The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kano

  • Kogi, Imo, Kano, Rivers rerun get dates

    Kogi, Imo, Kano, Rivers rerun get dates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced new dates for some of the suspended elections in the country.

    According to its Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, the Kogi and Imo rerun elections, which were suspended as a result of infractions, would hold on July 23, 2016.

    Also, Rivers and Kano will take turn on July 30.

    The dates, which were announced yesterday in Abuja at the end of the National Stakeholders Forum on outstanding rerun, were agreed to by all stakeholders.

    Only recently, INEC boss said the only condition for conducting rerun in states where elections were inconclusive as a result of violence was for stakeholders to give assurance of providing the enabling environment for peaceful conduct of elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is committed to concluding the suspended elections in Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano states disrupted by violence, not later than July 31, 2016, provided that necessary consultations and activities leading to the elections were concluded and that conditions were conducive enough for the conduct of the elections.

    “In spite of this commitment, it would not return to conduct elections or hesitate to further postpone or discontinue the suspended elections in any area where there was imminent threat to lives or to peace or security, especially where such threats were likely to lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Yakubu had gone on to blame the spate of inconclusive elections on activities of politicians, who want to win at all cost.

  • Man relives how his wife was lynched in Kano

    Man relives how his wife was lynched in Kano

    •‘She was not beheaded’
    •Okorocha hails her as a martyr

    The husband to the late Bridget Agbahiwe, who was killed in Kano by suspected Musloim fanatics for alleged blasphemy, Pastor Mike Agbahiwe, yesterday relived how his wife was beaten to death in his presence.

    Agbahiwe, an indigene of Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government of Imo State, visited Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House in Owerri, the state capital, in company of his relatives.

    The distraught husband said his wife was not beheaded, as widely reported in the media.

    He said the late Bridget was killed in his presence, while he escaped death by the whiskers.

    Agbahiwe said the attackers were out to kill him and his wife.

    He said: “One Muslim, identified simply as Dauda, came to my wife’s shop and was washing his leg in front of the shop. My wife told the man to move up a little so that she could arrange her goods, but the man refused. Instead, the man started to molest her. He gripped her in the neck. As she tried to free herself from the grip, Dauda started shouting Allahu Akba! A mob quickly gathered.

    “When we saw that danger was about to occur, we ran and took refuge in the home of a prominent Alhaji, who is a leader in the area. The Alhaji did all he could to calm the mob down. They refused and called him an infidel. The mob broke into his house and killed my wife in front of me. If not for the quick intervention of the police, who immediately used teargas to disperse them, they would have also killed me. But they destroyed everything I had: the shop, the car and so on.

    “My wife was never beheaded. But the hitting was on her head and it was with hard objects. The body of my wife is in the mortuary with the head. She was not beheaded as it was widely reported.”

    Okorocha described Bridget’s killing as “highly provocative, barbaric and the highest wickedness of mankind”.

    The governor said the state government shared with the Agbahiwe family its moment of grief.

    He said: “The problem is not the death of Mrs. Agbahiwe but the manner in which she was killed. In this country, we must learn to live peacefully. No religion supports killing. Anyone who kills in the name of a religion is an evil worshipper and should never mention the name of God. The cold-blooded killing of Mrs. Agbahiwe should be seen as a sacrifice for the unity of the country. She died as a martyr.

    “The Imo State Government will be with the family in this period of grief. We shall set up a committee to assist in making sure that she is given a befitting burial. She died a heroine as far as we are concerned, as it took more than 100 attackers to kill her. Those who killed the woman are cowards.

    “The chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council in the state will lead a delegation to the Emir of Kano to make sure that such ugly incident never reoccurs anywhere in the country.”

    He added: “We are monitoring the situation. The report reaching me is that five people have been arrested and charged to court. They have reportedly been remanded in custody in connection with the killing of Mrs. Agbahiwe. This is good enough. It means the Kano State Government and the police command in Kano are working to live up to their assurances to me that they would fish out the killers and make them face the full wrath of the law.”

  • Reps, Fashola trade words over N35b Housing budget implementation 

    Reps, Fashola trade words over N35b Housing budget implementation 

    House of Representatives Committee on Housing Tuesday accused Babatunde Fashola – led Ministry of Power, Works and Housing of incompetence over the implementation of the 2016 N35b budget for the Housing component of the Ministry.

    This is as Fashola expressed concern over poor response from States for provision of land for the National Housing project with 17 out of 36 States responding to the request so far.

    Chairman of the Committee, Mustapha Bala (APC, Kano) during an interactive session with the Ministry on the status of the implementation of the budget doubted the competence the Ministry to implement the National Housing project, six months into the fiscal year 2016.

    The Committee became agitated when the Minister, Babatunde Fashola in his presentation said the Ministry was still in the process of sorting out the designs for the project.

    Fashola, who said he inherited a 2012 Housing plan that had no blueprint on how to implement it, disclosed that the public private partnership (PPP) agreements entered into by previous administrations could not solve the country’s housing challenges.

    With a target of 21,008 units, the previous PPPs could only deliver 2750 units over the years.

    He regretted that most of the PPPs that claimed to have delivered their targets had no evidence to show for it, while the delivered houses were inaccessible and out of the reach of most Nigerians.

    In view of the failure of the previous PPPs, he said the Ministry had to look at a sustainable and affordable housing project for Nigerians.

    Besides going into partnership with a German firm for the provision of energy efficient housing units to be incorporated into the National Housing code, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry has commissioned Shelter Afrique for a $5,000 housing unit for low income earners.

    He said the Ministry is looking at either mortgage financing or rent-to-own option as modes of payment for the prospective house owners.

    According to the Minister, the Ministry was yet to advertise for the project because it has just was in the pruned down the unit designs from 480 to 12 but had to further reduce it to six.

    He also disclosed that letter have been written to States for provision of suitable land in the capitals and Local governments headquarters for the project but only 17  have so far given commitments from the 19 that responded.
    He said the Ministry can only commence with just four States that have completed the process from 17 that have given their commitment.

    He said the Ministry will not provide single design nationwide but different House types that include one, two and three bedroom bungalows and duplexes taking into consideration  the peculiarities, culture and  environment of each State.

    The Committee Chairman was not however impressed by the Minister’s presentation saying it appears the Ministry is incompetent to implement the budget.

    He said: “What has the Ministry been doing since November last year when the budget was presented till now that appropriate designs are not ready, you have not even advertised for it?

    “Are you not competent or what, because you ought to have competed the design by February so that once the budget was passed you commence. Design should not take more than 15 days because your experts in the Ministry have been doing it for years.

    “By the time you start this project, you will have just about three months left in the year, even if the budget is extended to March 2017 that will be just six months”.

    The Committee also wondered why the Ministry could not dispense with redundant and non-performing PPPs while wondering if there was a framework and criteria for qualification.

    Fashola, in his response said the blame for the late implementation of the budget should not be heaped on the Ministry

    He said: “That is a strange question because a bulk sum was proposed in the budget for the National Housing project and we asked States in need to access it willingly but the House insisted that it must go round.

    “The result is what we are seeing now; many did not respond because housing needs of each State differs, taking into cognizance the role migratory factor plays here”.

    He also said the Ministry should be commended rather than criticized for the work it has done on the project, adding, “The Ministry should be commended and not condemned because the budget is inadequate.

    “As a result of that, we are focusing on sustainable housing plan that works rather than rushing the budget, affordability and slum prevention is key to this design.

    “Other countries that had housing program decades ago did not even have 100 percent home owners but they have a near uniformity of designs. By the time we go full circle, we won’t be talking of N35b but hundreds of billions

    “Why it took so long for the design to be ready, infrastructures-roads, sewage disposal, water and others   have to be planned into the housing and that’s what the Ministry is doing.

    “To say all these should be done in three months is difficult because we need a plan that will accommodate cultures and other peculiarities of each State. Our designs are based on feedback.

    “I appeal to the Honourable House that we look at the larger picture, even if you are not impressed with my staff, I have a different opinion.”

  • Kano targets food security, higher IGR

    Kano targets food security, higher IGR

    Governor Abdullahi  Ganduje of Kano State has said his administration is investing in agriculture to ensure food security and improve its revenue.

    The governor spoke during the celebration of the state Farmers Day and inauguration of 381 agricultural extension workers and distribution of motorcycles to them at Kadawa, in Garun Mallam Local Government Area.

    “Oil money has dropped, so the best option is for us to focus on agriculture so as to shore up our revenue base to enable us address the development needs of our people.

    “As a leading wheat production state, we have invested substantially in production of the commodity. For instance, the government provides N100 million interest-free loan to wheat farmers, drilled 1,000 tube wells, distributed 5, 000 hand pumps and procured two combined harvesters, clearing, sorting and grading machine, among others, to boost production.”

    Also, Ganduje said moves are on for the improvement of milk and meat production in the state, as two Artificial Animal Insemination centres have already been established and equipped.

    He stated that the new agric extension workers were recruited to build the capacity of farmers, even as the government is encouraging private sector investment across all the agricultural value chains.

    Also in Garun Malam Local Government Area, the governor addressed tomato farmers, whose produce were destroyed by Tuta absoluta referred to as Tomato Ebola in local parlance.

    The governor, who lamented the huge amount of loss incurred by the farmers, said a census of the affected famers is being carried out by the government, while contacts have already been established with two research institutes for the provision of antidotes for the moth.

    Some tomato growers who spoke with the governor, explained that they had incurred more losses than victims of the recent fire outbreak at Sabon Gari market, exacerbating the prevailing harsh living condition in the country   for them.

  • Kano Killing: Un-islamic, perpetrated by criminals -JNI

    Apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has faulted the murdering of Mrs. Bridget Agbahime for alleged blasphemy of the Prophet Muhammed.
    JNI in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu described the act as un-islamic and perpetrated by miscreants and criminals.
    Mrs. Agbahime, 74 was lynched last Thursday at Kano market by mob in presence of her husband over a false alarm of blasphemy.
    ” With pains and sobriety JNI received with shock the most unfortunate alleged blasphemy of the Prophet (SAW) by one Mrs. Bridget Agbahime that was reported to have happened in Wambai Area of Kano, Kano State and another one that claimed four lives in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Council of Niger State.
    “These ugly incidences utterly stand condemned and are regarded as criminal and un-Islamic, perpetrated by miscreants and criminals.
    “It is hardly believable that such dastardly acts could happen in the name of religion, considering the various enlightenment programs on interfaith and mutual co-existence being put in place by the Muslim scholars and the leadership.
    “In the light of the above, we commend the various untiring efforts of the Kano and Niger State Governments and also the respective states’ Ulama’ in nipping in the bud, the unfortunate crises that would have engulfed both states. Likewise, the proactive measures of all the security agencies are also commendable and we implore that same be sustained,” JNI stated.

  • Buhari condemns killing in Kano, sues for peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of Mrs Bridget Agbahime, an Igbo market woman in Kano.
    In a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described the developments that led to the killing as sad and regrettable.
    He condoled with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbahime, the family and relations and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
    He also commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect behind the killing, as well as the Kano State government, which summoned a meeting of Christian and Islamic leaders, widower of the deceased, and security agencies, following the sad event on Friday.
    President Buhari said justice would be done in the matter, and urged the people not to take the law into their hands.
    He also charged those who may want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right, and that when law and order breaks down, those who become victims are never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
    “The incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, is utterly condemnable, and the state government has been quite proactive. Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done. Let us learn to respect each other’s faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace,” the President said.

  • Kano govt approves N1bn for construction of 348 classrooms

    Kano govt approves N1bn for construction of 348 classrooms

    The Kano State Government has approved N1 billion for the construction of 348 classrooms in secondary schools across the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, announced this when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting on Friday in Kano.

    He said that the gesture was part of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s promises to embark on projects that would have impact on the people of the state.

    Garba added that the new classrooms would not bear any inscription or name of individuals on them.

    He noted that the Council had also approved N90.7 million for the conversion of Mariri orphanage home into boarding primary school in the state

    The Council approved another N125 million for the construction of drains in Kano State University of Science Technology, Wudil, he said.

    He said the council also approved N45.6 million for the payment of compensation for relocation of Kano Central Prison, Kurmawa and

    N200 million as soft loan to Association of Wheat Farmers in Kano.

    Garba said that the Council had released N4 million for the purchase of scratch cards and online registration for 1,511 students that would sit for interview test into Federal Unity Schools.

    He emphasised the state government’s determination to develop infrastructure in the state as part of initiatives to improve the welfare of the people.

  • EFCC’s arrest: An act of God to test my faith, says Shekarau

    EFCC’s arrest: An act of God to test my faith, says Shekarau

    The former Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that his arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no political undertone.

    Shekarau, who was also a former Governor of Kano State, made the remark while addressing a news conference in Kano on Sunday.

    He said “what happened to me could happen to anybody and it was only Godly for me to accept my fate, good or bad.”

    He, however, insisted that he was ready to spend the next 10 years in the Commission’s custody to prove his innocence.

    “I am not suspecting any political undertone in my arrest but rather regard it as an act of God to test my faith.

    “I was told that one of the beneficiaries of the N950 million in question implicated me; that I was given N25 million as my share of the money but could not state where, how and when.”

    Shekarau, who thanked Kano people and other Nigerians for standing by him, said he was not suspecting anybody behind his ordeal.

    It would be recalled that the former minister was arrested by EFCC on Thursday over alleged sharing of N950 million campaign funds in his house at Mundubawa in Kano metropolis.

    He was alleged to have collected N25 million as his own share of the money and consequently quizzed by the Commission for interrogation.

  • Osinbajo unveils 50 waste management tricycles in Kano

    Osinbajo unveils 50 waste management tricycles in Kano

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated 50 waste management tricycles procured by the Kano State government. The equipment are part of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration’s efforts to fulfil its promises on sanitation and management of solid waste in the state.

    Osinbajo unveiled the tricycle-based solution when he visited the state  last week. He praised the government for taking the initiative in order to ensure that effective waste management reached all parts of the state.

    The waste management solution was developed by Simba Motors Ltd, manufacturers of the vehicle, and the Kano State government. The waste disposal solution is built on the body of a ‘Kary-Go’ Tricycle, with significant local content in the production process.

    The Managing Director of Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), Group Captain Muhammad Kura, said: “The Kary-Go Waste Management Tricycles have been procured to cater for areas where bigger vehicles cannot get access, and are expected to work in tandem with our heavier machines. We have deployed these tricycles because they are compact, easy to drive, economical and safe to use.”

    REMASAB oversees the disposal of solid waste centrally for the state.

  • NLC cautions Kano on workers’ verification

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kano State has urged the state government to re-examine the list of ghost workers detected during its ongoing workers’ verification.

    Its Chairman in the state, Malam Kabiru Minjibir, made the call at a briefing in Kano.

    He said there was a need for the government to take cognisance of the fact that some workers were on training outside the country.

    “Also, some pensioners are not residing in the country after their service, yet they are pensioners in the state. We also identified some mix-up in the data provided by some government organs as part of their staff lists.

    “It will interest you to know that my humble self, the number one labour leader in the state after duly being captured in my area of assignment on March 18, was among the 7, 629 staff who did not appear for the exercise,” he said.

    According to Minjibir, many staff in active service, including directors, had been identified in the lists as those who have not been captured.

    He said the union in the state would not take it lightly if any of its genuine workers or pensioners was deleted from government’s payroll.