monday.

    Ganduje, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Comrade Mohammed Garba, particularly said the government would increase the accommodation capacity of the camp from 2,500 to 5,000.

    “The state government has awarded contracts for upgrade of all the facilities in the camp and the renovation of both the male and the female hostels,’’ he said.

    He assured all the corps members of their security and appealed to them to cooperate with their host communities.

    “Government has resuscitated and increased the State-Allowances to N5,000 monthly in government agencies, parastatals, and in the 44 Local Government Areas,’’ he added.

    The governor enjoined the corps members to be patriotic and to render selfless service to the communities where they would be posted to on primary assignment.

    He said the government placed high premium on them as change agents and as drivers of the state’s development policies.

    Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in Kano, Alhaji Ladan Baba, had applauded the state government for agreeing to upgrade the camp.

    According to him, the camp, the camp has facilities and land vast enough to accommodate more than 5, 000 persons.

    He advised the corps members to contribute their quota towards the development of the state by initiating projects that could impact positively on the lives of people in their host communities.

    Baba further urged them to shun all forms of acts capable of jeopardising the harmonious relationship between them and their host communities.

  • Low pricing: Wheat farmers warn of potential drop in output

    Low pricing: Wheat farmers warn of potential drop in output

    Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria has raised alarm over likely decrease in wheat production due to inadequate government support and low pricing of the produce nationwide.

    The National President of the association, Alhaji Salim Muhammad, raised the alarm while speaking with newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    Muhammad, a member of the National Taskforce on Rice and Wheat, therefore appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the matter especially as it concerned the cost of the produce as charged by millers.

    According to Muhammad, “There was a target by the government that by 2017, 2018, it would stop importation of rice.

    “By then, we are expected to have become self-sufficient in terms of production.

    “On the issue of wheat, we have taken some few years because it has been a neglected crop over the years.

    “I  can tell you that we lost not less than N42 billion to import wheat into this country annually, when this country has the potential to produce enough wheat to feed the country and even have excess for exportation to other countries.

    “This year, we covered 300,000 hectares for wheat production in the country, but nothing came from the Federal Government as support during the production process on these 300,000 hectares of land.

    “We want the Federal Government to call us for a meeting so that we can review the MoU we signed last season so that we can agree on a new price because last year, we bought each bag of wheat seed at N40,000 per 100kg and now the millers are going behind us to buy a bag at N18,000.

    “So our production level has not reached the expected (target)?.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria and Flour Millers Association of Nigeria in 2016 fixed the price of wheat at N140, 000 per tonne.

    The associations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that the millers bought all the wheat produced by farmers, hence creating the much needed ready market for the farmers.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to assist farmers through the provision of inputs such as improved wheat seeds and mechanised farming implements.

    Alhaji Farouk Rabiu, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kano State, who described the current price of wheat as “oppressing’’, said as such, many farmers had been forced out of the wheat production business.

    According to him, if remedial steps are not taken, more and more farmers will stop producing wheat, which is capable of attracting huge foreign exchange for the country.

    “We are saying that wheat production is going to fail if care is not taken because I can give you the names of a lot of farmers that will tell you that they will not produce wheat because this price is  oppressive.’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, has appealed to Nigerian stakeholders in the pricing of wheat to address the issue in order to encourage more farmers in the country to produce wheat.

    “There is no way a farmer will produce and not make profit. We should be realistic in our decisions.

    “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should urgently look into this pricing matter,’’ the commissioner said.

  • Intending Muslim pilgrims from Kano to pay N1.54m fare

    Intending Muslim pilgrims from Kano to pay N1.54m fare

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved N1,537,859.97 as the 2017 Hajj fare for Kano State intending Pilgrims.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations officer of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Badamasi Nuhu and made available to newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, all intending pilgrims who earlier paid N1 million as initial deposit, are required to pay the balance of N537,859.97 within two weeks.

    “The payment should be through certified bank draft payable to Kano state pilgrims welfare boards,” the statement said.

    It explained that each pilgrim would be entitled to 800 dollars as Basic Travelling Allowance for the Hajj.

    The board, however, advised interested intending pilgrims to pay additional N38, 000 as Hadaya dues (for animal sacrifice during Hajj) which would be executed by Jaiz Bank in Saudi Arabia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 6,607 intending pilgrims from Kano state are expected to perform  this year’s Hajj.

  • Kano earmarks N300m for Ramadan feeding programme

    Kano earmarks N300m for Ramadan feeding programme

    The Kano State Government has earmarked N300 million for the annual Ramadan free feeding programme scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 27.

    Malam Ibrahim Kankarofi, Chairman of the programme made the disclosure at a meeting with coordinators of the feeding centres at Government House, Kano on Friday.

    He said the state government had made adequate preparations to ensure the success of the programme across the 44 local government areas of the state.

    Kankarofi warned that anyone found diverting the food items would be appropriately punished.

    According to him, the state government has approved additional menu including Spaghetti and Macaroni as well as other items.

    He urged well-to-do Muslims in the state to complement government effort as the programme was aimed at assisting the poor in the society.

    The chairman, who is also the Principal Private Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, directed the coordinators to ensure prompt distribution of the meals to the right people.

    Malam Abba Shehu, who responded on behalf of the coordinators, promised to discharge their duties as expected and with utmost fear of God.

    NAN reports that the Ramadan free feeding programme was introduced by the government to assist the poor break their fast during the Holy month.

  • FG wants industrial status of Kano back

    Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning, has advised the Kano State Government to restore the industrial status of the state as major commercial hub.

    Udoma gave the advice in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akpandem James, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Udoma said this at the Second Kano Economic and Investment Summit in Kano City.

    He said that Nigerians would like to see the state returned to its former status as a major industrial and commercial hub in the country.

    The minister noted that under Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, the State has continued to pursue economic policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people, with particular emphasis on education and infrastructure development.

    “The Federal Government desires to see a quick restoration of the boom days that characterised Sharada, Bompai and other industrial estates in Kano.

    “There is no doubt that Kano’s leather craftsmen are some of the best in the world.

    “We must provide the enabling environment for the leather industry to grow and become a mark of quality recognised worldwide”, he said.

    The minister said that funds had been provided in the 2017 Federal Budget to provide infrastructure for the revival of the Free Trade Zone in Kano to stimulate industrial activity.

    He said that fund had equally been provided for the revival of the Export Expansion Grant by way of tax relief, as a further incentive to exporters.

    On the theme of the Summit, “Transforming the Economy of Kano: Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, he said it aligned with Federal Government’s effort in addressing difficulties and challenges of economy.

    “On our part, as the Federal Government, we have been working very closely with the state governments, particularly through the monthly meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC).

    “We have been working with NEC to ensure complete alignment in our economic programmes.

    “And of course, as you all know the ERGP was developed with the extensive consultations of the States.

    “This is one Federal Government that believes that we must work very closely with the states”, he said.

    Meanwhile, Former Minister of National Planning and Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, decried the reluctance of Northern governors to constitute the region into a viable economic zone in spite of available resources.

    He said it was not too late to do so as other regions of the country were consolidating on the efforts they started some years ago.

    Usman was, however, optimistic that the Kano summit would ginger up activities in the state and region with the right political will.

  • Emir Sanusi urges states, FG to encourage investment in power sector

    Emir Sanusi urges states, FG to encourage investment in power sector

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has called on both the Federal and State Governments to encourage private entrepreneurs to invest in the power sector.

    He made the call while delivering a keynote address at a two-day conference in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Kano state.

    NAN reports that the conference is part of the week-long activities organised by the state government to celebrate the anniversary.

    He said there was urgent need to encourage private investors to invest in the power sector with a view to promoting socio-economic activities of the people in the country.

    According to him, investment in the power sector was necessary in order to ensure economic growth and development in the state in particular and the country at large.

    “We must invest in the development of Kano and the country at large.

    The monarch, who lamented the current power shortage in the country, noted that majority of the industries in the state had collapsed or stopped production due to inadequate power supply.

    He, however, called on the Kano state government to continue to give priority attention to education with particular emphasis on girl-child education.

    “Education holds the key to our development. We must continue to give priority attention to the sector because it is the bedrock of any development,” he said.

    “Government should also give priority attention to the agriculture and industrialisation because they are key to moving the state and country forward,” he said.

    He noted that with the collapse of the nation’s industries, the country was now importing three million pairs of shoes from China annually.

    “We must be ready to change our way of thinking; if we must be able to face the challenges and ensure economic growth and development of the state.” he added.

    NAN reports that the conference was attended by prominent personalities from within and outside the state.

  • Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

    Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

     Over 7000 youths in Kano state were yesterday trained on Google digital skills, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, designed to empower youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
     
    The youths were trained in six different centres simultaneously within Kano metropolis.
     
    Speaking during the inauguration of the one-day training workshop, Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje underscored the importance for youths to be conversant, with information technology, so as to realize their full potentials in the modern world.
     
    According to him, “present day life is driven by digital knowledge. The aim of the state government is to empower Kano youths, with ICT knowledge, as a way of making them become self-reliant and useful to the society.”
     
    He further stated that, “part of the motive for organizing the empowerment programme is to get rid of poverty, upgrade Kano youths, so as to contend, with their contemporaries from other climes. We hope that this will accord them the knowledge, with which to shun anti-societal vices and engage themselves in meaning and productive ventures.”

    He expressed  optimism that on completion of the first  and second phases of the exercise, a minimum of 7000 youths in the state would utilize the digital knowledge acquired to support the fight against climate change, improve agricultural sector, provision of quality health service and further proceed to secure the future of the state.
     
    Ganduje added that selected participants were drawn from the 44 Local Government Areas without resort to the considering political party affiliation.
     
    Earlier in his remark, Kano state Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, comrade Mohammed Garba disclosed that, the one day intensive  programme was being held in six different locations across the state.
     
    He disclosed that, the training programme is a joint capacity building venture between the state government and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDG’s, adding that upon completion, the state government will equip the participants with laptop computers and other necessary equipments they need to start-up their business.
     
    In her address, Kano state Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Bar. Zubaida Damaka Abubakar said that Ganduje’s administration has trained and empowered youths in different skills acquisition areas like automobile, computer training among others, adding that in realization of the training exercise, the state government released N5.6 million as counterpart funding for the training programme.
     
    The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on SDG’s, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire revealed that, over 125,000 Nigerian youths would be provided with ICT basic skills across the country.
     
    The aide to president Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary attached to the office of the SSA, Alhaji Waziri Laminu, stated that, 7000 beneficiaries have been selected from Kano to benefit from the national scheme.
  • NFC, Kano State partner on film training

    NFC, Kano State partner on film training

    Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe has said that the Corporation, under him, has reached an agreement with the Kano State government to train 450 youths from across the 44 local government areas of the state in film production and entrepreneurship.

    The programme is expected to be delivered by the film industry development agency through its training arms; the National Film Institute and Media Arts Studies (NAFIMAS).

    Maduekwe who appeared to have hit the ground running shortly after his appointment as new head of the NFC, said his team has developed a template based on the agreement with the Kano State Government to market this special film training programme to other states of the federation.

    “It is expected that at the end of the special film training, participants will not only be self-employed but employers of labour in their own right,” said the NFC chief.

    The programme, according to Maduekwe, “will massively reduce youth unemployment across the country in keeping with the present administration vision of job creation and diversify the economy by exploiting the potentials of the non- oil sector of the Nigerian economy.”

    Praising the initiative during the interactive forum between the NFC and the film industry stakeholders in Northern Nigeria and swearing-in of new executives of Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Tropical Hotel, Kano, Director General, Kano State Film and Video Censor Board (KSFVCB), Mallam Ismail Na’aba described it as a welcome development.