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Tag: Kano

  • Kano Senatorial Contest: Buhari’s aide alleges threat to his fife

    The Senior Special Assistant  to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) and Senatorial aspirant for Kano South Senatorial District, Alhaji Abdulraman Kawu Sumaila on Sunday raised an alarm over alleged threat to his life by agents of his political opponent.

    During an emergency press briefing held at NUJ Kano Press Centre, Kawu alleged that a former chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area and campaign Director to Senator Kabiru Gaya, Alhaji Abdulhamid Idris Rimi led a group of unknown persons who stormed Sumaila Ward and attempted to attack him while he was addressing over 3000 All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters who had gathered for the direct governorship primaries of the party in the state.

    Kawu said  three suspects have been arrested over the incident and are now in police custody.

    According to him, “I am at the Press Centre to acquaint you on recent happenings in Sumaila town in Sumaila Local Government Area.

    “You are aware that APC in Kano  is conducting direct primary elections across the state to endorse our leader, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who has been adopted as the sole candidate of the party.

    “You are also aware that Governor Ganduje and our party chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas decided to adopt direct primaries to elect party candidates from presidential, governorship, National Assembly to State Assembly. For the governorship primaries, the candidate is one; and all the APC stakeholders in Kano agreed to accept Governor Ganduje as our sole candidate because of his achievements in office. He deserved to get a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    “However, today (Sunday) around 12 noon, when I visited my Ward in Sumaila town to participate in the process of selecting the sole candidate of our party, the party leadership in the Ward gave me an opportunity to address the party faithful numbering over 4000.

    “I was telling them the process and the importance to make sure that we put our hands on deck to endorse Governor Ganduje and President Buhari and give maximum cooperation to consolidate on their gains in the second term.

    “As I was speaking to them, a former chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area who happens to be the Campaign Director of my opponent, approached me, asking me about the election materials and officials.

    “I told him that they just arrived and that was the reason why we were about to start our own. I told him that all the officials and materials are all here. Immediately I finished answering his questions, I suspected some strange faces coming very close to me.

    “Some people, about eight of them approached me. I became suspicious because of the way they were behaving and I observed that they were not members of Sumaila community.  I quickly put a call across to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) because I perceived danger coming.

    “Even as I was on call, they kept coming close to me and I suspected that they were carrying dangerous weapons. Then, I quickly called the attention of my security details. They apprehended them and discovered that they were armed with dangerous weapons.”

    He further stated that the police later arrested two of the suspects, including Senator Kabiru Gaya’s campaign Director who are currently at Sumaila police station.

    According to him, upon interrogation, police discovered that the suspects were not from Sumaila Ward and had no business being there at that point in time.

    “Now, we have an evidence which I will tell the whole world clearly that some people whom I suspect are from my political opponent are attempting to eliminate me because this is the only way they win the election.

    “They are creating unnecessary tension, they are hitting the polity to eliminate me to achieve their political goal. Therefore, my prayer is for the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Buhari, Inspector General of Police and all relevant security agencies to come my rescue.”

    When contacted, Kano Police Command spokesman, SP Musa Magaji Majia said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

  • NUJ President vows to sanitize Social Media

    The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abdulwaheed Odunsile on Wednesday in Kano said that the union has concluded plans to collaborate with technology companies in controlling the activities of quacks using social media platforms to disseminate false information to the public.

    Odunsile who was in Kano to seek the support of delegates for his re-election bid decried the activities of social media handlers who pose as journalists only to misinform the public and propagate hate speech.

    According to him, “sanitizing the social media has not been easy. We are in talks with owners and proprietors of online publications with a view to bringing them under NUJ umbrella such that they operate in line with international journalistic standards.

    “There is need to differentiate between online news media and the so called social media platforms like facebook.”

    Odunsile, while reeling out his achievements stated that his administration was able to train and re-train over 300 working journalists within and outside the country, adding that he has set machineries in motion to train more if re-elected into office.

    He further stated that already, the NUJ has secured a licence from the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for the establishment of a TV Station under n already registered company known as Equatorial Communications Limited.

    Read Also: NUJ president assures subscribers

    He said the proposed TV which would be known as FAIRPRESS TV would be situated in Lagos to serve as an independent commercial television station for professional journalists.

    On the welfare of journalists, the NUJ president said, “we are in discussion with the Federal Government on a Special Media Workers’ salary and we are hopeful of a successful end.

    “Just like the weigh-In Allowance fought for by the previous administration, we intend to get state governments and the private sector to buy into the Special Media Workers salary once we reached agreement with the Federal Government.”

  • 2019: House of Rep aspirant charges INEC on credible polls

    A front line aspirant for Yagba Federal Constituency vying for membership of House of Representatives under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Elder Leke Abejide has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections in the 2019.

    Elder Abejide, a Kano-based business mogul in Press Conference in Kano on Wednesday advised INEC to be fair and just in the Osun governorship election re-run so as to maintain its credibility and assure Nigerians it has the integrity to ensure credible elections in 2019.

    According to him, “Last weekend I and my teeming supporters were at our party’s national secretariat in Abuja where I submitted my nomination form. Though many would have expected me to vie on the platform of PDP or APC which they consider the big parties; but I assure you that if INEC will provide a level playing ground for all, our great party, the ADC is party to beat in 2019, particularly, in my constituency.”

    He also decried the continued neglect of his Yagba federal constituency in Kogi state consisting of three local Government Areas of Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopa-Moru, by both state and Federal Government, adding that, “this is what prompted me to contest in order to bring succor to the continuous suffering and neglect of my people.”

    Abejide, who recently decamped with thousands of his supporters from the ruling APC to ADC said, “the clear lack of government presence in the area is the driving factor pushing my people to seek for an alternative political party, different from the APC and PDP.

    Read Also: INEC is in order, says Oyegun

    “You will recall that on August 4, this year, thousands of my supporters and myself decamped from the ruling APC,  in a carnival-like political ceremony held in Isanlu, the headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi state.

    “We made this move because of the un-progressive political environment being foster on the good people of Kogi State by the Governor; Yahaya Bello led administration of the APC. This everybody knows has reduced most people in the state to destitute.

    “Jobs are not being created, and many of those working before were suddenly declared ghost workers. This has led to the death of countless number of people, particularly, in Yagba land. In addition to this, we have seen a situation in which Yagba has been cut –off from other parts of Nigeria because of the collapsed of all the roads linking the area,” he stated.

  • Boy, 10, electrocuted in Kano

    Tragedy struck at No. 44 Freetown, Sabon Gari, Kano, on Monday night, when a 10-year old boy, Ifeanyi Ogbodo got electrocuted while running errands for the mother.

    It was gathered that the tragic incident happened as a result of alleged carelessness of officials of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) who after disconnecting electricity from the said building, left the naked wires hanging on the roof top of the building.

    According to the Mother of the victim simply identified as Mama Ifeanyi, “I sent my son on an errand in that building, while frying yam for sale on the road side close to the house. My son was electrocuted while holding on to the iron door at the entrance of the building.”

    The bereaved mother blamed her son’s death to the naked wire allegedly left behind by KEDCO officials, while crying for justice, insisting that, “I cannot believe my son is dead. They should do something fast. Ifeanyi’s untimely death must not be swept under the carpet.”

    She said the little boy died shortly after he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

    According to eyewitness account, “the disconnected naked wires were touching the iron sheet of the building and when the distribution company restored power supply, the house was endangered with electric shock, hence forcing the occupants to flee.”

    When contacted on telephone, KEDCO’s Spokesman, Muhammed Kandi said the company’s technical officials have been mobilised to the area to calm the situation and confirm the root cause of the incident.

    “We are still investigating the real cause of that incident. Already, our Technical Officers have been deployed to the area. Before the end of today, I will get back to you,” he added.

  • Kano partners with BUK to boost large-scale agriculture

    The Acting Governor of Kano state, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna on Tuesday, urged the Centre for Drylands Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK) to partner with relevant Ministries and agencies of the state government in order to boost food sufficiency through the expansion of large scale farming in the state.

    Dr. Gawuna who is also the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in his remarks during the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Conference on Drylands organized by CDA in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, said that moving agriculture from subsistence to large-scale commercial enterprise should be taken seriously at this point of the nation’s history.

    He, however, noted that the theme of the Conference entitled, “Resource Constraints, Conflicts and Changing Climate in the Drylands: Options for Attaining SDGs,” remained timely considering the lingering conflicts between pastoralists and farmers, which has posed serious threat to the development of agriculture in some parts of the country.

    Describing Kano as one of the agricultural cornerstone of the country, Dr. Gawuna recalled the once booming groundnut pyramid in the ancient commercial city, but regretted that the coming of oil boom almost killed agriculture which was once the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the state government was committed, not only to regain the lost glory of agriculture, but to also ensure partnership with centres like the CDA and other development partners, so as to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Also speaking during the event, the Vice Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, noted that the theme of the Conference, “hs in many ways, extended the themes of the two previous conferences on drylands held in 2014 and 2016.

    “I am particularly delighted that the theme for the 2018 conference stands out in the way it challenges speakers and presenters to seek solutions or give insights into understanding the serious challenges posed by climate change, competition for natural resources and conflicts in dryland areas.”

    The Vice Chancellor added that, “I have no doubt that universities have important roles to play in helping governments and other stakeholders to implement the noble objectives of the SDGs by sharing their knowledge and experiences.”

    In his welcome address, CDA Director, Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, decried what he described as serious shortage of skilled manpower in sub-Saharan Africa, saying that it has continued to retard the development of agricultural technology in the region.

    According to him, the biennial international conference on drylands is one of the programmes of the CDA that provides a platform for dissemination of research findings, networking and sharing of experiences between scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders.

    He said the theme of the Conference was timely, “because attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the drylands requires concerted efforts towards addressing myriads of problems related to climate change, high population pressure, and unsustainable land use practices. These are the underlining issues that lead to further degradation of land, low agricultural productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, severe poverty, conflicts and civil unrests.”

    The Speakers in the Conference include Dr. Peter Craufurd, Strategic Research Team Leader for Sustainable Intensification in Africa at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT); Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA, Kenya; Mr. Suffyan Koroma, FAO Representative to Nigeria; Raffaello Cervini, Lead Environmental Economist with the World Bank’s Environmental and Natural Resources Global Practice.

  • Kano Govt partners with BUK to boost Large-Scale Agriculture

    The Acting Governor of Kano state, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna has urged the Centre for Drylands Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK) to partner with relevant ministries and agencies of the state government in order to boost food sufficiency through the expansion of large scale farming in the state.

    Dr. Gawuna who is also the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in his remarks during the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Conference on Drylands organized by CDA in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, said that moving agriculture from subsistence to large-scale commercial enterprise should be taken seriously at this point of the nation’s history.

    He, however, noted that the theme of the Conference entitled, “Resource Constraints, Conflicts and Changing Climate in the Drylands: Options for Attaining SDGs,” remained timely considering the lingering conflicts between pastoralists and farmers, which has posed serious threat to the development of agriculture in some parts of the country.

    Describing Kano as one of the agricultural cornerstone of the country, Dr. Gawuna recalled the once booming groundnut pyramid in the ancient commercial city, but regretted that the coming of oil boom almost killed agriculture which was once the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the state government was committed, not only to regain the lost glory of agriculture, but to also ensure partnership with centres like the CDA and other development partners, so as to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Also speaking during the event, the Vice Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, noted that the theme of the Conference, “hs in many ways, extended the themes of the two previous conferences on drylands held in 2014 and 2016.

    “I am particularly delighted that the theme for the 2018 conference stands out in the way it challenges speakers and presenters to seek solutions or give insights into understanding the serious challenges posed by climate change, competition for natural resources and conflicts in dryland areas.”

    The Vice Chancellor added that, “I have no doubt that universities have important roles to play in helping governments and other stakeholders to implement the noble objectives of the SDGs by sharing their knowledge and experiences.”

    In his welcome address, CDA Director, Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, decried what he described as serious shortage of skilled manpower in sub-Saharan Africa, saying that it has continued to retard the development of agricultural technology in the region.

    According to him, the biennial international conference on drylands is one of the programmes of the CDA that provides a platform for dissemination of research findings, networking and sharing of experiences between scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders.

    He said the theme of the Conference was timely, “because attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the drylands requires concerted efforts towards addressing myriads of problems related to climate change, high population pressure, and unsustainable land use practices. These are the underlining issues that lead to further degradation of land, low agricultural productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, severe poverty, conflicts and civil unrest.”

    The Speakers in the Conference include Dr. Peter Craufurd, Strategic Research Team Leader for Sustainable Intensification in Africa at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT); Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA, Kenya; Mr. Suffyan Koroma, FAO Representative to Nigeria; Raffaello Cervini, Lead Environmental Economist with the World Bank’s Environmental and Natural Resources Global Practice.

  • Why Kwankwaso visited Kano

    Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso on Monday sneaked into the ancient city of Kano where he addressed his supporters at his Milla Road residence in Kano metropolis.

    The former Governor had recently endorsed his son in-law, Abba Kabir Yusuf as his choice for 2019 governorship seat, an action that irked some of his followers.

    However, Kwankwaso appealed to his followers to remain calm.

    “I’m in Kano to see you and say thank you for the brotherhood and progressive unity we enjoy as Kwankwasiyya members. Certainly we will sit and talk on vital issues affecting us”.

    He explained that his choice of Abba Kabir Yusuf was necessary because most of his projects including the famous Kano Kofar Nassarawa flyover were designed and executed by Yusuf.

    “Today most of the projects being executed by Ganduje are not durable and of low standard while huge amount of money was being spent on them.

    “But our projects which mostly were designed and executed by Abba Kabir Yusuf are today standing firm in Kano,” he said.

    Kwankwaso, who spent only one hour in Kano, told his supporters who thronged his house that he was willing to sit with them and iron things out.

    “If not for the fact that I’m busy and rushing to go back to Abuja for the Presidential screening going on right now, I would have loved to sit and discuss vital issues with you,” he said.

    He promised to return in the next few weeks to resolve some of the issues on the forthcoming elections in 2019.

    Even though many of his supporters were not aware of his arrival in Kano, his house was filled to capacity.

    NAN reports that among his top supporters at the venue were the former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Yunusa Dangwani, Abba Kabir Yusuf, a former Commissioner of Works as well as Aminu Abdulsalam, his former commissioner of State Affairs.

  • Kwankwaso pacifies aggrieved Kwankwassiyya members

    Former Kano state Governor, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso on Monday made spirited efforts to pacify aggrieved members of the Kwankwasiyya movement over his choice of his son in-law, Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election.

    Kwankwaso’s insistence that the former Commissioner for Works and Housing to be the PDP’s gubernatorial flag sparked off protest among the Kwankwassiyya group as many of the group’s chieftains vehemently opposed the decision.

    Speaking with some of his supporters who gathered at his Miller Road residence,  Kwankwaso urged them to remain calm and committed to the progress of the Kwankwassiyya Movement and the success of the PDP in the forthcoming  general elections.

    According to him, there was need for them to bury their hatchets and make sacrifice for the interest of the Kwankwassiyya Movement and PDP in the state.

    He added that, “I am in Kano to see you and say thank you for the brotherhood and progressive unity we enjoy as kwankwasiyya members. Certainly, we will sit and talk on vital issues affecting us. We will continue with consultations and discussions.

    “Today, the PDP screening of presidential aspirants is on-going in Abuja. I have been receiving several calls from our supporters. I thank God that we are all here together exchanging pleasantries.

    “Today most projects being executed by Ganduje are not durable. They are of low standard, even as heavy amount of money was spent on them. You are aware that our projects which were designed and executed by Abba Kabir Yusuf are today standing firm in Kano.”

    Kwankwaso who spent just one hour in Kano added that “if not that I am very busy and rushing to go back to Abuja for the presidential screening going on right now, I would have loved to sit and discuss vital issues with you, but I promise to come back and have a special sessions with you.”

  • Expert decries shortage of skilled manpower

    Despite some progress in agriculture, shortage of skills remains a barrier for development in the sector,the Director, Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Jibrin  M. Jibrin has said.

    Decrying  serious shortage of skilled manpower, Jibrin said  it has continued to retard agricultural   development across the country.

    He stated this in kano while briefing reporters on activities lined up for the third International Conference on Drylands to be hosted by CDA between September 24 and 27,  in the university.

    According to him, the biennial international conference is one of CDA’s  programmes  that provides a platform for dissemination of research findings, networking and sharing of experiences between scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders.

    He said the theme of the Conference: Resource Constraints, Conflicts and Changing Climate in the Drylands: Options for Attaining SDGs, remains apt, “because attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the drylands requires concerted efforts towards addressing myriads of problems related to climate change, high population pressure, and unsustainable land use practices.

    “These are the underlining issues that lead to further degradation of land, low agricultural productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, severe poverty, conflicts and civil unrests.”

    Jubrin added that part of issues to be discussed at the conference include crops and animal improvement for adaptation to climate change; crop-livestock integration for improved income and food security.Others are  integrated soil fertility management in a changing environment; rangeland and pasture development: the future of pastoralism in sub-Saharan Africa and  ecosystem.

    The conference will also look at issues such as water use and conflicts; application of decision support systems in dryland resource management; millennial and agripreneureship for sustained economic growth; and agricultural financing and politics for sustainable development.

    He further stated that, “This year’s conference will bring together scientists, farmers, policy makers, civil society organisations and the private sector from across the globe to examine how the SDGs would be attained in the drylands in the face of resource scarcity, climate change and emerging conflicts.

    “The conference will examine how public policies, research and development programmes will contribute in ensuring food security and attainment of the SDGs. There will all be about 70 paper presentations and  a special session on the project Taking Maize Agronomy to Scale in Africa (TAMASA)”.

  • Kano enrols four million pupils in three years

    Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said over four million pupils were enrolled into primary schools in the last three years following  several government interventions and public enlightenment.

    He spoke at the closing of a week-long special training for 500 Mathematics, Science and ICT teachers from Kano State Science and Technical Schools Board at the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna.

    According to a statement by the Director-General, Media and Publicity Ameen Yassar to the Governor, Ganduje explained that a recent Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) audit conducted nationwide revealed that the total of 4,084,965 pupils comprising 3,695,402 enrolled in pre-primary and primary school; while 389, 293 got into junior secondary schools.

    It also stated that the progress achieved does not include other components of Senior Secondary Schools including science and technical colleges, two state-owned universities, and other tertiary institutions.

    Ganduje however, said the astronomical increase in enrolment in Kano had become a challenge to the attainment of his administration’s education policy objectives.

    He said his administration would continue to invest in the sector particularly infrastructural development, provision of teaching materials and capacity building of teachers.

    Speaking about the training, Director-General/Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute, Prof Garba Dahuwa Azare said: “the workshop on Activity-Students-Centered-Experiment-Improvisation and Plan-Do-See and Improve pedagogical approach for effective classroom practice in Mathematics and Sciences focused on how teachers can bring about better learning through effective classroom practices that would facilitate the implementation of the curriculum.”