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Tag: Katsina State

  • INEC distributes 111,302 PVCs, registers 127,743 fresh voters in Katsina

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Katsina state said so far it had issued over 111,302 permanent voters cards, PVC,   to voters who registered between April and December 2017 while on the other hand registered 127,743 fresh voters in the current civic registration exercise

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, who made the above disclosure yesterday in an address at a state consultative workshop organised in partnership with INEC Youth Strategy Development, added that the number for the newly registered, excludes those on transfers or lost their cards previously, corrected or defaced candidates

    He said’’ we still have 19 more days to go especially in the senatorial zones. Everyone who is issued a card is entitled to vote and be voted for ‘’

    Read Also:Senators trade tackles over confirmation of INEC nominees

    ‘’in the course of the campaign for civic voters registration exercise we engaged civic society groups, relevant stakeholders and the media to rally support and ensure the success of the campaign’’

    Earlier in an address at the occasion, the senior program officer for the association, Ibrahim Farouk, said the consultative forum was organised as part of effort aimed at providing collaborative, open and inclusive space for the young people in different political spheres of life

    Farouk also maintained that the meeting will also provide avenue for assessing youth participation and engagement in the electoral process

    The Senior Programme Officer further used the occasion to announce the plan to host state consultative meetings that will involve participants from 30 states and staff of INEC which will focus on youth participation and the opportunity for media organisations to share their experiences

    He said ’’INEC youth strategy is to be developed to articulate and coordinate youth programmes, increase civic participation in youths in the electoral process in a manner that appeal to youth and ensure inclusiveness’’

     

  • Immigration nabs four ‘human traffickers’, rescue 38 victims

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Katsina state command have arrested no fewer than four persons suspected to be human traffickers and rescued 38 victims of human trafficking in the state.

    The command also paraded nine rescued suspected victims and vowed to hand them over to its headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.

    Addressing journalists in katsina, the state Comptroller of Immigration Mr. Ajisafe Joshua Olusola, said the suspects are between the ages of 21 and 43 and that most of them hailed from different states of the country.

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    He said “The three suspected victims are from Ogun state, one from Abia, Oyo, Imo, Edo, Osun, and one from Enugu state respectively. The victims were individually recruited by different agents from Lagos and Port Harcourt’’.

    “They started their journey from Lagos with the intention of travelling to Niger Republic to obtain biometric capture for United State of American visa at American Embassy in Niamey, Niger Republic under the facilitation of one agent named Mr. Balogun Taiwo who is residing in Niamey, Niger Republic”.

    While reiterating the command’s readiness to avert human trafficking and child labour in the state, Comptroller Olusola urged the public to provide NIS with vital information about human trafficking and child labour in the state.

    He said the information, if provided will go a long way in assisting the Nigeria Immigration Service in fighting and preventing child trafficking and other related cases in the country.

  • Masari tasks Judiciary on quick dispensation of Justice

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state has charged the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice through timely delivery of judgments and avoidance of prolonged adjournments

    Masari who gave the admonition while swearing in the newly appointed state chief judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, further urged members of the bench particularly, to maintain their enviable reputation as men of conscience that are fair, just and firm in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    Recall that the swearing of Justice Abubakar followed his confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as the Chief Judge of Katsina State. His swearing in, followed the retirement of former chief Judge, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf, as Chief Judge of the state. Abubakar was until his appointment, the Judge of the Katsina state High Court.

    Read Also:Alleged non-declaration of assets: CCT frees Justice Ngwuta

    The chief judge, who was sworn in alongside Al-hafiz Mika’il Abubakar as the state Grand Khadi, was called to bar in 1982 and began his legal career with Kaduna state Ministry of Justice as pupil state counsel.

    At the swearing in ceremony at Government House, Governor Masari said the state would continue to pray for the chief judge and the grand khadi to enable them to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He said, “Your job is the most difficult one, difficult in the sense that you are the last hope for the people of Katsina state. People who know will come before you soliciting for assistance, so in that circumstances one should pray to Allah to guide you in dealing with such cases”.

    The Governor described Justice Abubakar as an erudite jurist, whose experience and practice of the legal profession has been a reproach, stressing that he has over the years established an enviable reputation as a man of conscience who is fair, just and firm in the discharge of his responsibilities.

     

  • Masari swears-in new CJ, Grand Khadi

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, on Monday swore-in Justice Musa Danladi and Khadi Hafiz Mika’il as the new Chief Judge and Grand Khadi of the state, respectively.

    Our news men reports that Danladi and Mika’il were appointed on acting capacity in March, which was confirmed by the National Judicial Council.

    Speaking at the occasion in Katsina, Masari urged the people to pray for the new appointees to discharge their duties effectively.

    “Your job is a difficult one, you are the last hope of common man.

    “You know many people; some of them may come to you to seek for favour.

    Read Also: N184.5m contract ‘fraud:’ICPC files charges against Masari

    ‘So, we will pray to Allah to help you to be fair to all and do justice to all people in accordance with the provisions of the law,’’ he said.

    The news men reports that Justice Danladi was born in 1958 in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    He was appointed Chief Magistrate in 1987 and High Court Judge in 1994.

    Khadi Mika’il was born in 1955 in Bakori Local Government area of the state and was appointed Registrar, Shari’ah Court in 1985 and Judge in Shari’ah Court of Appeal in 2007.

    NAN

  • Katsina commences re-mapping of cattle grazing routes

    The Katsina state government Saturday directed the commencement of the Phase 1o of the re-demarcation and beaconing of stock routes across the state

    A press release which was signed by the Chairman, standing committee on improvement of relationship between farmers and herdsmen in Katsina State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Lawal Sauri and made available to newsmen, said the exercise is expected to cover some selected cattle routes including :Ingawa, Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kafur, Faskari, Zango and Boure local government areas

    The Chairman was further quoted as saying ’’this aimed at fostering smooth passage of pastoralists and the prevention of farmers /herdsmen clashes which had totally become a thing of the past in the state following the stringent measures taken by the present administration in the state

    The Chairman further appealed to the citizens of the state particularly those who live or farm on the areas to be affected by the exercise to cooperate with the committee

    Read Also: Katsina Govt. lauds FG over ban on codeine

    A total of 7,240 beacons is expected to be erected across 905km of stock routes already earmarked by the committee in the phase 1 of the exercise which is expected to completed in 6 weeks

    The routes include both local and international, which passes through the state to other neighbouring countries

    The state has witnessed near absence of Farmer/herdsmen clashes in several years running, a development many attributed to the pro-active measures undertaken by Governor Masari administration

    The re-demarcation of the grazing routes is therefore seen as concrete support to the desire by President Buhari’s government to find permanent solution to the recurring farmers/herdsmen clashes in several parts of the country.

  • Yar’Adua memorial: PDP blasts Katsina govt for not honoring late President

    The Katsina state branch of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, have criticized the failure of the Katsina state government to honor former state governor and President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, by  hosting a memorial in his honor by May 5th this year

    The state party chairman, Alhaji Salisu Majirigi, told the Nation in an exclusive interview in his office, that the failure of a government which immensely benefitted from the political and structural foundations laid by the former leader while in the saddle as the governor and president, deserves the condemnation of the citizens of the state

    On why the party went ahead to host the memorial event despite the state government’s lack of interest, the party leader maintained that it will be wrong for the party to ignore one of their own, hence their resolve to go ahead with the event

    He said ’’the state government should have taken the initiative by organizing and hosting the memorial, Governor Masari is a beneficiary of Yar’Adua’s political and social legacies, he was his mentor. It is the responsibility of the state government; they don’t need any body’s advice or prompting on the matter’’

    Read Also: “Yar’Adua a sincere, compassionate leader”

    On the on-going trial of former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema on corruption charges, the chairman said it was a political witchunting, assuring that the former governor will soon regain his freedom

    He said ’’Masari sees Shema as a threat to his administration, that is why he has dragged him to court 12 times, set up 30 committees to investigate him, and the persecution continues’’

    ‘’We challenge the governor to invite Buhari to come and commission any project worth N3b, that is constructed by his government, we also challenge him to publish the audited accounts of Katsina state in the past three years’’

  • 11,639 delegates to participate in APC congress in Katsina

    The All Progressives Congress in Katsina State says it expects no fewer than 11, 639 delegates to participate in its local government congress in the state.

    Mr Zakari Muhammad The chairman, Katsina State Local Governments Congress Committee, said this in a news conference in Katsina on Saturday, observing the delegates would come from the 361 wards across the 34 local government areas of the state.

    He further explained that the three senators from the state, 15 members of the House of Representatives, 34 members of the State House of Assembly and 34 party chairmen, were also part of the delegates.

    He said that the congress would be conducted in secret ballot system on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2p.m.

    The chairman said that election would take place even where there is consensus among contestants, assuring the public of adequate security personnel at congress venues.

    He said that only the delegates would be allowed to enter the venues to ensure smooth exercise and the results would be announced at the venue immediately after counting votes, while the winner would be declared there.

    He, however, noted that aggrieved persons had the freedom to forward their complaints to the committee to ensure fairness and justice to all party members.
He observed that the party had received only one petition during the last ward congress in the state.

    “We have learnt from the past ward congresses, so, we are determined to improve on this, though, we have not recorded hiccups, but this one will also be a hitch-free exercise,’’ he said.

  • UNICEF lauds improved girl- child enrollment in Katsina schools

    The Chief of Education, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Nigeria, Terry Durnnian, has expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of girl-child enrollment in schools across Katsina State.

    Durnnian, who was on a three-day working visit to the state, said the number of girl-child enrollment was greatly increasing, compared to the last time he visited the state

    He further lauded the role played by the relevant stakeholders and the host school communities who mobilized and went out to talk to parents in their areas to enroll their girl-child in schools.

    He said “I am on a three-day visit to the state on UNICEF works in partnership with the Ministry of Education on chances of improving enrollment, retention and quality of education.”

    In another development from the state, governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has expressed sadness over the death of another Islamic cleric from Kano state Khalifah Isyaku Rabi’u, saying it is another monumental loss to the Islamic world, coming only three days after the death of Alhaji Muhammadu Lawal the Chief Imam of Katsina Central Mosque.

    Masari in a condolence message he sent to his Kano state counterpart, Alhaji Ganduje and the Emir of Kano said by the death of Khalifah Isyaku Rabi’u, the religious and business communities in Africa, and the world at large, have lost an icon whose footprint would remain indelible for a long time to come.

    He described the late cleric and leader of the Tijjaniya Movement as a deeply religious, intensely generous and very simple person, whose conduct has impacted positively within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

    He also prayed to Allah to forgive him all his shortcomings and make paradise his final resting place, and give the bereaved the fortitude and courage to bear the loss.

  • Emir to Buhari: Killings targeted at embarrassing your govt

    The Emir of Katsina Alhaji Mohammadu Kabir Usman Monday in Katsina told visiting President Muhammadu Buhari that the spate of killings that is ravaging the country and threatening national security is sponsored and targeted at embarrassing his government and undermine his re-election bid

    He said ’’those who doesn’t want you re-elected and who doesn’t want your government to succeed are behind the current killings ravaging the country. It is designed to discredit and bring down your government but they will not succeed. We will continue to pray for you and therefore urge Nigerians to join us in praying’’

    The emir while re-iterating that the solution to the present national challenges lies in corporate prayers, called on Nigerians and lovers of democracy to offer fervent prayers and seek divine intervention to the present national predicament

    While responding, President Buhari told the emir he came to the palace to console him over the death of the chief Imam of Katsina mosque, Alhaji Mohammadu Lawal who was a bosom friend and a devoted Muslim

    He assured the emir that his government will remain undeterred in delivering on his campaign promises and tackling current security challenges in the country

    Meanwhile the Katsina state government has also joined in mourning the death of the renowned Islamic cleric and Chief Imam of Katsina Central Mosque Muhammadu Lawal.

    In a statement signed by his SSA Media Abdu Labaran, Governor Masari described the death of the highly respected and learned Islamic cleric as a devastating loss not only to Katsina State, but to the Islamic world, adding that the gravity of the loss will be felt beyond the shores of Nigeria in view of the vastness and depth of his knowledge.

    Governor Masari also described the deceased as a simple, humble and serious Islamic teacher whose tutelage extended beyond Nigeria, even as he called on Islamic clerics to emulate the life led by the deceased.

    While condoling the Emir of Katsina and Daura, the immediate family and disciples of the deceased, as well as the people of Katsina state and the Muslim community at large, the Governor prayed to Allah to forgive him all his shortcomings and make paradise his final resting place.

    The 95 year old cleric, who was said to have died of old age related sickness, has since been buried same day according to Islamic rites. He is survived by 22 children

    President Buhari has since left Katsina State for Jigawa state Monday.

    Read Also: Buhari Leaves Daura for Abuja after APC congress

  • APC stalwarts in Katsina State threaten court action

    SOME leaders of the Katsina State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have alleged that no ward election was conducted in the state at the weekend, threatening to go to court, if any result was released.

    A group of the party leaders, led by Abdulkadir Damale and Hassan Isah, in a statement yesterday in Katsina, claimed that the congresses were not carried out.

    “We wish to draw the attention of the national leadership of the APC that no ward congress was conducted in Katsina State.

    “In Katsina State, the electoral officials sent from the national headquarters of the party were hijacked by officials of the state government.

    “These state government officials sat in the Government House and other undesignated venues and filled the result sheets with the names of people selected by government officials.

    “We, therefore, reject any purported release of result as an outcome of the ward congress.

    “We are calling on the APC national headquarters to set-up a committee to investigate this illegality,” the statement added.

    It said that setting up a committee to investigate what happened was the only way to restore public confidence and ensure the support of party members ahead of next year’s election.

    “We are prepared to proceed to the court if any result is announced,” the APC stalwarts warned.

    Contacted, Mr. Mohammed Tanko, chairman of the ward congress election committee in Katsina State, dismissed the claims that no election was held in the state.

    “We actually conducted elections in all the 34 local governments; the turnout was massive and we ensured that all aspirants were given equal opportunities,” he said.

    Tanko said that a committee had been set up to listen to complaints by aggrieved members, and advised those not satisfied to lodge their petitions.