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Tag: Kano

  • Appeal Court fixes date for ruling on Kano Gov poll

    Appeal Court fixes date for ruling on Kano Gov poll

    The Court of Appeal, Kano State Division has fixed Monday November 6 to hear the appeal filed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf challenging the nullification of his election by the Kano Election Petition Tribunal. 

    Governor Yusuf and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are the applicants while the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Nasiru Gawuna are defendants. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also a party in the suit.

    The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on September 20 nullified the election of Governor Yusuf by declaring 165, 663 of his votes invalid, saying the ballot papers were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    INEC declared Yusuf winner of the March 18 election after he secured 1,019,602 votes against his opponent Nasiru Gawuna who secured 890,705 votes.

    Read Also: Appeal Court affirms Alli as Oyo South

    However, after the tribunal deducted the 165,663 votes from Mr Yusuf’s tally, his votes were reduced to 853, 939, which were over 30,000 votes less than the 890,705 votes polled by Gawuna who is the candidate of the APC.

    Consequently, the court declared the APC candidate winner of the governorship election and ordered the INEC to withdraw Yusuf’s certificate of return and give Gawuna a new one.

    But Yusuf and NNPP as well as INEC have appealed the tribunal’s judgement.

  • Kano to pay 5,500 retirees six billion naira gratuities

    Kano to pay 5,500 retirees six billion naira gratuities

    Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf has said he will pay 5,500 retirees the sum of six billion naira as gratuities

    The governor disclosed this on Saturday.

    Upon assuming office, Yusuf had expressed displeasure over the backlog of unpaid gratuities.

    He averred that the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje left a backlog of N40 billion in unpaid gratuities.

    The governor, who had promised to clear the backlog within his two years in office, on Saturday said the decision to settle the retirees was reached at the weekly Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

    Beneficiaries of the gratuities would be retirees of lower grade levels from N1 million downwards, Yusuf said, expressing deep concern about the plight of retired civil servants who served the state well but have not been paid their entitlements.

    Read Also: Kano governor proposes N350 billion for 2024

    “We have a list of the beneficiaries and the money at hand. Next week we shall commence the payment without delay.

    “I always sleep and wake up with the issue of gratuities of retired civil servants in my mind. I always think about how to settle and clear this backlog.

    “I frequently summon meetings with the Accountant General, Chairman Pension Trust fund, and others to assist me on the way forward.

    “It is in the course of this meeting that we decided to start paying those of low-grade level, whose amounts do not exceed N1 million or is little above N1 million down to like N150,000 or N250,000.

    “I asked them to compile the list and we have got the names of over 5,500 of them.

    “By next week, they will receive their gratuities in sha Allah. The total amount as we calculated is about N6 billion and it has since been approved by the State Executive Council,” Governor Yusuf said.  

  • Kano governor proposes N350 billion for 2024

    Kano governor proposes N350 billion for 2024

    Governor of Kano State, Abba  Kabir Yusuf, on Friday, presented an Appropriation Bill of N350 billion to the state House of Assembly for the fiscal.

    Yusuf called the appropriation bill “Budget of Restoration and Transformation,” saying it is a product of full cooperation and dedication, to change the narrative in Kano state.

    According to the budget, total recurrent expenditure amounts to N357.9 billion. Internally expected revenues, through IGR, stands at N100.7 billion.

    The expected capital receipt was given as N39.265 billion.

    Revenue recurrent expenditure stands at N134.4 billion, representing 38 percent. Salaries of civil servants and political office holders will have N85.739 billion, even as allowances, overheads, and other expenditures will gulp N78.4 billion.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    Capital expenditure was given as N215.2 billion, taking 62 percent of the total budgetary allocations.

    Education took the lion’s share of N95.389 billion, representing 29.97 percent of the total budget.

    Health got N51.4 billion, works and housing N40.4 billion, transport-N4.8 billion, and physical planning. N5.1 billion, while agriculture was allocated N11 billion.

    For other sectors, Security and Law and Justice got N11 billion, Water N34.4 billion, and Rural and Community Development N5.3 billion.

    Women, Youth and Sport was allocated N8.9 billion, Commerce and Tourism N3.5 billion, Environment N8.1 billion and General Administration N45.1 billion.

    Yusuf said his government will block possible leakages to ensure prudence, accountability, and transparency while implementing the budget.

    He noted that human capital development, the welfare of the Kano people, security of lives, provision of strategic health, achieving food security, creating opportunity for job creation, and strengthening inter and nongovernmental partnerships are cardinal principles of his administration.

    The State House of Assembly promised expedient deliberations in order to pass the budget on time.

  • Demolition: Court warns Kano commissioner for disobeying court order

    Demolition: Court warns Kano commissioner for disobeying court order

    The Federal High Court in Kano has issued a notice of consequences to the State Commissioner of Works, Marwan Ahmed, for allegedly disobeying court orders.

    The court told Ahmed that “failure to comply with the court’s order could lead to a finding of contempt and imprisonment.”

    The court issued an order on 29th September, restraining the Kano State Government from interfering with the properties of the applicants located at Kano Eid Ground, Kofar Mata, Kano.

    It was gathered the order was not considered serious.

    The order came after the judgment in which the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, ruled that the Kano State Government and the Attorney General of the state should jointly pay the sum of N30 billion to the applicants for demolishing their properties and thereby violating their fundamental rights.

    The state government, however, appealed the judgment arguing that the entire land housing the properties in question belongs to the state.

    The counsel representing the Incorporated Trustees of Massallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association and other 55 Applicants, Dr. Nuraddeen Ayagi, approached the court to request that the Commissioner of Works be cautioned about the repercussions of disobeying the court order.

    Read Also: Furore over death of Borno commissioner at guest house

    He told the court that Ahmed has continued to enter and tamper with his clients’ properties, in spite of the court judgment.

    Ayagi said disregarding a court order undermines the integrity and authority of the judiciary, and such actions will not be taken lightly.

    He further said the court expects full compliance with its orders, and any further disobedience will result in appropriate legal consequences.

    The court agreed with the submission by the applicant’s lawyer and served the Works commissioner with a notice of consequence (of disobeying court orders).

  • Kano to tackle corruption despite intimidation, says Yusuf

    Kano to tackle corruption despite intimidation, says Yusuf

    Kano State will continue to fight corruption, despite the intimidation by highly placed politicians in the state, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has said.

     According to him, Kano is rated among the leading states in fighting corruption in the country.

     The governor spoke at the opening ceremony of a one-day anti-corruption symposium on the roles of law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption.

     He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Dr Baffa Bichi.

     The workshop was organised by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in conjunction with the State Police Command, at the Kano Anti-Corruption Institute.

    The aim of the symposium was to enhance synergy between the agency and the security agencies towards achieving set objectives, the commission said.

     ”My administration will not interfere with the activities of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission,” Yusuf said.

     The governor alleged that he inherited a lot of corruption cases from the immediate past government headed by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    Read Also: Kano special constabulary, not police officers, Arase clarifies

     He said that the workshop would enhance collaboration between the security agencies and the Commission.

     ”The aim of this workshop is to ensure that the laws of the commission are fully enforced.

    “Just yesterday, a Kano State High Court delivered a judgment in favour of the Commission. The court ruled that the Commission has the jurisdiction to investigate any alleged corrupt case in the state,” he said.

     Chairman of the Commission, Bar. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado vowed that the Commission would not relent in the ongoing fight against corruption in the state, even in the face of intimidation from highly placed politicians.

     Gado advised that anyone who wants to challenge the anti-graft commission should approach the court instead of resorting to intimidation and harassment.

     On his part, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Usaini Gumel, said the Police Command and other security agencies would continue to support the Commission in fighting corruption.

  • Kano pays N1.3b NECO/NBTE fees for 57,000 students

    Kano pays N1.3b NECO/NBTE fees for 57,000 students

    The Kano State Government has spent N1.3 billion on the payment of National Examination Council and National Board for Technical Education registration  for 57,000 indigent students.

    Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf stated this in Kano while inaugurating the distribution of over two million educational materials to basic and post basic schools.

    He said his administration accorded priority to the provision of modern learning materials in public school.

    “The era of pupils receiving lectures on bare floor is totally over in our state. Already, we have a blueprint to ensure provision of furniture for public institutions.

     “We are operating a responsible government that would ensure the provision of qualitative and sound education for our pupils,” he said.

    According to Kabir-Yusuf, the state government is constructing 130 new girls and boys schools in a bid to enrol out-of-school children in the next one year.

    He said the state was also paying N20,000 monthly stipend to 40,000 indigent girls to encourage enrolment, retention and completion of school.

    He  said 5,000 members of the State Basic Education Service Delivery Association would be employed by the government.

     “I  directed the committee set up to screen members of the Basic Education Service Delivery Association to submit their names and qualifications for quick employment by the government,” he said.

    Read Also:Kano hosts northern wealth creation conference

    The governor urged public office holders to ensure probity and transparency in the discharge of their duties, warning that his administration would not condone corruption and embezzlement.

    Commissioner for Education Umar Haruna-Doguwa reiterated the state government’s commitment to enhancing access to free quality education for all through provision of basic learning materials.

    He said the Yusuf’s administration had reopened all closed down girls’ boarding schools across the state.

    Haruna-Doguwa lauded the governor over the payment of N300 million unpaid allowances to the State Basic Education Service Delivery Association.

  • Kano hosts northern wealth creation conference

    Kano hosts northern wealth creation conference

    Public and private sectors experts will on Thursday converge in Kano to explore ways of harnessing the productivity of the northern youths as a catalyst for regional and national development.

    The Kano State Chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is organising the conference and exhibition to harness the productive and innovative capacity of northern youths for wealth creation.

    The event, scheduled for Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano, is being held in collaboration with Dangote Business School and Media Trust Limited.

    In a statement, Chairman, ACF, Kano State Chapter, Dr. Faruk Umar, said the conference would be chaired by the Chancellor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), Dr. Ibrahim Ida, with eminent panels of speakers and discussants.

    Read Also: Kano Mass Wedding: Don’t check your husband’s phones, Kwankwaso advises couples

    Chairman, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN), Mr Farouk Gumel will speak on “The North in a dynamic world: creating a new generation of productive and innovative Youth” .

    while Former Dean, Dangote Business School and Member of Advisory Council, Malaysian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Business (MGSEB), Prof. Murtala Sagagi will speak on “Building Elite consensus on Income Diversification, Financial Inclusion and Wealth Creation in the North”.

    Other discussants at the conference include Prof. Bala Mata, Dean, Dangote Business School (DBS) and Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship Research and Training (CERT); Prof. Binta Tijjani, Director, International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, Bayero University, Kano; Mr. Jelani Aliyu, Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council; Rabi’u Umar, Group Chief commercial Officer, Dangote Industries Limited and Mr. Temi Popoola, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

    The conference is expected to conclude with an exhibition by young northern creative inventors and innovators in various fields.

  • Kano distributes free books, uniforms to schools

    Kano distributes free books, uniforms to schools

    Kano state government has distributed instructional materials to primary and secondary schools in the state.

    Also, one million exercise books, thousands of school bags, uniforms and pairs of sandals were given to students for free.

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who spoke at the event, held the Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano, assured of his administration’s commitment in uplifting the standard of education at all levels in the state.

    The governor said 1,300,000 text books would be distributed to the schools, which include English textbooks, Mathematics, Technology and Science textbooks among others.

    Yusuf said he will re-board all the girls’ secondary schools that were de-boarded by the previous administration.

    He said his administration also paid examination fees for National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) for secondary school students.

    Read Also: Kano Mass Wedding: Don’t check your husband’s phones, Kwankwaso advises couples

    About 45,000 girls were given N20,000 each under the conditional cash transfer programme, initiated by the Yusuf administration, it was learnt.

    The governor said his administration will soon screen teachers, under the Basic Education Service Delivery (BESDA), with the aim of making their appointments permanent and pensionable.

    “This is in fulfillment of our campaign promises. And I assure you that my administration would not relent in investing on human capital development, geared towards building a prosperous society.

    “Our believe is that no society will grow without education, hence we will do everything possible to uplift the standard of education in Kano state,” the governor said.

    Commissioner for Education, Umar Haruna Doguwa, urged teachers and students to make judicious utilisation of the instructional materials and uniforms provided.

  • Kano Mass Wedding: Don’t check your husband’s phones – Kwankwaso advises couples

    Kano Mass Wedding: Don’t check your husband’s phones – Kwankwaso advises couples

    Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the NNPP National leader, has advised the 1,800 couples under the mass wedding scheme against checking their spouses’ phones.

    This is to avoid anything that could lead to the marriage break up, he counselled.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwankwaso spoke at the reception organised for the couples by the State Government at the Open Theatre in Kano Government House on Saturday.

    He said checking spouses’ phones by married couples is one of the major causes of marriage breakups, hence the need for couple to shun anything that could lead to crisis.

    “You have been advised by all and sundry. I believe you have been advised a thousand times. Ulamas, parents, relatives and even business people have advised you on how to live peacefully with one another.

    “But, I have one single advice for you; that is checking spouses’ phones. Don’t peep your spouses’ phones as that is the major cause of marriage breakup these days,” he said.

    Kwankwaso lauded the political commitment demonstrated by Gov. Abba Yusuf for making the exercise a reality.

    He also commended the administration for committing over N700 million to sponsor over 600 students to various universities outside the country.

    “We have made the right choice by electing Governor Abba Yusuf as our governor. He is a good leader who had continued with our legacies. One of such of legacies is this mass wedding.

    “Apart from this, he is delivering mass oriented projects. We call on the good people of Kano state to support his administration,” he said.

    Earlier, Yusuf said the beneficiaries of the mass wedding were selected from across the 44 local government areas and the 484 wards of the state.

    According to him, not less than 30 couples were selected from each of the 44 local government areas of the state.

    He explained that the state government took full responsibility of the marriage, including payment of dowry, provision of furniture, wedding food stuff and N20,000 grant for the brides to start up small scale businesses at the comfort of their matrimonial houses.

    He therefore urged the couples to live peacefully in accordance with the teaching of Islam.

    Welcoming guests earlier, the Commander General, Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, said no fewer than 1,500 couples tied the knot on Friday.

    However, Daurawa disclosed that out of the 1,800 couples, the wedding of 264 had been suspended as they tested positive with some ailments and were  undergoing medical treatment.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso, governor preside as 1,800 couples wed in Kano

    He said after taking the medication, a new date would be announced for the wedding of the remaining 264 couples.

    The Islamic cleric pointed out that the wedding scheme had followed due and transparent process, commending the state government for the kind gesture.

    While praying for the couples to have long lasting marital bliss, Daurawa admonished them to fear God in dealing with one another. (NAN)  

  • Kano Gov signs N58.1bn supplementary budget

    Kano Gov signs N58.1bn supplementary budget

    Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has assented to a supplementary budget of N58.1 billion for 2023 fiscal year.

    The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday said: “This supplementary budget is meant to take care of the infrastructural development that were not captured by the 2023 budget, to meet the aspirations of the good people of Kano state.”

    Yusuf assured his administration will adhere strictly to the principles of fiscal discipline, saying the money appropriated will be judiciously utilised in an accountable and transparent manner.

    Yusuf appreciated the efforts of the commissioner of planning and budget for working speedily to process the budget document to the state Assembly.

    Read Also: We’ve not withdrawn from Kano Gov appeal process, says INEC

    The Governor sought support and harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature, explaining that a cordial relationship would provide better governance.

    Kano Speaker, Jibrin Falgore, who led the appropriation committee, presented the bill before the Governor for his assent.

    Falgore said the House had scrutinised and deliberated over the executive bill (estimate of the 2023 supplementary budget) before approving it for the Governor’s assent.