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Tag: Katsina State

  • Masari rewards Woman who gave birth while on queue for 2015 election

    The Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari on Saturday in Katsina rewarded a woman, Malama Ramatu from Dutse Amare quarters of the city, who gave birth while standing on the queue waiting to cast her vote for him, during the 2015 elections

    Masari who made the announcement during the launching of the state women entrepreneurship programme otherwise known as Katsina Women Developments Initiatives (KWDI), said women constitute 60% of his political support base in the state, adding that his government will support any proposal or initiatives that will ensure improved standard of living and women enterprise

    He said ‘’we will never underrate the contributions of women to the political and economic development of the state. We are equally ready to give support and assistance to any women organization that can come forward with proposals that can improve quality of lives of the people of Katsina state’’

    He praised Malam Ramatu for having waited for three years for her to be recognized and rewarded for her determination to remain on queue to vote the present administration into power despite her health predicament at the time

    He said’’ this lady here demonstrated that there is no virtue better than perseverance and that she deserves every reward and encouragement for supporting my administration and for standing in the sun to ensure that she voted for me’’

    Speaking in an exclusive chat with the Nation, Malama Ramatu said she was motivated to see that the governor is elected to serve his people and that she is happy that has been realized

  • Senator Bukar’s death: NASS yet to inform us – INEC

    30 days after his demise, the National Assembly is yet to officially inform the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, about the death of the Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, Senator Mustapha Bukar (Madawakin Daura), as required by law

    The Head of Department, Voter Education of the Katsina state branch of INEC; Alhaji Albani Takai told the Nation in an exclusive interview that the failure of the legislators to perform this statutory function is affecting the electoral umpire’s plan to conduct a bye-election in the senatorial district

    He said ’’we are yet to receive official notification from the senate concerning Senator Bukar’s death and we cannot do anything at the moment until that happens. Statutorily we have 90 days from the death of the Senator and 30 days on the official receipt of his death from the senate to conduct a bye –election’’

    On the current voters registration exercise in the state , he said the exercise has entered into the second quarter of 2018 and that it is still on-going with some modifications from mobile residential areas ,to the rural areas though not involving the polling units

    Alhaji Abani further denied incidents of registration of under aged children adding that there were strict security arrangements to prevent that from happening

    Meanwhile the Katsina state INEC is expecting the bulk delivery of 2017 PVCs for distribution and collection by eligible and qualified voters in the state, the head voter education, Alhaji Albani Takai called on those who registered last year to patiently wait to collect their PVCs

  • Buhari in Daura for APC ward congress

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday left Abuja to his hometown, Daura, Katsina State in order to participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress slated for Saturday.

    The presidential jet conveying him from Abuja touched down at Umaru Musa Ya’Adua Airport, Katsina around 4:30 pm.

    He was immediately conveyed in a police chopper to Daura.

    Buhari had returned to Nigeria on Thursday night from his official visit to the United States.

    Before arriving in Nigeria, Buhari had a ‘technical stop-over,’ in London, United Kingdom.

  • Buhari: Historical books, service to humanity

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has described authorship of historical books as an act of rendering service to humanity. President Buhari said this on Saturday in Katsina, during the public presentation and launching of biographies of Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar and his predecessors.

    The President, who was represented by the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, said that writing of historical books had the capacity to promote mutual understanding and unity.

    “The authorship of books on history is an act of rendering service to humanity. “The more we write books, the more we understand ourselves and the more we unite.

    “What is important is that those who disagree in the history should also write their books,” he said.

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to work hard to sustain the unity of the country.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, charged all Nigerians to embark on projects that would help strengthen the unity of the country.

    He described the attendance of different personalities at the event, irrespective of their religions and tribes as a sign of national unity.

    The Sultan, however, said, “I urge the books’ authors to adjust a few fallacies in the books as few chapter distorted history.’’

    The chief launcher of the books, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, also harped on unity of Nigeria.

    “What is dividing us is lack of understanding of history. Whether you are from West, South, North, nobody has control over what God has for our lives.

    “Whom I am, where I am coming from and where am going, my destiny, it is in the hands of God.

    “Our problem in Nigeria is not about poor economy, but lack of understanding of difficulties Nigerians are going through,’’ he said.

    Tinubu charged Nigerian leaders to preach peace and unity irrespective of their religions, tribes and geopolitical zones, saying: “There should be no tribal war; we must share boundaries, coexist and share economic issues with ourselves.’’

    Read Also: Buhari commends Adenuga for creating jobs in Nigerians

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who chaired the event, said that he attended the event because of the relationship between the people of his constituency and the Gwandu Emirate.

    He stressed that he would continue to support any cause that would promote peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Saraki commended late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for initiating the writing of books to foster understanding and knowledge in the country.

    “The books will further brighten the future of Nigerian youths,’’ he said.

    The newsmen reports that the event was attended by dignitaries from the National Assembly, Emirs from the northern part of the country and state governors from neighbouring countries of Benin and Niger Republics.

    The newsmen also reports that over N100 million was realised from the launching of the books.

    NAN

  • EFCC case: Court hears Shema’s bail application today

    The federal High court Katsina is expected to hear the application for bail by detained Former governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

    The Nation recalled that the embattled ex-governor had been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on the order of Justice Babagana Ashigar of the federal high court, Katsina till Friday, 27th April, 2018, pending the application of his bail.

    Shema who was earlier arraigned on Tuesday over N5.7 billion frauds and money laundry being leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however, pleaded not guilty to the 26 count charges leveled against him

    Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, his lead Counsel, had told the court that Shema came to the court when he heard that the case would be heard and out of respect for the judiciary and pleaded that the court should adjourn the case, insisting that Shema was not served with a court summon hence he couldn’t take his pleas.

    However, the prosecution Counsel, Ologun Orissa objected to the request from Schema’s counsel, and urged the court to proceed with the case.

    He said, “The offense committed by Shema is entitled to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. I am asking the court to remand the defender pending when proper application is made available to the court by the defender’s counsel”.

    After listening to both parties, Justice Babagana Shigar, the chief judge had ruled that the defender (Shema) should be remanded in EFCC’s custody till 27th April, 2018 pending the application of his bail.

  • SWAN lauds Katsina for upgrading Muhammad Dikko Stadium

    The Katsina State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN ) has commended the state government for upgrading the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
    A statement by the association’s Secretary, Muawiyya Garba on Thursday in Katsina lauded the government for modernizing the athletics’ tracks to international standard.
    Garba said that the upgrade had placed the state in a position to host national and international athletics competitions.

    Read Also: Katsina State: Service begins sensitisation on fire control

    The Katsina SWAN secretary also said that the current step rehabilitation of Funtua and Malumfashi stadiums would promote grassroots sports.
    He added that the upgrade may be responsible for the good outing of Katsina United Football Club, which currently occupies fourth position in the ongoing Nigeria Premier League.
    He urged the state government to encourage the youth to actively participate in sports.

    NAN

  • Katsina State: Service begins sensitisation on fire control

    Federal Fire Service in Katsina State has commenced sensitisation visits to communities on proactive fire control measures to ensure reduction in outbreaks.

    Malam v, the Commanding Officer in charge of Katsina, disclosed this when his team visited the Emir of Daura,  Alhaji Umar Farouk, on Thursday.

    He said the sensitisation was on installation of first aid firefighting equipment like fire extinguisher and other relevant equipment.

    He solicited the cooperation and understanding of traditional, religious and community leaders for the success of the programme.

    Read Also: Police arrest 8 suspected kidnappers in Katsina State.

    Musa said that the programmed started simultaneously across the 34 local government areas of the state.

    He added that the team would visit schools, markets, motor parks, public buildings and residential houses for interactive sessions with the people.

    The Emir of Daura described the programme as timely and important, considering the instances of fire outbreaks being recorded in the state.

    Farouk commended the service for initiating the programme, adding that the emirate would support the initiative.

    NAN

  • BOI empowers 2328 passing out corps members

    The Bank of industry on Thurday empowered about 2328 youth corps members who have completed their one year mandatory national service with loans to enable them start up an entrepreneurship rather than thronging the employment markets for jobs.

    The Katsina state coordinator of NYSC, Hajia Ramatu Sanda, who made the disclosure at the passing out ceremony of the 2017 batch ’’A’’ stream one corps member deployed to the state, said members are already receiving alert payments into their accounts and that the interest rates remain single digit while the collateral is their certificate of national service

    She urged those that have received their alerts to come forward to process their facilities, and expressed confidence that the preparations and training on entrepreneurship they received while in camp will prepare them for the challenges ahead

    Read Also: BOI to train 3,000 NYSC members yearly on entrepreneurship skills

    She said ’’in the camp you were bombarded with lectures, physical exercise, leadership and citizenship training, military parade, skills and entrepreneurship development ‘’

    ;;all these steps for the past eleven months have to a large extent  prepared you for a post service life where you can comfortably use your had to survive in the present competitive and seemingly jobless society’’

    Earlier the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by the Special assistant on Youth development, Alhaji Ibrahim kalil Aminu, announced casa wads to about 30 corps members who distinguished themselves during the service year. Amongst the recipients are Ezeokoli Amarachi Stella and Osohu Raphael

  • Katsina flags off FG’s school feeding programme

    Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Wednesday flagged off the federal government home grown school feeding program expected to cover no fewer than 876,000 Pupils even as the state government is expected to employ about 11,000 food vendors to cook for the pupils

    Speaking at the flagging off ceremony, the governor said his government is desirous of ensuring that pupils focus their attention on learning, pointing out that there is a relationship between well fed pupils and the capacity to learn while hungry pupils find it difficult to concentrate.

    He also noted the imperative to mainstream school feeding as a policy of his government, just as he said the programme is very important particularly that the primary education is fundamental as it is the foundation of the education sector.

    He said “The programme has multiplier effects as it will create jobs for about 10,000 women, the school children will fed and the farmers will have their farm produce patronized by the state’’.

    “It will enhance enrolment and retention in our primary schools which is very crucial particularly that it is fundamental and foundation of education. We will also have healthy children and women”.

    The state Coordinator of the programme, Hajia Binta Abba Umar, in her address at the occasion, said the programme would go a long way in reducing the sufferings of primary school pupils in the state.

    According to her, the programme is designed to enhance academic performance of pupils across the state, stressing that the state government under the watch of Governor Aminu Bello Masari has put the needed apparatus on ground to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

    Hajiya Umar who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Girl-child Education, however, applauded federal and state governments for alleviating the plights of vulnerable pupils via the creation of the platform to feed primary school pupils in the state.

    In her words, “The benefit of this program me is to improve on the enrolment and retention of the pupils across primary schools in the state. The state government would not hesitate to sanction any cook that fails to provide the free meal for the pupils because the initiative is for them”.

  • Buhari mourns Senator Mustapha Bukar 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Senator Mustapha Bukar, who represented Katsina North constituency.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, described his death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession.’’

    President Buhari has also sent condolences to the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, who distinguished himself as an engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.

    The President recalled that as a young engineer the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina, working variously as a General Manager of the Water Board,  Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    “Senator Bukar was so dedicated to his responsibilities and hardworking that he got an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he also demonstrated the same dedication and passion for service,’’ the President said.

    He added: “I am always touched by the death of dedicated and creative public servants like Sen. Bukar. We should emulate such rare and hardworking Nigerians for the progress of our country.’’

    The President prayed that Allah will bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.

    Read Also: Saraki mourns late Sen. Mustapha Bukar