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Tag: Katsina State

  • Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    The Katsina State Government says it has invested N200 million in rice and cotton production under the Anchor Borrowers Programme in the state.

    Dr Abba Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Masari on Agriculture, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday, at the opening of a town hall meeting on the programme.

    The town hall meeting was organised by the state government in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), the co-sponsor of anchor borrowers programme.

    “We have rice and cotton farmers that collected the CBN loan under the anchor borrowers programme to boost rice and cotton production and the programme needed supervision.

    “We used the funds to supervise and inspect all the rice and cotton farms in the 34 local government areas of the state.

    “The Katsina state government also purchased over 35 motorcycles for extension workers to visit rice and cotton farmers with the aim of offering pieces of advice to them,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that part of the fund was used for the repair of 15 vehicles for officers involved in supervising the extension workers.

    Earlier, Alhaji Shehu Musawa, the Managing Director, State Agricultural and Rural Development Project (KATARDA), said the stakeholders’ meeting was to review how the programme fared during the rainy season.

    “Anchor borrowers programme has achieved the desired goal in the state as it has boosted rice and cotton production.

    “We are expecting bumper harvest of cotton and rice in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    In his contribution, Keystone Bank’s representative, Malam Ahmed Musa, said that the bank would continue to support agricultural programmes in the state.

    NAN

  • Hisbah Board in Kano arrests 55 beggars in September

    Hisbah Board in Kano arrests 55 beggars in September

    No fewer than 55 beggars were arrested in September by Kano State Hisbah Board for allegedly violating the law banning street begging.

    Malam Dahiru Muhammed of the board’s Anti-Begging Unit in the state on Friday said that 17 of those arrested were children, while 38 were adults.

    According to him, 33 of them are from the state while 22 are from Abia, Bauchi, Jigawa and Katsina States.

    Muhammed said that the arrests were carried out around Bata, France Road, Hadejia Road, Kwara and Katsina Road, all in Kano metropolis.

    He said that the board released beggars that were first offenders and those suffering from mental disorder, while others from neighbouring states were taken back to their respective local government areas.

    NAN

  • Katsina is safe for all Nigerians – Masari

    Katsina is safe for all Nigerians – Masari

    Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari has said that Katsina state was safe for all Nigerians regardless of their religion or tribe and asked them to go about their normal businesses without fear.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, the governor assure them that they have no cause to fear for their safety.

    Masari, who spoke against the backdrop of the heightened tension between the Nigerian military and some “irredentist militants” in the South Eastern part of the country,  said Katsina State is safe for every resident regardless of their relgious, ethnic and regional background.

    He said: “Let me once again call on and reassure our fellow Nigerians from outside Katsina, but chose to live among us in persuit of their livelihood, to go about their lawfuf activities with hope and confidence in the belief of our ability and willingness to give adequate protection to everybody without prejudice to any group.

    “We will lead in accordance with the oath of office we swore to uphold, which is “to treat all manner of people without fear or or favour, illwill or affection. This natiinal covenant is in ryhm with our age-long slogan of “Katsina is Home of Heritage and Hospitality”.

    “We make bold to state without fear of contradiction that Katsina is the most peaceful state in Nigeria, where differences of background are non issues as far as the indigenes are concerned. 

    “It is in our religion and culture to treat our guests with no less docurum and hospitality as we would ourselves. Accordingly, we will not fold our arms and allow any body or group to breach the peaceful ambience Katsina State is famed for.

    “Let me therefoe urge our people to live by these ethos and disregard any information which is capable of breaching the peasceful ambiance in the state. We should regard all Nigetian as brothers and sisters.

    “And while we are at it, let us not forget to always seek God’s intercession for our various challenges through regular prayers for the nation and our leaders”. 

  • Shema, Katsina: Appeal court rules on fair hearing

    Shema, Katsina: Appeal court rules on fair hearing

    The Appeal Court sitting in Kaduna has disallowed the application filed by former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema to stop his ongoing trial by the Katsina State Government on grounds that he was not availed documents pertaining to the petition against him.

    The court however, recognized the right of an accused to be availed documents pertaining to charges standing against them but said Shema’s application cannot stand as it was filed prematurely and before a plea was taken.

    The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Shema and three others before Justice Maikaita Bako of the State High Court for allegedly defrauding the state of N11 billion during his eight years as Governor of the state.

    Shema had approached the court asking it to stop his trial at the Katsina High court an grounds that he was not given a fair hearing as he was not allowed access to the documents pertaining to the petitions written against him for him to know the nature of the specific offences he was alleged to have committed.

    The former governor had in previous sittings argued through his counsel, JB Daudu, that he was not allowed access to “state facilities” that would accelerate fair hearing in the case.

    He told the court that the trial in the lower court was vindictive and oppressive and capable of trampling on his fundamental human right and requested the Appeal court to dismiss the case at the Katsina High Court.

    In a unanimous judgment read by Justice H.A Abiru, the court noted that, though accused persons must be availed documents to prepare for defense it was premature to file an objection when a plea had not be taken.

    The court upheld the judgment of the Kastina High court on the right of the Attorney General of Katsina State to direct the EFCC to prosecute the former governor.

    Shema had approached the Appeal Court on May 25, 2017, with interlocutory application challenging his alleged corruption trial by a Katsina State High Court.

    But the appeal court held that, there was nothing unconstitutional in the decision of the state high court to allow the Katsina State Government to give fiat to a federal government agency to prosecute the former governor for alleged offences.

    Counsel to Shema, Elisha Y. Kora, who spoke with newsmen after the judgment, said though there are grounds for them disagree with the judgment, their next action would be determined when they are availed copies of the judgment to go through.

    He said however that he is not ruling out the possibility of appealing the judgment at the Supreme Court.

  • Katsina promotes 19,600 teachers

    Katsina promotes 19,600 teachers

    Katsina State Government says it has promoted 19,600 teachers as part of effort to enhance teachers’ welfare and boost education sector.

    Alhaji Lawal Buhari, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ), made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Daura on Friday.

    He said the promotions were outstanding of 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    “We are now working on the 2016 and 2017 promotions,” he said.

    Buahri said out of the number, 13,000 teachers concerned had been notified, adding that other beneficiaries would soon receive notifications.

    The executive chairman also disclosed that government had commenced interview for the recruitment of additional 1,900 teachers, to complement the existing teacher strength.

    He said the exercise cut across the 34 local government areas, assuring that only qualified applicants would be considered for the job.

    According to him, the results of the interview would be released within week to ensure proper and timely deployment of successful recruits to schools.

    Buhari called on teachers to be committed to their duties with a view to motivating government toward enhancing their welfare.

    NAN reports that the state government recently procured teaching and learning materials worth N600 million, to promote education.

  • Aminu pays homage to Buhari in Daura

    Aminu pays homage to Buhari in Daura

    Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has expressed gratitude to God and Nigerians for the sustained prayers for the unity of Nigeria and the wellbeing of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Masari said this in Daura on Saturday when he paid Sallah homage on President Muhammadu Buhari at his GRA residence in the metropolis.

    He said to God be the glory that the President was back hale and hearty, stressing that Nigerians would continue their prayers and enlightenment campaign on the importance of peace and unity.

    He said he was in Daura to felicitate and rejoice with the President on his return from medical vacation.

    In addition, “to assure the president of our support in his effort to unite the country,” he said.

    Masari called on Nigerians to place the interest of the nation at heart by giving it the priority it deserves, adding “we will  continue to give our unconditional support to the President for him to achieve his  agenda for the country.

    “We will not relent in promoting our unity in diversity for a prosperous Nigeria, “he said.

    He said the Katsina State Government under his leadership  had introduced a series of reforms in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health and empowerment programmes.

    Buhari thanked the governor for the visit and wish all Nigerians happy Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    NAN reports that Gov. Masari was accompanied during the visit by  the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, the governor’s commissioners, politicians and other well wishers.

  • Sallah: Katsina donates N147.9m to pilgrims

    Sallah: Katsina donates N147.9m to pilgrims

    The Katsina State Government has announced donation of N147.9 million equivalent to SRA1.5 million (Saudi Riyals) to its 4,930 pilgrims as ‘Sallah gift’ during the 2017 hajj.

    Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, the Amirul-Hajj and leader of the state government delegation to Saudi Arabia for hajj, disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the pilgrims.

    He said that each pilgrim would be given SRA 300.

    Mannir, who is also the state Deputy Governor, said that the gesture was in recognition of the pilgrims’ good behavior in the Holy land.

    He further urged the pilgrims to keep up the good efforts of positively portraying the image of the state and the country in the Holy land.

    ‘’We appreciate the good behavior exhibited by our pilgrims in the Holy land, in fact, the Saudi Arabia authority has named Nigerians as the most law abiding pilgrims during this year’s hajj, which is a welcome development,’’ he said.

    He also urged the pilgrims to continue to pray to Allah to grant Nigeria peace, unity and development.

    Mannir also prayed to Allah to accept their hajj and return them home safely.

  • Massive crowd at Eid praying ground for Buhari

    Massive crowd at Eid praying ground for Buhari

    A tumultuous crowd on Friday stormed the Eid praying ground where President Muhammadu Buhari observed his Eid-el-Kabir prayer.

    The President, who returned to Nigeria on August 19 after 103 days medical vacation in the United Kingdom, landed in his home state, Katsina State on Wednesday.

    Read Also: Nigeria can make rapid progress – Buhari in Eid-El-Kabir message

    Right from his residence to the Eid praying ground, the crowd gathered on the two sides of the street waving at the President’s convoy.

    It was gathered that most of the crowd had already observed their Eid-el-Kabir prayer in another nearby praying ground.

    They concluded their prayers before 9a.m and immediately headed straight to the route the President was scheduled to pass to observe his Eid prayer.

    Rather than go home to enjoy their Sallah ram and food, they opted to get a glimpse of the President.

    When the President got to the Eid praying ground, it was almost filled beyond capacity.

    Read Also: Emir advocates agricultural programmes for youths to check restiveness 

    The President wore light brown coloured Babanringa and cap to match observed the two rakaat prayer with the crowd.

    The prayer, which started around 10 a.m, was led by the Chief Imam of Daura Emirate, Mallam Muhammadu Salisu Rabe.

    After the President had observed his Eid-el-Kabir prayers, the crowd on the two sides of the road leading to his residence appeared to have doubled more than when he was heading to the Eid praying ground.

    While some of the crowd were waving at the convoy as the President moved back to his residence, others were struggling to capture the President and the convoy on their phones.

    Read Also: Eid-El-Kabir: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Mark seek rededication to nation building

    Speaking with journalists at his residence after the prayer, the President expressed happiness that most Nigerians came out to observe the prayer based on the reports he got across the country.

    He also harped on the necessity for all Nigerians to live peacefully among themselves and to continue promoting the unity of the country.

    The scenerio in Daura on Friday was not different when the President landed at the helipad in Daura on Wednesday.

    Many youths in the area had rushed to the helipad to welcome the President back home.

    Due to turnout of the massive crowd comprising mainly youths, the President had on Wednesday rejected his convoy stationed to convey him from the helipad to his house.

    He walked from the helipad to his residence waving to the crowd and acknowledging their greetings.

  • Buhari walks home as crowd welcome him

    Buhari walks home as crowd welcome him

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday arrived his country home in Daura, Katsina State and opted to walk through the street from the helipad as an overwhelming crowd surged to welcome him.

    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, was received at the helipad by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk and abandoned the motorcade as a large number of people had already gathered around the helipad, snaking all the way to his house.

    READ ALSO: Buhari presides over FEC, announces N1m gift for each D’Tigress player

    An elated crowd cheered as the President walked home, screaming “baba ya da wo, baba oyoyo”, meaning “baba is back, welcome home”.

    Buhari was earlier received at the airport in Katsina by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Katsina,  Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, before he was airlifted with a chopper to Daura.

    READ ALSO: Defunct CPC members to Buhari – Cede SGF position to us

    The President will be spending time with his family during the Eid-el-Kabir.

  • President Buhari arrives Daura amid cheers

    President Buhari arrives Daura amid cheers

    Thousands of people thronged the Daura airstrip in Katsina State to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari, who has arrived his hometown for Eid-el-Kabir.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Airforce helicopter conveying the president and members of his immediate family landed at the airstrip at 4:45 p.m on Wednesday.

    The president was received by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, politicians and thousands of well wishers.

    Buhari, looking much healthier and radiant, smiled as he waved to the mammoth crowd. He walked from the airstrip to his residence in the GRA of the town.

    Inside the town itself, Buhari’s arrival excited many people, who broke out in prayers for his good health.

    Malam Aminu Shehu, a trader who could not control his emotion, described the arrival of the president as a relief to Nigerians, especially his kinsmen who spent a year without seeing him.

    He praised God that the president was looking happy and not fatigued.

    “we will continue to pray for the well-being of the president’’.

    Hajiya Nana Mohammed, a politician from Maiadua Local Government Area, said the president was back for the better, describing his arrival as an unprecedented home coming and “we wish him well’’.

    Alhaji Abdurrahaman Danmalan, a politician, and the Danmadamin Daura, described the numerous reforms introduced by the present administration as a welcome development.

    He said the president was pursuing the reforms on agriculture, education, security and infrastructure with vigour.

    On his part, Mr Musa Mohammed, the Chairman of the Daura chapter of the NURTW, thanked God and well meaning Nigerians for their sustained prayers for the recovery of the president

    He said his members would book for an appointment to see the president to formally greet and interact with him.

    Alhaji Ali Rabe, the Chairman of the Daura Emirate Amalgamation of Political Associations, also told NAN that arrangement for a thanksgiving service had been concluded.

    Rabe disclosed that the event would hold two days after Sallah. NAN also reports that VIPs such as governors and ministers followed Buhari into Daura.

    Massive security has been mounted in and around the ancient town.